The man in the green Audi drummed his fingers on the steering wheel impatiently and edged his car out slightly to get a better look past the white Transit van. Ahead of the van there was a fairly new yellow Ford Focus, the driver of which was also edging nearer to the centre of the road to get a better look ahead. In front of the Focus a grey Skoda Octavia was sitting on the tail of a refuse vehicle doing a fairly steady 50 mph. The Audi driver was encouraged that at least the driver of the yellow car was planning to make a move but it was a country road and safe passing places were far between. He glanced at the clock on the dashboard and noted that he was still well within his schedule, but travelling at 50mph was not exactly his idea of fun.
At the head of the queue the refuse lorry driver knew that he was driving as considerately as possible. By keeping a steady speed everyone else would know what to expect and could drive their own vehicles accordingly. Pushing the speed up, given his load, would not be appropriate.
The grey Octavia had been following him for some time. At times it was a little too close in his opinion, but it had shown no sign of desire to overtake. The fact was that the driver of the Octavia was uncomfortable with having to overtake large vehicles. Frankly 50mph was probably about the speed he would be driving at anyway. He was a 'mature' driver not a boy racer. The situation, as far as he was concerned, was comfortable.
The driver of the yellow Ford was less happy about the situation. She would have liked to go faster and at regular intervals anxiously edged out to peer past, only to swerve back in at the first sight of an oncoming vehicle no matter how far ahead it might be.
The driver of the white van had finished his work early and was heading back to the depot. He had plenty of time and was lost in the sounds of his favourite music coming at full volume from the CD player. He might like to drive faster normally but given his present circumstances he was in no rush. Unfortunately, he had not looked in his mirrors for some time and was blissfully unaware of the frustration being suffered by the last car in the queue.
Soon the driver of the Audi could stand it no more. He had muttered about the stupid driver of the Octavia who clearly had no intention of overtaking the refuse lorry and was driving far too close. He had sworn about the indecisive driver of the yellow Focus, in and out every few minutes but missing opportunities to overtake. He was angry about the driver of the white van who seemed to be unaware of his presence. Sure he had left a reasonable distance from the Focus, but the Audi driver did not want to get stuck behind that indecisive driver as that would make him wild. There was nothing for it he would have to overtake all four vehicles in one go as soon as he could.
At last a short stretch of straight road opened up. Yes, he knew it was risky, but anything was better than sitting where he was much longer. Mirror, signal, change down, foot to the floor, and he was off, changing up as he began his run with speed now over 70mph.
He was half way along the queue when he saw the HGV loaded with heavy steel hurtling towards him. He knew there was no gap to slip into, insufficient time to brake and drop back, and no time to finish overtaking. As panic gripped him he thought, "If only...."
The pastor of the church reflected on how things were going. They seemed to be making progress. There were signs of growth both in the lives of many in the congregation, and numbers were slowly increasing. They were sailing along quite nicely; not too fast and not too slow. Of course he realised that there were some in the fellowship who wanted more change or faster change, but he was confident he had the speed just right.
John, the church secretary agreed. He had confidence in the pastor and stuck with him solidly. Mary on the other hand felt that there was a need for change. She was aware that there were others in the church who felt similarly and that some were thinking of leaving if things did not improve. Periodically she raised the need for change with the pastor and secretary but when it came to Church Meetings she would back off, not wanting to upset anyone. George was prepared to 'go with the flow'. Maybe things could be more lively. Maybe it would be good to have a programme of outreach that might reach young families. But hey, he had enough problems at work with change so the last thing he wanted would be problems here. So let's keep steady.
Gilly thought that the whole situation was stupid. The church was stuck in the fifties. There was so much more. Why did they have to put up with the status quo? She had nudged the pastor and church secretary on the point. She thought that at least Mary would stand by her. There was nothing for it: at the next Church Meeting there would have to be a show down. It was time to put her foot down!
