Churches in relationship

I’m working with one parish at the moment which is very strong on being a distinctive Church rooted in the village. Sounds great and yet the Church seems less clear on what it means in practice to be a Church in relationship with those other Churches in the benefice.

This led me to think about the kinds of relationship we may have in everyday life and whether there may be something to learn from the range of such relationships about being both a village Church and a Church in a benefice.

The range that came to mind is

- We have no idea about each other as we are strangers

- We cannot remember each other’s names though we think we have met before

- We pass the time of day when we meet by chance

- We exchange small talk at organised social occasions

- We know we could call on each other for help though rarely do so and then only in small ways

- We collaborate on something mutually beneficial or in the service of others

- We meet deliberately to share something about our lives, to listen to each other and to be together for the sake of being together

- We have a closeness giving liberally one to the other, sometimes sharing adversity and sometimes joy

I’m sure this range could be challenged and strengthened. It would be interesting to discuss it with a parish and to consider where it would place itself now and in the future.

A thankful heart

Went to a book launch-cum-service to celebrate John Newton’s life recently. Mervyn Davies of Wesley College and now Sarum had brought together many different authors to celebrate the methodist minister and preacher John Newton. John taught in theological colleges, was president of the Methodist Conference and worked closely with David Shepherd and Derek Warlock in Liverpool. I am one of the authors, contributing a chapter on the School of Formation. Other authors, (16 in all) include Melvyn Matthews, Frances Young and Neil Richardson. It was a lovely evening in Wesley College Bristol and many friends came. The book’s full title is A Thankful heart and a Discerning Mind – Essays in honour of John Newton ISBN 978-1-905179-05-3. All royalties go to Christian Aid.

Learning networks

We have decided in the School of Formation to use the term learning networks rather than communities of practice though our endeavours will be informed by the theory and emergent evaluated practices of communities of practice. We are aiming to develop a learning network for Church Treasurers over the next few months and also one for Church Wardens. These are clear church roles, the real challenge will be develop learning networks for emerging lay ministries and perhaps for people who  say I am a Christian, rather than I  am a Treasurer etc

I wonder what new lay ministries God is calling people into and what they are called?

Electronic contact is a key feature of a network, though this does not preclude face to face meetings once in a while, indeed gathering to found a learning network will surely help with giving one life.  I’d be really pleased to hear  about experiences of being in Christian learning networks/communities of practice and tips of what gives them life would be gratefully received

Reflections of a Ministry Development Consultant

 

My role has evolved. Most of my  time is out with parishes and benefices. A recurring theme, especially in rural benefices is the potential conflict between

 

• being  vibrant distinctive churches in each village and
• being churches in relationship with each other

 

Pressures on money and time of lay people and clergy can lead to a pull to centralise. The concern for unity as one body and to do things together can feel like the thin edge of the wedge, leading to devaluing PCC, undermining church wardens, and opting for grey uniformity and even be interpreted as a move to close small churches.

Too much focus on the local can however feel like turning inwards, leading to feeling under seize, to husbanding resources and to missing out on the sharing, giving and receiving and renewal that can come from an emphasis on being in relationship with other churches.

The challenge is to work at both. At the moment perhaps too many clergy are holding this tension alone or perhaps only with a few people. Are you holding the tension or pulling in one direction rather than another?

Christian values in Samoa – tales from Steve’s holidays

Steve’s back with some news from his hols traveling the world to find other Annandales!

Joe Annandale is the matai or chief of a district, which includes Poutasi, a village in Samoa. It is a responsibility he takes very seriously indeed, looking after his entire extended family of hundreds, by developing employment opportunities and supporting those in need.  I spent much of August in the South Pacific visiting family, (yes
I’m really lucky!) and Joe and I were talking about the challenges facing Samoa.  Samoa seeks to develop
economically and to maintain its culture and values focused on the family, and serving one another and the community.

The Samoan archipelago is situated in the Polynesian part of the Pacific. At the beginning of the 20th century, the island group was divided in two by the USA and Germany. The western part was attributed to Germany and came under the control of New Zealand in 1914. Western Samoa became the first independent Pacific nation in 1962.
It changed its name to Samoa in 1997. Samoa consists of two large and four small islands. Land tenure is communal, according to Samoan custom. The economy is based on agriculture, fishing, growing tourism and some processing industry.

There are churches everywhere in Samoa, almost every mile or so it seemed to me and come Sunday they are filled to the brim by families. There are Protestant churches, Congregational and Methodist, the Catholic Church, the Anglican Church and several smaller Pentecostal and other churches.  ‘If we can continue to learn and live by Christian values’, continued Joe, ‘ it will help us benefit from economic development and preserve community life and our traditions.’ Joe is a man of enormous integrity and commitment.  May God continue to sustain him and others like him in Samoa as they grapple both to change and sustain their communities.

Pub churches – what do you think?

Some of us have been away over half term so three blogs from us for today!

I set up a forum on the diocesan website to get a discussion started on Pub Church. A question that was raised is whether the use of a pub is to try and appeal to the locals or a convenient place for ‘church’ people to meet or keeping the pub going or to appear trendy? The Grove booklet ‘Pints of View’ gives useful hints about how a pub church can get off the ground. For information, the site is as follows:  http://www.bathandwells.org.uk/forum_sof/index.php?action=profile

 

Beyond my comfort zone with Mission-shaped and Rural

I have been reading ‘Mission-shaped and rural’ by Sally Gaze (Church House publishing 2006). I think it is inspiring and challenging. It taught me to see in a new light, and more clearly, what it means to be called to grow into the likeness of Christ.

God sent Jesus to become a human being ‘one of us’ –so this means I’m called to become like those to whom I’m sent. This means sharing in the everyday lives of those I live and work alongside. It does not need adopting the culture of those to whom I’m sent uncritically. Rather I’m asked to identify with it lovingly and at the same time where need be to stand against it. I’m not just an individual here but I’m also part of the church and the church needs to do this more also.

I’m challenged and reminded that the ‘Great Commission,’ ‘Matthew 28:1820, is about going. (The gospel begins with Go!). So we as churches need to go where people are and listen and engage.

In following Jesus’ way of ministering I/we/churches must to be prepared to sacrifice and to die. Sally Gaze refers to churches ‘dying to live’ and sees one aspect of this as those mature in faith making sacrifices rather than sacrifices being made by those just beginning to explore the Christian faith.

For me this asks me to move out of my comfort zone.

Perhaps it means I need to be willing to give up some of the services I have always liked so others newer to faith may have what helps them find God. I’m sure it also means greater sacrifice too.

What might ‘dying to live’ mean to you and the church you attend?

 

One size rarely fits all

As I came back from Martock and Ash last week, after taking part in their services, I reflected on the difference between the two churches. The details are not important, both were lovely congregations, but I was thinking more generally about the diversity of Anglican patterns of worship. When I go to a church, and ask about what to do in the service, they often say, ‘Just the usual – we’re very normal here.’ But I’ve learned that this is usually not the case and local variations can be quite wide. In some ways this is a headache for the visitor, on the other hand it’s great to see such variety. One size rarely fits all.