Vestry St Barnabas 2012

In the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I welcome you all to this Vestry of 2012. Since our
arrival at St Barnabas, ten months ago from Estcourt St Matthew’s we have been
made to feel welcome by the whole parish. This has enabled us to settle very
quickly and to get on with the business at hand and that is to evangelise and
mission.  This is our core business  as a church and as parishioners. 
We are here to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
For a day like today (Vestry), I chose the theme; Cast the Net, John 21:6.  The sevendisciples were out fishing at the invitation of Peter.  After fishing the whole night they caught nothing - no fish. 
Then Jesus appears to them in the morning and he notices their
disappointment. He says to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”  The
result is a net full of fish.  John tells us that the net is not torn despite being full of fish. Jesus invites them
to breakfast where he further reveals himself as the risen Lord. 
Casting the net says to us; that we should not only trust in own skills, expertise and efficiency, but
to trust in the sovereign Lord who has called us to this mission of evangelism. 
Casting the net says to us this morning; take a risk with God. Trust Him. Yes we will have budget
lines to meet and to adhere to, but the budget lines are not and must not have
the final say, Jesus has the final say, not only in our lives but also in the
church. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega. That is why we tithe as believers because
we know that Jesus is the final word in all matters. 
Casting the net says to us; be totally be depended on God’s will. 
Cast the net says to us; Jesus is the Lord of heaven and earth and the net full
of fish demonstrates provision for us as individuals and as a parish.  Our God is the God of all so we do not
fear the present or future we wait with an expectant faith.  He
provides for us. As we go through vestry let us continue to remind ourselves of
this God that provides.  I often recall the story of Elijah and the widow, the widow never ran out of food after
the encounter with Elijah . Psalm 121 says, “I lift my eyes to the mountains:
where our help comes from? Our help comes from God who made heaven and earth.”
  The Psalm further says, Our God, does not sleep-he is constantly watching over us. So, as the church warden’s report and finance report are presented, including the budget let us remember that our
Lord is sovereign over all, he says to us cast the net. We need to look to the Lord always - in season and out of season. We are a faith community that is not journeying alone but with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
So let us cast the net, and take a risk with God.     Amen