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!