Why we need more dreadlocks in church

Who is that guy? Well if you are Kiwi you'd already know (probably) that he is Justin Duckworth, bishop elect of Wellington. The Anglicans are very pleased, all my social activist friends are pleased as punch, and Kiwi's on the whole like that fact that finally here is a real Christian example, someone who loves the poor and doesn't live to line his pockets or win pompous intra-mural debates, and because he has dreads he really is interesting and hip. The problems will come of course when 1) all these people with dreadlocks start coming into Anglican churches and no one knows what to do with them, and 2) when Justin starts suggesting that other people might like to love the poor and needy too instead of just watching him do it. But problems are just ministry opportunities and the more dreadlocks we have in church the better, maybe the Anglican church can remember and then remind the rest of us that Christianity is supposed to be a countercultural force. Off you go Justin,

In our last 25 years of ministry, Jenny and I have connected with those who have borne the brunt of our cultural obsession with greed. I feel the need to question the church and society about that. Because the church and society should be judged on how they look after the weakest, and most marginalised people – whether they’re old, young or children. We need to remind our church and society that ultimately, it’s fragile and vulnerable people who will be our yardstick

Well said.