My argument thus far has danced around this aspect – and it is I believe an aspect that cannot be easily ignored. First, I think it is useful to clarify a point – one which I believe that Chris Tessone, abeit indirectly, has raised in his comments, and that is the classic “us” vs. “them” mentality.

Given the way in which some of my posts might be interpreted – I can easily see how one might come to the conclusion that I’m merely railing on about how we are an embattled minority, suffering under the oppressive yoke of expectation from the big-tent churches, and that we ought to beat them back to the city gates. NO! Such an interpretation misses the mark entirely; and I beg you, please abandon this concept altogether, as it is one which is very harmful to the health and well being of all of us Indie folk. Again, I point the visitor to my post on 8 January where I argue that a community built upon little more than a reaction against another community, has no real substance behind it, and will ultimately fail – a “reactionary” community parallels the experience and response of a community whose central call to identity is “us” vs. “them”.

There is however, a point – often not heard amongst our folk – that really does need a bit of exploration. It can be a rather . . . subtle point . . .one which I will openly admit is more about attitude and approach than it is about a set of actions (so yes, Chris, this one is going to be rather vague) but in my own experience I have found that an open acknowledgment of it opens many doors, both within our own experience as indie folk, and with our experiences with Christians in other communities.

The point is this – “respect”

By not challenging our ordained ministers to not be half in and half out of our communities we are cultivating a lack of respect for not only our own community, but also the [insert your favourite Christian -ism].

While some of you are scurrying about to collect an armful of rocks and other projectiles, let me try to elucidate my meaning. . . .

Years ago, when I still lived in DC I was invited to attend a National Council of Churches meeting in Baltimore as part of an ecumenical group of progressive Christians who were pressuring the NCC to accept MCC as a participating denomonation. This was an ecumenical group, campaigning for a just cause, within an ecumenical setting.

Not long after moving to the UK the Anglican LGBT pressure group wanted us to participate in a campaign of the C of E for and LGBT issue – I refused. Not because I did not support their campaign, but because I am not an Anglican it would be dis-respectful of me, as an outsider, to attempt to campaign within or pressure that community.

When I visit another community I do not assume that I will receive communion. Rather I wait to be invited, and to have that community’s understanding of the Eucharist explained. This is not about distancing myself from my brothers and sisters in the faith, it is on the contrary – at least in my heart – a gesture of respect. Having done this for many years, I am continually surprised at the positive response I get from the pastor and the community – it has resulted in many opportunities to share and exchange at a deeper level.

Likewise, when I am celebrating, if a minister of another tradition is visiting our community, I will invite them to commune – but rather than me give them the elements, I invite them to commune themselves – a) respecting their office, and b) respecting the symbolism (however it might be mis-interpreted when they go home) of receiving the Eucharist at the hands of a bishop from another tradition. On this count – I have actually had a letter of gratitude and support from at least one bishop of another tradition – because what I did was communicated back to him.

We are all brothers and sisters in the faith – YES – absolutely. But we all organise ourselves differently, and within each of those (sometimes amorphous) blocs and groupings there is a perspective, an angle, a shared identity that must naturally be respected by the others; not to do so is dis-respectful, and all but guarantees that opportunities for building lasting relationships between communities are lost.