As the year ends, hope rises. Interest from one church situation in particular is becoming more firm, and I am beginning to look forward to being what they call "settled" in a pastorate.
God grant I shall be "settled" this time. It is possible to be most unsettled in a church. One meets those who seem determined to make you as uncomfortable as possible in your work. These are the complex characters and loose cannons who go off bang at unexpected moments, leaving you never knowing where you stand with them.
In some ways, God never means us to be settled in this life. The apostle Paul had to do a complete turnaround once he had met the risen Jesus. The status and advantages Paul once relied on no longer meant anything, because he was now living for Jesus. Jesus Himself declared a blessing on those who hungered and thirsted for righteousness, never content with the world and its injustice.
We are constantly called on to leave our comfort zones. We are reminded that Christmas was cold comfort for Mary and Joseph in the draughty stable. But, along life's bumpy road, may God give us friends in the churches who allow us to settle in among them. Welcoming, caring people like that remind us of the wonderful fellowship of heaven, where there is eternal security and where we will never be unsettled or oppressed.
Friday, 24 December 2010
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Perfect love?
"The entrance of love into our hearts means the exit of fear," the daily notes screamed at me this morning, inspired by 1 John 4:18. I am painfully aware that my fears haven't exited, so I wonder whether the love is struggling to get in. This comes home to me whenever I step on ice.
I shy away from any risk of losing my balance. Last Christmas time my feet slid forward suddenly on some black ice and and I fell heavily on the base of my spine. It took weeks for my bones and muscles to readjust themselves. To protect me in this cold snap I bought an invention that slips over the soles and heels of your shoes and contains tiny tungsten spikes that grip the ice. I feel a bit of a fool wearing this because most of the time it is only gripping on tarmac and wearing out.
Of course John is talking about other fears that more directly involve a failure of love. A writer made a list which began with "Suspicion, mistrust, fear of exposure or exploitation ..." It is certainly tempting to over-protect oneself against what others might do or say. Breakdowns in relationships, and even wars, can result. It is also a betrayal of Jesus, because Jesus did not protect Himself against the cross, which was for our benefit.
Even while hope rises that a new pastorate will come my way before long, I feel vulnerable. Will the tender shoots of hope be crushed at the last minute? You scrutinise every word, every slightest signal, and fear that others are doing the same in regard to you. Christian love does not come easy when the desired outcome is not yet in the bag. In the meantime, however, there are many opportunities to show care and concern, even at some risk. Each opportunity taken gives you the confidence that, however imperfectly, you can still show a love that warms God's heart.
I shy away from any risk of losing my balance. Last Christmas time my feet slid forward suddenly on some black ice and and I fell heavily on the base of my spine. It took weeks for my bones and muscles to readjust themselves. To protect me in this cold snap I bought an invention that slips over the soles and heels of your shoes and contains tiny tungsten spikes that grip the ice. I feel a bit of a fool wearing this because most of the time it is only gripping on tarmac and wearing out.
Of course John is talking about other fears that more directly involve a failure of love. A writer made a list which began with "Suspicion, mistrust, fear of exposure or exploitation ..." It is certainly tempting to over-protect oneself against what others might do or say. Breakdowns in relationships, and even wars, can result. It is also a betrayal of Jesus, because Jesus did not protect Himself against the cross, which was for our benefit.
Even while hope rises that a new pastorate will come my way before long, I feel vulnerable. Will the tender shoots of hope be crushed at the last minute? You scrutinise every word, every slightest signal, and fear that others are doing the same in regard to you. Christian love does not come easy when the desired outcome is not yet in the bag. In the meantime, however, there are many opportunities to show care and concern, even at some risk. Each opportunity taken gives you the confidence that, however imperfectly, you can still show a love that warms God's heart.
Sunday, 21 November 2010
Hospitality
One of the joys of my current situation is to find myself on the receiving end of hospitality of various kinds. I am thankful to God for the kindly Christian family on the island of Guernsey who graciously let me stay with them for a week at a time. Being in their company and roaming free round the island recently has given me one of my most relaxing and enjoyable holidays ever. Then there are the guest house owners who make hospitality their livelihood, and consciously maintain professional standards while still seeking to offer a family atmosphere.
The people I am lodging with take hospitality to a new level, the relatively long-term. That is a gift of a special order: they have kindly made me part of their household, a privileged if at times delicate position. In all these situations I study to be an appreciative and co-operative guest. It is a great pleasure when a host comments, "You're no trouble to look after!"
Hospitality is great to receive and a joy to give too. Whoever is hospitable is following a scripture command: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Hebrews 13:2, ESV). A wealthy woman once provided food for the prophet Elisha and then persuaded her husband to supply something more substantial, a furnished room with "a bed, a table, a chair and a lamp" (2 Kings 4:10).
The guest we should seek most to welcome is the Lord Jesus Christ, who knocks on the door of the human heart asking to come in. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20). Are your heart and mine available, clean and kitted out with proper furniture to welcome the Master?
An old hymn, "On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry", has a verse which goes:
Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
make straight the way for God within;
prepare we in our hearts a home
where such a mighty Guest may come.
