Better together...

Three pictures…

Kerryn Claire Banks d.o.b. 16th July 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ARK (Mr & Mrs Noah’s floating zoo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lifeboat

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each picture comes with a question.

Kerryn – what hope would you offer her?

By 2050 it is estimated that there will be 9.07 billion. 62% will live in Africa, Southern Asia and Eastern Asia. This will increase the need for food and water by over 50% on top of today’s demand. As economies grow in the southern hemisphere some predict the UK and other northern provinces will fall behind and may even become much like 3^rd world countries are today.

Water and food wars may increase; already we spend six times as much on training and equipping a soldier as we do on feeding a child.

Homelessness and displacement are set to grow exponentially – an already acute problem both here in the UK and elsewhere.

Whichever way you look at it the predictions do not look good unless we radically alter the way we live.

We have been living way beyond our means using up the earth resources.

You will also be well aware of violence and crime and anti-social behaviour. Street Pastors & Street Angels have been once response to this.

Plus you will be well aware that babies like Kerryn who have birth mum and dad who are married are fast becoming in the minority given current trends and the shift away from traditional family patterns.

So what hope could you offer?

Two boats that offer two pictures for a possible response from the local church.

The ARK – safe, battened down hatches, ride out the storm whilst the world goes to hell.

Lifeboat – rescue those in danger.

Everybody on a Lifeboat is an active crew member. Lifeboats are manned by volunteers who go about their daily business. They meet to practise their skills and receive training for the task to which they feel called. When the shout goes up they drop whatever they are doing or get out of bed no matter what time it is and rush to the rescue.

One of the hopes for the future and the future of the Church is seen in the development of communities of faith who will begin to learn to walk in covenant more than in convenience.  People who love each other and are committed to each other enough to drop everything and run to help in the rescue.

Lessons are being learned from Monasticism both ancient and modern.

How do we walk with Christ as the people of God that goes beyond our simple meeting up for worship on Sunday? Living more like a Lifeboat crew with a deep love and care and willingness to put our lives on the line for each other and those in danger.

How do we discern the misseo dei – the mission of God to bring about the redemption of the cosmos?

And what’s the part a local church can play in bringing about a realized Lord’s Prayer.  

How do we share our faith and become attractive so that as we read of in Zechariah people will be grabbing us by the coat and asking to know more.

(See Zechariah 8. 20-23)

How do we live as exemplified by Jesus, who washed the feet of the disciples?

How do we ensure we don’t Lord it over anyone else and live out a life of service to one another? (See N.T. Luke 22. 24-27)

How do we offer hope to a world when there is so much darkness and despair?

 

It has been suggested that this equation is fast becoming defunct...

 

Priest + Congregation + Building + Sunday Worship = Church

 

What alternative suggestions  might you have for the 21st century?

 

 

To do the work of an evangelist!

South of England Show was as demanding as ever. Even more so, as I didn’t have Jane with me for the first couple of days!  However we did have a stalwart team who worked hard to get everything ready in time for our ‘Opening Act of Worship’ on Wednesday night. Our theme was ‘Hidden Treasures’ – celebrating the rural church. This was linked in with a Church & Countryside Conference of the same name and looking at tourism and visitors to churches. Our three days brought a mixture of weather despite the early forecast of bright sunshine. As part of our celebrating the rural church we had a mini-ring of eight bells set up by the Sussex Association of Change Ringers. It was great to see Penelope Keith, Show President having a go at bell ringing. Alongside the Church Tent we also run for the South East Agricultural Society the Lost People Station.  A very apt task for the Church! On the Saturday, the busiest day, we had 17 people who had become separated and lost, mostly children. This is a great facility we offer with the strictest of guidelines and it is always such a delight to see people reunited.  Refreshments also play another important role and we have a great system set up whereby a Church takes responsibility for each day. The refreshments are served out of a Salvation Army catering van.  

Defunct Car - as you will also know, shortly before the Show our car was diagnosed with a blown head gasket. I think the trip down to Cornwall for the Opening of the Celtic Cross was the final straw.  This began a frantic search to source another car suitable for towing. It was a bit like trying to cram for an exam as we desperately tried to match up what we could afford, what would be economical to run and what would do the job of occasionally towing the caravan and gear. In the end we settled with Priory Automotives in Sheffield who have experience of working with ministers. They were excellent and really pulled out all the stops to make it happen. However I didn’t have the car in time for the caravan to go up to the Show and therefore I had to hire a transit van with a tow hitch. Another new experience, driving a van whilst towing a caravan.  We settled on a Kia Sportage 2litres two wheel drive. So far it has proved an excellent choice and far less thirsty than the Landrover.

Spiritual Direction - I attended another ‘training day.’ This was looking at our ‘Shadow Side.’ Acknowledging and befriending our shadow side enables us to become a more integrated person who is comfortable in their skin!

Mission Shaped Ministry – on our penultimate Saturday I led a session on ‘Vision & Call.’  Fresh Expressions still tends to be a bit of a Cinderella in the diocese, however there are signs of some very inventive work going on including ‘Boot Fair Church’ and ‘Night Church’ that is linked with Street Pastors.

‘Soul by the Sea’ is the name given to the group who brought ‘The Passion of Christ’ to Brighton over the Easter period. We are currently exploring Christmass and also another Passion Play for 2014. The huge challenge however is to raise the funds, over £50,000 this year and we still have a current shortfall (prayers please and gifts more than welcome!) http://www.soulbythesea.org/

Love Beyond - I also met with Stephen and Richard who are promoting a West End style Musical showcasing at the Brighton Centre in October.  I am seeing if I can help make some links and connections for them. The long term plan is to run this across other cities in 2014.

www.lovebeyondmusical.com.

Jane continues to make herself a valued member of the staff at Mile Oak Primary School. She has just passed an assessment and been put onto a permanent contract. However the talk of getting rid of Teaching Assistants is disconcerting. Tabitha had a flight out to Banjul (Gambia) which meant having to stay there for five nights – in a luxury hotel! She was also called in last night and asked to cover Number Two, this is a senior position in Cabin Crew. Joe and Jen are making some serious plans for their wedding in 2015. Again Joe appears to be really flourishing in his job with Cotswolds.  Daniel and Tracey are waiting for their first baby. It’s all getting very close, very real and very exciting. This will certainly turn their world upside down and mean lots of new adjustments.