Journal: not the !*€'*! caretaker

So there I was with a day off and very little dome in the way of work (other than a few funeral calls, some pastoral stiff and a late night foray into the rainy night to overcome some welfare state/health service inadequacies). I potters a bit, tidied the study a bit, played with electronics, had brunch with the other half and watched a film.

Rushed out to do a quick call and on my return found a van (which I assumed was for the group meeting there later) parking up - so I left them to it. A little later one of our children popped into the church building to find something and was replaced by one of the other children as she also looked. Bottom line - I ended up going in and, as the caretaker, was challenged about not having opened up  and stuff.

So, I (nicely) point out that I'm not the caretaker and how the group have a key holder and how it's their responsibility to be there to open up and all that sort of thing. Seemed the group had been told that the people doing the whatever it was needed an hour to set up and no one had arrived. The rest is history (like the wallybean who has broken the heater controls in their desire to have the building heated to twenty-one degrees if I find them).

But you know, it's interesting how duplicitous people are - when they think you're the caretaker they know their rights, when you're the cleric they become different again! Fortunately I explained the issues and (kindly) left them to set up. But the tide is going out and the joys of living over the shop are diminishing as quickly as the mould grows!

Lord, You came as fully man as a servant to all - why isn't there just one story where you are mistaken for the caretaker of the shoveller of (You know what) so we can find a way forward with biblical integrity attached. Should I turn over the tables and use the whip I've made to drive them out? Perhaps I should just remain silent or ask them a cutting questions using the blatantly obvious?

It's not easy trying to pick up the cross at times is it?

Being Collared (5) - serving or served?

A few weeks ago someone popped their head into the church building as I was putting out chairs and tables and setting things up for the early morning midweek service. The visitor asked me a few questions about the building and whether it was available for hire and if so how much would they be charged.

We chatted for a few minutes longer about this, that and the other and then they asked me what was happening in the building that day. I explained that there was a communion service due to kick off at 09:30 and they asked when the Vicar arrived. When I responded that the Vicar already had arrived they asked where they were - so I told them they were talking to him.

The look on their face was priceless. 'Oh, I thought you were the caretaker, ' was the response, 'I didn't think Vicars did any of the proper jobs in church!'

Pondering that thought for a moment I popped in to the kitchen and put the water boiler on for the tea, coffee and cake session that follows the service and they followed, asking me the most interesting question regarding ministry I'd had for ages:

'Are Vicars allowed to do this sort of thing, after all my old Vicar never did any of that sort of thing!'

'Allowed?' said I, 'If we didn't do this sort of thing much of the work that goes on in churches across the country would never happen.'

What followed was and interesting description of their experience of church and the fact that where they'd come from had been inhabited by what I can only describe as an 'old school' cleric who arrived when everything was set up and left before the clearing up and cleaning took place. The sort of person who lives by the maxim: 'It doesn't start until I arrive and you know when it's ended because I've left!'

Now as much as I know clergy who tell me that this is essential behaviour to ensure that the members don't feel like you're taking their 'little jobs' away from them, I have to say that I can usually be found setting up, clearing away and even doing the washing up. This isn't because I'm driven or seeking to look good but is part of the reality in that it's 'my church' (and that's a statement of belonging - not possession).

Jesus, the Christ, came into this world as a man to be a servant, not to be served and it's better to be a caretaker in my father's house than seek to find a throne for myself in it. I know that deacons were there to do this sort of thing and so free the apostles for higher duties and whilst I understand how this applies to some of the stuff I do in church, the day I consider myself above picking up a broom, moving tables or setting out chairs is the day that I need to return to the pews and relearn what it means to be laos.

Set aside for holy things - humble enough to do those things which are mundane = being a minister of the Gospel.

Ministry - it's taking care . .

Or perhaps that should be 'care taking' in the sense of clearing up from yesterday and putting out the chairs, setting up the sanctuary and all those little jobs that need to be done to make the building look right for the morning services.

Doing it today is a real pain in the back (literally) as I picked up a solitary chair and, as I moved it, have done something that makes turning an interesting experience! Think I'll have to be a bit careful and avoid leaping about during the service.

The best bit of Sunday mornings comes when someone or other will make the odd remark about how something isn't in the right place or comment on the positioning of the chairs or such like. These days I point out that there is always room at eight o'clock on a Sunday morning for anyone else to come and help move things around. Sadly thought this is never their calling :-)

Yesterday we unveiled a Jubilee mural which we have been co-ordinating with a number of other bodies and people. Some are names on the paper and others, like the head teacher of our local infants school and the Guiding lady, are there and doing the stuff with a vengeance as they come alongside and support our Pioneer Minister.

The weather was pretty awful but the event was rewarding and fun (I'll post pictures some time today as time permits), just like Church being at the centre of community should be.

And so on to an encounter with Ezekiel (17: 24 - 24, a trip to Corinthian (1 Cor 5: 6 - 17) and a bit of seed sowing with Mark (4: 26 - 34)

Happy Father's day to those so inclined (or blessed) - remember it's not just a name but a job description!