THE CORPSES OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND ST JOHN'S COLLEGE NOTTINGHAM
Recently I visited St John's College in Nottingham, where I did my post graduate theological training, having returned from my year in India. Then it was bustling with life and wielded considerable influence. Now it is closed, derelict and falling into disrepair.
It felt a potent symbol of the death of an institution in contrast to the life of the spirit. How deeply thankful I am that I managed to escape the clutches of the Church of England when I did, back in 1994. Reflecting back, had I not, I could have well now been gripped by its decaying remains. Instead, I have known life, joy and a continuing, expanding, spirit led, loving and innovative ministry, relevant to our age and accessible to all. The Church of England entrap their clergy, with pernicious perks, that appear to the young a great asset, but are in fact the mechanisms whereby their clergy feel incapable of breaking free. A house comes with the job; tax free heating, lighting and cleaning costs; private health care, non contributory pension, interest free loans for cars and other life items, as well as an income for life. It is sad to see those who once had light in their eyes and sincerity in their hearts, now snuffed out and washed up on the shores of cynicism, because the perks glued them to a corpse. My eyes still shine, my heart is brimming, my enthusiasm is undeterred and I am very much still alive and ministering fully. Never choose the safe, well provided for choice, when the spirit of Love is beckoning, even though its path may appear perilous and uncertain. Step out upon the waters of unpredictability, in faithful response to Love's calling, and you will ever be enriched, fulfilled and enabled to be of service to others.
It felt a potent symbol of the death of an institution in contrast to the life of the spirit. How deeply thankful I am that I managed to escape the clutches of the Church of England when I did, back in 1994. Reflecting back, had I not, I could have well now been gripped by its decaying remains. Instead, I have known life, joy and a continuing, expanding, spirit led, loving and innovative ministry, relevant to our age and accessible to all. The Church of England entrap their clergy, with pernicious perks, that appear to the young a great asset, but are in fact the mechanisms whereby their clergy feel incapable of breaking free. A house comes with the job; tax free heating, lighting and cleaning costs; private health care, non contributory pension, interest free loans for cars and other life items, as well as an income for life. It is sad to see those who once had light in their eyes and sincerity in their hearts, now snuffed out and washed up on the shores of cynicism, because the perks glued them to a corpse. My eyes still shine, my heart is brimming, my enthusiasm is undeterred and I am very much still alive and ministering fully. Never choose the safe, well provided for choice, when the spirit of Love is beckoning, even though its path may appear perilous and uncertain. Step out upon the waters of unpredictability, in faithful response to Love's calling, and you will ever be enriched, fulfilled and enabled to be of service to others.
ARCHBISHOP JONATHAN BLAKE - MY LIFE - PART ONE
ARCHBISHOP JONATHAN BLAKE - MY LIFE - PART TWO
I AM PROUD OF MY WRITING, FOR JESUS’S SAKE, THAT HAS HAD ME FOUND INNOCENT IN HEAVEN, BUT TWICE A CRIMINAL ON THE EARTH. THE FIRST IN 1990 WHEN I WROTE A BIBLICAL TEXT ON THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT IN PEACEFUL PROTEST ABOUT THE BOMBING OF YOUNG IRAQI RECRUITS DURING THE FIRST GULF WAR. THE SECOND, IN 2016 WHEN I WROTE ON MY BLOG, TO ALERT THE PUBLIC ABOUT A PAEDOPHILE, AND WAS SUCCESSFUL IN FORCING THE AUTHORITIES TO STOP HIM HAVING ACCESS TO CHILDREN. THERE WAS ALMOST A THIRD! IN 1997, WHEN I WAS ARRESTED FOR NAILING MY PROPOSALS FOR REFORM OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND ON THE DOOR OF CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL. WORDS ARE POWERFUL MESSAGES THAT CHALLENGE CORRUPTION, CONFRONT THE WICKED AND CREATE A BETTER WORLD. JESUS IS THE WORD OF GOD AND HIS FOLLOWERS ARE CALLED TO COMMUNICATE HIS WORDS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE COST.
"You brave, courageous and wonderful man. To stand up for the truth in the face of suppression and oppression is truly an act of a pure heart."
posted by Bishop Jonathan Blake | 4:40 PM
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