All things in common
On Sunday morning I was listening to the bells being rung in a rural village. There were five ringers in a six bell tower. The sixth ringer had woken up with a severe migraine headache.
“Only” call changes but this mixed-ability band made a lovely sound and proclaimed that worship was nigh!
Then I realised that these five ringers came from four different villages and none of them was from the village where they were ringing. As in many places, our Deanery has undergone restructuring. Fewer clergy looking after more villages in fewer benefices. The talk at the time was of “shared group ministry” but in practice clergy chase their tails even more furiously.
Yet here, on this occasion, this band of ringers came together to share their ministry of ringing with enthusiasm and joy. Afterwards each one of them claimed to have enjoyed the ringing!
After the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ the early Church learned how to work together, and to have all things in common. The number of believers grew exponentially. It seems to have been an amazing time for the growth in believers. (See Acts, chapters four and five.)
I deduce from this that the importance of keeping the bells ringing has never been greater. We know that the Central Council, and local bands, are onto this. Folk said after the service, “It was lovely to hear the bells”. An answer might be, well, come and learn to ring!
Whoever it was who is supposed to have said, “Preach the Gospel at all times” might have added, “using bells where necessary”. But he wouldn’t have said that, of course. No ringing ministry in the Middle East in those days.
Stephen Campbell