"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story..." So begins Psalm 107 which goes on to describe situations out of which God has delivered people, through all of which the psalmist repeatedly states, "Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind". I have visited one of my church members who is in hospital (the round trip is almost 60 miles such is rural ministry) and found her expressing thanks to God for all his goodness to her.
God does not demand praise and worship as if he were a human with an ego problem, and his blessings on our lives are not - as I read this week on a scripture calendar - only granted to those who praise him. God delights when women and men discover just how great he is, for then they cannot help but praise him. His delight is not in revelling in adoration but in the knowledge that people have discovered what a wonderful and generous God he is, blessing us as none of us deserve.
Last Monday Doreen and I made our way down to Sussex for the Church and Countryside Conference run by the Diocese of Chichester. An accident on the A14 led to road closure and diversions and 90 minutes of sitting in almost stationery traffic until we found the country road alternative which set us free. The visit back to East Sussex gave us the opportunity to meet up with friends and some of our family. Especially precious was the contact with folk at Herstmonceux Free Church where I had 15 years of happy and fruitful ministry.
The Conference had as its theme advancing the Kingdom of God. The keynote speaker was the Rt Revd Mark Rylands, Bishop of Shrewsbury. The bishop and I have had contact over many years during which he was a rural priest and was later responsible for evangelistic aspects in the Diocese of Exeter. I functioned as a facilitator for the day.
After Bishop Mark's talk in the morning the afternoon focused on encouraging those present to explore how they use - or could use - the seasons of the year to provide opportunity for engaging in mission. This part of the programme was led by another good friend, Captain Gordon Banks CA who is the Evangelism Officer for Chichester Diocese, and a fellow committee member with me in the Rural Evangelism Network.
The afternoon session buzzed as each table wrote up their information. Afterwards these were displayed so as to allow a further exchange of ideas. The Revd Dr Mark Betson, Diocesan Rural Officer will circulate a summary of these. It proved a useful format for similar events in other locations. After the Olympics and Paralympics have concluded I hope that we will be able to arrange a number of regional activities around the country.
Much of the latter part of the week has been spent catching up on administration, preparing for a presentation I have to give at University next Saturday, and pastoral visits to hospital.
The coming week
Sunday 3rd Joint Jubillee Songs of Praise, Yelvertoft
Friday 8th - Area Executive for the Congregational Federation (during this week I hope to put the finishing touches to arrangements in readiness to appoint an Area Children and Family Worker.
Saturday 9th - Winchester University, making an assessed presentation of my research programme.
Let me end by rejoicing in the Lord, not because of all he has done, is doing and doubtless will do for us, but just because we have a wonderful God. Whatever your circumstances I hope that you will be able to rejoice in him too.
Barry
God does not demand praise and worship as if he were a human with an ego problem, and his blessings on our lives are not - as I read this week on a scripture calendar - only granted to those who praise him. God delights when women and men discover just how great he is, for then they cannot help but praise him. His delight is not in revelling in adoration but in the knowledge that people have discovered what a wonderful and generous God he is, blessing us as none of us deserve.
Last Monday Doreen and I made our way down to Sussex for the Church and Countryside Conference run by the Diocese of Chichester. An accident on the A14 led to road closure and diversions and 90 minutes of sitting in almost stationery traffic until we found the country road alternative which set us free. The visit back to East Sussex gave us the opportunity to meet up with friends and some of our family. Especially precious was the contact with folk at Herstmonceux Free Church where I had 15 years of happy and fruitful ministry.
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| Bishop Mark Rylands' Talk |
The Conference had as its theme advancing the Kingdom of God. The keynote speaker was the Rt Revd Mark Rylands, Bishop of Shrewsbury. The bishop and I have had contact over many years during which he was a rural priest and was later responsible for evangelistic aspects in the Diocese of Exeter. I functioned as a facilitator for the day.
After Bishop Mark's talk in the morning the afternoon focused on encouraging those present to explore how they use - or could use - the seasons of the year to provide opportunity for engaging in mission. This part of the programme was led by another good friend, Captain Gordon Banks CA who is the Evangelism Officer for Chichester Diocese, and a fellow committee member with me in the Rural Evangelism Network. |
| L to R Bishop Mark Rylands, Gordon Banks Mark Betson, me, Bishop of Horsham |
Much of the latter part of the week has been spent catching up on administration, preparing for a presentation I have to give at University next Saturday, and pastoral visits to hospital.
The coming week
Sunday 3rd Joint Jubillee Songs of Praise, Yelvertoft
Friday 8th - Area Executive for the Congregational Federation (during this week I hope to put the finishing touches to arrangements in readiness to appoint an Area Children and Family Worker.
Saturday 9th - Winchester University, making an assessed presentation of my research programme.
Let me end by rejoicing in the Lord, not because of all he has done, is doing and doubtless will do for us, but just because we have a wonderful God. Whatever your circumstances I hope that you will be able to rejoice in him too.
Barry
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