Scotland's Provost the Brave
Read this moving post from the Provost of Glasgow in Scotland about the recent same-sex blessing he celebrated. 'As I helped the two men through their vows and then served communion to them and their friends in thanksgiving, I knew the Eucharist of old. And I knew the Eucharist afresh. I know Christ at that meal every time. Today it was knowing him holding the beloved disciple in his arms as he shared with his friends on his last night and as he has done at every Eucharist since,' writes Kelvin Holdsworth.
This week we have the Office of National Statistics confirming that classical marriage (ie of a woman to a man, for life) is measurably good for both of them, good for their children, if any, and good for society. All other options for which they have figures are significantly less good.
And from Anglican church leaders ? Silence.
Posted by: Nigel Feilden | 5 Oct 2007 18:25:29
Whilst sin is in all churches, I take great comfort that if this was Catholic administrator ( they don't tend to call them Deans)of a Cathedral, they would be suspended.
I hope all Catholic minded Scots Episcopalians will consider coming over to the Catholic Church...we may be more working class, cosmopolitan, immigrant and have on the whole shabbier buildings, but the authentic historic and Biblical Faith is with us.
Posted by: Robert Ian Williams | 2 Oct 2007 19:27:26
Liturgical leadership and a bit of strategic planning and strategic communications advice for a parish seeing its way forward.
My blogging (which is less "pro-gay" than "anti-schismatic") is merely a hobby.
Posted by: Malcolm+ | 2 Oct 2007 17:32:23
Mike Homfrey wrote, "The question is how to make Christianity meaningful to a changing society."
One can't simply change the definition of the word "Christian" and expect others to recognize it as such. Start your own religion and call it something else. Don't call your religion "Christian", and I won't ask you to call a cat a dog.
Posted by: Jeremy | 2 Oct 2007 03:17:33
Dear Malcolm,
I would very much hope that there is more to your ministry than pro-gay blogging...!
Posted by: Alan Marsh | 1 Oct 2007 23:20:50
Attendance has increased at my parish since I arrived. I guess that proves I'm right, even though Alan is convinced I'm a heretic (and a not very bright heretic at that).
Posted by: Malcolm+ | 1 Oct 2007 18:52:08
It is hart braking to see the Bible being so thourly disregarded. Trusting in, and therefor obaying, God's promises and commands there represents only hope for mankind to be reconsiled to Him. This is because only through the Bible can we learn of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us on the cross,and so the redemption we can have through Him alone.
Posted by: Gareth Rhymes | 1 Oct 2007 15:27:51
Fine. There are 93% of the population who don't go to chur5ch, and wouldn't touch conservative theology with a bargepole.
The question is how to make Christianity meaningful to a changing society. It may still speak to Nigeria et al, but frankly, its no message for contemporary Britain.
I think that the days of 'going to church' are gone for good, but there is far more to a church than simply dragging people in for hackneyed and mawkish singing to daddy-gods-in-the-sky.
Spirituality attracts plenty of interest, but people don't associate it with 'church', because 'church' is marooned in the swamp of orthodox delusion.
That's why we need revision. Well done to the Provost!
Posted by: Mike Homfray | 1 Oct 2007 12:19:30
The Church attendance statistics reflect among other things the confidence of us lay people in our churches and their leaders.
Things have been very bad for Scotland since the reign of former Bishop Richard Holloway and his single-minded pursuit of the gay agenda. But it is having the same effect elsewhere, Canada, Wales and TEC of course. People read their bibles and they know that their churches are being led into deep disobedience by those who ignore the plain teaching of holy scripture. Which is why they don't go to those churches any longer.
Posted by: Alan Marsh | 30 Sep 2007 17:00:53
I'm sure Kelvin is utterly sincere in what he has written, but the story really does confirm how wide the gulf is between the orthodox and the revisionists. How can the two walk together?
Unlike Ruth I do not find the story moving but rather more of a deep sadness. To think that the Bible and 2000 years of Christian experience can be so lightly dispensed with!
Posted by: David Palmer | 30 Sep 2007 08:58:56
Why, Alan, I thought that we Canadians were the fastest declining. Or the Americans. Now the Scots.
Where do you get these constantly updated stats? Who knew you could get week - by - week tracking of Anglican attendance / membership numbers?
Posted by: Malcolm+ | 30 Sep 2007 08:55:33
It's been a bumpy ride at St Mary's with the departure of the previous provost. Who knows what another six months will bring?
Posted by: Alan Marsh | 29 Sep 2007 23:08:54
Well Alan, if its all about numbers, it is probably worth pointing out that St Mary's Cathedral is growing again. Members & money all up month by month over the last 6 months.
But then it isn't about numbers, is it?
Posted by: Kelvin | 29 Sep 2007 21:26:23
No wonder the Scottish Episcopal Church is one of the fastest declining churches in the Anglican Communion.
Posted by: Alan Marsh | 29 Sep 2007 17:31:47
Ruth,
Kelvin (the Provost) and I are having a conversation about this here.
Posted by: Peter O | 29 Sep 2007 16:28:35