One of the things the speech trainer mentioned in his report that I need to work on is pronouncing biblical names. This was not from what he'd heard, but what he'd managed to get 'negative' from the congregation at Caledonia Kirk (he even told me it was only when pressed he'd got this, so that's why he'd buried it towards the end of the report). So, I'll admit it's something I lack practise at and that I will get better with some.
So, the question is, apart from the well known names, does anyone really care? This isn't me being arrogant or unwilling to learn or rejecting I have erred, but looking at the big picture. Advise I have been given in the past has been to "say it with confidence and consistency", which is pretty much what I do. My supervisor recommended I look on youtube for pronunciation, but that wouldn't give me a chance to practise.
I know this is important to some people. I also know a congregation will get to know me and I them - we can even learn together. Which make me think of a church where I have preached a few times.
One of the best readers there is dyslexic, so she pretty much memorises the reading. I recall one Sunday them asking how someone's name was pronounced. Knowing how much effort it takes for them to do what they do (and how much they add to the worship, due to their gift of reading the bible so well) I told them to say it however they felt comfortable with and where I referred to it in the sermon, I would say it as they did. And it worked - no one noticed because we were consistent.
But I suppose I have to have something to work on. And it's not a big thing, I just hope it doesn't grow arms and legs, so I feel bothered about pronouncing names and get more and more in a fanckle about it.
Thursday, 31 January 2013
Tuesday, 29 January 2013
To a degree
The provisional results for my honours classes (aka, the ones which count towards my degree classification) are out. There in line with what I was expecting, which is good. They won't be confirmed till after they have been externally verified, come June time, though I don't see them changing too much.
I definitely seem to be doing better than this time last time round. Maybe I'm older (and wiser?); maybe I've more accumulated knowledge, which sort of helps; maybe it's I'm working hard. Or maybe it's a combination of all three. Must admit, in the scheme of things I don't see my specific results as that important, more what I'm learning.
I'm learning how to examine details, draw opinions, present a case and develop an argument. I'm getting exposed to a range of theologies, giving me the tools to engage and explain things to others in a way I couldn't otherwise.
And occasionally I find ways of discussing beer in an academic context...how dock porters drunk a lot as the only way to get enough calories down their neck quickly and cheaply. Who'd have thought that knowledge would be useful in a divinity degree???
When it comes to the degree I'm honestly not too bothered what classification I get. It was a Desmond last time round (a 2:2), so that would be fine. I don't think a degree classification would (not should) define me as a minister, but who I am and how I use the education I have been given. After all, some of the brainiest people I know have few social skills or empathy.
I suppose what I am trying to say is this is all part of the package. There's a symbiosis between the practical and the academic training. And that should last all the way through my ministry, though very much grounded in what I do during these degree years. They'll make a theologian of me yet!!!
I definitely seem to be doing better than this time last time round. Maybe I'm older (and wiser?); maybe I've more accumulated knowledge, which sort of helps; maybe it's I'm working hard. Or maybe it's a combination of all three. Must admit, in the scheme of things I don't see my specific results as that important, more what I'm learning.
I'm learning how to examine details, draw opinions, present a case and develop an argument. I'm getting exposed to a range of theologies, giving me the tools to engage and explain things to others in a way I couldn't otherwise.
And occasionally I find ways of discussing beer in an academic context...how dock porters drunk a lot as the only way to get enough calories down their neck quickly and cheaply. Who'd have thought that knowledge would be useful in a divinity degree???
When it comes to the degree I'm honestly not too bothered what classification I get. It was a Desmond last time round (a 2:2), so that would be fine. I don't think a degree classification would (not should) define me as a minister, but who I am and how I use the education I have been given. After all, some of the brainiest people I know have few social skills or empathy.
I suppose what I am trying to say is this is all part of the package. There's a symbiosis between the practical and the academic training. And that should last all the way through my ministry, though very much grounded in what I do during these degree years. They'll make a theologian of me yet!!!
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Change, without boiling the frog
Over a few placements, and in other contexts, I have witnessed, thought and and been involved in the implementation of change. (In the latter case, it has been small, bit small can be significant).
I know change is inevitable in life, universe and everything. I think how I couldn't dream of not having a phone that wasn't also a pedometer, internet browser, email client, book etc, etc. But with it, I have 'outsourced' my memory, as I no longer need to remember phone numbers.
I used to watch VHS (no, I never had beta max, though do remember it), then DVDs, now a mix of DVDs and blue rays. Pretty soon most of the films I watch may be via video streaming.
I've given up work to study, which is a huge change, but great privilege (especially as someone else is paying the bills!).
