Pastoral Principles for living well together

H E L D T O G E T H E R I N T H E L O V E O F C H R I S T

PASTORAL ADVISORY GROUP

There are 6 cards. Why not use them…

Using the Pastoral Principles in your church• asameansforreflectingonyourchurch’slifetogetheratyourPCCmeetings?

• onaparishweekendoraPCCawayday?

• aspartofatrainingsessionforpeopleinvolvedinpastoralcareinyourchurch?

• asaseriesofsmallgroupstudiesoverseveralweeks?

• asaresourceforteachingandpreaching?

FormoreinformationontheworkoftheChurchofEngland’sPastoralAdvisoryGroup–includingafreedownloadableversionofthesePastoralPrinciplescardsforlocal,non-commercialuse–pleasevisit: www.churchofengland.org/pagPublishedonbehalfofthePastoralAdvisoryGroupbyChurchHousePublishing,ChurchHouse,GreatSmithStreet,LondonSW1P3AZ.www.chpublishing.co.ukISBN9780715111550©TheArchbishops’Council2019.Allrightsreserved.Firstpublished2019Designedbywww.stellaedwards.com.PrintedintheUKbyTheLudoPress

H E L D T O G E T H E R I N T H E L O V E O F C H R I S T :

Pastoral Principles for living well togetherWhy? AscommunitiesofChristiansweareheldtogetherintheloveofChrist.Ourmanydifferencesaregiftsthatcanbuildusupintrustandmutualaffection… ortheycanmartheimageofChristthatwearecalledtoreflectthroughourlifetogether.LGBTI+peopleinourchurcheshavenotalwaysexperiencedthisunconditionalloveofChristandweneedtoadmitandaddressthisreality.

What?ThesePastoralPrinciplesinvitechurchcommunitiestoexamineafreshtheirlife together.ThefocusrelatestoLGBTI+people, buttheyapplytoallsortsofdifferenceanddiversityamongGod’speople.TheyarecommendedbytheHouseofBishopsforthediocesesandparishesoftheChurchofEngland.

How?TheBishops’hopeandprayeristhattheywill beusedbyclergyandlaitywithresponsibility forwelcomeandpastoralcareinthechurchandasaresourcefordiscipleshipandstudygroupsinallchurches.

Payingattentiontothemwillhelpchurchcommunitiestoliveoutthegoodnewsofwelcometoallpeoplewithitsbiblicalunderstandingofnewbirth,thetransformingpoweroftheHolySpirit,thecommoncalltorepentanceandfaith,andournewidentity inChrist.

The Church of EnglandPastoral Advisory Group

January 2019

PASTORAL ADVISORY GROUP

The quality of our relationships is hindered by six pervading evils. You are invited to consider whether these are at work in your church community and how your church might …

Actingontheseevils–whichareapplicabletoallpeople–couldbetransformativeforyourchurchcommunityandforthechurchasawhole.TogetherourchurchcommunitiesarecalledtoLOVE:

ListenattentivelyandopenlyOpenyourheartandmindwithoutjudgmentalismValueeveryone’svulnerabilityandperspectiveExpress concern and empathy.

acknowledge PREJUDICEspeakinto SILENCE address IGNORANCE

cast out FEARadmit HYPOCRISYpayattentionto POWER

BecauseofourunderstandingthatallaremadeintheimageofGod,wewillreceiveourdifferencesasgift,valuingallpeople,andseektoseeChristinallourneighbours.Tohelpusdothiswewillacknowledgeandaddressourprejudices.

Can it be right that any of us fails to explore her or his own prejudices?

Nooneisunconditionedbytheirexperienceoflife,positivelyornegatively.Allofusmustreflectdeeplyonourattitudesandbehaviour.AllarelovedchildrenofGod.ThecrossofChristisforall.Thejourneyfromprejudice to hatred isashortone.

