This year is going to be a year of celebration for the Queen's Jubilee and for the Olympics, a good excuse for us as a church to have parties and meals together and celebrate with our community.
I think sometimes today we make things too complicated and difficult, when all we need to do to celebrate is to remember the past, hang out the bunting and balloons. Lay tables full of food and drink that we all bring along to share with our neighbours; and sing and give thanks with our own voices.
One person who has to be invited to all our parties is Jesus, although he is a guest he is also the host. I am reminded of the story of Jesus turning water in to wine; he certainly didn't want the party to end. He made enough wine not only for the wedding but for the whole village. He was over indulgent and extravagant. I wonder if we as a church could be like that as we celebrate this year?
I am overjoyed that we are now having Shared Services taking them in turns with Vespers, Evensong and Taize once a month. New beginnings and new hope and I rejoice in all that we can do together. Being ecumenical is difficult if we constantly think about what separates us, so making us feel like constant failures, but being ecumenical means being honest about whom you are in Christ. I am Anglican because it is in Anglican liturgy and worship through his sacrament that Christ is present for me. I do not want to be any other denomination, but that does not mean that I do not respect other denominations, as I do. I think my husband would say it is rather like football clubs, they all love football, but follow different clubs. The same way we as Christians all love Christ but are drawn to him in different ways and expressions. I believe that in our brokenness we are made whole in Jesus Christ, and it is in this wholeness and in honest relationship with each other that we can worship at these services of prayer, and work together in the service of our Lord in this community.
I have started back with my studies and am now completing the leadership module of my BA. This means travelling backwards and forwards to Oxford for this term. I was given a set of questions, one of them was, ‘What aspect of the leadership of Jesus has been the most significant in shaping your practice as a leader in the church?' Well my answer to this question was that Jesus made people take ownership in ministry (Matt 10:5-14) he made people responsible and that means taking responsibility for your Church. Jesus also loved, (John 13: 34) but was not soft, (Matt 16:23) but listened (Mark 5:36) and forgave (Matt 6:14). I just pray that I can continue in this style of leadership when I eventually have a parish. But I wish to put a question to all of you, ‘What does Church leadership mean to you?
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