Diocesan News
Bishop of Kilmore's Presidential Address 2008 Diocesan Synod
The Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh held its Diocesan Synod at the Shannon Keys West Hotel, Rooskey on Saturday 18th October 2008. The following is the transcript of the Presidential Address given by the bishop, the Rt Revd Ken Clarke.
In the Church of Ireland we have some beautiful and powerful prayers and collects. One of my favourites is the prayer for faithfulness which includes the request, ‘As you have called us to your service make us worthy of our calling.’ What does a church look like that is living a life worthy of our calling? What are some of the values it espouses? What are some of the traditions it cherishes? What are some of the beliefs and doctrines which are crucial and essential? What are its priorities? What does this kind of church look like?
It is easy to say what it doesn’t look like: introspective, inward-looking, mean in spirit, disengaged from the community both local and global, torn apart by selfish power seekers, dominated by a strong personality, loveless in relationships, careless in worship, self-seeking rather than community serving.
We are not living lives worthy of our calling if we are a church which lacks vision, is devoid of Gospel priorities and has no sense of direction. We are not honouring God if we drift aimlessly and talk endlessly. The consequence of such a process is that we lose our way. Whilst undoubtedly we sometimes do lose our way and wander pointlessly down side-roads this cannot be said of the Church of Ireland today and the Church in Ireland today. There are many signs of life and development across the Church.
For some time the Bishops of the Church of Ireland have been praying, thinking, reflecting and working on a clear statement of what we believe is God’s purpose for the Church of Ireland in the 21st century. Our roots may be in the past but we are not called to live in the past. Our life as a Church is in the present and we are called to engage with the present. Yes, we draw encouragement and inspiration from the past. Yes, we prepare for the future and live with a forward look. But we are the Church of today and, like King David, we are called to serve the purposes of God in this, our generation. This is both exciting and stretching. This is a high calling and we are in this Divine mission together.
As we think of our parish life, are we primarily looking back? As we think of the future are we positive or fearful? Are we committed to serving the purposes of God in our church and community at this time, and in our generation? We can grasp the opportunities of today or we can miss it. We can make the most of our circumstances or we can bemoan our situation. We can see with the eyes of faith and hope or we can live with a mindset of failure and despair. Any serious engagement requires clear vision and passionate purpose.
It is with such thoughts in mind that the Bishops of the Church of Ireland have issued a clear statement of our purpose as a Church. The statement is called ‘Growth, Unity, Service’ which is shorthand for the 3 priority areas of:
Worship and Spiritual Growth
Unity and Dialogue
Living God’s Kingdom and Serving the World
The overarching Mission Statement is:
‘The Church of Ireland, as an authentic part of the universal Church of God, is called to develop growing communities of faith, in and through which the Kingdom of God is made known, and in which the whole people serve together as followers of Jesus Christ for the good of the world and the Glory of God.’
In the power of the Spirit, our mission requires us to order our contemporary worship and life in a manner that nurtures growth, promotes unity and liberates us for service in the world that is God’s.
Who are we?
We are ‘An authentic part of the universal church of God!’ We are not a sect, cult or party. We are members of a world-wide family which encompasses all who are followers of Jesus Christ. We are living parts of the Body of Christ which is so much bigger than our Church of Ireland parameters. We are not called to be sectarian in our attitudes. Nor are we called to be denominational in our vision. We need each other in the church of God. We enrich each other. We strengthen each other. We pray for each other. We are called to love and serve each other. Those who are with us today from other Christian traditions are visual aids of this truth. We belong to the universal church of God.
What happens in one part of the Body directly affects another part of the Body. Local actions can have global consequences. This was illustrated vividly for me at the Lambeth Conference this year. One example struck me with force. Many did not realize how the actions of the Episcopal Church in consecrating Gene Robinson have had such significant consequences throughout not just the Anglican Communion but throughout the Church catholic (the universal church of God). Some of the ecumenical guests at Lambeth spoke of the severe blow to ecumenical relations with the Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Church in the USA since the consecration in 2003. Membership of a family carries responsibilities as well as privileges. The 21st Century global village communications network ensures that news here today is not new around the world tomorrow but today.
