5th Mark of Mission - Caring for Creation

This talk was prepared for the final of our Summer 2019 evening services in Blarney on Sunday 25th August. 

Readings Psalm 8 

For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of David. 

Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth! 

You have set your glory in the heavens. 

Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. 

When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? 

You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. 

You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:
all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild, 

the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas. 

Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth! 

Genesis 1: 1 and 28–31 

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

28 God blessed [humankind] and God said to them: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every living thing that moves upon he earth.” 

29 God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground – everything that has breath of life in it – I give every living green plant for food.” And it was so. 

31 God saw all that he had made and it was very good. 

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be now and always acceptable in thy sight O Lord our strength and our redeemer. Amen 

What an amazing world we live in -  we know that … take a watch … 

But the questions remain as to what we need to do about it what is the best course of action 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unOqVELbTr0

Pope Francis back in May 

Specifically, Pope Francis called on ministers to commit to several specific goals:

- to value what is important, not what is superfluous;

- to correct our national accounts and our business accounts, so as to stop engaging in activities that are destroying our planet;

- to put an end to global dependency on fossil fuels;

- to open a new chapter of clean and safe energy, that utilizes, for example, renewable resources such as wind, sun and water;

 - above all, to act prudently and responsibly in our economies to actually meet human needs, promote human dignity, help the poor and be set free of the idolatry of money that creates so much suffering.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-05/pope-francis-on-climate-change-time-is-of-the-essence.html

I just wonder if we were to make calls around care of creation what would we try to change 

When it comes to the issues of the day We take the evidence that we’re presented with and try to make the changes - these changes won’t be popular but the creaking we’re hearing at the moment is going to be more pronounced in the years ahead. 

But its going to take wisdom, its going to take creative thought and sensible heads to save us from swinging from one rally cry to another. 

It seems that one day there is calls against beef and then its a band wagon call against fossil fuels. 

We’ve got to remember that there are huge forces at play here but one wonders what might need to be a comprehensive plan that takes the small efforts and envisages how the power of one us able to mount up. 

Within the Church of Ireland we’re not taking these things seriously enough. I’m not taking these things seriously and that needs to change. In a recent article in the church of Ireland Gazette  - Stephen Trew - a Parishioner in Down and Dromore  - provocative questions have been asked - and I pose them in this space because I presume they affect other places and people as well.  

Greta Thunberg has inspired thousands of young people around the world to protest, including in Ireland. In fact, in Dublin the weekly school #ClimateStrike has been happening outside Leinster House for six months. These young people are crying out for people to care, to care for the planet, to care for justice and to care for their future. 

Has the Church of Ireland responded to the #ClimateStrike young people? No. We are failing our children’s future. It’s no wonder that young people feel the Church has little to say to them - they think we do not care. 

LEADERS THAT CARE 

Thankfully, one of the world’s most famous naturalists, Sir David Attenborough, has shown leadership. He must surely be the closest thing that the secular sphere has to a pope. Sir David said about climate change: “If we don’t take action, the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon.” 

Commenting on the fact that 50% of all the world’s wildlife has disappeared in the last 50 years, he said, “I find it hard to exaggerate the peril. This is the new extinction and we are half way through it. We are in terrible, terrible trouble and the longer we wait to do something about it the worse it is going to get.” 

https://www.businessinsider.com/people-killed-half-of-forest-animals-on-earth-since-1970-2019-8?r=US&IR=T

Christian leaders have an ancient message that speaks into today’s politic - we need to turn around, change direction and, as a society, we need to repent. We need a repentance narrative. 

So, what changes should the Church of Ireland make?  Stephen Trew asks in the Article and then sets forth a number of suggestions! 

NET ZERO CHURCH 

The next 10 years are critical for the survival of civilisation. The world needs to reduce its carbon emissions in half over the the next decade if we are to keep global warming below the dangerous threshold of 1.5 degrees heating. The question for all of us is: do we really care for creation, do we care enough to act? 

Our Church can set a leading example, this is what we need to do. 

The Church of Ireland can declare a Climate Emergency and become a Net Zero Church - by setting a target of net zero emissions by 2030. 

