Ministry matters...

Yesterday I was encouraging people to make their own palm cross in preparation for tomorrow's Palm Sunday online service. As you can see from the picture, I had a go and I must admit that I am pleased with the result. What you don't see are my previous efforts! If you've had a go at making one, you will have realised that you need quite a long length of card to make one of these crosses and so...out came the cellotape to make my card extra long.

We don't always get things right the first time, do we? I know I don't. What I have learnt over the years is that most of the time, it doesn't matter. It seems to matter more to us than to others. I see this a lot in church. People don't sign up to do a reading, in case they get a long word. I know how that feels but the reality is that few people will know different! And what about being a chalice assistant? Don't you have to be super holy to be a chalice assistant? Errm..no! But what if they get it wrong or hand things over in the wrong order, does it matter - absolutely not! Those of us looking on, appreciate and encourage all those who volunteer for the many church-related 'jobs' that people do.

A few days ago, I received an email entitled 'Reader Review'. This was a document that was detailing some of the changes to Reader training. Reader ministry is close to my heart, as I was a licensed Reader for 14years prior to ordination. Now, let me stress that Reader ministry is a distinct ministry in its own right and definitely is not a stepping-stone to ordination. I well remember the day, way back in April 1998 and the vicar at my local church thrust a leaflet into my hand and told me to take it home and read it. It was about Reader ministry - surely she couldn't see me as one of those? There was no way that God could call a person like me - NO WAY! But God has a way and he picks the least likely amongst us! Often we don't see it ourselves and it takes others to help us see the way forward. This enforced time at home has given many people the chance to spend more time with God - to read more, to pray more and to listen more - maybe, just maybe you can hear God calling you?

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 

“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” 

And I said, “Here am I; send me!” 

Isaiah 6:8