Of influence?

There has been a lot in the news lately about ‘influencers’ – especially those like Andrew Tate whose misogyny has had such a big impact on teenage boys. (See on for a helpful ‘Guardian’ article about this and the impact in schools.)

Influencers in social media

‘Influencers’ come in all guises. One of the most impactful of late is a ten-year-old girl from Kashmir (writing under ‘What Aqsa says’) who at least focuses on the beauty of her part of India, on sport and on health. Another is called Pedro Alvarez from Venezuela who writes about fashion, make-up and comedy. There are plenty of avowedly Christian ‘influencers’, too, such as LA pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts, who also heads up a lifestyle brand, and Jerry Flowers of Redefined TV. Whilst these largely inhabit the social media world, I was delighted last weekend to see someone well known speak out on mainstream TV about his faith, catching his interviewer off guard.

An influencer in sport

I am not sure that England rugby player Maro Itoje would call himself an ‘influencer’ but he speaks up for the greatest influencer of all time who has a following far and away in excess of Tate, et al – Jesus Christ. When Itoje was interviewed at the end of the New Year’s Eve Saracens’ rugby match on ITV by pundit Topsy, he was asked if he was going out to celebrate that evening. Itoje replied quite simply that he was going to church to worship God that evening – to sing His praises. In an interview a couple of years back, Maro Itoje said this: ‘I feel as if everything I have, everything I’ve been given and the position I am in, is as a result of God. He can take it away but fortunately He’s given it to me. It’s about giving all the praise and glory back to Him’. Now there’s an ‘influencer’ worth considering!

If you want to read more about Tate and combating his malign influence, then here’s the ‘Guardian’ article:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jan/07/andrew-tate-misogyny-schools-vulnerable-boys?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

A sporting moment?

For many of us interested in sport, our thoughts this past month have been focused on the men’s football World Cup. I hesitate to add to the comment online and in the ‘papers except to say that I was shocked by some members of the Argentine team mocking their crestfallen opponents, the Netherlands, on the pitch after their quarter-final match. I was also perturbed to see Ronaldo leave the field quickly after the Portugal semi against Morocco without, it seems, shaking hands with his opponents or consoling team mates. Perhaps this came later? In contrast, the sportsmanship of the French in the ways they approached the English team after full time, and also the genuine support offered to the distraught by the coaching team and other players, were heart warming. Images, too, of the Japanese tourists helping pick up litter in the stadia and the bravery of the Iranian team speaking out about the treatment of women in their country, brings much uplift to the human condition.

The ‘professional’ foul

In thinking about sporting behaviour, I don’t suppose I am alone in hoping that one day in the so-called ‘Beautiful Game’, there will be a move to be more honest on the pitch. The ‘professional foul’ is clearly a misnomer, a euphemism for cheating, and it always baffles me when a ball goes out of play and inevitably players from both sides claim the throw-in or the corner kick when in most cases it must be very obvious to the players immediately involved who it was who last touched the ball. What a moment it would be when a professional footballer actually ‘owns up’ to having touched the ball last and asks the referee to change the decision that initially went in his or her favour! And don’t let me start on the way referees themselves are abused, hassled and intimidated by so-called ‘sportsmen’.

True sportsmanship

Whilst of a very different era, and no doubt our minds are impacted by images in the film ‘Chariots of fire’, it is abundantly evident that Scottish athlete Eric Liddell was the consummate sportsman in all senses of the word. At church two weeks ago, I met a 90-year-old lady who had been interred with Liddell in China in the 1940s, a prisoner of the Japanese. Two things stood out in our conversation: Liddell could have been released (after Churchill’s intervention) in a prisoner exchange. He chose instead to have a pregnant woman take his place. The other incident especially referred to by the lady I met was Liddell’s willingness to put aside long-held beliefs about Sunday sport and to organise games on the Sabbath for other internment camp children. As we go through the week ahead and endure the Press ‘noise’ over the victors in the World Cup final, let’s consider afresh the legacy, compassion and sportsmanship of athletes like Eric Liddell and be thankful for positive role models.

