Seventh DDO Interview -- Renewal

I met my DDO on Monday of this week.  The last meeting had been challenging to say the least, but this one seemed much more positive.   Work that I had submitted last month, was well received and provoked discussion on some aspects, and comments that real evidence was beginning to emerge, that perhaps I might actually not be wasting my, or the churches time in the discernment process.

I found this to be a fruitful and affirming meeting,   While much work remains to be done, some developmental, some needing careful reflection and growth as a Christian - but overall, it seemed to be the right place and right time.

Prior to the meeting, I had attended a short retreat and had sought guidance from my SD.   Among prayer and reflection, I was blessed with a real sense of inner peace and the conviction that I should just wait on God and his will for this journey will become clear.

I am convinced that the prayers were partially answered, in that the YES or NO question on whether to continue answered itself, when the DDO indicated that we were to continue, without actually asking whether I wished to.

I know that there remains an enormous mountain to climb and much inner baggage to be overcome, but my reality has changed so much on this journey, I can only welcome the challenge as it seems to be one step at a time, inching forward to where God might wish me to be.

I have a task this month involving drafting a pastoral letter and a book to read, relatively peaceful after the turmoil of the last few months.  God is good to me, and I am receiving so much support from my Vicar,  my SD and Parishioners and family and friends - this is what makes the discernment process so worthwhile.  It's not about letting people down or meeting their expectations, it's about seeing how and where I am being called to serve.

Anglicanorum Coetibus

The Church Mouse has posted on this earlier.  The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have made an announcement about the Ordinariate, which provides for an implementation time table for receiving the departing Bishops, Clergy and groups of the faithful on a schedule between early 2011 to Pentecost 2011.

The full text of their statement is:here.  Having a history with the RC Church, I can only hope that they are received with good grace and that their hopes and desire for a new start in faith in communion with Rome are realized.  I am very aware that after the Ordination of Women as Priests in the C of E, many went across to Rome at that time, some came back, completely disenchanted.  I am also aware that the C of E, occasionally receives former RC priests into Anglican Orders.   But, of course, we do not make a song and dance about it.

For those leaving, it will be a huge upheaval and life changing, perhaps with some personal sacrifice and hardship, particularly for stipendiary clergy and their families - it remains to be seen what effect their presence within the RC Church will have upon those existing elements within it, who seek both the Ordination of Women and the end of celibacy.

The one thing that I do know, is that having come from Rome to Canterbury, I could not conceive of returning, the freedom of thought and belief I enjoy as an Anglican, along with so much more, within my Parish is a new, transformed life of faith and love.

I will be praying for all of those involved, who must be allowed to go with grace and with our continuing friendship and blessings.

Remembrance Day

Today at 1100 hrs I led a small act of Remembrance at a Rural Church, with about a dozen people.   This was the second time I was privileged to share with those there the words and prayers of reconciliation and forgiveness which allows us to pay our respects to all who have suffered and died through the wars since WW1.

Coming from a military background, so having been involved for over 45 years with these ceremonies, perhaps I might feel a little jaded, but on the contrary, each passing years makes it more poignant and I grieve for those I know who have suffered.

I find myself wondering why mankind seems to be so set on its own mutual destruction through war, and its causes.    As a soldier, I was sent to places, where I did my duty, and If I am honest, did not really think about why I was there, or what I was doing.  It was enough that the Government sent us and we were doing our duty.  

How my perspective has changed, now I see war as an evil and perhaps a manifestation of that evil which is the diametric opposite of good.  And I wonder how I would justify my actions in those situations if challenged by someone, particularly my grand children, and perhaps to my maker.

Life is so precious, it should never be sacrificed in any war, and I pray that we will all come to the realization of how unnecessary it actually is.  

Goverment Cuts versus Morality

I have been watching the announcements on Government Cuts and have downloaded the actual papers from the Treasury Website.  http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/spend_index.htm

We all accept the cuts in public expenditure are necessary, but how the cuts are made is my question.  Where is the morality of targetting the poor, vulnerable, elderly, unemployed or incapcitated in our society when there are so many more, better off or rich, who can afford to pay others to help them avoid or evade paying their fair amount of taxation.

Where is the morality in targeting these groups, when you are prepared to go on funding policies that damage the environment and potentially destroy the planet, I refer of course to the obscene Trident Nuclear Missile system.

Where is the morality in targeting these groups, when you are prepared to collude with rich, global institutions in exploiting the poorest  and the resources in the developing world to produced cheap goods for consumers in the developed world.

Where is the morality in targeting these groups, when you accept that financial institutions and those in government have been found to be either corrupt or so negligent that they almost bankrupted the world's financial and fiscal security, while paying themselves obscene bonus's or expenses.

