Speaking the right words

I'm not one to use personal anecdotes in sermons. It's a mixture of reasons, mainly, I don't like the idea of the congregation always hearing about my life and my family - I know I wouldn't like to hear that all the time and I'm a fairly private person, so talking about myself doesn't come easy. But this Sunday I am going to give an personal anecdote in the sermon which I feel will add to the sermon and, I hope, let the congregation see that the words of reassurance I want to give them come from hard won experience, rather than empty words.

I know, though, that it may be difficult for me saying what I feel called to say. But I know, in some deep down way, that it needs to be said. I don't know exactly how, but something is telling me there will be someone in the congregation who needs to hear this message from someone who really understands. I pray I am right and that my words are God's words and the words that the congregation at Highland Cathedral need to hear on Sunday.

Stating the Obvious?

One thing my supervisor keeps calling me is insightful. Hadn't really thought os myself like that before, but maybe I am. Most of the things I've discussed with him which he's seen as insightful, I've seen as stating the bleeding obvious. Yes, I've wondered, questioned and reflected on the matters appropriately. I've also approached potential controversial matters in a diplomatic and sympathetic manner, but still feel it's just the way it is or could be or should be.

That said, the Emperor's new clothes was pretty obvious, but no-one had the guts to say anything. Given my insightfulness keeps being commented and complemented on, I wonder how many people in church either accept the way things are or don't see how things are? Or maybe it's easier for me as I'm removed from the situation - in the situation it's all too easy to not see the wood for the trees and maybe that's the case with some of the things I've discussed with my supervisor, though the context and content of some of those discussions would not necessarily lean in that direction.

Now, this seems to be a gift I didn't know I had. I hope it's useful for the future. Somehow I think, especially given the way my supervisor is complementing me, that it will be.

Young families

At Highland Cathedral, there's a fairly good mix of ages and demographic. Their Sunday School is reasonably well attended, though they have commented it has had a bit of a dip in attendance. Yet, like many churches all over Scotland, there are few parents of young children.

As anyone who's had to deal with very young children knows, they need routine. Sundays can really mess up that routine, what with most services being at 11am. So, when couples become parents, they drift away from church, as it's not only difficult to get there (as getting a baby ready isn't quick!) and don't want to disrupt their child's routine.

So, they stop going to church. As time passes, it becomes more and more difficult to go back. And, potentially, both they and the child are 'lost' to the church.

That does make me wonder what the church can do to accommodate parents of young children, while still building up a community of people worshipping God. Too much one way or the other and either a church for just those young families is created (and is that really a church?) or it's a church just for the middle-aged and above. And how does the church keep the connection up with those families, in a friendly caring way? At the moment, I have lots of questions about this, though no solutions. Its definitely something I'd want to think and engage with, so even if parents drift away for the reasons I've looked at above, they still feel connected to and cared by the church, so they will come back.

Children's addresses ideas

I watched this and thought a few of them could be turned into children's addresses. So, I thought I'd share (and put it here so I would remember!).

Over the door

I've been doing pastoral visits as part of this placement. That was something I didn't do on my last one, for a whole load of reasons, but which I was well aware I needed to gain experience in.

It's amazing how willingly people have opened their doors and lives to me. Some have not met me and even those who had, it was only in passing, yet all happily welcomed me into their homes and told me something of their lives.

I know privilege is used many times in ministry. Some would say too often. Yet I can think of no other profession I could have been training for where I could knock on someone's door out of the blue, be welcomed in and made to feel like I have known that person for years.

I know it helps that I am interested in people. I like people and, generally, get on and can relate to most people. In conversation with all of those I have visited I have been able to draw on personal knowledge or experience to help talk to them. Did make me think I have really been being trained for ministry my whole life - which is pretty cool, it has to be said! One lady told me I have a open friendly manner, which makes me easy to talk and open up to. That was very humbling, as I was just being me. But that's who God called, so maybe he has got it right after all ;-)