Greetings
I want to encourage us to think forward, and be inspired. We are in a new era in our benefice, and as we have just heard, in our country. The Church of England has its first woman Archbishop.
I believe that God is doing new things in our society. For 26 years I have worked as a priest outside church, in the marketplace, alongside people where they are located, and I find out there that there’s much more faith than we, and they, realise. Young people are seeking the divine. And I believe that Jesus is the one truth in a world of uncertainties – so important to say in these anxious times. Our new Archbishop is going to be part of this new thing. Not only should we look ahead (forgetting what lies behind (Phil 3: 12-14)), but we should look outwards. It is said that the church is an institution that exists for its non-members. And ordinary people will respect her life experience.
We may hear critique, complaint and even biblical objection to a woman Archbishop. But how out of kilter such comments will sound to the general public in 2025 England. It would be like me, in the pulpit, saying that women should be silent in church. Absurd! That is scriptural (1 Tim. 2: 11-12), but surely not literally true! We are always learning about the widening of God’s mercy. (Ephesians 3: 16-21)
So be encouraged. Jesus instructed his disciples to say “The kingdom of God has come near”
Nigel
