SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AND EVANGELISM Resources
Version: 01
Last updated: 29 November 2017
Author: Anne Richards and the Mission Theology Advisory Group
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Table of Contents
SocialEngagementandEvangelismResources 5Introduction 5ResourcePathways 5
StartingaConversation 7Themes:StartingOut 7
HeadsuporHeadsdown? 7
StartingaConversation 9Themes:Trust 9
YourHairintheirHands 9
StartingaConversation 11Themes:Hope 11
MakingRent 11
StartingaConversation 13Themes:Confidence 13
FleshandBlood 13
StartingaConversation 15Themes:Sharing 15
LastTrainHome 15
EngagingwiththeBible 17Themes:Startingout 17
TheFaithoftheSyrophoenicianWoman(Mark7.24-30) 17
EngagingwiththeBible 19Themes:Trust: 19
TheTrueKindredofJesus(Matthew12.46-50) 19
EngagingwiththeBible 21Themes:Hope: 21
ANewCommandment(John13.34-35) 21
EngagingwiththeBible 23Themes:Confidence 23
TheWomanattheWell(John4.27-30;39-42) 23
EngagingwiththeBible 25Themes:Sharing; 25
TheHowlingMan(Mark5.1-13) 25
MakingaChange 27Themes:StartingOut 27
Driving 27
MakingaChange 29Themes:Trust 29
SharingthePeace 29
MakingaChange 31Themes:Hope 31
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SmartLiving 31
MakingaChange 33Themes:Confidence 33
Beingthere 33
MakingaChange 35Themes:Sharing 35
MappingtheKingdom 35
Reflection: 37Startingout 37
LetusPray 37
Reflection: 39Trust 39
Sanctuary 39
Reflection: 41Hope 41
Giving 41
Reflection: 43Confidence 43
Confidence 43
Reflection: 45Sharing 45
FacesandMeetings 45
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The Mission Theology Advisory Group is an ecumenical group formed in partnership between Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and the
Church of England
We provide resources in the areas of Spirituality, Theology, Reconciliation, Evangelism and Mission
This resource belongs to our Evangelism series. Please print and share.
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Social Engagement and Evangelism Resources Introduction
InSeptember2015,thediocesansocialresponsibilityofficersoftheChurchofEnglandgatheredtogetherinElyfortheirnationalconference.Oneofthethingstheydidtherewastolookatstoriesoffaithinformingactionwhichtheyhadgatheredtogetherandsharedtogaininsightsandwisdomintohowfaithandsocialactionchangeindividualsandcommunities.
TheconferencealsoheardfromDrAnneRichards,theconveneroftheecumenicalMissionTheologyAdvisoryGroup,onfivethemesforanewperspectiveonevangelism.Thesefivethemeswere:
• PursuingtheHuman–identifyingpeoplewhounderstandthosewhohavenocontactwithorknowledgeofChristianfaithandwhoarebestplacedtoengagewiththemeffectively.
• MakingCommunity–understandingthatChristianshaveparticulargiftsandskillsforinitiating,developingandsustainingrelationshipsinthewiderworldandsupportingpeopletodothisintheirdailylives.
• CreatingNewNews–acceptingthattheGoodNewsofJesusChristisbadnewsforsomepeopleforwhomChristiancommitmentcomeswithseverecost.Supportingthose,especiallyyoungChristians,whoarementorsforyoungpeoplestrugglingwithcontemporarymoralandsocialissueswhichmanyofusdon’treallyunderstand.
• HonouringMemory–understandingthatsuccessfulevangelismisnotjustaboutthecourseofaperson’sfuture,butalsoaboutwhatGodhasdonewiththeirpastandtheirownjourney,identifyingtheexperiencesandgiftswhichnewChristiansbringtothechurch.
• BeingtheFaceofLove–witnessingtoGod’sloveinChristthroughouractionsandbehaviourwithintheChurchandwithintheworld.
AnnesuggestedthatthestoriesattheconferenceshowedthatsocialactionbyChristianscouldbeinstrumentalinbuildingabedrockoftrust,hope,confidenceinthegospel,andopportunitiesforsharingwhichwouldcreateafertilegroundforevangelismandwitness.
Asaresultofworkingtogether,lookingatthestoriesandthefivethemes,theSROnetworkcommissionedMTAGtoproduceresourcesforuseindioceseswhichwouldenableindividuals,groups,congregationsandcommunitypartnershipstobuilduptrust,hope,confidenceandfaith-sharingfromsimplebeginnings.
Resource Pathways
MTAGresourcesusefourpathwaysforpeopletoexploreandwhichcanbemixedandmatched.Thesepathwaysare:
Word-based[YELLOW]forpeoplewhowanttoexploreanddiscussastory,orlookatquestionsandideastogether.
Activity-based[GREEN]forpeoplewhowanttogetonanddosomething,research,trysomethingoutorjustexploreandseewhathappens.
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Worship-based[BLUE]forpeoplewhowanttoengageatopicthroughbiblestudy,prayerandreflection.Oftenusedinastand-alonemannerwhenchurcheswanttoputasideadayforaparticularissueorforretreatorLent/Advent.
Spirituality-based[PINK]forpeoplewhowanttoseehowissuesimpacttheirownfaith,nurturetheirowngifts,andofferingopportunitiesforreflectiononindividualchange,transformationandcommitment.
ThereisalsoaseparatedocumentforengagingwithissuesarisingfromBREXITusingthesamethemes.
Individualelementsofthepathwayscanbecombinedaccordingtotaste,traditionandinterest.Thereisno‘right’waytousetheresources.
Thethemesarealsocolourcoded,ifyouwanttofolloworconcentrateonaparticulartheme.
Inaddition,thissetofresourceshasfiveextraresources[ORANGE]forindividuals,congregationsandcommunitypartnershipswhichfeelenabledandwanttoengagefurtherinsocialactionorissuesofsocialjustice.
EachresourceisfullydownloadableandreproducibleononesheetofA4.Theirelementscanalsobedeveloped,changedorre-orderedasnecessarytofitgroupinterestsorneeds.
Agridsettingoutthecompletesetofresourcesisshownbelow:
StartingOutPursuingtheHuman
TrustMakingComm-unity
HopeNewNews
Confid-enceHonouringMemory
SharingFaceofLove
Story HeadsUporHeadsDown?
YourHairintheirHands
MakingRent FleshandBlood
LastTrainHome
Activity Driving
SharingthePeace
SmartLiving Beingthere MappingtheKingdom
LiturgyBiblePrayerReflection
TheSyroPhoenicianwoman
Jesus’family Anewcommandment
Thewomanatthewell
TheHowlingMan
Spirituality Reflectiononprayer
Reflectiononsanctuary
Reflectionongiftgiving
Reflectiononconfession
Reflectiononfacesandmeetings
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Starting a Conversation Themes: Starting OutPursuing the Human
Heads up or Heads down?
PhotobyMatthewGonFlickr
Astoryfordiscussioningroupsorforindividualreflection
SomethoughtsfromProfessorJohnDrane
Luke21.28
Nowwhenthesethingsbegintotakeplace,standupandraiseyourheads,becauseyourredemptionisdrawingnear.
WhenyouliveinScotland,likeIdo,youoftenseepeoplegoingabouttheirbusinessonthestreet,headsdown,battlingwiththewindortherain.
Orthesedaysyoucangointoaroomfullofpeople,orintoameeting,andthey’veallgottheirheadsdown,crouchedovertheirphones,lookingfornotificationsortweetsormessages.
Andperhapsasapeople,we’remorelikelytolookdownandawayfromothersifwe’recrushedintoalift,oracrowdedtube,orabusycafé.Wedon’twanttobecaughtstaring;wemodestlylookdownandaway.Wekeepourheadsdownevenwhenshoppingorgoingaboutourdailylives.I’vebeeninshopswherethestaffthinkit’spositivelystrangeforapersontomeettheireyesandsmile.
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ButintheBible,theliftingupofheadsisassociatedwiththenearnessandapproachofGod.Psalm24says‘Liftupyourheads,Ogates!andbeliftedup,Oancientdoors!thattheKingofglorymaycomein’.Luke21.28tellsreadersofthegospeltoliftuptheirheadsandgetreadyforGod.
Youknowwhendogssensetheirmastersandmistressesreturning,theirheadsgoup,theirearsprickupandtheywaitexpectantly?There’ssomethinginthesebiblepassageswhichinvitesusto‘snifftheair’forGod’spresenceandforwhatGodmightbedoingrightnowamongus.
Whatmighthappenifweintentionallyliftedupourheadsabitmore?Whatmightcatchourattention?Whomightwemeet?Whomightwesurprise?WheremightweseeGodatwork?
Somequestions:
• Arewe‘headsup’or‘headsdown’people?Asindividuals?Asachurch?Asacommunity?Asanation?
• Whatdoyouthinkpeoplemightmisswhenthey’vegottheirheadsdownorburiedintheirphones?
• Whenmightweintentionallygo‘headsdown’toavoidthingswedon’twanttoface?• Doyouthinkifweliftedourheadsupabitmorewemightcreatemoreopportunitiesfor
mission?
TheAscensionofJesusbyDinahRoeKendall,anartistwhousesherpaintingstointroducepeopletoJesus.TheAscensionisoneofherfavourites.Everyoneislookingup.FindoutmoreaboutDinahathttps://www.canterburydiocese.org/media/outlook/winter2014_dinahroekendall.pdf
Wherenext?
HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesonStartingOut/PursuingtheHuman.
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Starting a Conversation Themes: TrustMaking Community
Your Hair in their Hands
https://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/3685/Politicians-are-still-trusted-less-than-estate-agents-journalists-and-bankers.aspx
Thepollillustratedabove,showsresultsgatheredbytheresearchcompanyIpsosMoriwhenitinvestigatedwhichtypesofprofessionspeopletrusttotellthemthetruth.Clergyfarelesswellthanhairdressers.
