Faithful Presence in a Fractured World, edited by Helen Paynter

'A timely book and it is hard to imagine any minister or church not benefiting from it in one way or another'

Faithful Presence in a Fractured World - A Church Toolkit for Resisting the Far Right
Edited by Helen Paynter
Canterbury Press
ISBN: 978 1 78622 738 6
Reviewed by John Matthews

 
As Christian nationalism and far-right ideologies gain traction in society and within parts of the Church, many UK church leaders are seeking guidance as to how best to respond. Three years ago the editor of this book convened an ecumenical and interfaith consultation to discuss how the UK church should respond to the use of Christian imagery and language by far-right groups, many contributions of which were published in The Church, the Far Right, and the Claim to Christianity.

At that time she made ten recommendations to national denominations (which are included here) but it became clear that more practical suggestions are needed, which is what this book seeks to provide. Hence its sub-title, ‘A Church Toolkit for Resisting the Far Right’. 
 
In one of her introductory chapters the editor alerts us to the danger of allowing ourselves to be defined by what (or whom) we are against, and suggests five aspects of the ‘better story’ Christians have to tell, which, she rightly suggests, could be a preaching series.
 
There are contributions from one organisation and 25 individuals, several of whom, like the editor, are Baptist ministers. These are grouped together in seven parts; Give Young People a Purpose and Home, Promote Intercultural Understanding and Hearts of Compassion, Cultivate Understanding of Our Own Faith and that of Others, Be Wise as Serpents and Innocent as Doves, Think and Speak Well, Tackle the Factors that Promote Resentment, and Resources. Each part has an introduction by the editor, followed by several chapters of 3-4 pages, with suggestions for taking the particular issue further.
 
Lack of space prevents a summary of the contents but some of the things which particularly struck this reviewer were moving from multicultural to intercultural, how to relate to Muslims in a way that unites confidence in the gospel with deep respect for them, issues to consider if a group asks to rent a church space, how to use freedom of speech, helping young people develop critical thinking skills (especially in relation to social media), and a modern equivalent of the Barmen Declaration of 1934 by German Christians who opposed Hitler, setting out what we affirm and what we deny as Christians.
 
Every church’s context is different and these contributions are intended to be tools, not prescriptions, nor a complete set of possibilities. Lest anyone should feel overwhelmed by the task or the multiplicity of options, Paynter commends Michael Mosley’s ‘Just One Thing’ approach. And rather than mimicking the aggressive stance of certain prominent figures or mirroring Christian Nationalism’s will to power, she draws attention to Jesus’ parables of the mustard seed and the yeast.
 
The back cover blurb says that this is ‘an essential resource for ministers, activists and all those concerned about the Church’s witness in an age of extremism.’ It really is. This is a timely book and it is hard to imagine any minister or church not benefiting from it in one way or another.
 
John Matthews is a retired Baptist minister living in Rushden, Northants.
  

John Matthews is a retired Baptist minister living in Rushden, Northants 

Faithful Presence in a Fractured World: A Church Toolkit for Resisting the Far Right, edited by Helen Paynter is available on the Baptists Together shop