For the last four years I have been entitling myself Trainee Minister.
That hasn't been my formal title. That title is much longer! Officially I have been a Candidate for Full-Time Ministry of Word and Sacrament with the Church of Scotland.
It is a bit too long to use on my Business Cards! Also it is rather impenetrable. Even if someone knows what all the words mean, it's a bit difficult to deduce that the title refers to someone who is training to become a Minister.
The shorter version used in the training regulations is 'Candidate'. But by itself it doesn't tell anyone anything - except that one is a Candidate for something!
So I adopted the term Trainee Minister, which in two short concise words, seemed to tell everyone what they wanted to know. I am working as a Minister, but I am still under Training, and therefore I am liable to get things wrong more often than one might otherwise expect!
During the past fifteen months I have been working full-time in the Final Placement of my training programme. This placement used to be called the Probationary Placement, because although the Trainee had been Licensed to Preach, that Licence could be revoked if one's copybook became too blotted.
During that Probationary Placement the Trainees were called Probationers. But now that the our License is not granted until after the Final Placement, it is no longer a Probationary Placement. Thus the Trainees are still called Candidates, although informally everyone calls them Probationers, because no-one has invented a better title!
It does get you some funny looks though. When you tell some new acquaintance that you are on Probation, they wonder what crime you have committed, and where they can find the nearest Policeman or Parole Officer!
Now that I am no longer a Trainee Minister, or a Probationer, I am wondering what term I should now use to introduce myself.
When I checked up the regulations, I discovered that officially I am a Graduate Candidate. That will be my title until I become Ordained into a Parish as the Minister.
But I'm sorry, that title is no less enlightening than being called a Candidate, or even a Probationer. In fact, I know that some Candidates call themselves a Graduate Candidate when they Graduate with their BD Degree. But that's not right either!
I think I might use the term Minister-in-Waiting, because that's what it feels like for me, and it will probably give a pretty accurate picture for anyone to whom I introduce myself.
I suppose there is a slight chance they might think I am some kind of soon-to-be Government Minister, or maybe some kind of Royal Minister (like a Lady-in-Waiting). But given that I will be standing in front of them, I doubt that anyone will entertain that notion for long!
So Yes, I like the sound of Minister-in-Waiting! What do you think of that title?
Monday 30 November 2009
Sunday 29 November 2009
Stewart's Advent Reflections
Today is the first day of Advent 2009.
I invite you to follow my reflections on the season at my Advent Blog.
I invite you to follow my reflections on the season at my Advent Blog.
Goodbye - Hello
Last night I was at a ceilidh organised by the teenagers at Davidson's Mains church in aid of the Nkhoma Hospital Project in Malawi. It was a great night, with lots of dancing, food, and chat. The Wild Cigarillos provided the music and directions for the dances. They are a great band.
When we danced the eightsome reel, for the section called the Grand Chain, where the 4 man and 4 ladies circle in opposite directions passing from hand to hand, our dance director called out Hello, Goodbye, Hello, Goodbye, to keep us all together.
As I reflect on leading worship at Bridgend and at Winchburgh this morning, I find the same words coming to mind. Goodbye, Hello, Goodbye, Hello; for this morning was my final Sunday with those two congregations. Goodbye, indeed.
But today is also Advent Sunday, the day we begin to look forward to Christmas, when we celebrate the arrival of Jesus Christ into the world. Hello, indeed.
The following extract from my sermon today is particularly appropriate for Advent Sunday.
In John 17, Jesus prayed for his disciples and all who would come after them, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
That has been God’s purpose since the beginning of Creation. That you would come to know Him. That was why He came as Jesus. That was why He died on the Cross.
God’s love is not a weak love. It is the strongest love.
In John chapter 15, Jesus describes the greatest love, “Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” And Jesus calls you, his Friend. That is how much He loves you - to die for you.
Jesus continues his prayer, “I want those you have given me, to be with me where I am, and to see my glory.”
This is Jesus’ request to God, his Father. He wants you, his followers, to be with him - to see his glory.”
This is an echo of what Jesus told his disciples in John chapter 14, “In my Father’s house there are many rooms. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
Yes, that is what Jesus said. You’ll have your own room, with your name on it, just waiting for you to check in.
Some of us will get there sooner than others. But it’s not only about us.
This innkeeper has enough rooms for everybody who wants to come.
But how will people want to come if they don’t know about the offer?
Everyone who makes and sells a product works very hard to advertise it as much as they can. If people don’t know about it, they won’t buy it.
But we know about the offer, and Jesus has given us the job of spreading that message, that Good News. Each of you has your part to play - not on your own, but together, united as a congregation, and united with God.
As a certain Bank Manager said recently, “Together you can do it.”