Whyisthis?Itisbecausewenowadaystendtospendmoretimetalkingfranklytoourhairdressersthantoourlocalministerbecausepeopledon’tgotochurchasfrequentlyastheyusedto?OrisitbecausesomanythingshavebeenreportedabouttheChurchwhichmakeusfeelthatthingshavebeencoveredupandthetruthhasnotbeentold?
Whowetrusttotellthetruthmatters.Itmatterswhenweareillandwanttoknowwhatiswrongandwhatcanbedone.Itmatterswhenwehavetomakejudgementsaboutthosewhogovernus,aboutthosewhorunourlocalservices,orwhoteachourchildren,orfromwhomwebuygoodsandservices.Whenpeopletwistthetruthorlietousandwerealisewehavebeenduped,wedon’ttrustthosepeopleanymore.
Hairdresserspayusindividualattention.Weallowthemtotouchus,toshapewhatwewillseeinthemirror.Theyhelpcreatethe‘look’wewanttoshowtoothers.Theyareinstrumentalinabigdaylikeawedding.Theycanliftourspiritswhenwefeeldownandhairdressersinhospitalsandcarehomesoftenmakeabigdifferencetohowpeoplefeel.Manypeoplebuilduparelationshipwitha
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particularhairdresserovertimeandsharestorieswiththemabouttheirlivesandfamilies.Andyes,it’ssurprisinglycommontotalkaboutspiritualissuestoo.
Trustingourselvestotheministrationsofanotherpersonenablesustobeginthemakingsofcommunity,whetherthat’scookingfoodforotherstoeat,servinginashop,teachingchildren,walkinganeighbour’sdogoranyofthemanyinteractionsbetweenhumanbeingsthattakeplaceeveryday.SoifasChristians,weseektocareforandtoserveothers,tomakerelationshipswithothersinourdailylivesintheserviceofthegospel,thenthosebeginningsofcommunityandrelationshiphavetobefoundedontrustworthinessandtruth.
Somequestionsfordiscussion:
• Whatdoesyourownlistoftrustworthyprofessionslooklike?• Whydoyouthinkhairdresserspollsohighlyastruth-tellers?• Whydoyouthinkpeopleapparentlytrustclergy,ChristiansandtheChurchlessthanthey
usedto?• Whatwouldittakeforpeopletotrustclergy?ChristiansandtheChurchtotellthetruth?• Howimportantaretruthfulness,transparencyandtrustworthinessforsharingthegospel
withothers?• Howdoyouthinkrelationshipsoftrustcanflowerintogroups,friendshipsand
communities?• WhydoyousupposepeopletrustedJesus?
PhotobyJacobBØtter(ahairdresser)onFlickr
Wherenext?
LookatotherresourcesfromtheTrust/MakingCommunitysection.
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Starting a Conversation Themes: HopeNew News
Making Rent
Photo:‘RelaxingafterWork_MMVI’byandronicusmaxonFlickr
Astoryfordiscussioningroupsorforindividualreflection
Arthuris24yearsold.HestruggledtofindworkafterleavinguniversityandwasunemployedformorethanayearuntilhefoundajobwithanagencyinLondonwhichpaidhim£14kayear.Hiscommutingcostsalonewere£5k.Lifeattheagencywashorrible.Hewasconstantlyshoutedatbyhisbossandhadtoworklateeverynighttohithistargets.Helivedunderthethreatofbeingfired.Manyoftheotheremployeeswereyoung,likeArthur,andmanysimplyleftafterafewweeksorweresackedwheneverthebossfeltvindictive.
HoweveroneofthethingswhichmostshockedArthurwashowhisco-workerscopedwiththestressandfinancialstraintheywereunder.OnhisfirstFridayatworkhewasofferedcocaine.Hesaidno.Butastimewentonhediscoveredthatformanyofhisfriends,weekendsmeantdrugs,casualhook-ups,gamblingorgaming.Manyweretoobroketoaffordrentandwentwithoutfoodorheating.Somewerelivingonfriends’sofasorstuckathomewiththeirparents.Thoseinrelationshipsoftenbrokeupthroughcheatingorargumentsaboutmoney.Onefriendworkedeveningsasastripper;othershadsecondjobscashinhand;yetothersdidsomedrugdealingontheside.
AfterawhileArthurleftandfoundabetter,morestablejob,buteventhere,hefoundhisyoungco-workerswereoftencaughtupinthesamechaoticlives,strugglingtofindawaytoliveinLondon.
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Yetinthetwoyearshehasbeeninwork,Arthurhasfoundthatpeoplecometohimforadviceandhelp.Theyaskedhimwhyhedidn’tdodrugs,whyhedidn’tgoondatingsitesorTinder,andhowhecopedwithhavingsolittlemoneyandstillmanagedtoholdontohisgoalsanddreams.Whenoneofthemhasa‘melt-down’hetakesthemoutformealsanddrinkshecanillaffordandlistenstotheirproblems.AndbecausetheyknowheisaChristian,theyaskhimtoo,aboutspiritualmatters–thepurposeoflife,howtobehappy,howtohavehope,howtochange.
Somequestionstothinkabout:
• WhathopehasChristianfaithgottooffertopeoplewhoarestressedandworriedaboutthefuture?
• HowmightChristiansbeequippedmoreeffectivelytounderstandtheissuesfacingyoungpeopleinandoutofworkinoursociety?
• HowcanArthur’schurchandChristianfriendssupporthiminhelpinghisco-workers?• Whatsortof‘newnews’doyouthinkyoungpeopletodayneedtohear?• WhatdoyouthinkaretheriskstoArthurandhisownfaith?
PhotobyLucieBluebird-LexingtononFlickr
Wherenext?
HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesonHope/NewNews.
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Starting a Conversation Themes: ConfidenceHonouring Memory
Flesh and Blood
Astoryfordiscussioningroupsorforindividualreflection
PhotobyArlBakkeronFlickr
ToldAugust2015toAnneRichards
Iamdiabetic.Iwenttohospitalforaroutinebloodtest.MyhusbandtookmeinthecarandIwasreallyearly.Hedroppedmeoffandwenttodosomeshopping.Iwasn’tsupposedtoeatordrinkanything,soIdidn’tgotothecafeteria.ButIdidn’twanttowaitinthewaitingroomeither,soIwentforawalkaroundtheoutside.
WhenIwalkedaroundthesideofthehospitalIsawthisboy,thisteenager,kickingoneofthebushes.Hewassmashingit.Therewereleavesandtwigseverywhere.Iwentuptohimandshoutedathimtostopitandtolookatthemesshewasmaking.Icalledhimavandal.Hejustlookedatmeandtoldmetofoff.Ididn’twanttroublesoIwalkedbackthewayIcame.
ThenIwonderedwhyhewasthereandwhyhewasbehavinglikethat.Itwasoddthattherewasthisboyonhisownsmashingupabush.ButhehadtoldmetofoffandIdidn’tfancygettinginanargumentorworse.SoIsaidaprayer,well,notreallyaprayer,justa‘whatdoyouthinkIshoulddo?’Ididn’tgetananswerinwords,justafeelingthatIshouldgoandseewhathewasdoing.SoIwentbackroundandhewasstillthere,buthehadstopped.IwentuptohimandsaidIwassorryIyelledathimandaskedhimifhesmoked.Hesaidhedid,soIgavehimacigarette.IjokedthatIwasgoingtogetintotroublebecauseI’mnotsupposedtosmoke.
Hedidn’tsayanythingsoIaskedhimifhewasok.
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Hesaidhisnanjustdiedandthathismumwasinsidethehospitalcryingandhewaswaitingforhisdadtocomeanddealwithher,becausehecouldn’t.IsaidIwassorryandthatIfeltlikethatwhenmyhusband’smumdied.Iaskedwhetheritwasexpected(hisnanhadcanceritturnedout)andwhethertheyhadplannedthefuneral.Hesaidhedidn’tknowwhattheyweregoingtodo,soIaskedwhetherhisfamilywouldliketotalktothehospitalchaplainaboutwhattodonext.Hehadneverheardofahospitalchaplainandaskedwhatthatwas.SoIexplained.Hesaidhisfamilyweren’treligiousbutIsaidthatdidn’tmatter.Isaidthatifhewasfindingithardtotalktoorhelphismumbecausehisnanhaddied,thenthechaplaincouldhelp.
HeaskedforanothercigaretteandIsawhewasstartingtocry.SoItoldhimthatIwasn’tparticularly‘religious’butthatIbelievedinGodandJesusandIfirmlybelievedthatdeathwasn’ttheend.Isaidthechaplaincouldexplainaboutthatifhewantedtoaskaboutit.Iwasn’tthatgoodwithexplainingitmyself,butIdidbelieveit.Hesaidhewouldtellhismumthatthehospitalhadsomeoneshecouldtalkto.ThenhesaidthatifIwasaChristian,perhapsIcouldsayaprayerforhisnan.IsaidIwouldandIsaidIwouldsayaprayerforhimandhismumanddadaswell.Henoddedandsaidgoodbyeandthankyou.Isatinthewaitingroomandprayedforthemall.
Somequestionstothinkabout:
• WheredoyouthinkGodmighthavebeenatworkinthisstory?• Whatdoyoumakeofthewoman’sclaimthatsheisn’t‘particularlyreligious’?• Howdoyouthinkthewoman’smemoriesandpastexperienceshelpedtochangethe
situation?• Howimportantwouldtheboy’smemoriesofhisnanhavebeeninrespondingtoherdeath?• Howmightthisstorygiveusconfidencetospeaktoothersaboutourfaith?• Whatmightittaketorecognisethatthe‘vandal’wasapersonindeepdistress?• Whatdoyouthinkthehospitalchaplain’srolewouldhavebeeninhelpingthewholefamily?
