'mixed-up kid'

Big church was on today. All day.

I got cornered by a journalist at lunchtime and had an interesting conversation with the guy. Off the record for the moment.

He'd approached me because I had spoken during the course of the morning's debates.

The order in which things would be taken on Saturday night was being discussed. And I was keen that the stated order be reversed. So that the delicate, sensitive principle could be debated outwith a context fraught with all sorts of pastoral pressures. I'd spoken to that effect.

And to no avail! Which was not entirely unexpected, I'm bound to say.

However, the journalist wanted to chat.

Did I think the vote on the order was indicative of the way the vote would go on Saturday night?

No. And I explained why.

And I explained what the issues were, in a way that was plainly new to him.

He kept on writing things down: and I kept on having to say to him that this was off the record (and I explained why I wanted that, too). But no, this was not to take a record of what I was saying, but to note things down for himself. Things that he hadn't ever thought of before, things that he'd found illuminating, helpful and clear.

We chatted around the subject for almost half an hour and before very long we'd drifted on to the heart of what the good news is all about. I was tempted to say, come along and see!

He ended by saying he'd never met anyone quite like me, saying - "You're the first militant, liberal conservative I've ever met!"

Which I began to think on reflection was maybe his polite and complicated way of saying he thought me a totally 'mixed-up kid'!

Which I am in some ways. But I hope not on issues like this.

There's a need for some clear-headed thinking. The ability to get to the heart of the issue at stake and see where the nub of the argument actually lies.

And then to be willing to speak. And to be able to put it in ways that are winsome, compelling and wise.

Which is another way of saying that I'm very, very conscious of the need for God's great Holy Spirit to be poured upon my life on Saturday night not least.

Those of you who pray, please pray for that!

Before then, though, there's a lot to do.

Like a baptism here on Sunday and the folk to see in connection with that.

And a whole host of e-mails requiring replies of some sortr.

And a funeral also, tomorrow.

I hadn't prepared the service so had all of that to do.

Wee church things, in other words. Matters of life and death.

That puts it all in perspective, I guess. It's here at the level of local church ... it's here where it all really happens.

I don't know the man who died. I can't think I ever had met the man (he was only here for a year).

But I know the family a bit. Mainly through the school.

Sheep without a shepherd sort of thing in many ways. And therefore glad of my help and guidance through the sorrows of these days.

Bit by bit the ties which put these people here in touch with me may serve as well to put them, too, in touch with Jesus Christ.

That's what I'm praying for them as they gather tomorrow.