Celebration of Cov100: Inspiration from the Archbishop in a Warwickshire Barn - by SC Skillman
Who would have thought that an Archbishop of Canterbury might have to outdo a roaring tractor down on the farm while a crowd of people and cattle listened in rapt attention?
That happened on the evening of Thursday 3rd May 2018 in Highfield Farm, Frankton, Warwickshire, as part of the Archbishop's visit to the Coventry Diocese to celebrate its Centenary.
Replete with hog roast and vegetarian paella and coconut ice cream, we all crowded into a vast barn and listened first to a great singer songwriter Paul Bell, and then it was time for the Archbishop to speak. By the time the evening ended we were all fired up, the Archbishop had been so warm and humorous and self-deprecating. In fact I could have imagined we were listening to a stand-up comedian. He tells stories against himself in perfect comedic style. One of them I enjoyed was his description of an event where someone came up to him and said, "I hear the Archbishop of Canterbury is here." After a pause, Justin said, "Yes. He is." So the man asked, "Would you introduce me to him?" Justin replied, "Well... I am him." At which there was a long hesitation, after which the questioner said, "Oh," in a tone of deep disappointment, and went away.
Justin is also fond of recounting the words spoken to him during his training for ordination, "I can see no future for you in the church."
After entertaining us for several minutes with anecdotes, told in the style of comedian David Mitchell (whose comedic delivery I felt Justin shared), the Archbishop then went on to talk about the parable of the prodigal son, I've heard many preach on this parable and have on several occasions been surprised by learning something new. The Archbishop did not disappoint in this way.
He told us that when the son said to the father "Dad, I want the money now that I'll get when you die," in 1st century Middle Eastern culture any son saying that to a father would be severely punished. Jesus's audience would have all thought they knew exactly what happens next. But when the father in Jesus's story agrees and gives him the money, Jesus's listeners would have thought What a wimp!
On four separate occasions in the parable the father acts with a total disregard for his own dignity which would have shocked Jesus' audience. The last occasion he does this is when he goes out into the field to try and persuade the older son to come in and join the party.
At the end of Jesus' parable, while his audience are feeling bewildered and thinking the father's a wimp, Jesus then says "God is like that father."
The archbishop also pointed out that we don't even know how the whole story ends. The prodigal son was in fact hedging his bets by offering to be a hired servant. A hired servant got his board and lodging but wasn't a slave and was free to go if he wished. Also, we don't even know if the older son did go into the party, and forgive his father and his younger brother.
The Archbishop brought home to me once again what a devastating, even disturbing story this would have been to a 1st century Palestinian audience, totally defeating their social and moral expectations and turning their paradigms of religion upside down.
So not only did Justin make a big impact upon all of us with his warm and funny personna, he also opened our eyes once more to the astonishing, revolutionary, iconoclastic nature of Jesus.
As a last thought Justin said ruefully, "I have a nasty sneaking suspicion that if I'd been there with Jesus I would have been one of the Pharisees, not one of the disciples."
The final word from an unassuming, fun, warm, down-to-earth man with a strong and simple message - who is also the current Archbishop of Canterbury.
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| Archbishop Justin Welbby in Warwickshire barn Thursday 3rd May 2018 (photo credit Marie Calvert) |
That happened on the evening of Thursday 3rd May 2018 in Highfield Farm, Frankton, Warwickshire, as part of the Archbishop's visit to the Coventry Diocese to celebrate its Centenary.
Replete with hog roast and vegetarian paella and coconut ice cream, we all crowded into a vast barn and listened first to a great singer songwriter Paul Bell, and then it was time for the Archbishop to speak. By the time the evening ended we were all fired up, the Archbishop had been so warm and humorous and self-deprecating. In fact I could have imagined we were listening to a stand-up comedian. He tells stories against himself in perfect comedic style. One of them I enjoyed was his description of an event where someone came up to him and said, "I hear the Archbishop of Canterbury is here." After a pause, Justin said, "Yes. He is." So the man asked, "Would you introduce me to him?" Justin replied, "Well... I am him." At which there was a long hesitation, after which the questioner said, "Oh," in a tone of deep disappointment, and went away.
Justin is also fond of recounting the words spoken to him during his training for ordination, "I can see no future for you in the church."
After entertaining us for several minutes with anecdotes, told in the style of comedian David Mitchell (whose comedic delivery I felt Justin shared), the Archbishop then went on to talk about the parable of the prodigal son, I've heard many preach on this parable and have on several occasions been surprised by learning something new. The Archbishop did not disappoint in this way.
 |
| Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby addressing audience in Highfield Farm, Warwickshire, during Cov100 Celebration Thurs 3 May 2018 (photo credit Marie Calvert) |
He told us that when the son said to the father "Dad, I want the money now that I'll get when you die," in 1st century Middle Eastern culture any son saying that to a father would be severely punished. Jesus's audience would have all thought they knew exactly what happens next. But when the father in Jesus's story agrees and gives him the money, Jesus's listeners would have thought What a wimp!
On four separate occasions in the parable the father acts with a total disregard for his own dignity which would have shocked Jesus' audience. The last occasion he does this is when he goes out into the field to try and persuade the older son to come in and join the party.
At the end of Jesus' parable, while his audience are feeling bewildered and thinking the father's a wimp, Jesus then says "God is like that father."
The archbishop also pointed out that we don't even know how the whole story ends. The prodigal son was in fact hedging his bets by offering to be a hired servant. A hired servant got his board and lodging but wasn't a slave and was free to go if he wished. Also, we don't even know if the older son did go into the party, and forgive his father and his younger brother.
The Archbishop brought home to me once again what a devastating, even disturbing story this would have been to a 1st century Palestinian audience, totally defeating their social and moral expectations and turning their paradigms of religion upside down.
 |
| Cattle in barn Highfield Farm during Archbishop Justin's address Thurs 3 May 2018 |
So not only did Justin make a big impact upon all of us with his warm and funny personna, he also opened our eyes once more to the astonishing, revolutionary, iconoclastic nature of Jesus.
As a last thought Justin said ruefully, "I have a nasty sneaking suspicion that if I'd been there with Jesus I would have been one of the Pharisees, not one of the disciples."
The final word from an unassuming, fun, warm, down-to-earth man with a strong and simple message - who is also the current Archbishop of Canterbury.
I enjoyed your post, Sheila. I don't think I have ever heard the Archbishop talk at length but if he's got the wit you say he has, I shall definitely find an opportunity!
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