GadgetVicar

‘Pragmatic, comfortable and unobtrustive’ : Can the Church of England ever learn to evangelise?

A very helpful and thought provoking article on mission appears in Anvil. It's by the Revd Canon Dr Peter Williams. Though it refers to the Church of England, much of the contents might also apply to the Scottish Episcopal Church. It's been a helpful read, especially as the Diocese of Glasgow & Galloway prepares to call a new bishop.

The introduction explains the contents as follows:

In this article, Peter Williams reminds us that the Church of England is in serious decline and that the contemporary challenge is to evangelise or die. Despite recovering from a comparably dangerous position in the early nineteenth century, through spiritual renewal and structural changes, in the second half of the twentieth century it reversed the progress. He argues it now has to overcome four inhibitors to evangelism arising from its heritage and, as it seeks to develop new strategies for evangelism, highlights eleven missiological principles from the past and from the story of contemporary success in other parts of the world. To put this into practice he presents the case that evangelism should be episcopally facilitated but without tight episcopal and institutional controls because churches need to have the freedom to get on with their own visions in their distinctive cultural settings. A key question therefore is whether the institutional bureaucracy of the Church of England can allow evangelism to be central to its culture without centralising (and thus destroying) its direction, energy and purpose.

Read it all here.

Things That Go Wrong..........and Right

Lost my favourite Spyder bunnet (annoying as it is now freezing). Lost a glove at the lacklustre Satan's XI match yesterday (some will say that was justice for even attending it). Technology wouldn't play this morning (no sound on video). Lots of other niggles and aggravations.

Still, the word is that the church heating should be up and running this week, thanks to the kick-backside attitude of a certain gentleman in the congregation. A good men's breakfast yesterday with Stu Weir helping us to think about the spirituality of work.  Lots of overseas students enjoying hospitality  this morning too. Plus we had Ralph Lee visiting us from Ethiopia, and he always cheers me up - he and Sarah are working with the Navigators and doing some interesting work with the Orthodox Church there. They've only been going for seventeen hundred years or so (the Church that is, not the Lees).

More Saints

On Sunday we had the joy of having David and June Griffiths visiting St Silas'. They've been serving in Japan and the Philippines with the Overseas Missionary Fellowship since 1966. I realised that St Silas' has partnered with them in prayer and finance since 1971, which makes them by far our longest serving partners.

David preached from Acts 13-16 on what a missionary church looks like, and our patron got a good mention (as he did in the morning too - prophet, missionary, encourager and strengthener). He felt uncomfortable in his suit (we don't do suits, especially in the evening, but we don't mind them!). He shared relevantly and in a way that challenged us to keep on partnering and sending people out to share the Good News. At the end, I loved the way students gathered around him to listen some more.  For someone supposedly entering retiral in the near future, to hear him talk of pioneering new mission work in the shape of a beach mission in the Philippines was very encouraging.

Eugene Peterson wrote a book on the Psalms with the intriguing title of "A Long Obedience in the Same Direction." That line is a quote from Friedrich Nietzsche who wrote, "The essential thing 'in heaven and earth' is...that there should be long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and has always resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living."

The Bible calls this steadfastness, faithfulness, and perseverance. It means to get on the road and stay there. To hang in there. To keep on, keeping on. That's a hard thing to do well and it's particularly difficult in our skittish, short-term view of things. Digging deep and persevering for the long haul, though the joys and pains of life and ministry is not easy. Some days I feel like giving up. People taking a pop at what you are doing and feeling the impossible weight of keeping everyone satisfied, let alone happy, both take their toll.

This year I've been much encouraged by the long-serving ministries of our missionary partners. They've encouraged me to keep going and not give in to despair. That we struggle together and can help one another. And that what we are called to do and be is ultimately worth it.

Bear Grylls

Loss and Gain

On Friday morning, we have our first on site meeting with the team who will build our new hall facilities. One downside of the whole project is losing the current hall in order to gain something better. Inevitably, this brings with it a sense of bereavement. Memories of meetings, events, parties held there. Children nurtured both physically and spiritually. Community groups using the hall, the last being the fabulous Aerolocos. For some of us, the loss of the hall will be painful. That's why we are planning a service of Evensong, to give thanks for all that God has done on that spot and look forward to all that will be done in the future. It's looking like September 7th at 7.30pm at the moment, so we'll have to work hard together to make it happen, though one of our ever-competent lay readers has most of it organised already.

It will be an exciting day for me, as that lunchtime, I'll be leading prayers at the dedication and official opening of the new Glasgow City Mission building on Crimea Street. The facilities are so much better, and it was good to be at the Board meeting when the users of the service were arriving last night.

It turns out the contractors on that job, are going to build our halls too, and we even have the same clerk-of-works. If they do as good a job as they've done for the Mission, we'll be a very happy people. 

Everybody Welcome

A new course has been devised to encourage the Church to be more welcoming. I was most intrigued by this line in the news report:

The course gives advice on how to make a variety of people feel comfortable, including the bald, overweight and alcoholic.

I'm sorry, but I would hope that we just treat everyone the same and give them a warm welcome.  I know I need to look at the DVD, but this got my imagination going - for the bald, do we offer wigs; to the overweight, do we offer a cake; for the alcoholic, a hot toddy rather than a cup of tea?

The churches which are doing well in terms of attendance tend to have a superb welcome process. I've been in places where the welcome has been a little bit over-the-top, with follow-up phone calls and emails being the norm. Welcomers sometimes need to know when to leave people alone too -  some visitors just want peace and quiet.

