Ridley Students Bound for Lambeth Palace

My interview with Rachael and Jonathan Lopez, who leave this weekend to join a monastic community in London for a year!

How does a Filipino boxer and a Post-Pentecostal Anglican end up going on a one year monastic retreat in Canterbury?

Jonathan – Well coincidentally there is a boxing gym on the same block as Lambeth Palace that has been there for 100 years! So I am hoping to get a few rounds in between prayers. I too am post-pentecostal, born and raised Roman Catholic and spent 17 years in a traditional Pentecostal church. Initially confronted on my very first day at Ridley chapel by the Anglican prayer book service, along the way being shaped by church history and theology and found myself called to the Anglican church. This was also by the example of the faithful men and women serving Jesus in their golden years at Brimbank Anglican Church (BAC) and St Mark’s Reservoir – my home parishes. Not St Peter Chanel Deer Park as this month’s TMA says.

Rachael – I think from an Australian Christian perspective it does seem quite crazy for an Anglicostal like me to be spending a monastic year in the home of the Archbishops of Canterbury since the 13th Century! Monasticism does bring to mind words like silence, tradition, contemplation – not exactly words to describe the Pentecostal movement. That being said the ‘new-monastic’ movement(s) in England have been quite charismatic, as is much of the Church of England (more so than Australia). Although some things will be quite different and challenging for me (morning prayer, eucharist and evening prayer everyday!), I think I will feel at home in some ways.

What made you apply?

Jonathan – Rachael followed Justin Welby on social media and when the program was advertised we both had a good read into what was involved and when it was on. We both come from Pentecostal backgrounds and have founds ourselves being called to the Anglican church. Both Archbishop Justin Welby (Abbott) and Anders Litzell (Prior) come from more Evangelical-Charismatic backgrounds and it would be an amazing ‘once in a life-time’ opportunity to be shaped by them. Its appeal for Rachael is the opportunity to further develop her academic path and for me as a ordination candidate it would further shape my future in parish ministry.

Rachael – I wasn’t going to apply because going to London for a year was not part of our five-year plan! My London sister prayed that God would change our minds and He did. Reading the ‘Rule of Life’ for the Community was very convincing – it was so scriptural and theologically sound.

What are you most looking forward to?

Jonathan – Building great relationships with the community members who have experienced God in different ways. I think it is a unique opportunity to build further unity with the church world wide. Along with deepening in my own faith in the Lord Jesus I look forward to the seeing what impact these community members will have in the many years ahead of ministry in their own countries… and also learning from another boxing coach!

Rachael – Living in the heart of London – one of the most amazing cities in the world, meeting people from different cultural and theological backgrounds, having time to ‘switch off’, going deeper in my faith.

What are you afraid of or apprehensive about?

Jonathan – We have made this decision with some mixed emotions – I have loved my job as high school chaplain and youth worker in the community of Reservoir. I love my boxing community – Footscray Youth Club and I play an integral role in the coaching and operations as a volunteer. Along with leaving my friends and family there is a part of me that feels anxious about the unknown. On the other side of this, I believe God has answered my prayers in finding people to replace me in my many commitments. This places a lot of my anxiety to rest and I am learning to trust God more in decisions even when the future is unknown.

Rachael – Living in Christian community is very rewarding but it definitely has its difficulties, so I’m not naive about that. The whole experience I am nervous-excited about – I know I’ll be outside my comfort zone a lot. Unlike Jonathan, I haven’t done much welfare work, so this will be something new for me.

What is the one theology book that you’ll be taking with you?

Jonathan – Evangeline, of course! [= Michael Bird, Evangelical Theology].

Rachael –  Prayer by Richard Foster

How do you think the experience might change you?

Jonathan – Definitely my approach to prayer! To be exposed to other practices of prayer and holiness. To look deeper into the monastic movements in the past and to see what we can still learn from their prayer life today. My last on campus subject at Ridley was Reformation Church History and I am particularly interested in the history and formation of The Church of England. To see these historical places in context will deepen my appreciation of becoming an Anglican.

Rachael – I hope I will be able to understand people better and have more patience for people I disagree with. Definitely changed in becoming more like Jesus, if there’s one ‘main thing’ the Community of St Anselm is about, it’s this. Other things I’d like to change – learning to be less consumerist, less addicted to entertainment (tv, social media etc…), to let go of anxiety and trust in God more.