The second week of my Advent thoughts draw to a close with reflection on the possible current presence of colonialism in our Christianity.

In mission studies we may look back to the past where the methods and expectations of well meaning missionaries was corrupted by colonialism which outplayed in the expectation that the new Christians of whatever country would all act like western Christians did, disregarding indigenous culture or experience.

As my day draws to a close, I’m not sure that as western Christians we have moved on too much from our Victorian ancestors. From where I look it does still seem that in church, on a Sunday in particular, we expect all people to behave the same way and have the same worldview that we have as well as the same ‘brand’ of faith.

If church is community, then a diversity of opinions should co-exist in an atmosphere of mutual trust, respect and love. As the community considers each other, each person hears and reflects and changes. The result is that the community grows in its spirituality and gains a wider, fuller and deeper relationship with each other and with God.

The alternative is a bland, mono-flavoured colony.

I wonder if we are afraid of difference and diversity because it may cause us to challenge ourselves on how we think. If we think or question too much, we may find out that our current view is wrong and then need to change our opinion. Changing our opinion may need us to change our lifestyle, our practice, our church.

Much safer to colonise!