Or, perhaps – if you are in cleric or lay ministry – do you find that although you are preparing and talking more thoroughly in sermons; in reality, you are being heard less? How about in one-on-one conversations? Do you feel that sometimes the other person is trying to quickly override your input, by wanting to override or counter, with their own opinion?

If yes, well then guess what? These types of situations are quite normal, in today’s hectic world.

Nowadays there is a tidal wave of information that washes upon us 24/7/365. The whole world is at our fingertips “live” and in “real-time.” Headlines change every few minutes, and the iPhone/iPad/Laptop screen you’re watching, may have a news-person reading a story; with an image to the right, a sidebar to the left, a screen-crawl at the top, and another one at the bottom; so that simultaneously you’re following “five different information sources” – ALL at the same time, on the same screen!

No wonder we are easily distracted. We look without seeing, we listen without hearing, and we speak without understanding!
Thus, submerged within this type of environment, what is our greatest challenge? Well for many, (including myself), it’s the “person in the mirror”, and our “sometimes” unruly human hearts. We should always remember that what we are, and feel inside ourselves – will determine how we respond and react to others, from the outside of us!

Now, let’s take a look at how a 2000+ year old Scripture might help clarify for us how we should really be listening, talking, and limiting anger – within our 21st century daily lives.

Here’s one KEY example: James 1:19 – “You must understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger”. Appears simple eh? – But putting it into practice, it WILL become a daily challenge for us all!
So let’s break James 1:19 down into its three components:

1) Be quick to listen = listen more: “Wisdom begins when we listen more, and talk less”. Our current “heads-down” (I-phone) technology can be somewhat useless (and potentially dangerous) if we are so busy and distracted, that we do not see what is going on around us. Thus we become “quick NOT to hear” what others (and God) are saying to us, in different ways, each day. This principle applies in every area of life. Some people talk so much, that they never hear what anyone else says.

In Proverbs 1. 20-33: Wisdom is personified, as a woman. In places within this Scripture, she is called “Lady Wisdom”. She tells those who have refused to listen to her advice that they will be without resources when disaster strikes. They will be punished severely at the end of time. In Proverbs 1.32-33: She says: “For waywardness kills the simple, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster.”
But no one gains wisdom by chance. Wisdom says, “If you seek me, you will find me.” So, are we too busy, worried, preoccupied, or distracted to seek out the wisdom God offers in His written Scriptures?

2) Be slow to speak = talk less. Ecclesiastes 5:2 says it this way: “Never be rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be quick to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you upon earth; therefore let your words be few.” Also it’s very wise, for ALL of us to remember, there is a time to speak, and a time to be silent. Most of us are better at the former, and not so good at the latter!
Today, social media encourages giving quick feedback. Someone says something we don’t like, so without thinking it through, we post a snappy reply, a snarky comment, or a mean-spirited innuendo. You can delete your foolish comment, but you can’t erase it from the Internet!

Another insightful statement is the following: “Speak when you are angry and you’ll make the best speech, you’ll ever regret!”
I always remember when I was a child, and bullied at times; my Father used to tell me “Sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never hurt you”. Well, I hate to say it now Dad, but that statement is VERY far from the truth! Words CAN do FAR more damage than sticks and stones, and the wounds they leave take FAR longer to heal. Unkind words don’t break bones, they break hearts!

3) Be slow to become angry = calm down. Here the writer of James is NOT saying “never get angry” – that’s unrealistic! We’re ALL going to get angry from time to time. However what he is referring to is that deep emotion which, when released, is like a volcano erupting – it spews red-hot lava all over everything in its path! Yet anger IS an emotion (with God’s help), which we can control!

Another parallel viewpoint is: If we are quick to hear, we will be slow to speak; but if we are slow to hear, we will likely be quick to speak. Quick speaking leads to quick anger. The angrier we get, the faster we speak, and the less we hear!