Acknowledge PREJUDICE

P R I N C I P L E 1

Something to ponder Centraltoourfaithisabeliefthateachofusisunique:werejoicethatwearefearfullyandwonderfullymadebyGod.Thereisasenseofaweandmysteryabouteachoneofus–anelementof‘otherness’–thatcannotbereducedtosomethingthatwecanfullygraspwithinourfiniteunderstanding.

Thisprincipleappliestohowallmannerofhumandifferencesareperceivedandrespondedto.AlthoughourfocusinthisdocumentisspecificallyonLGBTI+people,theseprinciplesapplytoallourrelationships.WebelievethatallofusneedtoreflectdeeplyonourattitudesandbehaviourinordertoextendaChrist-likewelcometoLGBTI+peopleinourmidst.

Some questions to explore togetherHowdowe…

• welcomepeopleastheyare,ratherthanofferingawelcomethatisdependentonindividuals’willingnesstoconformtoaway ofthinkingandbeingthatisperceivedas ‘thenorm’:people‘likeus’?

• loveothersunconditionallywithapositiveattitudethatiswithoutjudgementorquestion?

• findouthowthethingswedoandthelanguageweuseaffectLGBTI+peopleinwaysthatareharmfulandwedon’tintend?

Pastoral Principles for living well together PASTORAL ADVISORY GROUP

BecauseofourunderstandingoftheChurchastheBodyofChrist,weseektobeaplaceofwelcome,acceptance,challengeandhospitality.

Can it be right for our church communities to promote a culture of silence – whether consciously or subconsciously – about matters relating to sexuality and gender?

GoodpastoralcareofLGBTI+peoplecanneverhappeninanenvironmentwheretheirpresenceorquestionsareintentionallyignoredbythoseinchurchleadership. Silencecanshelterabusesofpower.Peoplemustbegivenspace,permissionandopportunitiestospeakiftheywantto–sothatthosewhoarevulnerablecanhearandthusnot feel that they are alone. If our church really believesthatitwishestowelcomeeveryone,nomattertheirpersonalcircumstances,thenthiswelcomemustbevoicedinwordsthatcomefrombothheadandheart.

Speakinto SILENCE

P R I N C I P L E 2

Something to ponder CentraltoourunderstandingoftheChristiancommunityistheBodyofChristwhereourwelcomemustbevoicedinwordsthatcomefrombothheadandheartandleadintodeepengagementanddialogueincommunity. Weliveandworktogether,offeringandusingourGod-givengifts,blessings,insightsandexperience.Heremutualrespect,accountabilityandresponsibilityplayoutinthecontextofthehistoryandlivingtraditionofthatcommunity.

Some questions to explore togetherHowcanwe…

• exploretogetherGod’swillforallaspectsof ourlivesasrevealedintheScriptures?

• beattentiveandpresenttotheotherwithout ahiddenagenda?

• haveaqualityanddepthofrelationshipsthatmeansdifferenceisrespectedandallfeel theybelong?

• beopentogrowingtogetherasdisciples ofJesusChristandtolearningtogetherwhat itmeanstogrowinloveandholinessaspart ofthebodyofChrist?

• acknowledgethattheChurchiscomposedofpeoplewhoaredifferentfromeachother,andpeoplewhoembodyparticularkindsofdifferencearemissedwhentheyarenotthere?

Pastoral Principles for living well together PASTORAL ADVISORY GROUP

BecauseofourunderstandingthattheBibleandtheChurchofEngland’sfoundationaldocumentsareourauthority,wewillensurethatourtheologicaldiscussionsareconductedwithrespectforourinheritanceandforeachother.

Can it be right that some with pastoral responsibility in the church are so often ignorant of what it is like to be LGBTI+?

Ignoranceisinevitable,butignoranceabouttheexperiencesandperspectivesofeveryoneinourchurchcommunitiescanandshouldbeaddressedandtakenintoaccountinourteachingandlearningaboutthefoundationsofoursharedChristianfaith.TakingScriptureandourtraditionseriouslyshouldnotnecessitateignoringthesepressingpastoralissues.

