'Do not be ashamed of the gospel; guard the good deposit entrusted to you'. (Paul writing to Timothy in 2 Timothy Chapter 1)

There is a compulsory demand on all engaged in ministry in the Church of England to attend Safeguarding Courses, and failure to do so means being barred from exercising their ministry.

Apart from it being a matter of real irritation to me personally, I consider it a gross waste of time, money (spent on literature and salaries for those managing) and energy which could be more usefully employed for the more important task of Safeguarding the Gospel, for which is our mission.

We must assume that any man or woman entering ministry must have at least half a brain, which would therefore mean they could understand what conduct is illegal or improper. If therefore they act in a way which offends in either way, it means some form of punishment. The proper course would then be a matter of reporting to the Police, who would investigate and institute proceedings if thought proper. They are the proper authority and most competent to act.

However, anyone who thinks holding mandatory courses is going to stop any incidents, are either extremely naïve or totally foolish.

Reverting back to safeguarding the gospel, our priority, it seems anomalous to hold courses stressing moral conduct when men, and now women, in the highest Offices of the Church are supporting, encouraging, endorsing that which is in complete contradiction of the gospel. Creating liturgy welcoming transgenderism, which contradicts God’s order of creation; calling on clergy to encourage to promote such. Campaigning for same sex marriage and calling for biblical teaching of marriage to be abandoned.

The Bible states, ‘do not be ashamed of the gospel, it is the power of God for salvation’. But the Church from the very highest level is ashamed; it leaves a group of Muslim mothers to protest at the indoctrination of young children, a process being ordered by the government without parents being allowed to object. It is the church which should be protesting loud and vigorously.
The Bible also states, ‘guard the gospel’. Jesus Christ created the Church and gave his Apostles to take into the world all he had taught and commanded them to do. We exist for that purpose, and anything else is superfluous.

Bible illiteracy is at an all time high, even within the Church, members knowledge and understanding is not all that it should be.
We who are ordained vowed at our ordination service to banish all false doctrine and preach only Scripture which leads to people’s salvation; let us be faithful and do so.

We should note the words of Paul when writing to the Galatian Church. “I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God who called you to himself through the living mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the gospel but is not the gospel at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or an angel from heaven who preaches a different gospel than the one we preached to you”.

God gave Himself in Christ for us. God took the initiative because we are all sinners who cannot save ourselves and Jesus died on the cross, so that we could be saved. He died and laid on himself God’s judgement for all the sins of those who would believe on Him.
He is the only way. There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. When we accept that sacrifice, the Holy Spirit of God comes into our lives and changes us from within.

This the gospel we should be guarding and proclaiming.This the Gospel of Jesus Christ which must constantly be guarded. We have the responsibility to make sure that the message of the cross continues to go forth and obey the last words to his Apostles, which are the foundation on which the Church is built.

‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and behold I am with you always to the end of the age’.