This means that over the next decade, we must radically reduce our carbon emissions and invest more in natural carbon capture 

(growing trees and restoring peatland) to catch the carbon that we cannot cut out. We should do the following:

• End investments in fossil fuel companies now and increase investment in clean energy and ecosystem regeneration; 

• Launch a scheme to help insulate and draft-proof clergy homes; 

• Replace the locomotory allowance for petrol and diesel vehicles with an allowance for electric cars, with the aim of clergy and staff having no fossil fuelled vehicles by 2030; 

• Require parishes to report their energy usage to the RCB annually, measure the carbon footprint and invest in ecosystem services to offset the emissions; 

• Promote organic farming on Church of Ireland owned farmland; 

• Promote healthier eating as part of a Christian lifestyle - increase fruit and vegetables and reduce meat consumption; and 

• Continue to engage in the political sphere through citizens’ assemblies and public forums calling for radical change. 

To these things I would add things such as 

• The involvement in the public conversation 
• The speaking out on issues around our communities where there is bad practice 
• Look at the management of Grave yards though environmental eyes 
• Our Use of Plastics 
• Sustainable Living 

Trew makes this point extremely strongly and I would want to stand with him in this - If a proposal is brought to synod next year its one I will be supporting - yes it will be quite problematic - me and my Unleaded car, that enjoys flying to places. 

We stand at a critical point in human history. When a Church understands that mission includes care for creation, then its leaders can speak into the climate and ecological crisis to call for a revolution of repentance and an end to the sacrifice of civilisation. 

When we show we care for creation, then we can connect to a young generation calling for change. But to do this, we need to repent of investing in fossil fuels. And then, let us lead the change that our children are calling for, call a Climate Emergency and commit to become a Net Zero Church. 

Trew suggests a few other things in a recent blog 

• Read about creation care theology - try Bishop Tom Wright's books.
• Sign up to the mailing list of Christian Aid, Tearfund or similar organisations.
• Sign up to EcoCongregations newsletter for news from Ireland.
• Get involved in a campaign - such as ending fossil fuel investments.
• Transform your church - go Fairtrade and Plastic free.
• Reduce your own carbon footprint - use public transport, walk more, drive and fly less.
• Speak to friends and colleagues about the threats to the planet.

In all of this - what are we being called to do?

How do you respond to this call? 

What do we as a parish need to do? 

What do we as a community need to do? 

What do you need to do?

What followed was a lively discussion on the topic 

and a light hearted finish ... 

Hebrews 12 - A Reflective Morning

Below is an outline of my thoughts from this mornings Reflective Prayer Service in Inniscarra

Setting the scene … we see time and again God’s faithfulness and The unfaithfulness of his people - But the need for confidence .. not in what we do but in who he is

This summer I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about this word confidence - It’s a word at the heart of the Diocesean Strategy and its a word which has cropped up time and again as I've chatted to people throughout life. 

Confidence is something that I wonder do we lack sometimes - being confident in our community, self confident and also confidence in our relationship with God. 

This morning I have simply taken a few verses from this mornings Epsitle reading and in this reflective service want to unpack a little bit of. This space allows us to take time to listen, to be still and to think 

To set the scene I want to go back to the Old Testament - to a period in Israels history where they are complaining to God as a people but God reminds them of who they are and what he thinks of them - Take a look at this video 

God says to us … My Love in Unconditional - simply trust me! 

I will never leave you or forsake you

Never ever - are we confident in that love  

The context of the passage we are about to read is the Writer to the hebrews … is talking about faith … faith of those who have gone before 

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see 

Reading Hebrews 12:1-3 

Our own thoughts sometimes hold us back - we pile things up thinking its helpful, or others say things to us which are truly unhelpful. Even when people, good people, say things which are maybe half true, or true for their own contexts but which makes us doubt something that is fundamental to our own identity.

I wonder what things do we need to let go off today? - What is slowing us down? what is helping us lack the confidence we have in our own relationship with God?

WHAT IS SLOWING US DOWN ?

LET US 2 - RUN WITH PERSEVERANCE 

This is a really cool little video take a watch of it

For the Love of Mary from Sharptail Media on Vimeo.

