Well that's how it seems some days as I find myself on the road and delivering God's love on the streets and clocking up the miles, but I wouldn't have it any other way :-)
It's odd how the miles clock up each day as I visit people in their homes, turn up at hospitals and stuff like that - but it allows me to listen to Women's Hour, plays and other great radio between the visits - which is kinda cool.
So it's been visits and more visits - the simple stuff that makes the day go quickly in a most enjoyable way - and getting sermons written and revisiting the material for the first session of the Bishop's Certificate course. The latter being something of a challenge from the fact that you never know who will actually turn up on the night, but we had nine of us around the table with the promise of a couple more next week, and it seemed to go well.
Sadness came in the shape of people I know entering that last phase of life, the fact that for one of the people it is far too early and this makes it all a lot sadder than it would usually be. Another, although having reached a good age still clings to life - and we cling to them, reluctant to let them go.
Tonight, as the day is gone and the new entered into, I find myself unnaturally tired and my emotions flip from one state to another as that tiredness, aches and pains and frustrations and joys collide - and yet, beyond it all, there is an inexplicable joy and sense of a good day done.
Lord, reach out Your hand and strengthen those whose life is coming to its close and in doing so comfort those who prepare to lose their loved ones.
Be with those whose needs are many and whose strength is low; help those with broken bodies, minds and spirits to withstand the storm before them.
For those who are far off, I pray that You would be their rock and shield and that they might come to see Your presence in their lives.
And for me, my daily bread consumed and my sins forgiven, help me to live as you would have me live - to live like You and to love all before me regardless of the their their situation or state.
Lord, graciously hear my prayer.
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Thursday, 2 February 2017
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Spiritual Parenting: A guest writes
I recently read a short article about some parents who were being investigated for child neglect after allowing their 10 and 6 year-old children to walk home from the park alone; a distance of 1 mile through a nice, well-to-do residential area. The comments ranged from those applauding the parents for their common-sense approach in giving their children freedom and teaching them personal responsponsibilty to those berating them for their laziness and lack of care.
I didn’t share my opinion. Having so little background information about the parents, the children and the area through which they were walking, I felt I had no right to comment. However, it stayed in my thoughts. In my time as a Parenting consultant, I came across families that fell into two distinct camps: those that expected too much of their children and those that expected too little. The latter group were those parents who did everything for their little ones, believing that they were showing love. The outcome was that the children were stunted in their development, unable to perform simple tasks such as tying shoe laces and were unprepared for life ouside of the home. I met some of these children when I was a student; they lived on takeaways because they had never learned to cook (no need to: mum always cooked) and didn’t know how to use a washing machine (mum always did that too!).
The former group believed their children were capable and mature beyond their years. So often they would tell me that their child was very bright, top of the class, an early reader etc. Children are like sponges, they soak up intellectual stimulus, but they are emotional beings too. These parents came to me becasue their child was having behavioural difficulties; crying and tantrums when told ‘no’ or when they lost at a game. Although the child had progressed intellectually beyond their years, their emotional development was lagging.
It struck me that so often, church leaders fall into these same traps.
The over-indulgent minister who cares for his people by doing everything for them; taking on the full responsibility for their spiritual discipline and growth. The problems arise when the minister tries to encourage the congregation to take on some roles or tasks within the church and finds that their people lack the confidence and the initiative to do so. The congregation in turn look unrealistically to the minister to provide for all their spiritual needs and often end up leaving the church stating that they were ‘unsupported’.
The other type are those who are so enthusiastic to develop their people that they push them into roles that they don’t have the spirtual maturity to sustain. Without a well developed prayer life or deep understanding of their standing in Christ, the baby Christian can become overwhelmed and end up stressed, burnt out and disillusioned leading to them leave the church and be unwilling to get involved in any form of ministry in future. They might even cause problems for others along the way as they struggle to cope with responsibility beyond their means.
Church leaders - much like parents - have to perfect a delicate balancing act. A good parent will aim for their own redundancy: a time when the children have learned the life skills they need to fend for themselves. A good minister will likewise strive to teach and enable church members to stand on their own feet spiritually, having been trained and equipped ‘for works of service’ (cf Ephesians 4:11). This is the route to a healthy family and a healthy church.bog
I didn’t share my opinion. Having so little background information about the parents, the children and the area through which they were walking, I felt I had no right to comment. However, it stayed in my thoughts. In my time as a Parenting consultant, I came across families that fell into two distinct camps: those that expected too much of their children and those that expected too little. The latter group were those parents who did everything for their little ones, believing that they were showing love. The outcome was that the children were stunted in their development, unable to perform simple tasks such as tying shoe laces and were unprepared for life ouside of the home. I met some of these children when I was a student; they lived on takeaways because they had never learned to cook (no need to: mum always cooked) and didn’t know how to use a washing machine (mum always did that too!).
The former group believed their children were capable and mature beyond their years. So often they would tell me that their child was very bright, top of the class, an early reader etc. Children are like sponges, they soak up intellectual stimulus, but they are emotional beings too. These parents came to me becasue their child was having behavioural difficulties; crying and tantrums when told ‘no’ or when they lost at a game. Although the child had progressed intellectually beyond their years, their emotional development was lagging.
