A sermon for my commissoning as a lay preacher

Isaiah 6 1-8 Colossians 4 2-6 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost  

A  vocation to any form of ministry can be an interesting thing. I’m sure I am not the only person whose first response to a sense of calling is ha,ha,ha, very funny God, you’ve got a great sense of humour, followed by a list of all the reasons why God has really got it wrong this time. 

However, God usually gets his way and here I am about to start this new chapter of my ministry, and here are all of you as well and I would like to say a big thank you to you all for being here and supporting me on this journey. 

The calling of Isaiah we heard in the first reading was a bit more dramatic than most. Isaiah also feels unworthy of his calling, until he senses God’s forgiveness. Isaiah is being called to a prophetic ministry, and preaching can sometimes have a prophetic edge. Isaiah is being called to speak out against the actions of the secular and religious leaders of his time, and to warn of the dire consequences to come if they did not change. 

 A part of preaching can sometimes be to challenge people and institutions, to ask if they are really acting in God’s way or in their own interests. 

However,  Paul also has some advice, to preachers, to speak with grace and and make sure what we say speaks to the person we are speaking to. After all, if someone thinks the preacher is just having a go at some aspect of what they believe they probably won't listen to the prophetic message. 

The challenge is to be prophetic,  gracefully. Not always easy. 

To follow a calling is not always an easy path, it can put stress on not only the person called but those around them. I'm sure Andrew will agree with that when he wants to go to the pub and I'm saying sorry I need to write a sermon.  

This is where our relationship with God and finding time to nurture that relationship and draw on his strength becomes important. The act of benediction which we are ending our service with this evening provides space and time to sit with God. In Anglican belief God is really present in the Eucharistic host, in a different more real way than he may be in other places. The physical presence of the host on the altar gives us a focus to help avoid distractions as we come and kneel or sit before God and simply spend time in His presence and open ourselves to receive his blessing. 

Everything that I have said doesn't just apply to those in “official” ministry roles. We are all unique and loved by God as we are, we are also all called to do God’s work in the world, whatever that may be. It could be doing things for charity or just been that one person that someone else knows they can trust and lean on.  

In the Jungle Book Baloo tells Mowgli to forget about your worries and your strife. Benediction allows us a chance to perhaps forget about our worries and strife and just rest in God's presence for a few minutes. Through this we can be strengthened to continue with the work God has called each of us to do. Amen