Yes the above video is about running - but it is also about the importance of perseverance and keeping going until the end.

In Pastoral Ministry - I am often reminded about the importance of keeping on keeping on even when times are tough.

The Church is at its best when we keep on keeping on and encouraging each other when the road is tough.  As I've been reflecting upon this passage this week I thank God for people around me who have encouraged my faith, and I want to be someone who encourages others.

This video and passage is a reminded that whatever age we are ... we need to keep on going. I need those of you who are older than me to keep on running ... to show me what I need to be doing in the years ahead ... to show me how to keep on running - I and my generation need you to keep running, to finish well

For those of you who are younger I want to encourage you to keep on going ... there's amazing adventures of faith ahead ... Life is worth living, faith is worth investing your time and your talents in

Keep on keeping on.

One example of someone who finished well and lived well was a lady called Helen Rosevere who lived in a parish next to mine in Belfast - here's what she said ...

We need people to encourage our faith, to talk about their life, to share their stories of faith

We need to be confident in who we are - what's your story?

If you're tempted to give up, to throw the towel in ... remember that we're called to look to Jesus ... the Author and perfecter of our faith.

Psalm 50 - Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

A sermon preached on Sunday 11th August - At Sunday AM in Carrigrohane Parish Centre

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be now and always acceptable in thy sight O Lord our strength and our redeemer. Amen 

This Morning we’re continuing our series in the Psalms - Poems, songs of Ancient Israel that continue to speak to us in our day 

Richard Hooker - Anglican Theologian says about the book of Psalms : 

What is there necessary for a person to know which the Psalms are not able to teach? 
They are to beginners an easy and familiar introduction, a mighty augmentation of all virtue and knowledge in such as are entered before, 
a strong confirmation to the most perfect among others.  

Heroical magnanimity , 
exquisite justice, 
grave moderation, 
exact wisdom, 
repentance unfeigned, 
unwearied patience, 
the mysteries of God, 
the sufferings of Christ, 
the terrors of wrath, 
the comforts of grace, 
the works of Providence over this world, 
and the promised joys of that world which is to come, 
all good necessarily to be either known, or had, or done, 
this one celestial fountain yieldeth.  

Let there be any grief or disease incident into the soul of man, 
any wound or sickness named, 
for which there is not in this treasure-house a present comfortable remedy at all times ready to be found. 
Hereof it is that we covet to make the Psalms especially familiar unto all. 
This is the very cause why we iterate the Psalms oftener than any other part of the Scripture besides; the cause wherefore we inure the people together with their minister, and not the minister alone to read them as other parts of Scripture he doth."

As we delve in to this Psalm today let’s realise that we are dealing with some profound things - yes it’s a few verses that someone penned many years ago but actually - God is the same God as he was back then and his people still make the same mistakes time after time. 

The scene set before us is that of a courtroom 

God as the Judge appears and calls for a hearing (4-6) 

Heavens and earth are called as witnesses 

There are 2 Accusations 

God’s people must realise that true worship does not consist of mere sacrifice 

But sacrifice offered with thanksgiving and faithfulness (7-15) 

The ‘wicked’ are denoted for not keeping God’s law thou they pretend to do so

And need to repent 

The psalmist is very clear 

I.       Introduction: The Supreme Judge Enters to Preside (50:1-6).

II.      The Supreme Judge Levels Two Charges (50:7-21).

A.  First Charge: Ritualism (50:7-15);

B.   Second Charge: Rebellion (50:16-21).

III.     The Supreme Judge Offers a Solution (50:22-23).

What prompted this Psalm to be written? 

Was it what he was experiencing at the place of worship - the tabernacle 

Was it what he was experiencing around the society which was meant to have been God’s people and realising that it was the heart of the matter that was important? 

We can’t speculate but certainly there is those possibilities 

We have 2 possibilities of ways to preach this psalm - I could go down the 

We must not! Route  or the We need to … !

The ‘we must not route’ would entail looking at what constitutes ritualism and rebellion which might be productive. 

Or the “we need to…” route looks at what authentic worship looks and feels like - I feel that this would be a much more productive route. 

