Rowan Williams: Meeting God in Paul

Meeting God in Paul    Rowan Williams    SPCK 2015

Of late there have been a great many books on Paul and his writings and when I first saw this I found myself in a place where on one side I thought, “Oh no, not another one!” and “Wow, it’s Rowan so it must be good.”

So here it is in my hands and the very first page of introduction has me nodding as the author speaks of the many misunderstandings many in the Church have of Paul regarding women, ‘sex in general and homosexuality in particular and support for slavery’. This struck a chord immediately as these are indeed the very issues I encounter when engaging with many believers.

Paul is portrayed as someone seeking to resolve those things around him with the God within him in the light of Jesus, the Christ and the call upon his (Paul’s) life to live as a believer. We encounter Paul the Roman citizen (by birth), not rich enough not to have to work but secure enough to know who he is because of his identity as a Roman; and as a Jew, another people group which mirrors that of being Roman in so many ways.

In short: Paul is grounded, explained and made real in this book.

Saul (Sha’ul) and Paul (Paulos) - one man, two names, many facets as he is shown being an ‘authentic’ (a popular term at the moment), ‘tactless’ (a common theme with me it seems) and a most ‘passionate’ follower of Jesus, the Christ. I loved the assessment of Paul regarding Onesimus, for the author describes Paul’s writing on the slave’s behalf thus:

‘It’s a vintage piece of Paul: generous, warm and manipulative all at once, and soaked through with a richness of theological understanding.’

This is book is a read rather than a study or a pure commentary. It caused me to reflect on passage already known and to consider facets of that thought familiar through the eyes of another. This will most certainly be something I will read again. I read it in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down and found (unlike some of Rowan’s books) that I didn’t need to go to bed afterwards either!

The final part of the book contains questions for group work and an excellent Lenten reading guide which will be used in a reading group context for sure – a cherry on a most excellent cake which should be considered to be essential reading for all Christians and will certainly be recommended reading for those with whom I engage.

A marriage made on my windowsill bookshelf!

For the newer believer I cannot think of a better companion to Tom Wright’s ‘for everyone’ series of most accessible commentaries nor a better standalone read in itself. An absolute gem that will be appearing in the Christmas stockings of some of my friends this year.

Balancing the books - Mixed Economy Church

Over the weekend I found myself engaged in a number of conversations, all of which ended up on one of two issues: Leadership and money - two areas where, if what I heard was true (and I have no doubt it was an accurate portrayal), the Church is lacking!

When Rowan Williams introduced the term 'Mixed Economy' - that wonderful world where Church (established and new) stood side by side as ONE:

The vision was a bunch of believers who saw each other as family; a source of celebration and collaboration: The reality is (for many) something quite different.

The intention was that new communities of believers (AKA 'church') created by those who otherwise would not be 'doing Church' coming into relationship with Christ in new, vibrant and accessible 'Fresh Expressions of Church'.

BUT (Yep, there it is, there's always one somewhere) the reality of the whole situation is (in my humble, perhaps naive and uniformed opinion) that, reminiscent of that when Saddam Hussein was removed from power, the next step hasn't been properly thought through and this is where the problems are beginning to bite.

The problem is that many of these Fresh Expressions (FE) have come into being and when the celebrations stop and the fireworks are but distant memories we find ourselves facing a few real, and yet not show-stopping (but potentially fatal) issues unless we stop, draw breath, and work out how we might make it all work. To do this we need to deal with expectations, assumptions and what prudent management really looks like - and here's my thinking on it:

'Bringing them to church' Four little words that highlight much of the discontent that exists within the traditional churches where a Fresh Expression has been established. The problem is that the idea of a Fresh Expression is to create a new fellowship not 'bring them back' (a rather silly expression that reflects on what never was regarding a people who have never been Church) and so many in PCCs are wondering why they spend money on something that doesn't add numbers to their local expression of Church. This is perhaps best seen in the area of Messy Church - for far too many (including clergy) are really seeing this as Messy Evangelism, a means of bringing them in to our church congregation - the key is in the word 'church' for it implies that those who become part of the Messy thing will form a new congregation. Now this might be in the same building but it's not, as a colleague said, "An introduction to the building and some of the people in it so that they get comfortable and transfer across to the proper services,"  but the establishment of a new expression of Church that celebrates diversity and sees a peer, not a child (and how often do we use the term 'church plant' or 'daughter church' as a  statement of superiority and as a possessive? and the growth of the Body of Christ.

