The Very Rev Albert Bogle urges congregations to think about endings – and to move on to a new future.

THERE are times in our lives when we need to honour our past and then let it go and move on. Tying up the loose ends of our corporate and personal lives can be very painful but also very rewarding. Some have called this the importance of making ‘holy endings’.

Over the years I have come to the conclusion that we are not good at making ‘holy endings,’ especially in our corporate lives in the Church of Scotland.

Sadly at an organisational level we too often allow indecision to drag on until the loose ends begin to unravel and all the good that once was woven together to become an inheritance to pass on disintegrates.

I am often struck by the example of a ‘holy ending’ in the story of Ruth. In chapter 1 of the Book of Ruth we learn of the tragedy that has befallen Naomi. Her life has been bittersweet. Now at the point where she has lost her husband and two sons she decides it’s time to make a change in her life. She takes time to consider the feelings of her daughters-in-law, thanks them for all their love and releases them from any commitment to her. She creates a ‘holy ending’. She gives permission for others to start again and she turns to face the unknown.

Moving on is never easy. It requires an honest assessment of the situation and a great deal of courage and faith to make the decision to bring about change that allows loose ends to be tied up. Allowing what has gone before to be recognised, respected, and honoured makes it possible for the past to help shape a better future.

There is another incident of a ‘holy ending’ in scripture that I find informative and important for many of our presbyteries to consider at a time of so much change and upheaval in the patterns of ministry within the church.

In the Acts of the Apostles, Doctor Luke recalls the parting of Paul from the elders at Ephesus. Paul had spent three years building up the church in the local hall where ideas were regularly debated. Now in chapter 20 Luke relates how Paul brings about a holy ending. He passes the baton on to the next generation. He reminds them to care for the flock of Christ. He suggests that turbulent times will be ahead, however he reminds them of all he has taught and highlights the importance of the word of grace. He gives them permission to become the church for that moment.

Nothing stays the same, we are living in a changing culture and we need to understand the changes in order to effectively communicate a Gospel of grace.

This means how we communicate and engage with today’s generations may well require the Christian community that worships on a Sunday in a particular building, at a particular time, to change its approach and dynamic. Remember Jesus said: “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (See John 12:24) No doubt there were elders in Ephesus that wanted nothing to change and, no doubt there were elders that wanted Paul to stay. However the point of the story is that Paul and the elders were able to make a ‘holy ending’. They were able to draw a line in the sand and say from now on things will be different.

Perhaps it’s time for a greater number of our congregations to engage with an honest parish review. Congregations of 50 worshipping people need to ask themselves –what will we do in five years when there are only 20 of us? Is it now time to reflect and bring about a ‘holy ending’ in order that something more relevant can grow and flourish?

“Nothing stays the same, we are living in a changing culture and we need to understand the changes in order to efectively communicate Gospel of grace.”

I wonder if 2018 will be the year when congregations all over Scotland will begin to prepare for the holy endings that are required if the Church is to move forward.

In the New Year Sanctuary First is going to turn to Holy Endings as our theme for January, exploring how to prayerfully bring things to an end with dignity, care, and love.

The Very Rev Albert Bogle is a Pioneer Minister of Sanctuary First Church Online at www.sanctuaryfirst.org.uk