Cool Tool
      

Stationing

Seems appropriate to add a final reflection, even though I have transferred my reflections to a personal journal.
I have been stationed (a Methodist term for placing a Minister in a circuit role initially for 5 years) to the Huddersfield Pennine circuit (subject to all the usual approvals and confirmations etc). It is difficult to comment on somewhere where you have yet to meet the people and worship with them, however, in personal terms this seems a good match. The plan is I will take pastoral responsibility for 3 churches to the south of the town centre.
It means that we will continue to live in Wakefield until Rachael has completed her A levels at New College Pontefract. The churches are only 30 minutes drive away - so it doesn't make sense to live separately (which was one option we were prepared for).
So I have learnt alot - the importance of feedback in encouragement is one for blogging.
But I think it will work better if focused around specific issues. Much of my learning has been difficult to share (hence the return to a written journal).
If you have followed this - thanks for your interest. When I return to blogging it will probably be a different style altogether.
God bless

3 out of 4

I have now finished my third year of training. One more to go and then I will be in Circuit. Although it is only a technical finish as I will be working on my dissertation over the summer. It is a good opportunity to use all the time I normally spend at college on the dissertation.
Our final day was really helpful. A quiet day led by Judith Jessop. Two exercises helped me to focus on all the things that God has blessed me with.
As the the reflections opened we were offered the guidance to try and leave all of our concerns on one side for the next few days. I was taken back to my days at Damart as I was picturing all the things I have been thinking and praying about coming off the back of a container as boxes - one-by-one. Emptying the space so that God can take first place. Some work on this picture may prove fruitful.

Blessings

I have been blessed by several visits over the past 6 weeks.
John Bell led a session on worship which was entertaining and challenging. Irene really enjoyed that day, and has been using one of the songs in her services.
Adrian Plass made me laugh, and cry and gave some food for thought at Cliff College. The afternoon ascents walk was very good as well.
John Hull delivered a lecture in Wakefield with a focus on re-discovering the real prophetic faith. Illustrated by challenging actions associated with Queens ministerial training
2010 has provided many opportunities to listen to people who have worked at theology from all sorts of angles. I love diversity (and I don't really mean the group) especially when it helps to broaden my understanding of God.

Progress

The resubmitted formative assignment has now been passed. The content has been trimmed. The continuing variation in acceptable referencing style is still not resolved. Have spent the last 3 weeks focusing on detailed analysis of J.W. journals - a significant amount of work gleaned useful, but small amounts of evidence. I am continuing to enjoy the reading and still hope to finish for Sept/Oct

Formative Assignment

The feedback on the formative assignment seemed positive - mostly technical issues to sort (which takes a long time). This has been resubmitted. Very unsatisfying to spend so much time on form and style. It is difficult to discern where this figures in the Kingdom of God.

Discipleship

Graham Cray at Cell, Martyn Atkins and Barbara Glasson at the Lay conference. All talking about following Jesus. Decided to follow up one of Crays sources - Dallas Willard:The Great Omission which led to Alan Hirsch:The Forgotten Ways and Bill Hull: Discipleship. Very good stimulating reading. They help to inform and resource my understanding of the importance of small groups. It is not surprising that John Wesley is mentioned so many times. The Hirsh resource is excellent - anything that has been reprinted 9 times since its first publication in 2006 is impressive. These are really helping to prepare for encountering the small groups in Circuit.

Dissertation update

I am awaiting some feedback on the formative assignment from my new Tutor - Ian. He is new to the York St John process so its a bit like two uncertain travelers making their way! Still its the road to Emmaus next week so it fits in rather well. Have done some more reading and sorting of notes in the meantime - realised how much I have been able to cover. Wesley is a fascinating character - not least for his pragmatism. Wonder how he would have got on today?

Refreshment

Fantastic experience at the Methodist Youth and Lay Employees Conference.
Met some great people and shared some fascinating stories. I was privileged to hear Barbara Glasson who led the bible study on the parable of the sower. There was a really good session on "with Integrity" by Helen Cameron.
Martyn Atkins inspired with discipleship challenges.
Worship was thoughtful
Overall it was good work, good fellowship and good worship.
I still am struggling to come to terms with the absolute privilege of being able to worship as part of my working day. Life is great.

Dissertation Progress

The first stage of my dissertation is being reviewed by my supervisor. I have managed to get 60 references into the 2000 words to provide some indication of what sort of reading I have undertaken. The process is uncomfortable but I feel I have really found out the scope of the challenge.
I am certain that I will have significant re-work to do (based on experience) but I am really getting a feel for Wesley and Leadership in the Church.
One more step along the road....

