Anam Cara is the Gaelic phrase we translate “Soul Friend”. In a culture steeped in the idolatry of individualism we call postmodernism, nascent attempts at creating community and godly order all too often tilt to the opposite extreme of cultic authoritarianism. In contrast, the “Soul Friend” seeks to build community and establish order based on the model of sacrificial servanthood, patient instruction and gentle admonition. “Soul Friend” is chosen as the pastoral paradigm of my ministry. My goal is to see the local body of Christ restored to godly community and faithful order as a God’s own City of Refuge and a Colony of Heaven wherever the Spirit of the Lord calls and establishes us.
The phrases “Soul Friend” and “Colony of Heaven” hearken back to an early Christian tradition much romanticized these days: “Celtic Christianity”. All to often “Celtic Christianity” is a “wax nose” its proponents can shape into any configuration. As time and opportunity allow, I will attempt to work out and unfold my understanding of Celtic Christianity as my model for Trinitarian scriptural reflection, pastoral care, godly community and bold mission - ever cognizant of the fact that all we find in that or any tradition (even our own) must be evaluated, God being our helper, by Holy Scripture and applied in very different settings.