It struck me that so often, church leaders fall into these same traps.
The over-indulgent minister who cares for his people by doing everything for them; taking on the full responsibility for their spiritual discipline and growth. The problems arise when the minister tries to encourage the congregation to take on some roles or tasks within the church and finds that their people lack the confidence and the initiative to do so. The congregation in turn look unrealistically to the minister to provide for all their spiritual needs and often end up leaving the church stating that they were ‘unsupported’.
The other type are those who are so enthusiastic to develop their people that they push them into roles that they don’t have the spirtual maturity to sustain. Without a well developed prayer life or deep understanding of their standing in Christ, the baby Christian can become overwhelmed and end up stressed, burnt out and disillusioned leading to them leave the church and be unwilling to get involved in any form of ministry in future. They might even cause problems for others along the way as they struggle to cope with responsibility beyond their means.
Church leaders - much like parents - have to perfect a delicate balancing act. A good parent will aim for their own redundancy: a time when the children have learned the life skills they need to fend for themselves. A good minister will likewise strive to teach and enable church members to stand on their own feet spiritually, having been trained and equipped ‘for works of service’ (cf Ephesians 4:11). This is the route to a healthy family and a healthy church.bog
Thursday, 3 July 2014
Making the ALL in all-member ministry real!
One regular topic for conversation (when it's not funerals) is that of making 'all-member ministry' mean what it says!
The conversations can be condensed into two distinct categories (the first being perhaps the most ironic):
On the surface it seems that those who are 'doing the stuff' are unwilling to share that role but it's not quite as simple as that. Let's look at some of the tales and hopefully the increase in understanding will start to clear the log jams. We will do a story a day -
Story the first
In one church there was a strong lay ministry group (they were not lay ministers in the 'authorsied ministry' sense) with areas of responsibility for various of the areas within the church (pastoral, prayer, music, teaching, evangelism, etc.). This group regarded themselves to effectively cover all the roles of the Vicar (with the exception of Communion) and they saw themselves as running the church.
Had we the privilege of looking at the minutes of their monthly meeting we would have found that whilst the Sunday service happened, little else did! In reality this group was largely ineffective in terms of anything other than keeping the lights on. Those who came forward, especially those who were not part of the power base that was the team, were sent empty away with various reasons (for there was always a reason) given for the fact that they couldn't join in the ministry.
Of course the reality was that although these people were doing little, they had the power and were not going to give it up or even share it! (The first of our reasons for impotent all-member ministry)
A church member, who we will call 'A', came to see the person responsible for prayer in the church and told them how they felt God was calling them to lead intercessions and be someone who was engaged in the prayer ministry of the church. This request was met with a refusal on the grounds that they needed to be trained before they could do that.
Not to be put off 'A' asked what the training was and when they might be able to do it only to be met with the response that, 'The course hadn't been created yet, but when they had, they'd let them know!' And so the prayer area was once again safe from the incursion of 'unapproved' members and the power remained where it was.
Some time later, when people were praying for one another in the service, the prayer leader came up to 'A' (who was praying for someone) and stopped them because they were not permitted to do that!
Now, I am assured that there were no spiritual reasons, no obvious sin, no chequered history or any other impediment that caused this person to be stopped - it was all about power and authority!
Not long after this episode the minister of the church left, leaving the 'team' to maintain their position of power, and the people to be dominated by them.
The happy note to this story is that the new minister came in and after a few twists and turns 'A' was encouraged to lead the intercessions during the service - and they were amazing. Their prayers matched the sermon and readings and touched people greatly.
Now this story speaks volumes of the faithfulness of 'A' in that they continued in the church and patiently waited until the call to be a prayer in the church was recognised, encouraged and released.
It speaks of the potential for those engaged in an area of ministry, and perhaps especially for those who see themselves as 'leaders'*, to seek to make it their possession and the means by which they are given power and authority.
It fires a warning shot across the bows of those who lead and those who volunteer. The minister, resigned to the fact that the exclusive clique that was the leadership team were running an exclusive and almost totalitarian state within the church, left them to do what they did with the service because it was the path of least resistance which brought the minimum of conflict. (our second point in this journey!)
I'll leave you to think about this scenario - and welcome any anecdotes, observations and learning points from you.
Happy Thursday
* I have met many who want to be 'up front' and to be applauded and recognised - even fostering the dream that one day they will be the doyen of thousands, out there and being applauded for their sterling ministry and shining life - the problem is that what they brought was valid, worthy and potentially beneficial to the Church, but was self-serving rather than seeking to serve Christ. This is a challenge to us all to examine ourselves and our reasons to be offering ourselves for ministry. As ever we return to one question: Who am I doing this for?
The conversations can be condensed into two distinct categories (the first being perhaps the most ironic):
Laity who won't share the toys
Clergy who won't share the toys
On the surface it seems that those who are 'doing the stuff' are unwilling to share that role but it's not quite as simple as that. Let's look at some of the tales and hopefully the increase in understanding will start to clear the log jams. We will do a story a day -
Story the first
In one church there was a strong lay ministry group (they were not lay ministers in the 'authorsied ministry' sense) with areas of responsibility for various of the areas within the church (pastoral, prayer, music, teaching, evangelism, etc.). This group regarded themselves to effectively cover all the roles of the Vicar (with the exception of Communion) and they saw themselves as running the church.
