Sharing some thoughts

Advent is a really strange time in the Christian calendar I think. It is, along with lent, the most solemn season of the year – flowers are taken out of Church, the Gloria is omitted from the service, and the colour of the season is purple – only used otherwise for lent and for funeral services. And yet, whilst we have few problems in recognising lent as a time for self sacrifice and for reflection, this always seems more difficult during advent. And it doesn’t take a genius to work out why. Outside Church everyone and everything seems to be getting ready for Christmas – decorations are going up, carols are being sung, Christmas music is playing in the shops, and there are dinners and concerts and parties to attend. There is a huge contrast between advent in Church life, and the preparation for Christmas going on everywhere else. And this perhaps reminds us of the huge contrast that there is between so much of what we as Christians proclaim and celebrate and the thoughts and pract

‘Gifting’ Vocations Retreat Address 1 Introduce and then read wrong reasons to be a pastor :- people become pastors for so many wrong reasons. They like the status. They like speaking in public. They like arguing theology. They come from a long line of ministers. The list goes on. If you’re debating becoming a pastor, here's a list of wrong reasons to become one, including some better alternatives to consider. This may be why the pastoral drop-out rate is so high. Especially in the early years. Knowing them may save you – and your church – a lot of heartache. The long list is followed by a very short list: the only good reasons I know to become a pastor. What to Do Instead of Becoming a Pastor Do you like being in charge? Start your own business. Do you like talking while others listen? Become a college professor. Do you like arguing theology? Start a blog. Do you like church buildings? Become an architect. Do you like church history? Become an archeologist. Do y

This morning, the Sunday before Advent, is k nown in the Church calendar  as Christ the King Sunday. In it, we celebrate the kingship of Christ, and our reading s point us in the direction of H is glory.  The reading from Daniel (7:9 ,10,13,14 ) prophesies about an everlasting kingdom where peoples, nations and languages will serve their king in the kingdom that shall never be destroyed. The reading from Revelation (1:4b-8) again gives that picture of the everlasting glory of God – To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever… The reading begins ‘Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come’ reminding us that God is the God of the past, the present and the future, the Alpha and the  Omega ! These are great pictures reminding us that God can never be contained within our thoughts or our understanding – God is far away above anything or anyone we can ever understand, and yet he is personal…  And this is the emphasis of our Gospel reading (John 18:3