Who does leadership?

I’m putting two gatherings side by side, in my mind, today.

Yesterday I was at our Baptist Union Council gathering and today we have the final Cluster gathering of our Partnership for Missional Church.

Whilst I recognise they are two very different gatherings, both are, on the face of it, engaged in the same business. This was particularly highlighted this week.

BUGB Council agreed we were about ‘growing and nurturing healthy communities of missionary disciples in covenant relationship with one another in order to enable them to participate in the mission of God.’

PMC is about gathering churches to facilitate transition towards becoming missional communities of God’s people.

At both there has been a degree of attention paid upon leadership. One contrast was presented to me first thing this morning. The passage we use during year three of PMC is Acts 6: 1-7, where a leadership team is appointed as a result of conflict (around diversity and resources issues, which both featured at BUGB Council), where there’s attention paid to both movement and establishment, where practical outcomes and spiritual intentionality are found in creative tension.

In one gathering the uppermost question for the leadership appears to be ‘what is God saying and how do we respond to that’?

In the other gathering the uppermost question appears to be ‘what do I want and how can we get in on the group holding the power’?

I confess to one filling me with energy and the other draining it out of me.

Fragments of a Captured Past

OK, an apology - I've been away from blogging for too long, for various reasons. Of course, it's not because I have nothing to say!
It would be remiss of me to miss advertising Emily's show next week, "Fragments of a Captured Past" in case anyone's in London and wants to see some good examples of some up and coming photographers (I can direct you to which one!)

It's at  Foto8 - 1-5 Honduras Street, London EC1Y 0TH.

2 Designers Talk on Photography

27 June 6.30pm - 8.30 pm.
Framing questions about publishing, designing and distributing photography


This evening promises to be a really interesting and revealing event, creating insights into design perspectives and processes in photographic publication. Both Patrick Myles and Dean Pavitt have made significant ranges of published works that have engaged with photography and lens based imagery in the course of their careers. 


The session is expected to touch on ideas linking collaboration, technology and spatial concepts, expanding and extending discussions around the photographic image in framing a published project.


Patrick Myles is an independent art director and graphic design consultant producing and commissioning work in wide architectural & design fields.


Dean Pavitt of Loup Design is an independent designer, producing work in the cultural and photographic fields.

This event is FREE! 

We ask you to please RSVP to Foto8 and register your attendance as seats are limited and will be in demand for this exclusive event.

Educating Rita

Last night, we went to watch Educating Rita and it was a terrific performance. I'm very familiar with the film, but had never seen it performed, as it was originally, on stage.

It's simply set with the two main characters of Frank & Rita on stage for the whole time; always a challenge for a playwright, but Willy Russell hasn't gained his reputation for nothing and anyone experiencing this production would see why: fan of the theatre, or not. 

What I found myself doing was reflecting on our approach to theological education and 'ministry formation' through the lens of Educating Rita.

Education, as opposed to learning, is a real tension throughout ER. Frank cites the world of exams, literary criticism and the educational world he inhabits as a University Professor, as 'a game'. I have used the same word, applied to higher degrees, having a distinct uneasiness about the nature of some academic development within the spheres of learning we engage within the Church. I know, for example, whenever we need a new Principal for one of our theological Colleges, the starting place of essentials is a Phd, proven practitioner (Baptist Minister) and competent to fulfil the JD. When you trawl through the BUGB handbook, you realise what how few possible candidates that leaves us with! Unfortunately, the Phd is frequently cited as the primary requirement, but whether this is the most useful tool in the kit is debatable.

I’m all for academic excellence, this is neither sour grapes, nor defensiveness, as from the perspective of my second higher research degree I still see it as 'a game'. 

When we look at our more general approach to ministerial formation through the ER lens, however, it raises even more questions.

I'm frequently surprised, when speaking to candidates, no one seems to alert them to the actual requirements, which are somewhat different to the presumed and assumed requirements. To be an ordained and accredited Baptist Minister, for example, you need to demonstrate the ability to engage in theological reflection at the depth of ‘level two’, which is diploma level and no one says you need to pass. I’m usually accused of wanting to dumb down the depth of theological study we appropriately ask of our Ministers at this point, but that is not my intention. I don't want to make Ministerial formation easier, but harder! Simply ratcheting up the academic requirements, however, is not the way ahead. The trend is towards more flexibility, in terms of accommodating different learning styles and diverse cultural approaches to learning. The trend, that is, most places apart from Christian Ministerial theological development. Intertwining theological reflection, academic study with practical expression more rigorously will be more demanding, not less, but we may not have the degree certificates to prove it.

Once upon a time, we used to ask every candidate to our MR about the last person they’d led anyone to Jesus. I think we’ve given up, because we didn't get many positive answers. We have since been living with the assumption they’ll learn this at College. Do they?

We are living in exciting times, in my opinion. However, the general growing recognition we need to balance our pastors and teachers out with equipping more apostles, prophets and evangelists, typically under the ‘pioneer’ banner is struggling to find expression when it comes to ‘real’ Ministerial formation.

