I was stunned by the effects of prejudice and ignorance (of the not knowing kind) which combined on various of the radio broadcasts relating to 'the church, the bankers, OLSX and St Paul's Cathedral'.
Some had me laughing at their absurdity, some had me appalled at their lack of logic whilst, far too many, had me railing as people displayed their ignorance. The top three, in reverse order, in my opinion were:
3. The CofE should sell all of its property, paintings and investments and give them to the poor!
A superb idea, but of course this begets the questions, "Who are the poor and are some more worthwhile, needy, deserving than others?" A
2. The 'Church' should oppose all financial dealings and seek a return to an equitable world where people traded and lived by bartering and sharing resources and skills - like we used to!!
But rather than get a chicken for a day's work we get a Qeen Elizabeth II drinking voucher - money and financial transactions (like paying for your food?) is an essential act. Changing a fiver for a handful of tomatoes is just changing the currency; isn't it?
1. The clergy live in their privileged and comfortable lives whilst demanding that their poor and disadvantaged congregations pay for the privilege in the money the are pressured to give!
Wrong on so many levels and certainly not my experience on any of the points made here. Kids go to local state schools, can't afford holidays abroad and live an adequate, but not always easy, life with our children. Have never pressurised people to give and see in the words above something that is wrong at many levels.
Will discuss these points further - but hopefully some stimulation and food for thought.
Pax
3 comments:
Having found this blog through Google I think your top comment might be truer than you would have us believe. The Vicar in our town send his children to a private school, drives a new car and often regales us with exotic foreign holiday stories.
He also wastes no opportunity in pleading poverty for himself and the church and almost every sermon mentions common purse and the need for "those in the pews" to up their giving.
I holiday in the UK and get the bus to work having only one car, not two like our vicar. I am also in church most Sundays as I sing in the choir whilst he appears to take one Sunday a month off!
Haves and have nots - privileged and the rest of us - this is how many clergy appear to live.
Thank you.
Thanks for your observations.
I have to say that we made the choice to put our children in the local schools for a number of reasons. The first being that they were obviously bright and to take them away was to remove children who would influence the end results, and therefore potential resources, of the school and would, if all parents with 'gifted children' did the same lead our local school into the status of being a 'sink school'.
Secondly, we felt that the whole issue of incarnacy meant that we needed to live next to the church and to be part of the community, schools and all. To do otherwise was to put ourselves above those whom we came to serve.
Thirdly, it meant that our children were part of the community and meant they were integrated rather than apart and that we could be engaged with the schools (both governors at different schools and have been involved because we were parents of children in the schools) and be part of the system by right rather than privilege.
As for foreign holidays - with six of us on a stipend the nearest to that we get is Wales! But each to their own - perhaps they save (or does the other half work?). Same goes for the car - I have just got another car after mine died and to be honest, in this job (or at least this job as I do it) it is a necessity. Yesterday saw me in Nuneaton, Alrewas and this week I've been in Lichfield, Birmingham and other places whilst other half was out doing Mum, Wife and Pioneer Minister stuff!
I can't comment on the man's situation because I don't know him or his circumstances, but I do take on board the appearance comment and am grateful for it.
Pax
Sorry, Should have mentioned the giving aspect. Can I suggest you read my post a few days back and have a look at the 'notice' regarding what the little church I am part of has to find to keep its lights on?
There is pressure (implicit and explicit) on clergy to 'pay their way' and some feel this, or mention it, perhaps a little more than others!
As for Sundays off - I can't really comment, especially as I somehow fail to take the required number off myself. Perhaps there is a reason like ageing parents or something. You could always ask (you have the right) why they seem to be absent so often - but watch out it might be a sensitive area :-)
Thanks again,
V
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