The basics are a warm smile, a kind word and  a genuine interest in the visitor. It's really not rocket science.

The main problem to me isn't those who are interested enough to step through the door on a Sunday. It's the many people on Sauchiehall Street at 1am (go and have a look on any night of the week) who wouldn't even consider  coming to a church on a regular basis. That's where we need to be building bridges of welcome.

At the Launch of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, Westminster Central Hall, London, 6/7/09

Can you spot GadgetVicar? And who is that sitting next to him? (Photograph courtesy of Stephen Sizer)

It was great to catch up with some old friends, as well as listen to some fine speakers.

We were reminded that this is a renewal movement and not a schismatic organisation. Instititutional Anglicanism needs reformed and that isn't going to happen overnight, so endurance and patience are going to be needed.

As well as focussing on the mission of the local church, both in the UK and around the world, attention was drawn to several other issues.

1. Problems with how people are called, trained and appointed for ordained ministry. Several situations were illustrated where highly qualified candidates (as recognised by their local churches and others), found it difficult to get through the ordination process because of their lack of "sophistication". One person had been made to do placements in liberal congregations "to broaden his experience" (Question: Why is it never the other way about? In twenty-one years of church leadership, I've only ever had one ordinand on placement, and then only because he specifically asked for this). There is a huge ecclesiological issue here, where the centre takes the authority and ignores the wisdom and needs of the local church. And yes, I know all about people being ordained for the whole church and all that, but I want to argue for training that forms praying, holy, creative and entrepreneurial people rather than simple drones.

2.  Help for beleagured people. Forward in Faith members were present in significant numbers. There were ordained women present too. Several calls for patience and understanding of one another were made during the day. It's possible to work together despite this difference, because this is perceived as a second order issue and not one of salvation. However, those who are unable to accept the ordination of women to the priesthood or episcopate need some kind of support enshrined in canon law, if they are to remain part of the church. Such support is noticeable by its absence in Scotland, and indeed I wonder how difficult it might be for a traditional Anglo-catholic to get ordained thes days? This does not bode well for those who take a different view on other issues facing the Communion. What provision would be made for them once canon law catches up with the facts on the ground (clergy in civil partnerships, same-sex blessings taking place already)? I've long argued that we'll see just how inclusive the church really is is by the form of legislation that gets passed on these matters.

One thing that is increasingly clear is that declining churches have a tendency towards centralisation, theological drift and canonical fundamentalism. That makes for a thoroughly toxic mix.

The Gibson Street Gala

A magnificent team effort from the Gibson Street community and the members of St Silas' meant we've had a very good day. People were fed, watered, entertained, massaged, fed, watered some more, listened to and prayed with.

Thanks to everyone who made it all happen. It was a special time.

I'm tired but in a very good way.

Jesus Welcomes......

We've had a busy Sunday, with the morning service being followed by our Annual General Meeting. One vestry member re-elected, and three excellent new members, all of whom are women, so we'll do ok when the Scottish Episcopal Church does its gender audit in the wake of the General Synod this week. It means we have a full complement on the vestry for the first time in a while. This time of year always leaves me feeling humbled by the immense capabilities and gifts of the staff and people of St Silas'. And that God continues to provide all we need........

The West End Festival kicked off across the road this afternoon, so we had plenty of visitors this evening wanting to use our loos (tip to all welcomers: the answer to the question, "Can I use your toilet?" is always, "Yes! You are welcome!"). One of these visitors came up with a new mission statement that I'd love to use on our noticeboard outside, but fear it might break a decency law or two. When we suggested he was welcome to use the toilet, he replied, "Aye, Jesus welcomes every c***!"

We got some visitors tonight who came because of the service being in the Festival programme. It was good to welcome them and we chatted for a long time. One recently arrived American, married to a Glaswegian and living in Glasgow, told me how negative towards Americans she had found people here. "Go home!", she had been told many times. It saddens me whenever such things happen because of a national government's actions. People are people, and that kind of general racism makes me angry.

The evening was rounded off by an invitation to visit the home of a someone who came in for help at the end of the most excellent "Deeper" service. Five of us had to make sure she got home alright but the task was carried out with joy.

Very tired and feeling unwell after a busy week and a sleepless night, but today has been encouraging in so many ways.

At P's & G's

A lovely and encouraging day at P's & G's today. What a facility! I was curate there in the eighties, and haven't been back there for about fifteen years. It's now a contemporary space with every imaginable gadget, yet they have retained many of the original features. Mind you, a huge floral arrangement made it look like a triffid had occupied the pulpit! Nonetheless, it's a wonderful transformation, and undoubtedly one of the best ecclesiastical spaces in Scotland. Now, how can we update our slightly tired sanctuary at St Silas'?

One of the highlights of the day was being greeted by Ray, one of the current janitors. I knew him from my time at the church, and his story is a wonderful example of the transforming power of the Gospel. He was "a bit of a lad" (this is the mild description). It was great and humbling to hear him speak of his walk with the Lord.

The conference has left me with a lot to think about, especially as we are in the process of articulating strategic vision for St Silas'. I kind of wish we could have the first talk of today at General Synod on Friday morning, when mission is being discussed. In summary, the Church exists for one purpose: not to meet my needs, not to worship, but to reach the vast numbers of irreligious with the love of Jesus. Somehow, along the way, many of us (and I include those of us who think we are doing ok in this regard) have lost that particular vision. Inspiring. Now I need to get on with it