I think I have read one too many newspaper articles about the front-runners in the Canterbury Steeplechase. My conclusion? The journos don’t quite get it. So it’s blogger’s turn – and here goes. Not an analysis of the horses and riders, nor a comment on any archbishop living or departed, but another angle on what’s needed now.
In addition to being a faithful Christian, an experienced minister and a good bishop, we need someone who…
- has a huge capacity for empathy.
- can talk simple and can talk deep – and can occasionally do both at the same time.
- learns from the poor and is determined that power should be used justly.
- can make people laugh and smile without demeaning anyone.
- loves it that human beings are so diverse and different.
- can absorb and transform the hatred that others will throw at him just because he is there.
- took the ‘making Synod effective’ module when he did his MBA. (Only joking on that one. Sorry!)
- has the energy and courage to step into the fray when conflicts turn nasty.
- has long since got over himself – has the quality of humility.
- has made a few mistakes in his time, has worked to repair any damage he has done in the past.
- is great at taking advice and letting others shine.
- can speak into tragedy with the compassion that sows seeds of healing.
These are the qualities the Church needs to project into the world, through the person of the Archbishop.
Well, that’s my dream. What’s yours?
my dream would be that the person would possess all the qualities on the list above, but that they wouldn’t have to be pre-fixed with “he”. It would be amazing to be able to choose the right person for the job and not just the best man.
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…..nice work on this blogpost Stephen, the ABC role requires so much….bordering on omni-competance meets omni-acceptability!
Great to make the real life connection with your book which I read and reviewed a while ago….great stuff…. I trust you are encouraged, brotherly love Johny
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id settle for someone who isnt outspokenly homophobic, isnt a sexist prat, has some vague idea of social justice & wont bully people he disagrees with (that sadly rules out most of the candidates)
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That is indeed the dream we share: shall we find such a man on this earth? How utterly transforming this would be, to the jaded, the cynical, and to the entire discussion with atheists.
We have been given a chance to become real again in an opaque world; transforming all the recent agonies into something life-giving.
I hope we can lighten the burden – not only of expectations – by drawing on the experience of others (however described, a Council) to ameliorate Communion with worldwide Anglicans.
A dream too far…?
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Thank you. I don’t think you can dream too far, as long as you remember that you are dreaming. I hope that the aspirations I have shared look like a very human human being.
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Very human! that is the person we shall pray for… and with.
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