Venerable Dr Amanda Bloor, Archdeacon of Cleveland and Director of Ordinands, specialises in helping clergy flourish in their roles and encouraging people to discover their individual gifts and callings.On top of all that she is also a writer for the BRF series New Daylight. And in some timely reflections this week on 1 Samuel she delivered her insight into having to tell a candidate that the church doesn't believe they are the right person for ordination.She explained: "It's an awful responsibility to pass on bad news. As a director of ordinands I've helped people investigate what they believe is a calling to ordained ministry. After months - or years - of discernment, they submit themselves to the scrutiny of the church and wait anxiously for a decision."Many will have their vocation affirmed, but to some the church will say: 'This is not for you.'"Having to telephone someone I've got to know very well and destroy their hopes is hard; it's a bitter blow to receive. But better that the news comes from me than a stranger."I've found that many disappointed would-be clergy recognise over time that their calling does indeed lie elsewhere. There will be times in our lives when we have to say something that is hard for a friend or a loved one to hear. Do we have the courage to speak out?"We pray for all those clergy newly-ordained this weekend. And also for the many men and women who may have been guided away from ordination at the moment. You still have a vital role to play in the church of Jesus Christ.
It will not have passed unnoticed by frustrated choristers that 40,000-plus fans were inside Wembley this week to watch, sing and celebrate England's victory over Germany in the European Championships.It was a landmark win that has delighted the nation but also prompted challenges to the lockdown rules that continue to stifle the freedom of church choirs to assemble and sing.Lady Barran (pictured), a government culture minister, attempted to defend the lockdown rules for choirs on Wednesday. Amateur choirs are limited to no more than six people indoors or 30 outdoors.The contrast between this and the football fans who failed to recognise any suggestion of social distancing could not have been more acute. Members of the Lords made clear their disagreement with Lady Barran.Lord Berkeley insisted it was mad to treat amateur choirs differently from professional singers, particularly while football fans were "singing, kissing, hugging and chanting."It is claimed that Labour, Tory, Liberal and cross benchers, and many MPs, agree on this matter. But many prefer to keep their views private - at the moment.Lady Wheatcroft, the former editor of the Sunday Telegraph, wondered what would happen if someone broke the rules. Lady Barran didn't know.
One of the best things about being a Director of Ordinands is hearing peoples’ stories and the way God has met them, is changing them and inviting them to respond obediently and sacrificially as they consider a call to ordination. It’s wonderful! It often reminds me of my own faith journey. One key moment for me was sitting on my bed as a teenager listening to terrible Christian rock music. (A wonderfully faithful but strict upbringing meant no secular music. Instead I discovered the delights of One Bad Pig (punk), X-Sinner (AC/DC rip-off), and the like. I’m really not sure which would have been worse…). One band (DeGarmo and Key – don’t bother looking them up!) had a song called The Pledge with the refrain, “He died for me, I’ll live for him.” To my forming teenage faith, despite the simplicity, this was a profound realisation and moment of calling. It began in me a desire to serve wherever Christ led. And this weekend we’ll celebrate 29 people who have similarly heard God’s call, each in their own way, and responded by giving their all to serve within the Church as ordained ministers. In their ordination service, the 16 new deacons will hear the Bishop’s charge “to proclaim the gospel in word and deed, as agents of God’s purposes of love… to serve the community in which they are set… to search out the poor and weak, the sick and lonely and those who are oppressed and powerless… that the love of God may be made visible.” To be ordained, is to serve within the Church, in Christ’s strength and for his glory. But even more fundamental is the belief that to be baptized is receive Christ’s commission, in everything, to live in Him and for Him. Is that a reminder you need to hear today? Do join in with the livestream of one of our four ordination services if you can www.cofeguildford.org.uk/ordinations. In so doing, perhaps it will give you opportunity to reflect afresh on your own journey, bringing a reminder of Christ’s gracious call, and opportunity to renew His vision for your life, service and ministry – lay or ordained.
