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Peterborough Pioneer Hub : Are we living as part of a true community or are we living a charade? Reflections from Bridge Builders I: Transforming Conflict.

I was deeply encouraged by a Bridge Builders course in Conflict Transformation last week. The first lesson was that conflict is normal and inevitable in any community where people depend mutually on each other. The second is that we have a choice about how we handle conflict. We can either ignore it and sing ‘I am H-A-P-P-Y’ together. Alternatively, we can embrace it, sacrificing our own wants for the sake of others.

One element of the course drew inspiration from the work of the American psychiatrist Scott Peck, author of The Different Drum: Community Making and Peace (1987). Scott Peck suggests that communities mature through four stages. The first, ‘Pseudocommunity’, has all the trappings of peace and harmony – but only because negative emotions are suppressed. Such a community defines itself by holding fast to generalisations that are more aspirational than reality and defy conscientious observation; ‘Newcomers are welcome’ is a classic example. Scott Peck would question the extent to which this is true. A second phase, ‘Chaos’ occurs when people begin to speak up, share their true feelings, and show their vulnerability. This gives rise to disagreements that force the community to either regress back into pseudocommunity, or to dispense with the charade and live with a feeling of upheaval. The third stage, which might be viewed as ‘Grief’ or ‘Emptiness’, begins when rather than simply listening and accepting difference, members of the community strive to welcome newcomers and accept the anguish of that comes with dying to self. Herein, I suspect that people live with the range of emotions outlined by Kubler-Ross, in her On Death and Dying (1969); denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Finally, a ‘True community’ is one that has reached a place of peace and healing, where people are genuinely able to be themselves, knowing that they are accepted and able to embrace conflict wherever it surfaces.

We discussed this pathway at our Pioneer Hub café service. We are nervous about labelling churches; however, the logic of Scott Peck’s work suggests that every church will be somewhere on a continuum and will be tempted to regress. Crucially though, we also recognise that a preparedness to embrace conflict evolves as we grow as disciples. Do we recognise that our part in transforming conflict is to model to others how we respond when it surfaces? Meanwhile, I see a certain irony in that whilst anxiety in the inherited (historic) Church traditions arises often from our need to safeguard our theology, process, and function, Jesus Christ seems to direct our attention to the quality and depth of our relationships with each other, and with those who are so often overlooked. It would, of course, be clumsy to take a polarised position, placing the inherited church in opposition to what is emerging: we need to learn from each other. Even so, perhaps the focus on reaching newcomers, listening to needs, serving, and nurturing the kind of relationships that build community, is something that the inherited church needs to hear. How much of how we hold ourselves, and what we offer, is more of a pretence rather than reality? If the journey towards true community involves us embracing an ‘a thousand little deaths’ as we let go of ego, bias, power, control – everything that we see as validating us as we face conflict – what part of you will die today, so that someone else can truly live?

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Joseph: he must feel like a chameleon in a box of smarties

I remember vividly the birth of my own children. Two natural births (although they did not look natural from where I was standing) and one C-Section. I remember how Maya felt so light – as light as a bird in comparison to Ben who was a toddler – and nearly launching her though the ceiling as I lifted her for the first time.  I remember calling around family in the early hours of the morning with the good news. I remember the relief for Ro, and the tiredness. Most of all though, I remember feeling like a spare part. Ours is the generation where fathers were encouraged, expected even to be in the room alongside their partners, rather than pacing the corridors with a cigar in one hand and a bottle of champagne in the other. Overall, I think that this is a good thing. However, whilst I know that Ro wanted me to be there to provide comfort and have my hand squeezed until my knuckles cracked, I felt like a spare part. Of all the people in the room, I was the least qualified or able to bring any advice or relief, apart from sorting out arrangements to ensure that Mum and baby were comfortable, and able to make the journey home.

In truth, I had an easy job of it. Joseph however in the Christmas story, has all this to contend with, plus the anxiety of bonding with a child that was not his and who he had, in effect, adopted. Arrangements before the birth were less than ideal, and it is more than likely given the Palestinian culture at the time, that he would have had to negotiate safe passage from Nazareth to Bethlehem, try to find somewhere to stay, be there for the birth (there is little indication of a midwife). To complicate things further, he had to contend with a visit from the shepherds and no doubt others who wanted to see the infant Jesus as the news spread. Latterly he contends with the visit of the wise men. More than that, he becomes aware that Herod is planning a campaign of ethnic cleansing as he seeks to kill all infant males and quash any threat to his authority and power. Poor Joseph. I think that he must feel like a chameleon in a box of smarties as he manages the situation and tries to adapt. He is different things to different people. He is Mary’s partner (the scriptures speak of Mary as one who he was betrothed to but not yet married to; he is the adopted father to Jesus the Christ-child; he is the breadwinner and provider; and he is the one who, for the sake of the family’s survival, needs to cast a suspicious eye over who visits, and make preparations for them all to travel to Egypt as refugees.

