Getting watched

I led the whole service at Eagleside on Sunday. This is the second time I have done so there, but this time I was really being watched. There was the speech trainer from 121, spotthegerbil and my Mum. Most people thought I'd be especially worried about the speech trainer. Nah, much more pressure Mum being there.

But anyway, this is my professional reflection on the service, so lets concentrate on that.

My theme was a combination of  the ordinary made extraordinary and everyone having a calling. Generally, even I couldn't believe how well it went. I'm not perfect - far from it and still have so much to learn - but I'm definitely improving. And that's good. I'm training to learn my style, find my feet and improve - if none of that happens, then I am doing something very wrong and would not be engaging with the process. I've also now listened to the service, which is a useful and disturbing thing! I probably pick up on much more than even the most critical ear would from listening to myself!

I engaged well with the children and, taking on board criticism I've had for my last service, tried to extend the teaching point more. I hope I got the balance right there, but I don't want to tell them so much that there's nothing for the Young Church to tell them. I also feel I dealt well with the children who were going away with the talk (and some of their insight was brilliant - out of the mouths of babes). It's good to know they are starting to feel comfortable with me, as I am with them.

My prayers were well delivered, but the speech trainer thought I had strange pauses. Not convinced I agree with him and, as the delivery is similar to that I have used before at Eagleside which was encouraged and affirmed, I might just agree to disagree on that point.

During the sermon, I generally had a good range of tone and pace, but not too much that people would loose me. I did have a couple of asides which, to be honest, were more me thinking out loud and may not have been picked up very well. Need to be very aware of that and try to engage brain with mouth, which can be easier said than done sometimes! Some of my intensional asides didn't get a flicker of recongition from most of the congregation, but then I do have a very particular sense of humour. They are used to humour in the service, but mine is much more dry than my supervisors. Won't be so bad once I've built up a relationship with a congregation.

I tend to have notes as a comfort and, especially on Sunday, I didn't refer to them too much. I still need practice at this as there was a point where I might have sounded like I got myself in a fankle, but took a deep breath, sip of water, glanced at my notes and moved on. At  least having full notes for the prayers and sermon (yet not for the children's address - maybe there's something in that?) allows for that. It also gives my timings, as I know roughly how long I am going to talk.

Due to nerves, there were a couple of words I stumbled over. Funnily, I picked out different ones from the speech trainer. Generally, though, I was very clear with good diction.

The service did come together as a running theme, I feel. That is something I think it so important. As I've said many a time before, there's nothing worse than the children's address haveing nothing to do with the rest of the service. In those cases, I've tended to think it's like patting the children on the head before we get on with the real service!

All the hymns were quite long, which I hadn't really thought about when I chose them. May be worth keeping that in mind for future. That said, a member of the choir did thank me for choosing "such lovely hymns" fo them to sing. Glad to be of service!

Oh, and getting back to the sermon. I really couldn't believe what was going on. There I was, all passionate and animated at some points. Where did that come from? I remember thinking at the time. Of course, it's the holy spirit, but good grief, I never knew I had it in me! No, I didn't thump the pulpit! I'm not that way inclined!

So, overall, it went well. Still things to work on and be aware of. But I need those things so I never, ever get complacent.

And a closing word from a member of the congregation. "Sometimes I forget this is just the start of your training. You're very good. We're had probationers here who haven't been as good as that". Wow, looks like I have a gift. A wonderful gift from God. I pray I use it well.

Let them help

Anyone who's regularly read this blog (which I an always amazed that others do actually want to read my random opinions on a range of matters and my struggle and joy with this call God has given me, but I digress) will know I have a bit of a thing for social justice.

Now, I'm not talking about letting people away with not contributing to society - far from it - I am a great believer in helping people give what they can not what the society thinks it needs. Take church as an example. There's often voluntary vacancy comes up (and it's usually voluntary, that's the nature of the beast) for someone to take over doing a job that someone has done for ages. The people looking to fill that vacancy expect the new post holder to do exactly what the other person could do. Someone comes forward who can give something, but it's no as much or a different thing from what has come before. Sometimes, here's little room for compromise or looking at what the person coming forward has to give, even if is not perfect.The person rejected and their gift left unwrapped. They my even be put off attempting to step up to the plate again, all because people just see want the don't have to give, rather than don't.

