Number 18
The Diocese of Oxford Reporter: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
February 1991
Share your faith! The Bishop of Oxford's message to his clergy and people at the start of the Decade of Evangelism: Greetings in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Epiphany is an appropriate time to launch the Decade of Evangelism, for the story of the three wise men coming form afar symbolises for many the journey to faith. The word evangelism is an exciting one for some people, but others feel threatened by it. So the first thing we have to do is get rid of the false associations of the word. It's not simply about big evangelistic meetings. It's not about forcing people to believe what they're not ready to believe. When I was in my late teens, I was fortunate enough to have as friends people to whom the Christian faith was already the most important thing in their life. When I wanted to know more about the faith, they were able to tell me. When I wanted to go to church, they were there to accompany me. That was evangelism: simply sharing their faith with me. It doesn't need me to tell you how urgent the task of evangelism is today. Moderately regular churchgoers of all denominations in England now amount to only about nine per cent of the population. It doesn't need me, either, to tell you how difficult our task is today. There's no social pressure or practice, so the Church today really has to be something distinctive and profoundly spiritually attractive in order to make any headway. The Gospel has to shine in its own clear light in and through us. The emphasis of the Diocese of Oxford, as elsewhere, is going to be on the local church. It's likely that we will plan some Diocesan and Ecumenical events in 1994 or 1995, but it is above all the local congregation which is the agent of mission. At this point, mission encompasses the whole work of the church, it's sharing in the outreach of God through all that we do, especially works of loving service to others. As God has come amongst us in Christ so we go out to others. Within the mission of the Church, evangelism - sharing the knowledge of the love of God in Christ - has special place. Many churches are fully committed to this task already. Some people are engaged in the task in very down to earth and unspectacular ways. For example, when a grandmother teaches her grandchildren how to pray. Part of the purpose of the Decade is to give us the confidence to do what we're already doing much better, so I very much hope that you will explore how we can do this evangelism better. The Diocese has some resources available to help, not least David Winter who is able to offer advice. There are also Archdeaconry training schemes
Children of hope and light and parish development advisers who are able to lay on courses or workshops in response to your request. I believe that the star which lighted the wise men on their way shines in the hearts of all people, however clouded, at the moment, by error or unbelief. The Holy Spirit stirs in the hearts of all to discern and follow the light, until they kneel at the feet of Christ to acknowledge the sublime, divine humility of the infinite and eternal God who has come amongst us as a vulnerable human being. But nothing will happen without prayer. Not just the routine of words, but a profound sense of the reality of God, A sense of expectancy that his Holy Spirit is at work in all things and our own availability to be led and used by that Spirit in making the faith know to others. May God forgive us our inadequacies and bless us afresh in that great task to which Christ has called us. This is an edited version of the Bishop's recorded message played in churches on January 6.
Children from Prague listen attentively to the choir of Christ Church Cathedral in a Christmas Songs of Praise special from Czechoslovakia. Full picture story on page 4. Photographed from the television by Frank Blackwell.
The Gulf: our response Dear Friends, This war, like all wars, is sad and tragic. But it has been made necessary by Saddam Hussein's brutal annexation of Kuwait and his refusal to comply with the UN resolations. Our thoughts and prayers are first of all with those who are fighting and suffering in the Gulf, and their families. May there be a quick end to hostilities. Hospitals are geared up to receive casualties. I have asked each Rural Dean, or someone appointed by him, to co-ordinate a church response to any need that might become apparent in the locality. There may, for example, be a need for accommodation for families visiting the wounded from Germany or other parts of Britain. Each County has its own emergency planning committee, and it may be that other different kinds of help will be needed as well, for example people with specialist counselling and therapeutic skills. Questions about possible church responses should be directed locally, to the Rural Dean, or to the communication officer at Church House (0865)
244566). One of the ways in which Church people may be able to
contribute is by keeping ties of friendship with the Islamic community strong. Many of the world's Islamic countries are lined up against Saddam Hussein, and the forces of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Syria, Pakistan and Bangladesh are in the front line; but as you know, Saddam Hussein has tried to exploit religious feeling. The sign of hope in this war is the co-operation and resolve of the international community. The hopes of a better world order which were dashed with the League of Nations and which have so often been disappointed by the UN have been renewed. Once the gulf crisis has come to an end we must look for the same co-operation and resolve to solve the other long standing problems in the Middle East. With the war ended the UN
should have an enhanced prestige and authority to bring to bear on this task. Our prayer in this Diocese has been for a just order and lasting peace, first in the Gulf and then in the rest of the Middle East, and that will continue to be our plea to God. May the God of peace be with us all, now and always, especially guiding with his pure and peaceable wisdom those who have awesome political and military decisions to make at this time.
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( The Bishop of Oxford
Inside The DOOR God and John Mortimer A commitment to give: the Diocesan budget Robert Runcie: an appreciation Holy holidays
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