"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. (Matthew 5: 13-16)
In Sherburn in Elmet Methodist Chapel today we held our AGM in the context of the mornings worship. We opened with prayer, sang a hymn and then began our business with a good news story from each group in the church. We then stopped to pray again giving thanks to God for all that he is doing amongst us. I reminded folk that wherever we go we represent the Church, commenting how fantastic it was to go to the village Gala and see "our" folk present in so many places, not just the Church Cafe, but also within many other village organisations.
Next came a short report from the Stewards, the Treasurer, and the Property Stewards, we elected a new Steward, and gave thanks (with a round of applause) to the Steward who was stepping down. There were no major changes to the Church Council so we moved on in prayer again this time looking to the future and how we can serve our community. Then we dedicated ourselves to serve God together using an adapted version of the service for The Commissioning of Pastoral Visitors, we commissioned one another!
We then went on to listen to the Scriptures and I preached, this was followed by communion (extempore) ... All done in one hour and twenty minutes! And it didn't feel rushed...
The rough edges:
One person walked out, he doesn't like things done differently...
In my list of church activities at first I forgot the Pastoral Visitors, but remembered them in time to include them. I thanked them for all they do, acknowledging that Pastoral Care is vital, but NOT my strong point, I am an Evangelist, my focus is outward, I do do Pastoral Care, but not the day in day out stuff that these faithful and skilled folk do. A Church is indeed a good picture of the Body of Christ, and I hope that we saw that Today.
Tim's picture- his explanation here.
