Time to look over the fence

I've heard that 1 Chronicles 12:32 was regularly quoted throughout the Lausanne Congress in Cape Town: "And of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs." (Amplified)

I wonder... what does it mean to "understand the times"?

As a journalist, I've always had an interest in what is happening in the world around me. It comes with the territory - a natural curiosity (or maybe just nosiness?) and a desire to keep up to date. Knowing is not synonymous with understanding, of course, but it is a good start.

But what about church leaders and Christians across Ireland? What about you?

A Time Magazine piece on theologian Karl Barth published on Friday, May 31, 1963 said: "[Barth] recalls that 40 years ago he advised young theologians 'to take your Bible and take your newspaper, and read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible.'"

I think that is a brilliant description of what it means to understand the times. We need to know the scriptures. We need to know what is happening in our local community, our counties, our nation and around the world. Understanding comes when we allow the scriptures to help us make sense of what we see!

The problem, especially for church leaders, is that many are so caught up with their own parish, their own denomination, their own programmes and issues, that little time is spent on looking over the fence.

Don't get me wrong... there are some tremendous "Issachar-like" leaders out there who have their finger on the pulse. But there are also leaders who are head-in-the-sand ignorant of issues beyond their borders.

It is understandable when you know the workload many are facing but even so, I find it worrying. How about you?