Sometimes, things happen in life that lead us to feel like a chameleon in a box of Smarties. It is such a lovely description and was given to me by a South-African grandparent who drops off and picks up his grandchild up from my son’s school. He always blesses me with a ‘Morning pastor’, said with quite a thick accent. I reply good morning back and ask him how he is. Often, he replies, ‘I am like a rose in the summer!’ But one morning he stopped me, and said, considering our ongoing Brexit nightmare-pantomime-for-the-world-to-see, ‘Your politicians, they must feel like chameleons in a box of smarties.’ I think that he was saying that when faced with a range of options, and thinking about where people should place their loyalties, many of our politicians are in a state of utter confusion. I suspect heavily that some are making decisions based on their own political futures, rather than putting themselves at the service of the country.

There will always be times in life when we must decide what we really stand for, times when we are surrounded, like Joseph, with a range of options. I think that Joseph must have felt like a chameleon in a box of smarties as he discerned who he was and how he would respond to his changing situation. Would he run? No-one would have blamed him for staying for the birth and then disappearing. Thankfully Joseph chooses to do the right thing. He puts the security of the family, and Jesus above all else, and takes on the role of being Jesus’ earthly father. Consequently, I think it a great shame, especially in an age where families are growing ever complex through relationship breakdowns and the emergency of step-relatives, that we do not make more of Joseph’s willingness to take on this new role; a role that will extend through the rest of his life.

This Christmas I pray for all those who find themselves in new situations, particularly those who in committing to a new partner are also taking on roles as a step-father or mother, and for those whose lives who are impacted by political decisions and discussions that leave them vulnerable. Whilst I am remembering the needs of mothers, I am also thinking about the role of men in the Christmas story: in particular, Joseph. Without Joseph’s intervention, the story would, most likely end with the gruesome and untimely death of the Christ-child. However, because Joseph is there, things turn out differently. There are times in our lives when, surrounded by a range of options, and the temptation to look after one’s own interests, that we need to make life-changing decisions about who we are, and the stand that we will make.   

God be with you this Christmas as you negotiate everything that is before you.

 I share this prayer from the Methodist Church website, which I find helpful:

Christmas stress

Lord we all expect so much from the festivities of Christmas.
We always think that other people are having the perfect time
with families round the tree.
But there can be so much stress, Lord. 
We pray for families who only see each other at Christmas:
they may all want to celebrate in quite different ways. 
We think about the empty places at tables 
where loved ones no longer sit. 
We pray for new family groups making their own traditions;
For those in the armed forces  
and others who have to be away from home, 
or just at work.
Lord, help us all to relax and rejoice 
in the true meaning of the season.
Amen.

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Subway to Heaven? A priestly response to the global fast-food company’s Christmas invitation; ‘O Come All Ye Hungry’.

I visited my local branch of Subway this morning. At first, all I wanted was a take-away coffee, but once in the queue, having skipped breakfast, I was tempted by a bacon, egg, and cheese sub. (For the uninitiated, ‘sub’ is short for ‘submarine’, as in submarine bread roll, rather than submarine, as in ‘Dive, Dive, Dive!’). Anyway, whilst up-periscoping to pay, I noticed Subway’s Christmas T-Shirt slogan, ‘O Come All Ye Hungry’, emblazoned on the back of the young lady who was serving me. This led me to question whether, since my last visit, thw world’s largest fast food franchise boasting over 44,000 restaurants across 110 countries in 2016 had become a charity – and would I be getting a free breakfast? Alas, I did not have the wherewithal at the time to ask, but I did wish the staff a merry Christmas.

Really though. Subway, are you serious? Have you thought this through? If you take the line of a Christian hymn which calls the faithful (O Come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant) to remember and celebrate Jesus, His life, and all that He stood for, can you not blame me for at least questioning your charitable intent?  The reality, of course, is that when you say, Come All Ye Hungry, you mean Come all Ye Hungry, give us cash, and we will feed you. Meanwhile, I have lost count of the number of churches who are running Foodbanks, providing meals to offer food and fellowship for people on low incomes, running Night Shelters, and doing All We Can (this is the name of the branch of the Methodist Church in Britain which focuses on providing relief and development to some of the world’s poorest communities to end the suffering caused by inequality and injustice).

Granted, Subway, you are not the only commercial enterprise, by far, to twist elements of the Christmas message to increase sales. I have also been invited to participate in the Twelve Deals of Christmas. I read from your national website that you seek to make a positive contribution within the communities in which you operate. Thus, I am wondering what action accompanies this slogan as part of the local charity initiatives that you sponsor? I am heartened by your drive for low fat products with Heart Research UK, and your encouragement of sport in schools. However, if as you say, almost 60% of stores are based in British and Irish high streets, your Christmas slogan raises the question of how you might at be at work in addressing the poverty and hunger which makes it difficult for people to make healthy food choices in the first place. I am, I have to admit, only informed by the marketing material that you display on your website. If your franchisees do contribute to Foodbanks, or give free sandwiches to the needy via some kind of voucher system, then I applaud you all. If not, in saying. ‘O come all ye Hungry’, you have just walked rather publicly into a spiritual lamppost.

