Homilies
Shake off the Dust from your Feet
Holy Spirit, take my words and speak to each of us according to our need. Amen.
Firstly, this morning, I want first to say a heartfelt thank you to you all. Thank you to everyone who supported the events of last weekend, particularly the Open Church for Heritage Day. It was a wonderful success. A special thank you for the beautiful cards that Nichola made and sold (and I am reliably informed, is now busy making for Christmas too). Many people came through our doors, some perhaps for the very first time, and it was lovely for me to hear about the sharing of the beauty and history of this place with them.
Thank you to all who helped organise the day, who welcomed visitors, who shared stories, and who gave your time and effort so generously. Thank you also to those who baked, crafted, or made items to sell and help raise funds for our church’s life and mission. Each act of service, however small it may feel, is part of the tapestry God is weaving among us.
And I want to say a personal thank you for all the support shown to me around my ordination and my first celebration of the Eucharist. Whether you were able to be there in person, or whether you joined through the livestream while attending other events, it has meant so much to me. Thank you for your prayers, your kind words, your cards, and your thoughtful gifts. It has all been deeply encouraging. I feel very at home here and am immensely blessed to walk this journey with you, and I look forward to us continuing to build a fruitful ministry and fellowship together in the months and years ahead.
Now, having said all that, let’s turn to our Gospel…
There’s a saying many of us have known all our lives: You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. And this old truth echoes through the gospel we’ve just heard.
Jesus sends out seventy disciples, two by two, ahead of him. He tells them to travel lightly, carrying no purse, no sandals, no extra baggage. He instructs them to offer peace, to heal, and to proclaim that the Kingdom of God has come near.
Yet Jesus is also very clear: if people welcome you, stay with them, minister among them, and accept their hospitality. And if they do not, move on. Shake off the dust from your feet; not in anger, but in quiet acceptance that not everyone will receive the message.
We can bring people to the water of life, the living water that Jesus offers, but we cannot force them to drink. And this remains true in our own day.
Here in Blaenavon, across the diocese, in Wales and beyond, we know that faith no longer holds the same place it once did in people’s lives. Many people feel fondly toward the church with its bells, its history, its architecture, and its traditions—but fewer and fewer come through the doors on Sundays.
It’s easy to feel discouraged. To wonder: What’s the point of sharing our faith if so many turn away or show no interest?
Yet Jesus reminds us: our task is not to force belief or to persuade by sheer will. Our calling is to go out, to sow seeds, to offer peace, and to proclaim good news. The response which that illicits lies between each person and God.
So it is crucial for us to remember that we are not gatekeepers of the church and the faith.
We are not the ones who decide who is “worthy” to come in, or who fits into our way of doing things. The church is not our private club; it is God’s house—a house meant for all people, including those we may find difficult to like.
We must welcome people into the life of the church. Into worship, into our events, into both the small and big moments of fellowship even if it means inconvenience or disruption to our routines, our traditions, or our habits.
Because, we cannot know when God might be working quietly in someone’s heart. The one who seems indifferent today might thirst deeply tomorrow. A stranger who wanders into church, or a neighbour who suddenly appears at a coffee morning, might be someone whom God is gently drawing closer.
And when that happens, we must be ready to receive them, warmly and generously, inviting them to share in the good news of Jesus Christ just as we know it and received it.
So, practically, what can we do?
Keep showing up. Faithfulness matters. Our presence in worship, in prayer, and in community events keeps the light of Christ visible in the world. Even if attendance is small, seeds are still being sown.
Be approachable. A simple smile, a friendly word, or an offer of help can open the door for someone to feel safe enough to ask questions or share their story. But be mindful of scaring them away with too much interaction. So…
Invite, but don’t pressure. Tell people about services, events, or groups happening in church. Let them know they’re welcome but leave space for them to come when they’re ready.
Listen well. Sometimes, the most powerful evangelism is simply listening. People carry wounds, doubts, and complex histories with faith. Be a patient, gentle presence which doesn’t judge or try to fix.
Keep learning and growing. Read, pray, and talk with one another about how we can share our faith in ways that are kind and relevant. None of us have all the answers, and that’s okay. Watch out for new courses and groups coming in September!
Celebrate small steps. If someone visits for a single service or stays for coffee and a chat, rejoice in that moment. It might be the first step of a longer journey.
• It might mean new faces sitting in our pews. It might mean different music, or new ways of worship, or simply making room for people who do things differently from us.
• It might mean conversations that stretch our patience, or questions that challenge our comfort. It might mean trying new ideas for outreach and engagement, even if we’re not sure they’ll work.
But, and we need reminding of this, you are already doing so much of this. You are already extending warm welcomes, organising events, opening the doors of this beautiful church to all who might come. And I want to congratulate you for that. You have made me and my children very welcome here, so I can see how important you all are to the continued life of the church.
Your kindness, your creativity, your willingness to serve are all signs of the Spirit at work among us. And I believe with all my heart that God sees and treasures every effort you make. We must remember though, that we do not operate in isolation. Yes we are relational people but we also operate in a world of rules and policies. So whilst things might seem at times petty, or pointless or even contrary to what has been done in the past, we do need to make sure we are all safe, all accountable and all acting within the laws and the frameworks within which we now operate.
So let us keep sharing the good news, even if some turn away; God has them in his plan. Let us lead people to the living water but never try to force them to drink. Let us continue to be a people of welcome, of hospitality, of hope.
Let us be ready, to embrace and rejoice whenever anyone takes a step toward Christ. For as Jesus says, Rejoice not simply that spirits submit to you, but that your names are written in heaven.
And let us remember that God may yet surprise us here by bringing new life, new friendships, and new seekers to our doors. And when that happens, for the signs are beginning to happen, may we be ready to open those doors wide, with joy and with faith.
Let us pray:
Gracious God, We pray for revival in our hearts, in our church, and in our community. Make us bold in love, patient in welcome, and joyful in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Surprise us, O Lord, with new seekers, new friendships, and new possibilities Never forgot those who have faithfully attended and worked for the church but no longer feel aligned with its future path. Let Your living water flow freely here, that many might be drawn to it, to drink and live. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.