I love your summary of a play safe sermon, of which I have heard far too many: “Words from our gospel reading…”, proceeds to tell us what happened in that reading (which we already know because we just heard it), enthuses that it’s lovely that it happened (safely some 2,000 years ago) and concludes that we should all try to behave a bit like that. Oh, and God is love, I expect.
I am beginning to stop being surprised that every sermon I preach from the lectionary turns into a climate chaos sermon. It's what is on my heart. I now warn people who ask me to preach.
I think that if you are not referencing something politically current in that week or fortnight, you not are not listening to Spirit interpreting the Bible for our time.
Wow. Would love to know more about contextual theology. I had no idea it was a ‘subject’. Glad it is, although shouldn’t all theology be contextual?
I’ve just led a small zoom seminar which I’ll be posting soon called ‘A theology fit for the current climate’. Even introducing the idea that theology evolves is novel for some.
Fr George with respect to you both, please consider
1.) If the Government were a business then our Poliiians would be horrifiied s it is not fit for purpose and treats its 'customers' appallngly. No busiess could operate as Government does due to strick legislation with huige fines and prision sentences.
2.) If the Church were a business then shareholders would be bringing legal action to replace the Directors immediately. They are incapable of increasing thier customer base, closing shops (Curches) rather than considerring how they could fill them. One Priest (Gods salesman) responsible for between two and seventeen Chuches. Meanwhile Diosian head office have increased their staff.
If 1 and 2 were a g bujsiness my advice would be 'go back to basics'.
In my village I would see walking the streets the two Church of England Priests, the Roman Cathloic Priest. the Methodist Minster, non Concofrmist Minister and the Policeman. All gone locked away doing paperwork ( red ape).
As a result we are uawrare of hedges and ditches in life and no one to ensure we dont push through a hedge or fall ikto a ditch.
Meanwhie Ling Charkes ...........................................................is a good example to us all.
Thanks Brian. I do agree with you that the Church must adopt more business-like practices, particularly in relations to accountability and transparency.
Thank you for yet another incredibly thoughtful, well-written and important piece.
What these self-serving, sanctimonious squawkers don’t seem to realise is how vital it is that we ALL speak out against injustice - and you preacher folks are all to often amongst the few with the courage to do so.
I love your summary of a play safe sermon, of which I have heard far too many: “Words from our gospel reading…”, proceeds to tell us what happened in that reading (which we already know because we just heard it), enthuses that it’s lovely that it happened (safely some 2,000 years ago) and concludes that we should all try to behave a bit like that. Oh, and God is love, I expect.
I am beginning to stop being surprised that every sermon I preach from the lectionary turns into a climate chaos sermon. It's what is on my heart. I now warn people who ask me to preach.
I think that if you are not referencing something politically current in that week or fortnight, you not are not listening to Spirit interpreting the Bible for our time.
Many thanks for affirmation, Margaret! Contextual theology is my degree, so I suppose it's inevitable. Thanks for reading and writing.
Wow. Would love to know more about contextual theology. I had no idea it was a ‘subject’. Glad it is, although shouldn’t all theology be contextual?
I’ve just led a small zoom seminar which I’ll be posting soon called ‘A theology fit for the current climate’. Even introducing the idea that theology evolves is novel for some.
Glad I’ve found you on substack.
Fr George with respect to you both, please consider
1.) If the Government were a business then our Poliiians would be horrifiied s it is not fit for purpose and treats its 'customers' appallngly. No busiess could operate as Government does due to strick legislation with huige fines and prision sentences.
2.) If the Church were a business then shareholders would be bringing legal action to replace the Directors immediately. They are incapable of increasing thier customer base, closing shops (Curches) rather than considerring how they could fill them. One Priest (Gods salesman) responsible for between two and seventeen Chuches. Meanwhile Diosian head office have increased their staff.
If 1 and 2 were a g bujsiness my advice would be 'go back to basics'.
In my village I would see walking the streets the two Church of England Priests, the Roman Cathloic Priest. the Methodist Minster, non Concofrmist Minister and the Policeman. All gone locked away doing paperwork ( red ape).
As a result we are uawrare of hedges and ditches in life and no one to ensure we dont push through a hedge or fall ikto a ditch.
Meanwhie Ling Charkes ...........................................................is a good example to us all.
Thanks Brian. I do agree with you that the Church must adopt more business-like practices, particularly in relations to accountability and transparency.
Thank you for yet another incredibly thoughtful, well-written and important piece.
What these self-serving, sanctimonious squawkers don’t seem to realise is how vital it is that we ALL speak out against injustice - and you preacher folks are all to often amongst the few with the courage to do so.
Kind regards,
Henry
Henry L Gewanter
Managing Director
Positive Profile