You can count on the fingers of one finger the number of times in my memory I can recall our Archbishop or Archbishops publicly apologising in respect of remarks made by a fellow bishop but today NZers will be reading this story. Frankly, it is embarrassing that 'stirring' has been mixed up with inaccurate distortions of complex realities. The prophetic role of ministers to be 'stirrers' requires careful rather than careless talk and this article is a reminder to all of us who 'stir', including bloggers, to speak truthfully.
The formal apology is contained within Anglican Taonga's article here.
UPDATE: Monday 16 February 2015
Over the weekend it has emerged that Bishop John Gray has been stood down as Vicar-General and Bishop Kito Pikaahu has been appointed Vicar-General in his place.
UPDATED AGAIN: Wednesday 25 February 2015
Bishop John Gray has now been suspended from his role.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Who needs a Faculty Committee?
We have ways of getting things past the FC ...
Cartoon: The piano - how to move it slightly closer to the lectern without obtaining a faculty http://t.co/2SKFv5Yxth pic.twitter.com/QN8gG6AOYF
— Dave Walker (@davewalker) February 4, 2015
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Breaking Anglican News: Diocese of South Carolina has complete dissociation rights
I think most if not all dioceses in ACANZP would understand that they belong to ACANZP by common compact and thus could dissociate by local synodical decision (albeit with consequences re breaking fellowship with other bishops). This right to dissociate - as I understand it - is even clearer in Australia where dioceses do not have to abide by decisions of the General Synod.
In other jurisdictions such possibilities are not quite so clear. I imagine it is impossible for a diocese to even contemplate dissociation in the C of E. But in TEC (USA) there have been dissociations (de facto), court cases which suggest dissociation is not possible (de jure) unless the General Convention should so approve and a dogged belief by the Diocese of South Carolina that it, at least, can dissociate because of some peculiarities in South Carolina state law.
Well, put simply, that dogged belief has complete victory today according to this Stand Firm post.
LATER: The definitive word on the legal niceties in this victory and the nuances which might influence other cases belong - unexpectedly - to Anglican Curmudgeon.
In other jurisdictions such possibilities are not quite so clear. I imagine it is impossible for a diocese to even contemplate dissociation in the C of E. But in TEC (USA) there have been dissociations (de facto), court cases which suggest dissociation is not possible (de jure) unless the General Convention should so approve and a dogged belief by the Diocese of South Carolina that it, at least, can dissociate because of some peculiarities in South Carolina state law.
Well, put simply, that dogged belief has complete victory today according to this Stand Firm post.
LATER: The definitive word on the legal niceties in this victory and the nuances which might influence other cases belong - unexpectedly - to Anglican Curmudgeon.
ACANZP missing self-examination and repentance as it celebrates?
Wellington theologian Peter Stuart's ever gentle provocation has been drawn to my attention.
Writing in Taonga Peter observes a missing element in our celebrations of the bi-centenary of the gospel here in Aotearoa New Zealand:
"to what extent have we proud Anglicans been the soft underbelly of the Christian Church in this country?
His point is well made. It is an unexceptional truth that ACANZP is now a long way from its evangelical beginnings.
Will we collectively listen to what the Spirit is saying through this prophet?
PS The chances are we will spend more time in self-examination if we are sent a rates bill!
Writing in Taonga Peter observes a missing element in our celebrations of the bi-centenary of the gospel here in Aotearoa New Zealand:
"to what extent have we proud Anglicans been the soft underbelly of the Christian Church in this country?
We are stewards of the Gospel, and like all stewards, we are accountable.
In our Anglican commemorations of 200 years of Christian presence in New Zealand, I have missed any call to collective self-examination and repentance.
We rightly seek to speak unwelcome truths to those in secular power Yet as we enter the third century of Christian mission in this country, do we not need to face, on our knees before God, unwelcome truths about our own collective failures?
So yes, thanksgiving for all we discern of grace-filled witness since 1814 – but surely also a discreet Anglican modicum of repentance – the General Confession as well as the General Thanksgiving. For only then can we be renewed for authentic mission, and face the next century of Christian presence here with hope that is truly Gospel-based.
Lent starts soon. Its first reading, Joel 2:12-18, would be a good place to begin the journey afresh."His point is well made. It is an unexceptional truth that ACANZP is now a long way from its evangelical beginnings.
Will we collectively listen to what the Spirit is saying through this prophet?
PS The chances are we will spend more time in self-examination if we are sent a rates bill!
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Do we have the luxury to be Anglican?
To be honest, not much by way of profound insight has come my way this summer. I have been enjoying the heat of the sun more than its light!
But one series of occasional flickers of brain activity connected with the blog has been about the key word in the blog title, 'Anglican.'
What, in the end, does it mean to be 'Anglican'? Obviously it is a distinctive form of being Christian, so let's assume basic Christianity and lordship of Christ in what follows.
Is 'Anglican' - picking up on some observable traits around the Christmas season - something driven and shaped by choral music?