The people I am lodging with take hospitality to a new level, the relatively long-term. That is a gift of a special order: they have kindly made me part of their household, a privileged if at times delicate position. In all these situations I study to be an appreciative and co-operative guest. It is a great pleasure when a host comments, "You're no trouble to look after!"
Hospitality is great to receive and a joy to give too. Whoever is hospitable is following a scripture command: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Hebrews 13:2, ESV). A wealthy woman once provided food for the prophet Elisha and then persuaded her husband to supply something more substantial, a furnished room with "a bed, a table, a chair and a lamp" (2 Kings 4:10).
The guest we should seek most to welcome is the Lord Jesus Christ, who knocks on the door of the human heart asking to come in. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20). Are your heart and mine available, clean and kitted out with proper furniture to welcome the Master?
An old hymn, "On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry", has a verse which goes:
Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
make straight the way for God within;
prepare we in our hearts a home
where such a mighty Guest may come.
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Autumn
Let it never be said that I am so absorbed in the hunt for a pastorate that I have no time to stand and stare. This autumn has, for whatever reason, clothed our trees in particularly brilliant colours. I've been enjoying it hugely. Last week I spent a few days in Llandudno, North Wales, and made a beeline for my favourite spot in that area, Bodnant Gardens. The sights that greeted me there were breathtaking: the intense red of the leaves of the acer trees; the bright yellow of some of the other foliage; the hydrangea flowers which had not yet turned pale and whose intense blue contrasted pleasingly with these other colours.
Some folk tell me they don't like autumn because it reminds them of the end of life. The old leaves surviving from the summer become brittle, ready to fall from the trees once a stiff wind blows. How like human frailty, the downhearted ones imagine! Yet I am encouraged and moved when I meet people in the twilight of life who seem constantly rejuvenated and refreshed in spirit. Something in us may die, yet we live:
"... genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything" (2 Corinthians 6:8-10, NIV).
No doubt in days of economic hardship many my age are contemplating a premature end to their working lives. Old landmarks and life patterns are being swept away. At times the alarm and anxiety this generates affects even me. Yet the one who accepts Jesus as Saviour knows mercies which are new every morning. I am glad God has given me many opportunities to preach and share in this waiting time. I can use them to share the truth that He allows His children to blossom where they might have been expected to fade. Autumn colour is not deceptive; it really is a time for hope.
Some folk tell me they don't like autumn because it reminds them of the end of life. The old leaves surviving from the summer become brittle, ready to fall from the trees once a stiff wind blows. How like human frailty, the downhearted ones imagine! Yet I am encouraged and moved when I meet people in the twilight of life who seem constantly rejuvenated and refreshed in spirit. Something in us may die, yet we live:
"... genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything" (2 Corinthians 6:8-10, NIV).
No doubt in days of economic hardship many my age are contemplating a premature end to their working lives. Old landmarks and life patterns are being swept away. At times the alarm and anxiety this generates affects even me. Yet the one who accepts Jesus as Saviour knows mercies which are new every morning. I am glad God has given me many opportunities to preach and share in this waiting time. I can use them to share the truth that He allows His children to blossom where they might have been expected to fade. Autumn colour is not deceptive; it really is a time for hope.
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Choices
We love to be able to choose between different options. In such situations you can pick one or more from a number of alternatives. It offers a wonderful feeling of being in control.
There comes a time when the power to choose is snatched from us. I think of frail elderly people who once had the power of making decisions for not only themselves but maybe hundreds or even thousands of other folk besides. Now they are dependent. If your carer has compelling reasons why you would be better off being moved from the chair to the bed, you have little choice but to go along with it.
Most of Jesus' first followers lost the power to choose what would happen to them in the end. In John 21:18-19 Jesus gives Peter the disquieting message, "I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."
Then we read, "Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, 'Follow me!'"
For years I have had to accept particular work situations because there was no other option. This time I prayed that the Lord would give me a choice because it would be good, for once, to say to Him, "Lord, there are several options this time. Give me the discernment to choose the right one". Maybe - whisper it softly - this prayer has been answered in the affirmative. This would be welcome but it can also be quite scary! Lord, give me choice, but far be it from me to demand to be in control.
There comes a time when the power to choose is snatched from us. I think of frail elderly people who once had the power of making decisions for not only themselves but maybe hundreds or even thousands of other folk besides. Now they are dependent. If your carer has compelling reasons why you would be better off being moved from the chair to the bed, you have little choice but to go along with it.
Most of Jesus' first followers lost the power to choose what would happen to them in the end. In John 21:18-19 Jesus gives Peter the disquieting message, "I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."
Then we read, "Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, 'Follow me!'"
For years I have had to accept particular work situations because there was no other option. This time I prayed that the Lord would give me a choice because it would be good, for once, to say to Him, "Lord, there are several options this time. Give me the discernment to choose the right one". Maybe - whisper it softly - this prayer has been answered in the affirmative. This would be welcome but it can also be quite scary! Lord, give me choice, but far be it from me to demand to be in control.
