The challenging part of discipleship

My role on the Parish Council covers Prayer and Intercession, essentially aiming to ensure the PC remains prayerful. Each month every member of the council is asked to respond openly to the following two questions: What is God saying to you personally? What is God saying to you about St Philips? We believe that, as an elected representation of the congregation, what God is saying to us will in some way reflect what He is saying to the church. Generally, a theme emerges from the different responses. The expectation then is for us to process and act upon what we feel God is saying - to take it round the learning circle! Sounds simple, right? Yet, as a group we have sometimes struggled to recognise God’s voice. Does this sound familiar? Part of the challenge has at times been our limited views of what we think hearing from God looks like. A bold suggestion was made that the first thing that comes to mind in response to these questions may be what God is actually saying -  before we intellectualise or spiritualise it, to make it more palatable for ourselves and others. In all honesty, sometimes the response has been poor, circumstances such as ‘busyness’ have seemed to get in the way. We have however, come to realise that it is exactly in these circumstances that God is speaking to us. Taking the time and courage to process these things together, being honest, accountable and repentant has enabled us to grow, both individually, and as a Parish Council. Though we meet to discuss matters of the church, the PC is also increasingly a place of discipleship. Interestingly, one theme that has come through the responses these last few months has been discipleship. Are we as individuals and a community taking responsibility for our own discipleship and that of others? If not, why not? What changes might each of us make to be more effective? What excuses might we need to stop making? Personally, these are questions that I find challenging. Yet, when I consider them in the light of the invitation from Jesus to know life in all its fullness, I find the courage and the strength to engage with them, with others. What about you?Yours in prayer Di