Reflections of a retiring Archdeacon

As I retire, I have been invited to share some reflections with you.

First, may I say how great a privilege it is to be an ordained priest in the Church of God, and how much it has meant to me to know many of you personally. I thank God for you, for the kindness that you have shown to Christine, Stephanie and myself, for your faith in Jesus and for your love for one another. During the past ten years and six months I have had the honour of serving you as Archdeacon of Newport and of working alongside Archbishop Rowan and Bishop Dominic, with Peter Woodman and Glyndwr Hackett as colleagues. One of the great benefits of the Diocese of Monmouth is its size, which enables clergy and laity to get to know one another, to make friendships and to build the kingdom of God together.

I think of an Archdeacon, like Barnabas, as one who encourages others. Encouragement and appreciation enable us to blossom and realise our potential. I am fond of these words that St Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica “Encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.”

An Archdeacon sometimes is made aware of conflicts that occur in parishes. When people listen to one another and seek to understand each other’s point of view, conflict is often quickly resolved and can lead to mutual respect. But, when people seek to control others and are determined to get their own way, I have learnt that there is little hope of reconciliation without a change of attitude. The church in its infancy had to resolve disputes among its own members. Jesus Christ challenges our lifestyle, our motives and our prejudices. If we are prepared to listen to him and to one another, and if we have love for one another as he told us we should, then we shall learn to live in harmony and be more effective witnesses for Jesus.

During my ministry I have seen gradual changes in the church – in the development of liturgy and of the ministry of women, the growth of lay participation in worship and in the life of the local church, the changing role of an Area Dean, ‘fresh expressions’ of church and a deepening of ecumenical relationships. Churches that are outward-looking rather than concerned with self-promotion, which engage with their local community, and which have vision and a strategy to implement their vision, are most likely to grow. It is as we focus our lives and ministry upon Jesus Christ and discern the ways in which the Holy Spirit is directing and leading us that we shall work together to make our worship, ministry and witness the best it can be, for that is worthy of God, whose steadfast love for us is so amazing.

Finally, I wish Glyndwr and Richard God’s grace and guidance in their ministry among you as your Archdeacons.

Kenneth Sharpe

Ed: In typically retiring fashion, Archdeacon Ken preferred his photo not to be in the newsletter. We wish him and Christine a warm welcome in their new home and a long and blessed retirement.