Thank you for this, Keith. In many ways I'm so removed from what's going on in the church at the moment that this report hadn't registered. I like your analysis/commentary, but there one point at which I see a sort of fault line, which is where you speak about getting the right people in the room to have a well managed conversation. It's easy enough to do with the right people; but it's more important to do it well with people who being ideologically committed (I've often said that the more important something is to anyone, the more they staunchly adhere and defend it) tend to be outside that comfortable category
Thanks John. I get that. The people you need are not always the people who will play nicely. Getting those you need to join in the conversation you want to have can be the hardest step. But I have facilitated gatherings of those well known as advocates of opposing views where trust was lacking and found enough common cause to move forward on the matters at hand
My own personal reflection from this from 10000 miles away is that it helps to take a more holistic view of identity - it is realised in so much more than social media, church meetings and even song… or a set of values in a hand book/bible.
I really enjoyed my regular attendance at even song at Durham Cathedral in my 30s - slightly less accessible now I live in Dubai and have a fuller family life. I do miss that access to 30 mins reflection, mindfulness, appreciation and thought for others.
Interesting James. I think you are saying that identity is found and expressed in a range of cultural expressions of faith and that the CofE matters to/affects people in a variety of ways not much discussed. Is that right? Because I would see that as part of the ministry of the national church to the whole community, developed and embedded over time.
Very helpful article Keith. It's so true that ideological idealists can be more loyal to the cause than the organisation which is why zealous Christians are sometimes the most divisive.
Thank you for this, Keith. In many ways I'm so removed from what's going on in the church at the moment that this report hadn't registered. I like your analysis/commentary, but there one point at which I see a sort of fault line, which is where you speak about getting the right people in the room to have a well managed conversation. It's easy enough to do with the right people; but it's more important to do it well with people who being ideologically committed (I've often said that the more important something is to anyone, the more they staunchly adhere and defend it) tend to be outside that comfortable category
Thanks John. I get that. The people you need are not always the people who will play nicely. Getting those you need to join in the conversation you want to have can be the hardest step. But I have facilitated gatherings of those well known as advocates of opposing views where trust was lacking and found enough common cause to move forward on the matters at hand
My own personal reflection from this from 10000 miles away is that it helps to take a more holistic view of identity - it is realised in so much more than social media, church meetings and even song… or a set of values in a hand book/bible.
I really enjoyed my regular attendance at even song at Durham Cathedral in my 30s - slightly less accessible now I live in Dubai and have a fuller family life. I do miss that access to 30 mins reflection, mindfulness, appreciation and thought for others.
Interesting James. I think you are saying that identity is found and expressed in a range of cultural expressions of faith and that the CofE matters to/affects people in a variety of ways not much discussed. Is that right? Because I would see that as part of the ministry of the national church to the whole community, developed and embedded over time.
Yes my opinion would be that, from outside, the church should consider/needs to amplify its identify in many more channels than it achieves currently.
Very helpful article Keith. It's so true that ideological idealists can be more loyal to the cause than the organisation which is why zealous Christians are sometimes the most divisive.
Thank you David - that was quick!