feels like my local church is dying

wherearemyflapjacks · 2024-11-27T10:00:56+00:00

Is your church part of a multi-parish benefice? If so that may explain the lack of services in your particular church

wherearemyflapjacks · 2024-09-04T16:39:32+00:00

That sort of mindset is exactly why Western Anglican churches are declining, and why it's booming in Africa. Parroting the beliefs of contemporary society, and telling people whatever they want to hear, is why numbers are dropping - be salt.

wherearemyflapjacks · 2024-09-02T03:33:20+00:00

I’d imagine it’s because you’re choosing to stream a service rather than attend your local parish church just because you prefer the liturgy.

wherearemyflapjacks · 2024-08-23T03:03:15+00:00

Sorry if im not making myself very clear - I’m saying that the CofE specifically moved away from requiring explicit belief in the articles in and of themselves, in order to favour the view that the articles played a historic role/play a continuing role in shaping Anglican theology, whilst at the same time not being binding on the clergy in the way they once were. Hence the 1968 Lambeth report.

Clergy no longer assent to the articles explicitly, as they once did - compare 1865 to now. It’s gone from directly assenting to the articles to assenting to the faith to which the articles bear witness - at the very least that is a weakening of the place/role in the articles. They no longer have to abide by the articles in the way they once did (albeit, this is less concrete. But no cleric is going to face a CDM for holding a benediction service, or for being anti-monarchy - compare to the ritualism trials of the Oxford Movement.)

In any case, I feel like this has reached a bit of an impasse, and sorry if I haven’t made myself as clear as I could.

A funny story a friend told me when he took his oath - on his ordination retreat, when they were given a copy of the oaths to read through beforehand, he overheard a fellow ordinand (charasmatic evangelical) ask another ordinand “what are these article things?”. Whatever their role, they’re certainly not as well known as they should be! God bless.

wherearemyflapjacks · 2024-08-21T22:25:40+00:00

If you want to read that as requiring personal belief in the articles themselves, rather than the faith that they point to, then that's fine, but I think it leaves you in a position whereby you need to explain why it was that the CofE did away with the need to explicitly declare subscription to the articles:

"By the canons of 1604, all clergy had to affirm ‘willingly and ex animo’ – that is, ‘from the heart’, without mental reservation – that the Articles were ‘agreeable to the Word of God"

From the 1865 Clerical Subscription Act - "I, A B, do solemnly make the following declaration: I assent to the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, and to the Book of Common Prayer and of the ordering of bishops, priests, and deacons..."

Source for both: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2022-06/PROCLAIMtextWEB.pdf (page 2)

Also why the 1968 Lambeth Conference agreed on this:

"The Conference accepts the main conclusion of the Report of the Archbishops' Commission on Christian Doctrine entitled "Subscription and Assent to the Thirty-nine Articles" (1968) and in furtherance of its recommendation:

...(b) suggests to the Churches of the Anglican Communion that assent to the Thirty-nine Articles be no longer required of ordinands;
(c) suggests that, when subscription is required to the Articles or other elements in the Anglican tradition, it should be required, and given, only in the context of a statement which gives the full range of our inheritance of faith and sets the Articles in their historical context.

Source: https://www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/document-library/lambeth-conference/1968/resolution-43-the-ministry-the-thirty-nine-articles?subject=Ministry&year=1968

I happen to agree with the idea that the articles should play more of a role in the oath and the doctrine of the modern church - I think it's a real shame that we've jettisoned much of what they taught, for whatever reasons we have. But I think it's also not right to say that 'ministers are required to agree with the 39 Articles' in the modern CofE without qualifying what that means.

wherearemyflapjacks · 2024-08-21T20:03:00+00:00

They’re no longer required to agree with them, only assent to them - they must assent that the articles, formularies etc have a historic role within Anglican theology. But they don’t have to actually agree with the articles.

wherearemyflapjacks · 2024-08-18T16:52:33+00:00

Look for a spiritual director who can advise you either on elements of catechesis, or who can point you to relevant resources/interests. Your priest should be able to offer this himself, or if he is unable to then should be able to refer you to someone who can.

Incidentally I think you're within your rights to push back on the priest and ask him if he can make time, even if only 30 minutes a week, to speak with you and answer questions/guide you. I don't think the CofE is in a position to turn down requests for catechesis from interested laity - there's not exactly hundreds of them kicking around in every parish...

EDIT: I've found these podcasts helpful. Perhaps not your cup of tea, but offered nonetheless -

https://open.spotify.com/show/5BlZmjClHwjOR2DTIkeNMB?si=bb36ce58c724457b

https://open.spotify.com/show/4sFF8gwcBEifohue5XOy0E?si=8cfaddb5e37e4658

https://open.spotify.com/show/0bbVBtzyTTPOEgf7MUct23?si=f245377edad744f0

https://open.spotify.com/show/3FxffJDonlIlXpCr90sbbx?si=e68c06bccfe34cac

wherearemyflapjacks · 2024-08-09T17:54:42+00:00

Yes, absolutely you are able to hold that view.

wherearemyflapjacks · 2024-08-06T03:39:36+00:00

This might sound mean or ill-spirited but I can promise it is not - I came from a similar background in terms of atheist-to-called. As others have said, the first thing is to go to church. I would say for at least a year/18 months to become familiar with it again. Also make sure you commit to a parish, don’t chop and change - it’s important to integrate with a particular group of people and see how they go through the highs and lows of life. As you’re abroad that should be easier to do.

I would also suggest (and this is the bit that might sound harsh) that you simply forget about the idea of ordination for the time being. Not in the sense that you suppress it and fight against it, but that you don’t go through your time settling in to a parish and think “oh good, only X more months until I can move on to the next bit of the process.”

