Daryl's Blog

I'd been grappling with a difficult remuneration issue and a colleague suggested the name of the minister of a big London church who might have some helpful advice. I called his office only to be intercepted by his staff who decided I would be just as well served by talking to someone else, the point being that the minister simply isn't able to engage with everyone who calls on the offchance, there being upwards of 1200 people in his congregation. This is understandable; he needs protection. Somehow, I won't excuse myself, I lost my way at this point, and my response to being fended off (in the nicest way) was frankly pathetic. Can't remember what I said, but I bet the lovely ladies in the office had total recall when their pastor got back from the training day he had been attending. I shared the experience with a couple of people who backed me up; why should a shepherd of God's flock be so remote?

One reason why I am glad to be a christian is that ..... with unhurried chase and unpeturbed pace .... He follows after me, taking His time, always chipping away at my defences, finding me out.

I lasted about a week, before capitulating and agreeing with both God and the ladies I had been so impatient with. So well done to that minister for having a group of good people around to give him protection from the likes of me. They do their job well. It's a difficult call for people like him, not wanting to be remote, but needing the freedom not to have to be at everyone's beck and call all day long. It's an issue that needs sensitive handling. In my company (Independent Examiners Ltd) you can talk to a director anytime; it's one way we keep quality high, but this doesn't work in a church setting. The senior pastor's telephone number should not be generally known, though there does need to be a system so that people needing help can ask for urgent pastoral support. Perhaps a dedicated mobile which can be rostered to a 'duty pastor'. We have a helpline which can be used anytime for any charity related query. My mobile is 07990807097, though you might get more sense from the helpline.

To close, back to Francis Thompson who helped me so much in the early part of my journey. 'How little worthy of any love thou art. Who wilt thou find to love ignoble thee, save me, save only me?' Yes, that's me. Sorry ladies, you are doing a great job; hope the flowers and chocolates helped a little.