The things that shape us

I was reflecting the other day about a draft set of Ministry Guidelines, as produced by the Baptist Union Department of Ministry, for how Ministers are to behave and act. My first reaction was to think that the same kind of thing should be drawn up for Churches in terms of how they behave towards their Minister. Many a church has scarred their Minister through an action or indeed lack of action, either by the few or the many. And, yes, I still think that. Then I started reflecting upon our recent church AGM, and in running through the annual affirmations of Treasurer & Secretary, I felt an inward and unnoticeable to all, vacuum of despair, because - to be blatant, I too felt I wanted to be affirmed, and the truth is that in the life of most churches, this never or rarely happens, unless its at your leaving party! And I guess that some of that is because being a church leader is sometimes, perhaps often, about being in a place where you cannot please everybody, and often cannot please anybody. In short, and I may be bringing up luggage here, but I'll say it anyway, its about not being appreciated and sometimes despised. And if Ministers are ever appreciated, they are never told so, but only ever complained to. The result? A sense of despair and discouragement that often results in good ministers leaving the ministry! Then, I did aanother final set of reflections - ok, so maybe its not healthy to do this kind of thing, but ..I started thinking about my first church and how I think its true to say, that your first church and the experiences you have, are what shape you and your future ministry. Was my first church a good experience? Yes, on the whole! The vast majority were lovely, wonderful, supportive people - and still are. But, as a new Minister just out of college, I never received a visit from my then Regional Minister - I only saw him once and that was at the induction. But I had some attacks that deeply hurt me and to some extent have never been forgotten. One when we were married - too much holiday you know, another - a vote of confidence over a non baptised prospective Deacon. Not nice! Painful! Sure, they shaped me, but did they do so for good? I don't know. These days, people still complain and winge, but its water off a ducks back now. Is that a good thing? I wonder?!

pleasing everyone

So I'm just back from 3 days of Baptist Union Council. This is a kind of synod for the Baptist Family of churches in the UK. It's been hard work - lots of listening and reflecting, voting and the making of occasional points to input in the debate. There can be up to 200 + reps from across the country & staff from HQ, but on average there are about 150 that make it each time. We meet twice a year - spring and autumn, and as well as all the hard work, there are a lot of laughs and lots of old friendships re-engaged. We come away somewhat dazed by the inevitable language, detail, mindset and style of council and attempt to re-connect with normality, but also in awe of all the hard work that gets done, the new ideas, the potential for growth, the hope and aspirations for the future, and grateful that as a Baptist Christian family, for all our weaknesses, God still uses our network or tribe of churches. We've had in places some challenging issues to think on, but God has been at work amongst us.
One little muse - should it get smaller, stay the same size, discard certain people who never turn up? Well, I reflect that if we in our church were to do that in regard to church meetings, then we'd be in real trouble! If we started in WBC to remove all the folk who never came to church meetings, and essentially reduce the potential number who could show up, we'd never hear the last of it! No, we'd never do that. But, as the saying goes "if it aint broke, don't fix it!" In my book, the more representatives the better, because then people and churches feel they belong. Remove these, and beware! It's not the quantity, but the methodology of debate and discussion that needs refreshing! I hope that careful reflection will lead to careful action!

Off to war again then

So, today, Friday 18th March 2011, we're off to war again! As the United Nations affirm a no fly zone, so Nato begins its planning. Of course, as a country, we've been at war for the last 10 years or more.
The Western "Christian" world can always appeal to the Just War doctrine to affirm that this is just, right and godly action to take, given Gadaffi's actions.
Reflecting for a minute on the last few weeks - we have had earthquakes, tsunami and now nuclear devastation - and possible meltdown, and now we have war.
I heard it this week from a Christian who met with me - "looks like the end times is really kicking in now!" And to some extent, they may well be right. Jesus said almost word for word what we have seen - rumours of war, earthquakes, floods, devastation. And these he made clear would signal that we are in the end times. But some balance please! The disciples, after Jesus death, resurrection and ascension, also though they were in the end times. For them, Jesus' promise to return was not going to be long. It was if he had left the room for a moment and would be back in a jiffy! And the fall of Rome with its terrible martyrdom of Christians and fire and destruction of mighty Rome City, might have also indicated that Jesus was about to return. But he didn't and hadn't. And every generation has seen its own huge levels of devastation, and yes, the Christians of those times thought it was so bad that Jesus would be about to return. But he didn't. So, does that mean that Jesus isn't going to come back, and that the scriptures and promises are incorrect? No! But it does mean that we must be watchful, be prepared, and trust. It also means that we don't know when he will return, and for me - I love that scripture, that he will come as a thief in the night! I cannot say, nor can you, where we are in the heavenly schemes of the end times, and that isn't our concern. But that we are ready and prepared is.

Keeping the balance

The human being is always at risk of over emphasising the argument! That's not a quote, but my observation of life, ministry and well, stuff! That's why balance is important, and it applies to many aspects of life. Over emphasis can very easily lead to things being twisted - a narrow, distorted perception of the facts that, if not challenged, lead to serious diffculty. I remember this being demonstrated in a visual way once when I was Minister in Oundle, in the EMBA. The then Regional Minister, Peter Grange, brought one of those hanging play things that you put above babies cots, that are hung delicately together by cotton or the like. He displayed how if you give even the slightlest extra force onto one of the strings, then the entire play device is very clearly distorted, and out of line.
So it is with our theology; care is needed to keep balance. When theology gets over emphasised, distortion occurs. In church ministry settings too, aspscts of a church's life can be given inappropriate focus, then imbalance can occur.
Finally in our relationships - that area of life that we tiptoe around. Relationships are fragile - handle with care!

A crossing place ministry

Yesterday I spent some time with one of our Church Members over a coffee just listening to what she was doing, day in, day out in her educational establishment. I have to put i like that because it would probably not be too clever to reveal her identity or where she works - too many hints already!
She is a Teacher, of sorts within a Christian educational setting, but working with those young people who find life just hard work and challenging. She is the kind of professional who would never inflict her faith on anyone, and yet God is using her in the daily hum drum of life to extend his Kingdom. It's not with loads of flashy lights or lots of noise, but the questions she is getting asked by her kids are mind blowing. The cross on the wall seems to start the conversations and questions, and this it seems leads to asking big questions about life, about the Bible, and about prayer. She is very hesitant to share anything and is almost unwilling to do so, lest she be misunderstood. She always begins her response by saying "these are my personal views", but then she shares her story. I am humbled at the power of the Gospel daily at work in this way and in numnerous other places too.