To offer or not to offer

From what I felt and the comments others have made to me, either directly or via others, last weeks service went well. My female minister told me she heard it had been really well received (she probably had "spies" feeding info back to her!). I told her others had told me they enjoyed it. Then, and she has a habit of doing this, she...how do I put this...looked at me intently; not quite staring me out, but almost waiting on me to elaborate. I'm not sure what else she wanted me to say. When I mentioned it to me hubbie, he didn't know either. He also said he'd experienced the intense look. He thought it was like she was waiting on him to say more...

Anyway, she asked if I was exhausted after. Well, actually, no. If anything I felt quite...enlivened...fulled with the spirit, I suppose may be one of the best ways of putting it. I suppose that's a good thing. That's not to say I wasn't tired after 2 services, but it was physical tiredness through having to get up earlier than normal on a Sunday morning...

A few weeks ago (bear with me, there is a connection) my minister mentioned the person who organises locum cover while her and her husband are on holiday couldn't get anyone for one of the Sunday's they are away in July. So, I wonder if she was wanting me to offer to lead worship that Sunday...I do think I should, but wonder what others (i.e. those my home church who expect a minister to lead worship) would say. I know it shouldn't matter, and will be good experience for me, but I don't want to annoy the congregation of my home church. They have been very supportive of me.

I think I may wait a week and ask if they still need that Sunday covered. I'll take it as a sign I am intended to preach then if no locum cover has been found by then.

I think I got away with it.

Today's service seems to have been well received. Many people at both churches commented on it.

I was a little nervous to begin with, even though I was among friends, but the nerves settled down as I got on with it. It felt as though God was standing beside me, offering reassurance and guidance throughout.

I did manage to choose 1 hymn new to the congregations. As I'm not musical, I looked at the words and thought I recognised it and the words reflected the message I wanted to get across. My hubbie was the first to note it was a new hymn, as he was preparing the presentation for the second service. All the hymns already used have been stored, to save him and his fellow projectionist having to re-type them. Oops. I did recognise it once I heard the tune. I've no idea where, though.

I'm starting to feel in terms of services and sermons, especially from comments I've received, I have a gift for these which I didn't realise I had. Perhaps it's a gift which has only manifested itself now I am on this journey of following my call to ministry? Or I've had it all along and never knew it was there. Either way, it is a gift from God. A precious gift from God and I must use it wisely. I'm sure He will guide me well in its usage.

Good enough

Well, the service for Sunday is written. The ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication) prayer, children's' address and sermon are all by my own fair hand. I've adapted a prayer I found on the This is church website. I must remember to bookmark that.

I even chose the hymns myself and only snuck in one of my favourites and it still, more or less, ties in with the theme. This is particularly impressive as I am not musical at all and tend to forget most hymns until I hear it being played! My hubbie was complaining though, I have managed to choose a hymn we haven't got typed up. He's one of the projectionists - all the hymns that have been used since my home church got the projector are saved and it wasn't there. Oops I'm sure I recognised it. That could be a bit embarrassing on Sunday when I don't have a clue how it goes!!!

I'm a bit worried about my sermon. It's okay, I think, but I don't think it's nearly as good as my last one. It being my home church, I think it'll be pretty unlikely anyone would say "That wasn't that good" or "You're last one was much better". Not that I'm complaining, but sometimes unbias comments are more helpful.

I know it being my home church they'll be on my side. I just hope I can convey what God need the congregations to hear. That's all I hope for.

Time to panic yet???

A while back (about 7 weeks ago) my female minister asked what I was doing on 24th May. Her and her husband (my other part-time minister) are away that Sunday. She was wondering if I'd be able to do the service. The whole service. At both churches (it's a linked charge). "Err, mmh...I suppose". Okay, not the most positive of answers, but I was racking my brains for a reason not to do it.

So, I'm the preacher/sermoniser (I don't know what to call myself) on Sunday. I currently should be writing at least an order of service, but procrastination comes much easier. I have chosen the readings from the lectionary , so that's a start. I've even read the various resources I have been given and come across. Even the Starters for Sunday seem quiet helpful this week.

The thing I'm worried about is mainly my last sermon (which was also my first sermon) went down very well. Everyone who has heard I'm doing the whole service on Sunday has commented how good my last sermon was. No pressure then. Looks like I've set the bar high for myself. I'm sure it'll be okay. Besides, what's the worst that could happen? I get asked to do pulpit supply?!

Another great disruption?

It seems to be everywhere, so I suppose I'll add my tuppence worth. I'm talking about the gay minister issue. Another news story has appeared on the BBC.

Here's what I think, as someone without proper theological training.

1. There are many areas in the life of the kirk where the scriptures are interpreted to a certain degree; put into context of the time and/or reflected for our own time. The two things that especially spring to mind for me is divorce and the ordination of women. Jesus taught about divorce and His disciples were all men. Those were the arguments for not allowing divorcees to be re-married in the kirk for a long time and to prevent the ordination of women. Both of those things are fairly common throughout most of the kirk.
2. As the editorial in Life and Work states, does those against Rev. Scott Rennie call to Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen implement all of Leviticus? I think not.
3. The greatest commandment is to "Love one another". I see little love in the current petition from those against Rev. Rennie.

A positive I think may be taken from this terrible situation is the Church of Scotland's General Assembly will have to tackle this issue once and for all. I hope and pray the General Assembly commissioners reach the right decision. A decision which shows God's love. Unfortunately, that decision may be the worst thing that's happened to the Kirk since the great disruption of 1843.

I hope and pray it won't be. That the quiet majority will be heard. That God's grace will be found.