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Viewpoint from Rev Stephen Cullis 22/06/2012
Rev Stephen Cullis
Superintendent Minister East Norfolk Circuit, 14/10, East Anglia District, The Methodist Church
 “ Less is more”. A phrase we often hear, but proves to be true in so many ways. It is true of: · the amount of calories most of us put into our bodies. Less Calories will for most of us mean a more healthy life;
· a smaller engine in your care gives you more miles per gallon;
· I have had it pointed out to me quite acerbically that the less words in my sermons the more meaningful it can be(-:
I’ve been a Methodist Minister since I was 25. As long as I can remember I have been “busy” during that time.
“Busy” is an interesting word. It is the opposite of the “less” bit at the top of the page. It means that days are full, pages in diaries have writing all over them and very often you are never able to “be” in one place properly, because half your eye is on what needs doing next.
Of course this isn’t just a symptom of the life of a Church Leader. It is a symptom of life. We like to have many fish to fry, many irons in the fire and have a fear of “settling” because we all know that it is wrecks that settle on the bottom of the sea
Why do we make our selves so busy?
There is so much in Jesus' life that impresses me. His courage, his love for the outcast, his patience with the disciples….. The thing I keep coming back to is Jesus ability to disengage Himself from the things everyone else thought terribly important which would have kept him “busy” ‘till his 80’s. He could disengage from the need of some of his countrymen to engage in rebellion against the Romans. In Mark 1 He could disengage from the need of Capernaum to “cement” his healing ministry with them. Instead, Jesus takes off for the hills early in the morning to rediscover His Fathers will for him
I have a lingering suspicion that we are doing too much We want to be all things to all people try to do many tasks well and we hold on to projects that were yesterday’s work instead of doing the mission of today
It’s time to take off with Jesus, and learn to do less: to hear what it is He wants of us and do just that which He called us to do. The other things will probably sort themselves out. Less is more, after all
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Mike J (Guest) |
26/06/2012 18:00 |
Church goes for a purpose driven busyness because it does not know how to enter the rest recommended in Hebrews. It does not promote the Gospel because it does not have the revelation.
Church neglects the Truth of the Gospel That says It Is Finished! in favour of a works based religious lifestyle. All from a perspective of a covenant that was discarded in favour of a New and Living Way.
We do not Trust as we should, we ignore the advice "Do Not Worry" from the sermon on the mount. Pastors always want more from the membership because their projects are so important and labour intensive because if they can be seen to be "doing" then they don't feel so vulnerable.
We have a Gospel that promotes rest in the knowledge of our union in Jesus but leadership would rather you were at meetings not resting but trying ever harder.
People hear ye Him, He Has done it all it is finished and Faith is a gift We have the Gospel of the new but even David knew the rest "He makes me lay Down in green pastures" read Paul's gospel you will find he promotes our mystical or spiritual union in Christ. We have equal seating with him in heavenly places, He is not so busy you know.
Revival is the great effort now, another ploy to promote religious activity and an outmoded covenant. God does not require sacrifice, or numbers of people or numbers of prayers but faith in Him and His efforts. ours are not required. Glory and Joy are ours if we would only drink Him.
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