A farewell message from Bishop Wallace

This article appeared in the Conference edition of the Church of England Newspaper on 23 September 2003 and is reproduced here with their permission.

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Can I first of all say thank you for your presence, prayers and participation in, what I think you will agree, has been a wonderful Congress. What a joy and encouragement it has been to be together, and to learn and be stimulated in this great event. No doubt you will have your own favourite highlights! I hope that as you leave, you are returning home renewed in faith, hope, and love.

Just as at the Transfiguration, Jesus calls us to return from the mountain of blessing back down into the valley of new opportunities and challenges. One key challenge will be to work out what we have learned in the situations we are part of. As we return home let us not forget the great themes that unite us.

1) We are Bible people: That means not just that we have a high view of Scripture seeing it as "God's Word written" and as "the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct". But it means a confidence to teach the Bible at all levels in church life with all the enthusiasm and creativity that God gives us. It means to remain faithful to what the Bible teaches about faith and morals. It means to have a high view of the Bible's prophetic role to the society in which we live, and tell again with joy the Bible's 'plot line' that points us to Jesus and his love.

2) We are Cross Centred people: The incarnation of the Son of God leads to the Cross. We are Easter people. We see the cross as the hour of the glorification of Jesus and the supreme revelation of the character and saving action of our God. In Christ alone is our salvation. The Lord of glory, who could have remained in Heaven without blame, became obedient to death. "In our place condemned he stood". He died 'for me' - at the heart of the atonement is the substitution of the righteous Son of God for sinners who little deserve his mercy and grace. It is the greatest story of love! Let's tell it again with care, joy, and confidence.

3) We are Mission minded people: The greatest need of the human heart will never be met by materialism or increased knowledge, but only by a relationship with the God who gives us life and sent his Son to make it possible to enter his eternal Kingdom of light and life.

Our churches, as well as ourselves, need to be far more mission focused. We do not exist for our own benefit but for the glory of God and the salvation of a people to praise him. So let's consider new and daring ways to courageously and sensitively bring the Good News to a world that desperately needs it.

May the God of peace be with you as you return, and may your Good Shepherd be your rock and strength in the days that lie ahead.

As ever in his love,

Wallace Benn
President of CEEC