Now, quite how I'd tackle this in "real" ministry,. I don't fully know. I'd hope I'd always find  way to use people who want to help, in whatever way. I hope I'd find a way to use their skills and encourage others to do likewise. Through that, I'd hope to give those who think they may not have anything to give the opportunity to see they have so much they can give and more. So, they feel valued and important and that they are contributing to society, in their own small way,

An American Doctor

When you get a group of geeks talking, the conversation will get onto their fantasy scenario regarding a sci-fi series or film. In the pub last night, we started imagining who would play the "quintessentially English Doctor", if it started from the beginning as an American series.

Coming up with male actors wasn't too hard (I know, I here you cry, but the Doctor is often played by a relative unknown, but this was our game and our rules!). Thinking of female actors was a much harder. This is the list friend Chris forwarded me. It's pretty much what we discussed:

Doctors
-------
John Lithgow - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001475/ As 2
Kevin Spacey - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000228/ As 9
Jonathon Frakes - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000408/ As 3
Dean Stockwell - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001777/ As 1

Chris Evans - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0262635/ as 5
Jim Parsons - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1433588/ as 11
Edward James Olmos - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001579/
Joe Pesci - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000582/ as 7
Christoph Waltz - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0910607/
John Cusack - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000131/

Non Actor Tom Merrit - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Merritt

Assistants
----------
Kim Pine - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0683467/
Allison Mack - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0532928/
Jewel Staite - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0821612/
Cote De Pablo - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1580243/
Pauley Perrette - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005306/
Sara Gilbert - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004960/
Joan Cusack - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000349/
Charlize Theron - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000234/  - who I think would make a brill baddy too!

Non actor Molly Wood - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molly_Wood


Other Enemy
-----------
Dean Stockwell - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001777  - I thought he'd make a great Master, having seen him in the new Battlestar Galactica, where he plays the most menicing of the Cylons!
Philip Seymour Hoffman - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000450/

Other Friend
------------
Bruce Boxleitner - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000310/

Unfortunately, most of our suggestions are sci-fi actors already (nothing like type-casting!), especially with the women.  


I'd also suggest James Stewart as a Doctor, Humphrey Bogart as The Master or The Doctor and Katharine Hepburn and Mary McDonnell as assistants.


Well, the way The Doctor is going of late, maybe a US reboot is needed (oh, I never thought I'd say that!)...Feels like the 80s all over again.

By the door

After I've lead worship, I will wait by the door of the church and greet people as the leave (that doesn't make sense, but you get the idea). I do this because that seems to be expected of me.

But why? Why do ministers wait by the front door of the church as the congregation leaves? Where does that tradition come from and what purpose does it serve?

Perhaps it's an opportunity for members of the congregation to give feedback, but most feedback I've received has been over tea after the service or at other functions. Yes, there has been a little at the door, but people feel under pressure not to "hold up the line", so comments are very brief, usually.

Waiting by the door feels a little self-serving for my liking. Yes, I want to lead worship well and hope and pray that enables people to get closer to God, but I don't want people to feel they have to praise me, however subtlety, while they leave.

When I have an opportunity to be a member of a congregation, I personally find it awkward when I have to leave by the door the minister is waiting at, as I feel I have to think of something to say and, often as not, just say good morning (or, as I am a bit anal, good afternoon). It's not very useful for either party, but few people (myself included) want to be critical, generally. If I feel awkward about it, I think I am not the only one.

So, do I have to do this. What are the benefits to the congregation, not me, the congregation? If they'd rather just leave without having to shake hands with the minister (or me), why don't we just let them? Or it there something really, really important I am missing?

Shut down

In support of the Wilkipedia/SOPA protest, this blog will be closed for 24 hours.