Vicar Writes 4th Dec
It was exciting last Sunday to see so many Anglican worshippers gathered together. We must have had at least 15,000 descending on Suntec. How can I begin to thank every SJC-er who has helped in one way or another? So, I will not try. But all is offered as worship to the Lord. And as I always do after every event and ‘offering’ I moved on, mindful that I am only a servant and nothing more.
Experiencing the wider Body of Christ is of course not something new. We meet many other believers in our offices, schools etc. We have attended other inter-church gatherings. In fact, this coming Christmas is one small experience of that with BRMC Preaching Point at ACSI. But amongst Anglicans there is one thing which makes a huge difference – accountability. As you attend the Service, you can see that I am accountable to my bishops and fellow colleagues in how I lead and pastor the SJC flock. I am also accountable to share (and receive) resources, rather than hoard them. In Missions, there is also clear focus of responsibilities. Instead of trying to hit everywhere, we follow the Pauline principle (2 Cor 10:13-16). And when we do go out, again we subject ourselves to others as missions work is always a community in mission, not individuals. This structural moral accountability and mutual commitment makes a huge difference.
Post-reformation, there are given realities which we have to live with as the Church is no longer ‘one’ in the fuller sense. Yet, we do not give up as within each of our separate ecclesial Christian families (I do not like the word denomination), we should seek to be the Church Jesus prayed for in John 17 and as we see practised in the Book of Acts. So, get this very clear – in heightening our commitment to the Anglican family, it is never done over and against our relationships with non-Anglicans (and I have many and love them!), but a pursuit of a fuller church life as our Lord has commanded.
That was why we had the theme “Crossing Over Together” at our Diocesan Youth Celebration last week. We had the privilege of Mike Pilavachi speaking. His official info is already published elsewhere. I add some informal thoughts. He is a great friend of Clement Wong, my brother pastoring in Ipoh. He is crazily funny and has cut an ‘album’ with his Soul Survivors band. His desire to relate to youths and help them follow Jesus has led him to ministry in many parts of the world. I am not sure which EPL club he supports, so do find out and be foe or friend. He also brought along Jonathan Dean, Matthew Nixon-James and Paul Rodwell. Do welcome and make them feel at home!