So what you planning?

When people aren't telling me about my 'busy' times or how I'm lucky to have a job where I only have to work on a Sunday they ask me questions. One of the most consistently asked must be that show-stopper of all questions, "So what are your plans for . . . . ?"

Having been an Industrial Engineer during one of my regenerations (think being a dog collar is regeneration number seven) I sat through so many lectures where helpful little sayings and mottos were tossed around like confetti at a wedding. One of the greatest, and most common, was that superficially sound and helpful advice in the form of, "He who fails to plan, plans to fail."

Now being honest I have to say that those who, in a church context, plan their church's future of plan to not only fail but also plan to create a sadness and even stifle enthusiasm and growth amongst their congregation. I have for year's enjoyed the truth that is to be found in the words of proverbs 13:12:

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life

Sad to have to tell that I find many leadership teams (by which I mean clergy and their church councils, workers and the like) who set themselves up for certain failure and thus condemn their fellowships to feelings of apathy and sadness because they have planned badly. One such example of this was to be found in a MAP (Mission Action Plan) where the church has set themselves a target of rising in numbers from around fifty to one hundred people as a result of their mission, which was, "To be Church where we find ourselves." I asked what strategies they had to bring this laudable goal about and received no real answer. They just believed that was what God was going to do and so were going to carry on as they had (numbers diminishing) and 'Trust God'.

I have to say that I reckon God has a pretty rotten job which he does excellently but looking at this congregation and their 'plan' He was destined (I felt) to look like He had an excellent job which he did badly - after all, if the growth didn't come it was going to be His fault!

I asked when the plan had been put together and discovered that it was almost in year three of the five year plan. I couldn't help myself (I never can - my mouth always gets involved before my brain does) and I heard myself asking what had happened when they'd last reviewed it. The look on my colleague's face was a picture, I don't think he could have look any more stunned and appalled if I'd asked to sleep with his wife! "We have made our plans and we're sticking to them," he said with a withering look. It was then that I decided that I might just leave him and his congregation to their plans as they weren't for moving. they had set their path and were going to see it through faithfully!

I enjoy the wonderful words of Proverbs 29:18:

Where there is no vision, the people perish

As the Mission Action Plan season picks up speed (we need to revisit them and present them at our Annual church meetings) I would like to remind everyone else that they need looking at and revising where necessary. As I do I would like to remind you of the reality of planning church in that many who plan fail to plan success but merely plan to fail. If your plans are not realistic, not constantly revisited and not developed by long periods of praying then you're planning to fail. If you seek a church of one hundred and the reality is that you're experiencing a diminishing congregation than either God is falling you or you're merely sitting with eyes closed and fingers crossed hoping for a visit from the growth fairy!

For some the reality is:

Where there is a vision the people perish because hope deferred does indeed make the heart grow weak (and the hopeful walk).

What are you going to make your reality?  Do you understand the needs of your community, know what they need and what you need to be 'Church' for them? Have you plans? If you do, when did you last revisit them?

Be blessed and may you see growth and bless others as you seek to serve Him.

Just One Man, Just and True?

Fearing that 'jury tampering' might be a real problem, four men appearing on charges of armed robbery have appeared in crown court. Nothing too newsworthy in that until we realise that this is actually a trial by no jury, now what would Gilbert and Sullivan make of that I wonder? Now we're not looking at the introduction of 'Diplock Courts' (which have been such a part of the Northern Irish judicial system) but something which has been made possible by the 2003 Criminal Justice Act (sections 44 & 46 if you're interested).

