New Bishop of Grimsby announced
The Diocese of Lincoln is pleased to confirm that 10 Downing Street has today named The Venerable Jean Burgess as the next Bishop of Grimsby.
Read the storyIntroduction
I am grateful to Pauline for choosing such a rich passage for us to reflect on this morning (Matthew 9.1-8).
Jesus healing the paralysed man, and the crowd glorifying God in response.
Tomorrow is the feast of Christ the King. I want to place the business of this Synod and the life of our Diocese in the context of God’s kingdom.
How are we participating in the life of the kingdom: sharing the good news of God’s life-transforming love, mercy and forgiveness among the people, parishes and partnerships of Greater Lincolnshire?
How are we glorifying God: dare I say, raising the spiritual temperature in our lives and our churches, so that Greater Lincolnshire is filled with hearts on fire for Jesus?
Let us bear this kingdom calling in mind as we turn to the business of Synod.
Changes in leadership
We find ourselves now in a period of change and renewal.
More immediately, we are saying farewell to Alyson Buxton, the Archdeacon of Stow & Lindsey, who has served the people of this diocese with faith, confidence and joy over many years. As a diocesan officer, parish priest and senior colleague, I thank Aly for all that she has shared with us and will continue to share with us in years to come.
I am also grateful to Canon Steve Johnson who is assisting us until January as Acting Archdeacon. This will ensure the appropriate cover of archidiaconal functions during a time of transition.
One farewell brings a new arrival: I am delighted to say that the appointment of a new Archdeacon of Stow and Lindsey will be announced… tomorrow! After a process of prayerful discernment, interview and appointment, we will be welcoming a new senior colleague to the northern region of our diocese in the New Year.
We said farewell to Bishop David in the summer, and following the appropriate period of rest and refreshment which we invite all our ministers to model when they retire, Bishop David will begin a new chapter among us as an honorary Assistant Bishop.
As we look to appoint a new Bishop of Grimsby, it has been my pleasure to work with an Advisory Group of lay and ordained people from across the diocese. Shortlisted candidates met with a variety of people, shared a homily on what it is to be human with GCSE students from one of our own church academies, and finally came to interview in mid-October. I am pleased to say that I have made my nomination. This is now in the hands of Downing Street and His Majesty The King – but I am looking forward to sharing ‘good news of great joy’ in due course.
This takes place against the backdrop of national changes for the Church of England. In early October, it was announced that the new Archbishop of Canterbury will be the Right Reverend Dame Sarah Mulally, currently Bishop of London. The confirmation of election will take place in January, with the installation in Canterbury on Lady Day next year. I urge you to pray in the coming months for Bishop Sarah and all those who are moving into new phases of leading and serving God’s people.
Living in Love and Faith
Later on this morning, Synod will consider the statement from the House of Bishops regarding Living in Love and Faith. I did not take part in that meeting of the House earlier in the autumn; instead quarantined at home with Covid. Remember that no formal decisions were taken at that meeting – this will happen in December, ahead of General Synod in February.
It is likely that any proposals for Delegated Episcopal Ministry will not be contemplated on both theological and ecclesiological grounds. This carries with it the real possibility that some dioceses will find it increasingly difficult to manage under this tension.
I am conscious that the cost of this decision will be carried yet again by LGBTQI Christians, some of whom have entered into civil marriages and remain barred from office and ordination. In light of this, the House of Bishop’s past apology to this community rings hollow.
Whatever December brings, General Synod may find itself in a similar situation to 2017, when it decided not to take note of a previous determination of the House of Bishops. This decisive response led to the declaration of a new ‘radical inclusion’ and indeed the whole LLF process. I am yet to see what a new ‘radical inclusion’ will truly look like for the Church of England.
Whatever February brings, the matter of human sexuality will not simply go away and will be writ large in next year’s elections to General Synod. As Bishop of Lincoln, I remain committed to the protection and integrity of all – both those who use Prayers of Love and Faith and those who, in conscience, cannot.
Time to Grow Together
Today we will also hear an update on the work of Time to Grow Together – our ongoing journey as a diocese, discerning who God is calling us to be over the next ten years. We carry with us all that we have built together through Time to Change Together.
We are now in the middle of an intensive process of listening. We have determined some key goals that we want to reach:
- raising the spiritual temperature so that we are all living lives for Jesus;
- reaching those who are missing from our churches, who have yet to hear the good news;
- and discovering how true collaboration, true partnership, can help us flourish.
But how we get there is for ALL of us to discover together – there is no foregone conclusion! We want you to shape this next chapter of our common life. If you haven’t signed up to an engagement event in your Deanery Partnership, there’s still time, and if you can’t there will be other ways to take part.
Conclusion
Synod, we are fellow pilgrims on a journey. Whatever happens along the way, our destination is the kingdom of God. As we respond to his calling, sharing the good news of his life-transforming love, glorifying God every step of the way…
…Let us pray for one another and the work that lies ahead of us:
God the Father,
help us to hear the call of Christ the King
and to follow in his service,
whose kingdom has no end;
for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, one glory.
Amen.