In this reading we are reminded that the Christian walk of faith is a humble and reliant relationship.  And we are assured that it is enough that we are like the teacher.  Living the Jesus way, living into the stories of Christ, we are likely to find ourselves in an Christ-like shape.

We all know that shape: it’s been a characteristic of our lives.  We live out the Grace we have received: We live into the Love of Christ: We continue to learn the work and practice of Forgiveness and the measure we offer that forgiveness to others and ourselves.  We live to serve one another and our community.

If you ever have an opportunity to read the achieves of the Church, any Church: you will see stories of the pains of Church Councils.  Never enough people willing to step into leadership: and communities in desperate need of members who can lend a hand.  We hear the same stories of the gospel this week: ‘the harvest is plentiful and the labourers are few.’    I inherited a 1952 Methodist Handbook from a member of our congregation who died a year ago.  In that handbook there is a statement that is still true: ‘The days of the minister lead church are long gone.’  Even then, in the 1950’s, the idea of scarcity was rich in imagination… and these were the supposed glory days when everyone went to church.

The message for us all is, rather than looking at what we lack, can we focus ourselves on the Assets that we are in community to each other.  We are a remarkable gathering of people.  We have so many people with skills, in professions and trades. We have so many long and faithful Christians: many of whom have faced the ‘Dark Valley of the Shadows’ in both church and their personal lives, and have continued to remain in fellowship.  We have families who have joined in, when they can; and when they do and their Children bless our worship.

We approach faith and scripture, with Holiness: that is, as real as the honestly of the writers of the psalms, and as deeply and creatively as the gospel stories.  And we make for one another sanctuary for growth, recovery and exploration.  We have become a home for those recovering from church abuse: manipulation and lies.  And we have become a home for the faithful weary.  More than that: we are a home for new growth and a new community of people, identifying God working in their lives and seeking to live like Disciples, who ask questions of Jesus: get Jesus wrong sometimes, walk with Him and challenge Him.  We are in ministry together, side by side in the encounters of living.

There is abundance: but that abundance lives in each one of us.  It’s who we are for each other and to each other.  We are not rich in assets or savings.   A successful ministry is characterised by the fellowship and the quality of it.  Pilgrims on The Way seeking The Way, together.  

If we are important to one another, and if we think what we are doing here is worthwhile: then that will change us: it will require of us, something beyond our status quo.

The world will know we are Christians by our love: not by theology.

However, the world will experience we are Christians by our love, because of our theology.

For the people who join in with us here and find a Spiritual home here, will do so because our love is more than the sheer delight that you randomly happen to be in this room on a Sunday morning; the very Sunday morning that you happen to be here also!  So, the work of ‘us as Church’, our Sunday practice and community gathering, actually rests in the hands, feet, and hearts of this great congregation.  

So I call you to action.  Both prayerful and practical.  Both in quality and quantity.  Both in love and heart.  Both, in Spirit and in Life.  God is doing something amongst us… the invitation is the same… the harvest is plentiful… but.  Amen.