Archbishop Rowan in Birmingham

Yes, he looks surprised too, doesn't he? Well, after weeks of preparation, tomorrow we welcome Archbishop Rowan Williams to formally open our church-based Childrens Centre and speak at a short service of worship. It's one of those events when we are very conscious of hosting influential folk (local councillors and MP's, Muslim leaders, as well as Rowan himself) but wanting to represent the ordariness of our mixed local congregation. I for one am really excited to have Rowan WIlliams on our patch.So much of what the church is about chimes with his vision of a Christian faith that is engaged in the public square: thoroughly orthodox and trinitarian, pointing to Christ as the hope of all creation yet working with and for the full diversity of the wider community.

I was talking to a friend last night who was remarking that when Rowan is interviewed by the media, there are often long pauses, deliberations and the hallmark sub-clauses and qualifications. He concluded, "Rowan Williams is so counter-cultural. He shuns the soundbites; the easy answers. It's almost as if he's trying to listen to God before answering". Yup.....give me someone anxious to "listen to God before answering" rather than soundbite leadership.

So, think of us tomorrow. We'll be ever so busy putting out chairs, setting food out, struggling to squeeze all our guests into church and engineering encounters with local Christians and Muslim families helped by the project's work that are not part of the usual parade of political influence. Pray that it is more than just a grand occasion that goes smoothly; pray that God is present and speaks to all of us.

Comments

[Steve Hilsden]

Saw this in the Archbishops New Years message today - and even spotted your daughter
Happy New Year