Friday 25 January 2008
Calling.....
Unfortunately Christine - our tutor - is off for a couple weeks. Joy Adams has admirably stepped in at very short notice and we all had to talk about our journey so far. It is always good to verbalise and I was able to summarise my calling so far. It also felt right to talk about "closing churches" (see below). There is still a lot to work out but if the Methodist church is interested in supporting "those in work" it does look like there could be a "ministry" role for me.
Friday 18 January 2008
Theological challenge
My Dad (A Methodist Minister who trained at Didsbury College in Bristol) forwarded the following story -
Your mention of the O.T. reminded me of Dr.Frost of McGill University, Canada lecturing at college many years ago - his subject was parallel religions to Yahweh-ism in the O.T. period.
Dealing with the dualistic religions of Persia, he noted in passing, that the wise men mentioned in N.T.were not numbered as 'three', as common assumption presumed, - nor were they kings - but would have been (had they really been), three astrologers from Eastern courts.
When next morning, the learned Doctor came into the assembled dining hall, where all the students were having their breakfast, the college choir stood as one man and sang -
' The old wise men, they ain't what they use to be,
ain't what they used to be, ain't what they used to be
The old wise men, they ain't what they use to be,
so the sages say !'
Your mention of the O.T. reminded me of Dr.Frost of McGill University, Canada lecturing at college many years ago - his subject was parallel religions to Yahweh-ism in the O.T. period.
Dealing with the dualistic religions of Persia, he noted in passing, that the wise men mentioned in N.T.were not numbered as 'three', as common assumption presumed, - nor were they kings - but would have been (had they really been), three astrologers from Eastern courts.
When next morning, the learned Doctor came into the assembled dining hall, where all the students were having their breakfast, the college choir stood as one man and sang -
' The old wise men, they ain't what they use to be,
ain't what they used to be, ain't what they used to be
The old wise men, they ain't what they use to be,
so the sages say !'
Tuesday 15 January 2008
Calling you.....
The work we did on understanding our calling was good this week. Definite confirmation of the Word and Sacrament focus for me. Still got to wrestle with the one-size-fits all presbyteral model though!
Did not mention the "closing churches" word - may not be for public consumption or the timing may be over the next few weeks.
Did not mention the "closing churches" word - may not be for public consumption or the timing may be over the next few weeks.
Bible & the City
Bible & the city is a challenging title. the early reading is also challenging. The mention of all the new tools and methods for analysis leaves me concerned that I am not going to do this justice.
Still it is good to learn about new possibilities. I have the challenge of coming up with an area of focus. So I'm going to read the Wakefield Express and the Bible - not sure which order - and pray hard!
Still it is good to learn about new possibilities. I have the challenge of coming up with an area of focus. So I'm going to read the Wakefield Express and the Bible - not sure which order - and pray hard!
Tuesday 8 January 2008
Discerning vocation
We spent some time this week thinking about vocation. Everyone expressed a variety of emotions: excitment, apprehension, uncertainty. Some also described the inner peace they felt. I talked about how I felt very comfortable relating that I know I have been created for the work God wants me to do and I am now moving towards it. This meant I felt an inner peace, but I also talked some more about the inner turmoil that had marked some stages of my calling. I believe that God calls to comfort and to disturb.
The disturbing calling that came to me during this session was "closing churches" (not really a great marketing style statement from God eh! - why not pruning, building on new foundations, renewal?).
When you set out on a new adventure or set a new course its great to be filled with expectation and anticipation of all the exciting things that are going to happen. I'll need to listen some more for that part for me.
I will reflect on the "closing churches" in a later post. With all the excitment and good humour it did not feel right to share this with my fellow travellers yesterday - I will tell them - I just need to think about this first.
The disturbing calling that came to me during this session was "closing churches" (not really a great marketing style statement from God eh! - why not pruning, building on new foundations, renewal?).
When you set out on a new adventure or set a new course its great to be filled with expectation and anticipation of all the exciting things that are going to happen. I'll need to listen some more for that part for me.
I will reflect on the "closing churches" in a later post. With all the excitment and good humour it did not feel right to share this with my fellow travellers yesterday - I will tell them - I just need to think about this first.
New Term
Started the new term with a communion service. Two in two days! It's like being an Anglican! Seriously I really appreciate the worship times at college as they make sure that the day proceeds with a healthy pace.
The research module was generally very useful. I learnt how to do some speed academic reading. Timing is everything. If this had taken place at the original time (Sept) it would have saved a few days of reading.
I almost feel like a real student now: Finishing off my first assignment; getting the title for my next one on Bible and the City tonight. We have now started more work on discerning vocation so that is helpful. As the degree students are studying Ethics this term I will not attend on Monday evenings.
I am looking forward to this term as I should have less to do at work and I will not be doing my first assignment.
The research module was generally very useful. I learnt how to do some speed academic reading. Timing is everything. If this had taken place at the original time (Sept) it would have saved a few days of reading.
I almost feel like a real student now: Finishing off my first assignment; getting the title for my next one on Bible and the City tonight. We have now started more work on discerning vocation so that is helpful. As the degree students are studying Ethics this term I will not attend on Monday evenings.
I am looking forward to this term as I should have less to do at work and I will not be doing my first assignment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)