Cant Beat an Olden

The Church of England (I think) are due to decide on the next Arch Bishop of Canterbury, By all accounts a group of guys sit round a table and vote who they want it to be. In a statement made by one of the voting group said that the the new Arch Bishop should be in touch with todays society and find a way to bring Christianity up to date.

When I heard this I wondered what ''up to date'' was a reference to. The High Church with in the C of E is full of tradition and to me not out dated but old fashioned. It made me wonder how up to date a church would have to get to become ''in touch'' with the people, and how much would be lost in the updating.

As a young lad, I would sit listening to the same dull old songs in church, and as I got older the songs just become more and more dull. The most famous of all dull songs was ''The Old Rugged Cross'' which unfortunately got requested most weeks by some old person who sang it in Sunday school or during the war.

I heard it a few weeks back and the tune does drag a bit but for some reason the words seemed to have meaning and weren't just a mumbling set of nonsense like i used to hear when I was younger.

The lyrics that used to sound like a good chance to switch off in church now seem to be



On a hill far away, stood an old rugged CrossThe emblem of suffering and shameAnd I love that old Cross where the dearest and bestFor a world of lost sinners was slain

And I'll cherish the old rugged CrossUntil my trophies at last I lay downI will cling to the old rugged CrossAnd exchange it some day for a crown

To the old rugged Cross, I will ever be trueIts shame and reproach gladly bearAnd they'll call me some day to my home far awayWhere His glory forever I'll share

And I'll cherish the old rugged CrossUntil my trophies at last I lay downI will cling to the old rugged CrossAnd exchange it some day for a crownI will cling to the old rugged CrossAnd exchange it some day for a crown


If we try and take the cross (the old rugged one) and replace it with a new shiny version (maybe with a added bit to put the TV remote) would we get the same vision of what Jesus was really like and what he really went through on that day.
Or maybe instead of a donkey to ride into Jerusalem on Jesus could turn up in a BMW. OK I'm going a bit OTT now, but I do think churches have to move forward and try and use technology to enhance worship and to help spread the message. But when it comes to the Bible I think it is relevant today.
I'm struggling to take a parable and modernise it like I said in another blog. Is it because they cant be improved? is it because they cant be made simpler? The Lords Prayer is what Jesus tough when ask by someone how to pray. it doesn't need changing just more understanding. There is no harm in questioning and it is good to ask and good to be a little sceptic, as that's how we learn and that's how we keep up dated.