During the season of Advent, many of the established churches within our country focus on how John the Baptist called people to, ‘Prepare the Way for the Lord’ – for Jesus, the Christ, whose immanent birth we remember at this time of the year. John is remembered in particular for his willingness to speak out and say what needed to be said, his peculiar dress sense (wearing camel skin clothing), and his eating habits (favouring locusts and honey). Those who join John in turning their lives into something that is much more wholesome and positive ask him how they should respond. The answer is to share what you do not need, resist the temptation to swindle people, and use the authority you have with respect. Thus, if we take ‘O Come all ye Faithful’ seriously then it does indeed mean attending to the poor and hungry. Whilst I am unconvinced that a free locust and honey special for the needy would appeal, during Christmas countless numbers of people join together to help meet the needs of those who are particularly vulnerable. I am interested to hear what Subway is doing whilst others, many of whom are not religious, are part of the machinery and the people-power to create a highway to a better life, or if not a better life, some respite from the challenges that they face. Being a Methodist, I am not a betting man, but if I were, I would put money on the fact that within five miles of each of your high-steet outlets, somewhere there will be a faith community or a secular outreach project that is trying to feed hungry people.

My purpose in writing about Subway is not so much to single you out, but to remind us all that the call for Christian celebration has its roots not just in celebrating Christian values but recognising the humanitarian responsibility we have to support the poor and oppressed. I am wondering what would happen if Subway partnered with the Church and the local community to take Christmas seriously (we run our own franchises in quite a distinctive way and continue to retain a strong local presence and visibility. Whilst some older branches have been forced to close, we are opening up new ones, developing new activities, and expanding our opening hours. Could we, together, build a Subway to Heaven?  Could we work together, as we have done with other local food retailers, to take a little of what is not needed by the rich, and feed it to the poor? Could we birth a little more of heaven on this earth? What we need, as do countless other churches and community groups, is the resources, both financial and material, to attend to the spiritual as well as physical health of some of the neediest people in our community.

Merry Christmas to all, to Subway, and especially to the staff of all take away coffee branches who have supported me with a cheery smile throughout the year. At the very least, what about a scheme that asks little of you and something of me. Next time I buy myself a meal, you offer me the chance to buy a second at cost price, for someone who is in need. At least then you will be honouring your slogan of, ‘O come all ye hungry.’

Rev Dr Langley Mackrell-Hey is a Methodist Minister based in Peterborough, UK.

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Losing the battle against Halloween – Why are we doing what we are doing?

I seem to be involved in a losing battle where my family are concerned. It has to do with  the celebrations around Halloween. Every year we have resisted the idea of trick-or-treating; no easy task when our children’s friends are set to enjoy themselves. It is not that I am a killjoy. I want my children to have fun – and they will – but I object for three reasons. First, unlike other religious festivals I am unconvinced that we know what Halloween stands for. As for the Church, we celebrate All Souls Day; the truth that when we die we go to heaven, and that we are people of the light. Yet, I am not sure we understand why we  celebrate Halloween by carving out pumpkins and making lanterns. It has its roots of course in the belief that magic spells and secret rites can ward off evil spirits. The tradition in the UK with the Celts who believed that you could ward off evil spirits by lighting bonfires, making a lot of noise, and giving them a shock. Of course Halloween in its current sense – and its focus on trick or treating – gained traction in America.  But at its roots the tradition draws some influence from the times when if you were not a  puritan Christian, you would bury a dead cat under the floor of a new house to bring good luck. (And there are plenty of things that were worse than that). Whilst I would hope that we no longer believe in such superstition, more esoteric beliefs are still present. Today I was invited, via the BBC website, to meet the real witches. The following is a direct quote:

Tonight, after they have finished work and the sun has set, a group of women will gather at one of their homes. But this is no ordinary girls’ night in. This is a coven of witches, and 31 October – Halloween – is their new year. Denise Frain, who lives in Bolton, Greater Manchester, is hosting. “I have got a fire outside and we will do certain spell work. We’ll sit in a circle for protection, then we will celebrate and put food on the altar for the ancestors.”
The witches have been preparing for today. They’ve visited a nearby cemetery and written down names from graves which look old, overgrown or unattended. They will read out the list at tonight’s ritual.

Helen Davidson, 44, who runs this coven, explains that all members are “hedgewitches” – solo witches who do not follow an organised faith like Wicca. “Hedgewitches don’t pray to a specific god,” she explains. “We just love being around nature…In the past we would have been known as the wise woman. It’s kind of like that crazy little lady who lived down the road who knows a lot about herbs and concoctions. I seem to be quite good at protection or banishing spells,” she says. “I helped one of the witches not that long ago. She had to end a relationship and it was not nice for her. “I said, what we need to do is protect you from this person, to keep them well out of your life and do a cleansing around the house. A few weeks later, that person left the town to never be seen again. Sometimes things like that are needed.

The article goes on to note how Denise, 48, felt different from a young age, and drawn to ‘an Earth-based religion’. It then turns to Matt Rowan, a London hedgewitch who felt that he did not fit with Christianity and feels that its magic allows him to be protective and nurturing. He speaks of how he prefers the term ‘witch’ rather then the more negative. ‘warlock’, and of how he has charged items with the power of positive energy and visualisation so that they provided protection to a friend who was afraid of snakes. He states,” He hasn’t been bitten yet… whether that’s luck or anything to do with me I don’t know!”

