Monday, January 26, 2015

"Inclusive" or exclusive?...

...odd the way some words are used.  The other day, visiting an Anglican church in London, we came across a group of people who were engaged in something they called an "inclusive Church" project. All part of a lobbying group aimed at the General Synod. Turns out it isn't about an inclusive Church at all...it aims at a specifically exclusive Church, dominated by a politically-correct mindset. It seems that the aim is to squash vocal opposition to same-sex unions, and to take every opportunity of making things difficult for anyone who still opposes having priestesses in the CofE. It's all very sad and somehow has a tired, flagging sort of feel to it. Rather stale jargon, and made-up prayers that deliberately avoid calling God "Father" and so on and so on...I expect they'll do well at the Synod.

The liveliest parts of the CofE are the Evangelical churches that run youth groups and gatherings with rousing hymns and a sense of mission centred on teaching people about Christ.   They tend to avoid the bureacratic mindset that produces "non-sexist" prayers and to be committed to a more daring and authentic grasp of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit...



2 comments:

Malcolm said...

Jesus constantly referred to God as "the Father". It's not something Jews do very often, for them God is "king of the universe", or "adon" (boss, master), or in mysticism three sapphires of crown, wisdom, and understanding.

His words to Mary Magdalene in John's gospel are "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God", which is a clear permission to use the term "Father" to refer to God.

Elizabeth said...

"O the gift that God would gee us, to see ourselves as others see us."
Perhaps they will read your blog.