Diocesan News
Bishop Ken Good uses Derry & Raphoe Diocesan Synod to highlight challenges facing community and the Church
The Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Ken Good, will deliver his Presidential Address on Wednesday, 19th October at the 2011 Derry and Raphoe Diocesan Synod in Clooney Hall, Londonderry.
Diocesan Communications Officer, Derry & Raphoe
He will use his address to highlight some of the significant challenges facing both the wider community and the church by saying “in 2011 many people find themselves … navigating their way through very challenging and troubled times, where the way forward is uncertain and where solutions are unclear.”
His address concludes by saying “As bishop of this diocese, my deep desire, my single–minded focus, my longing is to see parishioners and parishes grow in faith, become more confident and hopeful in our trust in God, respond more wholeheartedly to God’s call to radiate Christ and to transform community. As that continues to happen, we will be in a stronger position to respond positively to the demands and challenges which society is facing.”
The full transcript follows below:
Contact Details
Mr Paul McFadden
028 7126 2440
[email protected]
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
LIVING IN CHALLENGING TIMES
Members of Synod, we know that we are living in challenging times.
But then, it is likely that most generations over the centuries have felt that the times through which they were living were also particularly challenging.
At the time they felt they had little or no certainty about the way forward and often they had little sense that their future was secure or could be at all guaranteed.
In this year of 2011 AD, many people find themselves in that very same predicament, navigating their way through very challenging and troubled times, where the way forward is uncertain and where solutions are unclear.
Of the various challenges we face, I want to highlight just four of those of which Synod members are more acutely aware.
1. CHALLENGING TIMES ECONOMICALLY
In the euro–zone, which includes half of this united diocese, we find ourselves facing the most serious economic and banking challenges that have been experienced for many decades. In the UK, and hence in the other half of this diocese, we are contending with an almost stagnant economy that faces major challenges and where there appear to be very few options to reverse in the short term worrisome indicators and trends. As a society, we are navigating precarious and perilous waters.
In both jurisdictions, there is growing concern about pensions. State pensions and personal pension plans are seriously underfunded and many people are increasingly anxious about the implications of reduced income in future years.
Considerable stress is being experienced in many households where meeting monthly mortgage and debt repayments is a debilitating cause of anxiety and pressure. Many families and individuals, including senior citizens, are facing real hardship as they are forced to make tough choices between heating their home or buying sufficient food to eat.
A case has been put forward by some for an amnesty on serious mortgage arrears. Deeper reflection would suggest, however, that such an approach, appealing though it may be, is not economically realistic. Sadly, such a solution would be virtually impossible to implement equitably and consistently, and therefore could not be accepted as either fair or morally defensible.
What is vital in cases of serious hardship is an approach by the banks and other lending institutions which is as flexible and compassionate as possible.
We are all living with the consequences of cutbacks in state budgets in both jurisdictions, and there are more to come. These tough and even harsh measures are affecting expenditure in many government departments, not least in education.
Investment income in the Representative Church Body, which funds central Church of Ireland allocations, is also under pressure. That is the harsh reality which is affecting church life.
One of the glimpses of more positive economic news is that parts of the agricultural sector, which is strongly represented in this united diocese, is enjoying a more stable period of reasonable income.
It is also true, I suggest, that there are many individuals and households for whom these times are not so difficult financially. In such a situation, there is an opportunity for a more generous and compassionate sharing of resources. There is an opportunity here for giving in ways that will be a real encouragement and blessing to others.
This is the financial context in which we in the Church of Ireland in Derry and Raphoe are called to serve. We do so with understanding, with awareness, with compassion, with hope, with imagination, and also with faith in a God who is bigger than all of these economic challenges, and who we learn to trust for our life and for our needs.
2. CHALLENGING TIMES FOR EMPLOYMENT
Households in every community and in every parish in the diocese are being impacted by high unemployment figures, by poor job prospects and by the emigration of young people who have little or no choice but to seek work elsewhere in the world.
While watching Ireland’s rugby team’s recent exploits in the New Zealand World Cup, one of the striking features was the very large numbers of young people who have left these shores to find employment on the other side of the globe because prospects here have been so bleak.
This is the employment context in which we in the Church of Ireland in Derry and Raphoe are called to serve with understanding, with awareness, with compassion, with hope, with imagination, and also with faith in a God who is bigger than all of these employment challenges.
3. CHALLENGING TIMES MORALLY
This Diocesan Synod is aware that there has been of late a widespread degree of uncertainty in the Church of Ireland around issues to do with relationships and the Christian understanding of the appropriate context for sexual expression.
