The need for speed!

(Or when to worry about it and when not to....)

I do like a deadline!  I feel much better if I have something concrete to work towards.  However, I'm finding that church life doesn't necessarily lend itself to this style of working. I'm realising that, in a community with 1000 years of history and counting, time moves in a different way.

That doesn't mean that deadlines don't still exist.  We still have to produce service sheets each week, newsletters and Update editions (watch out for October's - soon to be published on this website!).  All of this takes time and means that other things don't get done straight away. 

 And then we have lovely events that we get involved in, like the Retired Clergy lunch that took place this week, as well as the day to day things like people popping in to check information, queries from wedding couples, funeral directors, requests for help and much more. All of these are hugely valuable and important things for us to be involved with but can eat up a day without trying!

This could feel frustrating but I'm feeling quite inspired by the series on Welcome that we have been following over the last few weeks.  Jesus called people to follow Him and to welcome each other (“Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” - Romans 15:7).  Like Abraham found, it might not always be convenient or easy but it's always the right thing to do. 

Part of my role here is to develop and support how we welcome visitors to the church and encourage them to experience God's presence. I know I don't always get this right as an individual but I am trying, as I think we all are. A big part of this is learning that God's timing is perfect.  My timing, my need for speed, is not always the way forward!

So if you see me rushing around, looking a bit stressed - you have my permission to stop me and remind me that God's in control and He'll take things in his own time.  After all, in a community with a thousand years' history, what's a week....?!