Keep Thinking

In Canterbury this week (21st July 08) Anglican bishops from around

 the world are meeting to consider a vitally important subject - and not just for

the Anglican Church. The questions is

 "How big is the Church?" 

Important as it is, it is not a new question. In a slightly different form

 it has been asked again and again since humankind first became aware of

 this shadowy figure we call God.

In the beginning, the Israelite nation believed that God was their God

 as they believed that theirs was the land of promise.

Through their experience of conquest and captivity they came to

 understand that God was bothered not just for them but also their slaves. 

God was the God of all the world. 

Not just the land of Canaan - though it took their own exile and

 enslavement to teach them.

Jesus adds nothing new to the answer

but simply reiterates the openhearted love and open-handed generosity of

 God for everyone in all the world.

Demonstrating that love so clearly in His death.

In declaring that women and gay men have no part in the oversight of the Church,

some bishops would have us believe that such have no valued place in the heart of God.

The size of the Church relates in the final analysis to the 'size' of the love of God.

My heart tells me that everyone is welcome here.

I pray fairly regularly that my understanding will eventually come to the same place.

God is a hospitable God.

The Church is the people of God as she practices that hospitality amongst herself and in relationship with those around her.

Rev. Bob Thomas - Minister

Philip Begley: philip@caerphillymethodistchurch.org

Samuel Anstee: samuel@caerphillymethodistchurch.org