In both jurisdictions on this island, the state now provides for civil partnerships between persons of the same gender. The implications of this legislation are being discussed in Christian Churches generally, but the issue has come into particularly sharp focus in the Church of Ireland in recent months.
It is not only in the media or in our church pews that these questions are being debated, but also in the House of Bishops. In our recently issued Pastoral Letter, the bishops began by reaffirming the current and historical Christian understanding of holy matrimony as follows:
‘The Book of Common Prayer describes marriage as “part of God’s creation and a holy mystery in which man and woman become one flesh.” It is to be monogamous, with a publicly declared intention that it be life–long. The church’s teaching has been faithfulness within marriage as the normative context for sexual expression.’
In this debate and controversy about same sex relationships, it is important that we are very clear about the church’s universal and long–standing interpretation of scripture, as it is spelled out in that paragraph in the Bishops’ Letter. The biblical and theological status quo still is what it has been and is not altered by changes in cultural norms or by the actions or opinions of individuals.
The winds of social change or the modification of accepted norms are not what decides or changes the will of God.
Consequently, we also need to be clear about the process by which the church may seek to change its historically accepted patterns, and clear about when and where it has decided to do so.
The Pastoral Letter outlined the process by which the Church will carefully examine how our received teaching and discipline can respond most appropriately to the changes in state legislation.
I commend to the Synod the proposed Conference in Spring 2012.
This conference is not a means of postponing, indefinitely, the opportunity for the Church to come to a decisive mind on the way forward. I am aware that there might be a concern that in appearing to allow the time to drift, the status quo might be assumed to have changed, incrementally, without any clear and conclusive decision being taken by the General Synod to authorise such a change. I firmly believe that this is not the bishops’ intention, nor do I believe it is what should, or will, happen.
It is my expectation that the proposed conference will provide a forum where there will be more time to consider the topic than is the case during the tight timetable of a normal business session General Synod. Nor will there be the pressure at the conference to put the matter to a vote. This approach allows a more measured and considered debate, providing some weeks of reflection after the conference until we then come to General Synod in May, to vote on a well prepared motion, or motions, if that is what the General Synod should decide to do.
Nor should the Bishops’ Pastoral Letter be interpreted as a means of attempting to stifle debate in the meantime. Those who feel they have an important verbal contribution to make to the discussion should make it. In urging, as we do in the Pastoral Letter, ‘…people of all shades of opinion within the Church of Ireland to refrain from any actions or the use of emotive or careless language which may further exacerbate the situation,’ the bishops’ desire, including my desire, is that any such contributions would be expressed in ways that are responsible, respectful, compassionate and God–honouring.
This is the challenging moral and ethical context in which we in the Church of Ireland in Derry and Raphoe are called to serve – with steadfastness and patience, with attentiveness to the word of God and alertness to the Spirit of God, with compassion and also with faith in a God who is bigger than all of these moral challenges.
4. CHALLENGING TIMES FOR CHURCHES
In recent years, there has been a major shift in public perception of, and in media comment about, the institutional Church in Ireland, and few of us could have anticipated how large that shift would become in a short space of time.
The Roman Catholic Church is dealing with a strong and vocal reaction to recent reports relating to child protection. The Church of Ireland is contending with high levels of media interest in our divisions about approaches to human sexuality. Other churches too, no doubt, have challenges which they are feeling keenly.
I am very pleased to welcome to the Synod today, Rev Ian Henderson, President of the Methodist Conference, Rev Robert Buick, Moderator of the Derry and Donegal Presbytery and Monisgnor Eamon Martin, representing Bishop Seamus Hegarty. Each of them will be invited to bring us greetings shortly.
Not only because of these issues, but because of other social changes as well, the institutional church is now open to a degree of scrutiny and critique which was not the norm previously.
The new reality is that society is now more secular, more diverse, less homogeneous, more questioning, and less accepting of authority and of inherited traditions, whether ecclesiastical or otherwise.
This is a challenge for all of the churches, but I believe it is one that we do well to face head on, engaging with it constructively and imaginatively, rather than lamenting what we have lost or longing vainly for a return to former times!
I say this because, on the positive side, we are living at a time when there is a higher level of media and public interest in religious and spiritual matters than for years. If we are willing to discuss, debate, explore, engage – rather than just declare and pronounce – then the opportunities are there in the market–place, in print and on the airwaves – as well as in informal coffee–shop conversations and other social settings – for us to share and present the positive case for living life with faith in Christ and the wholesome implications of so doing.
Obstacles and challenges for church members and church leaders present an opportunity for us to grow and to develop as we rely on the grace and power of the Holy Spirit to guide and lead us. Frank A Clark once said, ‘If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.’