Noting a Twitter exchange I had with one of our bishops yesterday, to say nothing of the brouhaha in England over which hands are being laid on which gender of prospective bishop, is 'Anglican' all about having bishops?
A colleague the other day rightly challenged me over a remark about obsession with robes, saying that if we start arguing about robes then we have really lost our way. True. But is the converse also true, that if we do not soon have an argument over robes (who should wear them, how many should be worn) then 'Anglican' means a church defined by its costumes?
But through all such musings I remain very concerned, at least in Kiwiland (but anecdotally, for all Western countries) about the state of church life which is marked generally by lack of young people, by scarcity of people aged under 60 years.
Do you ever wonder, as I wonder, whether the wave of secularization of the Western world is becoming a tidal wave?
The challenge, in this perspective, is to re-find the gospel as God's universal message to all people in all generations.
Understanding what 'Anglican' means is a nice-to-have luxury. A far more urgent question needs asking.
What does the gospel mean for today?
If the answer is that we need to worry less about Anglican distinctives and be more anxious for gospel living, will we Anglicans rise to overcome our obsessions?
But one series of occasional flickers of brain activity connected with the blog has been about the key word in the blog title, 'Anglican.'
What, in the end, does it mean to be 'Anglican'? Obviously it is a distinctive form of being Christian, so let's assume basic Christianity and lordship of Christ in what follows.
Is 'Anglican' - picking up on some observable traits around the Christmas season - something driven and shaped by choral music?
Noting a Twitter exchange I had with one of our bishops yesterday, to say nothing of the brouhaha in England over which hands are being laid on which gender of prospective bishop, is 'Anglican' all about having bishops?
A colleague the other day rightly challenged me over a remark about obsession with robes, saying that if we start arguing about robes then we have really lost our way. True. But is the converse also true, that if we do not soon have an argument over robes (who should wear them, how many should be worn) then 'Anglican' means a church defined by its costumes?
But through all such musings I remain very concerned, at least in Kiwiland (but anecdotally, for all Western countries) about the state of church life which is marked generally by lack of young people, by scarcity of people aged under 60 years.
Do you ever wonder, as I wonder, whether the wave of secularization of the Western world is becoming a tidal wave?
The challenge, in this perspective, is to re-find the gospel as God's universal message to all people in all generations.
Understanding what 'Anglican' means is a nice-to-have luxury. A far more urgent question needs asking.
What does the gospel mean for today?
If the answer is that we need to worry less about Anglican distinctives and be more anxious for gospel living, will we Anglicans rise to overcome our obsessions?
Monday, February 2, 2015
Is God capricious ... and mean minded?
Doing the internet rounds (I see) is this response of Stephen Fry to a question about his relationship with God:
.
In a media world keen for a mix of controversy, comedy and doing without God, Fry's punchy, witty dismissal of God is just what the secularization doctor ordered.
It is hardly original to say that it reminds us of C.S. Lewis' great observation (and title of a book of his articles) that whereas previous to the modern era humanity's relationship to God was that of the accused in the dock, desperately hoping to find mercy from the Judge, now it is God in the Dock. If God has an acceptable answer for the problems Stephen Fry says imply God is capricious then, according to Lewis, we might be merciful to God and let him off his charges!
Tim Stanley offers a response here.
Even better is this by Madeleine Davies.
(Added) Even better is this by Krish Kandiah.
What do you think?
On any approach to reading the Bible, whatever else judgement day means, it will not involve us questioning God!
.
In a media world keen for a mix of controversy, comedy and doing without God, Fry's punchy, witty dismissal of God is just what the secularization doctor ordered.
It is hardly original to say that it reminds us of C.S. Lewis' great observation (and title of a book of his articles) that whereas previous to the modern era humanity's relationship to God was that of the accused in the dock, desperately hoping to find mercy from the Judge, now it is God in the Dock. If God has an acceptable answer for the problems Stephen Fry says imply God is capricious then, according to Lewis, we might be merciful to God and let him off his charges!
Tim Stanley offers a response here.
Even better is this by Madeleine Davies.
(Added) Even better is this by Krish Kandiah.
What do you think?
On any approach to reading the Bible, whatever else judgement day means, it will not involve us questioning God!
Spiritual and Sacred Links - Monday 2 February 2015
Added:
A lovely, stimulating and thoughtful interview of Rosaria Butterfield is on YouTube here. Why should you watch this? Well, tune in for the first few minutes and see whether you want to watch the rest!
From a UK colleague:
God bless you
A lovely, stimulating and thoughtful interview of Rosaria Butterfield is on YouTube here. Why should you watch this? Well, tune in for the first few minutes and see whether you want to watch the rest!
From a UK colleague:
#1 If you click any link at all this week watch this one, a
new film from Moving Works about the ministry of Pastor LaPel to Comrade Duch
who was the only Khmer Rouge leader to be convicted from his own admission
after converting to Christianity, but be warned, the testimony is graphic, but
the story important and heartening. #2 Vaughan Roberts on witness under
persecution; 3-5 Os Guinness, Justin Terry and Bishop Nazir-Ali were all
preaching in South Carolina after the Mere Anglicanism Conference last week.