Sunday, 10 October 2010
Ambition
The discussion at a recent Bible study turned to ambition. The disciples in Mark 9:34 were arguing about who was the greatest. Jesus replied that the first must be last.
Ambition in the ministry is usually connected with the numbers game. I remember hearing of ministers who were known for asking for "a significant appointment" - one in a large and lively church which was easy to make larger. Such men are eager to get on, and don't want to find themselves in a dead-end situation where they can't be seen to make progress.
One of the most frustrating questions from prospective churches is, "How big was the congregation in your last church?" If I reply, "Quite small", that goes against me. But if my last church had been big and doing well, why would I be looking for a new pastorate anyway?
True, the early church rejoiced mightily in growing numbers. Luke, the writer of the book of Acts, is pleased to announce that 3000 were added to the church in one day (Acts 2:41). I believe that is not boasting nor propaganda. It is simply joy that 3000 new people were acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord - which is what He deserves to receive from every human being on earth.
Most of us will never duplicate the results of that glorious day, but we still need some ambition to drive us. I am ambitious to be where I can serve the Lord Jesus who loved me and gave Himself for me; I am ambitious to keep the faith, to raise up more servants and to finish my course well.
Ambition in the ministry is usually connected with the numbers game. I remember hearing of ministers who were known for asking for "a significant appointment" - one in a large and lively church which was easy to make larger. Such men are eager to get on, and don't want to find themselves in a dead-end situation where they can't be seen to make progress.
One of the most frustrating questions from prospective churches is, "How big was the congregation in your last church?" If I reply, "Quite small", that goes against me. But if my last church had been big and doing well, why would I be looking for a new pastorate anyway?
True, the early church rejoiced mightily in growing numbers. Luke, the writer of the book of Acts, is pleased to announce that 3000 were added to the church in one day (Acts 2:41). I believe that is not boasting nor propaganda. It is simply joy that 3000 new people were acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord - which is what He deserves to receive from every human being on earth.
Most of us will never duplicate the results of that glorious day, but we still need some ambition to drive us. I am ambitious to be where I can serve the Lord Jesus who loved me and gave Himself for me; I am ambitious to keep the faith, to raise up more servants and to finish my course well.
Thursday, 30 September 2010
The call
Much pious stuff is talked about the process among Evangelicals whereby they "call" a new pastor. In this process potential new pastors are identified, approved and appointed to posts. One piece of imagery is that of a "courtship" leading to a "marriage".
But the Bible says that "the labourer is worthy of his wages" (1 Timothy 5:18). I suppose a jaded spouse in a marriage might moan in a low moment that marriage is hard labour, and that the other party isn't giving them enough spending money, but all told it sounds a funny motto for a marriage to me. Of course it isn't a marriage. If it was one, I would have got through five of them by now, since I have had five pastorates. Future brides, look out!
No, a church takes on and supports a man to concentrate on the work, if possible full time. He will exercise his God-given calling and gifts to further the church's spiritual life. Notice that he will not have a monopoly on the gifts. Otherwise the church would not be a body, with every member being part of the body and contributing to its life. Actually, I have made a discovery that has radically reshaped my thinking on this issue. I look in vain in the New Testament for an instance of one pastor per church. Instead I see a plurality of elders in the churches, working under God as a team. It never ceases to amaze me that the Lord Jesus, who was supremely able to do everything Himself, chose teams to work alongside Him!
In practice effective, godly eldership teams of one mind and heart are not always easy to achieve. God grant that in my next church it will be a glorious possibility.
I count it a sign of the calling God has given me that I haven't reached a point where I want to call it a day. Morale and adrenalin rise whenever I hear of a possible new pastorate on the horizon. Such was the case a few days ago when I was offered an introduction to two churches seeking a minister. The trail is warm again, and my appetite for the work is as strong as ever!
But the Bible says that "the labourer is worthy of his wages" (1 Timothy 5:18). I suppose a jaded spouse in a marriage might moan in a low moment that marriage is hard labour, and that the other party isn't giving them enough spending money, but all told it sounds a funny motto for a marriage to me. Of course it isn't a marriage. If it was one, I would have got through five of them by now, since I have had five pastorates. Future brides, look out!
No, a church takes on and supports a man to concentrate on the work, if possible full time. He will exercise his God-given calling and gifts to further the church's spiritual life. Notice that he will not have a monopoly on the gifts. Otherwise the church would not be a body, with every member being part of the body and contributing to its life. Actually, I have made a discovery that has radically reshaped my thinking on this issue. I look in vain in the New Testament for an instance of one pastor per church. Instead I see a plurality of elders in the churches, working under God as a team. It never ceases to amaze me that the Lord Jesus, who was supremely able to do everything Himself, chose teams to work alongside Him!
In practice effective, godly eldership teams of one mind and heart are not always easy to achieve. God grant that in my next church it will be a glorious possibility.
I count it a sign of the calling God has given me that I haven't reached a point where I want to call it a day. Morale and adrenalin rise whenever I hear of a possible new pastorate on the horizon. Such was the case a few days ago when I was offered an introduction to two churches seeking a minister. The trail is warm again, and my appetite for the work is as strong as ever!
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