CAREERISM - A SIN FOR CONSERVATIVE EVANGELICALS TOO

Postcard to Canon Dr Christopher Sugden, executive secretary of Anglican Mainstream

Dear Chris, Your article in January's Evangelicals Now about NEAC5 - 'No one died' - was most helpful. Intelligent, well-argued, packing a punch without being vicious and nasty - classic Sugden. If you ever want to guest prophesy from this little pulpit, you would be most welcome. Perhaps as Simeon's Curate?

Your comment about Fulcrum Evangelicals preferring to criticise Conservative Evangelicals rather than the heterodox was spot on. I also took on board your warning about being content to work within Evangelical space given to us by the liberal establishment rather than working hard to create such space. As a parish plodder, that is a warning I need to hear.

You also pointed out that Evangelicals who work within space given to them by the establishment find it easier to gain promotion. That too is a percipient warning.

I would add though, if I may, that careerism is not confined to the Church of England structures. This tendency is also present within Conservative Evangelicalism. Our conference circuits and networks of large and prominent churches in upmarket university towns, plush suburbs, and affluent city centres, spinning off self-styled 'entrepeneurial ' church plants, can prove irresistible for a certain type of tree-creeper.

I need to remind myself constantly that I am called to be a servant of Christ and his Church and to resist the temptation to start playing the career game in a desire to ascend the greasy pole within my own constituency.

My friends may point out that someone with my diplomatic skills (a case of the bull with his own portable china shop) need not worry about the sin of careerism. But I would retort that my sinful nature is perfectly capable of coveting that which it is incapable of attaining.

Warmly in Christ,

Cranmer's Curate