This frustration finds its voice in the minutes of a friends Church Council meeting, "We keep paying the bills for the phone box plant* and yet we see no benefits for us here at St Bogsplats* so why should we keep paying when we have our own challenges and needs?" What many see is a modified heading 'Bringing them back to our church' and this thought leads us nicely on to the next area.

Finances
Perhaps the biggest threat to the whole mixed economy model is the reality that many traditional churches are struggling (which is why Fresh Expressions came into being) in terms of attendance and finances. Now, when money gets tight PCCs seek to conserve spending and this means that some Fresh Expressions are finding their support cut or even stopped. Change the lens on the microscope to focus at the diocesan level and you'll find that the same is true again; many diocesan Treasurers are also struggling and so, in order to pay their bills, expenditure is reduced and Fresh Expressions (and other areas) are finding themselves with less (or no) financial support. This means that some are finding themselves without a 'paid for' leader, a situation which although very New Testament is also interpreted as abandonment by those within the FE and as prudent by those on the corridors of power.

The Poor old Bishop is faced with more going out than coming in and so, Micawber like, looks at the budget and opts for the path of institutional happiness rather than misery. The problem is that, as sad as it is, the cutting (or removal) of funding for an emerging church that meets in a pub is a simpler and less visible (and therefore contentious) option than that of removing the dogcollar from St Bogsplats,  merging benefices or closing churches.

Prudent (Biblical) Financial Management
I am a firm supporter of the practice of getting people to pay for whatever it is that is being launched as a Fresh Expression. I think it is right for Church (at all levels) to 'cast its bread on the water' - to be generous in funding the start up needs of a group such that capital costs are met and to fund the minister for a set period - because this is what we're called to do in the book of Ecclesiastes. It is a call to prudence and a stand against inactivity; a call to do something that will, in the end, bring rewards that other will consider 'lucky'!

Once the initial costs are met there needs to be a sliding scale of support as the new church begins to take upon itself the running costs (which includes some contribution towards the Parish Share/Common Purse payments from the start). It looks a bit like this:

It is important that we don't give birth to new communities that are parasitic in that the expectation that they can do the stuff at the expense of others and yet I have met many who complain that they have been 'dumped' by the funding agency (church, diocese or other body) because funding has stopped without any warning, something that has resulted in:

+ Disenfranchisement from the body who used to fund them

+ People leaving the plant because they felt unloved and 'done to'

+ Negative perceptions of the Church as greedy, uncaring and money-grabbing hypocrites

+ All involved being rendered bitter, broken and impotent as a result of being associated with failure

The reality is that we (local church, diocese and Archbishop's Council) need to be planting and funding things that expand the Kingdom of God in a balanced and business-like manner.

We need to have plans in place with financial and spiritual models (that's why the Mission Action Planning (MAP) is so very important) considered and firmed up.

We need to understand that every plan looks great until the enemy is engaged and then lines, goals and plans of action need to be revised and changes implemented - and that this is not failure but proper and prudent behaviour.

We need to realise that prayer is not reserved for the times when it's all going wrong - it's the action we need to have at the beginning and at every step along the way - it's the covering fire and the means by which we advance.

And so, twenty-five minutes into this splurge, I leave you with some food for thought and my brain slightly quite as I rush off to do visits, funeral stuff and engage with wonderful people on the way through today.

This is not a subject that is finished I'm sure (and we never got anywhere near the leadership issue, did we?)

Pax

PRAYING - PLANNING - PAYING - PRAISING - PROCLAIMING - PROSPERING

*Apologies to any FE that is a plant in a 'phone box and if there is a St Bogsplats :-)

Sad end to Rowan's reign?

Listening to a 'phone in' on the way back from a meeting today and some ditz was on the air wittering on about how Rowan was leaving the Archbishop of Canterbury's post as a 'failure'! The reason for this label was  down to the fact that he (personally and single-handed I assume) had failed to get the measure for the consecration of women passed! She went on to say that for him to have been 'successful' he would have needed to 'have gone out with something notable achieved!

Well insofar as 'going out with something notable'  I don't think there could have been anything more 'notable' than the media frenzy caused by yesterday's amazing General Synod! But apparently the vote negates completely not only Rowan as he leaves but shoots Justin down before he's even got in too!  (The reason being that Rowan has failed to deliver and the new man, condemned before he even starts, failed to win over 'his' church either - I can think of a word but I'm not allowed to use it!)

Let's step back from all the stupid comments that seek to vilify people for voting as their conscience demanded or demand that in future clergy and bishops make the decisions (as long of course they are the decisions they want!) or seek to find legal means or loopholes or whatever it takes to get the decision they desire make reality and look at Rowan and his time in office.

