Last weekend was Petertide. Peter what? Petertide the time of year when the church remembers St Peter. It is also the time of year when the church traditionally ordains new deacons and priests (revs to you and me).

Last year I was ordained deacon (rev), this year I was ordained priest (also a rev). I have a low theology of the ordained priesthood. We are all priests in God's kingdom. So I had low expectations of the second ordination, but then Rod challenged me.

He pointed out that I was becoming in New Testament terms a presbyter and also I would now be leading God's people in Communion.

'What does it mean for you to be able to lead communion and to be a presbyter?' He asked.

The order of service says this.

Prestyters are ordained to lead God's people in the offering of praise and the proclamation of the gospel.

They share with the Bishop in the oversight of the Church, delighting in its beauty and rejoicing in its well-being.

They are to set the example of the Good Shepherd (that is Jesus to you and me) always before them as the pattern of their calling.

They are to sustain the community of the faithful (that is the church to you and me) by the ministry of word and sacrament, that we may all grow into the fullness of Christ and be a living sacrifice acceptable to God.

Strewth - that is a tough calling. And here was I thinking that it was another hoop jumping exercise.

Rod's challenge got me thinking whilst on the pre-ordination retreat.

I thought, crumbs, I can't do this.

I thought, crumbs, not sure I want to do this, it is a bit of a tough call.

I thought, crumbs, there is no way I can live up to this.

And finally God said, good you're not supposed to be able to. that's my job!

And so I got to the service having been shook to the core. Aware again of how good God is, and how that I, you, all of us, cannot do nayhting outside of him.

And you know what?

It was kind of special.

Kind of?

No simply special.