Had we the privilege of looking at the minutes of their monthly meeting we would have found that whilst the Sunday service happened, little else did! In reality this group was largely ineffective in terms of anything other than keeping the lights on. Those who came forward, especially those who were not part of the power base that was the team, were sent empty away with various reasons (for there was always a reason) given for the fact that they couldn't join in the ministry.
Of course the reality was that although these people were doing little, they had the power and were not going to give it up or even share it! (The first of our reasons for impotent all-member ministry)
A church member, who we will call 'A', came to see the person responsible for prayer in the church and told them how they felt God was calling them to lead intercessions and be someone who was engaged in the prayer ministry of the church. This request was met with a refusal on the grounds that they needed to be trained before they could do that.
Not to be put off 'A' asked what the training was and when they might be able to do it only to be met with the response that, 'The course hadn't been created yet, but when they had, they'd let them know!' And so the prayer area was once again safe from the incursion of 'unapproved' members and the power remained where it was.
Some time later, when people were praying for one another in the service, the prayer leader came up to 'A' (who was praying for someone) and stopped them because they were not permitted to do that!
Now, I am assured that there were no spiritual reasons, no obvious sin, no chequered history or any other impediment that caused this person to be stopped - it was all about power and authority!
Not long after this episode the minister of the church left, leaving the 'team' to maintain their position of power, and the people to be dominated by them.
The happy note to this story is that the new minister came in and after a few twists and turns 'A' was encouraged to lead the intercessions during the service - and they were amazing. Their prayers matched the sermon and readings and touched people greatly.
Now this story speaks volumes of the faithfulness of 'A' in that they continued in the church and patiently waited until the call to be a prayer in the church was recognised, encouraged and released.
It speaks of the potential for those engaged in an area of ministry, and perhaps especially for those who see themselves as 'leaders'*, to seek to make it their possession and the means by which they are given power and authority.
It fires a warning shot across the bows of those who lead and those who volunteer. The minister, resigned to the fact that the exclusive clique that was the leadership team were running an exclusive and almost totalitarian state within the church, left them to do what they did with the service because it was the path of least resistance which brought the minimum of conflict. (our second point in this journey!)
I'll leave you to think about this scenario - and welcome any anecdotes, observations and learning points from you.
Happy Thursday
* I have met many who want to be 'up front' and to be applauded and recognised - even fostering the dream that one day they will be the doyen of thousands, out there and being applauded for their sterling ministry and shining life - the problem is that what they brought was valid, worthy and potentially beneficial to the Church, but was self-serving rather than seeking to serve Christ. This is a challenge to us all to examine ourselves and our reasons to be offering ourselves for ministry. As ever we return to one question: Who am I doing this for?
Saturday, 1 March 2014
Giving members away - the key to growth?
Just a quick thought regarding church growth is that I come across so many places where the people are all inward looking and the last time they send someone off to be trained in any form of ministry in the wider Church was before any of those attending were born.
What makes it fun is that those who see to release their members into serving the wider Church generally find themselves blessed with growth and in fact the more they give away the more they seem to have. That doesn't mean that we do it to get members but it does seem to be the reality that there is a quid pro quo with God and membership.
So, here's a challenge tomorrow- why not take a look at the people around you and ask God what calling they have, for we all have a calling on our life, and then work out how you can support it?
You never know you might be pleasantly surprised (and they may be totally gobsmacked too)!
Let's make 2014 the year when we release our members into their ministry and find the joys of being a 'sending church' eh?
What makes it fun is that those who see to release their members into serving the wider Church generally find themselves blessed with growth and in fact the more they give away the more they seem to have. That doesn't mean that we do it to get members but it does seem to be the reality that there is a quid pro quo with God and membership.
So, here's a challenge tomorrow- why not take a look at the people around you and ask God what calling they have, for we all have a calling on our life, and then work out how you can support it?
You never know you might be pleasantly surprised (and they may be totally gobsmacked too)!
Let's make 2014 the year when we release our members into their ministry and find the joys of being a 'sending church' eh?
Wednesday, 17 July 2013
Mission and Ministry go together in perfect harmony ...
Side by side on the church's keyboard ...
Mission and ministry - two words that naturallly occupy the same space and yet, like all siblings, fight and struggle for dominance.
You can't build Church without mission - but you can't sustain church without ministry.
We can't grow church without pioneers - but you can't establish church without settlers!
The problems crowd in when we start to divide up the Church into job titles and work areas, skillsets and roles, but the reality is that many are gifted and called to excel in certain areas and these are often the same areas that our passions lead us to. I guess it's the same conundrum that musical ability presents:
You play on the piano as a child and people affirm and applaud because you are 'musical'. This leads you to play more and learn because you enjoy the attention, approbation and it's becoming part of who you are and what you do. Eventually the question comes:
Are you good at music because you love it Or do love love music because you're good at it?