In the church we do not make decisions in isolation. We are community people, not individualists. The common good rather than personal gratification is a principle which guides us and determines our behaviour. We are called to consider others as well as ourselves.
What happens in one parish can have consequences in a Diocese for good or for ill. What happens in one Diocese can have consequences in another. What happens in one part of the Body affects the whole. We do well to remember this when major innovations are launched and major changes in traditional practice are enacted. We are the church of God with Christ as the Head and therefore at all times His revealed will takes precedence in our daily and family life.
What is our calling?
‘To develop growing communities of faith!’
Communities of faith are to be marked by generous grace, sincere welcome, genuine love, radical self-giving, consistent thoughtfulness, biblical living, renewed relationships, distinctive values, apostolic teaching and Gospel life.
In the Acts of the Apostles the early church was marked by fellowship, the teaching of the apostles, the breaking of bread and the prayers. Anything less than this model is a deficient community of faith and will inhibit initiating acts of faith in the community. Jesus Christ who gave His life for the church is our inspiration. A shared love for Him is our motivation. Development not decline is our aspiration. Growing up not grinding down is our aim. I suggest that in each of our parishes we keep in mind a defining question, ‘Is this parish activity helping to develop a growing community of faith?’ If it isn’t then let’s think of one which will.
It is intriguing how our Diocesan Initiative called Forward relates to this phrase in the Mission Statement. Forward is sub-titled “Growing Healthy Parishes.” This is precisely about developing growing communities of faith. Since 2005 Forward has been a part of our Diocesan life and thankfully is making a difference. In the past year I personally with others have been involved in the training of Churchwardens, Church Services and training for newly elected Vestries, three Parish Development evenings, superbly led by Paul Hoey of CPAS. Maud Cunningham, Brigid Barrett and Hazel Hicks are presently leading a Course entitled”Skills to Lead.” In addition to these activities it has been a real pleasure to visit in different parishes and lead “Growing in our Faith” evenings. I thank all those who have opened their homes, attended meetings and given generous hospitality.
In response to feedback from various people we have decided to continue Forward for several more years. In one sense we are only starting. It gives me great pleasure to announce today the next phase of Forward. Our next Diocesan Forward Sunday celebration will be next year on the afternoon of 17th May 2009 in the Slieve Russell Hotel.
What do we make known?
‘The Kingdom of God!’ This is our first priority. It transcends denominational boundaries, party loyalties and cultural emphases. When Jesus began His ministry He preached the Good News of the Kingdom of God. This is still our message. Our prayer is ‘Thy Kingdom come!’ We are called to be Kingdom people expressing Kingdom life in preaching, teaching and daily living. Is this a priority in our lives and parishes or have we lost our way? The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. Sometimes we can move away from the main thing? If we have, what steps do we need to take to be more intentional Kingdom people making known the Kingdom of God?
How do we do it?
We serve together! There is no place for independent mavericks in a church. We are called to be together, to serve together, to worship together, to pray together, and to work together. Empty of pride and hungry for grace we help each other in our struggles and inadequacies. A spirit of independence and power-seeking can hinder growth, suffocate initiative and divide a church. A mini dictator on a Vestry can start or perpetuate another civil or uncivil war! Followers of Christ seek to follow His example, an example of humble service.
Who do we follow and how are we defined?
‘As followers of Jesus Christ.’ Jesus Christ he is our salvation and inspiration! Of course we believe in the Trinity but our life commitment is a response to the call of Christ ‘Follow me.’ Followers are reachers – people who give their best. Following Christ is not a hobby, a recreational activity or a club membership. It is a costly self-giving of one’s whole life. It is a radical discipleship. It is a LIFE commitment – all of life for the whole of life. It is not a Sunday thing, it is a way of life and a lifestyle. Christ is our focus. In Him we are fused together. For Him we live. We are called to be communities of Jesus people, Christ-like people in the parishes in which we live, making an impact, making a difference, learning loving and serving together. Is this our vision and our commitment in our parishes?
Why do we do it?
‘For the good of the world and the glory of God!’