I want to make it clear that whilst these beliefs and practices trouble me – they run counter to a Christian belief in God, the teachings of Jesus, and the work of the Holy Spirit – my position is that everyone has the right to their own beliefs. I would never decry someone of another religion – for example, a Sikh or a Muslim. Neither would I decry a witch. Everyone is entitled to their own freedom of expression – so long as no harm comes to others of course. (Unfortunately, historically, Christianity cannot hold its head high in this respect. Let us not forget that at one time the established church was complicit in persecuting witches in our own country). Indeed, I wish people of any faith, and none, well. I pray that we will all know life in all its fullness, and all know the peace and love that goes with that. May we all be drenched in the love of God – or just love, if we do not believe in God.

Second, what concerns me more, is whether, as we quite literally buy into Halloween, we are aware of its origins. I want to know, as we might well know in relation to Christmas, or Hanukah, or Diwali, or Ramadan, why we do what we do (or choose not to partake)? What are we celebrating? Whilst I find it slightly grating that our shops are gearing up for Christmas before remembrance, at least most of us understand that we give gifts because Jesus was God’s gift to the world. Ask children in a primary school why we celebrate Christmas – particularly in a Church school – and they will tell you. Ask them during Halloween why the walls are covered in spiders’ webs, and why we carve out pumpkins and illuminate them, and they will not have a clue. This is my issue and it goes far deeper than the reality (in which I believe) of spirits, ghosts and ghouls. (A good proportion  of Jesus’ public ministry was concerned with delivering people from evil, and bringing healing – both physical healing, and healing in the broadest sense of personal wholeness and community peace). My issue is that in life, one key principle is that we should know why we are doing what we are doing. This is not a religious position. It is a humanitarian one. It is about knowing what motivates us, how we come to a decision over something, and therefore ‘why we do what we do’. Just going along with the crowd or saying that we are doing something because we fancy a laugh and having a bit of fun, seems a tad risky.

Third, I object to Halloween because of its focus on death and blood and gore. In our shops, there are, quite frankly some horrific things of this sort that are designed to appeal to children. Whilst I think that it is good for our younger generations to talk about what frightens them, and even confront their fears, I fail to see how Halloween benefits this. Finally, with reference to trick or treating, I fail to see how this is anything more than legalised doorstop mugging – technically, the threat to do something unpalatable unless the recipient gives you something in return is robbery! Yes, I know that, this is a bit of fun, but again, why are we doing it? What if things do turn sour – and for someone, they will. What of those who do not want to be disturbed at night? What if the mischief goes to far?

Despite my protestations, as I shared at the beginning of this article, I have lost the argument with my own kids. They have been carried away on a tide of anticipation about the volume of sweets that they can scrounge. Yet, I do believe that my humorous protestations – given in far less detail than in this article – have had some impact. My children are visiting the homes of people they know. They will be supervised. One group are amassing as Winnie the Pooh, Tiger, and Piglet. One child is dressing as a skeleton. This is hardly the stuff of horror. And they know, because of the way in which we live as parents, something of our faith and values. Perhaps having lost the battle, we will win the war. After all, as the apostle Paul writes, ‘We wrestle not against flesh and blood, against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. For us, Jesus, and not spells, is the answer.

God bless you all – Langley. Oh, and happy All Souls Day when it arrives.

(The quotations in italics, cited in this article are attributed to Francesca Gillett, “Halloween 2018: The witches who’ll be doing ‘spell work’ tonight”, BBC Website, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46026349, published 31st October 2018, 1300hours).

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Peterborough Pioneer Hub: Praise God for a wedding that was not upstaged by the bride.

Yesterday, before finalising my Pentecost Sermon I felt compelled to view the sermon given by Bishop Michael Curry as part of  the Royal Wedding ceremony. I was prompted by Sky’s news video headline, ‘Reactions to THAT sermon’ (sic.), and the sudden realisation that a black preacher from a progressive denomination in the United States, with all of his heritage in tow, would be addressing a white Royal family and assembled guests. This invitation, in itself, said something powerful about how the tapestry of our culture as viewed by members of its highest echelons, is changing for the better. For me, Curry’s sermon was powerful not only because he brought a refreshing style to what would usually be viewed as a ‘traditional’ event, but because of how the Holy Spirit worked in and through him.

By ‘traditional’ I am referring to a style of worship where people’s idea of solemnity stems from the presiding minister adopting a peculiar form of public speaking where liturgy is recited and vowels are accentuated in a way which suggests that God is a million miles away; in an accent – a holy voice – that the presiding would not use in other settings. This caricature is, I admit, the worst representation of what traditional done badly looks like. It conjures up the image of a remote God, one that was so powerfully taken off by Monty Python in the Meaning of Life in portraying the worst of what public school religious services have to offer; ‘Dear God, you’re so very, very, big. Gosh we are all impressed down here, I can tell you….we sing the hymn…O Lord don’t burn us don’t put us in a vat. Don’t lightly fry or roast us, or boil us in chip fat.’ (Not word for word, but I am sure that you get the sense of it). I am not against tradition per se – quite the opposite, I am in favour of it – but the danger within any tradition (including those that are more charismatic) is that congregations mistake style for substance and somehow miss out on the sense of awe. Yet, on Saturday, I felt that despite his excitement and arm waving exuberance (I love a good arm-wave by he way), Curry’s message prevented this. And yes, whilst much could be attributed to Bishop Michael Curry, we must also acknowledge that the Holy Spirit was at work. Not quite as much at work to raise an ‘Amen, Preach it Brother’, response from a white face in the middle of the nave, but there was evidence that God was at work. At least it got a response.