Address IGNORANCE

P R I N C I P L E 3

Something to ponder CentraltoourAnglicanidentityisourrecognitionthattheChurchofEnglandisbothcatholicandreformed.WearecalledtoattendfaithfullytobothScriptureandtradition,usingGod’sgiftsofreasonandwisdomshapedbytheSpirit.Whilstthiscangiverisetopotentialtensionsanddifferencesbothwithinandacrossourchurchcommunities,weseethisasasignofstrengthratherthanweaknessinthatitreflectsourunderstandingthatGod’schurchisadiversechurch,welcomingthediversityofthepeopleGodcalls.

Themoresuccessfullywe(bothindividualsandchurches)havebeenabletoembracePrinciples1and2above,thenthebetterplacedwearetorespectandtalkaboutdifferenceaswestudyScriptureandpraytogether.ThiswillenableustoaddressthemorechallengingquestionsofwhatitmeanstobefaithfultoScriptureandhowthelifeofadiscipleofJesusChrististobecharacterised.

Some questions to explore togetherInourpreaching,Biblestudygroups,publicprayerandprayingininformalcontexts,dowe…

• ensuretheyflowfromhavingestablishedauthenticrelationshipsandexerciseddeeplistening?

• avoidprojectingpresuppositionsabout aperson’sneedsorsituation?

• resistcategorisingaperson’sphysicaldifference,identityorsexualorientation inthemselvesasanillness,orasdemonic orassinful?

Pastoral Principles for living well together PASTORAL ADVISORY GROUP

BecauseofourunderstandingthatpastoralpracticeintheChurchofEnglandentailstheChurchbeingthereforall,wewillconsciouslydemonstrateandliveoutwhatitmeansforperfectlovetocastoutallfear.

Can it be right that people live in fear of one another in our churches?

Thereisfearabout‘breakingranks’andspeakingout.Thereisfearthatifone’spersonalcircumstancesareknownthenfriendshipsmaybeaffectedorthevalidityofone’sministrymaybecalledintoquestion.Thereisfearamongtheclergyofhowtheymaybeheldtoaccountastheyattempttocare.Thereisfearthat abishop’sknownviewswillcolourherorhisengagementwiththeirpeople.Thesekindsoffearmustbeaddressedbecauseitcancorruptourlifetogetherandimprisonindividuals.

Castout FEAR

P R I N C I P L E 4

Something to ponder CentraltoourlifeasaChurcharethesacraments.TheseareameansofGod’sgraceinlivinglivesofholinessinobediencetoGod’scall.TheyareGod’sgifts,notours,andwereceivethematChrist’sinvitationandhisalone.Atthesametime,wearemindfulthatweareallsinnersandfallshortofwhatGodasksofuseachandeveryday.Noneofusisworthytocome,exceptthroughthemercyandforgivenessofGod.

TensionsarounddifferenceandbeingfaithfultoScripturecanraisequestionsaboutwhatitmeanstobeinrightrelationshipwithGodbeforereceivingthesesacraments.TheBookofCommonPrayer(BCP),forexample,helpfullyexhortseveryonetoexaminetheir‘worthiness’beforereceivingcommunion.Issuesofself-examinationandconsciencewillalwaysremainbetweenapersonandtheirmaker,whoknowsall the secrets of our hearts.

Some questions to explore togetherHowcanweencourageoneanothertowrestleprayerfullywith…

• thetensionsbetweendiscipleshipas apersonalresponsetoChristthatisshaped byconvictionandconscience,anddiscipleshipasamemberofachurchcommunityseeking toliveinthelightofitshistoricallyreceived andunderstoodtraditions?

• becomingachurchthatexhortsexhortseveryonetoexaminetheir‘worthiness’in ameaningfulandhabitualway?

• avoidingthe‘cheapgrace’thatdeniesthecostlinessofChrist’scalltohisdisciplesto takeuptheircrossandfollowhim?

