13.3.10

oh dear, oh dear, oh dear...

CEN FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010 No: 6014 www.churchnewspaper.com

Oh dear, primarily the author of this letter builds his case on a study that is over a century old and goes on to make some absurd claims about the genders. 
 
I applaud Alpha against this backdrop. It has come to my attention recently, from being in conversation with people sharing their testimonies, that Alpha's introduction to Christianity has often been a place of life-changing encounter. It presents credible Christianity, it appeals to the rationale mind. It presents a case. It also explores biblical phenomena which triumph the Reason of an enlightenment rationale. 
 
I just do not think that the author of this letter has any real evidence to suggest that a rise in women priests and bishops will result in an approach which is governed by feeling over reason. Why must feeling and reason be separated? God ministers to us 'whole'istically. The gospel is the most beautiful, truthful foolishness there ever was. Is the author of this letter not more lamenting the stubborn will of humanity? By arguing that it is men who need argumentation and women only an appeal to the emotions, he is limiting the capacities of both the genders. Are we not surely more complex as individuals than his neat gender separations imply?

"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."(1 Peter 3:15)

10 comments:

Gill Stanning said...

I have replied to the above letter. Whether they publish my effort is another matter. The writers ridiculous views on women and their perceived shortcomings are truly archaic...I have posted the letter I emailed to the C oc E newspaper on my blog: www.crunch-chipping.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Rachel,
We use this material in our Alpha courses..

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjxY9rZwNGU

Iconoclast

A. Amos Love said...

Hi Rachel

Seems you’re still concerned about women“Leaders” “Priests,” and “Bishops.”

Hmmm? Are you C o E women secret misogynists? ;-)

Why should women suffer the same embarrassing, abusive, delusional,
futile, feelings of failure, fate as men “Pastor/Leaders?

This is info from websites helping burned out “Pastor/Leaders.” :-(

http://www.pastorcare.org/PastorCare/Healing___Health.html

According to the Francis A. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership (2007)
• 77% say they do “NOT” have a good marriage.
• 71% have felt burned out or depressed.
• 70% do not have someone they consider a close friend.
• 40% report a serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month.
• 38% are divorced or seriously considering divorce.

According to the Ministering to Ministers Foundation...
• Over 1600 pastors in the U.S. are forced out of their positions each month.
• Nearly 1 in 4 pastors experience a forced termination at least once during their ministry.
•Only 54% of pastors go back into full-time church related positions.

Think we might have a problem here?
70% of pastors are depressed or burnt out.
70% Don't have a close friend. Hmmm?

That's who is running the show, “Pastors/Leaders.”
77% who say they don’t have a good marriage. Hmmm?
That's who is "abusing" God's sheep.

Think there might be a problem with “Pastor/Leaders?”

Some more statistics. This is serious business. Yes? :-(

http://pastoralcareinc.com/WhyPastoralCare/Statistics.php

# 95% of pastors do not regularly pray with their spouses.
# 90% feel they are inadequately trained to cope with the ministry demands.
# 80% of pastors feel unqualified and discouraged as pastors.
# 80% believe pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families.
..............Many pastor's children do not attend church now
...............because of what the church has done to their parents.
# 70% of pastors constantly fight depression.
# 50% feel unable to meet the demands of the job.
# 50% of the ministers starting out will not last 5 years.
# 33% state that being in the ministry is an outright hazard to their family.

Video interview about the book “Leaders Who Last.”
The author says “Only 30% of Leaders Last.” That’s 70% FAIL. Oy Vey! :-(

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/02/28/leaders-who-last/

This aint lookin to gud 4 "Pastor/leaders. Sounds like a very dangerous "Title." :-(

“Servants of Christ” anyone? ;-)

Well done thou good and faithful “Servant.” ;-)

Anonymous said...

Since man is "head" of the woman it is good that females are even allowed to worship in the absence of their non-Church-going husbands.

Rev R Marszalek said...

Fr Hugh
Explain please.

Suem said...

Oh dear! Why do some people(a lot of them men - sorry to be sexist) write such a load of rubbish (article and comment above.)

By the way, I worship in the absence of my mainly non church going husband. As a Christian, what else would I do?

Unknown said...

Fr Huge Ass ("Laugh? I nearly did!"), seems to get around a lot, but, like the House of Commons in Oscar Wilde's satire, has nothing to say and says it.

Joan of Quark said...

I am wondering whether Fr Hugh is from the Armitage branch of the Jass family, or the Shanks cousins. Of course, their surname was originally spelled J'Ass.
I was already rolling around laughing at the idea of a church NEWSpaper citing a century-old study. Methinks original author would have done better researching possible markups on bland coffee.

Gill Stanning said...

They published my response!! :D :D :D

Rev R Marszalek said...

Fab Gill, really chuffed! X

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