FROM the DEAN What Is the Significance of the Reformation Today? in This to Reform Itself Continuously)

ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL, MELBOURNE & NOTES NEWS www.cathedral.org.au Together transforming our City and Diocese September-November 2017 FROM THE DEAN What is the significance of the Reformation today? In this to reform itself continuously). The Reformation, then, is not edition of Notes and News I will reflect in an extended article a one off past event but a continuous, dynamic process. The on why Luther’s reforms 500 years ago were so successful in reforms Luther instituted 500 years ago were a combination his day. We can measure the success of Luther’s reforms by of important societal changes – such as the translation of the the spread of his message throughout Europe and the way in Scriptures into the language of the people – and theological which the elements of his reformation were incorporated into changes – such as returning to a simpler, more Scriptural the liturgical and musical life of the Protestant Churches. understanding of the theology of justification for example. The fact that we hear the Scriptures read in the ‘language A church of the reformation is a church that reforms itself. understanded by the people’ as the Book of Common Prayer In the next few weeks we will have an opportunity in our puts it, the fact that we sing hymns in church, receive the Sunday preaching at 9am and 10.30am to reflect on the wine as well as the bread at Communion, and have clergy thoughts of the Great Reformers. During much of the who may marry are all direct results of Luther’s reforms that months of October and November we will also be displaying still shape the way we worship 500 years on. an exhibition on Luther’s Reformation, including 3D printed A century after Luther’s reformation, the theologian artefacts from the Luther House in Wittenberg. In the week Wittenberg Friedrich Balduin observed ‘semper in ecclesia of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, from 28-31 opus esse reformanda’ (in the church there is a constant October, a host of events will take place in and around St need for reformation, in: Fridericus Balduinus, In tres Paul’s to mark the dynamic reforms that still shape our postremos Prophetas, Wittenberg 1610, p. 910), a phrase soon church today. contracted to ‘ecclesia semper reformanda’ (the church needs FROM THE PRECENTOR ‘Change is about as comfortable as a good hard The transformation Paul describes above, change that alters poke in the eye.’’ and shifts the way we think and thereby the way we act, is a change Paul himself radically underwent in his own That was the verdict given me by a parishioner at one of my conversion and ongoing Christian life. Godly transformation previous parishes. I think a lot of people would agree with and reform are intrinsically linked to our life as Christians. him. Change is hard. I probably don’t need to tell you that! We see it modelled time and again in the Scriptures, as God And unlike the simplified world-view of those jokes about works in the lives of those he calls to himself. there being 2 types of people in world , it does genuinely seem that change is polarising to two camps, the I-Like-Change, We are called to be open to change and transformation in When-Can-We-Start? Brigade, and the Not-On-Your-Nelly, God’s power. It is a sign of the gracious work of the Holy No-Change-Ever Association. Spirit in and among us. If we are personally committed to growing as Christians, and corporately growing our ministry In the corporate world, change management has been a catch ro make it more effective, change and reform are unavoidable. phrase for some time. Research shows that it can take 20-30 Our Cathedral byline is ‘Together transforming our City and instances of exposure to a new idea for people hearing of Diocese’. Change and reform of our personal and corporate it for the first time to understand what is involved and the lives is inherent in the slogan. But it is no mere slogan, as it benefits of the idea. For those of us in positions of leadership, sums up the style of ministry in which the Scriptures call us this is an important guide for how we help our congregations all to be involved, each of us taking our part according to the understand a change and its benefit. gifts we have been given by our heavenly father. Yet change – transformation – is what we are called to as In this celebration year of the 500th Anniversary of the Christians. In Romans 12.2 we read: Reformation, it is timely for us to reflect on smaller scale ‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by reform, how we go about assessing and making the necessary the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is reforms to better honour God in our daily lives and the the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.’ worshipping life of the Cathedral. And in Ephesians 4.22-24 Paul writes: There are times and seasons to our lives and ministries. There ‘You were taught to put away your former way of life, your are times when we have to face necessary changes and work old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed through them. Sometimes we find change hard because we in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the are moving on from a ministry role to which we have given new self, created according to the likeness of God in true generously of our time and resources and very much enjoyed. righteousness and holiness.’ However, there are times when it is right for us to move on and let someone else take our role, bringing to it their gifts and insights. There are also times when we need to conclude a ministry done by the cathedral, perhaps because it is no longer the effective way to minister, or perhaps to make room for a new ministry. These changes in no way reflect badly on ministry done or fellowship enjoyed. In times of change in the church, there are three things we must do. Firstly, be thankful. Thank God for the good accomplished, and thank God for the faithfulness of those who have served in the ministry. Thank God for the way he includes us in his work in his world. Secondly, acknowledge the sadness and grief that comes from change and closure. If something was good, it is no wonder there is some grief. If something wasn’t working well, we will have a sense of disappointment that it didn’t come together as we might have hoped. Thirdly, be aware that there are two types of people in the world, those who will be confronted by change and those who embrace it. Know which group you tend towards, and be willing to listen to the other point of view. Change and No Change? Just Tap and Go! reform are not a competition to win. They are part of being One of the recent changes at the Cathedral has been the implementation a mature Christian with Kingdom goals. of a ‘tap and go’ point (above) in the Chapel of Unity, meaning that people who are not carrying cash can still make a small donation by swiping their credit card. In the near future, we will also be trialling The Revd Canon Heather Patacca this technology in the collection plate, for those who prefer eletronic Precentor transactions. 2 CHILDREN’S MINISTRY, SAFEGUARDING HOT TOPICS AS ANGLICAN DEANS MEET IN BENDIGO Cathedrals across Australia are growing, Australian Anglican Deans report, but need to focus their mission activities to reach children and young people. Twenty Cathedral Deans from across Australia met at the recently-refurbished St Paul’s Cathedral in Bendigo, Victoria, at the invitation of Dean John Roundhill. In their discussions on mission and evangelism among children and young people they were joined by the Revd John Deane, executive director of the Anglican Board of Mission. Many of the Cathedrals across Australia report growth in congregational attendance countering a nation-wide trend, in which the number of Australians identifying as Anglicans has plummeted. Dean Andreas said: ‘Cathedrals in Australia are growing in spite of nationwide trends. Here in Melbourne we have experienced a 30% growth in congregational St Paul’s Cathedral, Bendigo, was the venue for this year’s Deans’ attendance over the past five years. Our Cathedrals are Conference. places that naturally draw people in, to begin conversations people about the Bible, our worship, and Christian living’. about faith and discipleship’. Dean Andreas reflected: ‘At Asked about the reason for the strong attendance, Dean Der St Paul’s many of our worshippers first came through our said: ‘We intentionally resource a group of volunteers to run doors as visitors. Our intentional program of making visitors our program and to support parents in nurturing children in welcome, and explaining our faith through the beauty of our their own homes in their faith journey’. building, provides the first invitation to come and find out more about Jesus Christ, and what it means to follow him’. The Australian Deans affirmed that in order for children’s ministry to flourish, strict safeguarding procedures would Some Cathedrals have extensive ministries to children and need to be adopted across Australia. Some Cathedrals young people. The Dean of Geraldton, the Very Revd Peter have employed safeguarding officers to ensure compliance. Grice, reported: ‘Our priority has been to invest in ministry The Deans were encouraged that General Synod will be among young people: our youth and families’ minister works considering adopting nationwide child-safe standards, across our congregations, links up with state schools and now compliance and professional standards protocols.

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