Let’s make a start 

First Charge - Ritualism 

Going through the motions - without any engagement with heart 

The Pslamist points the importance of authentic sacrifice particularly Thank offerings

Thank offerings or peace offerings were  - One commentator states - The general principle of the peace offering seems to have been that it should be entirely spontaneous, offered as occasion should arise, from the feeling of the sacrificer himself. 

On the first institution, ( Leviticus 7:11-17 ) peace offerings are divided into "offerings of thanksgiving" and "vows or freewill offerings;

Its an expression of thankfulness, about relationship with God

In the context that the psalmist there is a realisation that this act of worship needs to come from a heart full of thankfulness for God’s provision and his love for his people. If it’s simply from any other place the heart of the worship is broken and if its done out of mere obligation or doing it to get through the motions then there is difficulty. 

What do we have to be thankful for … how dependant are we upon God for absolutely everything? 

One Pastor I was reading during the week suggested a few things 

#1 – He’s Given Us The Greatest Gift

#2 – Undeserved Gift Of Salvation

#3 – His Precious Word

#4 – His Mercy, Love, and Faithfulness

#5 – That Nothing Will Ever Separate Us From Him

#6 – That Someday We’ll See Him Face To Face

#7 –For Making Us Like Christ

#8 – That He’ll Fulfill His Plans For Us

#9 – For His Abundant Goodness

#10 – For His Daily Provision

#11 – For His Constant Protection

#12 – For His Constant Guidance

#13 – That He Hears Our Prayers

#14 – For Our Families And Friends

#15 – Every Good Gift

#16 – For Health and Strength

#17 – He Causes All Things To Work For Our Good

#18 – For His Promises To Our Children

#19 – Because It Honours Him

Yes sometimes it is really difficult to be in a place of thankfulness all of the time - I get that … when things are tough, when life is not going as it should - we don’t live in a perpetual lint of  holiday-ness but coming back and asking questions such as what do we have to be thankful for is really important for our spiritual lives and even the impact it has on our everyday well being. 

In order to combat Ritualism and going through the motions we need to test our hearts … what are we thankful for - the small things as well as the big plan things - what are we focusing in on in our lives 

It was this ritualism that prompted Asaph to write this Psalm - God is not needy - he doesn’t ‘need’ sacrifice of the people of Israel. In terms of going through day by day and doing the religious thing - but rather out of love, out of thankfulness - giving back to him. This is a challenge in our day how do we show our love and our commitment to Christ. 

By What we say, by what we do, by the things that we give back to him. How do we understand thank offerings today - Tithing - Giving a tenth of our income and perhaps a bit more to the work of the church - not because we have to but understanding that all things belong to him. 

I don’t like talking about this because churches sometimes talk too much about money - and we don’t usually here do this but in the context of this passage - it certainly is a challenge - Long before coming into ordained ministry I saw this in practice in Uganda - 

{ Johns Story } 

How do we show our thankfulness - Through prayer in the morning, through grace at meals, through how we spend our time, use our talents, our treasure - our money. 

The second charge was against Rebellion 

against the actions of people not doing what they are supposed to have been doing when they were supposed to have been acting as God’s people. 

The psalmist points out deceit, thieving, going against the law, adultery - Again the Psalmist touches on some big issues - people who are meant to have been God’s people but who were living as hypocites - saying one thing and doing the complete opposite. This rebellion accusation is challenging - because whilst most of us would not be doing things the psalmist says - there is in all of us a sinful side - and we need to sort it out! - The good news is that we don’t have to kill bulls or animals to do that - we simply need to come to the foot of the cross and say thank you God for sending Jesus - he is the way we can sort our sin out and be made clean. 

Again this comes back to thankfulness 

In Galatians there is a similar list to the psalmist 

6 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But Paul goes on to state - and this is the We need understand with thankfulness 

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

This morning - 

I wonder if all of those who called upon the name of the Lord took these things to heart and lived in a way where we took the thankfulness for our everyday and combined them with the Fruit of the Spirit could the world be a changed place?

It’s got to start with us! 

What does all of this look like? 