This is not to say that the Spirit absents himself from our worship. Far from it. As far as my own practice goes, I never ask the Holy Spirit to ‘be present’ at the start my services – because I believe that she is always there. I suspect that there is a case to be made that if the conditions are not quite right, the Spirit loiters at the back, or in the lobby – because there is such a thing as resisting or even quenching the Spirit. But she/he is always present, longing to do more. Nevertheless, I do pray that God the Father would make us sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s presence as we reflect on Jesus’ teachings.  We know that the Spirit brings many things; conviction, comfort, help, gifting’s, power, and boldness to name but a few. And yes, there are times where we seem to sense the presence of the Spirit in a much more tangible way.

On Saturday Curry spoke directly to the congregation of how Jesus did not receive and honorary doctorate for dying on the cross (as if the cross is something that can be acknowledged and moved on from, with no real engagement), quoted someone else’s view that Jesus Christ was the greatest revolutionary in human history (a clever way of saying something without having to say it yourself), and how the power of love is such that when we apply it, we can change the world. There was no let-out here, and as Annabel Crab of ABC News pointed out, in terms of Episcopalian preaching, he was barely tapping the accelerator. His points were driven home with reference to how love gave black slaves in the deep South the ability to find the strength to endure and fight for freedom from slavery, and a list of what would change if we did more with the power of love. He stated:

He (Jesus) didn’t die for anything he could get out of it. Jesus did not get an honorary doctorate for dying. He didn’t… he wasn’t getting anything out of it. He gave up his life, he sacrificed his life, for the good of others, for the good of the other, for the wellbeing of the world… for us.

That’s what love is. Love is not selfish and self-centred. Love can be sacrificial, and in so doing, becomes redemptive. And that way of unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive love changes lives, and it can change this world.
“If you don’t believe me, just stop and imagine. Think and imagine a world where love is the way.”

Imagine our homes and families where love is the way. Imagine neighbourhoods and communities where love is the way.

Imagine governments and nations where love is the way. Imagine business and commerce where this love is the way.

Imagine this tired old world where love is the way. When love is the way – unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive.

When love is the way, then no child will go to bed hungry in this world ever again.

When love is the way, we will let justice roll down like a mighty stream and righteousness like an ever-flowing brook.

When love is the way, poverty will become history. When love is the way, the earth will be a sanctuary.

When love is the way, we will lay down our swords and shields, down by the riverside, to study war no more.

When love is the way, there’s plenty good room – plenty good room – for all of God’s children.

“Because when love is the way, we actually treat each other, well… like we are actually family.

All this to a mixed congregation, some of whose ancestors had grown wealthy off the back of slavery, or had sent men and women into battle, who had grown richer whilst the poor became poorer, whose very existence and status had undermined the prospect of equality. Meanwhile, celebrities who were one step removed from Royal life were reminded of the craziness of our world that it can put such emphasis on one vocation over another. I am a fan of football, and of rugby, but it is difficult to see how kicking an inflated pigs bladder around a pitch can make a difference to injustice in the world. On the other hand, fame, notoriety, and celebrity can provide an opportunity to direct people’s attention to charitable needs; and I think it right therefore that David Beckham, Elton John and the rest were in attendance.

Bishop Curry said the word ‘love’ 57 times.

I was particularly interested by how different members of the congregation responded. Media access has allowed the Royal Family to project itself as a global media brand, so it was unsurprising, particularly post Diana, to see media involvement. Yet Sky News employed lip readers who could be attentive to what people were saying as they went in, and whatever one might say about the Bishops sermon, the footage from inside the chapel showed that some of the guests were unable to contain their surprise. I must say that in my own services I am very careful about making judgements on the basis of how people look, because sometimes people can look like they are waiting outside a dentists, and yet they come up to you after the service and say how they found the service helpful, even asking theological questions. Others do engage, but I am pretty much sure that they would engage with anything you gave them. Yet what the guests said to each other as they went in, and the looks on people’s faces during the sermon, were amazing. The Mail Online states, ‘One woman who was speaking on her phone as she walked in was read saying, ‘I am not hungover today, so that’s really good.’ Earl Spencer chats with his wife about a friend who works in Africa. Actor Edris Elba rates the venue as ‘not bad’, Zara Tindall (heavily pregnant) needs the loo (I am not sure that I would have printed that, but it is, at the very least a great leveller). On the way out, Meghan asks Harry if they should kiss – and he says, discreetly, ‘Yes’. Meanwhile, the Queen tells Prince Philip, ‘Keep Waving’. Finally as the couple pass into they Royal gardens, Harry is seen to say. ‘I am ready for a drink now!’

