the Parish of St thomas' Brampton, Chesterfield

St Thomas' Brampton and St Peter's Holymoorside, Chesterfield

Rector's Letters February 2004-January 2005

Our vision statement: Sharing the love of Jesus

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The Rector's letter is printed in each edition of the Church Magazine

February/March 2004	April/May 2004	June/July 2004
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February/March 2004

'Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.'' - Matthew 28 v. 18-20

What a command! What a commission for the church! The church exists to reach out to a needy world with the gospel of salvation. Shockingly, the raison d'etre of this church is to tell people about Jesus. But did you notice in those verses from Matthew's gospel, that God doesn't command sinners to go to church, but that he does command the church to go to sinners.

Each one of us is called upon to be witnesses in the world. In our neighbourhoods, in our workplaces and in our homes we are called to be witnesses to the love of God.

Dr Leighton Ford once wrote these challenging words; - 'Jesus was born in a borrowed manger. He preached from a borrowed boat. He entered Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey, he ate the Last Supper in a borrowed upper room and he was buried in a borrowed tomb. Now he asks to borrow the lives of Christians to reach the rest of the world. If we do not speak, then he is dumb and silent.'

Daunted by the task God has set this church? - don't be. Instead be encouraged with the powerful words of Jesus that complete the passage from Matthew -
'Surely, I am with you always to the very end of the age.' Matt. 28 v.20

Wonderfully, as we reach out to people Jesus is there, transforming and empowering our feeble actions and faltering words.

Let me finish with a modern day parable about evangelism which I hope you will be both encouraged and challenged by.

A newly employed salesman stunned his bosses with his first written report, for it demonstrated quite clearly that he was nearly illiterate. He wrote, 'I seen this outfit who aint never bought a quids worth of nothin from us and sole them some goods. I am now going to Lundon'. Before they could fire him, a second report arrived and it read, 'I came to Lundon and sole them haff a millyon.' Hesitant to dismiss the man, yet afraid of what would happen if he didnt; the sales manager transferred the problem into the Chief Executive's lap.
The next day the staff were amazed to see the salesman's two reports on the bulletin board, with this memo from the Chief Executive. 'We ben spendin two much time tryin to spel instead of tryin to sel. I want everybody to read these letters from Gooch, who is doin a grate job, and you should go out and do like he done!'

David Mouncer, Rector

From the February 2004 edition of the magazine

April/May 2004

The last couple of months of my life have, to put it mildly, been 'interesting'! As most of you are aware, a few weeks ago, I was projected, totally unexpectedly, from a doctor's surgery to a bed in the Royal hospital. The right side of my body was not functioning as it should. I am happy to report that things are getting back to normal, although I remain a mystery so far to the medical experts.

Numerous people have asked me to reproduce in print the sermon I gave on my return. Space doesn't allow me to do so fully, but below is the 'edited highlights'.

Lying on a bed in Manvers ward those spiritual questions of "what", "why" and "if" preoccupied my dialogue with God. To these questions God led me to the book of the prophet Habakkuk and chapter three.

Verse 17 - tearful tribulation
In one verse all those things which give us assurance and hope are stripped away. This verse describes a complete and absolute disaster. Habakkuk talks of a time where there appears no hope - no future to look forward to. A time where it appears you have been abandoned to pain, darkness, hopelessness and despair. If thrown into this place of darkness what would you response be? Let's be honest, which one of us could not say they would be tempted to turn from God.

Verse 18 - trusting relationship
Notice what Habakkuk says, in spite of all the tragedy of life, "I will rejoice ...", "I will be joyful ..." In spite of the end of hope, he wishes to rejoice. He wants to offer exuberant praise to God. Is he mad! His world has fallen apart, yet he wants to praise God, what for?

Well, he explains why in the two titles he gives to God. Firstly, he calls him the LORD. The title 'Lord' refers to the fact that God is God. His ways are beyond us, as Isaiah 40 states: his understanding no one can fathom

God is still on the throne, he has a purpose in all things, he is still in control. In this we can rejoice. Lying in a hospital bed, God didn't answer my question "why", but he did assure me that he was the LORD, the Sovereign Lord.

The second title that is given to God is 'Saviour'. Whatever happens in my life, I have to keep corning back to that bottom line. God is my Saviour. He has delivered me from the powers of darkness. He has freed me to live with him for all eternity. Even lying on my hospital bed, with thoughts of a terrible future running through my mind, I still knew that God loved me with an everlasting love.

Verse 19 - transforming grace
Do you notice that in this verse Habakkuk doesn't say that the suffering is removed? But in the midst of it, he knows the strength of the Lord. Through that supplied strength, he is enabled to rise above and triumph over all that threatens and oppress him.

Please don't interpret my next statement as being arrogant! I firmly believe that I am now entering the most powerful phase of my ministry. I say this not because I myself, my abilities or my strength. I say this because I have never felt so weak in my life. But like the Apostle Paul, I can say "For when I am weak, then I am strong." because of the transforming grace of God. In some respects, my ministry has been driven by the motor that is me. I have relied on my own strength. The problem has been is that this has crowded out the strength of God. One of the results of my illness has been to humble this Rector.

'Now in my weakness I call upon the Sovereign Lord to be my strength.'

David Mouncer

From the April 2004 edition of the magazine

June/July 2004

'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver' - Malachi 3.3 Following on from my comments in the last Ploughshare, let me share with you a story I found some time ago concerning suffering.

Some women met to study the Bible. While reading the third chapter of Malachi, they came across a remarkable expression in the third verse: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver'. One lady decided to visit a silversmith, and report to the others on what he said about the subject. She went accordingly, and without telling him the reason for her visit, begged the silversmith to tell her about the process of refining silver.

