Letters to the editor: July

Joseph Smith | 25 June 2007

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Kudos for our new CEO

I’m delighted that the Diocese has found someone of Steve McKerihan’s calibre for the Secretariat CEO and GAB roles. However, one aspect of your report on his appointment disturbs me. The idea that moving into paid church employment means that he is now doing “some form of Christian work” seems to pervade evangelical circles these days.

No doubt God calls some people to leave the ‘secular’ workforce in the way I’m sure he has with Steve, but I am convinced that He calls many others to remain “among the pagans” (as Peter put it) as ambassadors and witnesses of Christ. It disturbs me that the majority of Christians are implied to be doing something other than “Christian work” when they seek to live out the faith in Australia’s schools, factories, shops and offices. The apostles didn’t see it that way, with Peter for instance urging all Christ’s followers to “live such good lives” in our workplaces that our colleagues will be led to “glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12).

There is a growing ‘faith at work’ movement around the world. It seems not to have quite reached Sydney yet. I hope that it will. Perhaps then we might read of someone leaving paid diocesan employment in order to do the “Christian work” to which God is leading them.

Warren Bird
Co-leader, Christian Fellowship Colonial First State

Over the past 5 years, I have had a number of interactions with Steve McKerihan in his role as Chief Financial Officer of St George Bank.

As an equity analyst in an investment bank, I have observed over the years that Steve is well liked and respected by the investment community, those who work with him and peers at other banks.

Steve has steered the organisation through a period of great change. He is known and respected as a leader who acts diligently and with integrity.

I’m thankful that the Church has been able to find someone of Steve’s calibre.

Ben Koo
via email

Ongoing uncertainty over church copyright

As the correspondence in last month’s issue revealed, the area of copyright and the public performance of films in church is not straightforward. But, having now discussed the issues, copyright lawyer KAREN GETTENS and law lecturer NEIL FOSTER thought it was appropriate for a joint letter to at least clarify the areas of disagreement.

Karen agrees that the article published in the May 2007 issue should have noted that breach of copyright only occurs in relation to a “substantial part” of the film (not for any part of a film). However, the question remains, what is a substantial part of a film?

Neil’s view is that ‘The Panel’ case, being about the copying and re-broadcasting of television broadcasts, as opposed to a one-off public performance of films, might not require that such a strict view be taken of small amounts of a film being shown.

No Australian decisions that we are aware of directly deal with “substantial part” in the context of public performance of a film; however we both agree that the findings in ‘The Panel’ case will be highly persuasive, possibly determinative, until there is one.

The question is obviously a tricky one. It is also likely that showing a longer portion of a film in church is permitted if done for the purposes of “criticism and review” under s 103A.

Churches could avoid these uncertainties by purchasing a licence.Or they could lobby Parliament for the insertion of some clearer guidelines into the Act, like the provisions which allow for 10 per cent of a work to be copied for the purposes of research and study.

Movies are obviously popular, and references to them are clearly helpful in communication of the gospel; it would be sensible for some such reform to allow public meetings of all sorts to use brief excerpts to illustrate points without having to pay large licence fees.

Neil Foster & Karen Gettens

The problem of using video clips in church with a clear conscience can be largely overcome by purchasing an annual Church Video Licence. They cost $340 p.a. for churches of 200 to 500 people (less for smaller). Apply at http://www.cvli.com.

Philip Gerber,
Professional Standards Director
Anglican Church, Sydney

It may be worth letting people know about Wingclips, a website that allows free legal video downloads for pastors: http://wingclips.com/cart.php

The Rev Ray Robinson
Katoomba, NSW

Given a roasting

Bart Vanden Hengel describes “preaching in 360 degrees” in Rwanda (SC, June). That’s really roasting the preacher.

Donald Howard
Elderslie, NSW

Lure of goss obvious

Why are we so easy to lure with frocks and furniture and ‘beauty’ products? (SC,
Because they are all about ME. If God isn’t the ruler of my life, something or someone else is. We like to do buy things which are pleasing to us. Ultimately they enslave and cause a heap of associated problems.

Angela Crittle
Wagga Wagga, NSW

I thought that the series of feature articles on gossip were very helpful and provided insight and practical advice. However, the trivia game of spot the stars suggested on page 13 was an unnecessary distraction. I found the three-armed, three-handed images entertaining enough without having to know that they were actual ‘celebrities’. Despite this I continue to find the new format and material of the Southern Cross to be challenging and encouraging.

Philip Cooney
Wentworth Falls, NSW

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