What interests me is the normality of all of this, despite the pomp and circumstance of the occasion, and the guest’s respectability. More interesting were the responses to Bishop Curry’s sermon.  Princess Beatrice was struggling to contain her amusement (or was it excitement at the shakedown). Prince Philips eyebrows almost went through the roof when Michael spoke of Jesus Christ as a revolutionary. Charles and Camilla looked to be in a reflective mood as they heard him speak of the power of love. Harry was nervously twitching. Camilla also seemed to be leafing through the order of service as if she was losing interest, but the lip reading suggests she had simply lost her place.  Meghan was loving every moment of it. On a serious note, it felt to me that despite Bishop Curry having no formal authority here in Britain – he was a guest preacher – he nevertheless spoke with an authority that came from God, leaving people with the understanding that whatever they chose, they had to do something with THAT sermon. The line about Jesus not receiving an honorary doctorate for dying on the cross was particularly powerful. Jesus’ death demands a response. We need to honour Jesus far more than we are honoured. Jesus invites us to give our life in service in response to him, not simply our life in service. 

Finally, Praise God for a wedding that was not upstaged by the bride. I love presiding at weddings, and very few people ask for a church wedding, especially in a Methodist Church, unless God has some kind of spiritual significance to them and the vows that they make. However, it seems to me that in most cases, the groom ends up saying yes to everything for a peaceful life, as relatives amass to make the wedding a perfect day for the bride. All the groom is left to do, in the worst case scenario, is to say ‘yes’ to everything, and ‘I do’, and ‘With God’s help I will’ to everything else. Very often, and despite best intentions, the focus comes off God on the run up to the ceremony, and can be lost. I think that our Anglican and Catholic colleagues may struggle with this more, in that I have a friend who is an Anglican priest, serving in an ornate Church, but rather than looking for God on their wedding day, they are looking for a fairy-tale venue. Today I even heard of churches who were attending Wedding Fayres so that people might be aware of what they can offer.

I rejoice that whatever people may say about the ceremony and the wedding, God remained centre-stage. Interestingly, ABC news suggested that the Bishop stole the ceremony; that he became the main story in a sense; the person that everyone was talking about, rather than the bride. My view is that I would much rather have people talking about the Bishop who spoke of the power of love to transform the world, who reminds the assembled that God is the key to everything, and God is the one to whom we are accountable, rather than what the bride is wearing and how the cleaners are going to get the confetti off the carpet.

Praise God. God Save the Queen, and the Royal Family, and the assembled guests, and us all, so that we might do great things through the power of love, and honour God as God should be honoured.

 

 

 

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Peterborough Methodist Circuit of Churches: New Website. We are live as of now, on Pentecost Sunday. Communication is everything. Visit https://www.peterboroughmethodistcircuit.org/

Cleaner, more visual, easy to find information and resources. Immediate links to the Methodist Church’s syndicated feed for Prayer, Bible Study, Weekly Readings. Check out our front page video: we searched for ages to find an image which spoke of what it means to be a circuit of churches. Feedback welcome. Every blessing. Langley.

https://www.peterboroughmethodistcircuit.org/

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What is Church? Peterborough Pioneer Hub – material used in our Cafe Service reflection. Prepared by Helen Crofts, Circuit Misson Enabler.

Comment from Langley…

Last Sunday marked the first meeting of our Pioneer Hub, and I was left with a deep sense of awe as I began to sense what God was doing. Along with the awe was a sense of privilege of being able to journey with others of like mind. it was as if there was already a sense of holding each other before we had even started journeying together.

Worship was simple. Whilst it was Ascension Sunday, there were no formal prayers, no written liturgy. The only thing we used for worship was four videos incorporated into a Powerpoint presentation, and the understanding that we would move into a time of open prayer, and then Helen would lead us in a period of reflection on ‘What is Church’. Helen’s approach was somewhat refreshing in that rather than start with the pre-packaged definitions of Church, we would give everyone a Bible, and a prompt sheet (we are not quite that cruel), and ask us to tell us, by looking at scripture, what ‘church’ is about. I attach a copy of those resources here. The description which resonated most, was that ‘church’ was a community of believers who centred their lives around the person of Jesus. Church is of course about more than that; we turned to Acts Chapter 2 and considered what the early Christians actually did. We looked at the kind of Church with which the Apostle Paul wrestled with in Corinth (or rather the kind of behaviours in church that are less ideal.) Nonetheless, the consensus was that whatever church looked like, it began with a community which both individually and corporately looks to Christ.

I wonder what, amidst all of the things that we feel we ought to do, or more than that, are legally obliged to do, would happen if we challenged ourselves as to whether we were, genuinely, a community that looked as it should to Jesus. Sure, we will aspire to this, and for much of the time, we may well be faithful, but I suspect that there are moments when Jesus has ceased to be the centre of what we are doing.

