As I sit in my first-ever Vicarage, surrounded by the debris of
half unpacked boxes. I have to ask myself the deep and spiritually profound
question; Where did all this stuff come from? And where on earth is it going to
go? And when, oh when am I going to take seriously Jesus’ challenge; ‘Do not
store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and
thieves break in and steal, but store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where
moths and rust cannot destroy and thieves cannot break in and steal. For your
heart will always be where your riches are.’
I think I am almost relieved you can’t take it with you when you
die. Heaven, I’m hoping, will not involve four removal vans, a removal crew of
six and enough stickytape to wrap the entire earth. I would like to blame
having three children, but if I’m honest I’m the hoarder in this family. My
husband would happily live with whatever he could fit in a backpack. I’m the
magpie who can’t bear to part with some moth-eaten relic I picked up at a
car-boot sale. (It was SUCH a bargain – honest.) You would think 15 years
moving around as an army wife would have taught me a life lesson in travelling
light. But I am clearly a slow learner.
I blame the Brownies.
Do you remember the motto – ‘Be prepared’? And all the stuff we had to
carry in our pockets - 2p, pencil,
piece of string, penknife (you’d be arrested for that now!), notebook,
handkerchief etc. etc. etc? I think there is a part of me that still thinks I
need lots of stuff, just in case. And if there is ever a job where you need to
be prepared for the unexpected – it’s definitely ministry.
The people
in this new parish have spent
considerable time during their interregnum pondering what they want from a
vicar. They asked for someone who
will; draw
out and channel new ideas, inspire through teaching, preaching and
encouragement with personal discipleship, encourage regular members of the
congregation to use their gifts and to take responsibility within the Body of
Christ, maintain and develop links with the Primary School, build up ministry
among young people and families and to work with Sunday School, identify new
opportunities for the churches to work in partnership with their communities,
liaise with the local Armed Forces’ bases to provide appropriate worship,
pastoral care and support for military personnel and their families, exercise
leadership that is collaborative wherever possible.
Phew!
Where to start? I’m preparing for this challenge firstly by buying a bicycle.
Not simply in a fit of panic-induced retail therapy, I hasten to add, but
because sustaining ministry is a demanding business and it’s important that I’m
physically as well as spiritually fit…
Secondly,
one of the joys of ministry is loitering with holy intent, and it is amazing
how many fascinating and wonderful conversations occur when I’m out and about,
rather than holed up in my study. So I’ve already discovered the delights of
the local teashop and couple of good dog walks.
But perhaps I can think of a better model for ministry than the old
Brownies’ motto; ‘Be Prepared’. Because in truth, we never really know what is
round the corner. Perhaps what I need more than preparation, or stuff, is
trust. Trust that God is already at work here. Trust that if we need something,
we can ask Christ and we will receive it, that if we seek, we will find and if
we knock, the door will be opened.
In the meantime, if you need any boxes, I may have a few to spare…
