Readings:
Sermon:
The Acts reading raises many and differing questions. The one I’d like to focus on today – albeit briefly - is how we deal with change, particularly changes in ministry.
Let’s look again at what the passage tells us.
Firstly, there was an acknowledgment that Judas had been one of their number and had been given a share – his share – in their work. Also, that Judas had made a decision which resulted in him no longer being one of their number, and which had brought about the death of Jesus.
Secondly, there was a feeling amongst the disciples that another person needed to be brought in to take up the now vacant twelfth place. What was behind that feeling we do not know. It might be the parallel with the number of tribes of Israel. It might be that they needed someone to pick up the work that Judas had been doing. It might be that they worked a lot in pairs. It might be that filling the vacancy would help them deal with the grief. It might be one or several of a number of things, we can only speculate about the reason, but the fact remains that they felt this way.
Thirdly, some basic criteria were set out, to identify who might be an appropriate candidate for consideration. In this case, they needed a witness to Jesus’ ministry and therefore any candidate would needed to have been a part of the group of disciples throughout Jesus’ ministry.
Fourthly, two people were proposed from among the believers, in accordance with the criteria. This meant that whoever was chosen would have both legitimate qualification and significant support from amongst the community.
Fifthly, they prayed. And then using a selection method which excluded any opportunity for bias, one of them – Matthias - was selected.
Sixthly, Matthias was put in post.
We do not know how Matthias felt, whether he was reluctant or enthusiastic. We do not know what his particular gifts were, or whether he was qualified to take up the treasurer role that Judas had previously occupied. But we do know that due process had been followed and Matthias was added to the eleven apostles.
It might seem a little strange engaging in this reflection so soon after the church council elections have taken place. But perhaps there are still posts that need to be filled. Perhaps new opportunities will arise which are as yet unforeseen. Or perhaps these questions might give you something to ponder over the next year, before the next set of elections.
Questions:
- Who are the people in our church we’d like to acknowledge for their ministry? Do we want to find more people to build on that ministry? Or do we feel it is time for new ministry to emerge, in which case how might we properly address any sense of loss from the laying down?
- When we’re looking for volunteers in church, do we work out how many people we want and then ask people to come forward, or do we ask the church to propose several and then pray and select from those who have been nominated? What difference would it make?
- How ready are we to gather as church to pray about issues such as this?