A child of the Commonwealth

I was born high up on the Jos plateau in Nigeria, raised in Ghana until I was 19 years of age, schooled in Scotland, the land of my father, and occasionally holidayed in London, from where my English mother hailed. As an adult I have worked both sides of the Border and also taught for nine years in India – and thus have five Commonwealth countries close to my heart. (And this doesn’t account for visits to Canada, Malta, Gibraltar, Cyprus, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa…)

Trackside at the Games

As a volunteer at the 2022 Games in Birmingham, I was part of the Photo Team, a component of the media group. This gave me privileged access at both the marathon and the athletics (in the Alexander Stadium) not only to ‘trackside’ views, but also to the photographers and other journalists. It was a joy talking with people from around the Commonwealth, most of whom seemed delighted to have someone to talk with about their work and their countries.

Three encounters

Three encounters among many stick with me. There was the young lady photographer from Nigeria who was anxious about reaching the right spot to photograph a medal ceremony. I chatted to her and mentioned that I was born in Jos. Her eyes widened as she said, ‘Jos? But, you’re…’ – and I finished off the sentence for her: ‘Yes, I’m white!’ There was no racial undertone in any of this but simple, almost childlike, incredulity which then gave way to warmth and excitement. Next was the conversation with the single media representative from Gibraltar. ‘What are your medal hopes?’ I asked. He laughed. ‘No medal hopes but lots of opportunities for personal bests. For us in Gibraltar, this is the pinnacle of sport as we won’t otherwise be singularly represented in a global event. We simply enjoy the taking part’. And then thirdly, there was the chit-chat with the photographer from Botswana who was positioned at the ‘head on platform’ overlooking the finish line. As the men’s 4 x 400 metre relay final unwound, he became more and more excited. The Botswanan athletes moved up into the lead at one point before having to settle for silver. His excitement was such that I expect all his photos of the finish were actually a blur!

The Friendly Games

I could go on to tell of the Australian gentleman who bounced up to me as I made my way down to trackside with a photographer to say, ‘That’s my son in the decathlon high jump’ – he just had to tell someone! (His son won bronze overall.) And then there was the visitor in the queue for the shuttle bus who spoke with me and another volunteer to ask how we were feeling about the Games and to thank us both profusely. I know it’s almost trite to say that these are The Friendly Games, but I have found them to be so. It has been a privilege to witness genuine, childlike, joy over the past ten days and to acknowledge that for the vast majority of the athletes from the Commonwealth nations this has been their one moment in the spotlight – and they have revelled in it whilst embracing everything and everyone around them. As a ‘child of the Commonwealth’, it has brought to me a lot of satisfaction, too, and just a few pin badges!

Don’t make waves?

It was 50 years ago today on 4^th May 1972 that the Greenpeace Movement was formed, taking over a fledgling anti-nuclear protest group known as ‘Don’t make a wave Committee’ – a name it had given itself based upon the fear that an atomic blast would create a giant wave that could swamp West Coast cities in America.

A tidal wave

From being a radical action group, which had been the thorn in many politicians’ sides across the western world, many of the values of Greenpeace have been recognized, praised and absorbed into our way of thinking today as we’ve become more conscious not only of nuclear threats but of more general damage inflicted on our planet and compromising its future survival.

Waves of injustice

I would dare to suggest that in all manner of ways we need to revive the former tagline but make it a positive instead to: ‘Let’s make a wave.’ We should as people be standing out against all kinds of injustice and imbalances in society and be ‘waving’ and ‘flagging these up’, and not least things that are Green and involve Peace. We have seen over recent weeks, all too many scorched earth campaigns of destruction which have left vast swathes of Ukrainian territory devoid of anything green and inhabitable and shattered any peace that once existed.

Shockwaves from Easter

From a Christian perspective, however, what the Easter message encourages us to do is to make ‘huge waves’ in spreading the good news that Christ has brought through his resurrection. His disciples were huddled together in a ‘bunker’ underground, frightened by the shockwaves of Jesus’ death, and looked anything but green and peaceful. What was their future? How would they cope with the maelstrom of feeling from both Romans and the Jewish leaders in the aftermath of such cruel vindictiveness? Jesus appeared in front of them and simply said, ‘Peace be with you’ and invited them to see his hands and side as proof of his triumph over death. He even asked them to produce a piece of fish for him to eat, to dispel myths that he was just a ghost. From this time, Christ equipped his followers to go out and proclaim the Good News, and once filled with his promised Spirit at Pentecost to turn the world order upside down, beginning with the injustices within the human heart, announcing peace with God as sins are forgiven. Indeed, it is with this realization that we can be set free within that all else follows: we then see the need for the love of God to reach equally to all people, we have a passion for human life and for the world we care for. Let’s all make waves for peace…within, and make the world Green with envy, but without excluding any. At least, let’s test the waters!

