Of History and Financial Crises

Just recently I finished reading Marcus Loane's Centenary History of Moore College. As a piece of local history published over 50 years ago it makes a challenging read for modern eyes. To call it a 'gripping read' would be an overstatement. To be fair, as a history of the College rather than the personalities involved, there is only much juicy gossip that can be crowbarred in. That said, Loane's dry humour pops up occasionally if you are willing to persevere The focus of the work is really on how the College managed to persevere with the task of preaching the Gospel in the midst of the shaping of a nation. As a result finances play a large part in the book. It gives the feeling occasionally that you are reading a collection of someone else's payslips.

This year Moore College has been hit by the full force of the GFC. While there may be legitimate grumblings about loss of bookshop discounts and no more seconds at lunch, the real impact is at the human level as several beloved staff have been unable to be maintained. So, I thought I would share what Marcus Loane has taught me about the Financial Crisis:

1) God is bigger than Money. For those who imagine that the College has always been a place of financial security and diocesan stability, think again. For most of its history MTC has been a brass farthing away from being skint. There were many times when it seemed as if the great work of the College was about to be swept away because of financial pressures only to be graciously given a lifeline. While this tells me a lot about the providence of God it also tells me that building the Kingdom can weather the seas of Fiscal Uncertainty.

2) Institutions are smaller than People. Sounds counterintuitive given that we are talking about a moderately large College with a distinguished history. However, it appeared to me on reading Loane's account that those who led the College in the past (whatever their theological leanings) put the welfare and education of the students rather than the reputation of the institution as their paramount goal. Similarly, those students who attended did so not because of prestige but because a commitment to a high quality of theological education in order to serve God through ministry to His people. Buildings and Councils and Mottoes have value not in and of themselves but because of the people to which they testify. Christ did not die for a College but for those who fill it and the ones they serve.

3) The Kingdom is bigger than a College. Moore College was not the first nor last Church of England theological education institution set up in Australia. Many others were born, prospered for a time, and died under God's hand. We must never forget that this College stands in exactly the same situation. Because we thrive today does not mean we will so tomorrow. In a generation Moore Theological College could be no more. I definitely do not want that to happen, but I think that if I have trust in the Lord rather than Man I have to be OK with that. Sometimes I hear the view that the end of the College would mean the end of Evangelical faith in Sydney. It would be a hard blow, that much is certain, and one I think we must all work hard to prevent. Yet the Word will endure until Christ returns. If it is not preached and taught in this place it will be somewhere else. With everything that has happened in the last 2000 years the fate of one local College is small in the plans of God. Still, I believe that His Love rests upon this place and all who study and teach here and I thank God for the blessings which I have personally received here.

OK, now I must show my commitment to the dying embers of my theological education by going to class! In the words of Bill & Ted: Be Excellent to each other!