Now, I can see the attraction of not having a jury when there have been other court hearings (three in fact) where jury tampering has been either evident or extremely likely. If there's no jury then there's not potential for them being tampered with, so removing the jury should mean that the decision is sound in that respect,

BUT

I have to ask whether holding such a trial without the opportunity of the accused being tried by their peers is actually dispensing justice or merely pragmatism which has the potential to actually deny it, if not now to these four men, potentially to others? Magna Carta and all that stuff came about to ensure that people weren't stitched up by the monarch or the ruling classes. Look a little closer (in terms of time) and perhaps consider some of the apparently serious miscarriages of justice brought about by the activities of such august servants of the people as the West Midlands Serious Crime Squad (where a jury was present) and ask whether you'd have more or less confidence at today's 'legal breakthrough'.

Is it actually a breakthrough or a move towards the good old (judicial) days?

Add to my concern the outlawing of Islam4UK, a group with whom I would disagree at just about turn, and you begin to see freedom of speech (even speech with which disagree with) being eradicated (or at least limited) and trial by jury reduced and I wonder which part of the wedge I'm viewing. I would rather those with whom I disagree were allowed to voice their views, concerns and criticisms rather be pushed out of public gaze to continue as a faction. I feel this over Islam4UK, the BNP and many other groups - if we restrict freedom of speech we diminish democracy. If we remove trial by jury we introduce doubt over legal decisions because the checks and balances that is the jury has gone - something I expect from banana republics and democratic nations that are perhaps going bananas. Whatever next, we'll be sending people to internment camps  because we percieve they are 'enemies of the state'.

What a lood of gulags that will be!

Pax

Just one simple rule

Following a lesson on preaching one of our group asked the lecturer how many points a sermon should have. Not rising to the bait the lecturer replied, half out of the door, “Try to have at least one!” This is what this sermon today has – one point. If you make this one point your own I guarantee that you will be blessed and I’ll start off with the point at the very beginning – no hidden or clever bits, just a very simple truth which if you can make your own will change your life: doing the word of God is the root of all blessing.

If there was one thing that could help make everything else in your life work you’d be a complete idiot to refrain from doing it, wouldn’t you? Well, this is it, and having identified it, you’d be a fool to ignore it. Sadly though, people do ignore it for a number of reasons, they don't do what God wants us to do but get tangled up with other stuff - distractions and dissipations.

They’re too busy, they’re too distracted by family or work or because of [insert your particular busyness]. There’s so much out there that stops us from concentrating on what is important and when we let these things pile up we lose sight of the main task before us. I have forgotten how many times have I been to MacDonald’s and driven away with the wrong stuff. It has happened lots and I bet I’m not alone. Let's ask Cassie, after all - she works there!

They’re so manic in there, especially as they serve two people at the same time, that the order gets lost in the frenzy. This is exactly what happens to this ONE main task. We let other things help us to take our eyes off of it and Christianity is no different.

I have spent much of my Christian life telling people that all God wants is for His people to sit on their backsides and just love Him. Nothing else, not taking on loads of jobs, not fulfilling the needs of the fellowship, not being a good this, that or the other. Look at Mary and Martha, Lazarus’ sisters in Luke 10: 38 – 42:

^{“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"}

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

It’s just so easy to get in there and do the things that ‘need’ to be done and yet, as Martha found, the best thing was to be with the Boss, like Mary had chosen, not in the kitchen as she had done! But this does not mean that we can just ignore the tasks that need doing, we don’t have that luxury but if there was just the one thing. The same question that we find in Matthew 19: 16 – 21 when a rich young man comes to Jesus and asks, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" Notice the emphasis here. What one thing, not things, must I do to get eternal life?

Jesus responds, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” The young man asks, “Which ones,” to which Jesus basically says, “All of them’. Can you imagine this young man? Being in St Francis of Assisi I often think of our patron saint and his epiphany. He looks at Jesus and say, “Done that – kept them all!” and Jesus tells the young man to go and sell all he has and to put aside all the distractions of possession and being possessed by them and to ‘follow Him!’ One simple instruction, no list of commandments, just one simple act, ‘Follow me’. It’s not about selling stuff – it’s about following Jesus. Living the word of God is the root of all blessing.