Thankfulness - What are you thankful to God for today?

How are you expressing your thankfulness - is there more that you need to do? With Time, Talents, Treasure 

What do you need to cut out of your thoughts, actions ?

Where do you have a tendency to sin?

In the final verses there a warning to consequences, a challenge  and a promise 

“Times up for playing fast and loose with me 

I’m ready to pass sentence and there’s no hope in sight 

It’s the praising life that honours me 

As soon as you set your foot in the Way 

I’ll show you my salvation”  (THE MESSAGE Paraphrase) 

Sermon - Psalm 85 & 3 Facebook Posts

Sermon preached at St. Senan's Inniscarra on Sunday 28th July 2019 - A service of the Word. 

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be now and always acceptable in thy sight O Lord our strength and our redeemer. Amen 

The text I am using today - is from the psalms - From Psalm 85 

In the middle of the psalm we read

Love and faithfulness meet together;

    righteousness and peace kiss each other.

The Lord will indeed give what is good,

    and our land will yield its harvest.

I was struck in the past week when I scrolling through Facebook - by 3 Posts (all by Bishops) have had a profound impact upon my thoughts as I’ve read through them this week 

The First was a from Bishop Ken Clarke - known to many of us here 

He wrote this on Monday

WHAT A CONTRAST!! Thousands were there to see it and yesterday millions around the world watched Shane Lowry's amazing win in The Open at Royal Portrush Golf Course in Northern Ireland. Cheers and celebrations marked his spectacular win. I will never forget it. I rejoiced! 

Nor will I ever forget the same day 47 years ago... 21st July in 1972, during what we call The Troubles. At least twenty bombs exploded in Belfast in the space of eighty minutes, most within a half hour period. Most of them were car bombs and most targeted infrastructure, especially the transport network. Nine people were killed: ….while 130 people of all political persuasions were injured. We will never forget the carnage, the loss of precious lives and the ensuing heartbreak. It became known as Bloody Friday. 
I wept!
What a CONTRAST yesterday.  

THANK YOU to all around the world who have prayed for Ireland! We thank the Lord and we thank you that we are in a different place now. As we thank the Lord for peace please continue to pray for a fresh move of The Holy Spirit in the lives of leaders and people in this beautiful island called Ireland!!! 
Thank you friends!

I share this … because history, our history is made up of darkest moments but also hopeful turn of events as well. 

We know that in our own individual histories as well as in the global scale … there are dark, bleak moments but then there are beautiful moments of love, peace and reconciliation. 

The second from Bishop Paul Colton - which was a post based upon a sermon he preached in crookhaven a few weeks ago about Rural Ministry -I mention it here - when things look bleak or desolate … actually there still is hope. He said …

Where the people of God are, in a particular place in the sparsely populated areas such as this, they are ‘the Church’ as much as the big city and suburban parishes in Cork, Dublin or in the North East of Ireland are ‘the Church’.   

‘It is no secret’ said Bishop Colton, ‘that in places like this, our Diocese, the Church of Ireland as a whole, indeed other churches too, and not only religious institutions, but also other organisations have been and are reflecting about how best to support the sustainability of rural Ireland. 

In this diocese we are working to have confidence - that we are indeed in a new place - The world is a different place than it was 47, 30 20 years ago - Thank God for that. 

But where we are now we need to own the fact that things are different and we might need to do things differently that we ever did before - I mention this because we won’t do things if we don’t have confidence that the future is bright, that we have a future and things can be different. 

In the darkest depths of the violence in Northern Ireland - there were always people who held out hope that things could be different, that worked for peace and reconciliation. That even in the depths of despair, in the unbearable pain of loss that a future could be crafted that communities could work together, live together and play together. 

