If you’ve been away on holidays for the last two Sundays then you will have missed important information about James Lewis and his family. If you’d like a copy please email the office and we’ll send you one.
As James will be ordained a Presbyter in November and probably moving to a new parish some time next year, we will need to replace him for the reasons I outlined last week. We are looking for his replacement and would still value your prayers. So what are we looking for?
It won’t surprise you to learn that the Ordinal from our Prayer Book helps us as we look for a new Assistant Minister. The first thing we read there is that the bishop asks if the men to be ordained are suitable for ordination “by their learning and godly way of life.”
It would be easy to think that learning here refers to what they learned at Moore College, but that’s not the primary thing. The New Testament talks about learning Christ, knowing Christ, being taught Christ. That is the kind of learning that’s in view here and, of course, that is the intention of the course at Moore.
The New Testament also talks about the lifestyle of ministers of the gospel. The Pastoral Epistles contain much about a minister’s character. Because our College course contains a residential component for ordinands then we get to see how a future minister lives in community.
In the Ordination Service the bishop then speaks to the candidates and includes these words:
You are called…to be messengers, watchmen, and stewards of the Lord; to teach and forewarn, to feed and provide for the Lord’s family; to seek for Christ’s sheep who are scattered abroad…
This outlines what ministers are to be about. You notice how it fits in with our Makeover aims. Our Makeover aims to disciple people into Christ. This has two clear parts. First, we are to make disciples of those who are Christ’s scattered sheep. Second, we are to disciple Christians into maturity in Christ.
At the Ordination Service the ordinands are given a Bible. That is what they are to teach and feed to Christ’s sheep. Well taught, biblically well-taught disciples, are FAT sheep – Faithful, Available, Teachable.
The Service emphasises prayer and includes much prayer. Because ministers look after Christ’s sheep “who have been bought with his death,” their role is very important. Therefore, they need much prayer, both in their lives and for them in their ministry.
Please continue to pray for the ministers of your church.
Neil
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