Ordained to change the world

One invitation is from a friend who has left a high-profile job to train for Church of England ministry; the second from another friend who took early retirement from a senior management position to do the same.

I spent last weekend in Sheffield training one group of new ‘Revs’ in change management.

It was the largest gathering of this group they had ever had, because so many people had been ordained in the previous three years.

So why do well-paid and multi-talented people put themselves through a tough selection and training process to become curates then vicars in the Church?

During my Sheffield weekend I explained that clergy have been ordained to be change-agents.

Some of their churches might be very surprised to learn that, but that is what Christian leadership is all about.

The initial transformation, when someone becomes a Christian, is called conversion.

For some it’s dramatic, for others it’s gradual.  But it’s a huge change.

Then Christians have to go on changing: growing more like Jesus day by day.  Christian leaders share in God’s transforming work.

So when I go to the Abbey I’ll be cheering those people on to help change people including me ... for the better.

And I shall rejoice that so many wonderful people believe God is calling them to this vital ministry.

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