Bishop of Doncaster’s First Sermon

Last Updated on Tuesday, 14 February 2012 14:38

Task of the Church in a context of “paradoxical complexities”

The Church needs to be transformed to meet the paradoxical complexities of the present time, the new Bishop of Doncaster, Peter Burrows, told a congregation in Sheffield Cathedral this afternoon at his official service of welcome.

Bishop Burrows, who was ordained as bishop by the Archbishop of York on Thursday, told the congregation that it was into a situation of “ paradoxical complexity that we’re called to proclaim the Gospel, to set out Jesus’ vision for the world by getting directly involved in it, unfolding a message of God’s grace and love that can transform people’s lives.”

The Bishop began by admitting that “we live in a world of decreased faith, of growing cynicism about the church and matters of faith in general and Christianity in particular.”

He added: “But perhaps people’s scepticism is fuelled in part by the circumstances many find themselves in.  As we reflect on the events of last year, the riots in our cities, on-going concerns about the global debt crisis and how it impacts on our daily lives, especially the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable, as we witness rising unemployment, a greater fear of violence, where our education, economic, military, political and ecclesiastical systems seem to be in crisis, it’s no wonder some people feel dubious about the great institutions of society, which are meant to protect and support them.”

Bishop Burrows welcomed the strategy for growth initiative of the Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Steven Croft and said that he was joining the Church in the Diocese of Sheffield at an exciting time.

Surveying the cultural landscape which the Church needs to address to meet the need which he saw, he agreed that the Church “needs to be transformed.”

“As we respond positively to growing the church, developing the depth and breadth of discipleship, cultivating our ministerial resources, as set out in our diocesan strategies, as the church speaks prophetically into a complex world we have in God all that we need,” said Bishop Burrows.

He added: “We’re living in daunting but exciting times with huge opportunities unravelling before us.”