Duddington & Benefice Harvest Festival, and my last Service in the Parishes.

Galatians 6: 7 - 10

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Luke 6: 37 - 40

37 ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’

39 He also told them this parable: ‘Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.

If you're expecting a Harvest Festival sermon, you'll probably be disappointed...this is a 'Cheerio' sermon.

I recently heard a 'cheerio' sermon whilst I was on holiday.

I had noticed in the local Parish Magazine the Vicar was someone I was at Theological College with, so we decided to surprise him by turning up at the Sunday service.

It was about about 20 years ago that I had seen him last, but he had hardly changed.

As he wasn't expecting me, I was quite impressed that he recognised me.

He actually included Jacqui and I in the welcome at the start of the service, even if he was slightly unsure he had identified us correctly.

As it happened, it was his last service in that Parish, he was retiring. Could it be that as I was there at the beginnings of his ministry, I was now there to remind to him of how far he had travelled?

At the end of the service there was an informal ceremony arranged by the Church Wardens to wish him well, he received cards and gifts, and the grateful thanks of the congregation, to which he responded by saying...

“In ministry you receive more than you give.”

He insisted that he had more reason to thank his parishioners, than they to thank him.

“In ministry you receive more than you give.”

I thought to myself, 'that's not true! He's gone sentimental as it's his last service.'

However, as I was quietly chuckling to myself about this, he said, “that's right isn't it, Stephen?”

Everyone turned to look at me.

After a pause, I smiled and nodded slowly – in a way that I hoped gave general, if not specific, assent.

As it turns out, I need not have worried about committing perjury in church, on reflection I have realised he was right, and my slow nod was unintentionally honest.

In ministry you do receive more than you give.

It can be hard to see it at the time, but a little bit of distance gives perspective.

I have received far more from these parishes than I have given.

So thank you.

Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

This doesn't just work for Vicars, it works for you too.

I know many of you work long and hard for your local church, and long and hard in service of others in many different ways.

It can feel draining, exhausting, and unrewarded.

Galatians 6:9 – "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

The economy of the Kingdom of Heaven works differently to the economies of the Kingdoms of this World, as Saint Francis explained, “...it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, in giving to that we receive, and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.”

My Vicar friend announced he would give a charge to his church after the sermon, once more I was bemused – a charge? Did they have flat batteries? Was he going to plug them in?

I listened with interest to see if it was something I should do.

What he said was rather long, what I have to say is considerably shorter, but here it is, here is the charge – tell them about Jesus.

It's what Bishop Donald told me at my Licencing service here, “tell them about Jesus.”

How are you do that, you might ask, if you do not have access to a pulpit?

You do it in all you say and do.

You do it by reading the accounts of Christ's life and teaching in the New Testament, and then determining daily to be his disciple.

Love your neighbour as yourself, love your enemies, forgive as you have been forgiven, pray, be thankful, seek to bring healing, speak up for justice, share with those in need, do not be fooled by material wealth or social status, be humble, do not judge, do these things that Jesus taught and you will be the Church of God in this place.

Jacqui and I were out walking recently. We visited a church that had been in interregnum, and I was pleased to see the name of a Reverend had appeared on the notice board. I found in the parish Magazine her charge for the parishes as she started her ministry there. It was several paragraphs of management speak that didn't once mention Jesus. I would tell you what it said, but I honestly couldn't make it out. The last paragraph, however, was clear. The way to regenerate the churches, and engage the people of the parishes, was rewilding the churchyards and working towards the buildings becoming net zero.

Whatever you think of rewilding and net zero, and they are not uncontroversial, even if you pursue them because of your sincerely held faith, they will not serve as the central mission of your church.

Do what Bishop Donald said, “tell them about Jesus.”

To be honest, people may not hear or respond as you would want, but even so, it is your clear duty as Christians.

What seed should the churches of this Benefice sow?

Be disciples of Jesus as best you can, and tell the world about Jesus.

Amen.