I don't read News of the World.  Now I can't!  But a couple of weeks back, sitting in A&E at 3:30 am, I found that a two-day-old copy of the now infamous newspaper was the only reading matter to hand.  Somewhat bored, and trying to stay awake while doctors efficiently dealt with the patient I'd brought in, I glanced through the pages.  It confirmed to me why I have never read it.  I don't need to know the gossip, the scandal and the intrigue.  I quickly went back to reading BBC News on my smartphone.

The News of the World, Britain's highest circulation newspaper, ended its 168-year history last Sunday.  With the increasing escalation of the phone hacking scandal, Rupert Murdoch was trying to save his empire – and particularly the News International bid for BSkyB.  He failed. By Wednesday his bid was withdrawn and politicians and the media alike tried to distance themselves from the once all-powerful media mogul.

Yet where would the world be today without mavericks like Rupert Murdoch?  For a start, BSkyB would not exist.  Eleven years ago he was subsidising it at a rate of £2 million a week.  He took the risk – and some would argue that Sky News is now the best competition to the BBC.  Sky has certainly changed the viewing habits of millions in this country, has helped open up broadband internet, and joined the competition in providing a cheap phone service.  Should we have some sympathy for Mr Murdoch?

It was while I was tickling these thoughts around in the back of my mind that I started to wonder how the modern media and politicians would have dealt with Bible mavericks: King David, adulterer, murderer, political manipulator – and a friend of God.  Or perhaps the Apostle Paul whose skeletons in the cupboard still gave him the self-imposed title of 'chief of sinners' even at the end of a life of faithful service.  The politicians of Jesus' day certainly knew how to 'stick the knife in' as they accused the maverick Galilean rabbi of anything from being the devil, to mixing with prostitutes, to being a traitor.

When Jesus stood by the woman caught in adultery He did not cast a stone.  He raised her up, gave her forgiveness and self-worth and encouraged her, 'go and sin no more'.  What a positive attitude of maverick witness.  Maybe Pastor Charles Tapp's message at the recent BUC Day of Fellowship is more important than we think.  Maybe we do need to be more and more of a 'love church' and have room for 'Adventist mavericks' who get things done – though in a different way to the one I'm used to.

Some 25 years ago I was part of a church plant.  We talked about planting for a long time – then one maverick member went ahead and did it.  She did not believe too much in committees.  She trod on some toes.  She upset me as her pastor.  But a church was planted.  A church that today is four times as big as the mother church.  There is no space in our church for spiritual phone hacking and dishing out the slander – but there is more than enough room for the Paul-like individuals or groups who run community projects, open their homes, run choirs, knock on doors – who run a whole range of projects that could, combined together, change the face of Britain.

They are being used like Paul in his 'worst of sinners' speech, that "...Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example of those who would believe on him and receive eternal life."  (1 Timothy 1:16 NIV).  Thank God for mavericks!

End.  (C) 2011. Victor J Hulbert

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