(After all, you might not feel the same about geography, history, music or administration)
One of the challenges in the world of calling and ministry is that although we have giftings, calling and passions - there is a church to be put, and kept, on the road and though this is a job for all-member ministry, there is a need for those who would be collared to appreciate and, when the need (which often) arises, perform and otherwise enable, support and release others I to the many areas of need in the busyness of church.
The need for Ministerial Development Reviews that inform and help in the discernment of future paths before us is obvious and the task of equipping those who come from the cathedral, newly ordained, with much, or little, in their hands is obvious.
The need for those who will stand and preach the Gospel in the streets and marketplaces; those who will gather together the ones and twos such that church us found, and having done so lead them into the twin realities of bath and bread - the twins who are ever in concord and upon who - looking to the Cross and the return of Jesus, the Christ.
This week is a week of revelation for me thus far as I avoid hearing the words from the front perhaps, putting them aside to hear the heartbeat of God, and hear the words (from the heart) of many around me. Hearing the passion of those who are on the ground reflected in the path that has been trod and the ministry of managing from those in the diocesan offices.
One going the other growing so that more may go - partners, co-workers, each fulfilling their part (and living 1Corinthians 12*)
And the good news to those whose ministry is different (and perhaps strange) from ours:
We love you and value you - Thank You for being faithful where you are
Pax
*Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
Mission and ministry - two words that naturallly occupy the same space and yet, like all siblings, fight and struggle for dominance.
You can't build Church without mission - but you can't sustain church without ministry.
We can't grow church without pioneers - but you can't establish church without settlers!
The problems crowd in when we start to divide up the Church into job titles and work areas, skillsets and roles, but the reality is that many are gifted and called to excel in certain areas and these are often the same areas that our passions lead us to. I guess it's the same conundrum that musical ability presents:
You play on the piano as a child and people affirm and applaud because you are 'musical'. This leads you to play more and learn because you enjoy the attention, approbation and it's becoming part of who you are and what you do. Eventually the question comes:
Are you good at music because you love it Or do love love music because you're good at it?
(After all, you might not feel the same about geography, history, music or administration)
One of the challenges in the world of calling and ministry is that although we have giftings, calling and passions - there is a church to be put, and kept, on the road and though this is a job for all-member ministry, there is a need for those who would be collared to appreciate and, when the need (which often) arises, perform and otherwise enable, support and release others I to the many areas of need in the busyness of church.
The need for Ministerial Development Reviews that inform and help in the discernment of future paths before us is obvious and the task of equipping those who come from the cathedral, newly ordained, with much, or little, in their hands is obvious.
The need for those who will stand and preach the Gospel in the streets and marketplaces; those who will gather together the ones and twos such that church us found, and having done so lead them into the twin realities of bath and bread - the twins who are ever in concord and upon who - looking to the Cross and the return of Jesus, the Christ.
This week is a week of revelation for me thus far as I avoid hearing the words from the front perhaps, putting them aside to hear the heartbeat of God, and hear the words (from the heart) of many around me. Hearing the passion of those who are on the ground reflected in the path that has been trod and the ministry of managing from those in the diocesan offices.
One going the other growing so that more may go - partners, co-workers, each fulfilling their part (and living 1Corinthians 12*)
And the good news to those whose ministry is different (and perhaps strange) from ours:
We love you and value you - Thank You for being faithful where you are
Pax
*Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
Monday, 15 July 2013
Tamworth Street Angels - Update
Like a speeding snail, the initial organisational tasks of Tamworth Street Angels are progressing forward at what feels rather slow (and yet I am told we are really moving as some pace) as the web presence www.tamworthstreetangels.co.uk and the Twitter accounts @TamworthSA have both become live.
In addition to this conversations with potential trustees and stakeholders are progressing and it is hoped that new names will be appearing alongside Staffordshire Police, the Samaritans and Tamworth Covenanting Churches.
There are three obvious groups of people who make up such an organisation as ours:
1. Trustees and Champions
2. Support workers, and
3. Those one the street.
At the moment we need people to populate all three areas so if you fancy fulfilling our needs for Secretary, Treasurer and other of the immensely vital jobs that put feet on the streets - apply now.
For those who are interested in being 'out there' - there will be training on offer shortly, so get signing up NOW (please).
It is my hope that we will see the first encounter with the streets happen before we reach the end of September - but to do this we need volunteers (and some more funding I imagine).
And for those who want to be involved in something vital for this project now - please pray for the needs we have and that the right people come along and get involved.
Thanks
In addition to this conversations with potential trustees and stakeholders are progressing and it is hoped that new names will be appearing alongside Staffordshire Police, the Samaritans and Tamworth Covenanting Churches.
There are three obvious groups of people who make up such an organisation as ours:
1. Trustees and Champions
2. Support workers, and
3. Those one the street.
At the moment we need people to populate all three areas so if you fancy fulfilling our needs for Secretary, Treasurer and other of the immensely vital jobs that put feet on the streets - apply now.
For those who are interested in being 'out there' - there will be training on offer shortly, so get signing up NOW (please).
