Herbert #1 - Good Order in All Things

A rather large shadow looms across Anglican pastoral theology in the form of the saintly George Herbert. A remarkable shadow, given that Herbert lasted only three years in pastoral ministry and gained little influence before illness took him to an early grave and leaving behind a large body of work unpublished. Yet following the publication of his poetry and his pastoral work The Country Parson he became a remarkably unifying figure in the 16th Century English church, being admired by both Traditionalists and Puritans. Richard Baxter (of whom more later) was a particular fan, and more noteworthy given obvious differences in churchmanship and theological method.

So, what to do about "the shadow"? One way to deal with it is to cast it aside, as advocated by contemporary English cleric Justin Lewis-Anthony. In Lewis-Anthony's view Herbert's pastoral methodology contributed to an ongoing Latitudinarian spirit in the English church that simply won't cut it in today's world. The pastor is reduced to being "the nice guy" with attention given to jumping through procedural hoops or meeting communal expectations that have nothing to do with the teaching of Scripture. Accordingly, we need to toss the outdated models and allow pastors to take a much more radical stance with respect to their roles. As an Australian cleric (and one from Sydney, no less) who does not have the burden of working for an "Established Church" this thesis resonates only slightly with my own experience, but I can see the point being made.

But is this the only option for the Evangelical with respect to our Herbertian heritage? It is true that Herbert set a very high bar with respect for the proper administration of pastoral duties (the fact that he had several curates to assist him in what was a rather small parish may account for this). Trying to take Herbert's work as an Official Rulebook would undoubtedly contribute to both pastoral burnout and the distraction from evangelical work that Lewis-Anthony laments. It is also worth noting that Herbert's work is very much of its time. It is a Practical Guide rather than a Theological Exposition. This is regrettable as exegetical holes are rather easy to spot given that Herbert takes a moderately "high" view of the priesthood and begins his work from the assumption of the priest as Jesus' Deputy (which had not been the view of Bucer). Herberts practical instructions are rather quaint and there are several LOL moments (his views on fasting and Bodily Obstructions are most giggleworthy).

Yet there is no doubt that Herbert was a man of genuine piety with much that can teach the modern student. His work is full of Scripture and he has a love of the task of catechism that puts most modern evangelicals to shame. He rejects empty ceremony as being out of step with the good of the people but is equally critical of slovenliness in worship. In everything in the church there is to be Good Order so that nothing can hinder either the worship or learning of those under a minister's care. This is not only in formal worship, but in the pastor's whole way of life. Nothing is to be done thoughtlessly but instead with decent care and good reason. How unlike modern Sydney Anglicanism...

Everyone loves those Saturday mornings where the pace of life can slow right down, the newspapers can be strewn all over the bed, and pyjamas are not shed until lunchtime. This is healthy. But Sunday is not Saturday. When we need to be about the Lord's business we should have a different mindset. Too often we don't. Take, for example, the lack of urgency to solve The Liturgy Problem. Every week our services shamble from Welcome to Dismissal with no uniformity or coherence. We have become Methodists without a Method. We've all read the books, so we're convinced about the importance of having theologically solid structures for communal worship. There is just no impetus to make it so.

But I'm getting too far ahead of myself. Why don't we start with something simple - cleaning up the front of the church! Have a good, hard look at the end of your rainshelter where the Bible reading/teaching/praying happens. Then look at all the unnecessary clutter that is up there - music folders, microphone stands, unused chairs, etc. What doesn't need to be there? What can go into a cupboard (or the bin)? At least if we start with putting our Physical Space in order there might develop a greater enthusiasm for order in other areas...