Last night I was formally welcomed to the BUS at Assembly at Queen's Park. It was a special moment, one where your mouth insists on twitching into a smile even though you are probably meant to be sober and serious. Standing on a platform with a group of other ex-pat BUGB ministers (and a few others) some now fully accredited BUS ministers being (in BUGB parlance) 'handshaked' and some retiring ministers was one of those moments when God's presence pierces the ordinary and allows us to glimpse something more wonderful.
Assembly has had (and will have today when I set off in a few minutes) all the same niggles it has 'down south' and is, for me, the same wonderfully whacky Baptist family that I love so much. So they had 'that song' and David Coffey told 'that parrot joke' but I have also met lots of lovely people, been hugged by total strangers (partly because of what I represent) and made to feel very much at home.
The great cloud of witnesses will be unlike anything we may ever imagine, and way more wonderful, but as an Assembly-phile (albeit a slightly critical one) there are aspects of what I experienced this weekend would make it a great place to be.
More reflections to follow in due course.
In the meantime...
Behold I go, riding on the train,
Off to Queen's Park to join the happy throng
Having fun at Baptist Assembly
With new friends who all love God.
(Now that is a MUCH better version! ;-) )
Comments
But I read your companion sang 'that song' lustily! I always think of you when it is sung!
I am glad that you felt so affirmed and welcomed - they are blessed to have you among them.
We are singing that song tomorrow ... and what's more i chose it!
Craig, I will pray for you!!!
Julie, well, what can I say...!!!
As for that other blogger....
Hee verily hee
Excuse me! But as a Baptist Wesleyan I didn't just sing it lustily - I sang it 'lustily and with a good courage'. Inded what Wesley said was, "Sing lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead or half ; but lift up your voice with strength. Och aye...."Behold he comes....!!!! Yea, verily, and so it came to pass...