It is my hope that we will see the first encounter with the streets happen before we reach the end of September - but to do this we need volunteers (and some more funding I imagine).
And for those who want to be involved in something vital for this project now - please pray for the needs we have and that the right people come along and get involved.
Thanks
Monday, 8 July 2013
The Ordination Retreat
I gave up my life ten years ago and started to live.
I stopped working and have never worked harder;
I stopped working and have never worked harder;
and as I think of those ten years I remember where it all began.
That last day and first day combined;
and the ordination retreat:
Ten years ago.
There we were,
ready
willing
and unable to stop the express train that is ordination;
locked in a pub' in the early hours of the morning,
sitting in a corner nursing our beers,
laughing over our fears.
Then comes a knocking at the door
at twenty to four (I tell the truth)
and the door is opened
and he comes in.
A Police Officer,
not Jesus
(although that would have been nice)!
And over he comes to us
asking who we are
and what brings us to the place
so we tell him,
We're almost Vicars,'
and smiling,
he buys us a drink
and wishes us well!
Dawn arrives
and the congregation,
disturbed by her appearance,
replete and cheery,
leave
and so do we.
Back to the ordination retreat
with its farce-like silence
bordering on madness
as people,
in pursuit of ketchup,
gesticulate and madly mime.
As the woman serving us
bangs plates upon the tables
and the background music
suddenly bursts into Wagner
and the Valkaries ride
on the wings of our silent sobs
of suppressed laughter
and released nerves
which scamper around the room
releasing even more
and the sniggering rises
causing tears to run
shoulders to shake
and a disapproving glare from the leader
as he leaves in disgust!
Ten years ago.
There we were,
ready
willing
and unable to stop the express train that is ordination;
locked in a pub' in the early hours of the morning,
sitting in a corner nursing our beers,
laughing over our fears.
Then comes a knocking at the door
at twenty to four (I tell the truth)
and the door is opened
and he comes in.
A Police Officer,
not Jesus
(although that would have been nice)!
And over he comes to us
asking who we are
and what brings us to the place
so we tell him,
We're almost Vicars,'
and smiling,
he buys us a drink
and wishes us well!
Dawn arrives
and the congregation,
disturbed by her appearance,
replete and cheery,
leave
and so do we.
Back to the ordination retreat
with its farce-like silence
bordering on madness
as people,
in pursuit of ketchup,
gesticulate and madly mime.
As the woman serving us
bangs plates upon the tables
and the background music
suddenly bursts into Wagner
and the Valkaries ride
on the wings of our silent sobs
of suppressed laughter
and released nerves
which scamper around the room
releasing even more
and the sniggering rises
causing tears to run
shoulders to shake
and a disapproving glare from the leader
as he leaves in disgust!
Sunday, 7 July 2013
So what is my job? Correction
Those of you who follow the blog will remember that I recently wrote:
'Those who are happy to come to the show and sing the happy songs and have their ears tickled - the day is coming when the battle will be engaged and you will find yourself 'not fit for purpose' - time to 'man up' Church!'
This brought about the following response:
'How much more emotional manipulation are you going to employ on your site to get people to be doing what you, Vic, think people should be doing?
This isn't your job, Vic - your job is to seek after God and put yourself at his disposal. Be loved by him and then love others as you are loved.
Your job is not to guilt-trip, embarrass or intimidate people into conforming to your ideology... this is the fast-track to burn-out.
Come back to me on this one, and tell me why I'm wrong.'
Well, I did indeed come back to them and this is instalment number three (in a series of goodness knows how many) because another of the jobs I do is to tell people when they are doing wrong, or doing it wrongly. Now of course I don't employ emotional manipulation or guilt-trips, embarrassment or intimidation (after all, I'm not a liberal you know :-) ) but I do employ telling the truth in love as per today's reading of Galatians 6 which I have paraphrased elsewhere as:
'Guys, if you see someone doing something wrong, those of you who know me should restore them gently; but take care in the way that you do it so that you don't end up being wrong too!'
Now this 'wrongness' that we need to take care not to fall into is often demonstrated by the hardline fundamentalist and the 'Jesus wants everyone to be happy' liberals alike who point the finger and denounce, attack, vilify and engage in the finely tuned art of the ad hominem.
But you see my role means that when I see people who are sitting in front of the TV when they should be getting fit for the role for which they've volunteered I have to tell them that they are slacking. When I see people who claim to be Christians and yet their attitudes, lifestyles or behaviour deny this, then it's my role to come alongside and help them understand, accept and amend their ways accordingly. This is not the wicked application of rules and regulations but helping people to reach their fullest potential as people and as disciples - and we do want that, don't we?
My critic is wrong because to do anything other that strive to get one's own life sorted and working as well as possible and take this as the datum for those who are part of the Church is to be a hypocrite - and I struggle to ensure that I'm not that. My critic is also wrong because not only do I avoid all the things they accuse me of (and in accusing me perhaps come close to owning them for themselves) but I work hard to train, equip and release (I know some don't like this terminology but isn't that Biblical language) and to work alongside (and for if the opportunity arises) others in the Church.
