On the move...

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…