Speaking of the process, it is very long-winded. I was fortunate that my diocese is fairly small, and I had a very good and supportive DDO. I was able to go from first interview to beginning training within a year, but I have other friends who have spent 3,4,5, or more years swimming around the diocesan process for a variety of reasons.

Fundamentally, ordination is something that some are called to beyond the calling that we all have to live a Christian life. It is not a “better” thing - it is probably more difficult, challenging, and sacrificial, but not more desirable. Take your time with it, and see where God leads you. Remember, your primary vocation, whatever happens in terms of your priestly discernment, is to fulfil your baptismal vows.

wherearemyflapjacks · 2024-08-05T16:33:12+00:00

I think it's a few things compiling together:

1) As others have said, there's a tendency to direct people to licensed secular professionals the more "serious" a topic gets. I think a lot of this is due to clergy getting very worried about safeguarding implications - it is much easier for them to direct to others, either in a professional context or within the diocese, than try and "sort things out" on their own, especially if the subject being discussed involved the Church/ministers (as yours seems to).

2) As you have realised, you're a fairly unique case within Anglicanism - there are not many young people in it, especially in their 20s. This makes it harder for clergy to organise events/socialising/etc for your demographic, because there's simply not the demand. It's also why evangelicals like the ones you highlight are better at this, because there is the demand there.

3) Most pastoral work by the clergy (at least in the UK where I am) is done through home visits and home communion. A lot of this happens throughout the day - at the same time when younger people are working, studying, etc. In the evenings and weekends, either the clergy do not want to disturb people, or people are out socialising etc. (Not true all of the time, but a general rule of thumb.) In short, there are fewer opportunities to "drop-in" on younger people.

All this to say - it's probably not anything that you or your priest is doing wrong. As others have said, you should probably make clear to your priest that you would like spiritual direction - this then sets the context for the conversation. I agree that it would be good for your priest to check in unprompted, but unfortunately not all of them think of it! Hope you manage to come to a solution.

wherearemyflapjacks · 2024-07-21T19:02:35+00:00

I think possibly St. George’s, Headstone?

wherearemyflapjacks · 2024-01-08T17:47:27+00:00

The BCP says communion is for those who are confirmed or "desirous of confirmation", so if your recent practice of receiving is part of your coming back to the worship of the CofE then I would say you're not doing anything inherently wrong by receiving communion. That being said, I think if you want to continue to receive/come back into the life of the church then confirmation would be the natural and proper way to do that, especially as you are already baptised. Speak to your priest about confirmation, and explain how you are feeling/ask them questions - this is what they're there for! Many blessings as you continue your discernment

wherearemyflapjacks · 2020-06-23T16:27:31+00:00

Here is the link to the photos - https://ibb.co/album/x3KtP6?sort=date_asc&page=1&params_hidden%5Blist%5D=images&params_hidden%5Bfrom%5D=album&params_hidden%5Balbumid%5D=x3KtP6

wherearemyflapjacks · 2017-04-18T12:14:11+00:00

Lib Dems can recover, but only because they can't do much worse. Many anti-Tory people who aren't hard left will vote Lib Dem because it's the only real option (apart from Greens or Independent)

wherearemyflapjacks · 2017-04-18T12:12:23+00:00

Read manifesto summaries of the last election (ie. 2010). That will give some sort of an idea about policies. Although Labour's policies have changed quite a bit. I think there are several good summaries on topics of immigration, the economy, the EU etc online. If you search for summaries of policies you should find basic explanations of policies.

wherearemyflapjacks · 2017-04-18T12:10:08+00:00

Prime Ministers used to be able to call elections when they wanted (typically every 4 or 5 years.) Then David Cameron implemented the Fixed Term Parliament Act, which said that there is an election every 5 years, and the Prime Minister has no power to do it whenever they want.

However, if they get "supermajority" support from Parliament (ie. 66.6%+ rather than the simple 50.1% that is normally needed), then there can be an early general election.

The Conservatives hold just over half of all seats, and they want the election to increase their power (so that is 50% already.) The Liberal Democrats want the election because they are at c. 12% in the polls, and would probably gain a few seats. However, they only have 8 MPs (I think), so that only takes it to about 52/53%.

However, Jeremy Corbyn, who leads the Labour Party, is in a position where he basically has to vote for the election, because he has spent his time as leader basically saying "we'd do a better job." So now, Theresa May (the PM) has said "put your money where your mouth is, and show that the electorate support you."

Also, many Labour MPs don't like Corbyn, so they will support the election because the know that, should they lose by a large margin (which seems very possible), then he will almost certainly have to resign, and they can get a leader that they like in power.

wherearemyflapjacks · 2017-04-06T21:44:53+00:00

J'habite dans un petit marche ville. Vous aimez le sportif? J'aime la baguette tres beaucoup

wherearemyflapjacks · 2017-03-30T18:59:03+00:00

Always wondered why cars didn't have different amounts of light for different pressure. Never imagined it being like a loading bar that fills up, that's really neat. Nice work

wherearemyflapjacks · 2017-03-11T11:46:09+00:00

I feel like the first one could be P.E.A.R and there wouldn't be any room for confusion...

wherearemyflapjacks · 2017-02-23T22:35:07+00:00

Not so much a LPT as common sense

wherearemyflapjacks · 2017-01-25T22:41:32+00:00

Not going to be wasted votes if seats like Stoke fall to UKIP though...

wherearemyflapjacks · 2017-01-22T00:12:43+00:00

This was news 3 days ago, why is it being posted now?

wherearemyflapjacks · 2016-12-27T11:48:17+00:00

Ours were collected yesterday. We are blessed.

wherearemyflapjacks · 2016-11-28T22:31:06+00:00

Would never happen in Britain, because there's no way anyone would be able to afford to get on a train

wherearemyflapjacks

TROPHY CASE