"When [Saul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples,
but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles.
He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord
and that the Lord had spoken to him,
and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus."
(Acts 9:26,27)
After Saul had his encounter with the risen Christ we read in Acts chapter 9 that Ananias, a rather reluctant servant of God, was sent to visit and pray for him for the recovery of his sight and that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit. We then read that he remained in Damascus for several days during which time he preached in the Synagogues that Jesus was indeed the Christ. Opposition developed and for his safety he left Damascus secretly and made his way to Jerusalem.
I wonder what kind of reception he imagined he might receive but doubt and fear clearly obstructed his welcome. It took an intervention by Barnabas to open the way. Similar advocacy is still required in some denominations even to get as far as the communion table. I'm not sure that this is what we are supposed to learn from this passage. Is exclusivity a mark of a Christian community?
Some time around 1985 when I was studying with the Open University I had to attend Aston University for a weekend and hoped I could find a way to get to church early on the Sunday morning. To my surprise a Church Army sister called Dianne was also on the course and when she discovered I was a Christian the two of us decided to set off to find a local church that had an early morning communion service (assuming it would be Church of England). We toured the Area but discovered that none of the nearly churches had an early morning service. I muttered to Dianne that perhaps this was how Saul felt when he arrived at Jerusalem eager to get into the life of the church, then added that all we needed was a 'Barnabas'
One evangelical vicar suggested we should contact the vicar at Erdington, the other side of the M6, but pointed out that he was from the catholic wing of the C of E. We rang him late on Saturday evening explaining that we were a couple of evangelists on an course at Aston for the weekend and asking whether he had an early Sunday service at which we would be welcome. He informed us it was a Rite B service and that we would be welcome.
On arrival we found a small congregation in a glass panelled side chapel. We were welcomed warmly at the door. When the priest arrived I noted that his stole was decorated with symbolic flames. He began by welcoming Dianne and me by name and explaining who we were and that we needed to get began to Aston for a lecture and whether the congregation would mind if he adjusted the normal Rite B do as to shorten it slightly. All agreed and turned to us with welcoming smiles. The service began.
When we got to the point where we were encouraged to give a sign of peace to one another, both Dianne and I had a queue of friendly sisters and brothers. The welcome and love was so delightful. Suddenly, Dianne let out a loud sequel and when I asked her why she said she had just realised that the name of the church we were in was St Barnabas!
It would have been around ten years later, when I was minister at Herstmonceux Free Church (Congregational) that we had cause to review our practise relating to church membership. Our services were open to anyone and we had seen steady growth. We also kept an open communion table welcoming all 'who loved the Lord Jesus Christ' to partake of the emblems. We even had open Church Meetings (these are the heart of our governance in the Congregational tradition), though only members could vote. Membership is important in Congregational polity as the members at that time acted as managing trustees.
But the majority of our regular congregation steadfastly declined to become members. This was due in part to unhappy experiences in other churches. As we thought and prayed about this situation two things seemed significant. The first of these was that the nature of membership reinforced the institutional aspect of church and we didn't want to project an image of church as an institution. The second matter was more serious. We preached a gospel in which Jesus declared that whoever came to him he would never turn away. Not once did he restrict his love, welcome and ministry to anyone. He never asked for a statement of faith or a definition of the nature of God, or the inspiration of scripture before he gave his touch of healing and blessing. Our process of membership, which required a positive outcome after a visit from two deacons, seemed strangely at odds with the gospel we preached which was the very foundation of our church's existence.
So it was that we took the bold step to change. We ceased using the term 'member' in public. Instead we spoke of people as being 'part of the church'. We introduced a simple covenant as the basis for being part of the church and determined that this should be signed annually by anyone who wished to be part of the church. Each year the covenant signature was sufficient until the end of January the following year with an invitation to sign that year's covenant of fellowship once again.
In a single day most of the adults who had declined to become members happily signed the Covenant. We were also delighted that a number of children and teenagers also signed. I had explained that only those 18 and over would assume legal responsibility for managing the affairs of the church. In introducing this change the Church Meeting had also determined that the leadership team could suspend anyone's rights as part of the church on the grounds of heresy,immorality, or unhealthy contention. There was a right of appeal to the Church Meeting.
As far as I know the practise at Herstmonceux has been continued and we adopted it in my current church at Yelvertoft. We have had lots of enquiries from other churches who have found this expression of church membership attractive. Of course, legal requirements of many churches would not allow such liberty. But I share this story because institutional church is a major turn-off for many. In a desire to keep the church 'pure' we might find that our practise does not sit well with the message we proclaim. I hope that like St Barnabas, Erdington, people feel truly welcome and included, and that we ensure that any hoops they might have to jump through are large and low, presented as a positive step rather than an examination to be passed.
Of course church membership based upon an annually renewable Covenant is not unique to us. Our Covenant of Fellowship states, “In response to
God's gracious promises and commands, we covenant to walk together in
all the ways of the Lord, as he has revealed them or will reveal them
through his Spirit and through the scriptures. We freely and gladly
bind ourselves, his grace enabling us, to live in loving communion with one
another as becomes members of a church
of Christ
Of course I understand and respect alternative views on the subject. I don't expect everyone to agree with everything I write. But how does your church express God's loving welcome to fullness of life in Christ? Who are your Barnabas's?
Items for Praise
I am grateful for safe and happy journeys to and from Northern Ireland this week. I am also grateful for the welcome, kindness and hospitality expressed by the Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland.
I give thanks that the prison authorities have confirmed the date for the event which gives the choir members an opportunity of serving others.
Items for Prayer
For those survivors of domestic abuse (sexual or otherwise) who will find Father's Day a painful reminder. Pray for wisdom and sensitivity as we talk about a father's love. It means something different to some.
Ministry at Yelvertoft on Sunday and Thursday mornings.
School Assembly at Lubenham, Leicestershire on Monday.
The penultimate choir practice before the event on Tuesday. A lot of polish and confidence building still needed among a willing group of men. All have committed serious crime and carry a burden from which they might never find relief. Chaplaincy is a challenging ministry and prayers for discernment and wisdom for the chaplaincy team are always appreciated.
Thank you.
Barry
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