Today we had our glimpse of Jesus according to Matthew, which on the whole went well and most people seemed to engage with it.  But there is one person, bless her, who thinks she knows the Bible better than the combined minds of every Biblical scholar ever.  As part of the introduction, I noted that none of the gospels is 'signed' and that the ascriptions to authors are traditional.  Immediately the flicking of pages began, as she hunted for proof I was (as usual) wrong and failing (also as usual).  But I was naughty, I pre-empted her on both the beloved disciple (not named as John) and Luke (who writes to Theolphilos but does not sign off 'love Luke') and she was left high and dry when I found myself, saying 'and any of you can come and argue with me afterwards if you like' - which caused general laughter.

Normally I leave her to her flicking and pointing, so I wonder what prompted me today to be naughty?  I don't mind people flicking around to pick up other passages or if it seems they are engaging in some way with the texts, but I guess I do to some extent resent people thinking their job is to assess my sermon and not listen for God speaking through it.

At least most people enjoyed singing that olde Sunday School song "Tell me the stories of Jesus" which may be old and twee but at least it has pretty a sensible theme and related to what we were thinking about.  Next week's golden oldie is 'It passes knowledge that dear love of thine" - so lots of Green Book brownie points being earned at the moment.

Ebay - a great place to find bizarre things, and here's one I found today when looking for Baptist history books (how sad!)

An award winning DVD which seems to come from a stable of Mormon comedy and is reviewed as follows...

Another classic from the makers of "Singles Ward!" From Robert Farrell Smith's best-selling novel comes a hilarious romantic comedy about a town where everybody's nuts...about religion! Tartan (Dan Merkley) is 29, single and Mormon. Tired of being set up by his marriage-conscious mother, Tartan takes a job as a forest ranger in Longfellow, a sleepy town where half the population is LDS, the other half is Baptist, and nobody can get along! Tartan's not the only recent transplant: the beautiful (and single) Charity (Heather Beers) arrives in Longfellow to spend some time away from her ex-fiance. Together Tartan and Charity devise a plan to unite the town by having and All-Faiths Barbecue! Sweet and charming, funny and touching, Baptists At Our Barbecue reminds us all that life is a barbecue to which God has invited everyone. Whom we sit by or pass the salt to is up to us.

 

Alas only available in Region 1 format, so I will be missing this wonder.

Maybe some out there would suugest it ought to be 'Baptists in/on our Barbecue'?

I was asked if I'd post the answers to the 'Faith and Fun' Quiz so here they are.  Did no one spot the typo in the general knowledge question on the Bible - or couldn't you be "bother-ed" to tell me?!  Boy am I in trouble with someone over THEIR double entendre of one of my latest typos - I have now started putting the song copyright stuff on the order of service to make life easier for my CCL filler inner.  If things are out of copyright, we have 'public domain' but I missed a letter, the spell checker didn't spot it of course and one of the readers had a dirt track mind.  Ah me.... to the pure, etc...

Microsoft Word - Quiz answers.pdf

Does anyone out there do online self-assessment for tax?  If so, which software do you use, the choice is rather bewildering.  Anyone I have asked round here has a husband or accountant (or both) who does it for them so are not a lot of help.  And if anyone can tell me which two boxes to put in the contribution to heat and light from church so it cancels out properly (BUC guideline is confusing!) I'd be very grateful.

Today a deluge of post (unfortunate metaphor, sorry) including several Baptist bits - one from ministries, asking among other things, for people to participate in a research project on understandings of ministry, one confirming a grant of just over £500 towards my own study fees for next year (subject to superisor's report, which I thought they'd had) and the dear old BT with a spread on NAMs.

Well Liz, will you be putting your own photo in the cat litter tray, that's the question?  Great interview, generous honesty and you will be a great minister. 

I was left with slightly mixed feelings about the list of leavers, recalling the pain of leaving college with no idea where God was leading you next.  Whilst I rejoice with Liz and the others who are settled, I mourn with those who face yet more interviews, squints, views, trials by quiche and the unhelpful, if well intentioned comments of others.  My own 'best' horrendous comment, from the chaplain for goodness sake, was 'God must think you are very special to allow you to experience this.'  Miraculously, I did not resort to violence!

I discovered I am in the excellent company of John Weaver in taking three goes to pass a driving test, and have to admit I was, generally, impressed by both his and Nigel Wright's articles.  Churches often do not 'get' what having a NAM is about and can combine patronism ('we've had students before') with unrealistic expectations and lack of support.

Having served my time, and been handshaked in May, I look back on my 'formation' with mixed feelings.  I loved the theological study, the ecumenical relationships and even the challenges that felt uncomfortable.  I enjoyed the diversity of people I met and the opportunities I had to try new things.  Settlement began with hopeful anticiaption and continued in agonising uncertainty before finally ending in relief!  NAMing has been 'interesting' but as I look back I have certainly grown in confidence as the minister God has called me to be.  When I was entering my final year of college, I was quite convinced what I did not want - suburban or a building project - and what I ended up with is essentially both.  I find I am amused to be regarded locally as 'visionary' and a 'mover and shaker' and when people say 'oh yes, you're that Baptist woman who does services in a pub' - few who knew me 8 years ago would have anticipated any of that.

Despite the ups and downs, I don't regret for one moment 'leaving my nets' to follow God's call.  In the famous words, 'here I am, and can do no other'

John Weaver is right when he compares learning to be a minister to learning to drive - passing the test is only the beginning, you have toget out there and do it.

I am truly grateful that the BU encourages us to go on studying and learning, because it really is important not to stagnate.  And today, I will pause to pray for those named in the BT, especially those from NBC, and, because they are close to my heart, those who are waiting for the list of churches from this week's NST meeting and praying that this time there just might be a church for them...