Called to preach

By Laura Griffiths

I can remember clearly the first time that the ‘idea’ of becoming a local preacher popped into my head. It was Local Preachers’ Sunday and as the service progressed, I sat there thinking, ‘Oh my goodness, not only is a lay person responsible for leading worship and preaching, but she is also a woman!’ Having been brought up in the Baptist tradition this was a very alien concept! Women never preached on a Sunday morning – or evening. They never read the scripture lesson or were responsible for leading prayers of intercession.

Occasionally they just might be allowed to speak to the children! Yes, they were allowed to teach in Sunday School (but never the Bible class, that was always a man) and they could be a leader at the weekly children’s club and give the Bible lesson there. Women were allowed to lead Bible studies, but only with other women and they could pray and share God’s word but only in the setting of a ‘women’s meeting!’ But definitely no preaching in church! As I listened further to the lady local preacher, a gentle thought entered my mind; as a now-Methodist would God maybe call me to preach some day? This idea was pushed to the side for many years as the busyness of a career, raising a young family, caring for elderly relatives, indeed being actively involved not only in my own local church but in the MCI Connexion, took over. I did however discover a joy of being involved in leading worship, Bible studies and speaking to small groups about faith matters. A few good church friends affirmed this gift and one suggested that I should seriously think about becoming a local preacher.

Again, my Baptist roots tugged at my conscience. Would I as a woman, as a lay person feel comfortable about preaching? Having taken a career break to care for family at home, I discovered some free ‘me’ time and I enrolled as a student at Belfast Bible College on a Monday morning, as part of its ‘Women’s Study Fellowship’. Three wonderful years later, one of my proudest moments was hearing my family cheering me on as I walked across the stage at the graduation ceremony to receive my certificate for studies completed.

Just before finishing the course, I had the privilege of leading one of the morning reflections and afterwards one of our tutors approached me and asked me if I was regularly involved in preaching. When I replied ‘no’, she said, ‘Well Laura, I think you seriously need to consider this call on your life.’ While her remark struck a chord, like Moses, I said, ‘Surely not me Lord, you can use someone else.’ Over the next few years I pursued a love of studying the scriptures with evening classes at Belfast Bible College and several rounds of ‘Walk in the Word’ at Edgehill College. I was now running out of options of what to study next to avoid the inevitable! It was at Castlewellan Holiday Week when the speaker talked about being ‘Living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple’ that I was reminded about some other words from I Peter 4: 10, ‘God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.’ I vividly remember walking up the hill to the castle with my husband and saying, ‘When we return home, I really need to have a conversation with our minister’, to which my husband replied, ‘Oh dear, what have you done?!’

That following autumn as I joined with the rest of my fellow students in Edgehill College for the very first of my ‘Faith and Worship’ classes I had the most remarkable peace and affirmation of knowing that I was where God intended me to be! Twelve years later I still count it a privilege when I am asked to lead worship and preach God’s precious word. I am thankful that God has been able to use me not only in my own home church but in other circuits and over the years it has been wonderful to get to know other congregations. Bishop Harold Millar in the book Perspectives Of Preaching says, ‘The calling of the preacher is surely the highest possible calling this side of eternity.’

Like many other local preachers throughout this island I take that calling seriously and as Connexional Local Preachers’ Lay Secretary I am delighted and encouraged that there will be an opportunity to celebrate the calling and ministry of all local preachers in September. Over the past few years MCI has recognised and realised the importance of ‘team ministry’. Local preachers are called by Almighty God to serve the Church as preachers and leaders of worship alongside their ministerial colleagues, and, where possible ease the burdens of ministry in whatever capacity they can.

Their calling is not just a ‘fill-in-ministry’ when a minister is on holiday or is off ill, but it is a ‘complementary ministry.’ The Connexional Local Preachers’ Committee in consultation with the District Superintendents and The Ministries’ Learning and Development Committee have discussed concerns relating to this. With that in mind the third Sunday in September has been designated as a ‘celebration and affirmation of local preachers’ and the suggestion is that this would be held at circuit level on a Sunday evening, when all local preachers, supported by their families, congregations and ministerial colleagues would gather together.

A suitable liturgy has been prepared that may be adapted to suit local settings and used as a resource for this service. While local preachers won’t be asked to preach, there will be opportunity for them to take part during the service and to perhaps testify of how they have been encouraged during the last twelve months of leading worship and preaching. I would stress the importance of attending and encourage all local preachers to aim to be a part of this service as it is also a means of yearly affirmation of calling to the office of a Local Preacher. As we know too well, some circuits in our Connexion would struggle greatly without the ministry of local preachers, yet there are other circuits where their calling is neglected and they are under-used. This annual service of celebration and affirmation is a strategic move representing a shift back to Methodism’s early intent.

Hopefully the role of the local preacher will no longer be seen as an additional ministry but integral to life and ministry of the church. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could be united throughout the Connexion as we celebrate and affirm their call to preach?