After he had fully described it to her, she asked, 'Sir, do you sit while the work of the refining is going on?' 'Oh, yes ma'am,' replied the silversmith, 'I must sit and watch the furnace constantly, for, if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured.'

The lady at once saw the beauty and comfort of the expression, 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.' God sees it necessary sometimes to allow His children to be placed into the furnace; but His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for us. Our trials do not come at random, they are not always the result of our sin, but we can be sure that He will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure.

Before she left, the lady asked one final question, 'How do you know when the process is complete?' 'That's quite simple,' replied the silversmith. 'When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is complete.'

'And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.' - Romans 5 verses 2 to 5

Story taken from - 'A Bucket of Surprises' - J.John and M.Stibbe (Monarch Books)

'Set you minds on things above, not on earthly things.'

David Mouncer, Rector

From the June 2004 edition of the magazine

August/September 2004

'I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'' Psalm 122.1

I am frequently told by people, 'You don't need to go to church to be a Christian!' True, you can be a Christian without going to church, but you could also survive on chocolate cake and Pepsi or sun-bathe in the Antarctic! These activities are all possible but highly undesirable. No one would view them as being the best option available.

Similarly, we have to say that the best option for a Christian is to be part of a local church. Why? Because real Christians need to go to church. Before you became a Christian, going to church regularly seemed like a pretty stiff requirement. When you are one, you soon see the immense value of being with other Christians - to learn together and to encourage one another.

Without this kind of support our faith would struggle to survive. Indeed it would be questionable whether we were real Christians at all. David Beckham needs a team. However much he practices, even if he can balance a ball on the tip of his nose or kick it into a net half a mile away, he still needs a team to be a real footballer. Football is a team game, so is Christianity.

There is a legend of a village in Southern Europe that boasted of a church called, 'The House of Many Lamps.' When it was built in the sixteenth century, the architect provided for no light except for a receptacle at every seat for the placing of a lamp. Each Sunday night, as the people gathered, they would bring their lanterns and slip them into the bracket at their seat. When someone stayed away, the darkness became greater for the whole. It was the regular presence of each person that lit up the church.

Because real Christians want the best. The original statement seems to imply, 'can I get away with not going to church?' Yes, is the answer, but is it the best thing for a Christian? How much can you take out of a car before it stops being a car? Radio, seat covers and ashtray - no problem. Horn, indicators and headlights - possibly. Brakes, tyres, engine? At some point it ceases to be a car, but long before then it ceases to be a very good car. There are lots of things you can get away with not doing as a Christian, but sooner or later you reach the point where you can't be one at all. However, long before then you have reached the point of not being a very good Christian.

Why settle for mediocrity? Why not go for the best? As a Christian that will mean regular church attendance.

Hebrews 10.25 - 'Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.'

David Mouncer, Rector

From the August 2004 edition of the magazine

October/November 2004

I find it astonishing to discover that I have been your Rector now for over twelve months. I have been ministering to you for over a year. A whole year! 365 days! Where has it all gone to?

On Wednesday, 10th September 2003, I received the 'cure of souls' for this parish. I promised to be, '... reverent in celebrating the sacraments, faithful in proclaiming the word, diligent in pastoral care, tender in comforting.' I promised to have courage, be humble and to show self-sacrifice.

Can I also remind you that you also promised as a congregation to undertake certain obligations? When the Archdeacon proclaimed, 'No one can bear the weight of ministry alone, but only with the grace and power of God, and in fellowship with the body of Christ. Will you uphold David and serve with him?' you replied, [and loudly, if I remember correctly] 'By the grace of God, we will.'

Looking back on the last year, if I am being brutally honest, I know that I have in many ways failed my side of the deal. It has been a steep learning curve over the last twelve months and I admit that there have been mistakes on the way. But, without a doubt, you have upheld your side of the covenant. You have showered me with love and care. You have encouraged me and strengthened me in my ministry. I often find myself thanking God that he has placed me in such a church to minister.

As to the next twelve months? My prayer, and I hope yours, is the same as that uttered in that service a year ago, 'May the Holy Spirit enlighten our understanding and inspire our faith that we may give ourselves wholly to God's service. Amen'

David Mouncer, Rector

From the October 2004 edition of the magazine

December 2004/January 2005

2 Corinthians 8 verse 9: 'For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich , yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.'

In his best selling book, The Jesus I Never Knew, Philip Yancey contrasts the humility that characterised Jesus' royal visit to planet earth with the prestigious image associated with world rulers today:

'Queen Elizabeth visited the United States, and reporters delighted in spelling out the logistics involved: her four thousand pounds of luggage, including two outfits for every occasion, mourning outfit in case someone died, 40 pints of plasma, and white kid-leather toilet covers. She brought along her own hairdresser, two valets, and a host of other attendants. A brief visit of royalty to a foreign country can easily cost 20 million dollars.'

In meek contrast, God's visit to earth took place in an animal shelter with no attendants present and nowhere to lay the newborn king but a feed trough. Truly, he became poor, even by worldly standards.

But by heaven's standards? As the popular Christmas carol states:

Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love's sake becamest poor;
Thrones for a manger didst surrender,
Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love's sake becamest poor;

But why? Why did God leave those sapphire-paved courts? Why did he leave the splendour of heaven, the praise of the angelic host, why? The verse at the beginning of this page tells us. It was simply to make us rich. As the carol continues :

Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love's sake becamest man;
Stooping so low, but sinners raising
Heavenwards by Thine eternal plan.
Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love's sake becamest man.

God became poor so that you can become rich. Rich now in the knowledge of God, of his peace and his joy, his forgiveness and his love. Rich in the eternal sapphire-paved courts of heaven. Have you become rich through his poverty?

David Mouncer, Rector

From the December 2004 edition of the magazine

Rector's Letters 2005