#6-8 commentary on the lectionary readings from Stephen Trott and Peter
Carrell, and Andrew Goddard's New Testament in a year moves on to Peter's first
Letter; #10 Sunday worship from Lisburn Cathedral and 11-12 two Epiphany carol
services; #16 much to pray about, particularly for Christians under
persecution; #18 persecution, the holocaust and ministry to think about with
reflections from Johnny Patterson, David Virtue, Bishop Graham Kings and soon
to be bishop Philip North and some remarkable stories and pictures from Reuters
from Auschwitz survivors; #19 three organisations have put up websites
encouraging Christians in the UK to engage with politics and the upcoming 2015
general election.
TESTIMONY
1. The Foremost - A film about Pastor Christopher LaPel and
Khmer Rouge leader Comrade Duch coming to Christ - MovingWorks [Warning:
graphic images and testimony from the killing fields, but well worth watching
if you can]
Background
SERMONS AND TALKS
2. Peter at the Sanheddrin - Vaughan Roberts - St Ebbe's
Oxford Audio [Acts 4:8-12]
3. Serving God's Purpose in our Generation - Os Guinness -
St Michael's Charleston Audio
4. Living with Your Back to the Audience - Dean Justin Terry
- St Paul's Sommerville Audio
5. In the Beginning - Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali - St Helena's
Beaufort Audio
Commentary for Sunday 1st February
6. The Sunday Readings - Rev Stephen Trott
7. Preaching Ideas and Commentary - Rev Peter Carrell
8. Reading 1 Peter 1-5 - Read the New Testament in a year
with Rev Andrew Goddard
[and follow the links on the drop down menu Reading NT for
other resources]
WORSHIP
9. The bells of St Mary Magdalene, Chewton Mendip in
Somerset - BBC Radio 4
10. Sunday Worship from Lisburn Cathedral, Antrim, NI - BBC
Radio 4
11. Epiphany Carol Service from St John's College, Cambridge
12. An Archive Recording of a Service for Epiphany, first
broadcast in January 2009 from All Hallows' Church, Gospel Oak, London with the
Choir of King's College, London - BBC Radio 3
13. Sunday Holy Communion livestreamed from St Helena's
Church, Beaufort, South Carolina at 10:15 am Eastern Time, 3:15 pm London Time
14. Sunday Hour - BBC Radio 2
15. Choral services from the chapels of King's College
Cambridge
and St John's College, Cambridge
and Trinity College, Cambridge
and New College, Oxford
PRAYER
Please pray for the Ebola Crisis and for those working for a
cure; for Christians and all facing persecution and crime in Syria and Iraq
including refugees facing winter and hunger; for the persecuted church and in
particular in Nigeria, Iran, Malaysia, Egypt and Burma; for peace in Ukraine,
Israel and Gaza; and for the Diocese of South Carolina.
16. Topical Prayers - Church of England
Nigeria: Nigeria elections put Christians in danger of more
Muslim attacks - Washington Times
Iran: One believer released, another re-imprisoned - Middle
East Concern
Saeed Abedini to Obama: 'You have my prayers from inside
these walls' - Christian Today
Obama to Imprisoned Pastor's Wife: Saving Saeed Abedini in
Iran Is 'a Top Priority' - Christianity Today
Malaysia: Anglican Archbishop: ‘Allah’ ruling has
far-reaching effects - Borneo Post
Egypt: Bureaucratic delays put Egyptian convert's appeal at
risk - WWM
Libya: Libyan militants hold 20 Egyptian Christians hostage
- WWM
Burma: Chin State government orders removal of cross, elder
prosecuted - CSW
Burma's religious conversion bill is "major setback for
religious freedom and human rights" - CSW
South Carolina: Prayers from Lent and Beyond
CURRENT AFFAIRS
17. Sunday Programme - with Edward Stourton - BBC Radio 4
Food for thought
18. The Challenge of Religious Persecution - Johnny Patterson
I Remember Auschwitz - David Virtue
Auschwitz Survivors Stories 70 Years On - Reuters
I'll defend LRA killer, says Anglican bishop - Christian
Today
English Monk Who Encouraged the Ministry of Women - Bishop
Graham Kings
Do Not Be Afraid - Philip North
The Government is using British Values to Destroy British
Values - David Robertson
Methodists find £172 million down the back of the sofa -
Christian Today
YWAM Missionaries Won’t Be Deported over Visa Issue -
Christianity Today
The Interesting Life of T. S. Eliot - Interesting Literature
Christians and Politics
19. 2015 Election: How Christians can get involved -
Christian Today
Does religion count at the ballot box? - EA
Evangelical Alliance launches election website - EA
websites:
Election 2015 - Evangelical Alliance website
Engage15 - CARE website
Show Up - Christians in Politics website
FINALLY
20. What does the Bible say about work? - LICC
21. Nunc Dimittis in B minor - T. Tertius Noble - Somerville
Choir
22. No Longer Slaves - Jonathan David & Melissa Helser
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