This year 2009 marks our 25th anniversary as the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship (LCF). Twenty five years is a milestone for any organization. The LCF, as an ecumenical body of Believers who also happen to be practising attorneys, has the distinction of bringing lawyers of different Christian groups and denominations together to achieve common purposes. It was clear from the outset that those purposes would one day have a national profile. However, during many of the earlier years God prepared us by ensuring that the interpersonal connections between the members became firmly rooted and grounded. It is always a warm experience to meet and greet a fellow member of the LCF. Our social gatherings continue to be a place for the lawyers in the Faith to meet and fellowship with each other. It was also during those earlier years that the Lord continued to mould our hearts to ensure that our Christian characters, being developed in our respective churches were being completely interwoven with His intentions for our lives. The Holy Scriptures commands us to be Christ’s ambassadors in every sense of the word.

In about 2005 the national profile of the LCF emerged with the advent of discussions on a proposed Charter of Rights and Freedoms for all Jamaican citizens. Whilst the pitfalls in the current administration of justice have been visibly egregious, we became concerned at those sections of the proposed Charter which had the potential of restricting Christian religious freedom. It was then that Section 21 of the Jamaican Constitution, which provides a wide and expansive freedom of conscience and religion, became clear to many of us. So wide is the freedom that it even provides for religious instruction in grant aided schools run by churches to students in the school of that churches’ religious faith. Prior to the public discussions on the draft Charter, many of us may have taken our freedom of religion for granted. The draft also had a few clauses that opened up societal debate on controversial issues such as same sex relations and abortion. Our involvement in the debates increased our visibility in the legal community as some lawyers were learning about the LCF for the first time. Like David who had been tending the sheep, we were ready for the battle. However, we are mindful that the battle is not over.

We acknowledge that we live a neo-liberal era. However, whilst we understand the times in which we live, we must continue to defend the faith, as the Lord defends us before His Father in Heaven. As a Fellowship we are mandated to defend our commitment to God and His principles even in cases where the truth appears inconvenient.

In addition to addressing issues that require Christian advocacy, we are very cognisant of very basic matters such as conducting oneself professionally as a Christian lawyer. The legal profession continues to present many situations which conflict with Judeo-Christian values and beliefs. Some of these situations are presented by both clients and agents of the State in both subtle and overt ways. You may be faced with a moral challenge as to whether you should take on a client who is engaged in legal activities that may nevertheless be considered immoral. How does the Christian lawyer navigate these choppy waters? The future is guaranteed when persons in the Fellowship consider their Christian identity as foremost and their profession as a part of their purpose.

We continue to seek the inclusion of new attorneys in the activities of the Fellowship as the LCF can provide a mentoring and supportive environment for young attorneys as well as new believers and an outlet for collectively exercising our calling as Christian lawyers.

Our current outreach to the local community continues with our involvement at the Denham Town Primary School in West Kingston where we have held monthly devotions and have commenced mentorship classes with the grade 5 and 6 students. We have begun to re-foster a connection with the Students’ Christian Fellowship and Scripture Union (SCFSU) which wishes to maintain relations with all groups of Christian graduates who participated in the College and University Christian fellowships.

The next 25 years, if the Lord tarries, promises to be very challenging with respect to maintaining and defending one’s faith. However the Lord is always with us. He is our Shepherd and in Him we have no reason to fear. I therefore encourage all existing LCF’ers to stand on the Christian Faith that has kept us. I also encourage those who are yet to be members that being a part of the LCF can be one of the most fulfilling experiences in merging your faith with your profession or business. I know we will rise to the challenge.

I bless you in this 25th year.

Signed
Stokeley Marshall
President