Friday, 6 June 2008
Judge not, that you be not judged ...
It seems that one out of three Church of England Bishops feel that half of their diocesan clergy, as many as 6,000, are not equipped to cope with the demands of ministry, according to last weekend's Sunday Telegraph and this week's Church Times.
Not only is it amusing to think where the Bishops' new policy of encouraging congregations to ask questions of their clergy might lead - perhaps, to people daring to ask questions of their bishops too! As ever, the bishops' collective "wisdom" is baffling; proposed solutions include help with breathing exercises to improve delivery, a pay review, and a look at clergy housing. Hardly a root and branch reformation! Would it not be better to tackle the root problems of lack of gospel convictions with a robust theological and practical training for contemporary ministry (for which, go here).
Not only is it amusing to think where the Bishops' new policy of encouraging congregations to ask questions of their clergy might lead - perhaps, to people daring to ask questions of their bishops too! As ever, the bishops' collective "wisdom" is baffling; proposed solutions include help with breathing exercises to improve delivery, a pay review, and a look at clergy housing. Hardly a root and branch reformation! Would it not be better to tackle the root problems of lack of gospel convictions with a robust theological and practical training for contemporary ministry (for which, go here).
Athens & London: A Tale of Two Cities?
Studying and preaching on Acts 17 over the last month has been deeply convicting. Here is John Stott on Paul's challenge to us today:
"Why is it that, in spite of the great needs and opportunities of our day, the church slumbers peacefully on, and that so many Christians are deaf and dumb, deaf to Christ's commission and tongue-tied in testimony? I think the major reason is this: we do not speak as Paul spoke because we do not feel as Paul felt. We have never had the paroxysm of indination which he had. Divine jealousy has not stirred within us. We constantly pray 'Hallowed be your Name', but we do not seem to mean it, or to care that his Name is so widely profaned.
Why is this? It takes us a stage further back. If we do not speak like Paul because we do not feel like Paul, this is because we do not see like Paul. That was the order: he saw, he felt, he spoke. It all began with his eyes. When Paul walked round Athens, he did not just 'notice' the idols ... he looked and looked, and thought and thought, until the fires of holy indignation were kindled within him. For he saw men and women, created by God in the image of God, giving to idols the homage which was due to him alone."
"Why is it that, in spite of the great needs and opportunities of our day, the church slumbers peacefully on, and that so many Christians are deaf and dumb, deaf to Christ's commission and tongue-tied in testimony? I think the major reason is this: we do not speak as Paul spoke because we do not feel as Paul felt. We have never had the paroxysm of indination which he had. Divine jealousy has not stirred within us. We constantly pray 'Hallowed be your Name', but we do not seem to mean it, or to care that his Name is so widely profaned.
Why is this? It takes us a stage further back. If we do not speak like Paul because we do not feel like Paul, this is because we do not see like Paul. That was the order: he saw, he felt, he spoke. It all began with his eyes. When Paul walked round Athens, he did not just 'notice' the idols ... he looked and looked, and thought and thought, until the fires of holy indignation were kindled within him. For he saw men and women, created by God in the image of God, giving to idols the homage which was due to him alone."
Thursday, 5 June 2008
Real Church Bulletins
Don't you just love those glorious typos and inadvertant errors in church notices? Here are some great ones that I was sent recently:
The sermon this morning: "Jesus walks on water."
The sermon this evening: "Searching for Jesus!"
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.
Miss Charlene Mason sang"I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
For those of you who have children and don't know it,we have a nursery downstairs.
The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing: "Break Forth Into Joy."
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladiesof the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
The sermon this morning: "Jesus walks on water."
The sermon this evening: "Searching for Jesus!"
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.
Miss Charlene Mason sang"I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
For those of you who have children and don't know it,we have a nursery downstairs.
The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing: "Break Forth Into Joy."
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladiesof the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
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