The Methodist Church has always recognised the role of the laity in its government and work. From the earliest days lay people served as pastors and preachers alongside the ordained ministers. However, it is only in the last 50 years that our understanding of the breadth of lay vocation has expanded.
For many years "vocation" was seen as preaching, pastoral work, and possibly teaching and nursing. The progress towards the fullest recognition of the laity cannot yet be said to have been completed, though a great deal has changed for the better.
Part of our problem nowadays lies in the emphasis on expertise which has developed in the secular world. It has led many lay people to feel unable to do much because they regard themselves as lacking the knowledge or understanding necessary. Thinking about the role of the church in the new millennium it has been very clear that this role must be the role of the whole people, and not just of any part of it.
In this connection the Methodist Publishing House offers a resource pack, Exploring Vocation. It could provide the basis for a useful series of workshops or discussion groups during the winter months as circuits address the challenge of the future.
A recent competition in Britain and Northern Ireland sought to find "Tomorrow's People". The main award went to Mr Mark Russell, a Methodist from Lurgan, for his achievements in building bridges between the communities of Northern Ireland. The judges were impressed with the scale of achievement by a man aged only 25. Mr Russell commented: "I was trying to encourage them to seek to build a better future for the young people of this country."
During the past year, he organised two conferences in Omagh, involving more than 400 people.
Rathgar Methodist Church has been working and witnessing through a century and a quarter which has seen as many changes in the immediate locality as anywhere else. This weekend it celebrates its 125th anniversary. A dinner this evening will afford an opportunity for some nostalgia; tomorrow the special services in the church will not only give thanks for the years past, but look to the future. The preacher at the morning service will be the president of the church, the Rev Dr Kenneth Wilson, and in the evening the past president, the Rev David Kerr.
The Annual District Weekend of the Midlands and Southern District takes place next weekend (October 22nd-25th) at Ovoca Manor. This year the theme is "The Gifts of God: Identifying. Asking, Receiving, Sharing". The main speaker is the Rev Jack Heaslip of Colann Ministries, Westport.
There will be a youth programme directed by Mr Julian Hamilton and a programme for children directed by Miss Jill McVitty. As usual, members of other districts and churches will be welcome. Information may be had from (056) 67868.
ECONI seeks to offer an evangelical contribution to the current situation in this country. The winter 1999 issue of their magazine, Lion & Lamb, addresses the questions of citizenship and relations between church and state. The articles are both thoughtful and practical.
Tomorrow the Rev Dr Kenneth Wilson will preach at Rathgar Methodist Church in the morning, and at Dundrum in the evening.
On Sunday, October 24th, he will preach in the morning at Armagh, and in the evening at Killymaddy, which is also on the Armagh circuit.