Whose Church is it anyway?

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The world of the Church of England ‘Democracy’ is somewhat defective in that it is a rather closed environment.  It is closed for a variety of reasons and here are a few I can think of from my observations.

Firstly it is not covered very well by much of the Press.  Ordinary people, not least ordinary worshippers do not hear what goes on.  The dedicated, and not widely read, publications that do carry General Synod reports are dry and staid in their reporting and thereby not likely to be accessed by most people.  Most of the honest and up to the minute reporting goes on online and to a slowly growing audience, and I’m not talking about the C of E website. Do try THINKING ANGLICANS, they are very good.

Secondly, the more local democracy (Diocesan Synods) are not well run, with matters being badly chaired, usually by management.  Real opposition to the accepted view is not given much of a voice, if any.  In the case of the Anglican Covenant the matter seems to be being presented to many diocese as a matter for endorsement rather than debate!

Thirdly, there is a long accepted acquiescence towards Clergy and particularly senior clergy who are most often given the status of ‘sainthood’ in the minds of the worshippers.  It is unfortunate that clergy are viewed in this way as it provides a predisposition to believe what they say and at the very least to give them the benefit of the doubt.  Therefore reason may fail in a debate when Archbishops and others demand loyalty.

Democracy demands openness and an active press.  So much in the Church of England relies on explicit and implicit secrecy.  Opposition is too often painted as disloyalty to clergy and good reporting is not widely read by the constituents.  Synod allows this untidy and unsatisfactory position to continue on the whole, but there are a growing number of subversives who are muttering discontent in the restaurants of London and the corridors of York University (summertime).

Mr C

Are we good enough?

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The truth is that the Church of England is imperfect and I must admit that it gets things wrong very often indeed.

The truth is that Jesus acknowledges this tendency in humanity. Put more clearly; “He died that we might be forgiven”.

The truth is that we have a duty to Christ to give to our fellow beings our best.  As people of Christ we are called to go further than society might demand and to offer charity; agape, to offer love, the shirt from our back, to go that extra mile.

To hide behind the prevailing societal expectation, indeed legislation, is not an option for Christians in matters of moral behaviour.

To live in a place and quote the laws of that place as adequate justification for doing bad things is to abandon our Christian calling, it is to allow secular powers to govern the actions of  us as individuals and the actions of the Church.

In the matter of employment, the Church has to do what the law requires and more besides.

In matters of human rights for all, the church must do what the law requires and more. 

In all matters we have to do what our society asks, demands, and then do more!

From the Archbishop to the humble member listed on the electoral role, we frequently fail to live up to this standard.  Unfortunately for the humble parishioner, many senior clergy, and too many that are ‘blessed’ with higher office, fail to act in good and honest ways and too often their dealings with people are of low moral quality preferring to protect their own reputations and indeed (very often) prospects.

They will hide behind legislation and perhaps falsify matters, if they are able, in order to protect their reputations.  In some cases they prefer to say nothing rather than give false witness, refraining from speaking the truth clearly and openly.  Anything difficult and unpleasant is brushed under the carpet and stays there.

This is why the frequent use of ‘confidentiality clauses’ in retirement packages for those long serving laity is so prevalent and perpetuates a veil of secrecy and some degree of fear amongst many corridors of power.

If only we could be more forgiving and listen to one another’s story, to understand that we are weak and none of us the paragons of virtue we spend so much time encouraging everyone to believe we are!  The damnation is almost deafening!

This situation in the Church is one that we are all responsible for.  We are too quick to criticise and we love to twitter stories that are harmful.

We need to revive the spirit of forgiveness and be more Christ like, to bend the knee and hear the plea of the sinner with compassion and with forgiveness pouring from our hearts by the grace of God.

We must go that extra mile even if it may cost us, even if others call us fools; for Christ.

How wonderful it would be if the leaders we have would be free to do this Christian thing.

Mr C

Cold Comfort Synod

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The forthcoming synod which will be upon us very soon, will be heralded by a flurry of difficult decisions.  Conscientious Synod members will have pre-booked their rail tickets by now and hopefully thereby saved their diocese considerable sums of money as they take advantage of early booking savings.  The few who are more apt to leave matters to the last minute will be submitting their claims to the church in the same way, but obviously for a good deal more money.  The parable of the wise virgins comes to mind but not to worry, everyone gets into this particular celebration and no one will be left out in the wintry cold of London.

Well at least no one would except that 'the powers that be' have no idea about the cost of London accommodation and delegates are forced to find poor (cold) accommodation near to the venue for Synod or face a long journey to get there but be more assured of a good nights sleep and a reasonable breakfast before the days hard work ahead of them.  Again, early booking can reap some rewards, but  London is a popular place!

