Who Does it?

What do Elisha, Joshua, Mark and Timothy have in common?  The answer is that at various times in their lives, they undertook a secondary role – possibly even that of a servant to some other significant Bible character (Elijah, Moses, and Paul).  It looks like a kind of apprenticeship.  Even though the concept of internship (unpaid work experience) has become common in the secular world, the lack of free willing service, or volunteering in a Christian context hinders God’s work and the mission of our churches in the UK.

In my own case, when I first felt a call to evangelism I became involved in a mission organisation.  I was given menial tasks, though these had to be done by someone.  As time progressed I was given increasing responsibility.  I ran the reprographics for the organisation, learning new skills and gradually improving equipment.  I was given responsibility for communicating each month with a network of prayer groups that met around the country.  That grew into a significant ministry.  On outreaches, I might read scripture, or pray, or give a testimony, but no more than that for at least a whole year or two.  Taking responsibility for the book keeping eventually led to becoming General Secretary, and ultimately CEO of that organisation, in addition to exercising a preaching ministry.

It was a tough and often frustrating time for the first few years, as I also undertook some theological training.  But it was not a bad education.  Now, as an older man, I would love nothing more than to find someone whom I could mentor and train up to take on the work when I am no longer able, or who might grow into another ministry.  But where are the volunteers?

Of course, in some churches and organisations, such progression in ministry is hindered by the proprietorial attitude of older Christians who consider they have a life time tenure in the role they undertake.  No one gets a look in because someone insists “It’s my job to….”

As a result of both these situations, responsibilities increase on the shoulders of fewer people. 

Ther is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job.

Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

The words of Isaiah 6:8, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ inspired the hymn that starts, “I the Lord of sea and sky” I have heard this sung with much enthusiasm in many churches and gatherings.  But most who sing seem to only enjoy the moment, and fail to sign up for action.

The Isaiah passage is similar to the tragic words in Ezekiel 22:30, “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so that I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.”  I cannot read or hear that verse without thinking of the story of the little Dutch boy who came across a small leak in a dyke through which the sea was beginning to pour, threatening to flood Holland.  He managed to stem the flow with his finger until help came.  While this is a mythical story, its lesson is plain.  The lack of someone to “stand in the gap” in Ezekiel’s day is fact with tragic consequences.

God is not looking for experts; he is looking for those who are willing.   Some time ago, a young man, went to the leaders of a church with a large Sunday School and asked whether there was anything he could do.  His offer was rejected, but he was determined not to be idle when there was a work to be done.  In those days, seats in the Congregational church he attended had to be ‘rented’.  He rented five places and went out onto the streets where he found poor children without any association with a church.  This work expanded and he opened a mission Sunday School for the poorest in the neighbourhood.  Within a year, the average attendance was 650. His work among children led him to other ministries.

He inspired others to undertake godly, Holy Spirit empowered, ministry to children. He challenged teachers to holiness and to be inspiring characters.  The movement he inspired recorded over 10,000 brought to salvation in a single year.  As his ministry developed he established a partnership in ministry with a gospel singer.  This led to an incredibly fruitful ministry that led many thousands to Christ, not only in his home country of the USA, but also in the UK and elsewhere in the world.  His zeal for God still influences people and churches over 100 years later.  It goes to show what God can do with one volunteer who refuses to be suppressed. His name was Dwight L Moody. 

How can we hold back?  Starting with small things, and proving faithful is the way to go.  Of course, you might already be well occupied.  If you are, can you spare some time to find a few others who are not yet busy in God’s work, and inspire and encourage them into service?

God will never ask of us anything that is beyond our ability, though he may very well stretch that.  So, if your hands are not already full, please offer your services.  It is a good idea to first have an idea of what your gifts and abilities are.  If one door fails to open, try another.  If you are part of a church where ever increasing responsibilities rest on a few, ask what you can do to help.  If you cannot find enough to do, please feel free to contact me, and I will see whether there is something you could do to help advance the kingdom of God in the rural areas.

From the Diary

In the past week, I have seen my doctor regarding a problem that has made speaking and singing difficult.  This resulted in a chest xray within 24 hours.  I have a follow-up appointment booked and may be referred to the ENT dept at the hospital.  I do not feel unwell, just frustrated.

Please give thanks for the multitude of blessings from the Lord in so many ways, but especially when our ministry blesses others.  Your prayers are asked for the following upcoming events.

Monday 15^th – Trustees for Sunrise Ministries meet in London.

Tuesday 16^th – Regular work on the chaplaincy team at HMP Gartree

Wednesday 17^th – Teaching on the Salvation Army Safeguarding programme, this time at Malvern, Worcs.

Saturday 20^th – 9.00 to9.45 am.  Webinar on ideas and suggestions for mission activities through the summer.

Please pray as Gordon Banks and I put the final touches to the presentation on Saturday.  Please also pray for growth in the online audience for this webinar, so that the blessing will be multiplied.  If you have not already reserved your place, you will find information about how the webinars work on our website (Click Here).  Advance registration is essential.  If you are ready to book your place, click this link now.

Too Much on Your Plate?

Do You Have Too Much on Your Plate?

I’m not sure where this English idiom originated but it expresses the feeling when we have just too much to do or to worry about at a point in time.