PhotobyMrThinktankonFlickr
Wherenext?
HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesonConfidenceandHonouringMemory
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Starting a Conversation Themes: Sharing Being the Face of Love
Last Train Home
PhotobyAndrewHartonFlickr
Astoryfordiscussioningroupsorforindividualreflection
ToldtoAnneRichards,summer2015
Iwasonthelasttrainhometheotherday,theonetheycalltheVomitComet,becauseeverybodycomesbackdrunk.Itwasprettyhorrible.Therewereallsortsofloud,drunkblokesandthecarriagestankofalcohol.Idon’tlikegettingthattrain,butIhadtoworklatesoIhadnochoice.
Thisgirlgoton.Shewasprettywasted.Shesatnexttomeandkeptputtingherhandtoherfaceandlookingill.Thensheseemedtofallasleep.
Afteracoupleofstopsshesuddenlywokeupandputherhandtohermouthandtriedtogetup.Itriedtohelp,butitwastoolate.Shewassickeverywhereonthecarriagefloor.Peopleyelledandgotoutofthewayandsometoldhertogetoffthetrainbecauseshewasdisgusting.Butshejustsatdownagain,sayingshewassorry.Shefoundsometissuesandcleanedherfaceanddroppedthemontheflooroverthemess.
Acoupleofthedrunkblokescameupandstartedsuggestingshegohomewiththemandstartedtalkingabouthoweasyitwouldbetosleepwithherbecauseshewassooutofit.Istartedtogetreallyworriedthatsomethingmighthappentoher.Ididn’twanttotakeontheblokes,buttheyweregettingverynasty.
Iaskedherifshewasallrightandifsomeonewasmeetingherandwhatstationshewasgettingoffat.Butsheseemedtoooutofittosayanythingverycoherent,soIwasevenmoreworried.Igothertosayhernameandeventuallyfoundoutwhereshewasgoingtogetoff.
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IrangthetaxifirmIuseandaskediftheywouldsendataxiforher.Whenherstationarrived(2beforemine)Ihelpedheroffthetrainandthensomehowgotheroutsidetothecarpark.Iputherinthetaxiandthenaskedthedrivertotakeherhomeandthenme.Ittookawhiletofindoutwhereshelivedandthetaxidriverwasgettingannoyedthatshewastoowastedandmightmakeamessofthetaxi.IdidwonderwhatIhadgotintobutIwasdeterminedtogetherbacksafely.
Whenwegottoherhouse,herparentswereinandwereveryupsetbythesightofher.TheywantedtotalktomebutIsaidIhadtogethomemyselfandthetaxiwaswaiting.Igavethemmyphonenumberandwenthome.
Thenextdayherdadphonedmeandsaidthankyouandsaidthatshewasreallyillandthatshethoughtherdrinkhadbeenspiked.Idon’tknowifthatwastruethough.HeaskedmewhyIhaddoneitwhenIdidn’tknowherandifIwantedmoneyfordoingit.Iwasabitoffendedthathewouldthinkthat.IsaidthatshewassittingnexttomeandIthoughtshewasindangerandthatifthathappenedtomydaughterIwouldwantsomeonetotakecareofher.IthensaidIhadbeenbroughtupasaChristianandthatbeingaChristianwasaboutlookingafterothers,especiallyiftheycouldn’thelpthemselves.AndIsaidabouttheGoodSamaritanandhowhelookedaftersomebodywhowasindangerandwhennooneelsewould.Andhesaid‘Youaremydaughter’sGoodSamaritan’.
Somequestionstothinkabout:
• Whatwouldyouhavedoneifthedrunkyoungwomanhadbeenonyourtrainhome?• Doyouthinkthereshouldbelimitsontheriskswewilltaketohelpothers?• Howdoyouthinkthissituationdevelopedasanopportunitytosaysomethingaboutthe
Christianfaith?• Howdoyouthinkthevariouspeopleinvolvedfeltaboutthewoman’sactions?• Wheredoyouseeopportunitiesforlookingoutforothersinthecourseofyourdailylife?• Whatdoweneedtodotobecome‘thefaceoflove’forothers?
Wherenext?
HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesonthesamethemesofSharing/BeingtheFaceofLove
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Engaging with the Bible Themes: Starting out Pursuing the Human
Photo:Rabiem22onFlickr
The Faith of the Syrophoenician Woman (Mark 7. 24-30)
FromtherehesetoutandwentawaytotheregionofTyre.Heenteredahouseanddidnotwantanyonetoknowhewasthere.Yethecouldnotescapenotice,butawomanwhoselittledaughterhadanuncleanspiritimmediatelyheardabouthim,andshecameandboweddownathisfeet.NowthewomanwasaGentile,ofSyrophoenicianorigin.Shebeggedhimtocastthedemonoutofherdaughter.Hesaidtoher,‘Letthechildrenbefedfirst,foritisnotfairtotakethechildren’sfoodandthrowittothedogs.’Butsheansweredhim,‘Sir,eventhedogsunderthetableeatthechildren’scrumbs.’Thenhesaidtoher,‘Forsayingthat,youmaygo—thedemonhasleftyourdaughter.’Soshewenthome,foundthechildlyingonthebed,andthedemongone.
What’sgoingon?
InthisstoryinMark’sgospel,JesusisintheregionofTyre(nowinmodernLebanon),acosmopolitantradingregionfilledwithmanypeopleofdifferentbeliefsandpractices.There,despitetryingtoremainunnoticed,heistrackeddownbyanon-Jewishwomanwithasickchild.SheasksJesustohealherchildbutheinitiallyrebuffsher,quiterudely,sayingthathishealingministryisforhisownpeople.Yetthewomanpersists;althoughsheisnotJewishshebelievesthatJesuscanhealherdaughter.Jesusrespondstoherrawfaithinhisdivinepowertohelpherandshegoeshometofindherdaughterhealed.
Whydoesitmatter?
ThisstoryofferssomeimportantinsightsintothewayweengagetodaywithpeoplewhoarenotChristian.First,thegospelwriterplacesJesusinaregionfullofmanydifferentpeoplewithdifferent
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thoughtsandideas,tradingtheirwaresandbustlingabout.It’snotthesortofplaceforaheavenly-mindedJewtryingtostayrituallypure.InthisstoryJesusdoeswhatmanyofusdo,hideawayfromthethrongandtrytostaywithourkind,focusingonwhatwe’remeanttodo.Yethecan’tkeepthewidersocietyandcultureout.Itcomestohimanyway,withitsproblemsandconcerns.Inthefacetofaceencounter,Jesusstatestheissue:youarenotoneofus,youdon’tbelong,I’vegotaffairswithmyownpeopletoputinorder,-butthewoman’sneedandbeliefthatJesushassomethingrealandlife-changingtoofferhermeansthatshewon’tjustgoaway.AndsoJesusfindsthattheloveandgraceofGodcannotbewithheldforthechosenfew;hisministryisforeveryone.
Startingaconversation
• WhatisitlikeforChristianslivinginourmodernsociety?HowmightJesus’experiencefeelfamiliartous?
• Imaginewhatitislikeforacompletestrangertocomeintooneofourchurches.Whatdoesthatfeellike?
• WhatdoyouthinkJesuslearnedfromtheencounterwiththewoman?• HowdoesthisstoryhelpuswhenwemeetpeopleoutsidetheChurch?• Howmightthisstoryhelpusengagewithpeopleofotherfaiths?
Prayer:LordJesusChrist,helpustobringyourlovetoeverypersonwemeet.
Whatnext?
Thingstothinkaboutinyourlocalsituation:
Atchurch
• Whatsortofministryofwelcomedoesyourchurchhave?• Howregularlydonon-churchmembersknockontheparishpriest’s
door?Cometothechurchorchurchhall?Parishoffice?Other churchbuildings?Approachchurchmembers?Howcouldthat accessbeimproved?
Photo:DavidAmsleronFlickr
• WhatONEthingcouldbechangedinyourchurchtohelppeoplewhoarenotChristiansfeelmorewelcome?
• Howdoyoufindoutwhatvisitorstoyourchurchexperiencewhentheyattend?Intheworld
• WhathappenswhenyoumeetpeoplewhoarenotChristianinyourdailylife?• DothepeopleyouknowfeeltheycanapproachyouasaChristianaboutmattersoffaithand
spiritualissues?• Whendopeopleyouknowapproachyouforhelpaboutanything?• Whatsortofsituationscouldtherebewhereyouwouldn’thelpsomeonewhoaskedyou?• WhatONEthingcouldyoudotohelppeoplefeeltheycantrustyou?
HavealookatotherresourcesintheStartingOut/PursuingtheHumansections
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Engaging with the Bible Themes: Trust:Making Community
PhotobyColumbiaGASPPonFlickr
The True Kindred of Jesus (Matthew 12. 46-50)
Whilehewasstillspeakingtothecrowds,hismotherandhisbrotherswerestandingoutside,wantingtospeaktohim.Someonetoldhim,‘Look,yourmotherandyourbrothersarestandingoutside,wantingtospeaktoyou.’Buttotheonewhohadtoldhimthis,Jesusreplied,‘Whoismymother,andwhoaremybrothers?’Andpointingtohisdisciples,hesaid,‘Herearemymotherandmybrothers!ForwhoeverdoesthewillofmyFatherinheavenismybrotherandsisterandmother.
What’sgoingon?
Imagineyouareinchurch,preaching,teaching,leadingworshiporgivingatalkofsomekind.Yougetatextonyourphonetosaythatyourmotheroryourbrotherorsisterisoutsideandwantyoutocomeoutandtalktothem.It’surgentandtheyreallywantyoutogooutandmeetthem.Instead,youmaketheirrequestintoateachingpoint.Everyoneinthechurchisyourfamilyandtheyhaveaclaimonyoutoo.InfactthisiswhatGod’skingdomislike,anextendedfamilywhereeveryonetreatspeoplewiththerespectandcareyouwouldgivetoyourownfamily.
