Paul Writes

"What have you given up for Lent?

"This is a very common question in church circles at this time of the year, in fact it goes beyond church circles because many ‘non-church’, even non-Christian people use the season of Lent as a time to give things up. For some it will be a self-endurance challenge, for others the Lenten period offers a set time that helps them to get into the right “head space” for doing something they find challenging, such as losing weight or giving up sugar.

“What have you given up for Lent?”

Certainly, it is something I am asked, particularly so since ordination, and I wonder sometimes whether I am being asked this question as a test of my piety; and why shouldn’t people test me? After all, I stand there and preach every week about this and that, so I deserve to be put to the test! But there are two things that bother me about this question; firstly, it is about an individual, and secondly it is about giving something up instead of doing something.

I wonder if the question ought to be, “what are we doing for Lent?” It strikes me as far more Christ centred, and after all, as Christians we are not approaching this as a test of our endurance or because it gives us a chance to be good; we are surely approaching it as a way of entering more fully into the journey to the cross with our Saviour. The word ‘church’ comes from the Greek word ecclesia which the early Christians took on to describe themselves, and it simply means ‘gathering’, so I think that indicates we do things together, not alone.

This year then, the question on my mind is “what are you doing together as a church for Lent?” It is a much more positive question, a question that draws us in, a question that suggests it is not a personal endurance test. It is about collective and positive action. And is ultimately it is the question that is being considered this year in our Mission Community Lent course that looks at:

• Presence – being actively and visibly present in communities.
• Perseverance – investing in our communities
• Hospitality – building a culture of giving and receiving, openness and welcome.
• Adaptability – being open to challenge and change.
• Participation – inviting everyone to be part of what’s going on.

I know many people will not be able to commit to joining the course, and that’s okay, but I wonder if as a community, we might all commit to praying for those who are taking part as well asking them how it’s going? I also hope that these questions might help us as we move forward beyond Lent, so the question moves to “what are you doing as a church this year?”.

Every blessing,

Paul.