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Sabbathing or sunbathing?

When I was asked if I could write a thought for the week as one of those having received a handshake at BU Assembly this year, I did what any good Spurgeon’s student should do and turned to my PMP (professional ministry and practice) folder to re-read my POM (philosophy of ministry) assignment!

I wrote about a sustainable ministry, going at God’s pace rather than pressured by my own or other’s priorities, or the desire to look good. Have I been living this out in practice… well it’s a work in progress… I’m good at ploughing on regardless, taking a rest requires that jobs stay on my to-do list longer than I’d like, it’s more of an interior battle than an external one.

Our church has a rhythm of meeting altogether on alternate weeks allowing for Sabbath rest. Instead of a traditional service we meet in smaller groups on some Sundays and enjoy creation, podcasts and pub lunches with church and ‘not yet’ church family.

Spending good quality time ‘Sabbathing’ with God and ‘doing life together’ with my Christian family is life-giving. Predicted text wants me to write ‘sunbathing’ rather than ‘Sabbathing’ and I guess it is just that – stopping to bask and soak up the warmth of God’s presence which I need to do daily to help me live

the promises I made at my ordination:

‘Will you live a life of holiness and prayer,
Relying on God’s Holy Spirit to guide you?

Will you serve and pastor, teach and nurture
God’s people, seeking to pattern yourself and those you serve
After the likeness of Jesus Christ?
Will you witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ
In a needy world and amongst those who do not know his name?
Will you seek to be a minister of peace, a sharer of love
And a sign of hope?

Will you commit yourself
To nurture, lead and inspire
As you serve this church community
In your calling as a pastor,
Seeking to join God in the renewal of creation?

Perhaps you might read the promises made at your own ordination. I pray that you too might know the incredible blessing that those of us getting our handshake received at the Baptist Assembly as you serve, pastor, teach and nurture in your own context.

‘I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being … and that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ… – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen’.  Ephesians 3:16

The thought this week was written by Elizabeth Stoner, Minister at Light of Life Baptist Church in Ormesby and one of our Newly Accredited Ministers that received their handshake at the BU assembly this year.