ThisiswhatJesusdoes.HeusestheoccasiontochangethehierarchicalrelationshipsofteacherandfollowerstoafamilyunitedintheloveofGod.AsGodisFather,soeveryone’sreligiousidentityisnowdefinedbykinship,withallthetiesofmutualduty,love,hospitality,trustandrespectthatentails.
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Whydoesitmatter?
Jesusproposesaradicalwayoflookingatourselvesasacommunity.FollowingGodisnotabouthavingstatusorrolesbutbeinginrelationshipwithoneanother.Discipleshipisnotaboutgainingspecialaccesstodivinetruthorhavingpoweroverothersbuthavingthesameresponsibilitiesandcareforoneanotherasinafamily.
Itmatterstoo,becausethiswasanaspectoflivinginthelifeofChristthatthedisciplesoftensimplydidn’t‘get’.TheyarguedaboutwhowasgoingtobethegreatestandwereshockedandhorrifiedwhenJesuswashedtheirfeet.YetJesusconstantlyurgedthedisciplestobefamilytooneanotherandaskedoneofthemtoadopthismotherevenashehungontheCross.Wetoo,oftenforgetaboutbeingfamilyandcommunityandarestilltodayhunguponroles,titles,statusandpower.
Startingaconversation
• Whatactivitiesinyourchurchfeelmostlikebeingafamily?Oneparticularelderlywomanalwaysstoodjustoutsidethechurchdooraftertheserviceandsaid‘Godbless’toeveryoneastheywentdownthesteps.Peoplewouldsay‘Thanks,Mum.’
• Supposeyourwelcomeandoutreachtootherswerere-modelledasaninvitationfromanopenandextendedfamily.WhoinyourChristiancommunitywouldyouidentifyasmothersandfathers?Whowouldbesistersandbrothers?
Prayer:Lord,helpusalwaystobeyourbrothersandsisters
Whatnext?
Makealistofactivitiesyoudoforandwithyourfamilyinatypicalweek.Forexample:
• Washingandironing• Makingmealsforfamilymembers• Lookingafterpeoplewhentheyaresick• Babysitting• Celebratingspecialoccasions• Spendingtimeandhavingfuntogether
PhotobyYunHuangYongonFlickr
Ifyouimaginedthesocialactionyourchurchorchurchestogetherdointhecommunityasbeingextensionsofthesefamilyactivities,howmightthatchangethewayyouviewthem?
HavealookatotherresourcesintheTrust/MakingCommunitysections
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Engaging with the Bible Themes: Hope: Creating New News
PhotobypaukrusonFlickr
A New Commandment (John 13.34-35)
Igiveyouanewcommandment,thatyouloveoneanother.JustasIhavelovedyou,youalsoshould
loveoneanother. Bythiseveryonewillknowthatyouaremydisciples,ifyouhaveloveforone
another.’
What’sgoingon?
Thecontextofthis‘newnews’matters.InJohn’sgospel,JesussaysthesewordsattheLastSupper.JudashasjustleftandJesusknowswhereJudashasgoneandthathewasgoingtobetrayhim.Theotherdisciplesdonot.Whatisgoingtohappenwhentheyfindout?WhatwillhappenwhenJesusisarrested,triedandsenttoexecution?
Thechancesarethatthediscipleswillfallapart.Theymightwellturnoneachother,dolingoutblameforJesus’death.Withouttheirleaderandteacher,astheystruggletounderstandGod’swill,theymightwelljustgiveupandthetiesthatbindthemtogethermightsimplydissolve.
EveryJewunderstandsthecommandmentsastheholiestexpressionofGod’sLaw.NowJesusoffersanewcommandment,adefiningreligiousrequirement,partoftheirreligiousidentity.AndthisnewcommandmentistoreplicateJesus’lifeintheirownlives,tobeChristianwitnessestoothers,characterisedbyloveforoneanother,notblame,recrimination,powerstruggleordespair.Thisiswhypeoplewilllooktothedisciplestogivethemhope.LivinginChristmeanstoliveinanewway,whichovercomeseventhedarkestandmostbewilderingexperiences.Jesusthrowsthemalifeline,awaytobethenewChristiancommunity.Theyjustdon’tknowityet.
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Whydoesitmatter?
JesusisabouttoplacehimselfentirelyinGod’shands.ButattheLastSupperhealsolaysthefoundationsforthedisciples’future.Inwashingtheirfeet,institutingtheEucharistandgivingthisnewcommandment,heoffersawayofbeingwitheachother,andwithGod,whichwillbeasignofhopeforthosetheyministertoandevangeliseinthefuture.Indoingthesethings,healsogivesusthesamecommandment:wearetoloveoneanothersothatpeoplewillknowthatweareChristiandisciples.Butdowedothis?
Startingaconversation
• Alotofwhatpeople‘know’abouttheChurchisgatheredfromscandalstoriesinnewspapersandothermedia.Whatcouldwedoinourownlocalwitnessandbehaviourtochangeandchallengethoseperceptions?
• WhatneedstohappenwhenChristiancommunitiesareveryobviouslynotlovingoneanother?
• Jesussaid‘....asIhavelovedyou’.Whatdoyouthinkthedisciplesunderstoodbythat?
Prayer:LordJesus,helpustolivebyyournewcommandmentinallweareandwhatwedo.
Whatnext?
Somethingstodo:
• Whenyouarenextplanningeventsinchurchorforyourlocalcommunity,thinkabouthowyoucouldadvertiseitfornewnewsthatbringshopetopeople.Whywouldpeoplebesurprised,pleased,excitedorcuriousaboutwhatyourchurchisofferingorsayingaboutitself?
• WhatONEthingcouldyouchange(orstart)inyourchurchorinyourownlifewhichwouldshowChrist’sloveforhisfriendsmoreclearly?
Photo:CaitlinDoeonFlickr
HavealookatotherresourcesintheHope/CreatingNewNewssections
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Engaging with the Bible Themes: ConfidenceHonouring Memory
Photo:gags9999onFlickr
The Woman at the Well (John 4. 27-30; 39-42)
Justthenhisdisciplescame.Theywereastonishedthathewasspeakingwithawoman,butnoonesaid,‘Whatdoyouwant?’or,‘Whyareyouspeakingwithher?’Thenthewomanleftherwater-jarandwentbacktothecity.Shesaidtothepeople,‘ComeandseeamanwhotoldmeeverythingIhaveeverdone!HecannotbetheMessiah,canhe?’Theyleftthecityandwereontheirwaytohim.
ManySamaritansfromthatcitybelievedinhimbecauseofthewoman’stestimony,‘HetoldmeeverythingIhaveeverdone.’SowhentheSamaritanscametohim,theyaskedhimtostaywiththem;andhestayedtherefortwodays.Andmanymorebelievedbecauseofhisword.Theysaidtothewoman,‘Itisnolongerbecauseofwhatyousaidthatwebelieve,forwehaveheardforourselves,andweknowthatthisistrulytheSaviouroftheworld.’
What’sgoingon?
JesusbreakssomeculturalandreligiousboundarieswhenhetalksaboutGodtoaSamaritanwomanwhoisdrawingwaterfromawell.SamaritansandJewsdidnotgetontogetherandmenwerenotsupposedtotalktounaccompaniedwomen.Butthisisnotjustatheologylesson;Jesusshowsthatheknowsallaboutthewoman’slife,includingallaboutherpast.Despitehercomplicatedlife,JesusentrustsherwithgoodnewsaboutGod.Shebecomesanevangelist,tellingeveryoneinhercommunityaboutJesussothattheygotofindabouthimthemselves.HavingtalkedtoJesustheygo
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backtotheircommunityandtellthewomanthattheybelieveinJesusandthatshehasspokenthetruth.
Whydoesitmatter?
ManycommentatorsfocusonthewayJesuscutsacrossculturaltaboos,butitisalsoimportantthatJesustalkstothewomaninthecontextofherwholehistory:‘HetoldmeeverythingIhaveeverdone’.Sheisapersonwithapast,butthatpastisalsowhataddsdepthandconfidencetohertestimonyandmakespeoplewanttofindoutaboutJesusforthemselves.IfthispersoncanbeexcitedaboutJesus,perhapsit’sworthfindingoutaboutJesus.ThewomanissoamazedbyJesussherushesoff,leavingherwaterjarbehind,invitingpeopleto‘comeandsee!’Peopledo
comeandseeandinviteJesustocomeintotheirlivesandsharewiththem.
PhotobyDavidRosenonFlickr
Startingaconversation
• Howmightaperson’spastorreputationaddweighttowhattheysayabouttheirfaith?• HowimportantisitthatJesusshowheknows‘everythingIhaveeverdone’?• Howdoyouthinkthewoman’scommunityreactedwhensheturneduptalkinglikethis(and
withoutthewater)?• Doesyourchurchwelcomepeopleofeverybackground?Howwouldyoufeelabout
worshippingalongsidepeoplewhoaredivorced,oraregayoraretransgender?• Howwouldyoufeelaboutworshippingalongsidepeoplewhohavebeeninprison,orare
homeless,orwhohavementalhealthissues?• Arethereelementsinyourownpersonalhistorywhichhelpyouempathisewithpeople
goingthroughproblemsnow?
Prayer:LordJesus,youknowthesecretsofourhearts,helpusinviteothersto‘comeandsee’.
Whatnext?
Thingstodo:buildingconfidence
• Youcouldlookatprovidingasafespaceinyourchurchforpeoplewhomightwanttotalkaboutdifficultepisodesintheirpast.
• Youcouldalsoreviewyourchurch’sworkinmissionandevangelism.Aretherepeoplewhoarebeingoverlookedbecausetheydon’t‘fit’thepictureofanevangelist?
