The Reverend Mike Claridge, described as a "vicar and Methodist Minister" takes to the metropolitan media this morning to make a sneering attack on Christians in West Bromwich. His letter to The Guardian reads:
My experience suggests Lord May has a challenge on his hands if he expects most church leaders to play a role in mobilising people to take action against global warming (Report, 7 September). At a local "Churches Together" meeting on Monday, when I suggested that our collective witness could include facing up to environmental challenges, I was firmly put in my place. It seems half the world can disappear underwater so long as a few people locally "turn to Christ" which, apparently, is our true priority. Help!
Sadly I doubt if Mr Claridge understands the irony of his last comment. Nor does he understand the Black Country. Thank goodness the itinerant ministry means he will soon be moved on. We can manage without him in Sandwell.
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2 comments:
Leaving aside the issue for now, Rev Claridge is C of E (Minutes of Conference)and so probably not affected by Methodist practices of itinerancy. I suspect you are stuck wiuth him.
I am a little surprised if there was no positive response to environmental issues at the local Churches Together. Normally there is an openness on that issue.
Paul, I am sure that there is much more openess to many issues, including climate change, than Mr Claridge portrayed.
In Sandwell we have very serious problems ranging from poverty through to the rise of the BNP. Churches really do have enough on their collective plate, though sadly that often excludes funds.
One thing that we should learn from the area's history - remember this was the seat of the Anti Methodist pograms in the 1740s - is that social advance goes hand in hand with preaching the gospel. A penitent heart can make great changes.
What I objected to was the sneering tone about other local Christians and the suggestion that helping people "turn to Christ" was not an important part of the Church's mission.
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