The problem is that some would see just being in the Church as enough and the more those in the Church are like the world the better it is. After all, if we don't confront people with their errors then they are happy to have us around and therefore Church is popular.
And of course it is because it doesn't ask for set standards of behaviour but accepts everything (including the spirit of divination according to Schori's last sermon on the wicked Paul!) on the premise that whatever makes you happy pleases God.
Psalm 119 tells us that the person who keeps God's laws and seeks the Lord with all their heart - they are truly happy, not the foolish who will perish because of their folly and their desire to make their god in their own image.
No, I'm sorry but when I see people who claim to be Christian avoiding the discipline that comes from denying ourselves and taking up our cross and embarking on a life of discipline, prayer and praise that is the hallmark of true discipleship, then I have to offer correction by coming alongside.
We have one chance at this life (Heb 9.27) and my role is to do it the very best I can and to help others. I use the same measure on them as I do for myself and this is right - for it's part of my job as a family member.
We watch out for and correct each other in love - don't we?
'Those who are happy to come to the show and sing the happy songs and have their ears tickled - the day is coming when the battle will be engaged and you will find yourself 'not fit for purpose' - time to 'man up' Church!'
This brought about the following response:
'How much more emotional manipulation are you going to employ on your site to get people to be doing what you, Vic, think people should be doing?
This isn't your job, Vic - your job is to seek after God and put yourself at his disposal. Be loved by him and then love others as you are loved.
Your job is not to guilt-trip, embarrass or intimidate people into conforming to your ideology... this is the fast-track to burn-out.
Come back to me on this one, and tell me why I'm wrong.'
'Guys, if you see someone doing something wrong, those of you who know me should restore them gently; but take care in the way that you do it so that you don't end up being wrong too!'
Now this 'wrongness' that we need to take care not to fall into is often demonstrated by the hardline fundamentalist and the 'Jesus wants everyone to be happy' liberals alike who point the finger and denounce, attack, vilify and engage in the finely tuned art of the ad hominem.
But you see my role means that when I see people who are sitting in front of the TV when they should be getting fit for the role for which they've volunteered I have to tell them that they are slacking. When I see people who claim to be Christians and yet their attitudes, lifestyles or behaviour deny this, then it's my role to come alongside and help them understand, accept and amend their ways accordingly. This is not the wicked application of rules and regulations but helping people to reach their fullest potential as people and as disciples - and we do want that, don't we?
My critic is wrong because to do anything other that strive to get one's own life sorted and working as well as possible and take this as the datum for those who are part of the Church is to be a hypocrite - and I struggle to ensure that I'm not that. My critic is also wrong because not only do I avoid all the things they accuse me of (and in accusing me perhaps come close to owning them for themselves) but I work hard to train, equip and release (I know some don't like this terminology but isn't that Biblical language) and to work alongside (and for if the opportunity arises) others in the Church.
The problem is that some would see just being in the Church as enough and the more those in the Church are like the world the better it is. After all, if we don't confront people with their errors then they are happy to have us around and therefore Church is popular.
And of course it is because it doesn't ask for set standards of behaviour but accepts everything (including the spirit of divination according to Schori's last sermon on the wicked Paul!) on the premise that whatever makes you happy pleases God.
Psalm 119 tells us that the person who keeps God's laws and seeks the Lord with all their heart - they are truly happy, not the foolish who will perish because of their folly and their desire to make their god in their own image.
No, I'm sorry but when I see people who claim to be Christian avoiding the discipline that comes from denying ourselves and taking up our cross and embarking on a life of discipline, prayer and praise that is the hallmark of true discipleship, then I have to offer correction by coming alongside.
We have one chance at this life (Heb 9.27) and my role is to do it the very best I can and to help others. I use the same measure on them as I do for myself and this is right - for it's part of my job as a family member.
We watch out for and correct each other in love - don't we?
Monday, 22 April 2013
Becoming a 'Vicar' - Crashed and burned at Selection Conference
I find myself having many conversations with people who tell me how they 'failed' or 'weren't selected' for ministry training in the Church of England. Stipendiary, Self-Supporting (SSM, the ministry formerly known as NSM) or Ordained Local Ministry (OLM) - they've been off and spent some time with assessors who have discerned that 'ordained ministry' is the calling presenting in the person before them (or at least not yet it isn't).
The problem is that what many hear is that, to use the words of one, 'Weren't wanted,' and this is not what selection does, says, or is. What it should be is an aid to help the person presenting themselves discern where they fit - after all, a square peg might well fit into a round hole but it takes lots of hitting with a hammer and damages the peg and the place you're trying to fit it. Better still to see and hear who they are and guide them gently into the right shaped receptacle for them. Less filing, banging, friction and pain all round.
So when someone I converse with on a fairly regular basis wrote, 'I offered for SSM and my offer was declined for perfectly good reasons. However, the report recommended me 'For Ministry in the Church of England' but with no caveat of which type of ministry?' I struggle a little!
I can understand the selectors writing, 'Not this one!' But when the response carries with it the additional words, 'But recommended for 'Ministry in the Church of England', ' I am a little at loss.
