Grand National: Place your bets...

People wonder what the future of Christianity will be in Britain. Is it about getting everything licked into shape with the institutional Church, or adventurous new forms of priestly ministry? Is it about renewing our historic resources to be all they could be? Or is the life at the more sectarian seeming margins? Is it about social renewal?

In today’s Grand National, people can put their money where their mouth is, down the betting shop. Straws in the wind, you may say, but keep an eye out for the following Grand National contenders:

1. No 5: Comply or Die 12/1
   Winner last year, but out of form since
   
   
2. No 10: Priests Leap 100/1
   Solid Stayer — Interesting at a Big Price
   thus the Parish Share?
   
   
3. No 19: Parson’s Legacy 16/1
   Will love this stamina test, but lacks pace
   
   
4. No 21: Fundamentalist 150/1
   Fell 3rd Fence last year. No Chance.
   
   
5. No 31: Rambling Minster 10/1
   Thorough stayer who is int he form of his life
   Note there is only one “i” in the name...
   
   
6. No 38: Idle Talk 66/1
   Reported in great shape, but needs to improve to win

So there you have it. All good Anglicans should, of course, lay Each Way bets, preferably on everything at once. You don’t win anything, but it sure beats making up your mind. Go easy on Fundamentalist though. If it comes in, various of you will feel like leaving the country...

h/t Revds Colin Smith and Richard Watson, and the Daily Telegraph for the form guide.