For as long as I can remember, the various blokes what have done the +Cantuar job have never been as intelligent as the outgoing incumbent. Suffice to say that the man is brilliant at som many levels and in so many ways and his theological mind is Premier League calibre.

When he took the job in 2002 there weren't many of us expecting to find the remarkably intact Anglican Communion (whatever that really is) or Church of England that we still have today. I assumed that Carey had passed over a ticking bomb to Rowan but he has managed to get out without the explosion that we assumed would come and pass the box on to JW! This has taken the amazingly gentle and humble man that RW is (RW, JW is a pattern emerging?).

I haven't always been a fan of RW but have always been in thrall of his ability to seek the right direction in the journeying of our denomination and have been humbled by his humility.

A failure? No on your nellie!

The man has run a good race and has been a good, if perhaps a little too quiet on some of the important issues, leader and spiritual example to the nation. I, for one, pray that the next phase of his life will be blessed and profitable for him and his family and for the Church as a whole.

He leaves bloodied, disappointed but unbroken and most certainly not a failure - may God bless him.

Pax

Canterbury - Welby unsurprised

But the first thing we need to do for the rank and file on the Clapham omnibus ordinary man (and woman) in the street is make sure they know who's been picked.

So to help stop any confusion over which Welby is the Archbishop of Canterbury (elect), here's a couple of photographs which might be help to distinguish between the two:

JUSTIN Welby

MARCUS Welby

One is a fictional character and the other is a highly respected person who has brought comfort and solace to many!

So, as we seek to pour oil(man) on troubled waters with regards to women bishops, homosexuality, intolerance, a financially-floundering church and global Christian relations all that remains is for us to pray for the man who would perhaps be king(maker) and let the other candidates breathe a sigh of relief and get back to the normal run of things.

I'm sure Welby blessed by him ;-)

And goodbye to Rowan too!

ps. As the announcement isn't until tomorrow I'd name someone else at 11:00 on Friday just for the sheer fun it would induce in the media and the church itself (go on, you know you'd want to)

Caption Contest - 31

As Rowan prepares to leave there's one last task for the House of Bishops to engage in with him.

Here's a chance for those clever and witty types out there to tell us what's going on and what's being said (or perhaps thought).

Enjoy

Same-Sex Marriage - Rowan and Church 'embarrassed'!

Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has been extremely critical of Prime Minister, David Cameron over the 'embarrassment' to the Church over the issue of same-sex marriage. Rowan points to the fact that the Church has been given firm assurances that no pressure would be brought to bear on it regarding conducting such services. The problem comes about with the fact that all have the right to be married in Church; of course 'marriage' here is taken as a word which relates to the joining of two people (one of each sex).

Of course, changing the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples means that one could extrapolate this to say that all couples (homosexual and heterosexual) have the right and there is (as Rowan puts it) the potential for a bit of a tangle!

He (Rowan) also says that the Church should have pressed harder for civic equality and it was wrong in not doing so and I not only agree with that but also feel in the civil partnership the means of creating a legally recognised partnership has been given and so see the redefinition of marriage as divisive and unnecessary (not a popular view with some I'm sure). Take this and the fact that the Church of England has (quite surprisingly) nailed its colours to the mast over this issue) and it's obvious that there is a collision on the way - especially when those ConDem(ed) Coalition pair of quasi-believers (Cameron and Clegg) play their 'bigot' cards on this issue.
(note. They aren't the bigots, this term is reserved for those who don't see things their way ;-) )

Seems to me that Rowan has pitched his complaints about right and the efforts of a confused, people-pleasing bunch who fail to see the differences between civil and faith related issues (and condem those of faith who make a principalled stand) are seeking to divide the nation and deconstruct the constitution too! Something which, as our nation becomes increasingly secular will see it losing the elements that have made it socially caring and compassionate.

Well done Rowan, it's good to see some leadership for you as your swan song, your words on public theology and political integrity of late have been an encouragement and a joy. Just a shame you didn't sing earlier and louder!

So it's 'Farewell' to Rowan

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has announced he is leaving his post to become Master of Magdalene College at the University of Cambridge in January 2013

It has been an immense privilege to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury over the past decade, and moving on has not been an easy decision. During the time remaining there is much to do, and I ask your prayers and support in this period and beyond. I am abidingly grateful to all those friends and colleagues who have so generously supported Jane and myself in these years, and all the many diverse parishes and communities in the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion that have brought vision, hope and excitement to my own ministry. I look forward, with that same support and inspiration, to continuing to serve the Church’s mission and witness as best I can in the years ahead.