At this point in my sermon - up until early this morning I was going to be looking at some stuff about the future of the Church and get quite excited  … but as I woke this morning some words from another Bishop that I read yesterday were echoing through my mind - and have changed what I want to say this morning. I don’t normally do this! - Nor do I want to get political in the pulpit 

The Church of Ireland Bishop of Clogher in an open letter to Prime Minister  Boris Johnston which appeared in the Belfast Telegraph on Friday about issues within his Cross Border Diocese It can be found in full on the diocese of Clogher website… 

see -Clogher Diocese

Bishop John writes - The Border and the problems which it poses for any form of Brexit are not only technical or technological issues. Nor are they simply issues to do with trade or security matters. Expressed in the starkest terms, the Border is the background against which all political and much cultural life in Northern Ireland (and in a more limited way in the Republic of Ireland) is worked out. Some people like the Border and others do not, but positively or negatively, consciously or unconsciously, it is pivotal to how politicians and people here assess almost all policy alternatives. 

For a political border, it is very beautiful in places. That is largely because of the hundreds of small farms looked after by hundreds of sturdy farmers along its length. There isn’t much money in it for most of them, but if you ask them why they don’t move to somewhere less difficult to farm they say “You can’t roll up the land and take it with you”. The long term well-being of men and women like these, and their neighbours all along the border, requires and deserves a clearly spelt-out, sustainable agreement between both sides. This is so that they have not only that material basis necessary for civilised living but also hope for their children’s future. Neither peace nor prosperity are possible without hope. 

I think it was the great English public figure and man of Letters Thomas Babbington Macauley who said of Ireland that “the molten lava of the past flows hot and dangerous under the thin crust of the present”.
The ground on which people build and grow in the Border region feels particularly fragile today. It is almost possible to feel the heat of the past burning the soles of our feet. 

So, please, in your consideration of the future of this place: tread carefully. And with deep and genuine concern I would ask you to be very conscious of the legacy your Government will leave. 

I have tremendous hope for the people of this Island and the church on this Island - Yes the turbulent times that the UK is going through at the moment and the uncertainty that is being faced. Yes we must pray for our leaders at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those closer to the border than we are. 

Returning to Bishop Ken Clarkes comment - prayer and working for peace got us to where we are today - My hope and prayer is that this will be an opportunity for Christians right across the island of Ireland to stand up, speak truth to those in political leadership and call for action where there has been a void an perhaps where there is lack of understanding. 

People, kingdoms, governments, borders, politics, farming, relationships between nations - the world has been here before and will be here again. 

The psalmist poetically paints a picture of love and faithfulness - other wise translated as - love and truth meeting and going deeper right living and peace embracing and kissing each other 

What a wonderful picture and then the psalmist looks at the fruit of this ‘the Lord will give what is good and the land will bear fruit. 

It starts from a meeting of love and truth 

That seems like a good start to any dialogue which may lead to lasting peace. 

This is not just for nations - its the same pattern for Churches, Communities, families and individuals. 

The gospel mentions that the Lord will give good gifts to those who ask him … are we asking?, are we seeking? Are we knocking at the door? 

What ever our politics … lets pray for Leo and Borris as they discuss and sort out the future of this land. 

Let’s pray for those deep divisions in this land … that there may be healing and reconciliation and peace. 

Let’s do what we can to work for that peace … showing love, living rightly and displaying peace 

The past while ... and up coming

Not too much has been written in the Blog recently ... although a lot has been happening!

Maybe that's why nothing has been blogged!

Now that things are beginning to settle down ... Normal service might be resumed!

Over the summer in the morning services we're looking at the Psalms from the Lectionary in the parish ... songs with deep meaning, with real life and thought provoking reality.

If you had to write a song about what you're thinking about life, reality, God ... what you're going through what would you be saying?

Mission & Ministry - Week 2

Over the course of the next month or so I am teaching / facilitating learning on the Certificate in Christian Studies Course being run by the diocese - This evening was the Second night of the course.  

During the evening the participants looked at Church in the context in which we are living and working

The evening consisted of the following - looking back at what we did for the first week


Praying the collect for mission
Almighty God,

who called your Church to witness
that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: Help us to proclaim the good news of your love,
that all who hear it may be drawn to you;
through him who was lifted up on the cross,
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. 2 (BCP 334)

Discussing what comes to mind when we think about Church - this provoked a bit of discussion both  positive thoughts and also the negative side of mission.

