The announcement today that Bishop John Sentamu is the next Archbishop of York is excellent news.

I posted a while ago how, as the British YFC President, bishop John joined us for a day before Christmas. He has a great passion for mission and real street cred with both those outside and inside the church. He is also a man of great integrity who speaks his mind openly. He is advisor on racial interest to the government, and yet this has not stopped him criticising them when it has been right to do so. When he became bishop of Birmingham I remember him saying he was to be known as the Bishop for Birmingham rather than of Birmingham.

This is an exciting appointment. The Church of England now has 2 keen missioners who are encouragers too of new ways and methods. Bishop John said today:

“It is imperative that the Church regains her vision and confidence in mission, developing ways that will enable the Church of England to reconnect imaginatively with England.”

I like the sound of the end of that statement, re-connecting is so desperately needed, and it most certainly needs to be done with imagination.

“It is important that the Church of England’s voice is heard locally,
nationally and internationally, standing up for justice, bringing good news to the poor, healing to the broken-hearted, setting at liberty those who are oppressed, and proclaiming the death of Christ and his resurrection until he comes again.”

Can we dare to get excited again?