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Update 45 page 1.
In Update 45:
Still an issue,
Godparents,
S.E. London,
Perry,
1662 Confirmation,
Funerals,
Liturgy,
Hooker,
Andrews.
Baptism is still an issue
Clifford Owen, retiring chairman.
I will be departing at Christmas to be Chaplain to Holy Trinity, Corfu. When I tendered my resignation as BI Chair to Bishop Colin Buchanan I reminded him that Napoleon went into exile on a Mediterranean Island too! Colin Buchanan e-mailed a reply saying ‘Napoleon went to two islands: the first was a little too close to the French mainland and he returned with an army. The second finished him off. I do not think we should read too much into this in your case!’
My move brings me to the end of 16 continuous years on the BI committee. I have often felt that an important part of my vocation was to keep BI (or its predecessor under another name) in being. How many of our present membership, I wonder, were present at Malvern in January 1987, when a goodly number appeared for our launch suspecting that here at last was a baptismally reforming Napoleon about to unleash itself upon the Church of England? The World at One and Robin Day, no less, must have suspected some kind of invasion as he granted an interview on that January day.
There have been no quick victories (are they possible in the Church of England?) and from time to time I have detected a note of weariness in our committee. ‘The truth is’, said one member, ‘baptism isn’t an issue at present’. I agree only in part. Baptism may not be an issue synodically, or currently newsworthy, BUT BAPTISM IS STILL AN ISSUE.
At almost every baptism I take and wedding reception I go to, numerous casual pastoral contacts want to talk about baptism. For many, including at a funeral only yesterday, baptism is a live matter. For a growing number baptism is a thinking decision matter. The ‘granny factor’ in having little Johnny christened is fast diminishing. Many parishes are keen to think out a baptismal policy and integrate it into their mission strategy. I have lost count of the number of copies of ‘Baptise Every Baby?’* that I steadily get rid of as a result of these conversations. I forget who originally said this about baptismal policy, but ‘What is theologically wrong, can never be pastorally right’.
Thanks. As I go I want to express my thanks to all who have served on the committee these last 16 years; especially the current team I am leaving behind. Your committee could do with more members as we keep this vital issue before the Church of Jesus Christ.
Keep the flag flying!
Clifford Owen
* Copies of Clifford's book are still available from John Hartley for a donation plus p&p: contact him at vicar@stluke-eccleshill.org.uk for details.
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