Naturally, within the written Word, we can readily find examples, as God’s disciples, of how NOT to behave, when dealing with others:
– Be not overbearing, nor violent: Titus 1:7: “For a bishop, as God’s steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered, or addicted to wine, or violent, or greedy for gain”
– Be not quarrelsome, nor quick tempered, not violent, but gentle: 1 Timothy 3: “Not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money.”
– Or we can also look at Solomon’s wise counsel in Proverbs 16:32, “One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.”

Also in retrospect, the writer of James1. V19, added verse 20, which shows us the true reason for devotees of God to “being slow to anger”, as it states: “For human anger does not produce God’s righteousness”. Therefore if you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things that God wants you to complete!

In conclusion, for us to continue moving away from bitterness, anger, and hurtful words, we should also take Ephesians 4:32 to heart: “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.”

We need to extend grace to others, as God has extended His grace to us. We who have been showered with God’s grace in Christ; should be giving to others, the same outpouring of grace, which God gave us. This is God’s plan. We do for others what God has done for us. We have been forgiven; we know what it is like. Now we should be doing the same for others, and NOT left wondering what it means to forgive those who have hurt us. Jesus DIDN’T come down to earth, to make us nicer people – He came down to make us new people.

After having read all the above perspective, and you only think that: “Well, perhaps I should simply try harder to listen more, speak less, and calm down,” that’s a good sentiment, but it’s only a part of the point. For us to understand the whole point, we need to accept having our Lord Jesus living within us, every moment, of every day, for the remainder of our lives! Then with God’s grace, will YOU TRULY bE“Swift to hear, Slow to speak, and Slow to anger!”

In the meantime, God’s Blessing to you all – and as it says in Proverbs 4.23: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it – flow the springs of life.”

The post Listening – Talking – Anger (Which one of these is your “Achilles heel”?) appeared first on Montreal Anglican.

Jesus said: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid”. Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “COME!”

So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind; he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, WHY did you doubt?” (Matthew 14: 27-31)

Today many parishioners are riding in their own “boat of security” upon the topsy-turvy seas of Covid19, climate change, international threats of war, and conflict. They hesitate, as Peter did, to attempt to leave their boat in order to “walk closer towards Jesus”.

Perhaps it’s fear of the unknown and untried. However – as all Anglicans should remember – if we do falter when trying something new to enhance our own spiritual beliefs, our Lord Jesus (and your Incumbent) WILL reach out His hand to support you! As Jesus said to Peter “You of little faith, WHY did you doubt?” 

I believe that one way to walk closer to Jesus is to become a Lay Reader, as that has been my experience. If you have ever considered such a calling, or are just curious about the qualifications, responsibilities and process of becoming a Lay Reader, then here are the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE – and most importantly – WHY of this important and fulfilling role in our Diocese;

WHO are our current Diocesan Lay Readers? Well they are:

• Parishioners, from different academic, business, spiritual, cultural and family backgrounds; who over time, began to hear the calling of our Lord Jesus to – Step out of their “boat of security” and venture forth onto “uncertain stormy seas”.

• Baptized and confirmed Anglicans, over the age of 18, who have been a communicant member of their parish for at least two years; and believe that they have been “Called by God to affirm the Lordship of Jesus Christ”.

• Persons who after initial training, are licensed by the Bishop to lead non-sacramental services, within their own parish; and potentially at other Diocesan churches.

• Persons who under the authority of their Incumbent, are involved in their own parish, and are motivated to serve Christ in a wider capacity as a Lay Leader. Persons who by their actions and life style, demonstrate their Christian faith as set out in the Lay Readers’ Mission Statement:

“We the Lay Readers, licensed by the Bishop of Montreal, believe that we are called by God to affirm the Lordship of Jesus Christ in teaching, preaching and leading Worship services. We exercise this ministry in our parishes and throughout the Diocese. We use our diverse gifts, traditions, cultures and languages to be Lay Leaders within the body of Christ, and in our own daily lives.”

