Back in September when I was a very new minister (unlike now), I mentioned that I was struggling with people's perceptions of a person wearing a clerical collar (see The Collar). I left it with the question, 'so do I persevere with this collar or do I bow to public opinion?'
Well, I'm still not sure what to do. There are times when my churches expect me to wear it, but what of people outside the church? I was talking someone recently who was a little surprised that I would consider not wearing it. 'After all, you do represent the presence of God in the community...don't you?' At this point, a skip load of theology came into my head. You know, the priesthood of all believers and all of that. Supposing all those professing to follow Jesus considered themselves as the presence of God in the community. I think that would make a much bigger difference than my plastic collar. The Methodist Church certainly believes that we all have our part to play. The Methodist Worship Book states, 'All Christians are called through their Baptism and by the hearing of God's word to ministry and service among the whole people of God and in the life of the church and in the life of the world'. So can I take it off? Not yet...

Funny

This link from asbo jesus made me laugh. I have to admit, sometimes there is a (self-imposed) pressure to come up with something new at every service...

Sorry it's been a while since I last posted but I have been a little poorly lately - and it's the first bout of illness I've had as a minister. In fact, it's the first bout of illness I've had for a long time. So what does a new minister do when they are ill? Do they phone up the night before the Covenant service and tell the Superintendent that they are ill? I suppose I could have done that, but I didn't think she would be too impressed and if I was going to cry off, then I should have done it earlier. But as I didn't, I thought I had better just get on with it. This was fine until half way through when it came to leading the service by saying the covenant...I felt very light-headed and faint. I was glad for the lectern which held me up quite nicely. I was also very glad of my communion steward who led me through communion and reminded me that I needed to kneel down to receive the bread and wine. I'm not sure how the service ended but I think it was OK. My problem is that I enjoy what I do so much. Coupled with the fact that it was the covenant service, meant that I was compelled to be there. After all it is a most wonderful service.
Am I indispensable? No. Do I feel that I have a responsibility to small congregations who are paying a lot of money toward my stipend? Unfortunately, yes. I'm on the mend now but not so sure that I'll do it differently next time...

Philip Pullman

I'm just finishing the Philip Pullman trilogy, His Dark Materials. They are children's books but seem to have grabbed people's attention. Even my good friend Jean who is nearly 80 has had a go at reading one of them. Ordinarily I wouldn't have contemplated reading children's books like this. It's a strange mixture of science, modern and post-modern thought added with some over active imagination and a large lump of pick and mix theology. I was prompted to have a look as a result of a theology book about being human by Jane Craske. I'm either very confident in my faith or way off beam...but it has made me question just how much of an athiest he is.

This is my local Anglican church and I love to worship here - sometimes. After all, I am a Methodist minister so 'sometimes' is OK. But I was walking past at Christmas and thought how nice it looked and I saw this sign outside. Actually, this sign is often out, inviting people in to spend time with God. But I did have to ask myself the question, 'why is God more in the building than outside?'. I took Ruby in (my errant dog) this week and prayed in the front pew. It was a good feeling, but I don't believe in a God who sometimes comes down and intervenes and sometimes doesn't. I believe in a God who is always there and I don't have to invoke him - just find him. So why do I think that in this Church I sometimes feel closer to God? Monks sometimes called these places where we feel closer to God as 'thin places' where the gap between heaven and earth was narrower than other places. What say you...?