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Back to the edge

This is another of those postings where I am avoiding doing what I have on my to do list (including going to the gym...). I just caught a news story from the Archbishop of York (second highest churchman in the Church of England, possibly in the Anglican commune). According to the BBC he is saying that we would be hard pressed to call Britain a Christian country any more. To read more click here


Hallelujah.

The day when we all acknowledge that reality will be a great day for the Kingdom in this country. It will allow the church (including the established church which many of us 'emergents' have taken to knocking), to take its place back on the edge. We will not have to be a bastion of "British society"; which I think means being very nice and not offending anyone. Whether we like it or not being aligned with the state and all its institutions is a huge hindrance to the purposes of the church. With this alignment we have become an institution with all the stuff that goes with it (oppression of the poor, vested interests, compromise for the sake of self perpetuation).

When we are no longer seen as 'relevant' to this society, we will be able to refocus on what it really means to fulfill Jesus great commission. We will be able to live out a generation call to be John the Baptists. By that I mean that we will be freed to talk about not having too much, about not oppressing or extorting people. And more than just talk we will be able to live. In short we can get on with living and establishing the Kingdom of God. That excites me, I could go on but this is a blog post not an essay... for now lets just say:

Bring it on!



Comments

Liz said…
Ah, this reminds me of various trainings I had a few years ago on Christendom and institutionalised Christianity, and the like. I think you may have taken some, actually...

Also in that article you linked to: I love that he's leaving the bureaucracy of being Archbishop to end his days as a little rural parish priest. I think that's beautiful.
2:07 am
Jude said…
Liz, was I saying the same then as now? The problem with being opinionated is that I have to say sorry lots... so sorry
10:44 am
Liz said…
Please don't apologise - agree with everything :o)
9:10 am
Kate John said…
1st of all- oh my word i think i just worked out how this thing works
Secondly,
I think you're right, absolutely, in the sense that with a dis-established church, Christians could get back to being radical love-givers, peace-makers, poor-servers, AND be seen as such. But i think we should make sure we realise what we're praying for (and be ready for it): because in this 'terrorism age' where radical beliefs are feared, the only thing protecting Christians from persecution is 'the establishment' and the perception that we're just weak sissys. Once the church is dis-established and we start showing (as a whole church) that we're passionate, radical people who ARE different (even if that's by serving)- society will fear the difference, probably label us extremist intolerants and persecute us. Or not. Just a theory.
Still think it's better than being beige though.
11:04 am
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