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.