I suspect that ideology rather then principles are behind much of what is being done in our name, I had hopes that a coalition of liberal and conservative might be able to restore my faith and confidence in good government - I seem to have been sadly mistaken.

The country now has two choices, either accept it and get on with life, or to protest and to proclaim from the roof tops the unfairness of some of the proposed cuts.   I wonder if I will feel called to be on the barricades or to spectate.  I am not a natural demonstrator, but social justice might for the first time provoke me.    I must see what the Green Party says about all of this, they seem to be the only ones talking sense that I can understand at the moment.

Christian New Media Conference

Reflection on attendance at Christian New Media Conference:

 I attended the conference held at City University in London last Saturday.  The reasons for going were: first, I am a member of i-church, which utilise the internet for mission and evangelism. We also have a presence on facebook and use twitter to communicate online, about our activities. Secondly, I have an interest in what the church, itself, is doing online and the different approaches to being the church in a digital age.   Thirdly, I am aware that my parish website is outdated, not particularly user friendly and using outdated technology to get its message out; I felt that I might learn something of use in this context.  Last, but not least, I wished to meet some of the people with whom I regularly communicate on-line, face to face.

The conference was lively; the atmosphere was electric and full of excitement.  The backgrounds of those attending was of all ages, and denominations, with the common features of being Christians and interested in the use of New Media to advance the work of the church through this medium.   I met  some of those I know online and it was a worthwhile for that alone.

A number of things struck me about the content of the conference and the people participating:

• The wide, disparate backgrounds of those involved, ranging from professional Christian media journalists, through Priests of various denominations to Christians and Evangelists (Dave Roberts). All united in one community for the day – seeking to serve God better through New Media.
• The sincerity and openness to knowledge, but the questioning and challenging that went on, especially when they felt patronised, e.g. when speakers covered ground that they already knew about, but also if they felt what was being said did not add up to them.
• The stance taken by speakers that while we were familiar with what they were putting over, we need to address the lack of confidence and suspicion of others within our churches, who are uncomfortable or unfamiliar with the Digital Age.
• The inspirational speaking from people who are confident in their subject, who are subject matter experts, but who remain willing to take risks,  to try new things, to get the knowledge and presence of Jesus out onto the internet,  and to share their joy in him with anyone who was willing to listen and to join in.
• The statement that changes has always been a fact of life in the world and the church from day one.  Comparisons with changes following the introduction of the first printed bibles to today were well drawn to help us appreciate that.   The impact of the changes now underway is far reaching, it will require a change of culture at the heart of the church, if it is not to be left behind and become irrelevant.  The task is huge and the workers are few – but committed and motivated to push on with change.
• The emphasis that New Media requires a New Theology, worked out in the light of these changes as they happen, not worked out in isolation by theologians with no knowledge or experience of New Media.  Authority and authenticity are key elements being worked out for the digital age.

  
How has attendance affected my vocation?

I felt humbled and inspired by both my lack of knowledge or experience, but uplifted by the knowledge that there are so many people available to help me to learn more and to participate.   Part of my feeling of a call to ministry has always seemed to involve some sort of evangelist role, which my Parish priest spoke to me about recently.   I do not feel that the call has changed in that respect, but rather it has been expanded to acknowledge that parish based ministry can use new media in mission and evangelism as a new tool, which with imagination and the Holy Spirit working can help people to come to know Jesus in different, complementary ways.  The scope is vast and open ended. I see this as a blessing for the church and a support for any future ministry that the church may discern for me. 

 

I have grown in knowledge and experience through this conference – sharing with so many other Christians made being in their company virtually worship in its own right.  Discussing how we may serve and worship God through the Digital media is inspiring and fulfilling.

Blog Action Day - Water

Today is the annual blog action day where bloggers cooperate to focus on an aspect of the environment. Today's theme is water and the competition and shortages across the world. Millions live without direct access to a safe source of on of the most basic commodities necessary to sustain life.

Watch the video from Water Aid and imagine a life without safe water - can you help

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D1mVg_FglM&feature=player_embedded

Being Brought Down to Earth

My latest DDO meeting was a reminder that complacency is inappropriate in the process of discernment. My reflection submitted last month was basically an Essay, with insufficient depth and content. In particular there not enough reflection on mission and evangelism and how it is active in my ministry and life.

I came away feeling that I had let down both the DDO and myself and knowing quite well, I had not given sufficient thought to what I had written and had perhaps concentrated to much on an Essay rather than writing as I feel and know I can.

Everyone is supportive, knock backs are part of the process, I just need to pray and reflect carefully on what I am hearing, before picking up and starting over.

I am told that I am being tried - but I wonder if it is me doing the trying, by not being fully what I feel that I am called to be - someone seeking to test a vocation.