This morning I was leading worship in two local churches that are part of a three way linkage. They are currently without a minister and I have preached in both many times whilst on placement and also as pulpit supply. I was preaching on Matthew 15:10-20 and Psalm 139. My theme was its not what you do but why you do it. Or to quote Thomas Aquinas "Men see the deed, God sees the intent." I related it to our worship and why it is we come to church. From Psalm 139 I put the emphasis on God being omnipresent - all knowing and all seeing - including whats in our hearts.
After the first service I had a feeling that it hadn't worked very well and the congregation weren't quite sure what to make of what I said. I may even have upset one or two - I'm not sure.
But during the second service at the other church things were very different. I preached the same words and yet they were really getting it. Their Session Clerk had asked before the service to say a few words before the final hymn and it turns out that I had, in my sermon and prayers, said it for him. He was visibly moved. At the door on the way out the reaction from everyone was one of thanks for what I had said, I apparently had said what had been needed - I had moved and helped them.
And so I find myself pondering why the same words could have such different reactions?
I wonder if their vacancy and different experiences of this situation is what made the difference. The first church has every week (with one exception) had someone arrive to lead them in worship. The other congregation have not always had someone and they have often found themselves at the last minute looking for one of them to be willing to lead the worship and or read a sermon supplied by the Interim Moderator. Whilst they have coped well it has obviously been quite unsettling. My heart goes out to them. They are good faithful people and it was quite upsetting seeing them so unsettled.
My prayer for them is that they can see the gifts they have and be assured that if they rely on God they will find a way through this and grow together as congregation of faith. Their vacancy is an opportunity for individual and community growth.
1 comment:
Yes it is interesting isn't it how different congregations respond to the same sermon, I did a placement in a linked charge and it always fascinated me to see the different responses to the worship and the sermon.
But I think your observations about the second church and vacancy are pertiment, I did regular pulpit supply for a long term vacant charge and I used to felt heart sorry for them as they had a different preacher every week and were getting more and more disheartened, my prayer for them and my preaching was always geared to giving them confidence in their own gifts and hope for the future... They now have a minister after nearly 4 years without.
Post a Comment