WHAT are examples of Ministerial functions which Lay Readers are called upon to do?

• Reading  the lessons, doing the Intercessions;              

• Leading prayer;

• Officiant (i.e. Leading non-sacramental church services such as Morning or Evening Prayer, Burial of the Dead);

• Assisting ordained clergy during the Eucharist and other sacramental services; chalice bearing;

• Preaching at services;

• Offering ministry to the sick, including in-home, hospital or retirement homes;

• Organizing and maintaining prayer groups, or Bible Study group, or Alpha group, or Sunday School, or Youth group;

• Providing ministry not only in their own parish, but as experienced and appropriate, to other Diocesan parishes according to the temporary or emergency needs.

WHEN might YOU consider the possibilities of at least temporarily stepping out of your “boat of security” to get your feet wet, and initially discern “IF” this important Diocesan Ministry – is appropriate for YOU?  Well how about NOW? – Simply review the following questions:*

     • Are you filled with love for God? For people? For scripture? For the world?

• Do you think you are being called by Christ to be His Disciple? To be in ministry of Lay Readers?

• Are you willing to follow Jesus’ example of listening, valuing, respecting others? Serve in your Parish and local community? Have empathy, awareness of your strengths & weaknesses?

• Are you open to lifelong learning? Reflection and growth?  Working collaboratively and embracing differences? Being a person of integrity & emotional stability? Feedback?

• Can you share God’s story in a way that also encourages others to follow Jesus? Your own faith imaginatively, relevantly and well? God’s love for the world in your Mission?

• Can you grow in faith, and be open to navigating your future, in the company of Christ? By leading collaboratively as part of a team, within your Parish and Diocese?

Now WHERE to go?  Well, if you can answer YES to most, or all of these questions, then here’s where you can begin your next step:

• There’s a one-year “probationary” period for all Lay Readers. So first – you need to approach your own Incumbent, and discuss and discern your potential interest for this calling.

• Afterwards, your Incumbent will review your interest with the Parish Council or senior members, for their comments and concurrence.

• During the above processes, you will also be handed a “First Year (Probationary) Application” – which you need to complete and sign; have signed by your Incumbent and two members of your Parish Council, and by another Clergy member who knows you.

• Thus yourself, your Incumbent, and the Pastor to the Lay Readers, will mutually determine if and how, this new calling would be most beneficial to you, as you begin to cross the stormy waters of your new “walk with Jesus”.   

• As well, there is another “lifeline” available – known as the Lay Readers Association (LRA). Once licensed by the Bishop, you become a member of the LRA. In general, the LRA is there to assist in: a) Deepening member’s  spiritual life, b) Encouraging regular readings of scripture, c) Maintaining effective communication and facilitating interchange of member thoughts and experiences, d) Fostering fellowship, e) Encouraging continuing education – via monthly workshops, annual retreats, and some financial support for outside theological courses. For more details, and access to LRA Resources, kindly visit their website at: http://layreaders.org

Thus, Lay Readers can become much more than just readers – they can become Lay Leaders!

WHY? Do you perhaps sense Jesus is beckoning you to “COME” and join the Lay Ministry? If so, then why not “come into the water”, as other Lay Readers have? Remember, Jesus said to his disciples – “TRUST in ME – I shall always be at YOUR side”.  So – if you need to – take your time to decide, think about it, pray about it, then take a few breaths and don’t worry about calming the storm – Jesus will take care of that! 

Once you think that you are ready, take that first step and discuss with your incumbent about what you are sensing, and your need for guidance. Then when you start entering the waters of the Diocesan Lay Reader ministry following Jesus’ calling, you will most likely discover that you are NOT sinking at all, as you walk hand in hand with our Lord!

[*Reference 1]:  Church of England – Ministry Council – Reader/LLM (Reader) – Discernment Framework – April 2021.

The post Why YOU might want to consider the Ministry of a Diocesan Lay Reader appeared first on Montreal Anglican.