It's the finish that really matters1
This has been an interesting day. I passed from being a BBC conttributor, to being a pastor visiting a widow who just lost her husband last week, to sorting out contents for the Easter services in the midst of fielding at least 10 phone calls. Finally to end up experiencing a Passover Supper as a teaching experience. All in a days work.
The BBC interview regarding church attendance was a bit of a damp squib. The release of the hostages took up the headlines and rightly so, however it meant that our 15 minute slot was more like a seven minute slot. I was really proud of the two teenage boys who spoke about their connection with the church. They spoke well and gave a good account of themselves. The representative of the secularist reported that he was delighted that the survey proved that fewer people were attending church. I was simply pointing out that we were here in the community because we wanted to serve the people of Bo'ness in the name of Christ. It's not about numbers as such, our work is more about living the life.
Anyway its another opportunity to bring the message of church before public. I sometimes think that arguing about figures is a pretty sterile thing. Its not about the numbers that attend it about the quality of relationships that people encounter, above all its about helping people begin to make the first faultering steps in faith. I think Jesus once suggested that we might find fewer people on the road, especially the one that calls for self denial and cross carrying.
Talking about "cross carrying" I ventured out to the cinema last night, we went to see "Amazing Grace". I can't say its the best film I've ever seen, but I think it was a brave and workmanlike attempt at making the "cross carrying" of William Wilberforce believable. The problem with feature films is that they often require to tell a story around a central character. Wilberforce in this film becomes the focus of the anti- slavery laws. The film however, tries to show that a number of people where involved and not simply one man. John Newtonâ€"a former slave ship captain who wrote the hymn "Amazing Grace"he is credited in the picture as the one who convinces his friend Wilberforce to take up the cause of the slaves. In so doing Wilberforce is taking up his cross. He finds himself becoming ill as he fights for the freedom of the slaves. All this makes us become painfully aware of our need to stand up and speak up for the things we believe in. It is this same passion that drives Moses many thousand years earlier to stand up for the freedom of Israeli slaves.
Which brings me to my Passover meal this evening. This was a truly memorable evening. Maggie spent a lot of time getting things right. She gave an excellent explanation of the context of te meal, as well as cooking a leg of lamb. I came home this evening thinking how sad that upper room must have been. The Passover, normally was an evening of hope and freedom, but for Jesus that night would be full of bitter sweet memories. Betrayal, denial, and isolation. Yet no doubt there was evidence of a love that would later eventually lead a group of frightened men to become world changers.
I guess its not so much how you start as how you finish that matters. Which brings me back to my BBC discussion re the Tearfund Survey. The most important thing for the church is our finishing. On Good Friday Jesus had the last word when he cried " It is finished!"
