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!
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
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.
Friday, 14 December 2007
Progress...
No updates for the past 2 weeks as I have been at work most of the time implementing a new system. All the lectures are over for the 1st term and it suggests some reflection.
Highs include the challenge of ethics; the helpful Old Testament learning; the new friendships; being asked to lead one of the lectures on modern leadership; reasonable progress with my ethics assignment; some good and varied teaching
Lows include: travel - especially "over the top"; slow progress on evaluating my calling; not enough jokes (!!)
It has been good progress and I am looking forward to next year although we have a research module for 2 days next week.
Highs include the challenge of ethics; the helpful Old Testament learning; the new friendships; being asked to lead one of the lectures on modern leadership; reasonable progress with my ethics assignment; some good and varied teaching
Lows include: travel - especially "over the top"; slow progress on evaluating my calling; not enough jokes (!!)
It has been good progress and I am looking forward to next year although we have a research module for 2 days next week.
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