The second day of retreat began with Bible Study, John 1: 9 – 34: "He confessed...'I am not the Messiah.'"
Everyone I have spoken with indicates that the Bible studies are going well, with the right blending of study, prayer and fellowship. In my own Bible study, I heard stories of bishops from Australia, South Africa, Canada, and Tanzania, each telling of a different context for the challenge of mission and ministry.
We walked down to Canterbury Cathedral from the University of Kent (it's a great walk). You feel like a pilgrim walking along in different configurations with different bishops from all over the world.
There is something awesome about being in that cathedral space with 650 bishops, with the Archbishop of Canterbury teaching us, directing us through his meditation. They were wonderfully insightful, spiritually very deep and profound. He began his third address on the role of the bishop as both friend and stranger. A bishop is at home among the people and yet stands apart. A bishop speaks the language of the people, but speaks the word of God.
After each of his meditations there was time to visit the various chapels of the cathedral, or to walk around the precincts. It was an immense privilege to have that space for the benefit of the bishops alone for these two days.
The fourth address began by quoting an early Christian theologian who said, a single Christian is no Christian. Our need as bishops is to be in council with other bishops. We're called to live in community and to live in communion.
The very challenging suggestion the archbishop made was to identify one other bishop about whom one feels nervous, and ask that person to pray with you. It was a very powerful challenge to us to work to restore wounded communion.
He also said the Gospel is only truthfully spread by those who are in communion.
This has been a spiritual feast and I think the right and proper grounding for the weeks ahead.
Everyone I have spoken with indicates that the Bible studies are going well, with the right blending of study, prayer and fellowship. In my own Bible study, I heard stories of bishops from Australia, South Africa, Canada, and Tanzania, each telling of a different context for the challenge of mission and ministry.
We walked down to Canterbury Cathedral from the University of Kent (it's a great walk). You feel like a pilgrim walking along in different configurations with different bishops from all over the world.
There is something awesome about being in that cathedral space with 650 bishops, with the Archbishop of Canterbury teaching us, directing us through his meditation. They were wonderfully insightful, spiritually very deep and profound. He began his third address on the role of the bishop as both friend and stranger. A bishop is at home among the people and yet stands apart. A bishop speaks the language of the people, but speaks the word of God.
After each of his meditations there was time to visit the various chapels of the cathedral, or to walk around the precincts. It was an immense privilege to have that space for the benefit of the bishops alone for these two days.
The fourth address began by quoting an early Christian theologian who said, a single Christian is no Christian. Our need as bishops is to be in council with other bishops. We're called to live in community and to live in communion.
The very challenging suggestion the archbishop made was to identify one other bishop about whom one feels nervous, and ask that person to pray with you. It was a very powerful challenge to us to work to restore wounded communion.
He also said the Gospel is only truthfully spread by those who are in communion.
This has been a spiritual feast and I think the right and proper grounding for the weeks ahead.
