Like Father, Like Son.

Admission as Methodist Local Preacher (8 Feb 2026)

“Like Father, Like Son.”

Like Father Like Son, was the theme of the first church sermon I delivered post-accident. Written by dad for his own funeral. He was a Methodist Local Preacher.

He quoted Dr Donald Soper. “We can say that in Jesus, we see God revealed to us in the fullest manner humans can take in.” Dr Soper entered Methodist ministry, mirroring the faithful commitment of his parents. Dr “Soapbox” took his message to the streets, like earlier Methodists. Like the Son of God.

“Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be content.” Jesus replied, “Have I been with you for so long, and you have not known me, Philip? The person who has seen me has seen the Father! How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:8-9 NET)

Like Father, Like Son. I too became a Methodist Local Preacher 8th Feb 2026. I received the Bible above as part of the admission service.

Mum used to say my Father always preached about God’s Love. Likewise his Son.

Testimony to Sheffield Methodist Circuit.

Health. Crowded rooms with multiple simultaneous conversations overwhelm post-accident. Sleep still required, during each day. Medical fatigue. Services planned in hourly chunks over weeks. Reliant on large print notes. Only one service per month. Days to recharge. Unrested, I loose voice and balance. Brain in a fog. Disconnected.

Traumatic Brain Injury with minimised capacity. Great to find I can still have some purpose. I thank the Methodist Church for their more than reasonable adjustments. A focus on what I can do, and not what I can’t. Equality, diversity, inclusion -in action.

With God, anything is possible. Doctors have been surprised I’m alive and able to walk and talk again. My turn to pass on God’s love, the best that I can. Despite the damage…

I have been blessed.

Like snowflakes we are all infinitely different. I connect with someone who has their own health, faith and church experiences. For years we have tried to work out “how to do church” with our new selves and strengthened burnished faith. How to fit in. Unimaginably difficult.

She remembers me prayerfully laying a fleece (Judges 6:26-40) to try to find out if God wanted me to try preaching again, despite reduced capacity. Unable to attend my public admission service, she sent me the above image. A reminder of where I’ve been. We still journey on, in so many ways.

I have been blessed.

The NIV bible above was given to me 40 years ago by the Young Peoples Fellowship (YPF) of Central Methodist Church, Chesterfield. I was Confirmed at this Church.

My dad told me of good times he’d experienced with his youth group at St Thomas Methodist Church, Exeter. I was Christened at this Church. I thank God for my parents. Both teachers. Both Christians. Like me.

At 18 I had exeriences sharing God’s Love with outreach opportunities led by Methodist Evangelist, Rev Dr Rob Frost.

I have been blessed. Right from the start.

Perhaps the most important words of the Lord’s Prayer are the first two. In many translations Jesus says, “Our Father” not just “My Father” (Matthew 6:9) because Christians are part of His family. God is addressed “Father” in terms of intimacy. Implying close, familial relationship. Invited sons and daughters of God because of the saving sacrificial love of THE Son of God.

Christians are called to be Christlike. Embodying the Spirit of God. Loving as he loved. (John 13:34) Imitators of God as dearly loved children. (Ephesians 5:1)

I endeavour to be, Like Father, Like Son.

Third Set