HavealookatotherresourcesintheConfidence/HonouringMemorysections.
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Engaging with the Bible Themes: Sharing; Being the Face of Love
PhotobyAleksanderDragnesonFlickr
The Howling Man (Mark 5.1-13)
Theycametotheothersideofthelake,tothecountryoftheGerasenes.Andwhenhehadsteppedoutoftheboat,immediatelyamanoutofthetombswithanuncleanspiritmethim.Helivedamongthetombs;andnoonecouldrestrainhimanymore,evenwithachain;forhehadoftenbeenrestrainedwithshacklesandchains,butthechainshewrenchedapart,andtheshackleshebrokeinpieces;andnoonehadthestrengthtosubduehim.Nightanddayamongthetombsandonthemountainshewasalwayshowlingandbruisinghimselfwithstones.WhenhesawJesusfromadistance,heranandboweddownbeforehim;andheshoutedatthetopofhisvoice,‘Whathaveyoutodowithme,Jesus,SonoftheMostHighGod?IadjureyoubyGod,donottormentme.’Forhehadsaidtohim,‘Comeoutoftheman,youuncleanspirit!’ThenJesusaskedhim,‘Whatisyourname?’Hereplied,‘MynameisLegion;forwearemany.’Hebeggedhimearnestlynottosendthemoutofthecountry.Nowthereonthehillsideagreatherdofswinewasfeeding;andtheuncleanspiritsbeggedhim,‘Sendusintotheswine;letusenterthem.’Sohegavethempermission.Andtheuncleanspiritscameoutandenteredtheswine;andtheherd,numberingabouttwothousand,rusheddownthesteepbankintothelake,andweredrownedinthelake.
What’sgoingon?
Inthisstrangeanddisturbingstory,Jesusgoestoamanwhoissodesperatelymentallyillandinwardlytormentedthatpeoplehavechainedhimup.Butnoneoftheirrestraintshavelastedandheisrovingaboutscreamingandhurtinghimself.Hehasbeenabandonedandislivingamongthedead.Jesustalkstotheman,agreeshowhewillbehealedandgiveshimhealing.Theevilthathasafflictedthemanisdrivenoutanddestroyed.
Whydoesitmatter?
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OnonelevelthisisastoryaboutthetriumphofJesusoverthespiritualrealm,drivingoutevilandrestoringthemanashewasmeanttobeunderGod.However,onanotherlevel,whatisimportantisthatthereisafacetofacemeetingbetweenJesusandamannobodyelseknowswhattodowith,apersonabandonedasahopelesscase,tiedupandcastoutawayfromsociety.YetJesusdoesnottreatthemanasa‘case’orashowpieceinexorcism;hesharesaconversationwithhim.Heaskshimhisname,findsoutaboutwhatitisliketobeinhisconditionandhealshim.JesusrevealsGod’sloveandcompassiontotheman,meetinghimonhisowntermsandinhisownplace.Heshowsusawaythatwetoocanbethefaceoflovetoothers.
Startingaconversation
• Whatsortofpeopledoyouthinkareinthepositionofthehowlingmantoday?• Wherearethe‘no-go’placesinoursocietyandwhoisbestplacedtohelpthepeoplewho
livethere?• IfJesusspenttimesharingwiththemanbeforehealinghim,whatshouldwebesharingwith
thosewetrytohelp?Whatmightwelearnfromtheminourturn?
Prayer:LordJesus,helpustobethefaceofGod’slovetoothers,especiallytothosewhomothers
haveabandoned,givenup,orwhoareunheardorignored.
Whatnext?
Somethingstodo:
• Lookroundyourlocalareaforcharitieswhichhelpthemostvulnerableinoursociety.Findoutwhattheydoandseeiftherearewaysinwhichyouand/oryourchurchcouldhelporsupportthem.
• Thinkabouthowyoucouldsupportpeoplewhoprovideministrytothosewho‘hiddenaway’,suchasthoseinprison,insecurepsychiatricfacilities,peoplewhoarevictimsoftraffickingetc.
• Putasideaperiodoftime(egLentorAdvent)toconcentrateonbeingthefaceofJesus’lovetothosearoundus,perhapstakingabitmoretimetolistentofriendsorcolleagues,ormakingtimetovisitpeoplewhoarelonelyorinneedofachat.
Photo:‘CompassionandFriendship’byAdamSmithonFlickr
HavealookatotherresourcesintheSharing/BeingtheFaceofLovesections
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Making a Change Themes: Starting OutPursuing the Human
Driving
PhotobywhatleydudeonFlickr
Awomanwasinvitedtoastreetpartybutsherefusedtocomeandjoininwithherneighbours.Whensomeoneknockedonherdoorandaskedherwhyshedidn’twanttocomeandjointhem,shesaidthatwhenevershedroveupthenarrowroadtoherhouseandpulledovertoletsomebodypass,theyneverwavedorsaidthankyou,soshedidn’twanttosocialisewithsuchungratefulpeople.
Foralotofus,gettinginthecaranddrivingoffissecondnature.Ifwe’refortunateenoughtoownacar,thenitoftenbecomesanextensionofourhome.Wepilethekidsintogotoschool,theswimmingpool,tovisitrelatives.Weputthedoginthebacktogotothepark.Wegotothesupermarket,thegardencentre,ontripsout,orvisits.
Oftenthoughassoonaswe’rebehindthewheelorcomfortablysittinginthepassengerseatwezoneout.Weputtheradioon,talktopassengersorjustthinkaboutwhatwe’regoingtogetattheshopsorwhetherwe’regoingtobelatefortheschoolpickup.Otherroadusersandpedestriansarejusttheregoingabouttheirbusinessorannoyinguswiththeirbaddriving.
Butsupposethatweconsideredourowndrivingbehaviourasawayofbeingsociallyresponsible?Perhapsitreallywouldmakeadifferencetootherpeople,ifwemadeanefforttodrivewiththeirwelfareconsciouslyinmindandhelpedpeoplewhomightbelessconfidentthanweare.TheAAreportssomeappallinginstancesofharassmentoflearnerdriversandagenerallackofconsiderationandrespect.http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/news/driving-school-road-rage-idiots.html
Jesusasksustoloveourneighbourandwetendtothinkofneighboursaspeoplewholivenearusorwhoshareourlivesinsomeway.Butontheroad,allthevehiclesandpedestriansaroundusareour
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neighbours.Perhapsitwouldmakesomeone’sdaytobegivenspaceatabusyjunctionorleftaparkingspacenearertotheentranceofchurchorshop.
Whatreallymakesmecrossiswhensomeonedangerouslycutsyouupandthecarthey’redrivinghasgotafishstickerontheback...
Herearesomeideastothinkabout.Youcouldalsocomeupwithideasofyourown.
• Acknowledgeandsaythankyoutoanyonewhogiveswaytoletyoupass.• Bemoreawareofpedestriansatcrossings.Waitthatbitlongerforaparentwithatoddler
crossingtheroad.Don’tspeeduptogetpastthembeforetheystarttocross.• Consciouslyanticipatetheroadconditionsandtraffic.Whatdoyouneedtodotodrivemore
safely?Howcanyouhelpotherroadusersgetaboutsafely?Thinkespeciallyaboutpeoplearoundbusesandicecreamvans,cyclistsandmotorcyclists.
• Makesureyourcarisingoodrepairandallthelightsareworkingandthatyouarenotendangeringothersbymakingitdifficultforthemtoseeyou.
• Ifyoufeelangrywithsomeonewhohasdrivenbadly,findawaytoletitgoratherthanretaliate.
• Makespaceforpeopletojointraffic–evertriedtogetontoajammedmotorwayfromasliproadorontoamainroadfromabusyjunctionandbeenstuckthereaspeoplecrowdyouout?Youcouldhelpsomeonebyleavingenoughspaceforthemtogetout.NOTE:ifyouaregoingtoletsomeoneout,makeeyecontactwiththemandeitherjustwaitforthemtopulloutorindicatewithyouhandyouarelettingthemgo.Don’tflashyourheadlightsasthereisascamcalled‘flashforcash’wheresomecriminalsdeliberatelyinvitepeopleoutbyflashingandthenhitthemtoclaiminsurance.Flashingheadlightstoletpeopleoutmightmakethemvulnerabletothisscam.
• Ifyouareablebodiedleavetheclosestparkingspacesforpeoplewhomightfinditmoredifficulttowalktotheshopsorthehealthcentreorthechurch.Itcan’thurttoparkabitfartherawayfromtheentrance,evenifit’sraining.
• Whenyouhaveparkedyourcarthinkbackoverthedrive.Howhaveyouhelpedyourneighboursontheroad?Whomighthavehadabetterday?Whattemptedyoutogetannoyedandhowdidyoureact?
Whatnext?
HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesintheStartingOut/PursuingtheHumansections.
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Making a Change Themes: TrustMaking Community
Sharing the Peace
PhotobyDavidPaceyonFlickr
John20.21Jesussaidtothemagain,‘Peacebewithyou.AstheFatherhassentme,soIsendyou.’
Whatdoyoudoinyourchurchtogreetoneanother,ortosharethepeacewithoneanother?Ahug,akiss,ahandshake,apolitenodinthedirectionoftheotherperson?Doesitmatterhowwedothis?Isitsomethingwelookforwardtoordreaddoing?
Insomecountriesitisamatterofpolitenesstogreetothers,shakehandsandperhapsevenshareadrinkoraconversationbeforebuyingsomethinginashop.IntheUK,wetendtojustmarchin,findwhatwewant,handitover,payforit,andmarchoutagain.
Yetonthewhole,Christiansaregoodatmakingcommunitywherevertheygo.Thismeanswearemorelikelytoconsidertheotherpersonintheencounterswehaveinourdailylivesandtoseethemasinterestinghumanbeingsratherthanas‘just’serviceproviders.ItmightbethatmeetingoneanotherasafamilyonaSunday,equipsuswiththeabilitytoseeothersintermsofrelationship.Howcanwebuildonthat,sothatwebecomemorewillingtoengagewithothersratherthanjust‘take’fromthem,andmoreabletobuildtrustwiththosearoundus?
