High church and the articles

...a reflection because I have been thinking about the 39 articles of late. Recently I was in conversation with someone about that most marvellous of articles - 26


Article 26: 26. Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinders not the effect of the Sacraments. Although in the visible Church the evil be ever mingled with the good, and sometimes the evil have chief authority in the Ministration of the Word and Sacraments, yet forasmuch as they do not the same in their own name, but in Christ's, and do minister by his commission and authority, we may use their Ministry, both in hearing the Word of God, and in receiving the Sacraments. Neither is the effect of Christ's ordinance taken away by their wickedness, nor the grace of God's gifts diminished from such as by faith, and rightly, do receive the Sacraments ministered unto them; which be effectual, because of Christ's institution and promise, although they be ministered by evil men. Nevertheless, it appertaineth to the discipline of the Church, that inquiry be made of evil Ministers, and that they be accused by those that have knowledge of their offences; and finally, being found guilty, by just judgment be
deposed.

I have a friend who will visit father somebody or other of an Anglo-Catholic Church for some experience of clerical and congregational life there. I have been thinking about how if, and perhaps when, I have to do the same, I will probably be okay with that. This is an indication, I think, of just how far I have come and how much I have mellowed. I still pay more attention, instinctively, when article 26 is discussed and I am reminded of Edward Norman, who said in 1987, in The Times, that 'If unworthiness in men does not, the divine distribution of sexual attributes certainly should not,' in relation to women administering the eucharist.

I still feel a call to women's ministry online and that I should engage with my sisters, in America, in particular, for there seem to be a great number of women there, living within a very stultifying patriarchal rigid expression of discipleship. But face-to-face, I think I am getting better at letting it go now. The other day I asked the organiser of a new mission initiative if there might be an opportunity for me to shadow him and understand what is really happening at the grass roots, where he is being called, but he suggested that it would be appropriate for me to shadow the mums and toddlers group because there are strong gender demarcations. I smiled and accepted what he said and even wondered, for the first time, whether God was perhaps smiling, saying to me, you know, you're going to have to travel into your discomfort zones and this might be one of yours because it's so acute, this gendered experience for you. So I am in a much better place than I was a year ago and I am excited about the future. I am grateful to Bilezikian, NT Wright and Kenneth Baker for educating me through my difficulties but I am far more able now than I ever was to also consider John Piper for an evening read. Who knows, maybe one day, you'll even catch me reading Wayne Grudem... then again...;)....don't hold your breath...