This morning I was thinking back over Sunday worship, and suddenly realised that someone doing OLM training tried to converse with me following one of the services. The fact I suddenly realised three days later seems quite amazing, as although I had been nervous and uptight, I hadn’t realised how much I must have been focussing on the task.
For those without a Church of Scotland background, OLM means Ordained Local Ministry. Although I should know more about the role of this ministry I don’t know much, so over the next few days I will pull out the appropriate Blue Book (Reports to the Church of Scotland General Assembly) and refresh my memory.
However I wanted to apologise to that person for probably seeming uninterested in who they were and what they did. I have no name, and only know that they seem to be circulating local churches. Whoever you are, I hope that you recognise that the fixed smile and vacantness behind the eyes was the relief at having got a first over and done with. Hopefully that person may return, and I can say a proper “hello”, find out a name, and hear about what they want to discover from their training.
Beachblesser's Blog 
I think that may have been me. No apology needed, as the church doorway isn’t a great place for long conversations. I’ve been in and around that building for years, but I had never been to a service there so Sunday was a first for both of us. You certainly didn’t appear nervous and uptight.
I’ve described the role of an Ordained Local Minister as “all of the minister but none of the wages!” It’s a non stipendary, fully ordained Ministry of Word and Sacrament, and it’s up to presbytery to decide the role that an OLM will fill. For me, that’s the fun part, the complete uncertainty of what God has planned for me.
I look forward to meeting up with you again soon.