Letters to the editor February 2008

AMS Staff | 27 January 2008

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Given the Connect 09 initiative (SC, Dec), I have come to the conviction that there is a missing ingredient in the diocesan Mission: a group of committed lay-persons willing to commit to be ‘missionaries’ in Sydney.

The need for missionaries within Sydney is obvious to anyone who has observed the struggles of churches in south-west Sydney. Sometimes these churches have missed the boat in reaching new people as the community has changed around them. Others have suffered ministry breakdowns or disasters. Or the ‘ministry-minded’ lay people have just moved away.

These churches are trying to rebuild, but face a long hard struggle.Unfortunately in too many places there is no-one to share the ministry workload with the ordained ministers.

What better way to work in partnership in our local mission than to encourage some of our best lay people to become such ‘missionaries’?

The Rev Richard Blight
Padstow, NSW

I cannot agree with Jeremy Halcrow’s analysis (SC, Dec). The reality is that commercial news organisations are bound to put forward items that raise hackles in order to sell copies. At times, this will reinforce prejudices. There is no point in being overly defensive about their portrayal of the Diocese. This does not commend the gospel.

Philip Pogson
Putney, NSW

Australia responds on women bishops

Why the headline and photo ‘Change by judicial sleight of hand’, (SC, Dec)?

To differ with the majority view (as I did) and to write about it with concern is perfectly legitimate, but to impute deception is altogether unworthy of Christians.
In the interests of the Lord we endeavour to serve and the Christian fellowship we are duty-bound to maintain, an apology would surely be in order.

Bishop Peter Brain
Armidale, NSW

I fully endorse the contours of Neil Cameron’s article in last month’s issue of Southern Cross.

First, the pronouncement is an advisory opinion given under a constitutional provision where questions concerning the constitution (the 1961 constitution of the Anglican Church of Australia) can be posed to the Appellate Tribunal for an answer. The opinion is neither binding or final, such is the nature of advisory opinions. Only a civil court can make final decisions.

Secondly, the advisory opinion had the support of only four of its seven members. The four members in the majority are all known public supporters of female ordination.

Thirdly, the result swung on whether a change to a constitutional definition of ‘canonical fitness’ affected a change in the substantive law. Up to now the General Synod and the Australian Anglican Church at large, took the view that a General Synod canon was necessary to change the law concerning female ordination. The Canon Law Commission supported this view.

According to the tribunal a canon is not necessary. But this raises a fundamental issue. Who should initiate such a change to episcopal ministry in the Australian church: the General Synod or the Appellate Tribunal? Surely foundational policy questions which go to the heart of one of the orders of ministry must be decided in the representative legislative forum of the General Synod.

Robert Tong
Sydney, NSW

I believe we must be at peace with each other within the church to fulfil the challenge of extending Jesus Christ’s kingdom (‘Archbishop Writes’, Dec).
I was born and bred in the Sydney Diocese and I count dear to me the fact that this led me to love and commit myself to Christ.

Due to my employment, I have moved around Australia and had dealings with most dioceses. Despite the differences in churchmanship, I have also found that the fellowship with the local congregation is always the same.

In retirement I have ended up in the Diocese of Newcastle.

Twelve months ago we had a change of rector and to my horror at the time, the bishop appointed a female to take the former male rector’s place. Based on my previous experience, I decided to stay with the parish and not change to an evangelical church plant.

I made an appointment to see the new rector and found myself with a challenge of starting a men’s group for the parish.

With the new female rector providing the cooking facility, our men’s breakfast now has a regular monthly attendance of up to 20. We have been able to attract men who have little knowledge of the message of the Bible.

Neil McMullen
Toukley, NSW

Pewsitters’ prosperity mind-set strikes chord

Thanks, John for your article ‘Our secret heresy’ (‘View from the Pews’, Dec).

I have long thought Western Christians (not just Anglicans) assume that one ought to have a certain level of material wellbeing. Along with this comes a subtle judgement (not intentional, I’m sure) that those who don’t have this level are ‘failures’ as Christians.

Is it a leftover from the days when the wealthy and educated were given positions of authority in a church? This mirrored the class system of the time. Does it still reflect the political conservatism of most Christians today who vote on economic management rather than issues of justice and equity? Has the status of once being considered the official church created compromises for Anglicans? Have we yet to shake off the assumptions of the past?

David Ashton
Orange, NSW

Does a ‘sort of’ prosperity mind-set prosper among pewsitters in “the leafier suburbs of Christianity”? An easy one for John Sandeman to answer, though he might have to disengage from his pew! Just value the cars in the church car park, then compare with the population. My guess: between indistinguishable from the world and 20 per cent higher.

Doug Buckley
Castle Hill, NSW

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