I’veservedaboutthirtycustomersthismorningandyouaretheonlyonewhohassaid‘thankyou’...
OnewaymightbetoimaginesharingthepeaceofChristwitheveryonewemeetonadailybasis.Thatmeansbuildingonwhatwedoinchurch,pausingtoallowenoughtimeandspacetoacknowledgetheotherpersonandtowishGod’sblessinguponthem.Youcandothiswheneveryouareoutandaboutorifyouworkinaprofessionthatispublicfacing.
Itriedtoaskwhattheshewantedbutshewouldn’tgetoffhermobilephone....
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Itmaysoundodd,butwenowliveinasocietywhererespectforothers,politenessandgratitudearesometimesinshortsupply.Beingmoreintentionalaboutenquiringafterothers,offeringtohelp,sayingthankyouandbeingwillingtohaveashortchatcanactuallymakesomeone’sday,especiallyiftheyworkinajobwhichlaysthemopentorudeness,orevenverbalabuse.Manypeopleworkingtoprovideotherswithgoodsandservicesalsofeeltakenforgranted,exploitedandundervalued.Evenprofessionalpeoplelikedoctorsandsolicitorsneedtofeelvaluedandoftenonlygetcomplaintsratherthankindnessandappreciation.
Herearesomethoughtsabouthowwecan‘makecommunity’andshareGod’speaceeveryday.
• Trynottobetoorushed,sothatyouhavetimefortheotherperson,ratherthanthinkingaboutwhatarushyouarein.
• Ifyourphonerings,leaveit.Helptheotherpersontofeeltheyareimportanttoyou.• Sayhello,askthemaquestion[eg‘whatsortofdayareyouhaving?],saythankyouand
meanit.• Trynottosaytheemptythingspeoplealwayssay.• Ifthepersonhasanamebadge,remembertheirnameandprayforthemlater.• Ifyougetthechanceforafriendlyconversation,useit.• Imaginesharingthepeacewiththemorsaysomethinglike‘Ihopeyouhaveapeacefulday’.• Ifyouregularlyseethispersoninyourdailylife,likeabusdriverorGPreceptionist,make
thempartofyourprayerlife,thankingGodforthemandwhattheydo.Tellthemyouaregladtoseethemorgratefulandappreciativefortheservicestheyprovide.
• AttimeslikeChristmasandEasterorotherappropriateoccasions,youmightbeable,asachurch,totakesomethinglikebiscuits,fruitorothersmallgiftstoplacesyouhave‘madecommunity’toshowappreciationforwhatthestaffdo.
Thisisanexerciseinbuildingtrustandapplyingwhatweofferinchurchtothewiderworld.Whiletheserelationshipsmightleadtoevangelismandinvitationinduecourse,theimportantmatteristolearnaboutourselvesandhowwerelatetoothersaswetrytoleadmeaningfulChristianlives.
Trydoingthiswithothersfromyourchurchorgroupforaweekandthencompareexperiences.
• Howeasyordifficultwasthistodo?• Whatsortofreactionorresponsedidyougetfrompeople?
Photo:ManishBansalonFlickr
Whatnext?HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesintheTrust/MakingCommunity
sections.
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Making a Change Themes: HopeCreating New News
Smart Living
Wearelivinginatimeofcomputers,tablets,satnavs,appsandsmarttechnologyfromphonestofitbits.Oursourcesofinformationcomeincreasinglyfromtheinternet,andsoitmattershowconnectedwearetowifiormobilecommunications.Foryoungerpeopletodaytheinternethasalwaysbeenpartoftheirlives;olderpeoplemaybebusytryingtolearnnewskillsandtomanagethewelteroffast-changingnewtechnology.Often,itisyoungerpeoplewhotodayhavemorewisdomand‘savvy’aboutusingsmartphonesandtheinternetthantheirparentsandgrandparents.Shouldwetrustthemmoretoleadthewayinthis?
Thequestion,‘whoismyneighbour?’takesonanewperspectivetoday,whensocialmediaplatformslikeFacebookandTwitterallowustoconnectinstantlywithpeopleontheothersideofacityoreventheothersideoftheworld.Therearepeoplewhosharetheirintimateliveswithothersonline,perhapswhenlivingwithdisease,andgetsupport,encouragementandprayersfromthosewhofollowtheirstoryandhelpthemfeellessalone.Ontheotherhand,wealsohearoftrollswhobully,belittleandberateindividuals,usingtherelativeanonymityoftheirstatusonlinetoventtheirhatredorspleen,causingupsetanddistress.
Withthesenewtechnologiescomenewopportunitiesandnewproblems.Ontheonehandasmartphonecanstopyoungpeoplegettinglost,reassureparentsthatalliswellandprovideeasyaccesstohelpandassistanceshouldsomethinggowrong.Ontheotherhandtheriseofcyber-bullying,onlinegroomingandsextingcausesparentsnewworries.
RelianceontechnologysuchassmartphoneshascausedthemissiologistMikeFrosttocointheterm‘excarnation’.Peoplenowadaysmaychoosetolivemorethroughtheirtechnology,takingselfiesandvideoingeventsandlookingatthoselater,thanexperiencingthemoment.Ourtechnologyinvitesustoengagewithrealitydifferently,sothatinatraincarriagefullofpeopletherecanbeawholehostofinvisiblepeoplealsopresentattheotherendofconversationsandexperiences.
Soinanincreasingly‘excarnate’worldwecanask:
HowdowemakesenseofnewtechnologyasasignofhopeforthefutureGodintendsforus?
Whatnewnewsdopeopletodayneedtoheartohelpthemknowhowtousetheirinternetenableddeviceswisely?
• Makealistofhelpfultechnologieswhichareusefultohumanbeingsintransformingourworldforthebetter.
• Makealistofcautionsabouttheuseofinternet-enableddevicesindailylife.Someexamplesmightbe:
• Technologiesusedtocurediseasessuchasmalaria• Peoplenottakingcarewithselfiesandputtingthemselvesindangerbyforgettingwhere
theyare.Reversethelistsbylookingatthedangersoftechnologicaladvancewithoutproperethicalcontrolsandatthehelpfulsideofinternet-enableddevices.
Someexamplesmightbe
• Issuesaroundgene-editingandgeneticmodification;orinternetscamsandphishing.• GPStohelpyouifyougetlost.
Photo:AndrewCurrieonFlickr
In2015thecomposerAndrewLloydWebberurgedchurchestoprovidewi-fitomakechurchesmoreconnectedtotheircommunities.Somechurchesandchurchhallsalreadydothis.How,asChristians,canweprovidewisdomtogenerationsafterusaboutappropriateuseoftechnologyandtheinternetandhowcanweuseitourselvestoobtaingoodinformation,careforandsupportothers,andreachoutandsustainothers?
Thingsyoucandoinyourchurch:
Oneinitiativemightbetogetyoungerpeopleinthechurchtoprovideahelplineserviceforolderpeoplewhoareworriedaboutcomputervirusesandphishingscams.
Anothermightbeforolderpeopletoprovideapersonal‘humanvoice’helplineserviceforanyonesufferingfromcyberbullying.
Youcanprobablythinkofevenmorepossibilitiesandexamplesofhelpingyourneighboursandcommunities.
Whatnext?HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesintheHope/CreatingNewNews
sections.
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Making a Change Themes: ConfidenceHonouring Memory
Being there
Ayoungmotorcyclistwaskilledinanaccidentandatthesiteofhisdeath,hisfriendsgatheredtobringflowers,cards,andtoys.Hismotorcyclewasalsoleftthereandpeoplewrotemessagesonit.Somepeoplebroughtcansofbeerinabucketandleftanotherbucketforrubbishwhichwasclearedawaydaily.Someoneelsebroughtabenchandpeoplesatonittoremembertheirfriend.Afterawhileanelderlymancameeverydaytositonthebenchandtalktothedeadperson’sfriendsaboutwhattheywerefeeling.Andsoonpeoplecametospendtimewithhim,askinghimallsortsofquestionsaboutfaith,life,theuniverseandeverything.Onedaythoughhewasn’tthereandthepeoplemissedhimandwonderedwherehewas.HehadgonetochurchbecauseitwasSunday.
Agroupofyoungadultsfromseverallocalchurchesundertooktoprovideamapofalarge,ratherneglectedgraveyardintheirarea,chartingnamesanddatesanddrawingthelocationsofgraves.Whiletheywerethere,theyfoundtheywereincreasinglytalkingtorelativesandfriendsatfuneralsandhelpingwhenpeoplecametovisit,layflowersandremember.Fromtheseencounters,thegroupfoundthemselvesformingsomesmallergroups.Onedevelopedabereavementministryforpeopleimmediatelyafterfuneralshadtakenplace;anothersmallgroupstartedtoworkwithfuneraldirectorstoprovidepracticalhelpaboutpreparingforfunerals.Athirdgroupoperatedabefriendingservicetowidowsandwidowersofferingpeoplecomingtovisitthechanceofacupofteainthegardencentrenextdoor.Afourthgroupofferedprayersforbereavedfamilies.
Wesometimesthinkthataconfidentsharingofourfaithwithothersisaboutleadingpeopleforwardintoanewstageontheirspiritualjourney.EvangelismisabouttheirlifewithChristfromnowon.Butpeople’smemoriesandrelationshipsareanimportantpartoftheirspiritualitytoo.Whotheyhavebeen,eveniftheyhavetragicordifficultpasts,canbeimportanttotheirdevelopmentas
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peopleoffaith.Lifecrises,likeillness,divorce,orthedeathoffriends,childrenorparents,alsobringtheimportanceofrememberingandreflectionintotheforeground.Itispartofspiritualdevelopment,howpeoplemakesenseofsurvivingthoseevents.
