Shipbuilding: Formulas in Seaworthiness

Navigation has always been a matter of accurate charts, time-keeping and sun or star sightings! These fundamentals, together with horizon observations to establish longitude or east-west orientation were vital! Further, "basics" of Navigation included one's understanding of wind patterns, the use of 'sand-glasses' and the 'sounding-lead' and together these tools of the trade formed the essentials of navigation. In disciplined hands these tools and skills would accomplish much, that in later times, would depend on new inventions such as the sextant - which only came in the 18th Century.

Another step forward came as minor improvements in shipbuilding methodology would extended the range of sailing ships. Ship-building was evolving with the adoption of the stronger 'carvel planking.' Then this step forward was linked to the fast and maneuverable multiple masts and square-rigged sails! Fifteenth Century sailing moved into a new era!

With these navigational and construction improvements the Cape of Storms would seem to be somehow less threatening and arguably more a Cape of Good Hope. With the simplest changes in planking, the placement of a mast, or even the cut of a sail a ship's overall usefulness, its distance, capabilities, seaworthiness under the challenges of mountainous seas, strong currents and unforgiving gales had been greatly improved.

The captain and navigator's advice, usefulness and abilities are also enhanced as the ship's capabilities, navigational tools and maneuverability improves. Of course, the reverse is also true - poor workmanship, or minor oversights in construction, maintenance, or detail can cripple the navigator's skills and reverse the Captain's best judgment. As a spiritual navigator I have learned to appreciate that the most practical methods and the simplest details can (and usually do) influence our lives more than we often realise.

It is far more important to recognise the relationships between methods and principles - more important than most leaders seem to understand. Many seem quite naive - when they show a readiness to employ methods from others who hold to a different set of principles. Though methods employed and principles applied may seem to be separate issues they are never truly independent of each other. Successful navigation depends upon maintaining a genuine respect for the need to maintain the balances between the various quotients that make formulas effective. For example: when plotting the course, navigation done aright depends upon knowing more than how to use the tools of navigation - navigation calls for the a genuine awareness of the ship's strength, all the variables of weather and the potential dangers of a simple failure of self-discipline, i.e. human error.

Here in Cape Town, it is a real part of our 'Coastal History' that weather conditions have left more than two hundred shipwrecks along our coast primarily due to the ships being forced to attempt "running before" ... the storms! When not sufficiently constructed or rigged for the challenges they faced no response could be sufficient. Even when in harbour, some had their ship's cables pulled apart, or their anchors left dragging!

Though they may well be beautiful, elegant and even equipped for naval battle, when these great "tall ships" are not properly designed or correctly rigged for the conditions they must face, they will learn life's lessons "the hard way" - they will soon discover they were no match for these amazing storms and gales! In the "Great Gale of 1865" the wind came from the Northwest with such severity that no less than seven vessels were left as shattered hulks amidst the rock of Cape Town's shoreline.

In the area of spiritual navigation, we must respect the need to take seriously key Biblical issues such as: "the unity of the faith" and "an accurate Biblically-based knowledge of the Son of God." The storms and gales of our lives will surely test (and often embarrassingly reveal) whether - or - not we are 'complete,' i.e. truly sound, Biblical balanced, men and women of faith. The congregation, like a ship at sea, depends on the leadership and systemic strength that is only available through the effectual working and the spiritual interrelationships that are found in true concern for Biblical Truth, commitment to spiritual faithfulness and to Christlike acts of selfless love.

Ephesians 4:13 clearly teaches us that in the realm of the spiritual, as with the world of the sea, thoroughness and stability is essential! "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a complete man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."

Seaworthiness under the stresses of mountainous seas that truly toss a ship to and fro requires genuine mental and spiritual commitment together with a "well fitted" ship. There is simply no alternative means or methods other than the "fellowship" of believers - the local congregation. Just as our compromise of Christian unity and our failures in self-discipline jeopardise the body, so too the effectual working together of every part or member of the congregation equips us and strengthen us to face life's monstrous storms! The local congregation - the church, after all, is Christ own body - his own bride ... his plan and will for our good!

Building a church to ride-out the vociferous seas can be a most complicated task and clearly requires genuine life skills. Teaching people to first balance genuine unity and true knowledge before facing life's storms calls for speaking the truth in love! Rather than joining the world in its fearful attempt to "run ahead" of life's storms though poorly rigged and filled with fear, we call Chrisitan believers to carefully equip their lives "in all things" and to live lives that trust His construction, His "rigging" and the safety of His harbour. Regretfully, our lukewarm and naked Laodicean Evangelicalism is focused on trusting their own senses and successes and miserably fail to understand just how spiritually "wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked" they really are!