There are so many avenues for offering oneself as a worker in the Church of England, there are:
Ordained: Stipendiary Priests and Deacons (paid), Self-Supporting Ministers (unpaid Priests and Deacons), Ordained Local Ministers , Ordained Pioneer Ministers.
Lay: Mission-Shaped Ministry, Pastoral Care Ministry, Pioneer Ministers, Prayer Ministers, Spiritual Growth Ministry, Readerships, Worship Leading and Youth Ministry (to name but a few).
Other: There are so many opportunities to offer ourselves for roles at church (and other levels) and these are as numerous and diverse and the numbers of churches, ministries and people that we have. The key is to look, feel the match and put oneself forward.
The issue with my friend quoted here is that there appears to be neither parish or diocesan level support for them and their quest to be used and useful in the right place.
They say that they feel a call to, 'Proclaim the Gospel in a public-facing ministry role,' and this can be done in a number of areas, not just ordained, but lay and not just pulpit-based but on the streets in evangelistic settings, teaching (sermons are not the only place for this) - but without support and prayerful guidance, discernment and care, we leave those 'feeling called' confused and, as time passes, impotent, frustrated and perhaps bitter too!
The warning to the Church of England is that I meet too many who echo the words of the person thus far quoted:
'Perhaps I just need to pack it all in and sit in the pews like the rest and be 'done to', or go somewhere else. Unfortunately, the call persists'
They say that cuts have removed Lay Training from the menu for 2013 - 14 (which is pathetic and destined to diminish the numbers coming forward for training and finish off those like our writer) and that there is no one outside of parish clergy - who should be the first port of call and then be supported a diocesan level - to engage with or find succour and guidance.
Shameful, sad, frustrating and unbelievable.
We need to support and encourage those who feel they have a calling - it's what we do:
Equip - Train - Release - Celebrate
The problem is that what many hear is that, to use the words of one, 'Weren't wanted,' and this is not what selection does, says, or is. What it should be is an aid to help the person presenting themselves discern where they fit - after all, a square peg might well fit into a round hole but it takes lots of hitting with a hammer and damages the peg and the place you're trying to fit it. Better still to see and hear who they are and guide them gently into the right shaped receptacle for them. Less filing, banging, friction and pain all round.
So when someone I converse with on a fairly regular basis wrote, 'I offered for SSM and my offer was declined for perfectly good reasons. However, the report recommended me 'For Ministry in the Church of England' but with no caveat of which type of ministry?' I struggle a little!
I can understand the selectors writing, 'Not this one!' But when the response carries with it the additional words, 'But recommended for 'Ministry in the Church of England', ' I am a little at loss.
There are so many avenues for offering oneself as a worker in the Church of England, there are:
Ordained: Stipendiary Priests and Deacons (paid), Self-Supporting Ministers (unpaid Priests and Deacons), Ordained Local Ministers , Ordained Pioneer Ministers.
Lay: Mission-Shaped Ministry, Pastoral Care Ministry, Pioneer Ministers, Prayer Ministers, Spiritual Growth Ministry, Readerships, Worship Leading and Youth Ministry (to name but a few).
Other: There are so many opportunities to offer ourselves for roles at church (and other levels) and these are as numerous and diverse and the numbers of churches, ministries and people that we have. The key is to look, feel the match and put oneself forward.
The issue with my friend quoted here is that there appears to be neither parish or diocesan level support for them and their quest to be used and useful in the right place.
They say that they feel a call to, 'Proclaim the Gospel in a public-facing ministry role,' and this can be done in a number of areas, not just ordained, but lay and not just pulpit-based but on the streets in evangelistic settings, teaching (sermons are not the only place for this) - but without support and prayerful guidance, discernment and care, we leave those 'feeling called' confused and, as time passes, impotent, frustrated and perhaps bitter too!
The warning to the Church of England is that I meet too many who echo the words of the person thus far quoted:
'Perhaps I just need to pack it all in and sit in the pews like the rest and be 'done to', or go somewhere else. Unfortunately, the call persists'
They say that cuts have removed Lay Training from the menu for 2013 - 14 (which is pathetic and destined to diminish the numbers coming forward for training and finish off those like our writer) and that there is no one outside of parish clergy - who should be the first port of call and then be supported a diocesan level - to engage with or find succour and guidance.
Shameful, sad, frustrating and unbelievable.
We need to support and encourage those who feel they have a calling - it's what we do:
Equip - Train - Release - Celebrate
Saturday, 23 June 2012
Volunteers - Recruit and RETAIN
As I have been thinking about volunteers I have come to the conclusion that whilst training is a moderately neutral element the real struggles come in the form of the high inertial load in getting people to volunteer and the working against those factors which would cause things to stop that we call retention.
One of the best ways to get volunteers is to get converts because as people come to faith it is relatively easy to harness that zeal and new found passion and make volunteering part of the discipleship package. The problems come when you try to get some of the church members who have been part of the congregation for some time to get themselves moving What one invariably finds is that they are stuck where they are or simply refuse to budge because "they've tried it before'. These people need a good push (a squib up the backside as my dear old Dad used to say).