Looking at models (images) of Understanding church

The different functions of Church

The Charities Regulator for Ireland is asking us to consider what we do - the Church of Ireland states this:

The principal function of the Parish of ________ of the Church of Ireland  is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting, through the work of the Parish of ________, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Being open to and engaging with society as a whole and offering support for those needing help are fundamental to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity.  As a result of activity in the pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, the Parish of ________ has custody of property and of records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage and maintenance of which is undertaken by the Parish of ________ .

We looked at Dulles' Models of Church 5 + 1 which he added in the second edition of his book. There was some discussion about which was most prominent.

We looked at the Marks of Church

One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic

Which in Mission Shaped Church allows us to consider another model (Dimensions of Church) - UP, IN, OUT, OF

UP- Our worship of God
IN - Our Discipleship, our Pastoral Care
OUT - Our outreach to the world
OF - Our catholicity - links to the universal Christian Church (Creeds)


And the looked at the vision of Church as out line in Cork Cloyne and Ross' Charting the Future - models of Church outlined it.

Underpinned by the Five Marks of Mission, our vision is an Inclusive, all-age church • that is a community of disciples following Jesus. • where all people, by virtue of baptism, have the opportunity to engage in ministry in various forms. • that listens. • that is based on relationships, ultimately the relationship with Christ. • that celebrates diversity. • that is rooted in the community and reaches out to the marginalised. • that reforms continually according to the word of God. • that is sharing faith and growing  (page35) 

The fact there is a vision of growth and moving forward - that we are not just going around in circles around the church's year.

We then began to consider the context in which we are living - in Western Europe today by Looking at some of Stuart Murray's Post-Christendom material

"The fourth and twentieth centuries form bookends marking transition points in the history of the church. Just as the fourth century adoption of Christianity by Constantine forced the church to struggle with its self-understanding as the new center of the culture, twentieth century Christians must now struggle to understand the meaning of their social location in a decentered world."

We looked at what Christendom looked like and where we are now

I then mentioned some of my own research recently completed critiquing what may be happening with churches in Ireland as they respond to the Post Christendom era which we are entering.

On the left we see that Church that have little cultural engagement have little effectiveness due to their tendency to simply be cosy clubs - their own rules and and not looking outwards. 

On the other side there is a tendency toward much cultural engagement but then they become 'gimmick church' where there is lack of community, no gospel proclamation and no effectiveness 

At the centre of the graph is a Church that is doing what I could describe as a healthy Church - whether looked at through the lens 5 Marks of Mission, the CCR Models of Church Group vision above, UP, IN OUT Church is calling us to.

I do think that this lens is useful to look at - as every church might begin to fall towards either extreme and maybe needs corrective measures.

My own research seems to find that there are a few reasons for this 

Historical Inhibitors - towards cosy club. 

Lack of Leadership support - either towards cosy Club or gimmick Church.

Implementation Deficit of plans which might lead to healthy church- which then causes falling into either extreme. 

A couple of quotes thrown in at the end - to provide a bit of hope! 

We need not be a despondent, isolationist, grumpy or frightened minority. Nor need we become compliant and conformist, relinquishing our convictions in return for social and cultural acceptability. We can choose to interpret this emerging context as an opportunity to recover our nerve, our soul, our missional identity and our primary allegiance. We can choose to be a creative minority, a prophetic minority and a hopeful minority – a community that unmasks idols, pioneers new possibilities and engenders authentic hope … pointing many others in this direction’. 

The most evangelistic thing the Church can do today is to be the church, to be formed by the Holy Spirit through core practices such as worship, forgiveness, hospitality, {proclamation} and economic sharing into a distinctive people in the world, a new social option, the body of Christ. This is… the witness to God’s reign in the world. [Mission] is neither the individual, private, or interior salvation of individuals nor the Christianisation of entire cultures, but the creation of a people… The church does not really need an evangelistic strategy, the Church is the evangelistic strategy.26 

Almighty God, You have called us through baptism to be your Church in this place. Draw near to us in Cork, Cloyne and Ross as we seek to renew our witness to your gospel; enable us to hear your voice, to know your way, and to do your will, so that, charting a future with confidence under the guidance of your Holy Spirit, we may truly and faithfully be the body of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen