Do we still care about world mission?

Over the past two years, most of us have understandably been rather distracted by the Covid pandemic and all the disruption this has brought.

At the same time, however, this has not stopped all sorts of issues coming to the fore – and (rightly) being discussed with passion among conservative evangelicals.

It seems, however, that world mission has taken a comparative back seat. It is noticeable, for example, as an aside, that when en publishes items related to this issue (such as, among others, the eyewitness report and exclusive photographs of the situation in Tibet in December), we attract little or no feedback – positive or otherwise.

Is this because we all agree that world mission is important? Or is it that the pandemic has distracted us? Or have we as a constituency let it slip off the agenda? Have we even become de facto universalists – even if not theologically – without thinking about it? What do you think?

Worthless promises

The retirement of Bishop Rod Thomas comes at a crucial time (see news item).

With the exception of Bishop Rod’s appointment, promises of ‘mutual flourishing’ for those upholding the theology of male headship, made by officialdom at the time women bishops were first consecrated, have proved almost worthless. If Living in Love and Faith results in changes on the doctrine of sexuality, any similar pledges should be viewed with extreme scepticism.

The news that a man who is in a gay marriage has been put in charge of the process for appointing future CofE bishops beggars belief, and does not augur well on that front. Confident leadership from Maidstone’s next bishop, as well as other evangelical leaders, will be needed.