Sunday, September 16, 2012

Ages since

Ages since I have posted here. Partly busyness, partly being frequently in the parish of which I am the Priest in Charge. Bit hard to post on Sunday by Sunday things without people thinking a finger is being pointed at them!

So, in general terms, noting that I do get to a few other services, what am I observing?

(1) Review and revise. Much of what we do has a background. We were right to begin doing certain things in a certain way at a certain time. But months, or even years later, should we keep doing it that way? Review might confirm the way things are going as being the right way to keep going. But it might open the question of revision. Change!

(2) Minimal is good. Always good, in any of the different types of services I am involved in, to flow with minimal leadership. Because people know what to do and when to do it, without being invited or directed to do so.

(3) Inclusive language watch.  I have been noticing lately that some versions of the Bible (even though approved for use in our church) are very exclusive in their language. In short: too much 'men', 'man', 'he', 'him' when the context is God addressing all of us, women and men. Could we try harder to use (say) the NRSV?