As Christians, we are called to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds, look after the poor, orphaned and widowed (whether physically or spiritually) and to tell others of the good news of Jesus Christ.
So churches set up soup kitchens and youth clubs and playgroups etc, etc. All of these show the church in action, the church serving the needs of the community. Hopefully, this type of service comes with no strings attached. After all, Jesus healed and talked with people first, then told them to sin no more and follow him, not the other way around.
But in that outreach, it is all too easy for the church just to be another type of community service and could be seen as no different from the local village hall committee putting on these services. For me, while people should not be 'bible bashed', there has to be an understanding that those helping with the outreach are Christians and the service comes from Jesus through his church.
Having been involved in a couple of outreach programs through placements and my home church, the fact the service was coming from the church and all those serving were Christians did change people's perceptions of the service and, in some cases, the church. As those being served got to know the servers some deep theological concerns were aired, all due to people knowing we were all Christians. It's not to say we had the answers, far from it, but the people we were serving saw something in us and wanted to know more.
This is something I am wondering about for this placement. Their outreach program looks great and is really serving the community, but I wonder how it can be mission too, in a non-threatening and loving way. And I know it is something Highland Cathedral is wondering about too.
So, what is others' experience or thoughts? I have my own ideas, but want to have a rounded picture and more ideas my own theological reflection on this matter.
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Funeral Prayers
Next week I will be involved in leading part of a funeral. It will not be the whole service - just a prayer and possibly a reading - but it is necessary I begin to gain experience in leading funerals.
I have drafted a couple of prayers of approach, based on, but heavily adapted from, the Book of Common Order. Partly for the occasion, but also to begin to have a pallet of prayers I can use in a variety of circumstances. So far, I have drafted one for a funeral of a church member and one for a parish funeral (for want of a better phrase). But I did think, why did I feel the need to make them different? On one hand I am aware there will be funerals I will take purely because the deceased lived in the parish and there is no connection at all with the church. On the other hand, I believe Jesus Christ came to the world for everyone, irrespective of their personal beliefs, background etc. So, am I making the wrong decision having different prayers?
Then, there's the subject of language. Should I use inclusive language such as us and our, rather than you and yours? Though the funeral is an act of worship, I see my role as much one of supporting the bereaved as leading the act of worship. Could including myself be seen as inappropriate by the mourners?
At the end of the day, when I will lead a funeral service I am acting as a representative of the church. In doing so, I am showing the church care for the mourners and, in turn, that God cares for them. If I can do that in the prayers I have drafted and how I lead them, I hope I will have done that.
I have drafted a couple of prayers of approach, based on, but heavily adapted from, the Book of Common Order. Partly for the occasion, but also to begin to have a pallet of prayers I can use in a variety of circumstances. So far, I have drafted one for a funeral of a church member and one for a parish funeral (for want of a better phrase). But I did think, why did I feel the need to make them different? On one hand I am aware there will be funerals I will take purely because the deceased lived in the parish and there is no connection at all with the church. On the other hand, I believe Jesus Christ came to the world for everyone, irrespective of their personal beliefs, background etc. So, am I making the wrong decision having different prayers?
Then, there's the subject of language. Should I use inclusive language such as us and our, rather than you and yours? Though the funeral is an act of worship, I see my role as much one of supporting the bereaved as leading the act of worship. Could including myself be seen as inappropriate by the mourners?
At the end of the day, when I will lead a funeral service I am acting as a representative of the church. In doing so, I am showing the church care for the mourners and, in turn, that God cares for them. If I can do that in the prayers I have drafted and how I lead them, I hope I will have done that.
Too good to be true?
Feedback from many people at Highland Cathedral, including my supervisor, is very positive. And I shouldn't be complaining. Even the 'negatives' aren't really - they are more the kind of encouragement and advice I need for my stage in training and level of experience.
It's great to have people responding to me so well. I have been given a project to manage and it has been commented I seem to be good at encouraging and ethusing others. Wow - there's a gift I didn't know I have and I know it will be very useful in the future. Being pro-active has also been commented on in a positive way - again, I know that it something I will need to be in ministry as, once I am 'let loose' there will not be anyone to tell me what and when to do things. For me, being pro-active is partly to get the most out of this placement, but also to allow me to manage my time well.
Though this is all good and I can even acknowledge this in myself, I can't help but wonder if it's too good to be true. If it's all going to blow up in my face. But that's possibly a reflection on how thing went at my last placement. Also, my need to strive for the best means, I hope, I will never become complacent about anything I am doing in ministry, as it is all important. Yes, with experience some things will be less daunting and I will be more confident doing them, but I hope and pray I never take what I and others do for granted, as then would probably be the time I would need to move on.
It's great to have people responding to me so well. I have been given a project to manage and it has been commented I seem to be good at encouraging and ethusing others. Wow - there's a gift I didn't know I have and I know it will be very useful in the future. Being pro-active has also been commented on in a positive way - again, I know that it something I will need to be in ministry as, once I am 'let loose' there will not be anyone to tell me what and when to do things. For me, being pro-active is partly to get the most out of this placement, but also to allow me to manage my time well.
