Crazy Covenant

It all started so many years ago. From using a 4 foot tall inflatable coffee mug and a tray of real doughnuts to persuade merely highlight to the Lincolnshire District members of the Methodist Church that I had a clue about community, to now – it’s been a long journey. Some details will never be revealed but this was a rocky pathway to traverse. One Deacon wrote : I can’t pretend it will be easy from now on but as hands are laid on you…

this crazy covenant between God, Church, the MDO and you ‘will be’ cemented in the kin_dom.

Ellie: for 26th June 2022’s Ordination – my emphasis

Having just returned from the pre-ordination retreat in Northumberland, I am actively contemplating what the future holds. Moreover, what has happened is in extrinsically linked to that what is to come.

On that retreat, we looked at the struggle and where God has been in our lives. I covered much of this in my video testimony.

MDO or Methodist Diaconal Order

What has been a possibly surprising turn, a pivotal moment, was to consider that my calling, my onwards journey of life, would be as a minister, a deacon. Unlike teaching or being in the Royal Air Force, this life-long vocation is far from a career employment, but extends far beyond retirement – the pension is amazing 😉 . It also suggests that it is 24/7 thing, even if our day off is seemingly protected, enshrined within the MDOs Rule of Life. It’s how you hold onto something so valuable that it enriches our lives, than drags it down.

As the Warden noted in my final chat with her, “your name will eventually be recorded in the MDO book of remembrance“. I think what might be more positive – although I did get the point she was making – is that I am becoming a member of a community, albeit dispersed across the UK and even Israel, which truly strives to support each other. We all have a common calling, understanding, despite not possibly actually seeing each other from one year to the next. We do meet annually at what’s called Convocation.

Being a deacon isn’t a step down from presbyter but an alternative form of ministry: of witness and service infused with prayer. Whether ‘elders’ or presbyters were in vogue before deacons is up for debate.

Church

I have had the distinct privilege of serving in two communities during probation. From Todmorden in West Yorkshire to a very different city-based ministry in Glasgow. From a geographically bound community where kindness is the currency, to one where the areas merge into one another unless you have lived here for many decades: but where both are renowned for excess rainfall.

Both communities have taken us in and supported both Mandy & I. We have sought to support them, wherever we can. It might be considered a crazy covenant.

Tension between mission and mutual belonging

Here, there is a distinct and very evident tension. Whereas some might feel that mission is the be all and end all, the only essential aspect of ministry, to ensure more ‘bums on seats’, more ‘new people’ in ‘new places’, we also face that concern that we look after the spirituality of those who have served the church and their community – importantly God – for so many decades. They may not have much time to be truly active now, but their heart is still tuned and ready for God. So as clergy and congregations meet to discuss whether we should set up the latest haven for one group of society or not, whether we should strive to stream our services on this or that social medium, to make our services more youthfully focussed, I hear the often silent cries for those who are at home and without the internet. Is that all part of an amazing crazy covenant for all?

Do you see this tension?

Future

What changes now?

Nothing. Being an ordained deacon means that I have taken on that call as a lifelong member of the Order and of the Church, to serve God wherever and whenever. I do not possess any greater capability than before ordination. This is important as, as ministers, we seek to facilitate the gifts of the congregation, not rule it with power and might. We go forward together.

---

Ordination Service link for Sunday 26th June starting at 4pm : https://youtu.be/7nV1THw39ks