Worship

As Anglicans we base our recruitment process and commissioning on these same biblical principles:

• Through the prayerful discernment of the diocese, parish, and candidate, we believe that God has called Fr Andrew to be the next priest of St John’s.
• In a moment’s time he will be commissioned by the laying on of hands before this congregation.
• Fr Andrew will share in my episcopal ministry by being the pastor of this parish.
• And all of us – bishop, priest and people – recognise that we are under the ultimate authority of God.

Moving on to the poignant passage in Luke’s gospel, we recall how Jesus established and embodied servant leadership at the Last Supper – in response to the unseemly power struggles of his disciples. It is a powerful lesson to us that ministry – whether ordained or lay – is about serving God’s people rather than serving our own egos and agendas – it is always about giving power rather than gathering power.

At this pivotal time as we move from the past into God’s future I would like to acknowledge and thank all who have been so supportive and hardworking during the vacancy:

• The Council of St John’s for their faithful leadership, prayerful patience and hopeful perseverance during the last 3 years and 3 rounds of recruitment. While it has undoubtedly been a difficult time, it has also been a time in which, by God’s grace, you have grown and matured as a Council. I am sorry that Andrew Worthing and his family have left Oman and cannot be with us tonight, but I would particularly like to acknowledge his hard work during the vacancy.

Council – it will no doubt be a relief to you to have a priest, but please don’t sit back now and expect him to do everything! As my children remind me, teamwork is dreamwork!

• I would like to commend the congregation of St John’s for their faithfulness over the last 3 years, and their recognition that what is most important week-by-week is gathering to worship God and supporting his work – irrespective of who is standing at the front of the church.
• I would also like to express my appreciation to the large number of clergy from our diocese and other dioceses who have led services or undertaken locum ministry during the vacancy.
• And finally, my sincere appreciation to the PCO, and particular to Pastor Ford, for his support of St John’s, and help in obtaining visas for our clergy.

In closing I would like to say a few words directly to Andrew and Alison, and then to St John’s.

Andrew and Alison, I deeply respect how you have prayerfully pondered over and wrestled with the decision to leave your loved ones and South Africa, and to come here. In obedience to Christ, you have taken up your cross and followed his call to serve his people in the wonderful and beautiful country of Oman.

Could you have ever imagined that this is where you would find yourself in 2026? I am reminded of the quotation associated with the famous Christian author C.S. Lewis: “Some journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny.”

Remember that the cross is not an end in itself, it is a portal to the resurrection. I believe that there is so much at St John’s and in the wider diocese that will be personally and vocationally fulfilling for you both. My prayer is that your ministry here crowns and rewards what has been “a long obedience in the same direction.”

Fr Andrew, as you know, the background to our Old Testament passage is the Exodus narrative where we read of the long journey of God’s people from Egyptian captivity to life in the Promised Land. A new leader was needed and God chose Joshua.

While we shouldn’t over-identify with this passage, we must recognise that St John’s is at a moment where it needs leading into a new place both spiritually and physically. Fr Andrew – we believe that God has called and appointed you to lead St John’s into this new place of building and rebuilding. There is a congregation that needs building up – and a church building that needs building up – thanks to the gracious generosity of His Majesty Sultan Haitham and the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, [represented here today by Mr Ahmed Al Barani].

People of St John’s:

• Like all the parishes of this diocese, you are a glorious blend of people from all over the world, and you know the heartaches and stresses of immigration first hand. Please help Andrew and Alison, and all new people through the stress and culture shock of their new lives in Muscat. Indeed, as a diocese of expatriates, I believe that the starting point of pastoral care in each of our parishes is to care for those who have newly arrived.
• Like all Christian churches in the Sultanate, we need to simultaneously work at being good guests and good hosts:
  • Guests whose respect, integrity and positive impact on society speaks of our faith without saying a word.
  • Hosts who welcome the stranger with generous spiritual hospitality, and care, and draw them into Body of Christ in Muscat for however long they are here.
• Please intercede continually for God to lead, provide and protect us as we discern and join in his plans for us here in Muscat.

Fr Andrew and St John’s – the next chapter in the history of the Anglican Church in Oman is waiting to be written. May God bless this new beginning, and you in his service.

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20)