Book a postscript

 In sharing my book it needs to be noted that it was written some time ago while I was still in active ministry. While I have sought to ensure it was updated in places for my blog, it is still a snapshot in time. Anyone of discerning faith will recognise that our conclusions about what we believe or understand are always provisional. Retirement has provided the space to read far more widely than when working and continues to feed my changing understanding of discipleship, scripture, the church etc. 

Being a part of a local faith community with anglican roots brings into sharp relief that what has formed me, namely Methodism, continues to shape my understanding of church life. When I retired from methodist ministry we have to go through a quant tradition of standing up at ministerial synod asking permission to sit down. 

My final comment was to say that ...

"on Sunday I attended the accreditation of a local preacher which just reinforced for me what I wanted to end with saying. I will have been a local preacher for forty-two years now but my call was to be a Methodist minister, it preceded Local Preaching, yes preaching and leading worship is part of that, but essentially, it was always a call to be a minister. I’m stopping now and going back to discern what God wants of me from my core calling which is to be a disciple. I may never take a service ever again, or funeral. But I will enjoy the excitement of being a follower of Jesus and see where he takes me. So I sit down."

I think even more now that realisation that I, and I hope others, never lose sight of the fact we are first and foremost disciples. I'm still awaiting the insight that says 'this is what I want you now to focus on.' In the meantime I read, cook, bake, garden, take an occasional  service, look after grandchildren, cope with more challenging health, and maybe perhaps for the first time I'm learning the meaning of the Methodist Covenant Vow where we speak of 'being laid aside for you' Its not always about doing. So I watch this space!!!

I hope if you have read the chapters of my book they have given you some insights, maybe made you smile in recognition, or even irritated you!!

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