A couple of weeks ago I received an invitation to welcome Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge to the University of Cambridge. So this morning I went with a delegation from the University of Cambridge to welcome Prince William and Kate to the University on their first official visit to Cambridge since becoming the Duke and Duchess of the city. The event was rather wonderful, complete with delicious canapés and some excellent mulled wine. Seeing William and Katherine 'up close' was quite amazing. When they talk to people they are so focused on the one individual they are talking to, their eyes don't go anywhere else. They asked those they met questions and they seemed genuinely interested in what everyone was doing. These are important lessons for all of us, especially those of us in ministry. Prince William even spoke to my friend Adrian about life in Wales. They were even more fabulous in the flesh than they are in magazines or on the television. It has been a great couple of years for the royal family. Ellie and I, along with our friends Lee and Rachel, lined the streets of London for Will and Kate's wedding 18 months ago which was another great event. The Queen celebrated her diamond jubilee this year and who could forget her role in the opening ceremony of the Olympic games? In a time of uncertainty in our nation they have provided us with good reasons to celebrate and to be thankful. As we head into advent, the time Christians look forward forward to the coming of God in Jesus, I pray that we would know that there is a King greater than William, Kate or even our very own dear Queen. Because of King Jesus, and what he achieved through dying on the cross and his resurrection, we can all be part of THE Royal family as adopted children of the living God. Our involvement with his royal family does not just have to be a one off or something that we get to observe occasionally from a distance. Because King Jesus came to earth to give himself for us we can actually be part of his eternal Royal family! How amazing is that? |
0 Comments
I believe that women should be Bishops in the Church of England and have believed this ever since I became a Christian.
The General Synod voted yesterday not to pass legislation that would allow women to serve as Bishops in the church. The overwhelming majority of synod voted in favour of the motion. Six votes made all the difference. I am, of course, disappointed that women will not be able to be Bishops as soon as I (and many others) had hoped. There will be much hurt, anger and disappointment in the days, weeks and months to come. It is good to acknowledge this and to let people feel it. We must remember that this was not a 'no' against women becoming bishops (although I understand it will feel like that to many) it is but a 'no' against the current legislation. Archbishop John Sentamu said this morning that we will have women bishops - and we will. In the meantime it is important to remember that Churches will be open as usual on Sunday and the Gospel will continue to be preached by faithful men and women. Jesus is still Lord, he did rise from the dead, he is alive and His Holy Spirit is still at work. The Gospel will continue to transform and change lives. People become Christians because of Jesus and what he did for them, not because of one vote in Synod. Archbishop Rowan Williams said this morning that "God remains God, our call remains our call, our church remains our church". Amen to that. My good friend Lee Kirkby, a youth leader in York, tweeted this last night: "After tonight's amazing Youth, the only thing that needs to be relevant is Jesus. And he certainly is". Jesus is still in the business of changing lives, saving people, healing people and seeing communities transformed. That has not changed because of a vote in synod. The message of Jesus is as relevant now as it was before the vote. If the church keeps holding out the life changing message of Jesus we will continue to be relevant. There is already much pain and hurt. The story of the church in the past two thousand years is that God uses people who are hurt and confused to bring the message of Jesus to the world. We must not deny the hurt, pain and confusion that people are feeling but when the dust settles a little on this current debate, and when women are bishops in the very near future, we shall see that this story has not changed. I have been blessed by the ministry of some inspiring women. I pray that women will very soon be able to be involved in leadership at all levels of our wonderful church. In the meantime, let's do what the church should do best... being united and speaking and showing the love of Jesus to this hurting world. Pray for all the Anglican churches in this land and the work of fantastic Anglican organisations like Church Army, that they will continue to show and speak of that love to the communities around them. |