• discerningwhetheritislegitimatefor Churchleaderstoseektoexcludepeople fromsharinginleadership?

• repudiatingpastoralpracticethatiscoercive orabusive?

Pastoral Principles for living well together PASTORAL ADVISORY GROUP

BecauseofourunderstandingthatallarevaluedandlovedonthebasisofChrist’sredeeminglove,life,deathandresurrection,wewillbecommunitiesmarkedbyattentivelistening,courtesy,kindnessandtheabsolute beliefthatnobodyisoutside theloveofGod.

Can it be right that there are situations where people who might wish to be open about their sexual orientation feel forced to dissemble, or where parishes find themselves evading issues of sexuality?

Wedonotcommendintrusivequestioning,rathershiningalightonstructuresandpracticesthatpromoteevasivenessthatcanbeseenashypocrisy.Admit

HYPOCRISY

P R I N C I P L E 5

Something to ponder Centraltoourfaithisthebeliefthatwhilst wewerestillsinners,Christdiedforall. Weremainfallible,weakandbrokenand yetarecalledtoloveoneanotherasChrist haslovedus.Furthermore,akeythemein Jesus’teachingandintheletterstotheearlyChurchisjudgmentalism.WejourneytogetherknowingthatthepoorinspiritandthosewhoknowtheirneedofGodareblessed.

Despiteourdeepdisagreementsabout humansexuality,identityandrelationships, weneverthelessknowourselvesheldinthe loveofChrist,allequallyinneedofhisgraceandcalledtolivetogetherinlove.Aswedoso,wepraythatwewilllearnfromoneanotheranddiscovermoreofthechallengetoholylivingandthewidenessofGod’smercyastheSpiritmoveswithinusandamongstusandbetweenus.

Some questions to explore togetherAsequalrecipientsofGod’sloveandgrace inandthroughtheworkofthetriuneGod, dowe...

• encourageoneanothertopractisedeepandcare-filledlistening,towhatissaidandunsaid?

• showheartfeltrespectinthewaywespeak withoneanother?

• buildopenandtrustingrelationshipsinthe faceofdisagreement?

• acknowledgethatweareallchildrenofGodandnooneofusisoutsidetheloveofGod?

Pastoral Principles for living well together PASTORAL ADVISORY GROUP

BecauseofourunderstandingthatChristcallsusinhumilitytoregardothersasbetterthanourselveswerefusetoexploitanyperceivedorrealpoweroverothers.

WewillencourageourcommunitiestobeplaceswhereallseektoserveoneanotherintheSpiritofChristandtorespondjoyfullytohiscalltomutualsubmission.

Can it be right that pastoral encounters still take place without awareness of disparities of power?

Inequalitiesofpowerhaveledtoabusesinthepastandwillcontinuetodosounlessallwhoexercisepastoralcarereflectcontinuouslyonthepowerthattheyhold.Powermustalwaysbeacknowledged.Payattentionto

POWER

P R I N C I P L E 6

Something to ponder Mattersrelatingtoidentity,sexuality,genderandrelationshipsaredeeplypersonal.Conversationsrelatingtothemmustbecarriedoutwithutmostsensitivitytotherealorperceivedpowerthat onemayhaveoveranother.Weneedtolearn tobecomemoreawarebothofourownpowerandofourvulnerabilitytotheperceivedpower of others.

Some questions to explore togetherWeneedtolookforwaystoidentify,acknowledge,dispelanddismantlethepowerdynamicsinourcommunities.

Howdowe…

• ministertooneanotherintherecognitionthatGodalone,throughhisHolySpirit,caneffecttransformationinourlivesandthelivesofothers?

• becomeaccountabletooneanotherinrelationtoourperceivedoractualpowerasaresultofourrole,socialstatus,sexuality,gender,ageorothercharacteristic?

• encouragevulnerabilityinourrelationshipsandlookforwaysofmodellingitappropriately?

Pastoral Principles for living well together PASTORAL ADVISORY GROUP