The end is nigh – the new beginning draws close.
Actually, that isn’t an Easter reflection. I managed to lose any internet connection four or five days ago and have now only popped in to my old office to bring all my official computer equipment from home before we move out of the Croydon house… which we do this coming Wednesday.
In the silence I have managed to miss addressing an absurd example of journalistic ignorance in the Independent (I think I might write do similarly by writing a lengthy and passionate piece about something of which I know little – quantum physics, perhaps), the big ‘Church school admissions’ story, and the whole of Easter. Even Liverpool’s thrashing of Birmingham City fell by the wayside.
This has been a pain for me as the writing (and subsequent commenting/debate) always helps me to think more clearly. I am not sure how much such ruminations will have been missed by readers of this blog. But, the enforced silence has been like enforced fasting - probably good for the health and for getting things in perspective - but it plays havoc with the blog stats.
Anyway, now back to radio silence until the end of this week when we will be settling into our new home in Bradford and getting reconnected with the blogosphere.
Lovely weather for humping furniture around…
April 25, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Go well – we will miss you. I trust the blog will continue with a new picture at the top – not Croydon bus station -when you are a bit settled? I await your successor with interest.
April 25, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Hope we’ll hear more of your musings soon.
April 25, 2011 at 2:21 pm
It sounds terribly businesslike that you had to return your ‘official computer equipment’ before you move. It just sparked a train of thought on a complete tangent.
I try never to think of the Church as a business, or even ‘Institutional’ which makes it sound like a prison or care home for the elderly (given recent evidence of the average age of congregations,that might be appropriate).
I know that we have to make the internal working so of the church function, but all of the management terminology I find a turn off.
I had to much of it in the Army, and now freed from that straight-jacket, increasingly hear it in the church.
I like to think of the church functioning as an efficient, body of people, all with the common purpose of preaching the good news and helping others. While that does happen, we seem to be becoming more and more political and hidebound by legislation and bureaucracy more suited to the civil service or European Union.
Now with the covenant on the horizen, we appear to be saddling ourselves with even more of the same. Could we not have a natural break, say 10 years from all of this and just get on with mission and outreach and building the Kingdom? Or am I dreaming?
April 25, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Enjoy the excitement of moving to a new home, where I am sure you will be welcomed warmly whatever the weather by Wednesday.
I am delighted that the church behaves in a businesslike fashion – but for most it should be the swan getting on with mission that they see, while the legs beneath doing things efficiently might be paddling frantically. I don’t recall reading too much of the bureaucracy in your blog, but much more of the “finding that God loves us”, in many and surprising ways.
I look forward to more of the same in due course – many thanks.
April 25, 2011 at 11:28 pm
So Adrian Hamilton can rubbish the CofE’s place in a complex modern society, while valuing its architecture & relevance to birth, death & marriage – what a relief (Thisbe, a chink!)
At least his prose style is more lucid than Polly Toybee’s (Saturday Guardian on Faith Schools)- I’m still trying to work out what that was all about.
April 26, 2011 at 9:09 am
I hope the move goes smoothly. God bless you and your family in this next bit of the adventure!
April 26, 2011 at 9:47 am
Hi Nick,
Hope the move has gone well.
I think you’re being a little too harsh on Adrian Hamilton’s piece in the Independent. It’s certainly not an ‘ignorant’ piece – but it is his opinion and interpretation. I don’t think he’s got any ‘facts’ wrong but he’s way off the mark on some of his interpretation of those facts. I disagree strongly with much of it but I can’t ‘rule out’ or ‘cry foul’ over his commentary because it’s his Church of England as much as it is mine. Hamilton, imo, is just as entitled to comment on the CoE as you or I because in some real sense the CoE is the default church of this nation.
On another note, where does it stop always calling for ‘expert’ commentary? What are the qualifications and experiences which make us expert on any particular area? Hamilton has evidently conducted research to write his article – surely that is legitimate?
April 26, 2011 at 4:21 pm
No harm in even Bishops having a break from things!
Will look forward to re-commencement of your regular blogs in due course.
Anne.
April 29, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Adrian Hamilton’s main thesis .. would the CoE do better if it were not ‘Established’ , is an interesting one, and is worthy of more than the label ‘ignorant’.
Prince Charles has said that he wishes to be ‘defender of all faiths’. It will be interesting to see how the CoE copes with that.
May 1, 2011 at 1:05 pm
I read +Rowan Williams musing on the benefits of disestablishment not long ago, and there would be some for sure. But we are where we are, and need to make the best of the advantages and complexities that brings us. I love Ernest’s idea @ no 3 and that’s usually my response to most bureaucracy, but I guess someone has to tie up the details on all our behalf and I’m thankful to those that do that as faithfully as they can.
May 1, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Ref Comment no. 7 –
if Adrian Hamilton’s article was as well researched as you suggest, does this mean that the Archbishop of Canterbury recently performed the marriage rite in a church that he has ceased to believe in? I hardly think so!
I am also bemused by the expresion ‘default church’ – being ‘imo’ extremely discourteous to our brothers and sisters of other faiths. Fortunately Prince Charles seems to have a better handle on that one..
May 2, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Ref. comment 11.
You’re mixing facts with interpretation. I disagree with much of what Hamilton says but nevertheless he can legitimately draw different conclusions from me. Nick seems to be disqualifying him from venturing an opinion on grounds of his lack of expertise.
By ‘default’ church there is no offence to other faiths and denonimations. The fact is that many people still count themselves as C of E despite non-attendance.
May 2, 2011 at 5:23 pm
Andrew, still unpacking here and no effective wifi – hence the delay in replying.
Of course, everyone is entitled to an opinion; but no opinion has value simply because it is held. Furthermore, I would expect a journalist to provide something to support any opinion offered. Hamilton’ piece had the same value as me offering an opinion on the fate of the Independent on the basis of little or no supportive back-up. I could say that the Indy has no future as a newspaper, but such an opinion would be absurd just as an opinion – so I won’t say it. Although I will say that I think the Church of England will certainly outlive the Independent.
My objection is mainly a professional one. I just couldn’t respect myself for writing such stuff.
May 5, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Looking again at the offending article, I see phrases such as “A sizeable number of clergy and several Bishops would be much happier without the burden of establishment”. Either the author has evidence for this, or he does not. As a journalist, his sources may require their comments to be non-attributable. We cannot draw conclusions.
On the other hand, “The decline in paid clergy has been even more rapid … a fall of over 20% to barely 8000”. A statement of this sort does suggest underlying evidence. Perhaps he should have provided a web link.
Finally, surely it is unfair to “expect a journalist to provide something to support any opinion offered” without providing the evidence for his ignorance.
May 8, 2011 at 11:13 am
Andrew Carey – quite right too, I owe you an apology,
Jane
May 12, 2011 at 2:25 am
Most intriguing blog, I will certainly bookmark it, indubitably.