Our path may be a challenging one, with obstacles along the way, but it is a path which we know leads somewhere trustworthy and true.
FAITH GROWS DURING CHALLENGING TIMES
We don’t have to be experts in anatomy to know that muscles become stronger by being stretched and exercised, and that, by contrast, when they remain idle and under–used, they become weaker.
The same pattern is true of faith. When our faith is exercised and used, when it is put to the test during times of risk–taking and challenge, then it is more likely to strengthen and grow. So the times we are living in, far from weakening our faith, can strengthen and develop it. And I am pleased to be able to say that I am seeing signs that the challenges in parishes are being met with faith, with vision, with imagination, with commitment and with fruitfulness.
OUR DIOCESAN VISION
The diocesan vision of Transforming Community Radiating Christ is helping our personal faith and our churches’ discipleship to strengthen and grow.
By working out the implications of Transforming Community Radiating Christ, by accepting the three values, we seek growth, we serve in teams, we encourage leaders, parishes and individuals throughout the diocese are being stretched, and are being challenged to grow in the process.
‘MOVING ON’ EVENING
Many members of Synod were among the 1,000 people from every parish in the diocese who were invited to another major gathering in Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey earlier this month.
The feedback I have been receiving from many people who were there is that they were genuinely encouraged by the heightened sense of belonging to a diocese where there is forward movement, where there are signs of growth, where creative initiatives are taking place, and where the challenge to further spiritual development was clearly expressed.
SEEDS FOR GROWTH
On that evening, brief reports were given by a sample of twenty parishes of how they are using the Seeds for Growth gift of £1,000 or €1,200 from the diocese. This courageous initiative on the part of the Diocesan Council has stuck a chord with people’s imagination. A large number of interesting projects are underway, in which churches are looking outwards to their community in creative ways.
PARISH DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
For several years it has been my hope, and the hope of others in leadership in the diocese, that we could find a way of appointing a Parish Development Officer. I am very pleased that such an appointment has now been made, and again I commend the Diocesan Council for their visionary decision to allow for the appointment of Rev Paul Hoey to this position. On 1 October Paul started in his post, and has also, this week, been introduced as Priest–in–Charge of Clondevaddock Parish. I warmly welcome Paul to the diocese and wish him every encouragement and blessing as he serves among us.
RURAL DEANERY EVENINGS
One of Paul’s first responsibilities since starting his work in the diocese has been to lead a series of seven Rural Deanery evenings entitled, ‘On the Move – The Next Step’ to help Parish Teams from each Rural Deanery to refine and further develop their vision. Two of these have already taken place, and I believe they are proving useful occasions for stretching our faith and helping us be more imaginative in what God is calling us to do in our parishes and local communities.
CLERGY STUDY WEEKS IN BRISTOL
One of the ways in which the clergy are being encouraged to grow in faith and in vision is the study week they are attending with me in Trinity Theological College, Bristol. One group has just returned on Friday last, and another one goes in a couple of weeks’ time. I am convinced that real spiritual benefit will flow from what we are learning there.
We were reminded last week by the College Principal, George Kovoor of the challenging words of Hudson Taylor,
‘Unless there is an element of risk in our exploits for God, there is no need for faith.‘
In these challenging times, the leadership of our clergy is pivotal in helping us to deepen our faith in God, in strengthening our understanding of the faith, in guiding us to discern God’s will for the future and in being alongside us as we take risks in our exploits for God.
I wish to thank the clergy for their leadership in these challenging times, and commend them for their commitment to their vocation and to the Lord who has called them.
CONCLUSION
As bishop of this diocese, my deep desire, my single–minded focus, my longing is to see parishioners and parishes grow in faith, become more confident and hopeful in our trust in God, respond more wholeheartedly to God’s call to radiate Christ and to transform community. As that continues to happen, we will be in a stronger position to respond positively to the demands and challenges which society is facing.
In these challenging times, I want to assure you that I am feeling hopeful about the future, as well as feeling thankful to God for the present and the past.
Hope is not just a matter of temperament, or of wishful thinking. It is not dependent on prevailing circumstances or on human potential or on what we think we can achieve by ourselves. No, hope is inseparable from faith in God. Christian hope is based on what God has done in the past and on what he has promised to do in the future.
As Dietrich Bonhoeffer expressed it, ‘The essence of optimism is that it takes no account of the present, but it is a source of inspiration, of vitality and hope where others have resigned.
In the goodness of God, the best is yet to be through Christ, the hope of glory.
‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’ Rom 15:13
+Ken