The Meaning of Clergy

Today at lunchtime I went to the hospital to visit a family member of a parishioner. Since I have recently had some back issues, I was blessed to find a “Clergy” parking spot close to the entrance of the building. This set me to thinking about the origin of the word clergy. It is akin to the words cleric and clerk because the original clerks were also religious students. Until more modern times, and for most of human history, the majority of the public was largely illiterate. Students training for religious service were often the only people who could read. They also functioned as scribes and accountants.

Before the time of Christ, certain Israelites were taught to read so that they could copy the scriptures. Later, this privilege was passed to Christian monks. One was considered highly educated if he could read, write, and do basic arithmetic. Before the invention of Johannes Gutenberg’s movable type, books were the exclusive property of the very rich. Often an entire village would have only one Bible, if it were fortunate enough to have that. The most illiterate among us are often more highly educated than those of centuries past. Consider the fact that it is now possible to watch open-heart surgery via television or the Internet.

As I contemplated this today, I thought of how blessed we are to have access to the Bible. The poorest among us can afford a copy of the scriptures. Imagine a society where the Holy Scriptures are sold in dollar stores and gas stations. Yet for all this, our society is largely Biblically illiterate.

The Protestant Reformation was largely about making the scriptures available to the general public. William Tyndale, the 15^th century Bible translator had a goal: he wanted the ploughboy to read the Bible in a language he could understand. This goal has been achieved. The bible is readily available to us in a variety of readable translations.

This is both a blessing and a responsibility. We are blessed to be able to read the Bible and develop a relationship with God through its life giving words. At the same time, we will be judged for what we did with this truth. This generation will stand alongside the generation of Tyndale and Wycliffe in the judgment. I hope that we are up to the challenge. God, help us never to take your word for granted. May we who have it so freely available cherish it as much as those of past centuries to whom it was largely forbidden!

Blessings,

Spanish Pastor Jones

A Violin Story

            What does it mean to surrender ourselves unconditionally to God? What does it mean to truly be used in his service? We all say that we want to be used in such a way but few of us can really describe the process. Perhaps an illustration can be drawn from the world of music:

Two violinists get up to perform. The first is a master technician who performs with such dexterity that the audience is astounded. The second has less technical skill but plays with such feeling that the audience can identify with her emotion and the music itself. Which would you say is the better performer? Obviously the one with whom the audience was able to identify.

The same can be said of one’s usefulness in God’s kingdom. Perfection is not the key; simple surrender to God is. One may not feel like he gives the best performance but it hardly matters. Those who are watching will appreciate the simple sincerity and love for God that exudes from a disciple who is truly in love with his Lord. They will appreciate the honesty that allows them to feel a fellow human’s struggle. They will understand the grace that God gives when someone surrenders to his design.

Lord, help me to be a vessel surrendered to your purpose and plans for my life. I don’t have to be perfect. I would rather play the music with all my heart. It may lead someone to you!

Blessings,

Sullivan Jones

Adapted from Invitation to A Journey by M. Robert Mulholland Jr.

God Still Speaks

In the Old Testament God often spoke in dramatic ways to his prophets. God spoke to Moses face to face. He also called to him out of a burning bush. He spoke to many of the Old and New Testament characters through angels, dreams, and awe-inspiring visions. Most of us probably do not have quite such dramatic stories to tell about seeing and hearing from God. This does not mean we can not hear from God.

God still speaks to us, just maybe in different ways. He speaks to us through preaching, teaching, and Christian books. Sometimes we receive a direct answer from God through prayer. Other times we might just have a firm assurance that we know what the right thing to do is. However God chooses to speak, He can make his will perfectly known in our lives as long we are seeking him.

Sometimes hearing from God requires turning off the many voices around us. We might have to turn off the radio, television and telephone, and disconnect from social media. Perhaps we need to spend a day (or several days) in a quiet place with God, seeking his face. It is often in these times that our way becomes clear because we are able to focus all of our attention on God. These times are invaluable to the Christian who is seeking for God's word.

It is our responsibility to cultivate our relationship with God so that we will recognize His voice when he speaks. Expect God to speak to you and He will!

Blessings,

Spanish Pastor Jones

Part of my thoughts were taken from Manna From Moses: 101 Morsels for Successful Christian Leadership by J. Stuart Lassetter.