Again, if we turn to the book of Revelation (2: 3–5) we find Jesus speaking to the seven churches and to one in particular, the church in Ephesus, He says:

“You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”

The first love has been forgotten, lost in the distractions of overcoming trials and being tested. So often we’re so keen to be triumphant that we forget whose victory it is. We become so caught up that we work with God and forget to live with, and love, Him. Is this your situation today? Have we lost the one way to the Father that is the Son because we’re distracted? For as Jesus told Thomas (John 14: 6), “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Have you lost the way because of the distractions? There is no other name under heaven by which me must be saved. Salvation comes from and through no other! (Acts 4:12).

It is so simple – there is but one name, one person, one act – to spend time with Him, being taken up in Him, doing what He says, Being as much like Him as we can – just one simple thing. He answers all the questions of life regarding why we’re here, where we’re going, what are we meant to do and more besides. So many questions, yet one answer, Jesus!  Where did we come from – read Genesis. Where are we going – Read Revelation. Everything else tells us where we are, what we’re doing and what we should be doing. Simple! But Doing the word of God is the root of all blessing seems to have many facets – so let’s try and put them on the one gem by looking at Matthew 28: 5 – 7:

“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

 What’s being said here? Jesus has done what he said He would and is going on from here (Jerusalem) to Galilee (about sixty eight miles). So anyway, they do it. (Mathew 28: 16 – 20) They go to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go and when they saw Him, they worshipped him (but some doubted). And Jesus comes to them and says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

We’ve probably heard the ‘Great Commission’ many, many, many times. But faith comes by hearing but faith without action is empty – it’s the doing that makes it real. To be blessed by God’s Word find the ‘doing’ word – that little verb. Not the don’ts but the do! In the Great Commission there is one verb – one doing word – ‘Make Disciples’. It’s not ‘GO’ but it’s ‘BE’ and as you ‘BE’, you make disciples and teach them but first of all you need to be a disciple yourself! Jesus took people into relationship with Him and made them His disciples. They were in Jesus’ company – following, being with Him, sharing triumphs and failures with Him – He was their constant companion (or pretty much – otherwise how could he come out across the water and stuff). This is the one thing – the one simple rule.

A Christian disciple is someone who follows and learns from the teacher. Learning and putting it into action, examining what has happened and then doing it again – it’s the apprentice model. Read about a topic all you like, but it’s not until you begin to experience and live it that the topic becomes real and you become someone who is it. I met a man who read about guns. He knew the models and all about making the ammunition. He could explain how they went together and what did what and yet he’d never fired a shot in his life. And when he did – he was rubbish at it! But as he tried, failed, discussed the failures and got better – he got better until he was a shooter, not just someone who read about shooting.

This is what a Christian disciple is – someone who not only reads about the ‘stuff’ but does it. Badly at first, but as they progress they get better until people see that they are a disciple. It’s so easy to be an expert who talks about things and a bit more difficult to be an expert who does them.

Every disciple is a believer but not all believers are disciples. I have met people who have raised a hand at an evangelistic meeting and meant it. They wanted to receive Jesus, they wanted to be a Christian and yet that’s where is stopped for them. They believe that Jesus is the Son of God and they have a simple faith but that’s where is stops. They don’t get to a place where they spend time with Jesus – and it’s the being with Him and seeing who He is and what He does that leads us into being disciples. We can show we know Him because we’re just like Him. Being able to answer questions about him is like being my shooting friend – knew everything but never lived it out. But then again, we will because we know that: Doing the word of God is the root of all blessing.

In Matthew chapter 22 Jesus was asked by a lawyer about that elusive ‘One Thing’:

“Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

If you get a chance – have a look at the parallel of this in Luke chapter 10: 25 – 37, which goes on to the ‘Good Samaritan’ story:

“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’”

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

We are called to follow Jesus, to love Him, to spend time with Him and to be His disciples. We love the Lord with all our heart, all our souls, all our strength and with all our mind and from out of this we love our neighbours. We are called to share what we have learned, but this means learning it first of course! We have to make disciples of ourselves first before we can make disciples of others. Just one point with many facets to it but the reality is that: Doing and living the word of God is the root of all blessing.


