Encouraging but realistic about ministry
An ordination on Saturday and a commissioning on Sunday were occasions when I had the opportunity to hear some fine preaching. On Saturday it was Rob Ellis, Principal of Regent's Park College, Oxford, and on Sunday Juliet Kilpin, from Urban Expression. Both were refreshingly realistic about ministry, and offered some nuggets which I've continued to reflect upon.
On Saturday, reflecting upon the contemporary situation in the light of the experience of the church at Philippi, Rob commented, 'With church attendance generally in decline we manage to find ingenious ways of putting off those who come!' Juliet spoke about taking risk and had some hilarious slides showing how risk averse we are as a society. She said most movingly, 'When we become followers of Christ we gave up the right to self-preservation'. Both Rob and Juliet, brought some encouragement and challenge at these significant milestones in the lives of ministers and churches.
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