Jackson: I feel sure the management and shareholders of other collapsed and now defunct organisations were also assured that they were part of a 'serious business' with rewards perhaps not in Heaven, but on the Stock Exchange. Organisations with far larger corporate senior managers and advisers to guide them out of doldrums than the paltry little C-in-W lot headed by the GB and RB. FW Woolworth, Burtons, Debenhams, Poundland, Northern Rock, Bradford & Bingley ... all assuring their investors and customers they were 'serious businesses' until the Liquidators and Administrators moved in. No laughing matter Jacko.
Really interesting to hear Dean Manons sermon this morning. A little hypocritical considering my experience of her has been one where she adds plenty of fuel to the drama through her gossiping.
Was the sermon repeat of her Avent Sunday 1 pulpit address chastising those who gossip and trundle on wastefully about past mistakes rather than sharing her assurances (and the Bible's) that glorious days, riches, hugs-all-round await us as soon as the Advent clock ticks over to Christmas morn? Apparently that sermon wasn't met with much enthusiasm either as it was perceived to be an admonishment to any of the choir or congregants who complain and false hope that it'll all be sorted .... eh?
Oh dear. If her sermon was as you report it, that’s a bad move, in my opinion. I have quite a lot of experience of picking up pieces after disasters of one kind or another, and yes, there does come a time when if an organisation is ever to emerge to see another day, the things of the past must be left in the past by those able to do that. But it is way too early to be drawing that kind of line, and doing it effectively always rests on the issues of the past having been effectively and properly dealt with, and time allowed for people to air what they really think and sit with hurt, anger and the other range of emotions. If they are prematurely suppressed, all that will happen is the complaining, backbiting and undermining will go underground, and become all the more destructive for it.
There’s also the theological issue that if this admonition was linked to the season of Advent, it shows a disappointingly superficial theological grasp of the function and nature of the season for someone who taught in theological education. Looking forward with expectation is indeed one thread, but it is firmly anchored in themes of penitence and justice. If the justice element is ignored in favour of the chocolate box image of hopeful expectancy, the result is something of a theological distortion. There is such a huge danger in using the pulpit to address disagreements in any community…
"Sorry Cherry, but Andy John couldn't make it despite all these cameras being here ... so here I am instead!"
ReplyDeleteStop laughing you two, the Church in Wales is still serious buisness
ReplyDeleteJackson: I feel sure the management and shareholders of other collapsed and now defunct organisations were also assured that they were part of a 'serious business' with rewards perhaps not in Heaven, but on the Stock Exchange. Organisations with far larger corporate senior managers and advisers to guide them out of doldrums than the paltry little C-in-W lot headed by the GB and RB. FW Woolworth, Burtons, Debenhams, Poundland, Northern Rock, Bradford & Bingley ... all assuring their investors and customers they were 'serious businesses' until the Liquidators and Administrators moved in. No laughing matter Jacko.
DeleteReally interesting to hear Dean Manons sermon this morning. A little hypocritical considering my experience of her has been one where she adds plenty of fuel to the drama through her gossiping.
ReplyDeleteDisgruntled Exile
Was the sermon repeat of her Avent Sunday 1 pulpit address chastising those who gossip and trundle on wastefully about past mistakes rather than sharing her assurances (and the Bible's) that glorious days, riches, hugs-all-round await us as soon as the Advent clock ticks over to Christmas morn? Apparently that sermon wasn't met with much enthusiasm either as it was perceived to be an admonishment to any of the choir or congregants who complain and false hope that it'll all be sorted .... eh?
DeleteOh dear. If her sermon was as you report it, that’s a bad move, in my opinion. I have quite a lot of experience of picking up pieces after disasters of one kind or another, and yes, there does come a time when if an organisation is ever to emerge to see another day, the things of the past must be left in the past by those able to do that. But it is way too early to be drawing that kind of line, and doing it effectively always rests on the issues of the past having been effectively and properly dealt with, and time allowed for people to air what they really think and sit with hurt, anger and the other range of emotions. If they are prematurely suppressed, all that will happen is the complaining, backbiting and undermining will go underground, and become all the more destructive for it.
DeleteThere’s also the theological issue that if this admonition was linked to the season of Advent, it shows a disappointingly superficial theological grasp of the function and nature of the season for someone who taught in theological education. Looking forward with expectation is indeed one thread, but it is firmly anchored in themes of penitence and justice. If the justice element is ignored in favour of the chocolate box image of hopeful expectancy, the result is something of a theological distortion. There is such a huge danger in using the pulpit to address disagreements in any community…
DeleteDarth --Insidious was there to give it all the kiss of death so it's business as usual.
ReplyDeleteThe mere sight of the fool is nauseating.
Bewildered
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz7n921wyzvo
ReplyDeleteAt least the Girl Guides have woken up to common sense although it is long overdue.