Loyal radical

I am currently on my 4th and last intensive teaching week at Cliff. It is the Leadership Renewal and Mission module 2 focussing on Renewal: Spirituality and Discipleship. I have just returned from two lectures given by Phil Meadows the last one being Wesleyan Approaches to Discipleship. If only we could rediscover authentic community within the life of the ministry. The bureaucracy and appraisals mentioned in my last post would be unnecessary if we were true community with each other. Accountability to one another was key to early Methodist practice. Where have we gone wrong in the practice of mutual accountability and the striving for holistic discipleship?

I believe in circuits, despite what follows! Change is already happening as we manage decline and are forced to amalgamate smaller circuits which become unviable. However, I suggest the Spirit is prompting us to be more creative in our response to decline. We have a God given opportunity to make some changes that will help develop real circuit teams. I want to affirm David Clark's message about becoming a truly servant church with the leadership empowering the laity to be the mission leaders in the kingdom community However, I believe there are some practical things we can do to help facilitate a healthier environment in which churches can flourish. This is not new thinking and in this simplistic form raises more issues than it addresses. Some of the changes are:- A dedicated (without pastoral charge of a congregation) superintendent(bishop by another name!) and paid administrator (Chief Executive if you want to use the language of business). This would mean getting rid of District...

Martyn Atkins, principal at Cliff and president designate of the Methodist conference gave an inspiring overview of Historic Models of Church and Leadership. While reflecting on the way the bottom has and is dropping out of denominational structures he talked about the dissatisfaction experienced by many Methodist ministers. He put forward the view that maintaining the circuits as they are currently configured with their emphasis on personal chaplaincy to its members, was disaffecting many ministers. He suggested that when 50% of ministers stood up to their disbelief in this system of organising church it would set in process an unstoppable chain of events. Superintendents would be unable to chide ministers back to their roles as half of them would be among those who believe the system has to change. The recently published book of statistics about what ministers think about things like itinerancy and connected issues would suggest that we are not so far from realising this 50% level o...

Of all the input during the MEC2 (Emerging Church 2) week the contribution of Stuart Murray rates as my most informative. His reflective style and radical thinking makes him stimulating to listen to. Just look at this quote from his book Post Christendom ‘ This does not mean churches without leaders, or that trained and accredited women and men should not be deployed in strategic roles within and among congregations. But it means determined and sustained action to erode clericalism, redefine church leadership, empower the whole people of God for ministry and recalibrate churches as missionary communities.’ I find that a great challenge. It takes me back to my calling to be first and foremost a follower of Jesus Christ. My leadership calling has to be worked out in the light of being a follower. I am stirred by the call to servant leadership and have been inspired by David Clark's book Breaking the Mould of Christendom. The contribution from the Dranes was also stimulating. As part ...

Just finishing the intensive teaching week for the Emerging Church module. Had input from George Lings, The Dranes, Stuart Murray, Michael Moynagh as well as the resident Cliff tutors. Much food for thought. Need a bit of time to digest it all. Will post a bit about the high and low lights of the week when I get back.