Minister's letter

This letter appeared in the April / May edition of the church magazine.

Some time just before Christmas last year we were looking at John 17 and thinking particularly about Jesus request to his Father in regard to his disciples as it’s expressed in v15: I do not ask that you take them out of the world.

Clearly, Jesus never intended his disciples then or now to withdraw from the world rather he wanted them/us to be involved, to be engaged and ultimately to make a difference in the places and among the people where God has put us.

But that raises the question – how can we be involved? What might such involvement, such engagement look like?

In that connection I mentioned something that a friend had shared with a group of ministers (including myself) who are chaplains at Scottish Football Clubs. (I’m chaplain at Dundee FC for any who may not be aware of it). And simply as a means of encouraging you I thought I might repeat something of what he said.

On the understanding that it is long term work and about building relationships this friend suggested at least 4 things a Christian chaplain might be in a sports club and it still seems to me these are four things a Christian might be anywhere – in a family, a workplace, a school, a neighbourhood, a club which may be largely non-Christian. 4 things, all beginning with the letter P.

1) Presence - You may be, you are, a Christian presence. Just by being there. Sometimes you may often wonder what you are actually doing there. But just be there. There’s not much you can do until you are there. Jesus is our model here. What do we celebrate at Christmas? Firstly, Jesus
being here: the Word (Jesus) who was God became flesh and dwelt among us. He came to live among us as one of us. He came to be, and to be with us – a presence, the presence of God among us. Never underestimate what you can simply be, as a Christian, even before you begin to do. You can  be, you are a Christian presence.

2) Pastor - You can be a pastor. You can take an interest in and demonstrate a care and concern for folk. You can listen to them. Again Jesus defines ultimately what it means to take a pastoral interest in someone when he speaks of what the good pastor, the good shepherd does for his sheep – he lays down his life for his sheep (John 10.15) However along that road that leads to the ultimate expression of pastoral care there are surely many avenues we can go down to express interest and care and concern for the folk around us; there are surely many natural opportunities to go out of our way to be kind to do good, to be of benefit. There are plenty of opportunities for Christians to be a pastor.

3) Priest – You can be a priest. You can pray for people. It is not inconceivable that with some of the folk we live and work beside, we may be the only person who would ever pray for them in Jesus name. Isn’t that something? I’m sure that the reason many of us are Christians today is because somebody prayed for us before ever we would have thought of praying or known what to pray for ourselves. You can do that for others. That’s real involvement. That can make a real difference.

4) Prophet – you can be a prophet. Maybe because you are there and because you have shown you cared and because you have prayed to the Lord for it, an opportunity will come to speak in Jesus name. It may not happen very often. When it does, it may well be pretty far down the line of being
and caring and praying among people. (It doesn’t need to of course because God can be at work among people long before we ever arrive.) But maybe it will come and you will get the chance to speak in Jesus name – to point people towards him, help remove an obstacle that has kept them from giving Jesus a fair hearing, say something that will make them think – but you can be a prophet among the people God has placed you.

There it is then. It could be you. It could be me. Why not, if we know and love Jesus Christ? You. Me. A presence. A pastor. A priest. A prophet. In the world. Engaged. Involved. Making a difference. Working with God to bring change for the better, for Him.

There’s something to think about and pray and work towards,

Yours in that challenge and calling,

Revd David Scott