Similarly,andperhapsparadoxically,havingconfidenceinfaithdoesnotnecessarilymeanhavingalltheanswers.Theelderlymanonthebenchwasconfidentinhisabilitytoreceivethegrievingofbewilderedfriends;hedidnotclaimtobeabletosolveorchangetheirgrief,butcamebackdayafterdaytosharewiththem,praywiththemorevenjustsitinsilencewiththem.
Thesestoriesshowusthatstandingalongsidevulnerablepeople,grievingpeople,lonelypeopleandlostpeople,beingpreparedtolistentothem,honourtheirmemoriesandsimplytocomeback,dayafterday,buildsconfidenceinthosepeoplethatChristiansdocare,willcareandcanbereliedupon.Tryingto‘solve’people’sissueswithoutsolidarity,orevangelisingthemtowashawaytheirpasts,caninfacterodesuchconfidence.
Thingstodoandthinkabout:
• WhatexistingministriesdoyouhaveinyourchurchwhichcanbuildconfidenceinthecommunityinChristiansasasourceofhelpandsolidarity?
• Howmightthoseministriesbeextended?• Whoarethepeopleinyourcommunitywhosememoriesespeciallyneedtobehonoured
andrespected?• Howmightthosepeopleofferthosememoriesbacktothechurch?• Whatopportunitiesdoyouhaveforcommemorationandcelebrationaschurchesandas
communities?
Photo,‘streetparty’byIainandSarahonFlickr
Whatnext?HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesintheConfidence/HonouringMemory
sections.
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Making a Change Themes: SharingBeing the Face of Love
Mapping the Kingdom
ThisisamapofBurybutyoucanuseanybasictownmaporamapofyourownlocalarea.
Imagine,eitherindividuallyorinagroup,thatyouarelookingatthismapfromaGod’s-eyeview.
• WheredoyouseeaChristianpresenceonthemap–whereChristiansareactiveandmakingadifference?
• WheredoyouseeplaceswhereChristiansregularlygather?• WheredoyouseeplaceswhereChristiansregularlygointheirdailylives?• ArethereareasofthemapwhicharenottouchedbyChristianpresence?What’shappening
inanyofthoseareas?WhatmightGodalreadybedoingthere?• Wheremightpeopleofotherfaithsfitintothispicture?• Aretherefeaturesmissingfromthemapwherepeopleareoverlooked,unmentionedor
forgotten?• ImaginethismapasamapofthekingdomofGodoverlaidonthephysicalgeography–
whereisthekingdombecomingmostapparent?Whereisitnotinevidence?• WhatchangeswouldhavetotakeplaceforthekingdomofGodtoberealisedacrossthe
wholemapandwhowouldbeinvolvedinthat?
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• Whatnewthings(housing,shops,schools,leisurecentres)havebeenhappeninginyourlocalareathatcouldbenefitfromChristianhospitalityandengagement?
• Inruralareas,howdoesthekingdomincludefarmers,animals,land,landmanagement?• Isthemapdifferentaccordingtoseason?• Howcanwebethefaceoflovetotouristsorvisitors?• HowcanweuseourkingdommapstobuildconfidenceinsharingourChristianpresence
andwitnesstoChristeverywherewego?
Photo:DickO’BrienonFlickr
Thingstodo:
• ImagineyouarerecordingsatnavinstructionsforChristianactivitiesinyourarea.Howwouldyoudirectapersonstartingonamainroadintoyourarealookingforworship,services,enquiriesaboutfaith,helpwithpersonalproblemsetc?Anumberofyoucoulddothisinagroup,mapoutthedirectionsandoverlaythemtoseewhatdifferentjourneysthatmightentail.Youmightthenwanttovisitsomeofthoseplacesandseehowtheyworkas‘stations’forpeopletryingtofindoutmoreaboutChristianfaithorlookingforChristianhelp.
IdentifyONEareaoftheplacewhereyoulivewhereyoucanbethefaceofChrist’slovetootherpeople.
• Whatisthatareaandwhatdoesitneed?• Whathaveyougottooffer(Presence?Time?Volunteering?Talents?)• Whoelsecouldyouworkwith(includingotherchurches,faithgroups,communitygroups,
agencies,farmersetc)?Setatimelimit(aday/week/month)tothis,andthenreviewwhatdifferenceithasmadetothemap.
Whatnext?HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesintheSharing/BeingtheFaceofLove
sections.
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Reflection: Starting outPursuing the Human
Let us Pray
Photo‘PrayingHands’byPhilWarrenonFlickr
Amancametoafriend’sfuneral.Whentheministersaidtothecongregation‘letuspray’,themanturnedtothepersonnexttohimandsaid‘whatdoIdo?’
WhentheChurchofEngland’sSocialResponsibilityOfficerscametogethertodiscussstoriesonfaithinactionattheir2015nationalconference,itwasnoticeablehowmanyofthosestoriesincludedtheimportanceofprayer.Prayingwithandforothers,prayinginworshipfortheworld,prayingforguidanceandwisdomtoknowwhattodotohelpothers,prayingforGodtobepresentinsocialactionandworkingforsocialjustice,prayingforstrengthandcourageindifficultdecision,prayingwhenwefailandpeoplestillgohungry,unhelped,ordie.
ResearcherslikeDavidHayandRebeccaNye,whohavestudiedthespiritualityofpeoplewhodonotgotochurch,showthatmanysuchpeoplehavepowerfulspiritualexperiencesandmayfeelthattheyhavegenuinelyencounteredGodworkingintheirlives.Buttheymaynothavethewordstoarticulatetheseexperiencesoraskquestionsaboutthem,andmanymoreworrythattheywillbelaughedatorhumiliatediftheytry.Suchpeopleoftenwanttopraybutdon’tknowhowtobeginorifthereisa‘rightway’topray.
WhenthosearoundJesusaskedhimhowtopray,hegavethemthewordsoftheLord’sPrayer(seeLuke11.1-4).Healsotaughtthemaboutprayer;thatitisprimarilyanexpressionofrelationshipwithGodasFather,notasetofdemandsorawishlisttoadistantdeity(seeMatthew6.5-14).Tothatextentprayerispersonaltoeachoneofus.Thereisno‘right’waytopray,butJesussaysthatprayingforshow,tolookextrareligiousortoimpressothersisnotwhatprayingisabout.
Thingstodo:
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• Spendsometimethinkingabouthowyoupray.Howcouldyoudeepenandextendyourownprayerlife?
• UnderwhatcircumstanceswouldyoufeelcomfortableprayingwithsomeoneoutsidetheChurch?
• HowwouldyoutalkabouttheLord’sPrayertosomeonewhohadneverheardofit?• Whatwouldyousaytosomeonewhoaskedyouhowtopray?• PeopleofallfaithsandnoneareoftenprofoundlygratefulfortheprayersoftheirChristian
friends.Howcouldyouletthepeopleyouencounterandworkwithknowthattheyareinyourprayers?
AtChristmasateamofChristianswentfromdoortodoorinaparishwithanotebook,askingpeopleiftherewasanythingoranyonetheywouldlikethemtoprayforattheparishchurch.Alotofpeoplewroteinthebookaboutsickrelatives,jobworries,bullying,examstressandmanyotherproblemsandconcerns.Allwereprayedforataspecialservice,butthebookalsocreatedapictureofissuesinthelocalarea,especiallylonelinessandisolation.Thechurchthenorganisedaseriesofschemes,includingbefriendingschemes,aChristiantaxiandbaby-sittingserviceandapet-sharescheme,tohelppeopletheyhadheardaboutthroughthedayofprayer.
Photo:NancyHannonFlickr
WhatNext?
HavealookatotherresourcesintheStartingOut/PursuingtheHumansections.
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Reflection: Trust Making Community
Photo:AnthonyEastononFlickr
Sanctuary
Awomanwasphonedbyananxiousneighbourwhohadnoticedatallyoungmaninahoodedtophangingaroundthewoman’sfrontdoor.Afterawhiletheyoungmanwasjoinedbytwoothers,alsoinhoodedtops,whowerelookinginthroughthewindows.Theneighbourwasconcernedforthewoman’ssafetyandaskedherifsheshouldcallthepolice.Thewomanlookedoutandsawthatthetallyoungmanwasherson.Theothertwowerehisfriends.
Manypeopletodayareasanxiousastheneighbourintheabovestory.Becausepeoplefearthingslikecrimeandterrorism,commonworriesandsuspicionsoftencentreonpeoplewhoappearinsomewaysuspiciousordifferent.Thatmeansthatpeoplewhoarevulnerableorinfactinmostneedofhelpandcarecanbeviewedasthreatening,alarmingorsimplytobeavoided.
Anotherprimecauseofanxietyintoday’ssocietyisthefearthatwearenotincontrol,thatpowersofevilareatworkintheworldandthatourlivesaredisintegrating.Peopleoftenfeelthatthosewhogovernuscannotbetrustedandsoourfuturesareindanger,whethertheissuesarearoundtheNHS,pensions,patternsofmigration,orclimatechange.
Christiansarenotimmunetotheseworriesandconcerns,butwecanstarttothinkabouthowtogetahandleonthemifwethinkaboutthemasspiritualissues.
Somethingstothinkabout:
• HowdoesChristianfaithhelpusdealwithfears,worriesandconcernsaboutthestateoftheworldandourlocalsituation?
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• Howcanwehelpotherswiththeirownworriesandanxietiesthroughbuildinguptrust?• HowcanourchurchesandChristiancommunitiesbeplacesofsanctuaryandsafetyfor
vulnerablepeopleandthosemistrustedbyothers?Whyshouldpeopletrustus?
• Howoftendowetellthetruth;behavewithhonestyandtransparency;showrespectforothers;showkindnessandcompassion;actwithintegrity?
