DIOCESAN LAY MINISTERS’ CONFERENCE, SEPT. 2007
EQUIPPED FOR MISSION: - IMPOSSIBLE?
Grand Narrative, not Careless Tolerance
Our Diocesan Bishop’s use of these phrases during his excellent sermon at the Sunday morning Eucharist was part of an exhortation to us as Christian leaders to recover our belief in a grand narrative without which, in the sentiments of Bishop Graham Dow, the Christian values which, even now continue to underpin our society, will not survive. Bishop John’s memorable tone of phrase, underlining the urgency of recovery of such concepts and sentiments “before society spins off its fragile axis” was particularly apt, as was his delightful story about prefect Tompkins who was presiding over a shambles which was supposed to be a game of rugby, when the Headmaster arrived by his side to survey the scene and was compelled to ask, “Tompkins, where is the ball?”. To me the heading above was the outstanding and underlying theme of our conference, and much discussion in the bar and elsewhere reflected aspects of this same broad theme.
Bishop Graham, in the first Keynote address on the place of lay ministry today, emphasised how individual ministry should develop in line with the individual’s gifts, which should be tested, preferably in advance of training, so that we develop in the best direction. His analysis of the development of ministry in the apostolic era and soon afterwards was most illuminating, along with insistence that pastoral ministry must always remain local. He emphasised the importance of lay ministry as having the advantage of coming from where most people are, that is in daily work whether it be at home, in the office, school or hospital, or in retirement. We need to think twice before leaving this hotbed of everyday life experience for the ordained ministry!
Bishop Stephen in his Keynote address on lay ministry in evangelism, emphasised the importance of our role in nurture and growth within the context of the local church. We need to recognise that for many people the route to commitment is a journey, and that, either way there is a longer journey ahead towards spiritual maturity - and sanctification, to use a biblical expression. “Does your church have a maternity ward?” he asked, “If not it is not surprising if there are no new births”.
No review of this conference would be complete without reference to the inspiring presentation, led by David Bendor-Samuel, on behalf of “Causeway Prospects”. This is the unlikely title of a Christian organisation that seeks to link people who, by reason of serious physical and educational challenges, need assistance to reach the mainland, and in particular a simple presentation of the Christian Gospel. We were reminded of CS Lewis’s remark to the effect that the reason clever people use long words is because they are not clever enough to use simpler ones! To be taught as a group by a lovely young lady with Downs Syndrome to use quite sophisticated sign language to illustrate worship songs was a special joy, only exceeded by the delight in her face as we responded, and the Christian joy displayed before us in her life and witness, along with those of several other folk who have crossed the causeway to join the Christian family. The theme of this presentation, “Back to basics” fitted in so well with the overall theme of recovering the grand narrative, which does not after all need to be complicated!
What then are my abiding memories? There does appear to be a new willingness to listen to what are normally regarded as more conservative points of view, which include the importance of grand narrative and of boundaries to what is acceptable in belief and behaviour. I was disappointed however that the bookstall did not seem to reflect this mood. The strongly biblically based addresses of Bishops John and Graham, and the latter’s excellent workshops on God in daily life, were prime examples. I heard reference from the floor, not always negative, to the fundamentalist – in its original early twentieth century sense - viewpoint, as a counter to modernism, to the Anglican Group “Reform”, regarded as extreme but reflecting the real differences between the traditionalist and revisionist points of view. Whilst the subject of same sex attraction was quickly placed into the frame by those with a more liberal point of view, there was nevertheless a growing understanding of this as a presenting issue, behind which important differences about the Gospel and the authority of the Bible may often lurk. A notable example was the understanding and interpretation of the state of mind of the so called “penitent thief”. Was he penitent or not when he expressed the view that he deserved his punishment and threw himself on the mercy of Jesus? Is interpretation really such a problem, or is it the preconceived notions we sometimes bring to a study of the Scriptures?
Workshops on preaching, resources for mission, leading worship, small groups and house communions and communions by extension, and a free afternoon of gorgeous sunshine completed this well balanced and most enjoyable conference, well organised and presented, with plenty of room for different points of view. We co-existed happily! But acceptance that there are boundaries, that there is a grand narrative which forms the foundation of our message of good news to a world which, in its own strength and wisdom, is in danger of spinning off its fragile axis, will be my abiding memory. Thoughtful and loving tolerance, yes, but careless tolerance, no!
“Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory”
Ian Bensted
