The Church is to take on Wonga: Congratulations about time somebody did!

He may have slipped up momentarily Edward, but he will gain a lot of respect for this, at least that is my opinion.

I also happen to think it will make some think very differently about the Church, some might even ask 'What is the Church, where does it have any shops?' Hmmm!

Unfortunately, Ron, the C of E appears to be in terminal decline, and totally out of touch with the mindset of the vast majority of the UK population. Maybe you are right and the Archbishop can popularise the Church by becoming a money-lender. I love our heritage of wonderful church buildings, but it saddens me to see the church becoming an object of ridicule.The situation is not helped by the unseemly rows about Transgender, Gay, Women, as  Priests and Bishops and the issue of Gay Marriage. Also many 'Happy-Clappy' churches have ripped out the pews and replaced them with plastic chairs, and now have as much Holiness as a motorway service station.

The traditional church services (Matins, Communion, Choral Evensong, Vespers, Compline etc) have largely been abandoned due to lack of interest. For example, I stopped in Dorchester on a Sunday a few weeks ago at about 6.00 pm. The great Abbey Church was closed, since apparently Choral Evensong only takes place there every five weeks nowadays. The size of Anglican  congregations is dwindling and their average age is increasing. The conclusion of this trend is inescapable. Unless of course the churches become filled with grateful borrowers liberated from the curse of Wonga! 

I take it you are a traditionalist, Ron. I don't know if you have heard of the Church of England Continuing ? 

I am not a member, but it seems to be how the Church of England used to be. 

No I hadn't and will tale a look later, but times change Edward and likewise we also have to change.

It's actually a very interesting subject in my opinion.

Many Christians seem to want it both ways. They claim to follow the Bible (except when modern views are different). I am not a committed Christian but I believe that those who claim to be Christians should follow the Bible. Usually they just choose the bits they like and ignore the bits which make uncomfortable reading.

Those people who live more closely to the Bible (e.g. The Amish) are seen as being in a time warp. I could not live like that myself, but I respect their integrity (unlike the C of E which flutters randomly with any lefty trendy view that is in vogue).