Can I say Matthew Kelly and Claire Sweeney were excellent in Educating Rita, in Bath, last night. I’ve no idea where they’re off to next, but if you fancy catching Willy Russell’s updated script, you’ll be booking yourself in for a treat.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17656155

Blogging can become a tyranny - that's how I've felt about it, over the last few weeks, when I simply just haven't got around to it. Of course, it's not because I have nothing to say!!
This, therefore, is simply to let people know I'm still out there somewhere!
This week has been another frantically busy week and just saying that suggests I'm failing in some way, because I've never believed 'busyness' is a healthy sign of anything.
However, no day off this weekend, as we have two great days ahead I hope and I'm not just thinking about the weather.
Tomorrow is a day on "Simply Church" - it's full, if you want lunch, but you may be able to squeeze in bringing your own, or sitting under a table and begging for scraps!
Sunday, after preaching in Melksham in the morning is Arise Bristol and Beyond at Ashton Gate, the home of Bristol City FC. It's an event rooted in pray, repentance and release on Pentecost Sunday, details if you've not heard are on:
http://www.bristolnetworks.org.uk/Articles/307019/Home/Home_Articles/Homepage_News/ARISE_BRISTOL_and.aspx

Will character finish top of the league?

‘Motivations are, at best, mixed’. I can’t remember who, or where, years ago I first heard this comment, but it’s one, on which, I have often reflected. Unfortunately, to give credence to such a comment is simultaneously frustrating, unhelpful, messy, lacking in pure holiness, confusing and sadly, true (at least that’s the default position, so you are blessed indeed if you get through more than a day otherwise).

However, to acknowledge it’s truth can result in me (yes we cannot go down this road assuming it’s everyone else’s problem) making wise choices, which ultimate keep my motivations within the boundaries of what a previous generation would have described as ‘godly’. Surely not!

I am of the opinion, whatever the outcome of this year’s decisions concerning finance, the biggest issue for our Accredited and wider “Ministry” over the next ten years, within BUGB, is character.

I am not suggesting I find our Ministers, in this generation, lacking the character of Christ anymore than a previous generation (not that I have many, first hand, I can compare them with you understand!). What does disturb me, however, is how the creeping legislative nature of rules, guidelines, MR processes, etc. threatening to move character down the league table of requirements. We must ensure it remains in clear focus and the overwhelming priority.

So, I am disturbed …..

When I hear of Ministry continuing in order to secure housing post-retirement.

When I listen to Ministers reality of experience of conflict among the body of Christ.

When I observe actions and listen to words, which are against the church (God’s people, Christ’s body) from those called to serve and care for her.

When I hear evangelists described as ‘Ministers without manners’, as if character is not part of the missional imperative, ‘to make disciples’.

When I uncover blindness to who we actually are, as Ministers, as if we are a different breed, without sin, or compromise.

I re-read what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1: 15-17 today. He thinks aloud when he asks ‘was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner, so that in the same breath I say both ‘Yes, yes’ and ‘No, no?’ NB – he doesn’t leave it there. What he is doing, at this point, is holding up a mirror, seeing himself, but as the unfinished article. Aldous Huxley said, “The truth that makes you free is for the most part, the truth we prefer not to hear.” Paul was brave enough to look in the mirror.

In The Way to Freedom, by Bonhoeffer, he writes ‘The reasons one gives for an action to others and to one’s self are certainly inadequate. One can give a reason for everything. In the last resort , one acts from a level which remains hidden from us. So one can only ask God to judge us and to forgive us’.

I agree with Charles Ringma, commenting on this when he observes; ‘we never fully understand ourselves and therefore we need to accept the mystery of our own being. Our motivations will never be fully transparent even to ourselves. This we need to accept. What should never be acceptable, however, is that we refuse to be open to the judgment of God and others on the effectiveness of the actions that flow from our motivations’.

So, Ministry is seen in what we do. The miracle is God still calls ordinary sinners, like me!

Friedman's Theory of Differentiated Leadership Made Simple

I found this on you-tube today, whilst searching for some help with my D Min reading, from those who have tried to apply systems theory within the church.
If, like me, you like Edwin Friedman, you'll love this. If not, you'll maybe not love it, but I hope it'll cause you to think.

http://youtu.be/RgdcljNV-Ew

It's official - Roy Hodgson for .... BUGB (!?!?)

On a day when we anticipate Roy Hodgson being appointed as the new England Manager, my mind (and prayer) is with the BUGB Futures Steering Group, also meeting today.

I’ve often looked at the similarities and differences between football managers and Baptist Ministers and whilst this is not in any way a genuinely comparable issue, I was struck by the criticisms about Roy Hodgson, listening to the radio five live phone-in, whilst in the car. “Uninspiring”, “safe pair of hands”, “cheaper”, “you know what you’ll get”.

These are all comments I can imagine people offering regarding the Baptist Futures conversation. The question was asked last week ‘what’s the vision’?

It’s not the easiest thing in the world to present an appropriate and inspiring vision, when the result of needing to reduce the annual budget by in excess of £1 million, is the focus of attention.

Whist I have been one, among many others, who has argued this is an opportunity as much as a crisis, it is inappropriate to walk around with a smile on your face when people will suffer the consequences of the difficult decisions we face.

However, the questions of vision, future, mission, etc. do need addressing. My response brings us back to the state of English football. There will be no point people complaining about Roy Hodgson when England fail to win the European Championships, as if it would have been a foregone conclusion with Harry at the helm. The reality is the grassroots, however defined, are not producing sufficient players of sufficient quality to provide a good-enough team to work with. Whilst I would have appointed Harry Redknapp, it is the whole system we need to address. So within BUGB. What we need within BUGB is not so much a national vision, but thirteen regional ones and the national leadership, which has sufficient apostolic, prophetic and evangelistic awareness and capability to empower them.