tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031852996869768738.post3102629749380886550..comments2024-03-29T08:14:29.603+01:00Comments on The Ugley Vicar: Time to End the Nanny Church?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590979027426082714noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031852996869768738.post-72867748106963142812011-02-15T04:25:37.588+01:002011-02-15T04:25:37.588+01:00In the passed several years, omega watches abundan...In the passed several years, <a href="http://www.watchtang.com" title="omega watches" rel="nofollow">omega watches</a> abundantly surged into the market, making us difficult to choose an original watch. To avoid getting cheated by the scammed watch manufacturer, learning how to distinguish <a href="http://www.watchtang.com" title="omega replica watches" rel="nofollow">omega replica watches</a> becomes a must in modern society. Hope below points can help you in the process of watch purchasing.maherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03794536050834727227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031852996869768738.post-10484555978726568082011-02-15T04:25:08.248+01:002011-02-15T04:25:08.248+01:00According to individual experience, men are keen t...According to individual experience, men are keen to classic and sophisticated mechanical <a href="http://www.showmywatch.com" title="replica watches swiss" rel="nofollow">replica watches swiss</a>. Though classic models come with simple design, they are really timeless and prone to match daily wardrobe. Such mechanical timepieces are the must-have collections for businessmen who always have business gathering. As to the sophisticated models of top craftsmanship, they are highly sought after by the watch collectors and connoisseurs for the increasing value. If you also take the current trend into consideration, you will find that the rose gold chronograph is enjoying great popularity. Thus, to judge the fashionable watches for men is an all-around issue. You should consider a lot of factors.maherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03794536050834727227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031852996869768738.post-77852487175367596682010-06-01T17:28:44.911+01:002010-06-01T17:28:44.911+01:00"I can't help but think that many of our ..."I can't help but think that many of our decisions in the last thirty years have brought us on a course in many ways similar to TEC."<br /><br />....if only that were true. Until 1970 the C of E was a bottom up organisation that encompassed a traditional church hierarchy. It is only since the introduction of the diocesan quota in 1970 and the confiscation of PCC land and property into the central pot that things have started to go really badly wrong for the Church of England. In 1970 the assets of the C of E were so huge that it could not only afford all the pensions for all of their clergy, but they could afford to pay the entire existing clergy out of interest from its assets. <br /><br />However, since 1970 The number of Bishops and diocesan staff has continued to grow rapidly whilst the number of clergy 'on the ground' in parishes, along with the congregational numbers has continued to fall significantly. The massive financial mismanagement of the clergy acting as financial experts known as the church commissioners has wiped out any financial security the C of E once possessed. Currently the C of E cannot afford to pay its current retired clergy pensions, let alone any clergy who hope to retire in the future.<br /><br />TEC retains the organisational model of congregations funding their priests and organising their own finances. Despite what other's imply about TEC's theological direction they continue to enjoy much larger weekly attendances (which in many places are growing) and massively higher annual giving than the C of E. Perhaps TEC theological direction is a true reflection of the Christianity practised by millions of ordinary Americans and outlined by their bishops, as opposed to the fudge created and endured by the C of E bishops.<br /><br />I can't help but think that the many of the decisions in the last thirty years have brought us on a course in most ways significantly different from the remainder of the Anglican communion, particularly our thriving and successful partners in TEC.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031852996869768738.post-79398423994259205342010-05-21T12:24:51.661+01:002010-05-21T12:24:51.661+01:00In order for me to be recognized in lay ministry b...In order for me to be recognized in lay ministry beyond what I already do, I would have to take a diocesan course as a "Reader." I have been told (by an ordained friend) that, given my current knowledge of scripture and theology, this course would drive me to tears.<br /><br />I have also known priests whose level of biblical and theological education is bafflingly and embarassingly low, to the point that they not only can not compellingly argue against readings of scripture which respect its authority (when this seems to be their intent), but are futhermore unaware of the most convincing tactics for undermining its authority - or the rich tradition within the church of undermining scriptural authority. I.e., they don't know enough of that which they espouse to critique to offer a reasonably compelling critique, and they aren't even aware of those means which seem to have a track record of convincing people - they resort to emotional expressions and subtle ways of sidelining persons who are capable of helping them learn more about the core issues of faith, or even help them sharpen their minds in attempting to revise the core issues of faith into something more personally acceptable to them.<br /><br />This is not to say that such priests are not nice people and very helpful and friendly, and quite capable of offering moral support much like counselling.<br /><br />I can't help but think that many of our decisions in the last thirty years have brought us on a course in many ways similar to TEC.J. Coder, Belgiumnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031852996869768738.post-33227720165805830252010-05-20T21:23:58.204+01:002010-05-20T21:23:58.204+01:00@Paul-What a staggering comment from your Archdeac...@Paul-What a staggering comment from your Archdeacon!!!<br /><br />@David-I take most of your point but I think you're a bit too negative. In terms of diocesan bishops, do at least have a look at newly-consecrated Donald Allister at Peterborough, who has been excellent as a biblical and godly Archdeacon in Chester. <br /><br />And in terms of episcopal vs. protestant dichotomy... well that's an essay question really! Your argument that salvation is between man & God doesn't negate Bishops any more than it precludes ordination of deacons and presbyters. I believe there is a way of having accountable Bishops without reverting to congregationalism. The present CofE problem is unfaithfulness to scripture, not the episcopal principle itself.<br /><br />My own comment on John's piece is that I believe we (in CofE) need a revolution in every-member ministry within our churches. There is too much focus on official positions, and we chronically undervalue the "work of ministry" as in Ephesians 4v12.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031852996869768738.post-19899698979705769692010-05-19T12:20:16.888+01:002010-05-19T12:20:16.888+01:00John
The problem is that Protestantism, particula...John<br /><br />The problem is that Protestantism, particularly evangelical Protestantism, cannot work within an episcopal framework. <br /><br />The Catholic church says, as I understand it, that it is the true church and all others are severely flawed or should not be considered to be Christian at all. Membership of this institution is, they say, desirable or possibly essential for salvation. So the idea of a top down episcopalian hierarchy can work - in simple terms, if you do not comply with the church, you are not saved.<br /><br />However, Evangelical Protestants, including Evangelical Anglicans, say that salvation is a matter between man and God with no priestly intermediary. So disobeying the church does not carry with it the same risks. Thus you can (rightly) object to this pettifogging nonsense about handing out communion. <br /><br />If you support episcopalianism until it does something you don't like, aren't you heading for congregationalism? In my view, there is no other future for the CofE. It is an organistion held together not by common beliefs, but common ownership of assets - and a desire by the directors to keep their jobs.<br /><br />Here is one Anglican who has no faith in ANY of the 44 incompetents running the business.<br /><br />Time for the people to rise up - and put their wallets back in their pockets<br /><br />DavidAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031852996869768738.post-28868944786866693252010-05-19T10:58:14.795+01:002010-05-19T10:58:14.795+01:00my favourite comment was our Archdeacon, who when ...my favourite comment was our Archdeacon, who when asked could a lay person preach a sermon with suitable oversight from the clergy,<br />'no because diocesan training means no heresy will be spoken from the pulpit' I simply asked him whether he had actually been in any churches in our diocese or indeed this country, where diocesan training almost guarantees dubious theology!!<br /><br />Paul PlymouthAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031852996869768738.post-26322045037868558732010-05-19T10:49:51.885+01:002010-05-19T10:49:51.885+01:00kejekejeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com