Want something to do? Read Deuteronomy 6:5 (in fact all of the ‘Hear O Israel’ the Shema is worth reading) and then move onto Leviticus 19:18 (read the whole chapter – it’s worth it). Finish up with reading Matthew 28 – not just the Commission, but read it all and start doing that 'one simple thing'.

Snow - At Last!

We've had so much snow that members are ringing in apologising for their absence tomorrow so I thought I'd show everyone how our building looks in this wonderful weather.

I did a midweek communion in another church this week and only one person battled through the snow - but it was a nice intimate affair. Can I suggest that those of us who do have congregations with older or more vulnerable members contact them to ensure that they are O.K. and if they can't make the Sunday service that they are put on the home communion list (if they want to be put on it of course).

Blessings.

Honesty - A One Way Street?

I was telephoned this morning to ask why a certain group I have been associated with has placed nothing on their website regarding the 'other' Robinson, by whom I mean of course, Iris. There are miles and miles of files, pretty files (sorry been listening to Moody Blues as I check the service and sermon for Sunday) relating to the other one and his escapades (the latest of which has been to bless the 'marriage' of a couple of women in Berlin, which I thought was in Germany not the US so what do I know anyway?) and yet not a single mention of this previously supported pinnacle of 'orthodoxy' against sexual naughtiness and her recently revealed transgressions.

I find this sad because this has become such a 'news' item and it is churlish and perhaps more than just a little short-sighted to ignore this issue when so many of the more liberal groups are making such capital of it and abusing her so. The news is full of this issue and it is actually, potentially, an example of fall, repentance and restoration (if the latest exposure relating to the money from developers being filtered back through Iris' pastor sister's church back to her are untrue) that might be useful in countering and contending with those who engage in persistent sexual sin (heterosexual and homosexual) and every other type of persistent and willful sin as well.

If we are to proclaim the orthodox position then we need to do it openly, honestly and admitting when one of our own has got it wrong. Sadly, not since August the fifteenth has this lady been mentioned and whilst I am sure that Islamification, gayification and all the other burning issues (although I do struggle to see who will end up burning at times) are right in terms of people needing to be made aware and of this needing to be reported - it's just a shame when we fall a little short and I for one will accept the criticism labelled at me that I am human and can get so bound up in 'causes' that I fail to see 'calling' at times and am greatful thatjust this time I haven't.

Pray for those caught in the crossfire of the Iris(h) Robinson affair, for those who voted for both of them and for Peter Robinson as he struggles with further disclosures and the pressure it places upon his marriage, his family, his career and his faith. Pray for those who wish to make a stand that they do so in a balanced and honest manner. Pray for those who are issuing vile and disgracefully 'bitchy' and wicked comments as they seek revenge - still, Jesus is coming soon and He can't be distracted from being and doing what is right (so watch out!).

Pax

The Robinson Affair

So here's you you Mrs. Robinson, Jesus loves you more than some who are attempting to make hay while the shame shines regarding your infidelity will ever know!

Sadly, this lady who has stood up and given voice regarding her views of homosexuality, views which are as valid for her as the views against her political and other beliefs then. But, whilst we still have a democracy there is the implicit right of each of us to hold views and long may that continue. But what do we have here and what does it say to believers and non-believers? Liberal and orthodox (and those in the middle?)?

Iris Robinson has been pilloried for being flawed and human and some are asking where her faith was when she stumbled and what it has done to remove from her the stigma, pain and condemnation that is a reality for her, her husband, family, party and nation. She has been pilloried on Radio 2 for being a fundamentalist of the the American kind - you know the type - big hair, flashing teeth, opulence and destined to be denounced as wrong in a very short time - something she has lived up to so that she can take her place alongside Swaggart, Bakker, Bentley and far too many more to name here. (see what happens when you want more than a Christian faith children?)

