There is no question that Justin Welby did the right thing in resigning. The sad truth is that this right reaction is the result of years and years of inaction. Yes - much progress has been made to bring change, but far too slowly, and often only under duress.
The tragic reality is that we have had a culture that allowed Church of England clergy to act without accountability, and worse still - being enabled to do so. A culture in which the voices of survivors have been suppressed and subdued. The very institution that should be the place to run towards, has left some wondering how they might ever be able to run away. Inappropriate pastoral power, more interested in status than sensitive care must continue to be rooted out.
This requires a culture shift. We need a culture that does not hide the problem away but desires to bring it out into the light so that it can be exposed as a false parody of Christianity. We cannot begin to imagine the trauma and spiritual distress that survivors have endured, and I pray for the Lord’s special grace and mercy in their lives.
But the clericalism that I have described - that has historically so blighted the Church of England, is not the Christianity that most people encounter on the ground. Make no mistake, grass roots Christianity is full of faults, failings and frailty. Yet it is also one in which, church members regularly demonstrate care and compassion for their fellow congregants and wider local communities. It is a Christianity built on Christ and not empty tradition (Colossians 2.6-8).
Within a mile of where I live in London there are countless food pantries run by volunteers taking days off from other work. There are toddler groups where young mothers find support and community. There are people visiting the lonely, praying with the sick, counselling the downcast, welcoming those who are homeless and advocating for those who the local council easily ignores. There are early intervention initiatives run in schools that champion forgiveness over the ferocity of knife crime. And I’m only scratching the surface.
As people see the love of these communities, they are seeing Christ (John 13.35). At the same time Christians are sharing Christ. And wonderfully, many are turning to Christ and finding help and hope among his community.
The great sadness is that the false parody of faith that has been rightly exposed in the Makin report (which investigated abuse within the Church of England), has led some to miss out on the blessing available from everyday faith. More frightening, it may lead some to turn their backs on the free gift of salvation offered in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
My prayer, therefore, is that faithful women and men up and down the country would keep going. Just as they have received Christ, they would continue to walk in him, rooted in their trust in his strength and forgiveness in their weakness. Seeking to grow in trusting in his grace rather than their strength. Overflowing with gratitude that Jesus welcomes people who often don’t look impressive or have it all together (Colossians 2.6-8). Declaring the praises of the one who brought them out of darkness and into light. Their faithful service, honours Christ, is the bedrock of the Church and is the light we continue to need in our broken world (Matthew 5.14).
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