Was thinking about the C of S General Assembly. Came up with a number of witty “smart” “smarmy” things I could say as an evangelical. However “smart” on its own rarely is the guidance of God’s Spirit. Once I had got all that “flesh” out of my thinking, a memory came of The Very Revd. Leonard Small speaking at the Assembly. Bible verses quoted from the floor of the Assembly usually produce a murmuring shuffling discontent, which of course is hugely worrying, but on this occasion the quoting of this Scripture received a standing ovation: “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” I think the commitment to preach good news to the poor still counts for a lot in the eyes of God. I know it is not a question of bartering verses or priorities in that we are to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord, but I could not help but think commitment to ministry in the poorest parishes means a lot. Whether it is the best form of ministry is another question up for debate – somewhere else not here, so comments that want to spark of a debate will be censored, unashamedly. Post your own thoughts somewhere else.

I think it matters a lot in the eyes of God in Christ that ministry in the poorest parishes is obviously a priority in any denomination or non-denomination, to be reflected in the prioritising of resources. Without that positive discrimination I know that Gospel Ministry would have suffered, for example, in Wester Hailes. Thankful for this commitment. Thankful for every ministry of faithfulness to the Gospel, but positively discriminating my thankfulness towards those who serve alongside the poorest communities, and those who enable them to do so.

God Bess

Kenny