Yet I know change has to be managed well. Let people know why it needs to happen; get them on board and take them with you, rather than imposing it. That said, I do know there are times where it might just be me poking my head above the parapet and praying it's the right course of action.
I also can see how change could be done in a sort of drip, drip, drip fashion. A little bit here, a subtle flip there, a move over there. Before they knew it, where things had started and where they'd got to were totally different. So long as people didn't get totally boiled, like frogs...
I know change is inevitable in life, universe and everything. I think how I couldn't dream of not having a phone that wasn't also a pedometer, internet browser, email client, book etc, etc. But with it, I have 'outsourced' my memory, as I no longer need to remember phone numbers.
I used to watch VHS (no, I never had beta max, though do remember it), then DVDs, now a mix of DVDs and blue rays. Pretty soon most of the films I watch may be via video streaming.
I've given up work to study, which is a huge change, but great privilege (especially as someone else is paying the bills!).
Yet I know change has to be managed well. Let people know why it needs to happen; get them on board and take them with you, rather than imposing it. That said, I do know there are times where it might just be me poking my head above the parapet and praying it's the right course of action.
I also can see how change could be done in a sort of drip, drip, drip fashion. A little bit here, a subtle flip there, a move over there. Before they knew it, where things had started and where they'd got to were totally different. So long as people didn't get totally boiled, like frogs...
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Thinking or Doing? Or Both?
Spot and I were having a discussion the other day about 19th century social reformers (yeah, it's just amazing the conversations we have). This was triggered by a lecture I'd had earlier that day. One reformer taught and wrote. He didn't really go and do anything, but his ideas, theologies and arguments got others engaged with the ideas and ideals of social reform. Through his work, changes were made in people's (especially clergys') mind set about poverty and disease and the church's role to assist and help elevate them. The other person did stuff. He used his influence in parliament to enact legislation to reduce working hours, do away with child labour, tackle disease and ensure clean water and sanitation for all.
Who did the better job? Spot thought the latter, because they did something. I didn't agree. I think sometimes society needs the thinkers to enable the doers. The former certainly didn't have the same privileged position and influence the latter had, so they may not have been able to do much. Their gift was thinking and writing, which influenced (and may well still influence) how churches think about their role in society and God's kingdom. But I had to acknowledge the latter did do a lot.
Which sort of makes me think of my future role as a minister. While I am called to 'do' ministry, much of what I do will involve words of prayer, of encouragement, of berating, even. I am called to lead and to serve, but I neither can nor should 'do it all'. I can, however use my words to encourage and influence others who can and should.
The whole things got me thinking. We need doers and thinkers in the church. They don't need to be mutually exclusive and people don't have to stay in the same roles all the time. But I think when we're busy doing all the time, there's no time for thinking, no time to consider why we do, what the purpose of the doing is or, if that we're doing is the best way of achieving what we're aiming for. Taking time to think or allowing others to think, because they are removed from the situation, can inform our doing.
Though, all of this is only possible when we are in God and spend time with him. For, if we're constantly thinking and/or doing are we following God or distracting ourselves from the possibility that what we're doing or thinking is not God's path for us?
It's funny, when I began to write this, I didn't expect to get here. I'm not entirely sure if this really makes sense, so apologies. I think I may have a fair bit of reflecting on this to do...
Who did the better job? Spot thought the latter, because they did something. I didn't agree. I think sometimes society needs the thinkers to enable the doers. The former certainly didn't have the same privileged position and influence the latter had, so they may not have been able to do much. Their gift was thinking and writing, which influenced (and may well still influence) how churches think about their role in society and God's kingdom. But I had to acknowledge the latter did do a lot.
Which sort of makes me think of my future role as a minister. While I am called to 'do' ministry, much of what I do will involve words of prayer, of encouragement, of berating, even. I am called to lead and to serve, but I neither can nor should 'do it all'. I can, however use my words to encourage and influence others who can and should.
The whole things got me thinking. We need doers and thinkers in the church. They don't need to be mutually exclusive and people don't have to stay in the same roles all the time. But I think when we're busy doing all the time, there's no time for thinking, no time to consider why we do, what the purpose of the doing is or, if that we're doing is the best way of achieving what we're aiming for. Taking time to think or allowing others to think, because they are removed from the situation, can inform our doing.
Though, all of this is only possible when we are in God and spend time with him. For, if we're constantly thinking and/or doing are we following God or distracting ourselves from the possibility that what we're doing or thinking is not God's path for us?
It's funny, when I began to write this, I didn't expect to get here. I'm not entirely sure if this really makes sense, so apologies. I think I may have a fair bit of reflecting on this to do...