I once had a disagreement with my father about his beliefs. For him, I think church-going was just as much, if not more a community activity rather than a faith driven one. I remember saying that Christ was at the centre of the Church, touching and transforming lives. He argued that Church was about faith, hope, and charity (and he used the word charity, rather than love). In the end we agreed to differ, but without wishing to sound conceited or arrogant, or make any kind of judgement about the depth of his faith – I leave that up to the Lord, it seemed to me that he was more in it for anything other than a relationship with Christ. He was direct and transparent about this. He did not embrace the concept of receiving Christ as Lord of his life.  I remember how to him, my becoming more involved in the Christian faith was a phase that would blow over. He simply did not appreciate that for me, attending church was so much more than being a member of a social club. And when I shared how I believed that God had done a work within me – of how  I felt at peace, energised, and full of hope for the future, he remarked that this was ‘just a phase’ that I was going through. Years later, when he attended my ordination, I remember standing before they lay hands on me and thinking to myself,  ‘This is some phase!’ It turns out that what he thought was a phase has now lasted over twenty-five years.

Dad died over a decade ago. Towards the end of his life he struggled with guilt and yearned for forgiveness. I remember talking to him at one point: he had tears in his eyes. Without going into details, he was certainly burdened with shame from some of the poor decisions he had made. I do not judge him for that. I know that he found it a relief to confess. How I still do not know to this day where he was in his journey with God. I do remember feeling sorry for him that he had not found some relief earlier. Perhaps it was fear that had kept his soul locked up. I remember thinking that this kind of release, this kind of deliverance, was the very thing that Christ came to offer. And yet, to go through the process of receiving this is risky because it means being honest with those around you, and I dare say, not losing face. Once you present yourself as calm, composed, and assured in what you believe, it can be difficult to admit to others that you were wrong. 

My point is that whatever church is, it is so much more than a social club. I think I made some people think (including myself) when I said during our discussion that for me, church is a bunch of messed-up people who centre their lives on Jesus, and find healing as they journey as disciples together. The truth is that we are all imperfect. We are all messed up. But to this day I wonder, just as Wesley did (see his Second Sermon, The Almost Christian) whether we all need to be on our guard against slipping away from being an Altogether Christian and becoming more like an Almost Christian who has all the trappings of the religious life but lacks that inner spark which comes from accepting Jesus as Lord of our lives, and being changed and sustained by the Holy Spirit as we look to our Father in heaven.

I include in this post a handout that Helen produced. This may give further insights for reflection, and a piece of artwork by Murray, who was reflecting on the nature of the church. All art is subjective of course, but Murry’s upper image is of the Church going beyond its walls (and all that which constrains it) as it seeks to honour God in its mission. The lower image is that of how God has a path for us, which sometimes we follow, and at other times we deviate from. The dark markers are the milestones that so often surface as we make a change in direction because the Holy Spirit convicts us. Often these times are turbulent but we look back on them with thankfulness. The early church was a place where the ministry of God’s Holy Spirit was taken seriously, as was the task of taking the gospel beyond the immediate community. This was no pub darts team. And it was no phase.

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For Starters in Peterborough. Encouraging discipleship through fresh expressions. Seven helpful insights.

For Starters is led by a blend of church leaders based in Peterborough and Ely, all of whom have experience of directly leading fresh expressions or providing crucial oversight. On Saturday 17th March, their purpose (apart from simply encouraging people to start new work), was to help people recognise how fresh expressions were already proving an effective means of encouraging discipleship within local churches.

The ongoing task

The definition of a fresh expression is ‘a new form of church for those who are not yet members of any church’, and the Fresh Expressions movement has given rise to a vast number of projects. By nature, they are evangelistic, and one crucial task shared by all fresh expressions practitioners is that of encouraging people into discipleship. Indeed, this should flow naturally from our evangelism. According to William Abrahams’ The Logic of Evangelism, 1996, all evangelists should aspire to this. Thus, I thought it would be helpful to cite seven observations on how fresh expressions are proving useful to local churches as they focus on both.

