I’m a priest - ask me anything!

[RevInTheHouse]

I’m a fairly young (and quite normal I think) Church of England priest. Am married with children

Do you think the role of the church has to change, and if so in what way, for it to survive?

DrCorday

That’s a hard question. If I’m honest it’s not something I worry about a lot but of course I do pray for my husband. I pray that I or someone else will plant a seed of faith which will begin to grow, however slowly. But I don’t ever force my faith on him and try to convert him! Not sure we’d still be married if I did! He does come to church and quite enjoys it on occasion

Motherduckling

I am interested in talking about faith with people of other faiths and none. I’ve visited a number of mosques in different contexts and worked closely with an imam in a chaplaincy setting years ago. I think respectful interfaith dialogue is important and also great for building relationships. Personally, I have friends of a number of faiths and if I’m honest we’ve normally got a million other things to talk about so don’t chat about religion much.

What are your thoughts on psychics etc. I often hear in religious circles that many religious people acknowledge they exsist but say they shouldn't be messed with.

Are you a woman priest?

Dorigen
Yes I’m a woman under 40 which is considered very young in the church

Danceintherain2018
The truth is I don’t know. I think some are probably a scam but I would also be very wary.

How do you view those who suddenly discover religion when it means their children have the opportunity to go to a church school?

DurtySarf
Hmmmm I shall try and answer that diplomatically!!
On one hand it’s great to get people through the door of church and who knows what they’ll discover and experience when they are there, whatever their motive for coming. On the other hand I find it incredibly frustrating at times especially when there are committed Christian church goers struggling to get into over subscribed schools.

And another question, if I may. Which of the many portrayals of priests on TV and radio is most accurate?

And which is your favourite?

That was a very diplomatic answer, btw, thank you.

do you believe in ghosts and possessions

DurtySarf

Broken with Sean Bean. For me it’s the most true to life and hits home very hard in parts to the realities of ministry.

Slightly off piste but since youre a priest.

If you cant forgive, should you stop saying the Lords prayer until you can...and what if you never can?

Processedpea

Yes but perhaps not in the way they are portrayed in movies!

If you had grown up in a predominantly Muslim/Sikh/Buddhist/Catholic country, do you think you would have practiced that religion instead or do you think it's the specifics of CofE that engaged you and made you believe?

I hope that's not rude but it's something I think about a lot. Ie. How much of my faith is rooted in childhood habits/familiar rituals and should I have explored other religions more.

listsandbudgets

A deep one to answer on a forum.
Forgiveness is very hard and it’s the thing I find hardest to preach about. I don’t think struggling to forgive means you shouldn’t say the Lord’s Prayer, in fact if you’re struggling then you need the prayer even more. I believe sometimes we need God’s strength to help us to even to want to forgive and the prayer is very powerful. I’ve struggled with forgiveness too. It feels like a barrier between us and God. Stopping praying might seem a logical thing to do but actually I believe we should do the opposite and pray more, acknowledging our need for God’s help.

Zebrasinpyjamas

I didn’t grow up in a religious family but had always been interested so just started attending my local church in my twenties. I went to a church primary school and had a belief but it grew most as an adult

My question is... would a good, kind, generous, honest, philanthropic non-believer go to heaven when they die?

MollyHuaCha

As you probably know many Christians would say no. I’d say I don’t know, in fact to some degree I would say that about someone who said they were a Christian too. I’d say that only God truly knows our hearts and we as humans cannot fathom his grace and his love. I would never judge the salvation of another and it frustrates me immensely when I hear Christians tell me who will and won’t go to heaven. I pray the same prayers of hope at all the funerals I take, Christian or not, as long as the families are happy with the prayers of course

Good answer Rev.

I ask because I have witnessed plenty of not-very-Christian-like Christians and likewise plenty of wonderfully good people who are non-believers.

how do you balance the needs of your parishioners with your role as wife and mother? AS in, if you own child is ill and in hospital what do you do if a parishioner is dying an in need of support

In terms of school admissions, how does the church allow admission by faith - I really struggle with that fitting anything jesus would have done - id expect schools for the poor that were faith based not faith biased.

thanks for answering. I don’t preach to my DH either, it’s easier to not talk about it. He’s ok with it I suppose, but he thinks I’m foolish for believing in (his words) a “pretend person in the sky”. I pray something will soften his heart. He’s such a good man and actually, I joke sometimes (in my head) that if he were a Christian, he’d end up becoming a priest as he’s such a good leader and influencer.

I have another: are there people in your congregation that drive you mad?

I’m looking at you annoying lady who was too full on with the two new comers today, they clearly didn’t like your touchy feely approach and being in their face, you’ve probably scared them away for life

What is your view on couples who are not practicing Christians but want to marry in your church.

Also those who want their children to be christened due to tradition. But have no intention of attending church regularly beyond the wedding/christening.

Needmoresleeep

To marry in a church you need to meet what is called a ‘qualifying connection’. As long as the couple meet the criteria they can marry in the church. I love doing weddings, the more the better!

With baptisms I always say yes even if they are not church goers. I believe in baptism God’s grace is at work and I wouldn’t ever deny the opportunity for a child to be baptised.
Some churches have very strict policies but we don’t!