Yesterday's parade service was very well-received by the congregation. The leaders told me that they didn't have to stop the children fidgeting. The adults enjoyed it. Lots of people were involved. The guides and brownies performed a lovely song. No-one complained that it overran the hour.
The only criticism I had was from my wife and daughter. They knew what most didn't - that the bread bin I had brought out contained a hamster. So they thought I was being way too reckless leaving it balanced on the communion rail whilst hordes of children milled around. I was actually being very careful, but they spent ten minutes worried sick about the danger to the poor creature. They were much relieved when I finally opened the bread bin to reveal a safe and healthy hamster.
Monday 9 June 2008
Time for a re-think?
This blog began as an experiment in on-line spiritual journaling. Has it been a success?
a) I have not been consistent or regular in my posts. When life has been busy and there has potentially been lots worth recording, I haven't had the time to do so.
b) I have tried to remain honest and open but without giving away sensitive pastoral secrets. But is it such a good idea to bare my soul in public. What happens, for example, when I move to a new church and some people investigate their new minister on the internet? Do I want this blog to be the first impression they have of me? Also, there have been times when important and significant things have happened in my life which are simply not appropriate for a blog.
c) Who reads this? Anyone? And if they do, is it helpful to them? Or am I writing merely for my own amusement?
d) I thought a blog might be a good place to keep track of significant spiritual ideas. Today, for example, I read a fascinating article entitled "How responding to people's needs hurts the church" but am not sure what to do about it. It's not quite the right subject for a sermon. Do I email it to key people in the church? Do I use it as a discussion starter in a meeting? Do I find some way (such as this blog) to record the concept in case it will come in useful one day? Do I simply let the ideas join the vast melting pot of ideas bubbling away in my subconscious?
e) Is this blog helpful to my spiritual growth? Does it motivate me to spend time in prayer and study? Does it matter whether I ever browse back through earlier entries?
Some of these questions are almost rhetorical. Others deserve more thought than I have time for right now. The experiment continues...
a) I have not been consistent or regular in my posts. When life has been busy and there has potentially been lots worth recording, I haven't had the time to do so.
b) I have tried to remain honest and open but without giving away sensitive pastoral secrets. But is it such a good idea to bare my soul in public. What happens, for example, when I move to a new church and some people investigate their new minister on the internet? Do I want this blog to be the first impression they have of me? Also, there have been times when important and significant things have happened in my life which are simply not appropriate for a blog.
c) Who reads this? Anyone? And if they do, is it helpful to them? Or am I writing merely for my own amusement?
d) I thought a blog might be a good place to keep track of significant spiritual ideas. Today, for example, I read a fascinating article entitled "How responding to people's needs hurts the church" but am not sure what to do about it. It's not quite the right subject for a sermon. Do I email it to key people in the church? Do I use it as a discussion starter in a meeting? Do I find some way (such as this blog) to record the concept in case it will come in useful one day? Do I simply let the ideas join the vast melting pot of ideas bubbling away in my subconscious?
e) Is this blog helpful to my spiritual growth? Does it motivate me to spend time in prayer and study? Does it matter whether I ever browse back through earlier entries?
Some of these questions are almost rhetorical. Others deserve more thought than I have time for right now. The experiment continues...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
