I was brought up in a Christian family but neither my brother nor my sister count themselves as overt Christians. Not long after I was ordained in the Anglican church, my brother said to me:" What on earth do you lot (meaning clergy) do all day except for on Sundays?!"
Although the comment made me smile, it was actually very useful for me to realise that even for someone brought up within the church, who has a sibling who worked full time in the church, the nature of a job as a minister was still something of a mystery.
I answered my brother in the following terms, which I think may be insightful for those of us who live and work close to the heart of the church, as much as for those who might live on the perimeters, or even beyond, of church life.
For my brother's secular ears, I. found myself portraying the church using the image of a business. Like other businesses, we have a product we want to sell, - forgive me if you find this offensive, but I used the metaphor of our faith as our product. We are all in the business of building and sharing (or selling) our faith, our product, but the church leaders are assigned to ensure that the church is well run, overseeing the teaching, the counselling and the nurturing at every level, as well as symbolically and sacramentally representing the church, giving leadership and vision for growth.
I have heard it said of ordained people (using the old English saying): "Jack of all trades, Master of none". This is because of the many different ways a church leader is stretched and challenged, not to mention the vastly differing expectations placed upon them. Where else would we expect someone to fit a job description of (perhaps) academic, but certainly teacher, speaker, counsellor, chair of meetings, host, and always available at the moment of any crisis. Each church tradition also has its own understanding of what a church leader should be, or of HOW they should be, and we have so many different church traditions represented here that it would be impossible to meet everyone's expectations, or to please all the people all the time.
We are so privileged in our church community here at St Ursula's to have so many talented people who contribute with their time and talents to the building of God's Kingdom. However, very many churches are not so richly blessed and in these situations ministers can find themselves running around and taking on all sorts of jobs simply because they cannot encourage others to take on the responsibility. In one way, it is right that the vicar can roll his or her sleeves up and help with the washing up, literally or metaphorically speaking. In itself, that speaks something of servanthood.
However, another crucial aspect of a minister's position is to enable and encourage others in their ministries, delegating and sharing in the oversight and pastoral care of the church, and its mission.
From the first day of my being ordained, this sense of the enormous privilege and responsibility in serving God's people has never left me. Recently, Jessica, a member of the youth group I have been getting to know, asked me: "What is a typical day for you?" I responded : "There just isn't any such thing as a typical day!!!"
Since my arrival in Berne, I have done a lot of observing and listening, whilst taking part in my obvious duties, fulfilling my calling of "preaching the Gospel and leading God's people in Public Worship" as is laid down in the Ordinal, the very solemn undertaking I gave at my ordination. I have (I hope!) been gradually getting to know all of you, prayerfully discerning current church life and my emerging role in the midst of you all, as I come alongside Richard and Lynne, Linda, the wardens and church council and all of you, the body of Christ, as colleagues.
However varied my tasks might be, one of the specific areas of responsibility asked of me at my interview was whether I could look after and nurture a youth group. This is certainly an area where I have had lots of experience in the past, although John Hutchinson did wonder out loud if I may be getting "a little too old for that sort of thing"!!!!
I have laughed many times since with him, I hasten to add, and equally hastily, I must say - despite my advancing years remain undaunted by his comments.
As I wrote above, I was brought up in a Christian home, but rebelled against church during my late teens, full of questions, as teenagers and young adults should be. It took me several years into early adulthood before God took me by the scruff of my neck and brought me back. However, my own experience gave me a sense of just how alienating the church can be to our teenagers and young adults.
It is crucial that our youngsters have a safe place to engage with serious discussion about life and faith during these particularly vulnerable years as they develop into independent adults. I have wondered whether we should give ourselves the name of "Connections", thinking of a junction where youngsters can make the connections between issues in their lives, and faith.
As parents, church leaders, and members of the family of God we have a great responsibility to respect their questions, taking their faith seriously without being patronising. Armed with these values, my intention is to furnish a sense of belonging, whilst challenging and inspiring their faith.
As I have got to know some of our youngsters, we have started to make inroads, discussing how we can best achieve these aims, supporting them in every way.
There are few youngsters in their teens here at St Ursula`s but our small numbers do allow for intimacy and trust, which is essential. In fact, it is still much better than simply having hordes of numbers just because it makes us feel better, but in reality becomes just a religious cattle market. We would ask for your prayer and support as we go ahead developing a programme that is varied as well as vital. Please don't be surprised if we invite you to come and share an evening with us, as my plan is to include and invite many of you to help us try to remember that you, too, in your journey of faith, were young once!!!
As the "slightly older lady" that John was so sharp to notice, I am very grateful for the committed support of two younger guys, Philip Klingler, and Haydon Mort who have come to me with ideas as well as questions as I seek to develop the work that my friend and your former curate, Sam Van Leer worked so hard to develop. Most churches would be bending over backwards to have such resources in terms of talent, integrity, not to mention role models. Please join with me in giving thanks for them, as well as so much else here in our church and community as well as being mindful of the fact that: "Great oak trees grow out of little acorns".
Yours in Christ
Wendy Hough