But . . . 

As she also said when she started the rage against homosexuality, "My Christian belief tells me to love the sinner and hate the sin - every type of sin!". Well this is where she finds herself today. Exposed as yet another sinner, in fact exposed as having a new sin added to her list of existing sins that she commits (as do we all). I trust and pray that the fellowship she belongs to will seek to 'restore her lovingly and gently' (Galatians 6) and that from this experience she will do the same with others employing a chunk of Matthew 7, "Judge not lest you be judged. For as you judge others, so too will others (using the the same measure and means) judge you." We all have specks in our own eyes and everyone I meet can tell me why they deserve God's forgiveness and why [insert name] doesn't.

Hopefully this will be a hard-learnt lesson, well-learnt, and Iris will manage to restore her marriage and understand that when people stop doing wrong, repent (that is to turn away from) and confess their sins they are truly forgiven. God's metanoia (just think - He sees our sins but chooses to forget what they are!) means that for those who stumble and are restored there is forgiveness - the key is not to keep stumbling and whilst the adultery might be sorted, there's still the matter of development money for her nineteen year old boyfriends café and her not declaring an interest in the business. Don't think it will end here with just the infidelity for sadly, once people are on the ropes, the vultures descend and the dirty washing appears.

Regardless of what you think of her views she, like every sinner needs our compassion. Justice and forgiveness also need to be present in equal measure for it's not about revenge, even though this is what so many are making it. Don't think this is over yet but this should not be the reason to take pleasure - after all, tomorrow might just be our turn in the mill! Whilst some will label her a hypocrite, especially some gay rights campaigners, I can only suggest that before they point fingers they address the hypocrite who faces them across the mirror first - a practice that would see a more honest and gentler world indeed.

Bad language

Recently I was appalled when someone introduced the term 'gayification' (the act of making 'gay' where of course it doesn't refer to lambs gambolling but other things - a further deviation of our ennobled language at the hands of the colonials). I found myself happier with people adopting a homosexual lifestyle than I was at those who corrupted the English language to produce such abominations before Fowler. I consulted my GOD (Greater Oxford Dictionary) and found that this was a pagan creation, much like Asherah poles or effigies of one of the many Baals.

Not only that but our proud British Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Five to be exact) proudly announced that our 'summarizer' for the match was to be . . . ! Our what? I am sure they meant 'Commentator' for the man was providing the 'in match' commentary and if there was to be a summing up at the end, the person doing it would be providing 'final analysis' or 'summing up' not being a 'summarizer'.

It get's worse. A curator at the Tate told listeners to Radio Four that the exhibition of art she was planning was the 'funnest' job she had had to date. considering she's supposed to be somewhat educated (it's not science but there still has to be some joined up writing somewhere I assume) I didn't understan this utterance at all. But, having enquired I find this is merely 'American'. That strange language where, in an Alice in Wonderland like style, words can mean whatever one wishes. A fact that would account for the bloke on the late news who was Facebook's head of 'Monetization' - which if you're like me is a little confusing, means 'Revenue Generation'.

Things, as I understand it have 'an impact upon other things' - they do not 'impact upon' . Well, they never used to when I was a schoolboy but now it seems they do. A local school has told its pupils that color is a correct spelling and I understand that we now wish each other 'Happy Holidays' and blithely tells people that 'We're sorry for their loss'. Seems we've stopped communicating and merely taken to use words to fill the void!

And whilst you're out there to day might I suggest you have a go at 'Friending'. It's time to drop 'Friend' as a noun and to cease using 'befriend' as a verb. Get out there and friend someone new today or better still, make yourself available and hope to hear those wonderful words, "I've friended you!" today.

May the Lord 'friend you' today and make you a partaker of His immensification (see I can learnify).

SATB or Unison?