Doreen and I recently ate at a Toby Carvery where you can select from various meats, add a large Yorkshire pudding, and then help yourself to as much (or as little) vegetables including roast potatoes, carrots, peas, cauliflower, broccoli, mashed potato, etc.  It is tempting to take too much, and Doreen has a smaller appetite, but I think I judges it right, and we very nearly cleared our plates.

After a while a young couple with a baby joined us at the next table.  While she sat with the baby, he went off and returned with two plates of Sunday roast piled high.  I was not surprised to note, when they had finished eating, that they had left uneaten more than half the food on the plates.

As I looked at this terrible waste of food I found myself wondering whether what I was seeing was a metaphor for my life.  It might be true that my workload has been large, but I have been comfortable with it, having a good appetite for Christian work of all kinds.  More recently, I am trying to be careful about what I take on, and have started laying down various ministries so that I can focus the largest part of my time on promoting appropriate and effective strategies for rural evangelism.  I am sure that you are familiar with the adage, “Do less but do it better”.

By putting too much on their plates, the young couple were putting their health at risk and contributing to a scandalous waste disposal problem and global food shortage!  It really does matter how much we have on our plate.

It has been my privilege to exercise a range of ministries throughout my life.  My original calling was to evangelism.  But the organisation I worked in while still a teenager also needed someone to look after the accounts.  Because I was good at maths and English at school, I was soon spending a large amount of my time doing administration.  Then a need for someone to do pastoral ministry and Bible teaching developed and I was delighted to respond.  To all of these and other ministries was visionary leadership.  I don’t regret any of the roles I have filled, and have enjoyed the enriching experiences that have come my way.  Most of these ministries (possibly all) I continue to exercise from time to time.

I notice from scripture that the apostle Paul commences ministry as a new Christian by engaging in evangelism.  To this is added Bible teaching.  He is then listed among “prophets and teachers” at his church at Syrian Antioch, and ultimately is defined as an apostle.  Such development in his life, and in mine, is not about advancement or promotion.  It is about growth and new ways of service for which God equips all Christians.  It is not normal for a Christian not to have some engagement in ministry (though most churches are appalling at helping their members identify this).  It also seems to me that it is not normal for there to be no further development in the ministries to which God calls us.

But we all would be wise to check occasionally as to what we have on our plate.  It could be too much or it could be too cluttered, or it might not be enough!  I remember one Bible School lecturer who several timed declined the invitation to become principal of the college.  He did so because he was convinced that what God had gifted him to do and called him to do would be inhibited if he assumed the role of principal.

At a recent meeting of the trustees of Rural Mission Solutions, the trustees discussed the activities in which the staff members are engaged.  They urged us to focus on a few activities and also to seek to do them really well.  In my situation, we considered the growing ministry of providing advice and guidance for rural mission using technology and the internet.  We started with online seminars (webinars) to which we added follow through online forums for discussing the webinar topics.  To this we have now added videos available on a YouTube Channel, where anyone in the world can see them at any time.  To help make these more easily accessible, we have made some changes to our website so that people can easily find the webinar topics and all the free handouts. The latest venture in this programme is turning material I have used for church away-days into short linked videos.

But some of the early stages need improving so we are exhorted not to run before we can walk!  The other issue is that additional activities have to take up space ‘on the plate’ so it might be necessary to consider leaving something else ‘off the plate’.

Similarly, in looking at the various tasks confronting my new colleague, Katrina, the trustees recommend focusing on just two main tasks and I will be working with her to get both of these up and running over the next few weeks.  As she is only part-time with us we don’t want her to have too much on her plate.

I wonder whether you know someone, perhaps in your church, who has too much on his or her plate.  Sometimes this is because it makes us feel important.  Sometimes it’s because we do not know how or what to delegate.  Sometimes it’s because others do not offer assistance.  I once heard a pastor of a church describing that kind of situation like a football match where 22 men are intensely busy for 90 minutes, while several thousand idle people watch from the side lines shouting either advice or abuse.

While the last thing I would want to do would be to imply that the reader is like such a match spectator, I would be interested in hearing from anyone (young or old) who does not have too much on their plate and has a little room for more.  In Rural Mission Solutions we are looking for people with a heart for rural mission who might be willing to offer some time to help us fulfil the vision.  For example, a Christian who has recently retired but would like to use some time in Christian service might be just the right person to meet a need we have.  If you think you might be able to give some time, please get in touch to start a conversation.  You can email me at barry@ruralmissions.org.uk or phone 07720 322 213.

From the Diary

Give thanks for a good CTE Enabling Group residential.  My shared presentation seemed to be well received.  I was given a card and ovation thanking me for my past service (very nice!).

Thursday 6^th – Editorial Meeting for Country Way (I have some copies of past issues of this splendid magazine and will send you a copy if you would like to see one).

Saturday  8^th – East Midlands Area Executive meeting for the Congregational Federation.

Sunday 9^th – morning at Clarendon Park Congregational Church, Leicester; afternoon taking part in a thanksgiving service celebrating past blessings for a church at Little Irchester, near Wellingborough, Northants. The nature of the community around Little Irchester has changed and we cannot see a viable future for the current church so this is the final service.

Tuesday 11^th – HMP Gartree

Wednesday 12^th – Online Conversation on Contemporary Issues for Rural Evangelism for Rural Evangelism Network.

Saturday 15^th – sharing in the Germinate Rural Conference in Coventry.

Thank you for your fellowship.

Barry