Ramble for Kirwan Uniting Church Keeping in Touch pew sheet 24 August 2025.
Don’t laugh, I’m mentoring disadvantaged young drivers to get their 100 hours driving experience before they can apply for a test. So-called “friends” ask, “are you teaching them the proper way of winding down their window and shouting imprecations at other road users?” Cynics. Although that will be important after they’ve passed their test 😉 No, what I offer is encouragement. After an hour of reverse parking, reversing in a straight line, hill starts, they need to hear “Hey, you’re doing really well, I think you’ve cracked it, you should be proud of yourself”. If you knew the background of some of these kids, encouragement is a rare commodity. A late acquaintance of mine exercised what he called a “Barnabas ministry”. Barnabas features in Acts 4, not taking as prominent a rôle as the better known apostles, but supporting them in encouragement and prayer and in practical giving. His name means, Son of Encouragement. I have a very simple test when I plan and look back on church ser...