BLOG 23-7-26

WHAT’S MINE IS YOURS….OR SHOULD BE!

I have had a few discussions about ordination recently for a range of reasons with a range of people. Colleagues here and in other churches, members of All Saints, anyone who would listen….

I have a low theology of ordination but I high theology of leadership.

Let me explain.

As the church developed , the apostles (the eleven special disciples closest to Jesus plus Mathias who was added by lot as they awaited his return – Acts 1) took on a leadership role. Most evident on the day of Pentecost when Peter , filled with the Holy Spirit fire, gave a sermon after which 3000 gave their lives to Christ and were baptised (Acts 2).

The community life of the church developed (including communal sharing of wealth) and by chapter 6 the grumbling had started! Greeks and Jews were at loggerheads over the distribution of food and resources – the gentiles feeling left behind. The apostles did not feel they could get involved, because they had a task to undertake of spiritual leadership – “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables” (Acts 6:2)  

Instead they tell the others to nominate seven “who are known to be full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit” – these are the diakonos or in English, Deacons. They waited at tables, organised pastoral care and the community life of the gathered believers.

But, and this is key, this created division of labour, not a hierarchy.

One cannot read Paul’s analysis of the organic model of church, where the idea of a body of many parts represents the multiple contributions of all believers, and assume a hierarchy where some are more important than others. In fact quite a lot of the first letter he sent to Corinth was designed to scotch that myth! He challenges directly their love of hierarchy and “greater gifts” (specifically speaking in tongues). No, Paul reflected Jesus’ own teaching that “the first will be last, and the last first” by saying “On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (1 Cor 12:22).

Jesus himself humbled himself on a cross and the night before he died demonstrated the serving heart that he wished the apostles and disciples to adopt. He put a towel around him and washed the smelly, sweaty, dirty feet of his friends. He finished this life lesson for them by saying “I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is the messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (Luke 13:16-17)

Bishop Christopher, the current (soon to retire) Bishop of Southwark, spoke at the Maundy Thursday service where all clergy gather each year at the Cathedral. I was a trainee curate at the time and was struck by the humility of his words where he said that “one never stops being a deacon, even when you become a Bishop”. Most clergy are ordained twice. Once as a Deacon (a servant) and then , usually a year later, as a presbyter. But you never stop being a Deacon first.

Humility is at the heart of ordination (and indeed lay Christian life).

As the church developed from the early church through the mediaeval period a threefold ministry emerged. Diakonos, Presbuteros and Episcopoi – Deacon (servant), Presbyter (elder)  and Bishop (overseer). As the church developed its theology of salvation through the church and the power of the established imperial church grew , so the hierarchy of the church grew with it.

And that means that we have a title now that is used to identify the ordained. It’s a clerical title that identifies us as ordained clergy.

Its Reverend.

It is “an honorific style of respect rather than a formal rank”. In strict grammar it is an adjective not a noun “meaning that it is grammatically incorrect to say “Hello Reverend” or “He is a Reverend” without following it with a name or title like Mr or Dr!

It literally means “one who is to be revered”.

And this is why I would prefer to limit the use of this title.

It is sometimes helpful , for example on e-mail signatures or when telephoning on someone else’s behalf, as a shorthand for “I’m a minister in the church and that’s why I am contacting you”. But in everyday communication, especially within the church I lead, I would prefer to just be Doug. Because that is my name.

I was much influenced by a little book by Stephen Cottrell while training for the ministry. It is called “Leading on your knees” and is a book on leadership. His thesis was that the most effective leadership is from within rather than from in front.

In fact there is an old saying. If you want to know if you are a leader, look behind you. If there is no one there then you are not one!

Paul identified leadership as a spiritual gift, which if received was to be exercised diligently (Romans 12:8).

So when I say that I have a low theology of ordination , it is a calling to spiritual well-being and leadership of the body of Christ. It is one among many of the roles within the body of Christ and while it is essential for the health of the body it is not special. It is an honour and a privilege and comes with great responsibility but it is not a reward nor a place of status.

The leader leads from within the body, following the head of the body (that is Christ) and providing direction to others by being a watchman, a pastor, a teacher, an apostle and a guide. And this should be exercised diligently. Hench the high theology of leadership.

James wrote to the Jerusalem church that to show favouritism, in other words to revere, “you sin and are convicted by the law as law breakers” (James 2:9)

There is a place for authority exercised with wisdom , truth and grace.

But it’s never about the person nor for the office that is held.

Which leads me to my final point. As we grow together, as we seek god’s will and plan for the parish of Sanderstead. As we wait and listen to what he has to say to us. His plans to prosper us can be discerned by anyone in the body.

If ever our plans as a church become “Your plan, Reverend Doug” – I will have failed.

As we approach another Congregational Meeting (Be part of the conversation) , we continue to discern together where God might be leading us and ways in which we can join in.

Jesus quoted Isaiah 56:7 when he cleared the temple by saying “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Mark 11:17). This came up in a recent Morning Prayer reading and there is a sense that this might be a word for us.

That means that we are pursuing the following:

-          Weekly Wait and listen gatherings which are less about praying for things that waiting and listening to God’s lead and encouragement for us

-          Extending Prayer Ministry at the end of services to every week

-          Reviewing how the Prayer Network operates

We also continue to seek ways to reformulate our service schedule that will allow us to both nurture what is good and reach out in new ways, especially to families that we already have links with through Messy Church, toddler groups, schools and hall hire groups including the uniform groups.

Come along to the service on Sunday, stay a while after for a cup of coffee, and Be part of the conversation….

And if you like, just call me Doug – it’s my name…..

Every blessing

Doug

rector@sanderstead-parish.org.uk if the above or anything else means a coffee and chat and/or prayer would be helpful.