I bought this last year, on my ordination retreat at Holland House, Cropthorne. As I'm currently trying to write a talk to explain the need for Fresh Expressions of Church, it seemed kind of apposite.
it would of course be just like me to suggest that the spark of god's light would cause a damn sight more of a commotion at the centre...running out to minister to the peripherary would seem the relatively 'easy' option, already inundated with eager missionaries from emerging, evangelical and free churches. 'tis the heart of the C of E that God's light has gone out
(Tongue only slightly in cheek...) in response to Caroline - try it on the "relatively 'easy'" edge first! No simple feat, I assure you! (Especially given the fact that it's the fellow members of the 'household of faith' who can cause the most grief)...
However, once I've cracked that, maybe I'll be ready for the call to Canterbury (as if I'd want it!)
The task of ministry? In response to Kathryn, Caroline and others, these words from Dr Koyama's address to the WCC..
(nb the ending..ministry that is barefoot and homeless!)
"When God embraces this one world with compassion, the world becomes "upside down" (Acts 17:6). What a commotion!
Listen to Jesus' commotion-filled parable: "But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20). A running God! What can we make of the Centre God who runs out to the periphery? While we are puzzled, the periphery becomes the centre! The light shines from the periphery, not from the centre. From "the stone that the builders rejected" comes salvation (Mark 12:10). What an unexpected commotion! "Quickly, bring out a robe -- the best one -- and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet... And get the fatted calf...". Grace causes commotion, not tranquillity. The church is the body of Christ who runs to welcome the broken world. Our hope, by nature, is not tranquil, it is commotion-ful. The apostolic "rejoice in hope" is known in this world turned "upside down" by the running God.
It is the task of theology to paint this grace-impelled commotion -- to make it visible. Ministry is to "bring out a robe, quickly". The commotion-event ushered in by the coming of Jesus Christ is the gospel. The commotion is not pain-free. The followers of Christ can have different views and convictions about some of the issues that confront us today, even while they participate together in sincere Bible study and devoted worship. With sincerity and devotion we are called to place our views and convictions under the light of the compassionate God who embraces the world. In theology and in ministry, we must become "barefoot" and "homeless"."
Oh Mark 2,-thank you so much for posting that. It's beautiful, inspiring and (I hear my good friend Caroline muttering) probably way beyond our capabilities.No reason not to try, though :-)
Yes it's very beautiful, within the Portsmouth Dio the Bishop has challeneged each parish with KAIROS ways at being church for this generation, does church need to be on a Sunday or even in a church.
I hope that you might share your talk with us once it's finished?
Since there's been a troll fol de rolling his way about the blog recently, I've had to introduce comment moderation for a while. Hope this doesn't deter genuine responses...
Oh, Kathryn, that's really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteit would of course be just like me to suggest that the spark of god's light would cause a damn sight more of a commotion at the centre...running out to minister to the peripherary would seem the relatively 'easy' option, already inundated with eager missionaries from emerging, evangelical and free churches. 'tis the heart of the C of E that God's light has gone out
ReplyDelete(Tongue only slightly in cheek...) in response to Caroline - try it on the "relatively 'easy'" edge first! No simple feat, I assure you! (Especially given the fact that it's the fellow members of the 'household of faith' who can cause the most grief)...
ReplyDeleteHowever, once I've cracked that, maybe I'll be ready for the call to Canterbury (as if I'd want it!)
The task of ministry? In response to Kathryn, Caroline and others, these words from Dr Koyama's address to the WCC..
ReplyDelete(nb the ending..ministry that is barefoot and homeless!)
"When God embraces this one world with compassion, the world becomes "upside down" (Acts 17:6). What a commotion!
Listen to Jesus' commotion-filled parable: "But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20). A running God! What can we make of the Centre God who runs out to the periphery? While we are puzzled, the periphery becomes the centre! The light shines from the periphery, not from the centre. From "the stone that the builders rejected" comes salvation (Mark 12:10). What an unexpected commotion! "Quickly, bring out a robe -- the best one -- and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet... And get the fatted calf...". Grace causes commotion, not tranquillity. The church is the body of Christ who runs to welcome the broken world. Our hope, by nature, is not tranquil, it is commotion-ful. The apostolic "rejoice in hope" is known in this world turned "upside down" by the running God.
It is the task of theology to paint this grace-impelled commotion -- to make it visible. Ministry is to "bring out a robe, quickly". The commotion-event ushered in by the coming of Jesus Christ is the gospel. The commotion is not pain-free. The followers of Christ can have different views and convictions about some of the issues that confront us today, even while they participate together in sincere Bible study and devoted worship. With sincerity and devotion we are called to place our views and convictions under the light of the compassionate God who embraces the world. In theology and in ministry, we must become "barefoot" and "homeless"."
Oh Mark 2,-thank you so much for posting that. It's beautiful, inspiring and (I hear my good friend Caroline muttering) probably way beyond our capabilities.No reason not to try, though :-)
ReplyDeleteYes it's very beautiful, within the Portsmouth Dio the Bishop has challeneged each parish with KAIROS ways at being church for this generation, does church need to be on a Sunday or even in a church.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you might share your talk with us once it's finished?
May God bless you as you write it.
running God I love it!
ReplyDeletethanks Kathryn and Mark (and others) for your insights into this.
It's made my morning. Oops time to prepare for service now. lol
God spoke in this. oh YES!