(With thanks to Revd Alex Aldous, chaplain at Prestfelde School)

The foolishness of this world?

How many April Fools’ Day jokes did you spot last week? ‘Walkers’ offered sliced bread-sized crisps, for example, and a soap manufacturer in Scotland called ‘Arran’ urged customers to order their newly bottled product which would hold its tartan pattern as you squeezed out the soap. The best of all time was probably the 1957 Panorama special about spaghetti trees but the 1980 BBC joke that the Big Ben clock tower was to go digital (sight and sound) went badly when eager first caller customers called in to claim a prize – one of the clock hands – only to be disappointed. Angry complaints went on for weeks!

School foolishness

I do remember the Upper Sixth (Y13) pupils in my boarding house in the 1970s replacing our Housemaster’s new red sports car with a Dinky version. Somehow they rolled the real version off the drive and hid it around the corner. They then hid behind their study windows and watched the incredulity and frustration of our Housemaster as he stepped out of his house! The sixth formers only escaped censure because the Housemaster’s wife had played a part! And then there was the occasion when, as a Deputy Head at a school in Cheltenham, I was ‘arrested’ and handcuffed by the Police as I left Chapel. Part of an April Fool and a charity stunt, I was only released after funds were raised that day for a local charity. (Fortunately I spent the day in comfortable surroundings drinking tea – and, more importantly, the school thought enough of me to want me back and so paid the charity ‘fine’!)

Laugh in Church? You must be joking!

I agree with James Cary, a BBC sitcom writer (‘Miranda’, ‘Hut 33’, ‘Bluestone 42’, etc.) who spoke this year at a TISCA (The Independent Schools Christian Alliance) regional meeting, who argues in his book, ‘The sacred art of joking’, that there’s plenty of humour in the Bible – and should be in church – but all too often we miss it. What, for example, do we make of Jesus’ comic exaggeration in Matthew 7 when He calls on us to remove the ‘logs’ from our eyes’? Moreover, for centuries the church practised ‘Risus Paschalis’, the ‘Easter laugh’, where priests regularly told jokes in Easter sermons. Whilst not seeking to make light of the seriousness of the cross and Jesus’ suffering, there is surely underlying humour in the religious authorities (and the devil) seeking to get rid of Someone who has proved he can raise the dead (Lazarus).

Let’s enjoy some laughter this Easter amongst all the seriousness.

Heart Beat

This week sees the inauspicious anniversary of the death of William Harvey in 1578. He was a London doctor, credited with being the first to discover that blood circulates around the body, pumped by the beat of the heart. The heart as our life-source, sends oxygen and nutrients through veins and arteries, so that, physically, we as humans can operate as we do. The pump of the heart has, however, become the symbol of what we are emotionally and psychologically. We talk of the ‘heart racing’ when there is physical attraction towards someone; we speak of the ‘heart being full’, may be of praise and admiration of others’ accomplishments; and we articulate the words ‘our hearts are heavy’ when referring to tragedy or crisis in our lives.

Heavy hearts

It is certainly the case that the lattermost ‘heart expression’ is all too true for large swathes of the globe at this moment, as we are facing what is a second world crisis – first pandemic and now the fall-out of the war in Ukraine. As we sit in front of our screens and are confronted daily with heinous atrocities perpetrated against the most innocent and defenceless, such as in Mariupole, our hearts are, indeed, heavy as we stand and watch what was a normal, thriving, Western city suffer such decimation, and its inhabitants reduced to starvation, homelessness and loss of all semblance of life as they knew it.

Broken hearts

In the Psalms, King David writes: ‘the Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.’ Jesus echoes this sentiment in Matthew’s gospel: ‘Come to me all you who are heavy laden and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.’ The incarnation of God in Christ is a message from the heart of the Creator and Sustainer that he forever identifies with pain and trauma – with those who are suffering and with those who feel for the pain of others, and it is the responsibility of all those who claim to follow him, to be those who carry burdens and share in the heaviness of heart that others experience. But emphasis should be on the ‘sharing,’ for none of us is expected to bear the weight of the world upon one’s shoulders and heart. On reflecting upon the import of Lent, it is that we who may be ‘heavy in heart’ are driven to prayer and to share with, and inquire of, God what he may be asking any of us to do in response. It is then to understand that it is His task for us, and not the task of the lone stoic with the sense of ‘ought’ around his or her neck. It comes back to the Christian’s understanding of service, which we can do with purpose, but also with joy, even in the midst of pain: holding both these things in tension is to reflect the very nature of the passion and triumph of the cross and resurrection.

