Be ‘In the world but not of the world’ Bishop Harold Miller tells Diocesan Synod
In his 22nd Presidential Address as bishop, The Rt Revd Harold Miller told Down and Dromore Synod that to be faithful to Jesus Christ in this place and at this time, “we are called to be ‘in the world’, and indeed, a blessing to the world, but not ‘of the world’.”
He was speaking in the beautifully refurbished Magheralin Parish Church which hosted the Diocesan Synod on Thursday 14 June, 2018.
In exploring the relationship between the church and the world, the bishop described a society moving away from God and the accepted beliefs of the Christian faith whilst the churches, having lost their authority, were at risk of conforming to society and straying from biblical truth.
This challenging environment was not a new phenomenon in the history of the church, and Bishop Harold reminded synod of the fourth century Saint, Athanasius, who almost single–handedly rescued it from going down a road into error.
The bishop said that, in his view, “we are increasingly in a Western world where orthodox Christian faith will be, like Athanasius, ‘contra mundum’” (against the world). He believed that believers in the truth of the Gospel would be in the minority rather than the majority.
The bishop noted that this had already come into sharp focus in Ireland with the rejection in two referenda, of the teaching and authority of the Roman Catholic Church. Bishop Harold cautioned however, that “We need to recognise that what is happening is not just about one expression of Western institutional Christianity but probably about all expressions.”
The Church of Ireland was no exception and it, along with the other major churches which emerged from the Reformation would have to decide how to respond, believe and live in an entirely new kind of world and context.
Bishop Harold then explored the New Testament calling to be ‘in the world but not of it.’
He explained that, “To be ‘in the world’ means that we are not separatist or overly–pietistic. It means we happily live out our lives in the context of the everyday, carrying with us, and sharing with others, the presence and message of Christ.”
He urged Christians to be present in all areas of life and work and also to make praying for the world an important part of public worship.
He continued: “The other way we are learning to be in the world is a real rediscovery of Anglican ethos: the fact that we are here to serve parishes, not gathered churches.” (The parish being a geographical area whose community the church serves.)
The bishop gave many examples of ways in which churches in the diocese were impacting their parishes and beyond and observed that, “When churches resist the temptation to be self–serving and find their centre of gravity outside themselves they become energised, creative and even vibrant with growth.”
Turning to being not ‘of the world’ Bishop Harold emphasised that though it might appear negative, “The real meaning of not being ‘of the world’ is that we are people who have different priorities and different values, who are not moulded by the presuppositions of the world around us.” This would lead to radical and attractive living, something the world badly needed to see.
He concluded:
“We are in the world but not of it. In Latin pro Mundum and contra Mundum at one and the same time. That is the genius of the Christian faith. To be distinct but involved, the same but different, and when we carry that role in the name of Christ, the blessings both to the world and us will be unimaginable. Blessings from the God who can do far more than we can ask, think or even imagine!”
The full text of Bishop Harold’s Presidential Address may be downloaded in PDF format here.