Well, it's 'goodbye' to a truly brilliant and humble man and 'hello' to a contest that will be interesting in the extreme. Hill's, the book,maker are already running a book and the runners are:

6/4 John Sentamu (a good runner, lots of success when the going is tough)

Others in the frame (apparently) are:

7/4 Richard Chartres (London)
5/1 Nick Baines (Bradford)
6/1 Christopher Cocksworth (Coventry)
8/1 Tom Wright(formerly Durham)
10/1 Graham Jones (Norwich)
12/1 Stephen Cottrell (Chelmsford) and John Inge (Worcester)

Cry God for England and Harry and get that bet on?

Cameron and a 'Christian' Country

Despite those who will undoubtedly continue to tell me that being a 'Christian Country' is something that is no longer I have to say, faith position not withstanding, that indeed it still is. But only by its fingertips.

If our nation were to eschew the values and standards of Christianity like many of those in mainland Europe we would see intolerance, lack of social action an increase in extremely stupid court rulings and worst of all, the demise of religious freedom. Of course this is the road we are on and many of those who proclaim secular or humanist values do in fact seek the demise of 'religion' for the ascent of their own non-religious religion, a place that will benefit none, not even themselves if it were to become the dominance they so desire.

It's ironic that Rowan speaks out on so few issues and yet manages, as a rule, to say even less about faith issues. Advice to investors, bankers and an inaudible lead to those camped outside St Pauls and a strong lead to those who reside within. More ironic is that Cameron has indeed given the whole Christian community, Anglicans in particular, a challenge to maintain and even recapture the position of faith communities when not that long ago Rowan was accusing him (and his coalition) of acting without a mandate and yet here we are with the tables turned and Rowan being accused of having a mandate and failing to act!

A Christian country supports the right fr people to believe other than Christians.
It supports the right to live as one choses, within the law, but also reserves the right to not be forced to bless it and to show 'better' ways.
It protects the weak, enriches the poor and comforts the broken.
It is the 'Big Society' and always has been.

So here's a gift for Rowan from the Prime Minister of our nation - let's hope (and pray, you do pray don't you?) that he and the Christians of this land take it.

Pax

Wowan Wevived!

Wow, what power I obviously wield for no sooner do I ask where Wowan is but he writes in that popular tabloid, the FT, as he calls for a Wobin Hood Tax as a means of advancing the 'moral agenda' of those camped outside St Paul's. Sadly Wowan's words build upon the Church in Wome's Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace paper suggesting the wonderful world of finance be regulated along ethical lines rather than .

As Wowan puts forward his support for James Tobin's ideas regarding financial dealing, especially a 'small' tax on financial transactions he can rest easy, for the government says, No Go Wo, not unless the whole worlds does it!" and so it is a good point made with the assurance that it won't even make it to the runway, let alone make it into the air!

The protesters want 'something different' - but don't appear to have any coherent ideas outside of hanging the bankers.

Many in the financial sector don't see the need for change - they're doing well thank you very much!

Many who work in the finance sector will be getting on trains, buses and other means of transport knowing they are losing each and every way as their jobs vanish, their pay fails to keep up with inflation (we won't even compare them to their bosses and the rises they've had over the past year!) and they are held up for abuse because of where they work and what they do!

Wowan has spoken but he's not said that much and in fact regarding Christ (remember Him?), the Church (remember that - a bunch of believers heralding in and live by kingdom values?) and the situation that our nation (and the world) find itself in, he's really said very little. But of course, as ever, he's said it in a most eloquent manner indeed!

And before anyone asks, what should he have said?

Perhaps a missive from Deuteronomy chapter ten proclaiming that God shows no partiality and accepts no bribes and defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, loving the disposed and the alien amongst us. The God who calls us to clothe the naked (or ragged-clothed) and feed the hungry, to provide shelter within the storms of life (a wonderful opportunity to bring in 1 Corinthians 13 here as we speak of love building a shelter for the focus of that love in the storms of life).

An opportunity to extol Hebrews Chapter Thirteen and call upon those in the finance sector to offer to God a sacrifice and to bring in offerings of praise from our lips for the lives that we have and from our pockets to do good and share with others (see Deut 10) for this pleases God! This leads us into submission to those in authority and calls upon them to give account of their policies and their actions.

Most importantly - we have the words conscience and clear and maintaining - three words that when put in the correct order change everything in the finance and every other sector of the Church.

Hallelujah.

See Wowan - simples!