Love --->>> Action

Reading Wesley's sermons in one go at the moment - the themes are pretty strong:

What is in your heart?


What are you going to do about it?


Great questions for reflection, and to keep reflecting. This is not a one time "work" but a journey of discovery. The reading in one go also produces a huge sense of urgency. I sense that my urgency to fulfil the "what are you going to do about it?" is the dissonance for me at the moment.

Progress

The research work continues - a long haul, but learning loads about John Wesley. He was an interesting character and had a significant impact on those around him.
The ministerial training element has focused on leadership tools and introductory theology.
All helpful - but not a lot of discovery. Interestingly, in my termly review the majority of my learning has come from the activities I have been involved in in my Circuit job this term: Church sale, meeting planning, circuit re-organisation, property matters and supporting a number of people in a number of tasks related to ministry.
Further changes next year when I will have a new dissertation supervisor as Debbie Herring moves on to pastures new - I'll miss Debbie, but look forward to working with Ian again.

Masters

Now started working on my dissertation - good tutorial today with Debbie (who I will miss when she leaves). I will have the opportunity to visit Wesley College to do some of the research, and that means I can mix a visit to Mum & Dad at the same time. I will be able to do the dissertation over the whole year - which will be a reasonable pace. Debbie has already introduced a couple of helpful extras - Gadamer and Wittgenstein (2 famous philosophers). It is really good to cover more new ground.

formation

Training as a student minister is underway. I am now working with several new people, and it is good to both get to know them, and see how my old colleagues are getting on in their new colleges. We have new tutors this term, and this gives some excellent alternative perspectives. I am enjoying the new perspectives, and looking forward to the coming year. I am "sitting in" on the level 2 sessions again, and we are looking at pastoral care this term. The sessions and information are quite challenging, with different perspectives on pastoral theology.
The challenge for me over the past couple of weeks has been several references to the only real way to learn is through crisis points. This really does not connect with me - not that you cant learn in this way. Its more to do with the dismising of slow and steady - so it was great to finally hear about an alternate theory that does recognise this form of learning.

Back in the groove...

The time is coming for me to think about going back to college. My study this year will consist of doing my dissertation. The working title has been accepted - I will spend alot of time researching John Wesley's writings and reading up on modern leadership.
I will also have one day a week at UTU in sheffield for my Formation - joining a group with a few other student ministers as we move towards developiung a greater understanding of our callings - It will be good to get to know some new people, and see some a few of my old colleagues, but most are studying at other places.

Dissertation

Now that I have finished my 4 assessed modules (which I understand qualifies me for a Postgraduate Diploma - heh-heh-heh!) I now move onto my dissertation.
I hope to be looking at John Wesley's leadership and theology, and how that might be helpful to today's Methodist presbyter (not Minister because I have to narrow the focus). This should mean some interesting exploration of Wesley's original writings.
I hope to do some case studies of current practice, so I will be seeking some volunteer presbyters to help.

Training

I will now train for 2 years part-time at Urban Theology Unit.
This means that I will carry on working for the Sheffield (West) Circuit.
In order to fit everything in I may have to alter my hours a bit at work, and consider using the time I currently spend in my home Circuit preaching in a placement in another circuit.
Still to work all that out with Christine at UTU.
I will team up with the people who are already training on a part-time basis some of whom I already know. i will miss my friends and fellow travellers as they are all going somewhere else, but will look forward to hearing about their journey's.

Yes!

The Methodist church has accepted me as a student minister. This will mean further training which will be confirmed at the end of this month. Sounds as though I can carry on working but may need to consider how many hours I work.
The acceptance is a real affirmation that this is God's will. I still have plenty to learn and I am looking forward to what that will mean.

Pressure Cooker

The national committee (connexion) was a major experience. The nervous tension was significant. The 24 hours seemed like at least 48. The questions were answered - some with significant amounts of waffle! I hope that the discerning eye and ear were active because I felt that at times I was making it very complicated!
The people are all very friendly, however the whole process goes on with very little feedback. I will hear on Thursday what the response is, and will post the results - praise God for all his patient grace and understanding.

Connexional Committee

The Connexional (National) Committee is the final stage in the assessment of my calling to the ministry. This takes place next week near St Albans. All my colleagues and me are preparing our 5 minute presentations, and reflecting on the latest news.
It will be quite an atmosphere with all the tension of the candidates. I just hope and pray that I will continue to be me, and if it is God's call then I will start the next phase of my Christian service. I don't feel nervous now - but that is normal for me. I will be nervous during the process, and God doing his best to get the grey cells to listen and remember.
The process is very exciting, yet at the same time very wearing - I can see why people remember this year whether successful or not.