Monday, 21 January 2013
Getting assessed
Yesterday, I took as much of the service as I could at Caledonia Kirk. This was as I was being assessed by the speech trainer from ministries council. As no one really does much more than one part of the service, a couple of people did mention they wondered why I was doing so much (I did the opening prayer, children's talk and sermon).
Though I was nervous, I was also strangely relaxed about this. It was the third time I've preached at Caledonia, but first time I've done a children's talk there. And it's the second time I've been assessed by the speech trainer, who's lovely and really wants to help and encourage all the candidates.
A couple of things helped with the sense of 'comfort' (sorry, I can't think of a better word. Acceptance that I have this gift, but with the humility and knowledge I am doing it in God's strength, not mine, with the prayers others leading worship offered on my behalf before the service (and throughout the week for some). Though I do not come from a church culture where others would be told so often they are being prayed for (more likely, they'd be told they were thinking of them), I do appreciate them. Its touching and humbling that in all these people have going on in their lives, they have the time and thoughtfulness to pray for me - me a mere student who's only been there for 3 months!
Over all, I felt my contribution to the service went really well. I have definitely grown in confidence and competence since the speech trainer saw me this time last year. That is down to experience, though I know the academic study does help a lot, as I have more tools and materials to work from. Practise and study go hand in hand, that's for sure.
I did slightly stumble in the opening prayer and I'm not entirely sure why. But I recovered and the speech trainer, though noting it, didn't see it as an issue and did mention most would not have noticed. The other aspects flowed, which was heartening. I even got a good bit of interaction with the children, which was a relief, given it was the first one (no pressure, when being assessed). I thought I engaged the congregation as well as the children, and the speech trainer waxed lyrical about my interaction with them and the congregation, so it's good to know my reflections match the reality!
The sermon went surprisingly well. I had the difficult job (my choice) of talking about kingdom and covenant in the Lord's prayer. I thought I was using my notes for an acceptable bit of it, but knew them well enough that I wasn't reading them and was able to engage with the congregation. I also felt I had a good pace, volume, story, flow etc (and I did get quite passionate about the work of Crossreach - in context, of course). A few people mentioned how they noticed my passion come across and that really drew them in. All of this was acknowledged by the speech trainer. He also told me (and in hindsight, I can see it) that I was very courageous, that I would make my points, drawing people in, making eye contact with them, then (and only then) I would refer to my notes for the next bit.
After the service, I have loads of people thanking me. A few even said they felt very challenged, but in a good way. That's what I hoped for, and pray it was God's word they heard and not mine, but that's always my prayer.
Though I was nervous, I was also strangely relaxed about this. It was the third time I've preached at Caledonia, but first time I've done a children's talk there. And it's the second time I've been assessed by the speech trainer, who's lovely and really wants to help and encourage all the candidates.
A couple of things helped with the sense of 'comfort' (sorry, I can't think of a better word. Acceptance that I have this gift, but with the humility and knowledge I am doing it in God's strength, not mine, with the prayers others leading worship offered on my behalf before the service (and throughout the week for some). Though I do not come from a church culture where others would be told so often they are being prayed for (more likely, they'd be told they were thinking of them), I do appreciate them. Its touching and humbling that in all these people have going on in their lives, they have the time and thoughtfulness to pray for me - me a mere student who's only been there for 3 months!
Over all, I felt my contribution to the service went really well. I have definitely grown in confidence and competence since the speech trainer saw me this time last year. That is down to experience, though I know the academic study does help a lot, as I have more tools and materials to work from. Practise and study go hand in hand, that's for sure.
I did slightly stumble in the opening prayer and I'm not entirely sure why. But I recovered and the speech trainer, though noting it, didn't see it as an issue and did mention most would not have noticed. The other aspects flowed, which was heartening. I even got a good bit of interaction with the children, which was a relief, given it was the first one (no pressure, when being assessed). I thought I engaged the congregation as well as the children, and the speech trainer waxed lyrical about my interaction with them and the congregation, so it's good to know my reflections match the reality!
The sermon went surprisingly well. I had the difficult job (my choice) of talking about kingdom and covenant in the Lord's prayer. I thought I was using my notes for an acceptable bit of it, but knew them well enough that I wasn't reading them and was able to engage with the congregation. I also felt I had a good pace, volume, story, flow etc (and I did get quite passionate about the work of Crossreach - in context, of course). A few people mentioned how they noticed my passion come across and that really drew them in. All of this was acknowledged by the speech trainer. He also told me (and in hindsight, I can see it) that I was very courageous, that I would make my points, drawing people in, making eye contact with them, then (and only then) I would refer to my notes for the next bit.
After the service, I have loads of people thanking me. A few even said they felt very challenged, but in a good way. That's what I hoped for, and pray it was God's word they heard and not mine, but that's always my prayer.
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