Editorial W
Bishop John Hind
henever people ask me to write or speak “for the last time as Bishop of Chichester” they suggest I say something either about my plans for retirement or about the past 11 years. This always makes my heart sink,
because the last thing on anybody’s mind should be the person of the outgoing bishop (or the incoming bishop, for that matter.) Whatever the balance of good and ill in any period of pastoral service, we know we should say “we are unprofitable servants”, and, as for the future, I often remind people of the old saying, “The way to make God laugh, is to tell him your plans.”
That said, I am glad of the opportunity to say a heartfelt “thank you” to the parishes of the Diocese and the clergy who serve them. I never cease to be amazed by the commitment and enthusiasm for the Gospel that continue to be shown by churchwardens, Readers and other lay officers in the parishes, by parish priests and distinctive deacons, by the staff of Church House and by my immediate colleagues.
There are many grounds for discouragement, the growing tendency for Christianity to be mocked in our society, financial pressures, times and circumstances when lay people or priests fall short of the standards of life to which we are called, theological or moral disagreements.
But, dear friends, was it ever really any different? Jesus himself said to his first disciples “In the world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” This Eastertide, I invite you all to refresh your trust and confidence in Jesus Christ, risen and glorified. Because Christ is risen, the confidence and enthusiasm I have mentioned are more than justified.
May God bless you all with Easter hope and joy. +John
The Right Reverend John Hind Bishop of Chichester
Information about Bishop John’s farewell activities and duties throughout April can be found online at
ww.diochi.org.uk
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