When we danced the eightsome reel, for the section called the Grand Chain, where the 4 man and 4 ladies circle in opposite directions passing from hand to hand, our dance director called out Hello, Goodbye, Hello, Goodbye, to keep us all together.
As I reflect on leading worship at Bridgend and at Winchburgh this morning, I find the same words coming to mind. Goodbye, Hello, Goodbye, Hello; for this morning was my final Sunday with those two congregations. Goodbye, indeed.
But today is also Advent Sunday, the day we begin to look forward to Christmas, when we celebrate the arrival of Jesus Christ into the world. Hello, indeed.
The following extract from my sermon today is particularly appropriate for Advent Sunday.
In John 17, Jesus prayed for his disciples and all who would come after them, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
That has been God’s purpose since the beginning of Creation. That you would come to know Him. That was why He came as Jesus. That was why He died on the Cross.
God’s love is not a weak love. It is the strongest love.
In John chapter 15, Jesus describes the greatest love, “Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” And Jesus calls you, his Friend. That is how much He loves you - to die for you.
Jesus continues his prayer, “I want those you have given me, to be with me where I am, and to see my glory.”
This is Jesus’ request to God, his Father. He wants you, his followers, to be with him - to see his glory.”
This is an echo of what Jesus told his disciples in John chapter 14, “In my Father’s house there are many rooms. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
Yes, that is what Jesus said. You’ll have your own room, with your name on it, just waiting for you to check in.
Some of us will get there sooner than others. But it’s not only about us.
This innkeeper has enough rooms for everybody who wants to come.
But how will people want to come if they don’t know about the offer?
Everyone who makes and sells a product works very hard to advertise it as much as they can. If people don’t know about it, they won’t buy it.
But we know about the offer, and Jesus has given us the job of spreading that message, that Good News. Each of you has your part to play - not on your own, but together, united as a congregation, and united with God.
As a certain Bank Manager said recently, “Together you can do it.”
Thursday 26 November 2009
Final Funeral
I was leading worship at a funeral today. It's something that I have done quite often during this Final Placement of my training. But it was not something that I had anticipated occuring during my final week.
On reflection though, I was pleased to refamiliarise myself with what was involved. The last funeral I led was back in August, some three months ago. And during December I will be between jobs, so I doubt I will have any funerals to do then.
If I start my Locum job as expected in January, then I will probably have one or more funerals to take every week. So it's good that I have had this opportunity this week.
Of course, that is no consolation for the family of the lady who died. She and her husband had been married for more than 35 years, and he has been looking after her full-time for the last few of these. It will be a devastating loss for him.
Yet perhaps in time he will realise that both he and she have been released from a life of limitation, frustration, difficulty, and hard work - into a new life.
Jesus assures us that God's offer of eternal life is given for all people. We entrust those who have died into God's care. We pray that in his gracious love he will have mercy on our loved one. And on us too, come to that.
On reflection though, I was pleased to refamiliarise myself with what was involved. The last funeral I led was back in August, some three months ago. And during December I will be between jobs, so I doubt I will have any funerals to do then.
If I start my Locum job as expected in January, then I will probably have one or more funerals to take every week. So it's good that I have had this opportunity this week.
Of course, that is no consolation for the family of the lady who died. She and her husband had been married for more than 35 years, and he has been looking after her full-time for the last few of these. It will be a devastating loss for him.
Yet perhaps in time he will realise that both he and she have been released from a life of limitation, frustration, difficulty, and hard work - into a new life.
Jesus assures us that God's offer of eternal life is given for all people. We entrust those who have died into God's care. We pray that in his gracious love he will have mercy on our loved one. And on us too, come to that.
Friday 20 November 2009
Balmoral and Aviemore
A couple of weeks ago I spent a few days away at Balmoral in Royal Deeside with twenty ministers, readers, and trainees, who live and work in rural settings. It was a very interesting and useful insight into working in rural churches. As I continue to search for a congregation, those in the countryside seem to be calling me the hardest. The Red Squirrel above was one of the pictorial highlights of the week!
This week I have been in Aviemore for a church conference on conflict resolution and reconciliation. This was a much bigger event with around 250 delegates. There were a range of speakers and workshop leaders from Scotland, England, and the USA. This conference also was interesting and useful and I look forward to seeing how these issues will be taken forward in the coming months and years.
As I waited for my train home I was surprised to see such a snowy scene at the top of the Cairngorms. After all it is only the middle of November!
As for the future, I finish my final training placement, at Abercorn linked with Pardovan, Kingscavil and Winchburgh churches, on Monday next week. After that I hope to apply to, and be selected by, a congregation with a view to becoming their minister for the next few years, or longer! I'll let you know when things become settled, but at present I can't say any more on air!
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