Managing change in church life has its problems. We are all supposed to be on the move with God. When I was newly in ministry I was told that my role was to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. But it's all too easy to become selfish about needed change, to be inconsiderate of how others feed, to fail to check the road ahead or to think through the 'what ifs'. I'm all for change and progress as long as it is not for selfish reasons. Maybe, just maybe, God had a purpose when he called different kinds of people into discipleship. In my parable about the queue of cars perhaps all five drivers could have been more considerate. What might it have made a safer journey for all concerned? Isn't love "the more excellent way" (1Corinthians 12:31)?
From the Diary
Thanks for your prayers through the past week. My time with other church representatives at the Free Churches Group was very special. It is encouraging to sense the progress and new sense of identity within the wider Church.
Safety in travel is always an important prayer point (the parable above came to mind while driving to the FCG meeting). Coming home on Wednesday afternoon I took a conscious decision to pray to be kept safe and asked God to make me wise so as not to endanger others. Travelling in the centre lane of the M6, overtaking a large lorry with trailer, and travelling at 70 mph I suffered a rear tyre blow out. While it was vital to get to the hard shoulder quickly it was dangerous to brake as the car became increasingly difficult to steer and swerved violently. I made it safely, thankful to God and to the driver of the HGV who reacted sensibly. The only damage was to Sunrise Ministries' funds as I needed two new tyres: one to replace the one now shredded and then we found the wall of the spare had deteriorated.
Monica, my colleague was kept safe while in Kenya during troubles there. we give thanks.
Please pray for Terry to whom I was travelling when I had the tyre problem, and who is in need of some personal pastoral support at a bad time in his life. Terry is a nice guy but needs to experience the love and grace of God that will help him through this difficult time. Pray as we seek to set up a new appointment.
Pray for the Prison Choir as we now have a date for an opportunity to sing and act for the pleasure of others. Please pray for Jeanne and Roger with whom I work in the prison.
On Wednesday there will be a meeting of the Churches Rural Group at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. I chair this Group and I am keen that it fulfils its potential.
At Yelvertoft we have our Bible Discussion on Thursday morning, Messy Church on Friday morning, and our regular meeting next Sunday. Here's a question for you: Why did I disappear during the singing of a hymn this morning, only to re-emerge from the vestry in scruffy jeans, a tee-shirt and old trainers. Answer will be published next week and a prize will be given to anyone who comes up with the right answer (as long as stocks last). Clue: we were looking at Mark 3.
Barry
At the head of the queue the refuse lorry driver knew that he was driving as considerately as possible. By keeping a steady speed everyone else would know what to expect and could drive their own vehicles accordingly. Pushing the speed up, given his load, would not be appropriate.
The grey Octavia had been following him for some time. At times it was a little too close in his opinion, but it had shown no sign of desire to overtake. The fact was that the driver of the Octavia was uncomfortable with having to overtake large vehicles. Frankly 50mph was probably about the speed he would be driving at anyway. He was a 'mature' driver not a boy racer. The situation, as far as he was concerned, was comfortable.
The driver of the yellow Ford was less happy about the situation. She would have liked to go faster and at regular intervals anxiously edged out to peer past, only to swerve back in at the first sight of an oncoming vehicle no matter how far ahead it might be.
The driver of the white van had finished his work early and was heading back to the depot. He had plenty of time and was lost in the sounds of his favourite music coming at full volume from the CD player. He might like to drive faster normally but given his present circumstances he was in no rush. Unfortunately, he had not looked in his mirrors for some time and was blissfully unaware of the frustration being suffered by the last car in the queue.
Soon the driver of the Audi could stand it no more. He had muttered about the stupid driver of the Octavia who clearly had no intention of overtaking the refuse lorry and was driving far too close. He had sworn about the indecisive driver of the yellow Focus, in and out every few minutes but missing opportunities to overtake. He was angry about the driver of the white van who seemed to be unaware of his presence. Sure he had left a reasonable distance from the Focus, but the Audi driver did not want to get stuck behind that indecisive driver as that would make him wild. There was nothing for it he would have to overtake all four vehicles in one go as soon as he could.