Is Rowan Still Around?

haven't heard much from him regarding the St Paul's debacle (I know a limerick about it!!).

Anyway, the Chapter has now issued a statement offering to act as a broker between the protesters and the wonderful world of finance. Not only that but they are suspending their action to evict the happy campers from their front door.

Not only that but +London has engaged the services of a Merchant banker (not rhyming slang ;-) )to 'reconnect the financial with the ethical'. Now, there's a thought!!!

Pity they couldn't get their act together sooner - I have met more than enough people who are only too happy to inform me that the, "CofE is a disgrace in the way that it sides with the bankers and seeks to use the same company as was used to evict people in the Dale Farm debacle!"

I have asked people whether they have anyone stupid, dodgy or a bit of an embarrassment in their family and when they answer in the affirmative (as I'm sure we all can - I know my Sister is able to do so!) I ask them whether this means that they, or their whole family, is stupid, dodgy or a bit of an embarrassment. Of course the answer to this is always a resounding 'No'.

That's exactly how it is with St Paul's and the CofE!

Simple or what - job done.

Now Rowan, why couldn't you have said that (more eloquently and with much more theological voracity and intellectual magnificence)?

Pax

Coalition Actions Explained!

Suddenly it all makes sense - the coalition is merely following Rowan's lead ;)

Happy Friday

Rowan - Political Commentator or Priest?

And all along I thought he was supposed to be concerned with matters spiritual. Explains a lot and makes sense of the often shambolic and ill-focussed goings on that we have within the Church of England! He thinks he's Robin Day in a dog-collar.

Funny that when I read of Rowan's warning that the government is committing Britain to "radical, long-term policies for which no-one voted" I immediately was drawn back to the heady days of Tony Bliar's government. You must remember them, they were elected because they 'weren't Conservatives'.

The policies they brought in had little or no mandate, they just did what they wanted because they were elected purely and simply on the basis that they 'weren't Conservative'. Then, to put a cherry on the cake we had regime change as Brown was given the stick with the pig's bladders attached! And he brought in new policies which had never seen the light of manifesto or husting again.

There has been 'indignation' at the reforms brought in by the previous Labour government and the current coalition and for good reason. The problem is the Labour Party used the open mandate that was gifted to them for not being Conservative and the coalition have been gifted the same because of the totally inept actions of a party who lined the pockets of supporters through PFI, Quango and other 'favours' (including Adonis and his gifting of land, capital and the demise of state education that appears to be Academies) and handed over the right to do pretty much as they please because they made the nation a morally, socially and best of all, a financially bankrupt entity!

Rather than mumble about the 'Big Society' as something that is viewed with 'widespread suspicion' Rowan would do better to motivate and mobilise the troops (the Church) to take back the pastoral and caring birthright which it has handed over of a mess of social state pottage!

We are seeing some things happen far too quickly, but the spectre of financial peril (seen Eire, Greece and Portugal lately?) perhaps does justify some of this (but not all) and we need to be sure that we are not standing by as the Lib Dem acts as puppets to permit some 'evening up of the scores and wounds of old!'.

Speaking of democracy, people don't know what democracy means anymore because they don't understand what a majority is! Wanting everyone to have a voice and be making the decisions, mathematically manipulating results to overcome voter apathy and skewed ideas of what and who should be elected - this is not constitutional (or national) politics but the politics of Bedlam and displays something worrying about our nation as a whole (We are becoming Golgafrinchams in that "We're all bloody useless!").

Having read the piece I think it shows the mark of an intelligent man, for Rowan is no fool, but I wonder whether they are the words of a spiritual leader. It is for this reason I am saddened and more than a little downhearted, for as much as I get frustrated at politicians who spout on about faith and Christ in particular, leaving me with the wish that they'd stick to what they know, I feel with this that I wish he'd preach the Gospel rather than be yet another political (and the words could almost be those of an agnostic or atheist, couldn't they) commentator.

As it stands, a good piece and some great points - but where was the Christian influence? Where is the Christian outworking? Where was the Christian (soteriological) imperative, where is the 'Good News' (The Gospel)? Sadly not that evident here.

Now I know many will accuse him of merely attacking the coalition, but I don't think he is. He's knocking the sad situation of popularist and envy, score-settling politics. He's bemoaning the global issues that are handled in ways that leave us sighing. Valid and reasonable - but where is the Christ in his writings? He had more to say about Bin Laden's death than many of the Christian issues that need comment upon and he has before him a church that is divided and breaking for want of some leadership and shrewd assessment, much as he shows in matters secular!

Pax

Read the whole leader here