I have hope that our Primate has the spiritual depth and the energy to implement the vital changes I am looking for.
I have worked as a consultant in Anglican Dioceses in several parts of the world. In only four of these dioceses have I noticed and been shown a special aliveness.
This special aliveness was only present when the Bishop in each of these four dioceses trusted and cared for his/her clergy ‘in the trenches’ of parish ministry as the A#1 priority. This commitment included the Bishop being vulnerable and risking in relationships with the clergy, and, not expecting clergy to trust their Bishop a priori. To be precise, it was the Bishop who took the first risk of being vulnerable, who offered trust to the clergy. Usually, it seems that the Bishop expects to be trusted and respected, but offers nothing personal to initiate the relationship. Perhaps the present crisis of falling numbers, deficit financing, and
in some dioceses, pervasive anxiety among clergy, will bring out the best in some of today’s bishops. The four bishops I alluded to above all had to pastor clergy who struggled with multi-point parishes, large geographic areas to serve, and, very very tight diocesan finances. The moral and trust was high. What a privilege to meet those four bishops!
The CEO-fund raiser-government-administrator bishop is not only an oxymoron but has, perhaps unwittingly, put power and position ahead of the primary pastoral calling. So many lay people are deprived of leadership in finance, management, program, and true responsibility because the bishop attends so many committees, chairs even more, and is a signatory on the diocesan cheque book. Admittedly, too many lay folk acquiesce to the style of a bishop who likes to be in charge.
My vision for 2019 includes a Church that will take the risk of calling men and women to the Episcopacy who are willing and able to trust and care for their parish clergy in action and in heart. A bishop who leads clergy with trust and care will be living Paul’s great description of Christ in Philippians 2 – the servant. This goes hand in hand with trusting capable lay members to run the ‘business’ of church – and leaving them to it. Yes this Vision will cause an upheaval: but what better time than now to transform the ethos of our Church when we are at a crisis point?
Blessings
David Rolfe
Lake Cowichan, BC
