The Saint Barnabas’ Blog

Today the family Tomlinson are travelling to the Suffolk coast to catch up with friends, Simon and Georgette (the parents) and Nathaniel and Benedict (the boys). It is always a pleasure to do so – especially as I am Godfather to Nathaniel and Hayley is Godmother to Benedict. Being a Godparent is an honoured Christian duty- thus I always try to pray for the boys during the offices and in my private devotions. A thought for those who are Godparents- could we do more? Could we think of other ways, besides prayer, to inspire and help those whom we have promised to nurture in the Faith? Ideas greatfully welcome!

Were Hollywood to make a film of the divides and frictions within the Anglican Church (heaven forbid, it would be very dull) they might find this particular friendship fascinating. For where I am passionately Anglican and unashamedly Catholic (to quote a certain blog!), Simon, is passionately Anglican and unashemedly liberal. In all else we have mirrored lives: we were vicar’s sons in near neighbouring parishes in Norfolk, we attended the same school and same youth group, we both taught prior to ordination and both got through the selection process within 12 months….and of course we are both handsome, witty and profoudly talented!!! He like me is a clergyman within the Church of England. So how does the friendship cope with us facing each other on differing sides of the looming schisms and divides?

Well at times we have both felt a bit hurt and angry (especially after too many glasses of wine and late at night!!) but the good news for us, and perhaps a glimmer of hope for the Church in general, is found in the fact that our freindship and love have always triumphed over any theological differences. So what can we make of this for reflection today?

Firstly there is sometimes more that unites us with those who hurt us than is immediately evident on the surface. This ‘common ground’ must be looked for by people on both sides.

Secondly there is room within the fold for both of us and (I believe) niether of us wants the other to suffer. But would this be true if we did not care for each other due to a long standing friendship? I doubt it! So perhaps my Catholic cronies, as hurt as we are at present, we must resist the urge to withdraw from commmittees and synods up and down the land. Instead we need to get out there building bridges, befriending those with whom we disagree. Why? Because good relationships bring about generosity and grace to overcome suspicion and ignorance on all sides. Even when we feel marginalised and threatened- our Christian duty remains the same. To be an Easter people with Alleluia as our song. Let us never forget that and let us always seek to love, not just those who care for us, but also those who hate us. It is not just noble – it is scriptural. …now to a few pints with Simon!!

Is the sun setting on the Church of my baptism? I am only 34 years old yet, in the few decades since my childhood, the Church of England has changed beyond recognition. Perhaps these facts (a list by no means exhausted) highlight what I mean:

1) The Prayerbook; Once a bedrock to unite diverse congregations, it has been replaced by the rather horrid ‘Comic… sorry ‘Common Worship’. Which far from uniting us (you are what you pray) actually promotes diversity and disunity.

2) scripture, reason and tradition; Once these were the driving force behind Anglican doctrine. Any innovation must be proven as in keeping with these three. But no more- since 1992 (the dawn of ‘women priests’) these have necessarily given way to ‘feelings, social justice and majority vote’.

3) Holy orders; The Church of my Baptism was recognisably Catholic and sacramental. It was built on the three fold order of Deacon, Priest and Bishop and in keeping with Rome and Constaninople. (Making reunification possible).Such orders, for reasons stated above, have now given way to a firmly protestant and ministerial model. Which makes authentic claims for Anglo-Catholicism increasingly difficult to justify.

4) Innovation; The C of E has never been short of radicals or cranks but in my youth such loons were held at bay and operated only on the extreme fringes, a position the faithful now occupy?! (As the Americans say- go figure!?) For today nuttiness and heresy is widely encouraged…just consider the Diocese of Sydney’s crackpot scheme to allow lay celebration, or the ghastly feminist liturgy highlighted last week, or the Consecration of Gene Robinson who abandoned his wife to shack up with a man. Never would this have happened – but all is tolerated….except obedience and faithfulness.

5) Generosity; It could be infuriating but the sincere ‘generosity’ of the Church was its greatest triumph. In my youth the Church afforded space to all her members- the ‘low and lazy’, the ‘broad and hazy’ and even us – the ‘high and crazy!’ There was room for everyone because we were held together by a common liturgy and a unified priesthood. But no longer- now we tear each other to shreds… how sad that the modern liberal heirarchy is so unlike the true liberals of old. For the new breed will stop at nothing until all are as ‘enlightened’ as they (ha ha) even if that involves eradication of Catholics and Evangelicals. A sad and sorry situation indeed.

And so to my chosen photograph- a melting ice cap in the sunset- the best analogy to sum up how I feel. The strong tundra on which I stood is melting at alarming rate… so that now I cling to a tiny fragment with fear and bewilderment. Faithful Christians are in danger of being thrown to the cruel Sea- how can this be? But perhaps my fear is unfounded…this is not necessarily the end- a ship might come to our rescue! We might even swim to the shore! But at present, that is not the pressing issue .

For now we must ask this- ‘Will there be a a sunrise?’ I do not want to be thrown from this iceburg -it is mine. I was born here, baptised here, taught the faith here, worshiped here, was confirmed here, deaconed and priested. I deserve to stay and so do you- my faithful readers. (And even some of those with whom I disagree- unless they are in deep heresy) So my brothers ans sisters in Christ what can we do to remain? Can we survive on the remnant that exists or build something greater?

Surely we must prepare for two situations? Our most pressing need is to refreeze this shifting and tumultous water surrounding us, firming up what has turned treacherous and fluid. The things that the wolves in the fold have clearly watered down. We do that by prayer and devotion, mission and evangelism- and a lot of hard work besides.

But we must also stand together lest the mission fails. We must price up the lifejackets, prepare the rafts and be ready to mobilise lest the terrible waves and storms of today come crashing in on us. (It may be God’s desire for our surrender) Such prayerful planning means that iif we ARE plunged into the icy waters- we can huddle together for warmth, ensuring that we will not die but make it safely to shore, or be rescued together and in number!

Will you join me in this excercise? Fighting spiritually for a future within the Church we love- but preparing for life without it should we not be offered the structural solution we need? For in reality I think it is the only option before us.