New Beginnings

After a failed launch of a blog, I've decided to try again. So, a new title which, I think, reflects a little more of my recent experiences. Moving from the south east of England to Wales six years ago, on reflection, was a bit like moving to a very different culture and church setting. It was 'strange' - not in an unpleasant way, but in a way that challenged many pre-conceived ideas about ministry and mission. It has been commonplace to speak of the church being in exile, and ministry here has sometimes seemed like singing the Lord's song in a strange land. Now I'm preparing for another move to Spurgeon's as their new tutor in Doctrine and Ethics. Personally, that feels like a return, yet at this moment - the in-between time - there is a sense of preparation alongside reflection on what it might mean to encourage students to sing the Lord's song in a strange land.
I'm currently reading Anthony Trollope's novel 'Lady Anna.' The 'lady' in question is facing huge pressure to conform to the expectations of family and society to marry an earl and inherit a large estate. Yet, she has pledged herself to a local tailor's son, and her commitment to that promise remains steadfast in the face of huge opposition. It is written from an age long gone, and here is another voice from a strange land. What is the real meaning of commitment and how do we judge certain commitments to be morally right or wrong, and by what measure? I'm sure there's a theological issue in there.

Blessing or Grace?

Welcome to the first posting. I am hoping to establish some opportunity for discussion about issues that arise from my own double life as local church minister and university teacher.

Looking around a couple of other Baptist blogs there seems to be some discussion going on around whether to use a blessing or say the grace at the end of a service. Geoff Colmer (geoffcolmer.blogspot.com/) argues for the importance of a blessing, especialy one of the biblical texts. Steve Holmes (shoredfragments.wordpress.com/) asks whether we say 'we' or 'you' when preaching or pronouncing the blessing. As for me, I think I do both. As preachers and ministers we proclaim the authoritative word of God, but we are all under that authority. I tend not to use the grace so much these days simply because it is widely unknown by visitors (though data projection can overcome this). Some questions arise. How do we understand our role as 'priestly' but not as 'priest?' Can we hold to some form of sacramentality of ministry whicle remaining under the authority of the Word and the gathered congregation? Whatever the answers, it's good to be blessed anyway!