Though this is all good and I can even acknowledge this in myself, I can't help but wonder if it's too good to be true. If it's all going to blow up in my face. But that's possibly a reflection on how thing went at my last placement. Also, my need to strive for the best means, I hope, I will never become complacent about anything I am doing in ministry, as it is all important. Yes, with experience some things will be less daunting and I will be more confident doing them, but I hope and pray I never take what I and others do for granted, as then would probably be the time I would need to move on.
Monday, 2 July 2012
All's well.
I'm really lucky here at Highland Cathedral. Though it's challenging me, it's going with who I am, rather than against as my last placement did in many ways. To begin with I thought it was a bad thing feeling at home and seemingly fitting in really well, but now I realise that it is not. After all, when I enter a charge I don't want to be constantly on my guard and feeling like a square peg in a round hole.
The good friends I am staying with have and continue to be fantastic. I just never fail to be amazed at how lucky I am here. I am so glad I took the risk to be away from home for the summer to get an experience which I could never had obtained had I stayed at home. I really love it here to the point where spot and I have discussed whether or not I would consider a charge in the area around Highland Cathedral, Lets just say, I haven't ruled it out.
My supervisor is really good too. Such a contrast with my last one, though I did learn a lot there. I know I just get on with my current one in a way I didn't with my last one - which isn't a failing on either part, just human nature that there are people individuals click with over others.
I've even already built up really good relationships with the congregation - who are so helpful, supportive and encouraging. And they also understand they only need to remember 1 name and face, but there's hundreds of them! Some other congregations don't get that!
So I thank God for bringing me to this place. I am learning a lot and gaining in confidence and assurance in my abilities. I am where I need to be in this place and time, which is very cool.
The good friends I am staying with have and continue to be fantastic. I just never fail to be amazed at how lucky I am here. I am so glad I took the risk to be away from home for the summer to get an experience which I could never had obtained had I stayed at home. I really love it here to the point where spot and I have discussed whether or not I would consider a charge in the area around Highland Cathedral, Lets just say, I haven't ruled it out.
My supervisor is really good too. Such a contrast with my last one, though I did learn a lot there. I know I just get on with my current one in a way I didn't with my last one - which isn't a failing on either part, just human nature that there are people individuals click with over others.
I've even already built up really good relationships with the congregation - who are so helpful, supportive and encouraging. And they also understand they only need to remember 1 name and face, but there's hundreds of them! Some other congregations don't get that!
So I thank God for bringing me to this place. I am learning a lot and gaining in confidence and assurance in my abilities. I am where I need to be in this place and time, which is very cool.
Sunday, 1 July 2012
Carberry Conference
Last week I was at a candidates' conference. It was a pain to have to split my placement to go and, as I didn't really enjoy my first one, I was quite apprehensive about it. I very much saw it as a chore and something to be endured this time last week. And I couldn't help but think the time table looked quite boring!
Well, maybe I'm more relaxed about who I am (this is true); maybe there was a different dynamic with the change in location and attendees; maybe now knowing some of my peers through ministries training network, uni and other conferences has made me more comfortable in and with the group. Whatever it was, I came away having generally enjoyed it (except for the food - but that's a minor detail and possibly what brought the group as a whole together!). I got to see those of my peers I hadn't since August, share time, fellowship, stories, fun and laughter with them. And most of the sessions were good too (though not all...the team building sessions were, well, not really that helpful).
I'm now looking forward to the August conference. Meeting up with those I know again and getting to know the new candidates, whatever ministry they are training for. It's a shame we all can't keep in touch more (okay, so that's more me keeping in touch with them as most are on Facebook) and share time with each other more frequently. I realised that though I publish some of my thoughts here, I prefer catching up with people face-to-face. Wonder how that could be done easier to benefit all the candidates - a massive Skype conversation perhaps!
I do know the relationships I build up in these conferences will help sustain me in ministry and I need to work at them. I must admit it is something I'm bad at. Maybe I could join twitter and use that to keep in touch with my peers...but then I suspect I may (yet again) be in the minority on that call.
Well, maybe I'm more relaxed about who I am (this is true); maybe there was a different dynamic with the change in location and attendees; maybe now knowing some of my peers through ministries training network, uni and other conferences has made me more comfortable in and with the group. Whatever it was, I came away having generally enjoyed it (except for the food - but that's a minor detail and possibly what brought the group as a whole together!). I got to see those of my peers I hadn't since August, share time, fellowship, stories, fun and laughter with them. And most of the sessions were good too (though not all...the team building sessions were, well, not really that helpful).
I'm now looking forward to the August conference. Meeting up with those I know again and getting to know the new candidates, whatever ministry they are training for. It's a shame we all can't keep in touch more (okay, so that's more me keeping in touch with them as most are on Facebook) and share time with each other more frequently. I realised that though I publish some of my thoughts here, I prefer catching up with people face-to-face. Wonder how that could be done easier to benefit all the candidates - a massive Skype conversation perhaps!
I do know the relationships I build up in these conferences will help sustain me in ministry and I need to work at them. I must admit it is something I'm bad at. Maybe I could join twitter and use that to keep in touch with my peers...but then I suspect I may (yet again) be in the minority on that call.
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