The Archbishop of Canterbury has criticised churches that have too many events on their noticeboards.
Churches should concentrate less on activities and more on “praying” he said at a service in Egypt, where is chairing the meeting of the Primates of the Anglican Communion.
Dr Rowan Williams, preaching at the dedication of the new St Mark’s pro-cathedral in Alexandria, also criticised people who back-stab and undermine each other, interpreted as a reference to the internecine Anglican wars which seem to be drawing to a surprisingly peaceful close in this heartland of the Christian Creed.
Dr Williams told more than 30 Primates of the 38 provinces of the Anglican Communion who are in Alexandria in an attempt to heal the rift over homosexuality that all churches needed to make more room for prayer and place less emphasis on being so “busy”.
We note that Jesus “put feets to his prayers” unlike the ABC who seems stuck in the ivory tower and unable to deal with basics. A simple move to get actual dealing with the issues of the heretical NA churches off the playing field … yet again. Great sound byte and as substantial.
The ABC seems constitutionally incapable of understanding the relation of action to prayer – except, of course, when non-action is the action that suits his purposes of advancing the NA heresies to all the Anglican Communion – as history amply demonstrates.
He didn’t mean it literally. I was in the church and I can tell you he didn’t mean it literally. Please bear this mind. There are only six accredited journalists out here and I am one of them. Thanks.
It’s also called “sabbath time.”
It’s frustrating for some who think they know what God wants to do. The archbishop is clearly NOT stuck in the ivory tower, for prayer is the central activity of the church.
It goes without saying that we expected ACTION from this archbishop, but all we have gotten thus far is mere blather. I don’t want to hear words from this man; I expect him to take strong action that will at least help to restore faith and order, because if he DOESN’T, the Anglican Communion will shatter even more than it has, and if he fails to take action, the GAFCON primates will do it for him.
#2 riazatbutt – I appreciate you weighing in on this. Can you explain what he did say and what he did mean? Thanks.
Some events on our bulletin board:
advertisements for weekday Adult Christian Ed groups and meeting times
ads for the coming church retreats
ads for habitat for humanity and Hands On Tallahassee projects
ads for local music performances in the community
Youth group meetings
What’s wrong with these? They are (mostly) prayer in action events.
Our Bulletin Board:
Mass/Reconciliation schedule (Daily at 9, Sat 5, Sunday 9 and 12 (Hispanic)
Bible Study (Sunday – Genesis this quarter)
Youth Group (Wednesdays)
Religious Ed (Children – Sunday)
Confirmation Classes (Sunday and Wednesdays)
GOSH (‘golden oldies bible study group’) (Tues)
Knights of Columbus (Tues)
Catholic School (free and supported by tithes Mon-Friday)
“Why Catholic?” (Evangelism small groups Monday-Friday Evenings)
RCIA (conversion process for those who have entered the church – Wednesday)
Food Bank (we have our own, plus we send extra to the Community Food bank when our pantry overflows)
Homeless Shelter (collecting clothes, blankets, coats as well as money)
Woman’s Ministry (obtaining diapers, baby clothes, baby furniture, assiatance with baby sitting for indigent mothers)
Hispanic Ministry (all of above but in Spanish, tother with English Classes)
Alcoholics Annonymous (Sat eve)
Ad for Church Camp (in summer and free)
Pro Life Ministry (currently blitzing our Senators and Representative)
And last but not least, we have a picture of a cardinal, together with a small red stuffed animal cardinal that we are all supposed to pet as we go into church. (Father says). This is to ensure that not only the Webb City Cardinals continue as State Champions in Football, Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Swimming, and Math, but also that the St. Louis Cardinals make the World Series this year.
A great book on what prayer can do:
“Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire” by Jim Cymbala, Brooklyn Tabernacle
@Montanan – Think about it. If the ++ was really criticizing too much activity in churches then he’d of course have to look at his own church and those of C of E bishops which are chock full of comings and goings. Got to go – have a press conference
#9 Thank you so much for engaging here Ms Butt – I look forward to reading your further reports. I did enjoy this – very perceptive and witty.
Mary and Martha, people. The latter was very busy, the former sat at the feet of Jesus, and that was the better part. Rowan Williams come from a Catholic perspective (albeit corrupted now by heresies), which values God’s grace as our only hope, which values contemplation as the source of action.
Anyway, the archbishopp isn’t speaking of the sort of action that’s needed at this time, but parochial busyness. Should we be preaching that faith without bake sales is dead? What “works” are needed? More quilting circles? More book clubs?
Well, faith without works IS dead. So the packed bulletin boards are evidence of faith in action, not a point of criticism, but a point of hope, of the Church being the Church in the community.
If you invite someone to the book club, might they not decide to come to services next time they decide to ‘give church a chance again’?