Heart restored

So let us go where the heart says but be directed by the one whose heart beats for each one of us, whatever state we find ourselves in.

(With thanks to Revd Alex Aldous, Chaplain of Prestfelde Prep School)

What makes for a great ruler?

In a week when our screens and social media platforms are full of images and stories of war, violence and atrocities, I was drawn to a true story mentioned in a book by Revd. Anthony Buckley (The Well-Tempered Gallery), one of our TISCA trustees.

A great King

The 8th century chronicler known as the Venerable Bede, writes about Edwin of Northumbria, a 7th century King of one of the seven kingdoms which came to make up England. Bede says that Edwin was a great king because ‘a woman and child could walk unmolested from coast to coast‘. For Bede, the criteria of a great king did not lie in battles won or riches accumulated, but simply in creating a society where people feel safe. How did he achieve this? Historians seem to agree on two factors: firstly, leadership of character. He modelled an attitude of respect and expected this same behaviour in his household and court as he did across the kingdom. Secondly, leadership of action. Edwin was ruthless against those who disregarded his example and his laws.

Chivalric idea

For several hundred years the chivalric idea of using strength well was an aspiration for leaders. Minstrels, bards and story tellers also realised the importance of tales which strengthens a culture of respect and protection. Let’s pray for more leaders like King Edwin today – and for uplifting stories of honour, integrity and respect.

Gritty love

It was St Valentine’s Day this week but rather than share a story of romantic love, here’s a true one about gritty, Jesus-shaped love…

Sing Sing

In 1921 Lewis Lawes became warden at Sing Sing, New York’s maximum security prison. This correctional facility had the reputation of being the USA’s toughest institution but when Lawes retired 20 years later it had become known for its humanitarian ways. When asked the secret of this transformation, Lewis Lawes said: ‘I owe it all to my wonderful wife, Katherine, who is buried outside the prison walls’.

The Angel of Sing Sing

Katherine Lawes was a young mother of three children when Lewis became warden. Against all advice, she took the family inside the prison to support basketball matches. She was determined to help where she could, even learning braille to teach one blind prisoner and sign language to communicate with a deaf-mute prisoner. Many said that Katherine Lawes was the presence of Jesus in Sing Sing from 1921-1937 and she was nicknamed ‘The Angel of Sing Sing’.

A freak accident

In October 1937 Katherine died in a freak accident on a bridge. The following morning Lewis didn’t come to work and an acting warden took over as Katherine’s body was laid to rest in a casket at the family home just under a mile from the prison gates. The next day the acting warden was shocked to see an immense crowd, including the toughest of criminals, gathered at the main gate, many in tears. He knew how much they loved Katherine: ‘All right, men, you can go. Just be sure and check in tonight’. The criminals walked to Katherine’s home, without a guard, to pay their final respects – and every one checked back in. Every one! ‘Gentle Jesus, meek and mild? As if!’ That’s gritty love – and its impact.

Weird stories – and opportunities

Towards the end of January, and I set out on what, in recent times, was a ‘weird’ opportunity: to visit some TISCA (The Independent Schools Christian Alliance) schools in person and to hold regional meetings without depending on Zoom and a screen. And what a joy it was!

The strongest shot in tennis?

Revd Martin Poole, a governor at Ballard School, spoke at the South regional gathering at Castle Court Prep School. His enthusiastic accounts of sharing stories at school assemblies ranged from showing us how to ‘tell the Bible’ using the fingers of one hand (a thumbs up for encouragement, an index finger to point to things needing attention, the middle finger – taller than the others – to be Jesus, a fourth – the ring finger – for commitment, and then the little finger for prayer), how to divide 19 camels fairly between a sheikh’s three sons (my maths was mightily challenged) and also how to use sport to tell the gospel. The latter illustration was very effective: what’s the strongest and often the winning shot played in tennis? This is, of course, the serve. Our service as Christians is often what draws others to Jesus.

