Bishop Alastair and Caroline are currently attending the 2008 Lambeth Conference. Bishop Alastair is recording his thoughts and reflections online in a blog. Below are some extracts from the blog

Read the full blog here >>

Thursday 17th July - Arriving and Adjusting

In the opening session we were faced with two ‘Teams’ on the huge stage – either side of a large table. On one side the Archbishop and a male team of advisers and planners: on the other side Jane Williams and a similar group of women. It looked like the setting for a TV game show: His and Hers. However, they delivered the goods – we were all made to feel welcome and given basic information.

Then to queue for supper – this will be an abiding experience of the Conference. We need to remember the challenge to use the time for conversation rather than complaining about delay: the kind of challenge which goes to the heart of Christian spirituality: can I love my neighbour as much as myself?

Friday 18th – Getting Together

My Bible study group is in Spanish – with an interpreter. It is a powerful experience to be in a small minority who cannot understand the discussion without special help. Suddenly the ‘word’ is not something over which I feel that I have any control – I need to work hard to receive and to be connected with others.

A bishop whose diocese has been devastated by a hurricane told us that since the floods his work has changed dramatically. The key concern is for basics: food, water, health. Because life seeming lacking in worth in these countries, crime has soared, particularly violence against other people, especially involving the young. So-called civilisation is very fragile, and easily unravels. Some people look to governments to provide structures: churches build communities of care and connection.

Saturday 19th – Cold Showers

Things were put into perspective very early in the conference. Freezing cold showers. Apparently the hot water was set much later for students: but we need to be in the Big Top for worship by 7.15am. Though soon remedied, cold water and early starting put most of us in our place - out of the comfort zone.

At such a large gathering, despite everyone wearing identity tags, it is not easy to remember names, or see the labels. Many of our visitors have a neat solution - they call colleagues "Bishop". Some of the spouses call their husbands "the Bishop". At least this makes for easy initial communication. Names will emerge as relationships deepen.

Sunday 20th – Building Bridges

A major theme of the Archbishop of Canterbury's addresses for the three days of retreat for the Bishops has been the challenge to deepen relationships - with God, with each other, with those who make us apprehensive or unsure. Community is constructed by building many such bridges.

But many stories highlight contrary experiences. Such as that of the Bishop who has made a priority of spending time with the poor and needy in a diocese facing massive problems with health, education and security. The building of this gospel bridge has caused enormous resentment from church people, especially clergy - who complain about having less of the Bishop's time and attention.

Monday 21st - More than Five Verses

The service (in Canterbury Cathedral) provided a bridge between the Retreat and the Conference itself. The Retreat ended with a powerful call from the Archbishop of Canterbury to work together to find the way open to us in Jesus Christ. The arrival over the following lunch of pressure groups and people bringing stalls for the market place served as a reminder of the fact that our leadership involves hopes and experiences far beyond the dynamics of our interpersonal relations in this Conference. Therein lies the complexities of leadership aimed at following a common way. The Archbishop hinted at this agenda and quoted Alan Ecclestone “Episcope involves insight as well as oversight.”

Tuesday 22nd July - Someone must pay the price

A challenging story from a country where hyenas are common. There was a theft in a community. The police were under pressure to make an arrest so the compensation could be claimed – which is the system in that culture. Eventually, they arrested a hyena, who was found guilty. Being unable to pay the compensation the hyena was put into prison – where prisoners were held in huge cells. The presence of the hyena made for terrible conditions for the other cell mates. After 2 weeks a prisoner was released. He immediately paid the compensation on behalf of the hyena so that it could be released and the other prisoners set free from its presence. Someone had to pay the price to save the hyena and the other prisoners.

Wednesday 23rd July - Getting the Chairs Right

We begin each Indaba group by rearranging the chairs, often to make smaller enclaves. Much clergy energy goes into rearranging the chairs, for worship, meetings and social occasions. It is one of the few tasks we undertake that has clear, measurable results and is sometimes a significant act of power.

A recent presentation at a plenary session on Evangelism for Today and Tomorrow was very critical of our fixed ways in western churches. It used a lovely illustration – the story of an orphaned baby hippo in Africa. The hippo was taken to a zoo and put in a sizeable pen with a large African tortoise. The tortoise did not seem very maternal, being used to living alone it is own world, on its own terms.

Thursday 24th July 2008 - Marriage and Mother-in-law

Last night we were talking about my mother-in-law. It made me realise that many marriages involve in-laws: parties that are not directly involved in that particular union or communion, but having their own distinct and almost certainly different focus and perspectives.

This is, perhaps, an interesting model for our Anglican Communion - where those involved in the particularity of a communion blessed by God may need to recognise the reality of in-laws: people sharing some of the DNA in the partnership, but operating a different focus for relationship. A family embracing a number of more particular unions - each owning the element of in-law.

Friday 25th July - Church and State United

The London day was remarkable. The Church of England, the Anglican Communion and the government of the UK were all shown at their best.

Buses left Canterbury at 7.15 am. Despite the inevitability of queuing when moving over 2000 people, the arrangements worked very well and by 10.30 am a vast crowd had gathered in Whitehall – with placards, umbrellas (against the sun) and Justice Bibles in profusion. An amazing sight - bishops in cassocks, spouses in an amazing array of colourful outfits. The march to Lambeth Palace was a Walk of Witness, involving other faith leaders in support of the Millennium Development Goals to:

• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Achieve universal primary education
• Promote gender equality and empower women
• Reduce child mortality
• Improve maternal health
• Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
• Ensure environmental sustainability
• Develop a global partnership for development

Saturday 26th July

The London Day was a high point for the everyone on the conference. The mixture of fellowship, witness and engagement with the institutions of society provided a cocktail that is clearly reflected in the ministries of both Jesus and Paul. In our own time we need to be challenged to give proper prominence to the third ingredient - engagement with the institutions of society. Both the key symbols(persons and places) and the area of common cause and action, could be developed much more radically in our Church - not just nationally but locally too. Much food for thought!

Sunday 27th July Changing Gear

A day for worship, reflection, and rest on Sunday. Space to be more consciously with God, with each other, with local churches and communities.

In the coming week the conference needs to change gear - from an emphasis on building relationships of trust and mutual respect (love one another) to an emphasis upon fulfilling the responsibilities of public leadership (love God and our neighbours as ourselves).

Last week I chaired an intriguing meeting between representatives of the Church of North India, the Church of South India, the Church of Pakistan and the Uniting Church of Australia. Each shared a story of bringing together different denominations into a united church. Some common themes emerged:

First, a long period of exploration and negotiation (thirty or forty years!), including failed attempts at uniting - from which much was learnt.

Second, tensions continue after any formal act of uniting. The different traditions retain a vitality of emphasis. The art is to travel hopefully, and continue to address issues of diversity within the church. This provided models and resources for engaging with issues of diversity outside of the church.

To keep up to date with Bishop Alastair’s blog visit www.thoughts.com/derbyatlambeth

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