Change? Over my dead body!

Last week I attended a conference on change organised by a group called RUN. This was the second of their day conferences that I have attended and I was so impressed that I became a member.

Change is a very emotive subject for some people, which is probably not surprising in these days of such rapid changes in our society. Some people are so enthusiastic about change that their emotions go into top gear as soon as a change appears on the horizon. Other people are so set against change that they flare up as soon as a change appears on the horizon.

But there are also many people who respond to change in a calm, methodical, matter-of-fact manner. They are not phased even by unexpected change or enforced change. They adapt to the change, absorb into their life, and get on with the living. They make the best of the change rather than resisting it or promoting it.

The Church has to change and to keep on changing. Some denominations have had this acceptance of change built into their structures since their formation in the 16th century. For example the Church of Scotland describes itself as 'Reformed and Always Reforming'. The phrase inspires in me the image of the potter's clay as it spins on the wheel, continually being reshaped towards its final goal, and sometimes started afresh.

I feel a bit like a lump of clay myself! Spinning round and round and seeming to go nowhere; yet continually being remoulded and reformed into the vessel my creator has in mind. Some days I hardly even recognise myself!

Some groups need to change for their own good, but don't acknowledge that need. They may realise internally that they cannot continue as they have been but in discussion convey the impression that everything is fine and nothing needs to be changed.

Such resistance to change often results from a defensive attitude. They have been fighting against decline for so long that they are determined to continue the traditions of the past even although they are just a shadow of their former glory.

There is a great sense of pride in their building, or the way they do things, or in the wonderful achievements of the past. All this is usually an attempt to fend off the inevitable - decline until eventual death.

It doesn't have to be that way. Honest!

A few months ago I was asked, "Why do so many people not go to Church any more?'

It's a good question to ask as we look around at so many almost empty churches. But finding the right answer won't fill our churches again. Another question is needed.

The reason that so many churches are almost empty is that they have stopped answering other people's questions.

Of course, in one sense, we could answer the way the banks answered, with a general answer, like 'Yes' now what's the question! Or in the church's case, Jesus is the answer, now what is your question.

The answer 'Jesus' is correct, but people outside the church don't know what it means. Jesus does have all the answers, but it takes time to get to know him and to learn to hear him speaking. It takes too long for most folk.

Jesus told his disciples that they were to be the answer. As other people looked at the disciples they would realise that the disciples were followers of Jesus. They would see the answer, in the flesh, for real.

Jesus sent his disciples out into the countryside, into all the world. He didn't tell them to hide away in buildings, or to stick their heads in the sand. He sent them into the world, to be different from people around them - to be like Jesus.

It is good to have somewhere to meet, out of the cold, away from the wind, sheltered from the rain. But if that's the only place where other people might catch a glimpse of you being like Jesus then they won't see Jesus, because they are outside.

We can't expect them to come inside. They don't know what happens inside. They are not used to being inside. People live differently nowadays.

When Jesus was raised back to life after being crucifed on the cross, he did meet with his disciples inside - but that's because he went to where they were.

After they realised that Jesus was alive again the disciples went everywhere. They went to Damascus, to Joppa, to Antioch, to Ephesus, to Corinth, to Rome, and beyond - even as far as Britain! They went to where the people were - people who didn't know Jesus. And as they went they made disciples - more followers!

Jesus is calling the Church to go, leave the buildings behind. The country is full of meeting places - and needs to be full once again of those who are following Jesus. He is not stuck inside - follow Him, outside, into all the world, into the pub, the golf club, the bowling club, the sailing club, the night club, the hills and dales, the mountains and the glens, the highways and byways.

Jesus said, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men, and women."

Halfway!

I suppose there have been many halfway points during the past five years as I have been progressing towards full-time ministry in the Church of Scotland. This most recent halfway point has been the most significant because it's the last of my halfway points!

I was so busy during the lead-up to Easter that I didn't notice that it would be halfway through this 15-month placement just a few days afterwards. It has been quite a strange feeling.

Perhaps part of that strangeness has been due to celebrating the most significant of the Christian festivals (arguably!) whilst working full-time at the church. Easter is such a contrast as we pass through the contemplation of Jesus' death into the celebration of his resurrection.

Perhaps the visual imagery and symbolism of our labyrinth sharpened the contrasts along that journey.

The half-way point on a journey is always very significant. The distance remaining becomes less than the distance already travelled. If travelling on a round-trip, the remainder of the journey is towards home, rather than travelling away from home. When climbing a mountain, the peak is usually half-way, and the rest of the journey is downhill!

So for a number of reasons, this final halfway point seems so positive.

However, it's not all plain sailing, for there are still a number of significant tasks to complete, for example my essay on Church Law, and my Twelve-month Assessment.

Therefore I need to stay focused, and keep following my leader during these final few months. What comes next will sort itself out in due course.

In golfing terminology, we're on the back nine now, the inward half!

