Bishops’ News: Which kingdom are we serving?
In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. (Luke 22:25-27)
Yesterday at our Cathedral we had these words of Jesus read to us, as we celebrated the ordination of Paul Carey and Hannah Rowan as our newest members of the Diaconate. It was so good to be in the room together as family after so much time apart, and especially to do so for an occasion in which we affirm that service is at the heart of ministry.
We are conscious this week of Saturday’s election and referendum decisions, and the opportunities we have had to wrestle with the issues and needs of our country. This is a time when so many different voices are clamouring for our attention, and it’s easy to lose sight of who we are using our vote for. Are we looking to our own interests, or are we thinking about how we can use our votes in the name of Jesus to serve others?
When Bishop Justin and I met last week with the entire House of Bishops we spent time deeply reflecting on what it means to lead our church together in this season. Top on the agenda was the priority of prayer, the ministry of reconciliation, and the addressing of inequality – responding to human need by loving service. I was deeply moved by Bishop Henry Bull (Vanua Levu and Tavenui) who talked of how Covid-19 restrictions forced the church to go door to door to check on people’s needs. He gave a testimony of the healing of a paralysed woman, and her coming to faith as a result of that face to face ministry.
Moments like this remind us who the king of heaven and earth really is, in the face of election time and political campaigning. If you haven’t already, I do encourage you to watch +Justin’s sermon from Palm Sunday this year. It really is a cracker. As well as seeing him cut off a dreadlock, more importantly he talks about the alignment of kingdoms and the way that we prioritise God’s values expressed in Jesus.
Our liturgy for ordination that we spoke last night states: ‘to search and to serve is the priceless contribution God calls you to make’. This is true for us all as much as it is for Paul and Hannah. Who do we search for? Who do we serve? In searching for God, we search for others. In serving God, we serve others. May this be true for our leaders, in government and in the church, and may it be true in our own lives.
In Christ,
Bishop Ellie