Oh so often this situation is bemoaned by synod members and suggestions and indeed 'nicely put complaints' are made, but to no good end.  It appears that the Church of England does not value its Synod members and does not care one jot about their accommodation.

Over and over again Synod members have cried out for a block booking of a large hotel, perhaps, or some other arrangement, but not to leave them with a meagre allowance and left to ‘get on with it’.  If you ring the staff at Church House they will privately sympathise with you and agree that the situation is 'not fai'r or indeed tolerable, but they cannot help you to secure adequate accommodation and you are left to surf the net with your pittance of an allowance gripped tightly in your hand; or more like, a promise to pay it,....eventually.

Of course this really only applies to the delegates who don’t actually live in London or who don’t have friends or colleagues in London, people in the north!  Archbishop Rowan and Mr Sentimoo will have no accommodation difficulties; they will be snuggling into deep pillows and spacious beds at night, and will be able to walk about in their accommodation.  They will not be offering to share their place (palace) to the hard pressed delegates attending their circus this February, nor will the Officers of Church House! 

I wonder why it is not a priority.

Synodical tradition in London and York

One of the other quaint practices that I have encountered at General Synod is that of eating out in a large group or in a more sinister styled group of two or three.  The latter being adopted by Bishops more ususally.  Then the tradition is to move on to a venue that stays open till late, say two in the morning.  We are uncertain how many Bishops adopt the ‘night owl’ part of the practice openly.

Anyhow the main preoccupation during the whole of the tradition in London is to talk about all the other members of synod who are not present at the table and to poo-poo their ideas, their dress sense, their predicted voting preferences and their general friendliness, or lack of it.

After this process has ended, which may take most of the evening, the tradition is that matters move on to who is likely to be the next Diocesan Bishop of ‘Wheresoever and Therewithal’.  It is thought that this is indeed the conversation most preferred by some Archdeacons and many a Suffragan.  The hilarity that ensues as each probable and improbable candidate is shoe horned into the prospect is a sight to see; with many a stocking clad leg being thrust into the air wantonly, as the ecstatic owner falls off her chair in unbounded laughter and derision.  Great fun is had by many.

What never fails to amaze me is that whilst these discussions can go on well into the night all  participants will be found in the chamber the following morning, and quite a few at synod too.

Of course at York none of this is applicable or at least the tradition is somewhat curtailed as the University security staff now bar all synod members from any rooms other than their beds after eleven.   The situation has become more desperate in recent years as more security staff have been pressed to control the nocturnal revelry of synod members.

Related articles

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Synodical Tea Rooms

Well I thought I would talk to you about the tea rooms at church house during General synod last month.  Firstly, if you'r unfamiliar with the carry on there, the food is varied  offering both a cooked option as well as various sandwiches, well that is unless you arrive late and then its tuna.  The prices are good for London but I’m told that the food at the Methodist establishment over the road is more varied and cheaper.  In church house the tea and coffee are free!

The overall ambience of the room is a bit odd I’m afraid.  Certainly the wood panelled walls might have been ordered for the Bishops, to make them feel quite at home.  The panelling also has the effect of making the rest of us feel awkwardly superior compared to the student demonstrators ‘kettled’  in the wintry cold outside.

Image via Wikipedia I did espy a policeman in full riot gear charge through the main doors of church house and minutes later reappear from the lower floor.  He charged out again with a little less speed, this time zipping his trousers up as he ran.

That aside, it is the seating arrangements that are truly dire in the tea rooms during General synod.  Knowing that you’re Catering for over 400 members, guests and hangers on might enable you to ensure adequate seating.  It turns out that this is not the case at all. Yes there are tables and chairs, for about 100 at most, the rest have to perch where they can.  The grand wooden panelling and fine ceiling are exposed to the rag tag flopping about of ladies and gentlemen clutching plates of hot food and splashing tea cups close to one another.  The scene would be reminiscent of a debauched ball were it not for the sincere and often serious faces of the participants.

For myself I managed to sit on the floor in a corner of the room and espied the various members pottering about, looking hither and thither as to whom they might like to ‘sit’ next to, or more importantly who they might like to avoid.

Listening to the discussions can be interesting, especially at this synod because of the wheeling and dealings people get up to; such as asking for support for their election to various comittees and posts and suchlike.  They are very blatant.

In a rather amusing cameo, I espied a rather shiny trouser bottomed archdeacon from a northern diocese offering the very last tuna surprise to a short cassocked monk not used to such luxury food items.  I felt the religious grabbed the sandwich with rather more speed and confidence than he should be familiar with.

Hey Ho MrC

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• General Synod - press reports (thinkinganglicans.org.uk)
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