Saturday 25 May 2013
Friday 17 May 2013
Ethics- ARGH!!
I am starting to get a little bit worried about my hot-headed-ness. For some reason these sessions have got me really angry.
Wednesday 1 May 2013
Friday 26 April 2013
Rural Mission...
Hmmm...I was a little...disappointed with this session. I thought this could be a really useful topic to discuss as our church is going to partner with a rural church in the not so distant future, however, I felt that the majority of issues that we discussed were not unique to rural churches as all. The majority of the issues are prevalent in my church and the majority of the churches that I know;
I do wonder if the decline has been faster within rural churches, however, I would question as to what issues they deal with that are unique to just them and despite asking the question was given no further information to change my view. I think that a lot of churches are in dire need of something new and development to grow.
Bring on the revolution!!!
- resistance to change
- aging congregation
- lack of teenagers
- relying on minority to keep things going
- big jump from 'junior church' to the main church service
I do wonder if the decline has been faster within rural churches, however, I would question as to what issues they deal with that are unique to just them and despite asking the question was given no further information to change my view. I think that a lot of churches are in dire need of something new and development to grow.
Bring on the revolution!!!
Thursday 18 April 2013
Fresh Expressions!!!
Wow- let me start by saying Michael Volland is absolutely fantastic, what an inspirational speaker!
Wednesday 13 March 2013
Missionaries
Suffice to say, this topic has got me a little fired up. I do have a great deal of admiration to people who feel called to overseas mission. It is a big sacrifice to leave their families and go to a place that has a different culture and is potentially unsafe/scary to be a Christian in.
[As a slight aside my view of missionaries prior to this session was Kevin Costner playing Robin Hood in a prince of thieves...]
However, I resent the implication that missionaries should be viewed as 'better' Christians because of their specific calling or ministry. We all, as Christians face conflict and opposition, we all, at times can struggle to balance our faith/church life with family life and we all serve God in whichever unique way we are called to. When I became a Christian, initially my family were rather against it, they were concerned for my well being and feared that I had become part of a cult/been brainwashed. I found this really difficult as the two most important things in my life (which they still are) clashed. I am in no way comparing this to giving up my time and talents to live and support Christians in an area of conflict etc. But I think it's unfair to put missionaries on a pedal stool when all Christians should (theoretically) be working to grow the kingdom of God, wherever they are.
Now I've finished my rant, I would like to highlight the importance of overseas missionaries for growing the kingdom in other places, I guess after all I am a Christian thanks to the work of missionaries (and would the disciples not be seen as missionaries?). I think that we are all part of Gods mission and need to live and work towards a greater goal, that is of growinh Gods kingdom on Earth, in unity.
[As a slight aside my view of missionaries prior to this session was Kevin Costner playing Robin Hood in a prince of thieves...]
However, I resent the implication that missionaries should be viewed as 'better' Christians because of their specific calling or ministry. We all, as Christians face conflict and opposition, we all, at times can struggle to balance our faith/church life with family life and we all serve God in whichever unique way we are called to. When I became a Christian, initially my family were rather against it, they were concerned for my well being and feared that I had become part of a cult/been brainwashed. I found this really difficult as the two most important things in my life (which they still are) clashed. I am in no way comparing this to giving up my time and talents to live and support Christians in an area of conflict etc. But I think it's unfair to put missionaries on a pedal stool when all Christians should (theoretically) be working to grow the kingdom of God, wherever they are.
Now I've finished my rant, I would like to highlight the importance of overseas missionaries for growing the kingdom in other places, I guess after all I am a Christian thanks to the work of missionaries (and would the disciples not be seen as missionaries?). I think that we are all part of Gods mission and need to live and work towards a greater goal, that is of growinh Gods kingdom on Earth, in unity.
Friday 22 February 2013
The Residential
Apologies for the slight delay in posting this. The weekend residential threw up a few 'issues' to deal with, mull over, reflect on...
...I was not looking forward to the weekend- at all. For some reason I was really emotional and upset about going- not really sure why, part of me didn't want to leave the 'hubby' (apologies- I hate that term but it seemed to fit quite well there) and I guess another part of me was nervous about spending a weekend with still relatively new people.
BUT- and it's a HUGE but, the weekend was amazing and would have been a huge loss to miss. The weekend focused around the Eucharist.
...I was not looking forward to the weekend- at all. For some reason I was really emotional and upset about going- not really sure why, part of me didn't want to leave the 'hubby' (apologies- I hate that term but it seemed to fit quite well there) and I guess another part of me was nervous about spending a weekend with still relatively new people.
BUT- and it's a HUGE but, the weekend was amazing and would have been a huge loss to miss. The weekend focused around the Eucharist.
Tuesday 19 February 2013
The Essential History of Christianity...?!?
I have never really enjoyed history, it is beyond me as to why I took it for GCSE? However, I figured, just as the Old Testament is important in understanding the New Testament (The new is in the old contained and the old is in the new explained), maybe the history of the church would help me to understand the present church (and maybe the future)?
Let's face it, this was not an easy topic to study.
One question that came out of this was; 'what does your denomination mean to you?'
My initial answer to this would have been not very much at all, however, the more I think about it, the more I realise that I have come some to enjoy being an Anglican. I was baptised into the United Reformed Church, however, I disagree with some of their practices (namely the way they treat/view children) and I've become to realise how much I relate to the traditions and structure of the Church of England (liturgy included) and actually, yes, being an Anglican means quite a lot after all.
Let's face it, this was not an easy topic to study.
One question that came out of this was; 'what does your denomination mean to you?'
My initial answer to this would have been not very much at all, however, the more I think about it, the more I realise that I have come some to enjoy being an Anglican. I was baptised into the United Reformed Church, however, I disagree with some of their practices (namely the way they treat/view children) and I've become to realise how much I relate to the traditions and structure of the Church of England (liturgy included) and actually, yes, being an Anglican means quite a lot after all.
Wednesday 23 January 2013
St Cuthbert and Co
This was a great session, I love St Cuthbert (although he doesn't get quoted quite as much as St Francis...)!
St Anthony, St Benedict and St Basil were all famous monks, yet they were hermits. I always assumed that monks lived in monasteries, however, it seemed that the majority lived in isolation and led a life of solitude.
The purpose of their isolated was to be in union with Christ (his time in the desert), to live a pure Christian life (taking away distractions from God), and to complete a spiritual journey.
I wonder if we could take an example from the Monks, maybe we need to take time out from the world to reassess and reform our lives and thinking in order to become more like Christ and develop our relationship with God?
St Anthony, St Benedict and St Basil were all famous monks, yet they were hermits. I always assumed that monks lived in monasteries, however, it seemed that the majority lived in isolation and led a life of solitude.
The purpose of their isolated was to be in union with Christ (his time in the desert), to live a pure Christian life (taking away distractions from God), and to complete a spiritual journey.
I wonder if we could take an example from the Monks, maybe we need to take time out from the world to reassess and reform our lives and thinking in order to become more like Christ and develop our relationship with God?
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