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Quotes of the week

17 September 2021

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There is no ‘threat’ to the parish. . . People will use phrases and words clumsily at a conference. It happens. There is no conspiracy to abolish the parish

Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, Church Times interview, conducted 10 September


The toughest job I‘ve ever done . . . far more stressful than what I do now

Ibid. on being a parish priest


We are not a poor Church, as you know. We’ve got a lot of money. It’s not always in the right place. . . In fact, it’s usually not in the right place, actually

Ibid.

 
This widely dispersed authority creates the perfect conditions for duplication, overlaps, underlaps and abdication. It is too easy for discussion to circulate without coming to a decision, or to make decisions that are not implemented, or, given the absence of adequate conflict resolution mechanisms, to reach disagreements which turn to criticism and blame

C of E Governance Review Group final report, 13 September

 
We do agree that a) the Synod’s culture can be impacted by some elements of factionalism, and b) that Synod’s lack of diversity impacts its ability to perform its own function as a legislative body in the ecosystem of the governance of the Church

Ibid.


As much as possible, sound as if you are a practising member of the Church of England, that you are an Anglican!

Church of England Evangelical Council, confidential briefing to members planning to stand for the General Synod, July/September 2021


Explain why you feel called to serve on General Synod, eg: you want to help build unity and consensus where possible

Ibid.


Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, said Jesus. Which was an enthusiastic attitude, but not a very English one. The Church of England has therefore tended to take a more muted approach to evangelism, winning converts less through bashing Bibles than through offering weddings, funerals, tea and biscuits in the church hall — and a reassuring sense that no one is going to do anything so American as talk too much about God

The Economist on the Vision and Strategy initiative, 11 September


We are a Diocese with a vision to “gather, grow and go”, following the Great Commission of Christ to go and make disciples, and we take pride in this vision

Swansea & Brecon diocesan profile, in its hunt for a new bishop


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