A new Archbishop of Canterbury.

  After a  prolonged consideration the leaders by the Church of England,  they appointed the female Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally to be the new Archbishop of Canterbury.  There will be many people surprised at this happening, those of us who are used to the decisions of the Church, this was expected.

The Roman Catholic Church took two days to elect the new Pope, and did so according to the Scriptures.

The Church of England was founded in 1534, shortly after the Protestant Reformation, and for the intervening period of almost ten thousand years, always appointed male leadership. This is according to The First Letter of Paul to Timothy 3 v9, 1 Corinthians 14 v 34.which state that women should not preach in Church.

The usual challenge to such passages is that it was Paul who stated this so does not apply, but God included all of his thirteen Letters in the Bible, and is a major part of the Word of God.  If God has authorized the words, there are no ifs and buts, we just accept.

Jesus appointed twelve men as Apostles, when He could have called on capableWomen; some even followed Him on His Missions, offering financial help, but despite having all authority in heaven and earth did not do so.

This in no way minimizes the place or equality of women, each sex has its own Gifts and abilities which God gives.

The Church of England has already a liberal religion, what is desperately needs is an Evangelical Bible based leader, not a progressive one.

The present day Church does not seem to acknowledge the supremacy of the Bible. Whilst all clergy solemnly vow at their ordination to keep to the Scriptures, and banish all false doctrine, it was readily agreed to  adopt false doctrine by agreeing to give blessings to same sex partnerships.  This action has caused the worldwide Anglican Communion, to break fellowship with the Church of England, for breaking he Word of  God.

What individual people choose to do with their lives is a personal matter, but

The Church is at fault by adopting anything which contradicts the Bible.

This may upset the equality and diversity lobby, and LGBT organization, but the Church is committed to follow the Word of God, not secular Society.

We even had bishops calling for,-  the Bible teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman should not be followed; Gay Pride marches supported and led.  

 

The Church for many years was an important part of life, especially the Church of England, the established Church of the nation, with sixteen thousand Churches in England, and forty two Cathedrals.  Families had baptisms, marriages and funerals in most communities.  Sunday was Church day throughout the country, and there were good congregations, with Sunday Schools for children. Services had a prescribed liturgy, so that there would be unified prayers and Bible readings in all the Churches doing so together, with sermons to teach members the Scriptures.

In recent years, there appears to be less commitment on both lay and clergy toRegular Sunday worship, and the Bible has lost its place at the heart of services.

 It is quite common to find the sermon being about secular activity and trying to please society instead of pleasing God. Attendances are rapidly falling, which is due to services losing the impetus which was once adopted. No longer does the Church have the monopoly of marriages and funerals, which thereby bypasses the presence of God in such dominant parts of our lives.

There were an amazing crowd of people in London yesterday morning, singing hymns. Joining in prayers, listening to a secular preacher speaking on the subject ‘we still have the Bible’.  I like that title, I wish the Church leaders thought the same. I will remember that for the coming weeks. But the essential message those people sent out, was that there are many people still worshiping God and the Lord Jesus Christ, which the Church should seek to fill the empty seats.

We see at Christmas and Easter. Full congregations, which shows there are lots of people hungry to  worship, if they could only be give full attention by tuneful hymns and songs, and hear the Bible for a change.  We re failing sadly, but when God and His Word are ignored to suit personal preferences, there is little hope.  When the words of Jesus are rejected, and parts of Scriptures altered, it is improper, We preach what is written in he Bible or else we leave it alone. No one is allowed to offend God.

These are the last words of the Bible; I warn everyone who hears the words of prophecy of this book; if adds to them, God will add to him the plagues of this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of this book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

I have been attending the Church of England from the early age of childhood, and was able to share in services beyond the United Kingdom, which are the same form

.  There is such a much different Church now, so much so it seems not like a reverent place of worship. A distinguished Church commentator wrote this week, that he felt he could no longer refer to it as a ‘church’ just an organization.

We  have division in the Church at present, with there being two views about the blessing of same sex unions, leaving Ministers the unpleasant decision of upsetting part of his congregations.  Now there is the additional  opinions of a female Archbishop.

The Church has a passion for what is called safeguarding,  Each person holding any kind of Office in the Church is expected to attend at least three lessons in their own

time, to hear readings from a manual,  and discuss what action should be taken in the case of  two ridiculous supposed acts.

A talented Ordained Minister of the Church of England, has been suspended

by his bishop for five years, she states he is a safeguarding offender because he believes marriage is only between a man and a woman, which is the official definition of the Church of England, which she describes is a risk to children, This despite a Judge declaring she was  in the wrong. 

 I have not been able to understand why these courses are really necessary.If any clergy male or female,  is unable to know how to responsibly act, the next

Question is why have they been ordained?  Our whole purpose is to be able to deal with the problems of people, and if we feel unqualified there is only one answer.

Each year, the Archbishop holds a gathering of the Anglican bishops from across the world.  I cannot imagine the bishops from Asia, Africa and the Southern Hemisphere, accepting a woman Archbishop, and it was cruel to expect her to face such a situation.

Let us all pray for the Church of England;  pray that it will once again become the nations’ Church;  that it will take back the duties of marriage and funerals; that clergy will  preach only from the Bible; will devote less time at unnecessary meetings so as to prepare meaningful services.  To pray for God to bless our  

Services and lead to a revival of true worship.

 We praise God for His Holy Gospel.  May He be Glorified.