Editorial
HOW is God prompting us to develop the ordained and lay ministry of the Church of Ireland today? What does God want for our future? Could death and resurrection be in the plan somewhere? This was indeed suggested at the Spring 2019 Colloquium that gave rise to the summer issue of SEARCH.
In this issue and the next, we will be exploring the issues further, hoping to encourage new developments and, as Bishop Burrows put it, to see the ‘hatchable eggs’ produce new life. Legal and missional issues are to the fore in the following pages: Barry Forde and Bishop Paul Colton write on the need for changes in the Church’s constitution to foster new ministry initiatives, while Tanya Olhausen explores one markedly effective tool for Christian outreach and encouragement, the increasingly popular Alpha Course. Further examples of new styles of ministry will follow in our Spring 2020 issue.But to answer the question about our future, we need to go deeper than any of the above - into the relationship with God and one another from which all ministry and organisation of ministry must spring. This Robin Stockitt does by urging us to find our deepest identity and authenticity within the embrace of the Triune God, whose indwelling enables us to love and value one another.At this time of political crisis and increasingly clamorous argument two further issues are inescapable: the future relationship between the two jurisdictions and multiple communities in Ireland, and that between people of faith and non-believers. So we invited Dr Johnston McMaster of the Irish School of Ecumenics Reconciliation programme in Belfast to ponder possibilities for harmony in the future of this island, while Peter Admirand, along with US philosopher Andrew Fiala, demonstrates the possibility of respectful ‘believer – nonbeliever’ dialogue.This issue closes with a Liturgica penned by Bridget Nichols and with a varied crop of book reviews. Our thanks to all concerned, and happy reading to all our valued subscribers and their friends!
"One of the fundamental tasks of the Church is to examine and review its structures to see that they continue to remain suitable for mission" THE CHURCH of Ireland Constitution was fundamentally shaped to serve the organisational system that emerged following Disestablishment a hundred and fifty years ago.
I HAVE been asked by SEARCH to respond briefly to Barry Forde’s article ‘Beyond the Parish – affirming new models of ministry in the Church.’ It is splendid to welcome the intervention of new canon lawyers on the Church of Ireland scene. Do I agree with him or do I not? That is the question most readers will want to know. Let me spare you the page-turning. I do agree with him on his main points.
...that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:21. THE RECENT Colloquium, convened by SEARCH journal, addressed the question ‘what is the Spirit saying to the churches?’ The necessity and indeed the urgency of this topic was emphasised by the keynote speaker, David Hewlett, who had observed, from across the water, the seismic changes convulsing Irish society in recent years.
IS THE USE of the Alpha Course a ‘fresh expression’ in Ireland? No, not really! There have been Alpha courses running for at least two decades in churches across Ireland and many people have either run a course or attended one. However, is it widely known that the number of courses running is increasing month-by-month across the whole country? Why is this and what does the use of the Alpha Course look like in 2019 in Ireland?
A theologian of reconciliation looks at some post-Brexit options. MY IMMEDIATE response to the title is that I don’t know. I am not sure I have met anyone who does. The suggested title might presuppose a United Ireland or the reunification of Ireland. The intention behind the title is to be exploratory, to encourage some respectful and honest discourse, to open up conversations.
In response to an invitation from SEARCH to write on atheist-theist dialogue in the Irish context, Peter Admirand suggested he co-write an article with a non-believer. His contribution below is followed by one by Andrew Fiala, an American philosopher from Fresno State University, whom he invited unconditionally to share this space.
THERE is a growing trend in acts of worship for the assembly to be invited to join the president in reciting certain prayers which are by custom and tradition uttered only the worship leader. At the Eucharist, the Collect of the Day is becoming a congregational prayer; at the Daily Offices, congregation members are often invited to join in one or more of the concluding fixed collects.
