Clergyman’s dream fulfilled

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33241, 2 June 1973, Page 12

Clergyman’s dream fulfilled

(By

KEN COATES

To build up a dwindling church congregation of a handful to 600 must be the dream of many a struggling clergyman. But this is what the Rev. David Watson, a young Anglican vicar with an impeccable English accent and a Cambridge degree in the moral sciences and theology, has achieved in eight years at St Cuthbert’s, York.

David Watson is no hot gospeller. He looks more like a successful television actor than a clergyman—and in fact has debated censorship with Warren (Alf Garnett) Mitchell on TV in Britain. He is in New Zealand on a visit sponsored by the InterVarsity Fellowship of Evangelical Unions, and is giving a series of conference and university lectures throughout the country. He is also very much part of what has become known throughout the world as the charismatic renewal—a rapidly growing movement attracting non-believers and Christians from all denominations. To some of the young, those involved are termed “Jesus Freaks.” It seems that in this lies the answer as to how St Cutherbert's has been built up from near extinction in 1965 -it .was earmarked for a museum to what it is today—flourishing, with congregations too big for it. to hold, and lay people' actively involved in pastoral and social work. New awareness “The charismatic work of the spirit has meant for me a greater experience of the reality of God and a release of the spirit,” says David Watson. “It has also meant a greater understanding of the love of God; I have seen many in my congregation come into a new awareness of these things.” He talks of a spontaneous and joyful witness often, a very generous giving, hunger for the Bible and a great desire to pray with other Christians, “and perhaps most of all a sense of love between us.” In the 600-strong congregation on Sunday evenings, about one third would have this experience, he says. Another third would be regular members who go along quite happily with it, and the remainders are visitors. "But

there is no tension at all,” he adds. What does David Watson say of criticism that people can become obsessed and unbalanced over the charismatic renewal? "It is true, because this can happen with any aspect of Christian life—the second coming, social action, evangelism or whatever,” he says. “But if there is regular Biblical teaching on the one hand, and I hope wise leadership on the other, there should be no problems. And I can honestly say in the eight years we have had no splits on this matter.” He talks about “gifts of the spirit” intensifying unity and fellowship. "But we have not pushed it—we have gone slowly.” There are excellent relations with the famous York Minister and up to 3000 attend guest services he holds there, including many students from York University. Unusual ideas David Watson has some unusual, but seemingly effective ideas on ministry. “1 am the only clergyman in the congregation, but we have a team of pastoral elders who share in the leadership,” he says. They al) meet regularly for prayer and discussion, and one layman, a former small businessman, is full-time. The others are a doctor, joiner, university lecturer and an accountant. “Of course this joint leadership has to be watched,” he says, as obviously anyone can go off and do silly things.” The charismatic movement is breaking down barriers of churchmanship, denomination and tradition, according to Mr Watson. “At times I find myself having very deep fellowship with Roman Catholics — with my theological background this would hav*

been almost unthinkable a few years ago,” he said. “Many of the young are willing to think about the Christian faith at depth, but they need to feel that God is real as well.” He talks to students about free love, death and the occult, and points out that the Gospel has a great deal to say on these vital points of interest. And what does David Watson think of censorship? In the Alf Garnett debate he talked about the film, “Straw Dogs” which he said "absolutely nauseated” him. “Fair censorship” “It appears there has to be some clear censorship on a simple humanistic level,” he adds. “Individuals are increasingly portrayed as objects to be used for sex and violence, and for that reason there has to be some fair censorship — exactly where to draw the line is extremely difficult.” Morality in Britain, David Watson describes as "really sick.” He says it is becoming increasingly true to say all traditional sexual standards have been thrown overboard, with very real attendant problems. "And there is this appalling greed today. It is too dramatic to say we are getting to a state of anarchy, but we strike at the slightest provocation if we don’t feel we get exactly what we want. There has to be some real moral law and order restored to society.” Mr Watson sees hope in a real spiritual renewal and says that because of charismatic movement there is a rapport between Christians of different backgrounds. “For years I have felt no real union between churches will be possible unless there is a deep spiritual renewal," he says.