HAPPY RETIREMENT ARCHBISHOP JOHN!
What an inspiration you were as Archbishop of York. Your wise words and charming counsel are still needed at this time, when the #blacklivesmatter issue is so significant. And you have known rabid racism and vile abuse from Church of England (C of E) communicants who should know better.
Now there are no black and minority ethnic (BAME) diocesan bishops in the C of E. There are concerns for the future of the Anglican Communion, but it is still strong in Africa and distant lands.
It is still strong at Holy Trinity Brompton, where Archbishop Justin once worshipped, and other evangelical charismatic strongholds. The Alpha Course has been doing remarkable well on line, under the lockdown restrictions.
Archbishop Sentamu was keen to see a healthy worshipping and loving C of E, where racial, social and cultural barriers were overcome by the gracious ministry of the Holy Spirit. I hope he continues to help and develop BAME Christian ministers.
Clergy from overseas may well produce some strong episcopal leadership in this country in due course. Some talented BAME ordinands will no doubt emerge from theological colleges, where students are coming forward to minister and exercise their considerable gifts. There are already BAME clergy who are able preachers, Bible teachers, worship leaders, musicians and evangelists. They need to be encouraged through bursaries, scholarships, training schemes and career development opportunities, so that they can lead C of E in multi-racial and just ways, and in successfully extending the Kingdom of God.
I am confident that we shall see BAME clergy in prison chaplaincy, in rectories, in vicarages, in abbeys, in senior ecclesiastical positions and in Bishops' palaces over next two decades.
What an inspiration you were as Archbishop of York. Your wise words and charming counsel are still needed at this time, when the #blacklivesmatter issue is so significant. And you have known rabid racism and vile abuse from Church of England (C of E) communicants who should know better.
Now there are no black and minority ethnic (BAME) diocesan bishops in the C of E. There are concerns for the future of the Anglican Communion, but it is still strong in Africa and distant lands.
It is still strong at Holy Trinity Brompton, where Archbishop Justin once worshipped, and other evangelical charismatic strongholds. The Alpha Course has been doing remarkable well on line, under the lockdown restrictions.
Archbishop Sentamu was keen to see a healthy worshipping and loving C of E, where racial, social and cultural barriers were overcome by the gracious ministry of the Holy Spirit. I hope he continues to help and develop BAME Christian ministers.
Clergy from overseas may well produce some strong episcopal leadership in this country in due course. Some talented BAME ordinands will no doubt emerge from theological colleges, where students are coming forward to minister and exercise their considerable gifts. There are already BAME clergy who are able preachers, Bible teachers, worship leaders, musicians and evangelists. They need to be encouraged through bursaries, scholarships, training schemes and career development opportunities, so that they can lead C of E in multi-racial and just ways, and in successfully extending the Kingdom of God.
I am confident that we shall see BAME clergy in prison chaplaincy, in rectories, in vicarages, in abbeys, in senior ecclesiastical positions and in Bishops' palaces over next two decades.
No comments:
Post a Comment