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

Hi. Do you think you can say you are a Christian if you don’t attend church?

I believe in God because of creation. I struggle with the personal God though.I struggle that he’s interested in me and that he can hear my prayers.

How does the biblical story of creation square with the physical evidence around us? For example the fact that the earth is spherical, thus indicating it was once a molten mass which is still cooling as evidenced by the geothermal activity from beneath i,e volcanic action, geothermal energy , geysers etc.

What is your favourite book in the Bible and why?

@applepudding2018 - I didn’t say it was.

Great thread.

My main sticking point is that it's easy to say thank you God when things go your way. But what does it mean when they don't and/Or good people have a relentless deluge of awful things happening to them which almost breaks them and smashes their faith?

Morning!

Frith1975

No I don’t think it should be compulsory!

slippermaiden

I love Luke’s Gospel but if I’m feeling sentimental I prefer John’s Gospel!
There are parts of the Bible I really like that aren’t whole books too such as the story of Elijah on the mountain and some of the stories of hope and healing in the book of acts.

icelollycraving

Yes but I think there is something important about being part of a community of faith in order to grow and learn as a Christian. I can understand why people avoid church though, especially if they’ve had bad experiences

Limpopobongo

I don’t think they need to be squared as in my opinion they are completely different things. I don’t think the Genesis creations narratives are to be taken literally but equally I don’t think they are meaningless. The Bible isn’t a science manual but what it does is tell us about God’s love for creation and his purpose.
Scientific fact and knowledge is different and most Christians I know don’t dispute science (although I’m aware that some Christians do).

MariaMadita

I am of the Anglo-catholic tradition and do pray for the dead and celebrate All Souls but not all Anglicans do.

Whatsnewwithyou

Ordination training can feel like one of the most scary and vulnerable times for the ordinands and their family, as well as being an exciting new start.
My dh is very supportive and is in a profession where moving isn’t an issue thankfully. I’ve struggled more than him with the feeling of loss of privacy although it has got easier. I’d suggest you keep talking and being honest with other, he’ll have support but make sure you find support too if necessary, and remember that as the clergy spouse you can get as involved or uninvolved in church life as you feel comfortable, don’t feel pressured by other people’s expectations.
We are very happy here and have found somewhere to settle after a couple of lives. There have been ups and downs but we’ve survived and thrived xx

KakunaRattata

The Church of England is very broad. As clergy we apply for posts and most often people would apply for posts in their own church tradition (although occasionally people do the opposite). I’ve always been in fairly high churches but have vicar friends of varying traditions

derxa

Finding it hard to forgive is difficult because it feels like it’s eating you up inside. I wouldn’t say it was ‘corroding your soul’ but completely understand it feels that way.
I think a good place to start would be to pray if you can, perhaps with someone else, and name your feelings. Asking God to help you to even want to forgive is a small but significant step.
As I said earlier this is something I can empathise with. When we feel hurt, angry, ashamed or bitter it feels like a wall between us and God. This is when we need God more than ever but it’s hard. For a start I’d focus on the passage from Romans where it says there is nothing that can separate us from God’s love and remember that however you’re feeling now you are not outside of his love and grace xx

colouringinagain

I think it can be damaging and misguided to try to find meaning in why bad things happen - it’s a slippery slope to saying things happen because you didn’t pray hard enough or to punish you.
The truth is sometimes awful things happen and there is no answer or reason. I’ve taken some terribly tragic funerals and there is no answer as to why. My prayers at funerals are prayers of hope.
So whilst I don’t believe that God is a puppeteer who controls the world, I do believe that in small ways we can sometimes find hope and transformation out of our difficult situations. It doesn’t mean we can say ‘it happened for a reason’, that is not what I think and not what I’d ever say. But sometimes we see in the dark times flickers of hope and love. I believe God is with us in the good and painful parts of our life and that he can help to bring light out of darkness.
That was the hardest one to answer consicely and I don’t think I’ve done your question justice sorry. I hope that’s a start anyway.

How do you decide which bits the bible and which are not? Up thread you mentioned Genesis as something you wouldn't take literally yet others do. In your view what is the Bible if not a retelling of a true story?

Arg! Which bit of the bible are literal and which are not.

Hi we have two priest who are so touchy about their rights.
Both have houses paid for by the parish, both used to be used for events... Not anymore as they don't want to have the people who keep them employed in their gardens.
They claim every penny of expenses. And actually work 35 hour weeks and claim hours back if they have to go out to do anything, they never seem to visit sick parishioners and the wifes are never seen.
How do they expect to increase numbers in churches when they treat it as a job, not a vocation.

I’m a Christian but I cannot forgive 2 people for things they did or didn’t do more than 20 years ago.

One I still talk to, look after & spend time with but I can’t really forgive what she didn’t do for me when I asked for help. The other I have nothing to do with but see occasionally at a friends. I cannot forgive them & I worry that because of this I’ll go to hell. Tell me honestly please.

Do you still get referred to as a ‘Lady Vicar’?

Urbanbeetler

Aaaaaaargh! Yes I do!

Thank you Rev You didn't need to answer my query but you did! I will give it a go.

RevInTheHouse thank you, I've wondered since our last priest changed how it works!

first

My mother used to say that she couldn't forgive her late father but that forgiveness belonged to God, so she'd pray for that... Idk if that helps.

If you get chance could you let me know what your opinions are re my qu from yesterday pls?

Do you ever get scared of spirituality?
I.e. Feeling an evil presence?

There is so much emphasis on God, but not that much of the Devil.

Are they metaphors?

So many questions but truly fascinated!

ARoomSomewhere

Sorry I missed you!
I do believe that we are forgiven if we truly repent and sometimes we fall into the same sin/ struggles more than once. Whether someone is truly sorry is between them and God. But I think there is a massive difference between messing up and being sorry, and thinking it’s ok to do whatever you want because you can say sorry afterwards! The first is inevitable as humans but the latter isn’t a good attitude to have.
Repenting isn’t just saying sorry but it’s an act of consciously orienting oneself towards God and turning from the sin.