• Whatdowedowhenwefallshortinourbehaviour?• HowdowewitnesstoaGodwhocanbetrusted?
Ifyourchurchorcommunityisinvolvedinsocialaction:
• HowdosocialactionprojectsbuildtrustandconfidenceinChristiansandChristianbehaviour?
• Doesthechurchcomeacrossasaplaceofsafety,wherepeoplecanbetrustedtohelp?• Howdoyourprojectsaddressspiritualneedsoffearandconcernaswellasmaterialneeds?
Photo:JPonFlickr
WhatNext?
HavealookatotherresourcesintheTrust/MakingCommunitysections
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Reflection: HopeCreating New News
Photobyasenat29onFlickr
Giving
ThinkbacktoyourlastbirthdayorChristmasandthegiftsyoureceivedfromyourfamilyoryourfriendsandaboutthoseyougavetoothers.
Didyouget:
• Whatyouwanted?• Whatyouneeded?• Whatotherpeoplethoughtyouwanted?• Whatotherpeoplethoughtyouneeded?• Whatotherpeoplethoughtyoumightlike?• Whatotherpeoplereallywouldhavelikedtoreceivethemselves?• Somethingwhichclearlyindicatedtheycouldn’tthinkwhattoget?
Whatwouldhavehappenedifyoureallydidn’twantagiftatall?
Gift-givingisactuallyquiteacomplexbusiness,andindeeditisaspiritualissue.Afterall,wetalkaboutthegiftofGod’slove,thegiftofgrace,thegiftofredemption,thegifttousofJesusasGod’sson.Gift-givingcanbeanactofhospitality,respect,love,kindnessandcompassion.Itcancementfriendshipandbringgreatjoyandgratitude.
Butgiftgivingcanalsocreateproblems,especiallywhenitincludesanexerciseofpower,requiringreciprocationorputtingapersoninanother’sdebtorplacingobligationsuponthem.Giftgivingcanalsocomewithassumptionsaboutwhattherecipientwantsorneeds,withoutactuallyfindingoutthetruthaboutwhatthosewantsorneedsare.
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AChristiancharitybuiltawellinanAfricanvillage.Butthewellkeptbeingvandalised.Thecharitydidn’tunderstandwhythevillagerswouldkeepbreakingit;afterall,thewellfreedthewomenofthevillagefromwalkingmanymilestogetwater.Itturnedoutthatthewomenthemselveswerebreakingthewell.Thewalktogetwaterwasimportanttothem.Itgavethemtimealonetotalkabouttheirownconcernsandabreakfromtheotherchoresofthevillage.Noonehadaskedthemtheirviews.Everyoneassumedthewellinthevillagewouldbethebestoptionforthem.
ManykindsofevangelismandsocialactionareundertakenontheassumptionthatGod’slove,freelygiventoothers,mustbethebestkindofgiftthatChristianscanoffertoothers.Butifwedon’tstoptoimaginewhatitisliketobetherecipients,anddon’tgivethemspacetoletusknowwhattheywantandneedfromus,thenwecanbeindangerofabusingthegiftinourowndesireto‘dogood’.
Somethingtodo:
Thinkabouttheworkyouandyourchurchdointheareasofmissionandevangelismandsocialaction.
• Whatstepsdoyoutaketofindoutwhatpeopleactuallywantandneed?• Whatspaceisavailableforthoseyouhelptogivesomethingback?• Whatdoyouneedtothinkaboutinreachingouttominoritygroupsofpeople,vulnerable
groupsofpeople;peopleofotherfaiths?• Supposewethoughtaboutthetimeandeffortweputintoevangelismandsocialactionas
creatingsignsofhopeforothers.Whatwouldthose‘signsofhope’be?• Howcanreallytakingtimetounderstandtheneedsandwantsofotherscreatenewnews
aboutGodforthosepeople?DFID:givingaidtopeopleneedingshelterinNepal.
Whatnext?HavealookatothersectionsinHope/CreatingNewNews.
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Reflection: ConfidenceHonouring Memory
Confidence
GospelShip–exhibitioninAberystwythMuseum2015(1)
OneofthetraditionalspiritualdisciplinesoftheChurchhasbeentoconfessoursinsandreceiveGod’sforgiveness.HowthathappensdependsontheparticulartraditionsofourchurchesandhowfacinguptothewaywefallshortasChristiansaffectsuspersonally.
TheBookofCommonPrayersays:
ALMIGHTYandmostmercifulFather,Wehaveerred,andstrayedfromthywayslikelostsheep,Wehavefollowedtoomuchthedevicesanddesiresofourownhearts,Wehaveoffendedagainstthyholylaws,Wehaveleftundonethosethingswhichweoughttohavedone,Andwehavedonethosethingswhichweoughtnottohavedone,Andthereisnohealthinus:Butthou,OLord,havemercyuponusmiserableoffenders;Sparethouthem,OGod,whichconfesstheirfaults,Restorethouthemthatarepenitent,AccordingtothypromisesdeclareduntomankindinChristJesuourLord:Andgrant,OmostmercifulFather,forhissake,Thatwemayhereafterliveagodly,righteous,andsoberlife,TothegloryofthyholyName.Amen.
Oneofthingsthatpeopleperhapsforgetabouttheseimportanceactsofconfessionandpenitenceinworshipisthat,withabsolutionortheassurancethatoursinsareforgiven,theygiveusconfidencetogoforward.Whenwethinkbackoverthewaysinwhichwehavegotthingswrong,
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notliveduptoouraspirations,goneourownway,andlostsightofthefutureGoddesiresforus,wedonothavetobeweigheddown,crushedbyourfailures.Prayersofconfessiongiveuswaysofmakingsenseofourmemoriesandlearningfromourpastfailuresandmistakes,andbecausewealwaysandwithoutfail,areofferedthechancetostartagain,tolive‘godly,righteousandsober’livestothegloryofGodinthefuture,wecanbeconfidentthatwhenwegooutintotheworldtotrytoshareourfaithwithothers,totryanddoGod’swillintheworldandhelpothers,thatGodgoeswithus.Itdoesnotmatterthatsometimeswefail,orgetthingswrong.Worshipconnectsuswithachancetoreflectonthethingswehavegotwrong,orfailedtodoandgivesusthepromisethatwecanalwayslearnfromourmistakesandbeginagain.
Somethingtodo:
• Maketheprayersofconfessioninchurchworkforyou.Don’tjustusethemonSundays,makethemapartofstartinganynewendeavourinmissionandevangelismorsocialaction.Usethemtobuildconfidencethatwearecalledtoshareourfaithandwitnesswithothersintheworld.
Gospelship:exhibitioninAberystwythMuseum2015(2)
WhatNext?HavealookatotherresourcesintheConfidence/HonouringMemorySections.
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Reflection: Sharing Being the Face of Love
Faces and Meetings
PhotobyplofizonFlickr
‘Welivebeforethefacesofothers.Somearetherephysically,othersinmemoryoranticipation.Wehavebeenformedfacetofacefromourearliestdays,deeperthanconsciousmemory.’
ProfessorDavidEFord,SelfandSalvationp.17
Weareusedtoseeingourselvesinmirrorsbutwerarelystoptothinkwhatpeopleseewhentheymeetus,workwithus,sharewithus,worshipwithus.Whatsortoffacedowepresentoroffertoothers?Andwhatdoourface-to-facerelationshipshavetodowiththewayweofferthegospelandtherealityofChrist’slovetoothers?
WorkinginWestminster,Iamoftenaskedfordirections,information,orIfindmyselfbeingengagedinconversationbytourists,visitorsandallkindsofotherpeople.IhavehadquestionsabouthowtofindtheactorHughGrant,howtomeettheQueen,wheretogetadecentsandwich,wheretofindasex-worker(yes,really!),wholivesinWestminsterAbbey,andwhetherIcouldgotocourtandholdthehandofafrightenedwitness.
Thestrangethingisthatpeoplereallydoseemtosinglemeout.Butwhy?Inoticethatwhenthere’salargegroupofpeopleavailableforpeopletoask,theystillseemtohoneinonme.Ireallydon’twantpeopletoaskme,becauseI’maveryintrovertedpersonandnotverygoodatgivingdirectionsandI’malwaysworriedIwillgivethemthewrongadviceorinformationandtheywillhatemeafterwards.I’vegivenawkwardanswersinFrench,Spanish,GermanandItalianandbeenaddressedinahostofotherlanguagesIdon’tactuallyunderstand.
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IsitbecauseIwearglasses?Doesthatmakemelookknowledgeable?DoIlookapproachable?Isawomanmoreapproachablethanaman?Isitmyage?ThefactthatI’moftenwearingmyofficebadge?ThefactthatI’mwearingacross?DoIlooktrustworthy?Streetwise?DoIlooklikethesortofpersonwhowillstopandhelp(Ialwaysdo).Orisitthatpeoplesomehowthinkthatthisface,myface,istheonetheycanaddress,ratherthanthisfaceorthatfaceinthecrowd?
It’samysterytome.Butalsoaprivilege.ChanceencountersandmeetingsarewaysofbeingChristforpeople.Ican’tknowwhatdifferencetotheirdayImightmake,butstoppingwhatI’mdoing,givingpeopleattentionandmaybewalkingintheirlivesalittlewaymightbesignificantinwaysIwillneverknow.Ihopeso.
AnneRichards
Somethingstothinkabout:
• WhatarethevisiblesignsofbeingaChristian?• Whatmakesonepersonmoreapproachablethananother?• Howcouldwebemorepreparedtohelpthepeoplewhomightstopusinthestreet?• Whatkindsofpeoplemightwebewaryofhelpingandwhy?
PhotobyMichaelSummersonFlickr
Whatnext?
HavealookatothersectionsinSharing/BeingtheFaceofLove.