October 2011

May I start this article by thanking everyone who helped to make the Sunday which marked my 25 years in ministry so helpful, special and personal.

Someone did ask me how many years I had been involved in preaching. The official answer is 34, which includes two years of Lay Preaching, a Pre‑Collegiate year in Worcester and four years of ministry training, during which I looked after a Church in Dagenham. However, I go back much further when it comes to Christian service; to the day of my conversion, in fact, at the age of 14. Very early on, I became a BB Helper, then later a Leader and Chaplain at BB Camp, a Sunday School Teacher, Youth Committee member, Youth Leader, member of the Missionary Council, speaker at monthly services to Meadbrook Old People’s Home and probably other things which I cannot recall right now.

I recall my first preaching engagement to a congregation, which barely made double figures. But, equally, I remember struggling to fill five minutes at a nursing home talk and trying to maintain interest and order in my first Sunday School Class!

Why do I mention these things? Because, first of all, they have all been part of the necessary training and my development as a Christian. Second, they are the kind of things that lots of people in the Church Family are involved in. Whilst I remember my call to Christian ministry and the importance of the recognition of this call, the training and experience which followed, it’s vital to recognise that every Christian is called to Christian service. Most are, thankfully, called to be in their local church. If that wasn’t the case, then how would the Church ever do anything!? Whilst my call to ministry and to Ordination is very special to me, to the Church and to God, it should never be elevated to the extent that, in the Baptist Church and many other denominations, we forget the importance of the Priesthood of All Believers.

Read 1 Corinthians 12 and pray that you will see yourself as part of the Body of Christ.
I was called to train for the work of ordained Christian Ministry and you too are called to the work of Christian Ministry in the Church and in the world.

Anthony Orr