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2009
2008
2007
2006
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Ministers Letter - October
2008
Dear Friends,
I have just returned from a day at
the Christian Resources Exhibition in Harrogate and felt an urge to write about
it! It was amazing the number of people we saw that we knew and that in itself
was a reminder of the way in which we are part of a wider family that is made up
of both fellow Methodists and friends from other traditions, and I have to say
that if I only ever mixed and worked with Methodists, I would be much the
poorer! As it was I lunched with some Anglican friends I work with while on the
next table were a few from our own congregation here in Tadcaster.
There was plenty to see, lots to
buy and some teaching sessions on all kinds of subjects. With a ticket costing
£3.50 that would allow me to go on each of three
 days,
with different subjects for the teaching on each day, it was exceptionally good
value! One of the sessions or workshops was on the use of story-telling and
drama in worship and I rather have the feeling others there will make sure its
lessons are put into practice here in Tadcaster.
The final session that I went to
was on Evangelism and was led by
a young man who was both inspiring
and practical. The subject is the sort that often Methodists will shy away from,
sometimes saying things like, “I can’t do that!” Probably we all can, but
the trouble is we may have the wrong sort of idea about what Evangelism is. It
is simply sharing the good news about Jesus and what he means to us and there
are many ways we can engage in it. He had some points for Church Leaders and
then some encouragement to those who might regard themselves as mainly
evangelists. But he went on to give some pointers for all who attend
church because he like I believe in “Every Member Ministry”. We all
have gifts and a part to play in the mission and work of God. What he said made
sense to me and included the following suggestions/points:
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We need to rediscover our
confidence in sharing the good news of Jesus. (For Methodists this was
something they used to do when they met in Class Meetings – there they would
talk about what God was doing in their lives.) The fact that we find it
difficult to speak to people outside of church circles about Jesus is no
surprise – we don’t talk a great deal to others in church about him!
This was what Tom Stuckey was saying a few years ago when he was President and
he produced a book called “Time to Talk of God” to address this very
problem.
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Very few people come into the life
of the church because of a campaign of house-to-house visiting, a special event
or because of a Minister’s preaching. The main thing that draws people (77% come
this way) is because of friends or family. When, I wondered, did we last invite
somebody we know to come with us? Perhaps, he suggested, we’re so afraid the
impression folk would get if they did come would pout them off forever that we
don’t ask. Is that what we think? Friendship and friendly welcome can be so
powerful.
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We need to work together. I have
experienced some fine examples of that in Tadcaster. Perhaps we could apply it
to inviting and drawing people into a living relationship with Jesus that
would develop through being part of the family.
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Perhaps we need to devote a larger
part of our church budgets to parties, entertainment and going out and doing
things as a group in cafes and pubs, where others might see we don’t have horns
on!
I came away with a lot to think
about and there are things here we could all act on and seek to put into
practice.
With much love,
Your Minister and friend,
Ray
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