Minister's Page
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While this work was fulfilling and satisfying – Iconsidered the students to be my parish – I always had the sense that I would one day be in a parish of my own. Nevertheless, I was somewhat surprised when it actually happened (showing that I am, in fact, a bit dense!). Truthfully, I think I was more surprised than anyone else, but finding myself minister of Campsie Parish Church I feel like a round peg in a round hole! My church interests are liturgy, the theology of sexuality and pastoral supervision and I am currently studying part time for a Doctorate in Pastoral Supervision. Other interests are reading, writing, painting and sewing. My ministry priorities are worship and liturgy, education and discipleship, and engagement with the parish and community … oh, and people! I am passionate about people finding fulfilment in their Christian lives and discovering gifts and talents they didn’t know they had. |
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Welcome to my page, and my “blog”. Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about communication. I think that’s probably for three reasons; firstly, I had the misfortune to be on one side of misunderstanding. Secondly, being a minister is at heart about communication. Thirdly, I was thinking about this page and the opportunity to communicate with a wider audience than the congregation on a Sunday morning.
The misunderstanding was frustrating but easily cleared up once we had realised the mistake, yet so often misunderstandings go unresolved because we don’t realise that they have occurred in the first place. Our communication, even carefully thought through, can still pass our audience by, miss the target. Our words are easily misunderstood as they pass in a moment with no record of what was actually said, or tone of voice, which can easily change the meaning of something. To quote “I know you think you understand what you thought I said but I'm not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant”. Communication, which ought to be the easiest of skills since we begin to learn to talk almost as soon as we draw breath is actually one of the most difficult.
In the Church we are very good at talking, and we are also very good at misunderstanding. Conflict often begins with misunderstanding, especially when the issue under discussion is rarely the real problem and so often communication confuses rather than enlightens. It’s not surprising that the apostle James call the tongue “a world of evil” and comment, “Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check”. Our words have the capacity to hurt or to heal, to cool or to inflame, and because communication is difficult, healing words sometimes hurt and cooling words sometimes inflame, undermining our best intentions. To quote James again, “All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by humanity, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison”. As a minister I believe I have a primary responsibility to watch MY tongue, but also to enable others to guard theirs; an awesome responsibility, which is no doubt why James begins the chapter with, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly”.
The third context in which I was thinking about communication is this page. I am endlessly curious about life the universe and everything and I am always asking questions – of myself and others - and so the opportunity to consider issues of significance is an exciting one, especially where I might get a reaction, provoke a response and start a conversation. The idea to have a “blog” on this page, therefore, seemed obvious. Yet somehow I couldn’t quite get words on paper. It was something to do with, “where do you start?” and the tyranny of the blank sheet of paper. Like starting a conversation at a party when you don’t know anybody. So here is my opening gambit on what I hope will be a conversation. Please consider and reflect, respond and provoke. May we have many an interesting conversation together.
Biography Continued .........
While this work was fulfilling and satisfying – I considered the students to be my parish – I always had the sense that I would one day be in a parish of my own. Nevertheless, I was somewhat surprised when it actually happened (showing that I am, in fact, a bit dense!). Truthfully, I think I was more surprised than anyone else, but finding myself minister of Campsie Parish Church I feel like a round peg in a round hole!
My church interests are liturgy, the theology of sexuality and pastoral supervision and I am currently studying part time for a Doctorate in Pastoral Supervision. Other interests are reading, writing, painting and sewing. My ministry priorities are worship and liturgy, education and discipleship, and engagement with the parish and community … oh, and people! I am passionate about people finding fulfilment in their Christian lives and discovering gifts and talents they didn’t know they had.
I am married to David who is part of the Interim Ministry team for the Church of Scotland, meaning he is placed in different contexts for up to eighteen months at a time, and he now lives in my manse (as opposed to me living in his) although he struggles with being a minister’s wife! We have three children who are old enough to be away from home and we are encouraging them in making that adjustment. We have a beautiful yellow Labrador called Noah who is definitely one of the family and keeps us all entertained, like a naughty toddler, as well as ensuring that we get regular exercise.