The Making of Deacons
Image courtesy SydneyAnglicans (with story)
CATHEDRAL NEWSLETTER
Friends in Christ, on Tuesday this week, it was 30 years since I was ordained at St Andrew's Cathedral in 1994, with 18 others, as Deacons in the Anglican Church of Australia.
This Saturday, 17th February, the Cathedral will host the annual "Making of Deacons" service, where Archbishop Kanishka will ordain another 23 men and women as Deacons, including our own new Assistant Minister, Jonathan Adams.
I organised a little reunion Service of Evening Prayer for my fellow anniversary clergy with spouses and College colleagues this week, before we went to share a meal together at a nearby restaurant. Our old Moore College Principal and later Archbishop, kindly came and preached. He selected Hebrews 12:1-3.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.“ [Hebrews 12:1-3 NIVUK]
He noted that in this passage there are:
the Old Testament witnesses - who lived by faith, chapter 11,
our own witness - throwing of burdens and sins, realising the Christian life is not just a sprint, and looking to Jesus,
the Witness of Christ - who endured the cross for us and is now "our man" seated in heaven.
All of my fellow 30th anniversary clergy are older than me, some have retired from full-time work, and many are weary by life and ministry. As Peter encouraged us to press on, one of his illustrations stood out to me.
He mentioned that as a little boy of about 5, his father took him to the Zoo. Back then you were actually allowed to take rides on the elephants. His Dad put him up on the elephant alone, whereas on the next elephant, the father climbed up next to his little child.
Part way around the circuit, Peter had a panic attack on the elephant and began to cry in his distress. The father on the next elephant asked: "Who put you up here?" Peter replied, "My Father". And the man said, "Then you can be absolutely sure he will be waiting for you at the end where we get back to the start!" And Peter's distress instantly evaporated. His Father would be waiting!
Peter said this is just a small illustration of what it means that Jesus is both Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith.
He was there at the start, trusting God, enduring the cross and so forth.
And he will be there at the end waiting for us and seeing us home.
As we see another batch of new gospel ministers ordained this Saturday, would you please join me in this prayer from An Australian Prayer Book, for all deacons whether new or older!
Almighty God, giver of all good things, of your great goodness you have accepted these your servants into the office of deacons in your church. Make them, we ask you, O Lord, modest, humble, and faithful in their ministry, ready to observe every spiritual discipline. Give them the testimony of a good conscience, and enable them to continue steadfast and strong in your Son, Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and honour, now and for ever. Amen.
In fact, this is a good prayer request for all who seek to serve Christ in ministry, in any way at all, whether you are ordained or not!
Warmly in Christ
Sandy Grant
Dean of Sydney