The meeting at Castle Court was also remarkable for the overflowing excitement shared by staff from several schools, but especially Castle Court, of being able to have fellowship together (over a very fine meal I should add). Some schools have been unable to have in-person staff meetings until very recently and whilst we remain in awe of what technology can do to bring us together, there is nothing to replace seeing others face-to-face.

Weird stories

On our tour we took in two other schools before going to King’s Bruton for the South West regional meeting. We were treated to BBC sitcom writer James Cary’s musings on weird stories in the Bible. Here’s what Revd George Beverly, chaplain at King’s, wrote after the event:

Have you ever considered how the Bible is jam-packed with weird accounts: Baalam’s donkey talking! The transfiguration! Absalom’s long hair getting tangled in a tree, leaving him stuck hanging until he was captured! The physical resurrection of many bodies from tombs in Jerusalem when Jesus Christ rose back to life – and they walked around Jerusalem talking to people – a bit like zombies!

What do we do with such accounts? Shy away from them? Focus on the more “rational” sections of Scripture? Try and explain them away as deceptions that tricked supposedly gullible people thousands of years ago? No – none of those are wise or responsible approaches to make. We believe in a God who made the very laws of science, who is all-powerful and created everything. Thus, He is not constrained by such laws. The very fact He brings about miracles, shows he is God. And on Thursday evening, it was lovely to welcome James Cary, Christian writer, speaker and comedian to speak at TISCA (The Independent Schools’ Christian Alliance) regional meeting hosted at King’s. James sits on the Church of England’s Archbishops’ Council, hosts numerous podcasts and writes comedy for the BBC (e.g. Miranda, Hut 33, Bluestone 42, Think the Unthinkable) often alongside Milton Jones. James commended us to not shy away from the weird and controversial aspects of Scripture. God has given us these passages and they richly overflow with the message of His gospel love. Moreover, as teachers/chaplains/staff in schools, we are surrounded by children and teenagers whose world is immersed and full of an obsession with the weird and wonderful. Consider: Star Wars, Marvel, Narnia, Harry Potter and so much more. Best of all, as we engage with Scripture’s stranger segments, it often prompts genuine discussion and enquiry between pupils and staff – and isn’t that wonderful! What could be more important and fascinating than debating and discussing the message of the One who claims to hold the answers to life’s biggest questions?!?!

So, our challenge to all is to seize opportunities to engage in the weird and wonderful in the Bible – and to do the ‘weird thing’ of meeting up again in person! (COVID secure, of course…)

(Lead article in the Spring 2022 edition of ‘TISCA News and Views’)

Nurturing talent

How do we recognise and nurture talent and potential?

Sporting opportunity

As a Prep School boy in Scotland, I was a keen sportsman but not especially talented. I can remember one of my Schoolmasters, looking at a rather gangly 12 year old, tall for his age but somewhat uncoordinated, and saying: ‘Reid. Keep working hard at your rugby and you’ll get in the 1st XV and get your ‘colours’. He was right on both counts although my ‘colours’ were only awarded after the final match of the season!

The following term, this same Master spotted that I have a little talent at cross-country running (a sport I went on to develop significantly at my secondary school). Once again he encouraged me by setting a target of getting into the top three when the end of term school event took place. Again he was right to set the goal. I may, of course, have managed this without his interest and challenge – but I doubt it.

Professional sport scouts

Scouts for professional football spend less time these days on the side of muddy pitches looking for talent and much more in front of screens analysing data. Nonetheless, they still have to spot potential. In a course run by the Professional Football Scouts Association, they start with the photo seen above of a team of young kids in red and white shirts. It’s from the 1990s and they are on a dirt pitch in less than salubrious surroundings. ‘If you were a scout, which of these ten players would you most be interested in?’ You might pick the lad in the front row with the wide smile as he looks like he’s enjoying himself and so could have a good mentality. What about the boy standing taller than the others: he is presenting himself with confidence? How many would be drawn to the lad on the back row, far left, with his shirt hanging off his shoulders? He’s smaller than the others and has a shy smile. This young man is the future football megastar – Lionel Messi!

Nurture well

Let’s nurture well all those in front of us – at home, in school, at work, in a hobby setting, at church – and be prepared to be at pleasantly surprised by the outcome!