What are those principles and qualities which promote the good of the world and foster a healthy society? As Christians we are committed to the distinctive Gospel values of the Kingdom of God but we also share many values which are part of our common humanity. They lead us to work towards a just society where each person is valued and respected, where poverty is eradicated, where there is forgiveness and reconciliation, where character is more important than celebrity, where wealth is shared, where opportunities abound, where children are respected, where life is valued and where the elderly are not forgotten. As we think of Ireland today, both North and South, what are some of the values which will encourage the well being of our people? They should be evident and expressed in and through our churches and throughout our society.
There is an urgent need to ask fundamental questions of the society we have created in 21st Century Ireland:
Have we lost our way? Is the Celtic tiger not only suffering heart failure but losing a sense of direction? Undoubtedly we see many creative imaginative and positive developments and initiatives in 21st Century Ireland. I have the privilege of meeting many young people who are courageous and committed in Christian ministry, charity work and immensely worthwhile causes. They are both an example and a challenge to us all. However there is also a darker side in our contemporary culture and Irish and British society which causes widespread concern.
Ask some of our judges what they listen to in our courtrooms. Ask some teachers about experiencing respect, or lack of it, in the classrooms. Ask some doctors and nurses about what they see and hear in our Casualty Departments and A & E’s, especially at week-ends. Ask some of our holidaymakers about the sights that have seen and the conversations they have heard at famous, now infamous holiday resorts.
Who are the heroes our young people look up to? Who are the role models for our young people today? Who do they want to live like? Be like? Are they following those who are passionate about fashion or those who are passionate about fairness? Those who prioritize clothes or those who prioritize justice for those who make the clothes? What are the influences on the youth of Ireland which have contributed to painful self harm, high levels of binge drinking, deep levels of anger, new levels of increasing debt amongst students, alarming rises in STDs, dangerous violence and unhealthy eating patterns? Is this the kind of Ireland we really want?
Have we sold our souls in the pursuit of pleasure? Has trivia replaced substance? Has instant gratification replaced respect in a relationship? Have positions become more important than principles? Has love been confused with lust? Has the philosophy of ‘it’s all about me’ replaced the traditional principle of a caring society where people seek to live for the common good? Has thinking about ‘me’ taken over from consideration of others? Of course self care is important and necessary but when life is understood as only about the care of self what happens to the principle of caring for and serving others? Are we in danger of losing in Ireland today the healthy value of living for the common good? Has love of self replaced love of neighbour? In 21st Century western culture does even the Good Samaritan pass by on the other side because he too is so preoccupied with looking after himself and his own affairs?
Has the addictive acquisition of material things pushed out the perspective of eternal things? Is the credit crunch in reality a moral crunch? The stark and frightening reality of greed has been exposed. Did reaching sales targets in recent years require the suspension of common sense, the exploitation of those who did not have the capacity to repay, the eroding of sensible good practice? Profit has become seductive. Responsibility has been suspended. Once again has the compulsive addictive love of money been uncovered as the root of evil? We are all a part of this. Capitalism has its strengths but as Adam Smith points out in his book Wealth of Nations, it is largely based on self-interest. When it is unchecked by love of our neighbour it can become dangerous and destructive. In periods of promising prosperity we can too easily forget that a careless compassionless capitalism can crash into crisis. Recent weeks have been an unwelcome but perhaps necessary reality check.
Christians are called to love our neighbour, to live for the common good, to pursue what makes for peace, to respect authority and the authorities, and to seek the welfare of society, the wellbeing of other people. This is our calling and with all groups in our community working for such a vision we are willing partners and in active partnership.
We also want to serve for the glory of God. He is the Lord and He is our focus, our motivation, our reason for living and our hope in dying. Our Church of Ireland Mission Statement is not about nurturing selfish pursuits but it is about seeking first the Kingdom of God, making disciples and contributing to a healthier society.
The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. I pray that this Mission Statement will form an important part of our parish life and Diocesan life in which we seek to be Christ-centred, character building and community transforming.
Members of Synod, it is a pleasure to serve the Lord as Bishop of this Diocese, not to serve as the Lord of this Diocese. He has called all of us to serve Him together as His Kingdom people. May we determine to continue helping each other to live lives worthy of our calling!
Ends
Issued by the Church of Ireland Press Office
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