The Street Pastor Commission Service of Herbert Griffiths 2017
Pastor Wragg began the service with a simple explanation of what street pastoring is all about. He spoke of the Street Pastors making a difference on the party circuit of Wolverhampton at nights. He said that they (the street pastors) present another option to the Police and entertainment establishment to provide for the needy and vulnerable and at the same time speak of the love of Jesus.
He noted that this was a new experience for him; been at a Seventh-day Adventist Church on a Sabbath. He wasn’t alone when he said this, as the two front rows of the church was occupied by the Street Pastors of Wolverhampton. They looked very smart in their uniforms, although I think Pastor Wagg said something about Hivis vest.
He noted that the police said that the people recognizes the uniform, but he said it is the armour of God that makes the difference. He said that they are supported by the council, the police and even the clubs.
Elder Griffiths was commissioned by Pastor Wagg to be a street pastor. The ceremony sounded pretty serious, like a wedding. Elder Griffiths has been working as an interim Street Pastor leading up to this commissioning service. Pastor Wagg described Elder Griffiths has a gentle and kind man. He noted that he is always teasing him about the Bible. He said that Elder Griffiths reply is “I hear what you are saying but…” and “there are other things that we do,” that is very the Elder!
He notes that Elder Griffiths taught him to love himself and then love others. He also said that they could have done the commissioning at another church but they come here to share the experience with the local church.
The actual commissioning process began with Pastor Wagg asking Elder Griffiths a collection of questions. The Elder responded to the questions “with God’s help I will.” With these questions answered, he was presented to the Church as a fully-fledged Street Pastor. A first for a Seventh-day Adventist Church!
The smiling Elder Griffiths accepted humbly the charge and spoke to the Church and fellow street pastors. He spoke of his first experience as a street pastor, how was amazed he was at what was been done. He spoke of the way the street pastors they dealt with the people, with care and love. He observed that they were saying with their actions that they care. At first he wasn't sure that this was the right place for him, but seeing what they were doing, he very much wanted to be a part of them.
The Elder spoke of the week after weeks that they would go out in the nights. People will come to them, asking for water and flip-flops (a type of shoes). They recognise that they (the street pastors) are there because they represent God. He made an appeal for others of the Church to join the street pastors, to come and see what they do.
So much Elder Griffiths, he would turn a commissioning service into an appeal to go literally into the by ways to rescue God’s wayward people!
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