From a tiny spark comes a forest fire.

In the case of the Church, at Pentecost we begin with some rather scared and nervous disciples huddled talking in an upper room when the Holy Spirit descends upon them, visible in tongues of flame. Small sparks of fire upon each of them.

The fire visible on their heads lit an inferno of divine love in their hearts and gave them the courage to share that divine love with others, sharing the wonderful news of God’s incredible love for all humanity, witnessed in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Saint Peter was one of those disciples at Pentecost. He became known as the founder of the Church. He very often got things wrong, which is one of the reasons I love him so much. If God can use him, then God can use me and you too. Perfection not needed.

If any more evidence of perfection being absolutely unnecessary to be a disciple, look at Saint Paul! He was persecuting the early disciples, putting them in prison and even in favour of killing them! As far as he was concerned, they were blasphemers and anti-God. Then he encountered the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, and his life was never the same again. From his letters it seems he remained a somewhat abrasive personality and quite hard to work with. Again, God can use any and all of us to spread his message of love and forgiveness and hope.

So, what about now? Those early sparks created a forest fire of faith which transformed the known world over the next few centuries. The message of Christ was unstoppable! It seems we live in quite different times. But do we? Have people really changed? Have our deepest and most fundamental natures and needs changed? I sincerely doubt it.

The Roman Catholic church has much to teach us Anglicans. Their churches are packed, every Sunday, with people of all ages. They call and encourage each other into church. They come with all their noise and colour and liveliness and vibrancy. If our Anglican pews are empty in comparison, then perhaps we need to take a good hard look at ourselves. Do we look to share God’s love, and His invitation to be fully ourselves – whatever that may be? Or do we search for “people like us” who know the unspoken rules and like things the same way we do. Do we look for true community – with all its challenges and diversity and discomfort – or merely for conformity?

At the feasts of Saints Peter and Paul we hold ordinations of those called to be clergy. Clergy vow their entire lives and beings to share God’s message of love. We are there to minister to and care for the spiritual needs of those entrusted to our care. Most clergy are also introverts. Some clergy are also missionaries – but most missionaries are lay people. Some clergy are evangelists – but most evangelists are lay people.

As your priest I ask you: what can you, the laity, do to invite your friends and neighbours in to church? And if you don’t want to, then that says a lot about church.  Most importantly, it says that it needs to change.

Revd. Talisker

Photo by The Good Funeral Guide on Unsplash