Message from the Superintendent Minister Rev Tony Malcolm
From the Superintendent’s Desk:
The
Church – post lockdown
During
this lockdown, I’ve seen much to indicate that there are people out there with
far too much time on their hands!! Whilst others seem to use their time to
learn new skills and complete projects they have been meaning to do, but never
had time. In years to come we will no doubt be reflecting on the implications
of the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown.
I’ve
personally had the opportunity to revisit some of the things I have been thinking
about throughout my ministry, and in the process had to ask if they are still
relevant. Some are, but with others the work has changed – never to be the same
again. So, as we’ve not been able to use our church buildings for the last 10
weeks, I’ve revisited one of my favourite questions.
Some of
you will know that one of my favourite questions is ‘What if ….?’. So certain
pop songs of years gone by feed this imagination within me – playfully
sometimes, and more seriously at other times - such as ‘What if God was one of
us?’ (Joan Osbourne), and ‘Imagine’ (John Lennon).
It’s not
surprising, then, that I’ve been thinking about church, and our relationship
with our buildings. In trying to get to the heart of ‘church’ I found I had to
deal with the building the church meets in. I’m reminded that the building
should serve the church and its mission, not vice-versa. So, I started
wondering ‘What if our church didn’t have a building?’ Strip away the building,
the ties to the building, the familiarity we’re used to and meet in a rented
hall on Sundays!
Would
this give us a true picture of our church? We say we’re a welcoming church,
without ‘our’ building would be still be as welcoming, as friendly, as
supportive as we are now? Would the groups we support survive (not necessarily
the ones who rent a space as needed - but the church groups) – are they
important enough to us for us to continue investing in a space for them?
In this
hall where we would meet, who would set it up for worship? Would we have chairs
in straight pew-like rows, or would we be more adventurous? When would we meet?
What if the hall is not available at 10.30 on Sunday morning? What would be our
icons, visual aids, windows into worship? (bearing in mind we would need to set
them up and remove them each week).
Finally,
how important would small groups be during the week? – House groups, cell
groups, fellowship groups. These are the power houses of any church:
–
the places where we can ask questions –
however ‘silly’ they may seem to us;
–
the place where we can reveal our
weaknesses – knowing we’ll be supported;
–
the place where we can share our
strengths – in the hope that they will be of use in building up the whole
church;
–
the place where we can rehearse our
prayers and praise for the times we will worship together;
–
and the place where we can generally
grow together in the grace, knowledge and love of God.
We are the church of Christ. In this season of Pentecost, and as we anticipate the
lifting of the lockdown, what if God has plans to take us out of our comfort
zones? Are we ready? Are we willing? Or will we set conditions, like ‘subject
to things staying as they have done in the past’? Paul, in his letter to the
Ephesians wrote these words, ‘In Christ
Jesus the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in
the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place
for God.’ (Eph. 2:22, NRSV)
May God
bless you and bless us together as we seek his will for us and the communities
we serve.
Love in
Christ,
Tony Malcolm
(May 2020)
I had just started think
about putting some thoughts to paper (Yes! I still use pen & paper) about
the importance of church pastoral systems and the support groups at this time,
when I received these thoughts from Revd Bhogal, expressing some of the things
I was thinking:
HOLY
COMMUNION
I dislike the term "self-isolate". We don't want anyone to isolate or exclude
anyone.
Of course we want everyone to take care of themselves
and others. We are all used to the idea
of staying at home for the sake of health. We want to watch over one another with love. The commandment to love God and your neighbour
as yourself is best practised in reverse order. Love yourself first. You are number one. Be a sanctuary to yourself. This is not a
selfish thought.
If you can love yourself and be gentle with yourself
you will better be able to love and look after and provide sanctuary to your
neighbour. As we are advised on
aeroplanes, in case of emergency put your own mask on first before you assist
others. If you don't, you will not be
able to help others. If you love yourself and your neighbour, you are
expressing your love of and for God. This is true spiritual devotion.
And remember that Jesus only ever mentioned one
number. He said "where two or three are gathered together in my name I am there in
the midst of them". Be in touch
and in communion with two or three. This
is the beginning and deepest form of Church and communion and community. Such contact is manageable. Worship centres are closing. Organise your congregation/community/group to
be in conversation and communion with each other in 2s and 3s.
Do not practice isolation. Live in the confidence that God is with us
and desires fullness of life for all. Do
not doubt that you have communion and sanctuary in God.
Blessings and Peace.
Rev. Dr. Inderjit Bhogal
17 March 2020
