‘I cannot think of anything greater to do with my life than to glorify God’
In conversation with REV ARTHUR YOUNG
REVEREND Arthur Young is rector of St Paul’s Church of Ireland parish, Lisburn.
Q
Can you tell us something about yourself?
A
I’m 55 years of age and single and I was brought up in Bangor. My mother, Sarah, died at 40 from cancer and my father, Arthur, died at 64 with heart complications. I have a sister, Diane, and two nieces and a nephew. Just one week after leaving school, I was fortunate to be employed as a trainee wood machinist and cabinet-maker. After three years, I left to work in DIY and eventually trained and progressed to management.
I studied at Belfast Bible College and later moved to England, where I worked in a church in Leeds, eventually moving to do youth work at South Chingford in London. I returned to Northern Ireland in 1996, where for three years I worked in a church in east Belfast. Then, in 1999, I was accepted to train for ministry within the Church of Ireland.
When I completed my studies in Dublin, I became curate assistant in Donaghadee parish for three years before being appointed rector of All Saints, Tullylish, where I ministered for nine years until my appointment to Kill O’ The Grange in Dublin. Then, in 2016, I received a call to St Paul’s, Lisburn, where I am now into my fifth year of ministry.
Q
How and when did you come to faith?
A
As a child in Bangor, the only Church connection I had was attending Sunday School and in my teenage years I had no desire to be around Church attachments. That all was about to change at the age of 16, when one day out of the blue, I made a decision that I was going to go to Church that coming Sunday.
Looking back now, it was a desire God had planted within my heart, because, after six weeks of attending Church and listening to the Good News of Jesus, I surrendered my life and came to a real and living faith experience in Him. Life was never the same again.
Q Have you ever had a crisis of faith, or a gnawing doubt about your faith?
A There have been many good days and not so good days and, whether I feel God’s presence or not, I know that He has always been present with me. Looking back through my prayer journals, I am deeply grateful that I recorded my prayers through those difficult and faith-stretching times. Re-reading those journals strengthens my faith and anchors me in Jesus’s faithfulness, whatever the future may hold.
Q Do you ever get criticised for your faith and are you able to live with that criticism?
A Seeking to be real in my faith journey each day is vitally important. To live authentically, not perfectly, is what I seek to do. So, on those occasions that I may be criticised for being a follower of Jesus, I seek to show that I struggle, but I seek to be authentic and real.
Q Are you ever ashamed of your own Church, or denomination?
A I’m not ashamed of my denomination, but have been enriched by it and through it.
Q Are you afraid to die, or can you look beyond death?
A I’m not afraid to die, because I know that my Saviour will be waiting at death’s door to welcome me. The cross and resurrection has robbed death of its sting for me and I am completely sure of that.
Q Are you afraid of hell?
A I am. And it’s what motivates me to point people to this beautiful Saviour, Jesus. It is what inspires me to preach, teach and pray and share this message of the Saviour, who stepped onto planet Earth to rescue us from such a place.
Q Do you believe in a resurrection and, if so, what will it be like?
A With every fibre of my being, I believe in the resurrection of Jesus and that it will also be the reality for all believers when Jesus returns to wrap up human history.
Q What about people of other denominations and faiths?
A I respect those who have a different viewpoint and perspective on faith, but for me it’s all about Jesus.
Q Would you be comfortable in trying to learn something from other people?
A Throughout my Christian life, I have encountered people from other religious backgrounds and have listened and learned things which have been challenging and have stretched me in my theology and thinking. On occasions, I have been pushed out of my comfort zone and yet I always had something to learn from them.
Q Do you think that the Churches here are fulfilling their mission?
A I do. We are still witnessing and having a presence in our communities. Even in these difficult days, I have found an increasing heart hunger in people for meaning and purpose to their lives. It continues to thrill my heart that the Good News of Jesus is still satisfying and transforming those lives.
Q Why are so many people turning their backs on organised religion?
A Maybe because people are looking for the “real deal”. My heart’s desire has been — and is — to point people to a real, living experience and relationship with Jesus Christ.
Q Has religion helped, or hindered, the people of Northern Ireland?
A It hasn’t always been helpful, but there is always something positive to take from it.
Q What is your favourite film, book and music, and why?
A
The film is Chicken Run — the great escape, plus it’s funny. Book? J I Packer’s Knowing God — it draws you into the heart of God. The music would be songs from the 1980s’. So many good memories are stirred when listening to music from this period.
Q Where do you feel closest to God?
A When I’m walking along the shore at Crawfordsburn.
Q What inscription would you like on your gravestone, if any?
A To love Jesus and had the privilege of making Him known.
Q Finally, have you any major regrets?
A I cannot think of anything greater to do with my life than to glorify God and really enjoy Him forever. That, for me, is living the dream.