At last a short stretch of straight road opened up. Yes, he knew it was risky, but anything was better than sitting where he was much longer. Mirror, signal, change down, foot to the floor, and he was off, changing up as he began his run with speed now over 70mph.
He was half way along the queue when he saw the HGV loaded with heavy steel hurtling towards him. He knew there was no gap to slip into, insufficient time to brake and drop back, and no time to finish overtaking. As panic gripped him he thought, "If only...."
The pastor of the church reflected on how things were going. They seemed to be making progress. There were signs of growth both in the lives of many in the congregation, and numbers were slowly increasing. They were sailing along quite nicely; not too fast and not too slow. Of course he realised that there were some in the fellowship who wanted more change or faster change, but he was confident he had the speed just right.
John, the church secretary agreed. He had confidence in the pastor and stuck with him solidly. Mary on the other hand felt that there was a need for change. She was aware that there were others in the church who felt similarly and that some were thinking of leaving if things did not improve. Periodically she raised the need for change with the pastor and secretary but when it came to Church Meetings she would back off, not wanting to upset anyone. George was prepared to 'go with the flow'. Maybe things could be more lively. Maybe it would be good to have a programme of outreach that might reach young families. But hey, he had enough problems at work with change so the last thing he wanted would be problems here. So let's keep steady.
Gilly thought that the whole situation was stupid. The church was stuck in the fifties. There was so much more. Why did they have to put up with the status quo? She had nudged the pastor and church secretary on the point. She thought that at least Mary would stand by her. There was nothing for it: at the next Church Meeting there would have to be a show down. It was time to put her foot down!
Managing change in church life has its problems. We are all supposed to be on the move with God. When I was newly in ministry I was told that my role was to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. But it's all too easy to become selfish about needed change, to be inconsiderate of how others feed, to fail to check the road ahead or to think through the 'what ifs'. I'm all for change and progress as long as it is not for selfish reasons. Maybe, just maybe, God had a purpose when he called different kinds of people into discipleship. In my parable about the queue of cars perhaps all five drivers could have been more considerate. What might it have made a safer journey for all concerned? Isn't love "the more excellent way" (1Corinthians 12:31)?
From the Diary
Thanks for your prayers through the past week. My time with other church representatives at the Free Churches Group was very special. It is encouraging to sense the progress and new sense of identity within the wider Church.
Safety in travel is always an important prayer point (the parable above came to mind while driving to the FCG meeting). Coming home on Wednesday afternoon I took a conscious decision to pray to be kept safe and asked God to make me wise so as not to endanger others. Travelling in the centre lane of the M6, overtaking a large lorry with trailer, and travelling at 70 mph I suffered a rear tyre blow out. While it was vital to get to the hard shoulder quickly it was dangerous to brake as the car became increasingly difficult to steer and swerved violently. I made it safely, thankful to God and to the driver of the HGV who reacted sensibly. The only damage was to Sunrise Ministries' funds as I needed two new tyres: one to replace the one now shredded and then we found the wall of the spare had deteriorated.
Monica, my colleague was kept safe while in Kenya during troubles there. we give thanks.
Please pray for Terry to whom I was travelling when I had the tyre problem, and who is in need of some personal pastoral support at a bad time in his life. Terry is a nice guy but needs to experience the love and grace of God that will help him through this difficult time. Pray as we seek to set up a new appointment.
Pray for the Prison Choir as we now have a date for an opportunity to sing and act for the pleasure of others. Please pray for Jeanne and Roger with whom I work in the prison.
On Wednesday there will be a meeting of the Churches Rural Group at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. I chair this Group and I am keen that it fulfils its potential.
At Yelvertoft we have our Bible Discussion on Thursday morning, Messy Church on Friday morning, and our regular meeting next Sunday. Here's a question for you: Why did I disappear during the singing of a hymn this morning, only to re-emerge from the vestry in scruffy jeans, a tee-shirt and old trainers. Answer will be published next week and a prize will be given to anyone who comes up with the right answer (as long as stocks last). Clue: we were looking at Mark 3.
Barry
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