I try to read a Christian book during Lent in order to focus
my thinking and prayers because I sometimes think I want to be a better 'conventional' Christian!
It would make my life as a Rector's wife so much easier if I could just accept
some things without wanting to question all the time, if I could spout
Christian doctrine like I really meant it, that I knew my bible better and
could quote the relevant verse to support my opinions. However, I know that I
am not like that and, perhaps, I never will be - I need to test my
understanding and voice my doubts in order to work them through.
This Lent I have read ‘Ten – Why Christianity makes sense’
by John Pritchard and it was a thought- provoking, compelling read – so much
so, that I have finished long before Easter. The chapters are written with ten points - and
the chapters do not need to be read in the order they appear (although some
obviously follow on). I loved this style as I found I could pick it up at any
time and read short sections. The subject matter ranges from ‘Ten things I
believe about God’ and ‘Ten things I don’t believe about God’ to ‘Ten ways to
enliven your faith’ and ‘Ten values for tomorrow’s Church’. It is relevant and
up to date in its thinking. It is realistic about where a person or a church
might be. There are practical suggestions for enlivening your faith. I went to
the early Book of Common Prayer service this morning with a newfound sense of
expectancy, rather than dreading a cold church and resenting the early start. As John Pritchard says;-
‘ It’s an attitude of the heart, triggered through the mind.
I often realize (eventually, when my dull brain has woken up) that when God has
gone quiet it’s because I’ve ceased to expect much of him.’
Since the Rector@ 6 has been in this benefice, he has run several
courses that have been very well attended. His aim was to get us all to be able
to talk about our faith – to each other and so we are able to explain it to
those who have no experience of the church. Another member of the ministry team
is running the present Lent course and we started with thirty people in
attendance - so something is happening here! It’s not a case of “not another
Alpha course”! These are opportunities to think about our church, our faith and
grow together. Just last week, someone said, “I think about it a lot, but I can’t
talk about my faith – I haven’t got the words.” Christians need to be able to
talk about their faith as John Pritchard says;-
“It’s been said that the average British churchgoer is as
well prepared to meet an aggressive atheist as a boy with a peashooter is to
meet a tank.”
Hopefully, our benefice is trying to address this.
There is so much I would like to write about – so just go
and read it for yourself. I wonder if you will find it as inspiring as I do.
“...there are other metaphors that, for me, come much closer
to describing the God who whispers in my inner and outer life: God as the
Mysterious Laughter I hear in creation; God as the Gentle Persuader who touches
me lightly on the shoulder; God as the Aching Beauty who speaks through nature and
the arts; God as the Shimmering Presence always just beyond my reach but giving
depth to common things.”