The real issue therefore, especially if the 'done it all before' camp is to be believed, is that of retention. Keeping volunteers both doing and remaining when they stop doing (which I think is called 'being'. It's retention that I want to think about today:
The issues as I understand them are this:
1. The job gets boring - there needs to be some degree of challenge and development in the things we get volunteers to do,
2a. The organisation needs to be smooth (too many volunteers) - Many of those I meet who 'used to volunteer' ceased to do so because they turned up to find someone else doing the task they thought they were coming to do.
2b. The organisation needs to be smooth (too few volunteers) - Others who did volunteer find themselves 'attacked' because no one was on the rota and they get the flak for not having been present (when they weren't supposed too be!). Let volunteers experience stress and criticism too often and you'll lose them (and the people they fought with!).
3. Approbation - A bit of applause, recognitions, flowers, chocolates, a meal (or whatever) says that what the person does is valued (and so are they). Work without the volunteers receiving a bit of recognition and you'll be working without volunteers (just after the tough and unnoticed event they did)!
4. The 'lone volunteer' syndrome - Leave the job to one person and you can be sure that they will (usually) come to resent it and yet (often) will ensure that they maintain the status quo so that they are both Mary and Martha rolled into one! They make the job their won and ensure that it stays that way.
5. Progression - with some jobs what it is is what it is whilst others lead on to greater (perceived) things. The lack of progression, when it is expected, promised or has been the custom, leaves people feeling that they are not valued or up to the task. Either way, the potential for the volunteer ceasing is great - look at what the role is and where the last few people that were doing it have gone (and why they went too). The other side of this coin is the 'dead end' role. The singe task that leads nowhere and so results in someone being the magazine distributor for twenty years (I've met him) - a job they do with a deep lack of joy and eventual total disinterest.
Over the course of many years I have met volunteers who have served their body well and then folded because they didn't get (often promised) progression, recognition or support. Far too often they found themselves locked into mundane or boring roles and there was just no joy or fun in what they did. Worse still, most people let this continue because they didn't want to get lumbered with the job (and clergy are often very bad in this area).
So if you have volunteers you need to work to keep them. We might not have to do what they do but
we can still come alongside and say 'Thank You' and offer them some form of reward and recognition (and even think about helping the role change or them move to keep them fresh and enjoying it).
The workman is indeed worthy of something and if it's not money then it's respect, recognition and thanks!
HTH
One of the best ways to get volunteers is to get converts because as people come to faith it is relatively easy to harness that zeal and new found passion and make volunteering part of the discipleship package. The problems come when you try to get some of the church members who have been part of the congregation for some time to get themselves moving What one invariably finds is that they are stuck where they are or simply refuse to budge because "they've tried it before'. These people need a good push (a squib up the backside as my dear old Dad used to say).
The real issue therefore, especially if the 'done it all before' camp is to be believed, is that of retention. Keeping volunteers both doing and remaining when they stop doing (which I think is called 'being'. It's retention that I want to think about today:
The issues as I understand them are this:
1. The job gets boring - there needs to be some degree of challenge and development in the things we get volunteers to do,
2a. The organisation needs to be smooth (too many volunteers) - Many of those I meet who 'used to volunteer' ceased to do so because they turned up to find someone else doing the task they thought they were coming to do.
2b. The organisation needs to be smooth (too few volunteers) - Others who did volunteer find themselves 'attacked' because no one was on the rota and they get the flak for not having been present (when they weren't supposed too be!). Let volunteers experience stress and criticism too often and you'll lose them (and the people they fought with!).
3. Approbation - A bit of applause, recognitions, flowers, chocolates, a meal (or whatever) says that what the person does is valued (and so are they). Work without the volunteers receiving a bit of recognition and you'll be working without volunteers (just after the tough and unnoticed event they did)!
4. The 'lone volunteer' syndrome - Leave the job to one person and you can be sure that they will (usually) come to resent it and yet (often) will ensure that they maintain the status quo so that they are both Mary and Martha rolled into one! They make the job their won and ensure that it stays that way.
5. Progression - with some jobs what it is is what it is whilst others lead on to greater (perceived) things. The lack of progression, when it is expected, promised or has been the custom, leaves people feeling that they are not valued or up to the task. Either way, the potential for the volunteer ceasing is great - look at what the role is and where the last few people that were doing it have gone (and why they went too). The other side of this coin is the 'dead end' role. The singe task that leads nowhere and so results in someone being the magazine distributor for twenty years (I've met him) - a job they do with a deep lack of joy and eventual total disinterest.
Over the course of many years I have met volunteers who have served their body well and then folded because they didn't get (often promised) progression, recognition or support. Far too often they found themselves locked into mundane or boring roles and there was just no joy or fun in what they did. Worse still, most people let this continue because they didn't want to get lumbered with the job (and clergy are often very bad in this area).
So if you have volunteers you need to work to keep them. We might not have to do what they do but
we can still come alongside and say 'Thank You' and offer them some form of reward and recognition (and even think about helping the role change or them move to keep them fresh and enjoying it).
The workman is indeed worthy of something and if it's not money then it's respect, recognition and thanks!
HTH
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