  1. The first rule of discipleship is to put your faith in Jesus and follow.
    This is a working definition of mine that developed in light of the Methodist Church’s focus on discipleship some years ago. During this period I sensed that whilst many people were familiar with the word ‘disciple’, we lacked a clear definition. One the one hand, it is too easy to believe that we have faith in Jesus without giving any serious consideration as to whether really following his radical example. Vice-versa; whilst we might think that we are a Christian because we have Christian values and are involved in some kind of service, there is a world of difference between having Christian values, and accepting Jesus as Lord of our lives. Discipleship is a blend of both having faith in Jesus, and following. I find this definition helpful because everything else we do in terms of ‘being’ church flows from it.
  2. The second rule of discipleship is to be human and to be open to change.
    Crucially, disciples reflect on what they have experienced, are open to God changing them, and are willing to take practical steps to change how they will do things differently the next time a similar situation arises. Thus, if we are not reflecting on how we feel, the judgments we are making, others’ needs, and how we are doing what we are doing, we are not behaving responsibly as disciples. Truth be told, we are probably not even behaving as responsible human beings. One of the most important qualities for church leaders is the ability to reflect on both their own state of heart and mind (the ‘being’ bit) and their practice.
  3. To be a disciple is to deal with disappointment.
    Richard Gibbs (former Pioneer minister, presently serving as a parish priest in the Ely diocese), argues that pioneer ministry inevitably involves a measure of disappointment balanced with encouragement as one thing works, and another is less successful. Richard suggests that our initial response, particularly if we are tired, is rarely the most helpful – often giving rise to panic and rash action. He says, ‘Don’t forget. Tomorrow is another day, and the sun will rise again,’ and ‘The best thing about disappointment is that the negative feelings will pass’. However, one important factor in dealing with disappointment is for pioneers to have good oversight; ‘Get some proper oversight’ says Richard, ‘oversight that connects you with reliable authority, not just permission, which can be unreliable.’ Ideally, pioneers should have a high degree of responsibility and authority, rather than a high responsibility but no authority to make meaningful decisions that can pave the way for change and success.
  4. People learn to be disciples through our own behaviour.
    Both Ed Olsworth-Peter (Adviser for Fresh Expressions of Church and Young Adults, Ely Diocese), and Charlie Nobbs (Pioneer and New Initiatives Trainer, Peterborough Diocese) questioned, separately, the Emerging Church mantra of ‘belong, behave, believe’ by stressing how our behaviour and church culture heavily influences how newcomers understand commitment and the nature of discipleship. Charlie states, ‘Being a valued member of a group trying to live out together ways to follow Jesus on a daily basis makes a huge difference. How could you gather a small group like this?’ Ed notes a shift in contemporary culture, particularly evident on social media, whereby people are moving away from valuing material possessions and are now looking for authentic and immersive experiences that make some connection with the past.
  5. Discipleship comes naturally to Messy Churches.
    Charlotte Nobbs (local Messy Church leader, Peterborough Diocese), gave the best counter-argument to the somewhat clichéd question of how messy churches can encourage discipleship; it is happening within core teams who organise, within young people who can be appointed as group leaders, and within newcomers (particularly whole families) who contribute in practical ways. Messy churches are places where people (and not just young families) gather and learn about the Christian faith in different and often tactile ways. They provide non-threatening opportunities for newcomers to become more involved and therefore exposed to Christ-centred values of hospitality, creativity, and embracing of all-ages. Charlotte was substantially correct in questioning why some leaders within the inherited church felt it appropriate to question how discipleship was developing in Messy Church, without necessarily considering how that same question might apply to their own church congregations.
  6. To be a disciple is to give your whole life to a community.
    Chad Chadwick (Youth Missioner, Peterborough Diocese) shared something of his ‘table church’ fresh expressions project, which comprises all of the essential elements of ‘church’ whilst enabling a sense of fluidity as people incorporate teaching and fellowship into their lives by gathering around different ‘tables’. These include fellowship, confession, and communion. Whilst this is inventive in itself, the most moving thing about Chad’s work was how he was devoted to developing a sense of family where the lines between friendship and ministry were blurred. Here, ‘church’ has ceased to be a ‘service’ offered for an hour on a Sunday and has become something that is lived by a community every day of the week, with particular emphasis on shared meals. Chad’s work reminded me of one youth leader, Elaine, who once said to me, ‘It is not good enough to be there for people for one night of the week. You have to be prepared to give your lives to them.’
  7. Discipleship is about denial, sacrifice, and following Jesus.
    Helen Crofts (Peterborough Methodist Circuit Mission Enabler, and a member of the Methodist Church Pioneer Pathway) drew from three passages that speak on the cost of discipleship; Matthew 16:24-26, Mark 8:34-36, and Luke 9:34-36. Discipleship is about us surrendering to God and being prepared to deny ourselves, not least our own personal agendas and our desire to live a comfortable life. Discipleship is also about taking up our cross. Helen shared how in her view, this is what separates disciples of Jesus from admirers of Jesus and that taking up the cross involves suffering to a greater or lesser extent. Linking back to our first point, Helen also stressed that discipleship is also about following Jesus and allowing his teaching to penetrate the very core of our identity; living for others, forgiving as we have been forgiven, going the extra mile, and learning humility.
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Peterborough Pioneer Hub: Mission Audit Resources by Helen Crofts. Audit 2, for existing outreach, fresh expressions, and mission projects.

This resource was originally based on a survey I developed for use by MANGO, the Mission and Next Generation Overview Group, serving the Northampton District of the Methodist Church. Helen Crofts has developed this further, to produce an audit that invites churches to examine the original aims of their project and question how this might have changed or developed. In addition, churches are encouraged to question who their project reaches out to. The audit then draws inspiration from the Church Army Research Unit’s Pitsmoor Cycle, to help leaders reflect on how what they offer allows people to feel blessed and therefore belong, to grow in their beliefs, to the point where this impacts their behaviour. Churches are encouraged to examine how their faith and values are underpinned by shared rituals (this may not be overtly religious and could be as simple as sharing a cup of coffee). Crucially, leaders are invited to reflect on how they can help people be ‘bothered’ enough about what they experience, to invite others. Helen ends with the question, ‘How do we continue to invite newcomers?

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Peterborough Pioneer Hub: Mission Audit Resources by Helen Crofts. Appendix – Useful books and resources

…A list of resources helpful to churches who are carrying out the Mission Audits that have been produced by Helen Crofts. Complete with live hyperlinks to web resources.

4_Appendix_Useful books and leaflets etc

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