Blue Sky and Sunshine

There's a saying that two swallows don't make a summer, and perhaps the same thing applies about two sunny days in a row!

A few weeks back we had some nice warm sunny days and it seemed like Summer had arrived. Then the wind turned round to the East and the grey haar blew in off the North Sea and it was cold. It seemed like Summer was over and Autumn had arrived.

The last couple of days have been warm and sunny and the flowers in my garden have responded. We have had yellow daffodils, and then the yellow forsythia, but now the blue grape hyacinth are out in profusion, and the white 'waterfall' bushes too (no idea of their real name!).

It is remarkable how our mood can change when the sun is shining and the temperature is warm.

In cold gloomy weather we can feel miserable and under pressure. Life feels a struggle and we often focus on ourselves and exclude other people.

But when the sun comes out we feel cheerful and relaxed. Life is easy and we become conversational and generous with other people.

In this period after Easter, we have an opportunity to consider all that God has given us. The Son is shining and the warmth of His love pours down upon us.

Let us be open, conversational, kind, loving, generous, with the people around us - our neighbours, our colleagues, our friends, and passers-by.

Enjoy the Sun and the Son!

Hearing Second-hand

When we hear news second-hand it's always more difficult to gauge the accuracy and reliability of the information. It didn't happen to the person who is telling us. Maybe it happened that way, or maybe it didn't.

The Gospel stories are like that too. Nobody can tell us what happened 2000 years ago, although sometimes stones have got something to say!

Yet despite the second-hand nature of the stories in the Gospels faith and belief in Jesus Christ has flourished down through the generations even until today. Many in this country ask themselves 'Why?' without researching the answer, perhaps having already decided they don't want to know.

The answer is simple to say but more difficult to explain!

Jesus is alive! He is God! He does answer those who call to Him.

When someone hears God whispering to them, and discovers His loving care, it turns the Gospel stories from being second-hand stories of ancient and irrelevant happenings, into first-hand intimate accounts of someone who loves them, and who they are learning to love.

Given the choice, we would rather be the first-time owner of something than own it second-hand. Don't depend on second-hand accounts of Jesus of Nazareth. Ask Him yourself!

Belated Happy Easter!

This week we have had our second Holiday Club for this Easter, this time in Philpstoun, after last week's in Winchburgh. It's been great fun sharing the Easter Story from Palm Sunday to Resurrection with the children.

We've been drawing pictures, making Easter crafts, singing songs, and playing games, not to mention the snack! But as a result last week and this week I've had very little time for telling you all what we've been doing!

Last weekend was Easter, the climax of our Easter projects, and on my Lenten Blog I am now posting a series of photos and texts from the twelve scenes of the Labyrinth.

With the Youth Group we have now started a post-Easter film project, about what happens to our big Easter Cross, now that Easter is over for another year. See the taster photo below!



So there is plenty happening - I'll try and keep you all up-to-date!

Holy Week arrives!

I'm sorry not to have written very much in my blog during this past month or two. What energy I've had for Blogging has been spent keeping our Lenten Blog up-to-date.

I really enjoyed Palm Sunday yesterday. We had a story and two shorter sermons, and involved the children three times during the service, so that they were able to stay in and enjoy worshipping with the rest of us. I even got to arrest the Moderator of Presbytery!

One of the youngsters was quite funny after the arrest. I had tied Peter up with a rope and then led him out of the sanctuary by the door at the front of the church, where the creche usually meets. He then untied himself, went round the outside of the building and came back in to sit at the back of the church.

Five-year-old David hadn't seen Peter come back, so during the next hymn, he went out to find out what had happened to Peter. He came back looking rather mystified - because Peter wasn't there.

I think David had a preview of how the ladies felt that first Easter Sunday, when they went to the tomb and could not find Jesus' body.

I don't know if David found Peter after the service was over, but I must make sure they meet up again soon!

After a short break, people started arriving for the afternoon wedding. Church weddings on a Sunday are rather rare, but it was the only solution that met everyone's requirements. It was nice to continue our Sunday Worship with this family ceremony.

However, on reflection, I think I would suggest integrating the wedding ceremony into the regular church service. Many of the wedding guests, who are regularly at morning worship, had missed the morning service since they had wanted to get ready for the wedding instead.

For a long time, I have felt that wedding ceremonies for church people have become far too elaborate. I think a wedding should be a simple ceremony, in front of the whole congregation, as well as including the couple's family and other friends.

The actual marriage formalities themselves only take a few minutes. So it would be perfectly possible for the couple to be married as part of a Sunday service.

Of course, some people want to get married on other days of the week; and then it is very reasonable to have a reduced worship service. It is right that God be put at the centre of Christian marriages, and therefore right that we worship God as part of a Christian wedding, and ask His blessing on the happy couple.

I wonder what you think? Would you have liked to get married on a Sunday as part of a regular church service? Do you think it would be a good thing to do? Or not? I would be glad to read your comments!