Last week I interviewed fourteen ordinands prior to their ordination as priest (yesterday evening) or deacon (this morning) in Bradford Cathedral. Since Thursday they have been on retreat at the gorgeous Parcevall Hall.
One of the questions I asked them (apart from: “Why should we ordain you?”) was how they might summarise the gospel – or the biblical story – in a single sentence. It wasn't easy. But, I still remain convinced that if the church and its ministers are to communicate into a sound bite and visual culture, we must work harder at the words we use – especially when put on the spot by people who have no idea about Christian faith (even if they think they do).
One good one came after some discussion and is the sort of line that opens up, rather than shutting down, further inquisition: “You can't pin God down… but we did nail him.”
I still come back to something I once said on the radio when unexpectedly asked what was the point of the church. I simply blagged: “The job of the church is to create the space in which people can find that they have been found by God.”
I am open to other creative suggestions! But the point is that we need to work hard at finding and shaping language, then using it repeatedly to see how it works and if it resonates.
In similar vein, I was watching a DVD of a film about the great Leonard Cohen – my daughter and son-in-law gave it to me recently. Towards the end Cohen said with a smile: “For many years I was known as a monk. I shaved my head and wore robes and got up very early. I hated everyone, but I acted generously and no one found me out.”
Discuss.
Posted with Blogsy
July 1, 2012 at 3:51 pm
I wonder whether leaving such questions to the eve of ordination is a bit late! Surely these are questions which should be addressed much earlier. Also I would expect that the ability to communicate the Gospel should be explored and developed during formation.
July 1, 2012 at 4:10 pm
Our Hungarian minister preached today that our top priority is to build a sports arena for the young people of the housing estate in which the church is located. ‘We are not here for ourselves’ he told us, ‘we are here for those who aren’t here!’
July 1, 2012 at 11:38 pm
David, why do you assume this was the first time the question had been put? Ditto your second point.
July 2, 2012 at 8:52 am
Here goes-
The nature of God is comprehensively described in the life and character of Jesus: our life purpose is to help one another to become “Gospel Gracious”.
David Jenkins said that as he got older he believed “less and less, more and more”.
I certainly find that I say little in my religious life of value that does not and cannot be easily expressed though reference to a handful of Gospel passages. Just as the double helix of DNA or Einstein’ s beautiful equation to express matter, are small in themselves, they hold within themselves the potential to be expanded and become massively complex and/ or useful:so with the collective wisdom of a relatively few parts of the Gospels.
Perhaps we should compile a list of the irreducible minimum of such stories/ passages and encourage our ordinands to use these as their “gold standard”.
July 2, 2012 at 2:23 pm
I’m all for encouraging people to consider how they would sum up their belief in a sound bite. I’m a Street Angel, and at 3 in the morning it’s very challenging to be asked “Why do you believe in God?” – you’re tired, the person you’re talking to is drunk, and you’ve got 30 seconds (maximum) before you lose their attention!
July 2, 2012 at 3:19 pm
How about ‘Cast out into the deep’?
July 3, 2012 at 10:34 pm
I like the words of the ordinand you quoted and will try and remember to come back to this blog post in two years time, when I will (hopefully) be in their position (though in a different diocese).
My current attempt off the top of my head: Jesus’ action, human reaction, God’s redaction.
Or am I trying to be too clever? Probably.
July 5, 2012 at 11:14 am
How about:
“Don’t worry, its all sorted, just climb on board and we’ll explain”
Or is that three sentances?
July 5, 2012 at 3:08 pm
Hi there from Tuebingen … Just stumbled over this Blog, Nick. I like this “opening up instead of shutting down”-thing. Got to remember that. And I like Anne Marriott´s honesty. I find that you don´t even need to be a street angel to feel challenged in your everyday life … So I´m impressed by what you´re doing. Question: How did Leonard Cohen get out of the robes? (No offence against robes!) I´d like to know …
Still keep thinking of you all from time to time. Love, Dani
July 7, 2012 at 12:16 pm
“Jesus lived the life we should have lived, then died the death we should have died.” – Tim Keller.
Or: “Jesus is alive” – the early church