Good news is for sharing

I was privileged to be invited to attend and take part in the recent unveiling of a Memorial to honour the Aviators of the former Doncaster Aerodrome. The Doncaster Aerodrome first opened in 1934, and operated until its eventual enclosure in 1992. It was situated on the site of the current Lakeside development; it is now quite difficult to imagine what the landscape must have looked like when the aerodrome was in operation.

I found the ceremony quite moving. A number of people with current or past connections with the world of aviation were present. The event was arranged through the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum, which is based in nearby Dakota Way. The arrangements for the day were that we were to meet at the museum, before being taken by vintage transport to the site of the unveiling. I must admit that, although I was aware of the Museum's existence, and had often walked by it on my way to the Keepmoat Stadium, I was very surprised by what I discovered. There is much more to the Museum than I imagined. I described it to one fellow attendee as being rather like the Tardis - a lot bigger on the inside than on the outside! Certainly worth a more leisurely visit.

On later reflection, I wondered whether the Aircraft Museum might be one of Doncaster's "hidden gems". Perhaps if it was more widely publicised, a greater number of the local population might go along and be as pleasantly surprised as I was?

As I continued to ponder this theme, into my mind came the words of Jesus to his disciples (part of the teaching known as "The Sermon on The Mount"), 'You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.' Good news is for sharing!

It's so sad when we Christians, who have been given the task of sharing the best news ever (of God's love in Christ), seem so often be reluctant to do so. We live in a world where many people are hurting, lonely and anxious. Bad news seems to bombard us all the time. As one Old Testament character once said, “We have good news, and we shouldn't keep it to ourselves!"

Strength in weakness

With most occupations, when someone feels that it might be time to move on to a new place of work, they usually commence the process by looking around for suitable vacancies. When they find such an opportunity, and are successful in applying for the job, they then give notice to their current employers, and in due course make the move. In general terms, this is how most new jobs happen. Not so within the Methodist Church!

For a start, all Methodist Ministers moving to a new place of ministry do so at the same time of the year (early August). Secondly, decisions about moving to pastures new have to be taken a very long time in advance (usually over a year before the move happens). And the third difference is that, to a large degree, the decision about where to move to is not taken by the Minister him/herself!

A while ago Sue and I came to the conclusion that God was saying to us that summer 2012 will be time for us to leave Doncaster. This means that we are currently in the process which will decide our future place of ministry. A list is produced of all the Ministers who expect to move in 2012, and all the Circuits [for non-Methodists, a Circuit is a group of churches in a particular area] which are looking for a new Minister at that time. Last week, Sue and I received a cd containing details of all the Circuits looking for a Minister. We have been reading through the info., hoping to find situations which appear suitable to what we hope to bring. And it ain't easy!

In a couple of week's time, the Chairs of all the Methodist Districts will get together and try to match up Ministers with vacancies. If things work out as hoped for, we should know within the next month where we will be moving to next summer!

It has been interesting reading through the profiles which have been put together by the Circuits. The profiles provide information about the churches etc., and also give an idea of the qualities which they are looking for in a prospective Minister. Reading some of the profiles, it appears that even the angel Gabriel might struggle to match the requirements! I am reminded of the time, many years ago now, when I first felt that God was calling me to the Methodist Ministry, and I kept asking myself (and God) how on earth I could be a Minister - I still wonder that sometimes!

I am encouraged by the words of St Paul, who wrote that God's words to him were, 'my power is made perfect in weakness.' The good news is that God isn't looking for supermen and superwomen. Indeed, he isn't interested so much in our ability as our availability. God looks for ordinary men and women who are willing to place themselves into his hands. Ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things through God's power at work in them. Thank God for that!

So as I continue to read through the profiles, and am tempted to ask "how can I do that?", I hear the voice of God saying, "in my strength". In some ways it's an uncertain period, not knowing where we will be in a year's time. On the other had, we firmly believe that God has our future in his hands. With him all things are possible!

Who do you think you are?

Just over two years ago my brother, Phil, left the UK to become National Director of Church Army New Zealand. They do say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I was delighted when he told us a while ago that he was returning to the UK for a couple of weeks.

One day last week, Sue and I travelled across to Manchester Airport to collect him. To cut a very long story short, we eventually met up with him some two hours or so later than expected. He had missed one of his connections and had arrived in Manchester via an alternative route. After being a little bit anxious at his non-appearance (and having been given inaccurate information as to his wherabouts by British Airways staff), it was a relief to see him. The bad news was that his luggage didn't arrive for another 3 days!

From Manchester we drove straight to Scarborough, where we spent an enjoyable 24 hours before heading home to Doncaster. Our route to Doncaster took us through Burton Agnes, which is the village where our parents were born and brought up. We had been told that some of our ancestors were buried in the village graveyard, so we decided to stop and have a look around. We found the gravestones of some of our aunts & uncles, and were also pleased to find the gravestone of our paternal grandparents, who died in the 1940s, long before we were born.

One of my favourite TV programmes is "Who Do You Think You Are?", in which famous people trace their family history. It is noticeable how often the celebrities find the whole experience very moving, and on quite a few occasions there are tears, either of joy or sadness. It seems that there is within every human being a need to understand our roots, and where we have come from.

The set Psalm for this Sunday was Psalm 139, which includes these wonderful words, as the psalmist speaks to God:

'You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb... You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born.'

I really appreciate knowing about my human ancestry,and understanding something of my family roots. But far greater is the knowledge that I was created by Almighty God, who knew me before I was born and walks each day with me.

The Prodigal Returns

As I start to write this blog, I am conscious that in around 12 hours' time I will (God-willing) be at Manchester airport, where my brother, Phil, is due to arrive after a more-than 24 hour journey from New Zealand. It is around 2 years since he left the UK with his family to take up the role of National Director of Church Army New Zealand. Although we communicate regularly via facebook, e-mail and the occasional Skype conversation, it will be good to see him face-to-face, and catch up with things.

On Sunday morning coming, Phil is due to take the morning service at Priory (I thought that we'd better make him work for his keep!); 3 of my 4 sisters are coming over for the service, and the other one will join us for lunch afterwards. One of the blessings of my life has been that of being part of a close-knit family. I am really looking forward to us being together, and there will be other opportunities during the 2 weeks Phil is in the UK.

One of the saddest development in British society during my lifetime has been the breakdown in traditional family life. The security of my childhood experience, with Mum, Dad and siblings sharing normal family life together (eating, outings, church, holidays etc) is not the experience of many today. I am not suggesting that there is only one model of family life, but the truth is that there are so many lonely people around, many of whom are desperate for love and companionship.

One of the images of church used in the New Testament is that of family. Of course, no church is perfect, but over the years I have witnessed many people, who were going through really tough times, finding strength to carry on through being embraced by the love, support and encouragement of fellow Christians. I have often heard people say, "I don't know how I would manage without my church friends". I and my family have experienced the care and support of fellow Christians many times over the years, and despite its failings, I love being part of the church family.

A statement I hear on occasions is, "I don't need to go to church to be a Christian." Of course in a strict sense that is true, as Christians in some countries in the world today are not ALLOWED to attend church, and that doesn't stop them being Christians. My observation, however, is that by not meeting regularly with our fellow Christians we can miss out in such a big way. Not only do we absent ourselves from the love, support, and nurture we might receive from others, but we deny ourselves the opportunity to support and care for others. The Christian life is about giving as well as receiving. If we never meet up with our fellow Christians how can we serve them?