It has been an interesting week in the UK as we begin to
feel the impact of our recent referendum, and as the Bank of England and
government begin to manage the changes while also managing the country. Obviously the last few days before the start
of the Olympics dominated the news until David Cameron’s resignation’s honours
list was leaked. For the benefit of
non-UK readers, this is a list of people who are given special honours
including knighthoods or being made peers of the realm. It was a relatively long list and some have
questioned the entitlement of all on the list.
This announcement seemed timely as last Sunday, at HMP
Gartree, I had preached on a verse from scripture that speaks about acting
justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God (Micah
6:8). Many years ago, when helping
out the ministry at a church in Sussex, I preached on the topic of
humility. It felt as if it had been well
received and had been a good service.
But as I said goodbye to the congregation afterwards, clearly people
were bursting to say something but saying “Good sermon” seemed inappropriate to
the topic!
There is, of course, a world of difference between being
humbled and being humble. I was amused
by Hilary Clinton’s acceptance speech in which she said she was humbled by the
decision of the American Democratic Party to appoint her as their candidate for
President. She didn’t look humbled –
quite the contrary (and deservedly). I
think she was really feeling proud. Being
humbled is the consequence of another person’s acts or words that cause someone
to feel less important than they had previously felt about themselves. It is
usually meant kindly.
A story is told of a young man who had recently become a
Christian and had been hearing about the need for humility. Each week in the prayer meeting he would
pray, “Lord make me nothing, make me
nothing.” Eventually a more mature Christian man could stand it no more and
interjected, Brother you are nothing;
accept it by faith!”. Jesus told a story about a person who took a place of
honour at a wedding feast which had to be yielded to someone more important (Luke
14:7-11). Being humbled publicly is
actually a humiliating experience. He
concluded his story by stating that those who exalt themselves will be humbled,
and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
At the time when Jesus walked this earth, humility was not a
trait that characterised the culture. It’s
not that different today. To be humble
is counter-cultural in many situations.
Books abound on the subject of assertiveness. Learning what it means to walk humbly with
God is not easy. Being humble does not
mean making ourselves into a doormat for others to wipe their feet on. Sadly, even among Christians I have seen and heard
people being humiliated. I have also met
Christians (usually women) who have a poor self-image or feeling of self-worth.
Frankly, I am encouraged when people say that a sermon was
helpful – or even good. I have several good
friends who have been awarded OBEs and have worked occasionally with a knight
and a baroness. While I am sure that I will
never be nominated for any such honour, I suspect that I would not decline. One
of the greatest joys in my life was to play a part in nominating a man who for
years in retirement voluntarily kept our area of a village clear of rubbish and
dogs mess, and the grass kept tidy. He got
an OBE.
But the greatest honour must be to get the WDGFS (Well done good and faithful servant). We do well to remember that Jesus gave honour
and praise where it was deserved. But we
should seek the service rather than any reward.
We should also remember that the One who is our pattern humbled himself
(Philippians 2:5-9) and we should embrace Paul’s exhortation: “in humility value others above yourselves, not
looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
(Phil 2: 3,4)
I like what CS Lewis said on the subject. “Humility
is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking about yourself less.”
From the Diary
I set aside time this past week in order to attend to several
tasks that had been neglected and to prepare for coming events. It was a good idea but there is still a lot
of time needed to catch up with various tasks.
Included in this is writing some thank you emails and letters. If you should have received one from me,
please be patient.
Last Saturday I attended a service of thanks for Brian and
Clare Kennard as Brian “sits down” after being the Minister of Market Harborough
Methodist Circuit for the past 9 years.
Brian and Clare were former associate evangelists of Mission for Christ when I was its
General Secretary. It was a personal thrill when they moved to the town where
we live. Please pray as they explore
avenues for future service. Both have a
heart for rural evangelism and I am keen to retain the link.
Last Sunday I took the morning service at the prison. Brian
also serves as a sessional chaplain there.
On Tuesday at the prison I had three new choir members. Incorporating new members into a small choir is
never easy – especially if they have no experience of choral singing. This Wednesday the choir is expecting to sing
to some visitors on a special visit to the prison.
The ‘legal’ situation I have referred to in earlier letters
continues to cause concern. I am a
co-trustee under a Will of a friend and former colleague in Mission for Christ, who died some 36
years ago. In order to fulfil our responsibilities,
we feel we have no alternative than to sell a property in which my friend’s
daughter (now elderly) has been living.
While we are sure that this is in her best interests and is unavoidable,
she does not want to cooperate and the matter has come to the County Court. There is clearly tension between immediate pastoral
concern and what is right in the long term. Please pray for wisdom and grace as
we seek to manage this.
Sunday 7th
August we have our farewell service at Yelvertoft, and Doreen and I are
looking forward to meeting up with friends there once again.
Monday 8th
to Friday 12th August we hold Holiday at Home in Market
Harborough. This is a programme for
older people which we put on to bless them in Jesus’ name. Each day there are all kinds of activities,
talks and entertainment. A small team is
drawn from local churches and I help to administer this event. Please pray for our chairman, Keith and the
team through this week. Pray for opportunities to share something of our
personal faith.
Saturday 13th
August I will share as a team member in the group seeking to encourage and
support some 30 churches in their mission programmes.
Please encourage people in your church to register for the online
seminar with missional ideas for the autumn months. Gordon Banks and I have a host of suggestions
for activities that are manageable by small churches. Some you may have heard before, but there may
be some new ideas you can put into practise in your church this autumn. It is free to attend the seminar. All that is needed is an internet connection
with sound. You could use a PC, tablet
or smart phone. Please do not miss this
opportunity. It is on Saturday 27th
August (Bank Holiday weekend) and will run from 9.00 to 9.45am. Registering in advance is essential to obtain
the link you will need. Go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/738463171413200899
Thank you for your prayers and for the practical support
received over the past few weeks.
Barry
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