Who knew that my original post on ordination would generate such discussion.
Through reading the discussion on the MASG site, I decided I was overly critical and said some foolish things so I've changed my post to reflect this.
I've also commented on the MASG forum. With the following post:
"Ok, so I thought I should come on here and attempt to defend myself, and also thank you for dialogging with my thoughts! Sorry I haven't come on here earlier, but today is the first day I've had a chance to.
Firstly, these were my random off the top of my head thoughts, which I put out there in the hope of generating discussion in order to refine my views, get corrected, get beaten round the head a bit, and affirm some of my thinking. That's the beauty of this site I guess, in that it allows people to talk and discuss ideas and to think them through.
In all that has been said I can see that the statement about 'worshiping the devil', whilst designed to be deliberately provocative went a little bit too far. I have a habbit of making statements like this to get discussion going... I like to work through my thoughts that way. I'm sorry if I offended anyone, that was never my intention nor my inclination!
Those of you who know me might know that I've spent my entire life in the Anglican Church (my dad is ordained) and know that the statement was meant to be hyperbole, rather than a direct statement of my beliefs. Despite my many frustrations with some things in the Anglican Church, it has given a lot to me and being an important part of my coming to faith and upbringing. I believe God uses the Anglican church for good things!
I can also see that for some people wearing robes is important. It isn't for me and i still maintain hesitations about them, but if that were the only way to reach a group of people God had called me to, I guess I'd swallow my pride and don the lovely robes.
I've thought about it, prayed about it and decided it would be better to change the ending to my original blog post. So you can check it out here
At the end of the day I want to see more people come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. I get easily frustrated, and that can sometimes manifest itself in overly critical or harsh statements, that when pushed I would retract immediately what I've just said. If you've had a conversation with me at Ridley you quite possibly have heard that happen.
Praise God because he is refining this terrible sinner! And thanks to those of you who pointed out that what I had said was childish and silly!
God bless!"
Hey Chris. I appreciated reading your thoughts on ordination (and the follow-up of others). In my opinion, you are asking all the right questions, particularly for someone who is even considering the possibility of being ordained some day. I am an ordained pastor and I took plenty of time years ago to come to a clear understanding for myself what this all means, including should I or shouldn't I wear a robe, what makes me the same or different from others in the church as an ordained person, etc. Thanks for being honest and sharing your honest criticism of traditions of the church.
Peace, Brian
Good response, Chris. I always appreciate your willingness to challenge people and your humble engagement thereafter. About ordination, sometimes the best way to change something you are frustrated with is to jump in head first. Ha, you're in youth ministry! You were the kid who always complained about youth group! I'm preaching to the choir. Good on ya for your passion, mate.
Way to go with the public confession - nowhere to go but up if you bring yourself low.
Thanks for your honesty and thoughts on this Chris :)
Hi,
There's an article in the most recent edition of Sojourners on the online segregation of Christians. The author basically calls it the online equivalent of Dr. King's quote, "the most segregated hour of Christian America is eleven o'clock on Sunday morning". I thought you might want add your thoughts by blogging on this issue.
http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&article_mode=edit&issue=soj0901&article=the-new-digital-divide
Rakiesha Chase
Hi Chris
I sympathise with your views on robes. I like them on formal occasions like wearing a dinner suit sometimes. Putting on a gown and hood in the cathedral according to canon law signifies university education. So for me those robes mean I am thankful for having received the privilege of such education and am willing to share what I know. So they do have theological significance after all.
Once robes got formalised (who knows when)the big trouble started in 1551. John Hooper was named to be bishop of Gloucester, but when he discovered he would have to wear a bishop's rochet (that's white one with the ruffy gathered sleeves) he declined, so Tom Cranmer threw him into the Fleet St prison to meditate. After a month he decided wearing a rochet was less uncomfortable than being in prison so he relented and was duly consecrated.
Later he was back in prison again as were Bishops Ridley and Latimer. All were burned. The record says that Ridley wore his full bishops regalia to the stake, but Latimer chose prison garb. I couldn't find what Hooper wore.
Perhaps the moral is that robes depend on the situation.
Cheers
Tony Greenwood