Having read of 'bullied clergy' and 'aggressive bishops and antagonistic congregations' I have been made more and more aware of the need for me to join a trade union. In fact, dare I say it, I feel that with the impending common tenure and the many tales of woe that have appeared over the past few days many clergy will be feeling the need to investigate becoming a member of the faith worker's branch of Unison.

Now, having in my time been a member of the 'top table' of a Union Branch and having been to conference and represented my membership I reckon I'm probably a good person to be considering membership of a union, after all they came about from the craft guilds as a means of providing those who had no voice with both voice and bargaining powers and that appears to sound like clergy (doesn't it?). I can talk (endlessly) about Kier Hardie  and the Tolpuddle martyrs and can sing the proper words (and improper too) to the political songs and know what it is to be a political activist. Surely then it's "Yo, Ho, Ho Ho, a union member's life for me?"

Actually, the answer is tending towards the negative because I don't have a job I have a calling and whilst I would enjoy the turmoil caused the nation by a general stoppage of the Eucharist and would love to hear the ten O'Clock news begin with the headlines:

"All over the UK queues of people are appearing as the distribution of communion is coming to an end across the land as Vicars down tools in a bid to see  . . ." What bliss as we cross picket lines to enter the crem' or take vengeance on scabs who baptise and just imagine what 'flying pickets' could do - we might even manage to ordain Arthur Scargill. I just don't think it's for me - but thanks anyway for the offer.

Truth is that there is most certainly clergy who are abused by their parishioners and bullied, harassed and generally stitched up by their bishops or archdemons and other diocesan 'powers and dominions'. It has always been the way and after all, as those of us who have served their title know all too well, 'stuff happens' and yet we continue to be faithful to our call and trusting in God for it. I don't want to sign up to this culture that makes me a victim in need of some supporting body or patting hand who will find someone to attribute blame to! I have a God who acts and speaks for me and whilst I have often been accused of being 'rather simplistic' (goes with being 'average' I guess) I favour this before seeing demons behind every act of the bishop or question from a parishioner and finding the need to have someone speak or act for me.

Mind you, if Chapters were a little more together and if clergy actually supported each other a bit more then the need for such a consideration as union representation would not exist. If clustering brought about a support structure whereby problems and needs (other than covering other people's services because they've gone bonkers (all it takes is two pencils and a hankie - see Black Adder) or are otherwise indisposed were actually discussed, understood and met, there would be no need of unions.

If Bishops and their staff saw congregations as brothers (and sisters too of course, nothing sexist here) rather than cashpoints (and believe me some use that term) and saw opportunities to grow new believers rather than opportunities to be 'cash convertors' there would be less fear of the type that feeds the new found new for union representation. and generates such paranoia.

If I am subject to abuse or find myself in difficulties with members of the church (and/or the general public) I have a number of means open to me. The first is Biblical - for I am told how to manage my dealings with brothers and others. The ultimate step within the Church is to expel the 'immoral brethren' and the options open to me outside of the Church in the civil and secular world are to get someone's collar felt by use of the legal articles and the long arm of the law who will, according to Gilbert and Sullivan, 'run them in!'

I see nothing that unionised labour will bring to my calling as I don't see us being engaged in pay struggles and don't see us looking at formalising working day arrangements. I don't see how the Pointy Hats would manage to bring in Industrial Engineers (AKA Time and Motion men or as they were more generally known, Bedaux's bastards) to establish a mean time for baptism, the Eucharist, the sermon or any of the pastoral tasks we engage ourselves in. As an ex-Industrial Engineer I could analyse the service and by means of a REL chart make the whole thing more efficient in terms of distance covered and could probably indulge in some 'inside working' to make sure that I do some things (giving thanks for the offertory perhaps) whilst the congregation are singing and doing other stuff (just think what you could do during one of 'those' peaces) but somehow I don't think so. (but I will try). But this brings me to my own bottom line . . .

We don't need no union representation, we don't need no crowd control - hey unions, leave us Vics alone.