musings on ministry
The questions we ask expose our priorities. Are you the king of the Jews? That’s Pilate’s question to Jesus in John 18:28-40. That’s the only question that matters to a political governor. Are you a problem for me? But Pilate is asking the wrong questions… so Jesus asks some of his own. The exchange ends Read More …
John 18:12-27 We jump ahead to Jesus’ trial this week on our journey through Holy Week, but in many ways the trial is secondary, at least for us this week. We’ll explore that story and also the story inside the story… what happens in-between. In the night. Peter’s denials. 1… 2… 3… Standing in the Read More …
John 13:1-17 is about feet… Washing feet… dirty, smelly feet! We usually read this passage on Maundy Thursday so to deal with it this early in Lent gives us the chance to look at it in a very different context. (We have skipped a chapter so it’s worth reading chapter 12… there are lots of Read More …
John 11:1-44… Lazarus. Jesus’ friend. Dying. And what does Jesus do? Something else. There’s no hurry. No rush to see him or any hint that he might save him. So many miracles, so many strangers healed, made whole, restored… why not Lazarus? Again the story is laden with symbolism but there’s some real raw emotion Read More …
I love when someone asks,”Can we do ….?”. Mostly the answer is easy… YES!!! (And why are you asking me? It’s YOUR church!) A Burns Supper… a family meal with poems, dancing, song and speeches. And this is what it looked like. 150 people of all ages enjoying haggis, neeps and tatties, the talents Read More …
For five minutes or a couple of hours on the first Sunday of the month people come and sit in a candlelit church. Sometimes it is the simplest idea that catches the imagination. Providing a place of sanctuary and stillness is one of the gifts the church can provide to a busy world full of Read More …
(photo Avril Cutler) As I read a large chunk of the story of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion this morning I was struck, not for the first time, by the role of the Empire. Pilate is the Roman Governor and so plays the part of the Empire in political terms. He tries Jesus and finds no Read More …