I met with the minister that is going to be steering me through this Extended Enquiry thing. I'm not going to mention names or places, but I will say that they have a load of life and ministerial experience, and I'm sure they will be an inspiration.
Still, deep down, I have two thoughts. One is that I'm doing the right thing, and the thought that has been with me this past few months, that this is the right path to follow, remains true. The other is that I'm wasting a lot of peoples time, and I'd be better off walking awy and pretending it never happened.
It's sort of like having an angel and a demon on each shoulder. Whispering their take on life in your ear.
But which tale belongs to the demon, and to which the angel...
My head is officially up my...
A closing prayer, from my American friend...
I pray that God gives you the strength to do outrageous things.
Amen to that.
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Olympic Swimming Ool
According to the BBC, the Olympic Swimming Ool opened today.
It's brand new. It hasn't yet got a P in it...
It's brand new. It hasn't yet got a P in it...
Thursday, 21 July 2011
This Stuff Just Got Real
A letter arrived today from the place known to those in the inner circle as "One Two One" informing me who will be guiding me through my Extended Enquiry.
Now I'm less confident than I was. Has God made a big mistake? He's got 7,000,000,000 other folk to keep an eye on, surely there's someone better for the job. I'm just wasting people's time.
Really?
I'm a lousy follower.
What do you want me for?
Nineveh, Me?
Yes, I've read your number one best seller a few times, but do you really think I'm taking it all in?
I'm going to go along, be pleasant and see what happens. Suddenly I'm feeling a lot less sure of myself.
But there's still something in the back of my mind pushing me along. And that's the bit that's scary.
Now I'm less confident than I was. Has God made a big mistake? He's got 7,000,000,000 other folk to keep an eye on, surely there's someone better for the job. I'm just wasting people's time.
Really?
I'm a lousy follower.
What do you want me for?
Nineveh, Me?
Yes, I've read your number one best seller a few times, but do you really think I'm taking it all in?
I'm going to go along, be pleasant and see what happens. Suddenly I'm feeling a lot less sure of myself.
But there's still something in the back of my mind pushing me along. And that's the bit that's scary.
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Wedding Proposal
If you're going to do a job, do it right...
With best wishes to the happy couple. But if that's the proposal, It's going to be one hell of a honeymoon!
With best wishes to the happy couple. But if that's the proposal, It's going to be one hell of a honeymoon!
Thursday, 7 July 2011
A turning point in social media
In the past, newspapers had the power to topple governments. The Watergate scandal, is one prime example. Now social media has came of age, and it's the citizen journalists that have the power. This year we have seen governments shaken in the middle east, thanks to the liberating power of the internet.
But tonight, social media has brought down the News of the World. the little journalists have taken a bite out of the old guard, thanks to a well orchestrated campaign on Twitter. Although it did take a little bit of help from the Guardian to get things moving, it's the people that won.
The internet can be a disturbing place sometimes, but occasionally it is liberating. Keep it free.
But tonight, social media has brought down the News of the World. the little journalists have taken a bite out of the old guard, thanks to a well orchestrated campaign on Twitter. Although it did take a little bit of help from the Guardian to get things moving, it's the people that won.
The internet can be a disturbing place sometimes, but occasionally it is liberating. Keep it free.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
I wouldn't waste...
...good piss on the News of the World if it was burning.
(Disclosure. I have been employed in the News Group, a long time ago.)
Have a read at this article... from the BBC
or this one... from the Guardian
Newspapers rely on advertising. How about having a word with the Investor Relations departments of Tesco, Aldi, Currys, and the Body Shop, who all ran adverts in News of the World last week. Persuade them that you might not like to associate one good brand with a nasty, grubby one.
Because there's some papers that I wouldn't even wrap my chips in.
(Disclosure. I have been employed in the News Group, a long time ago.)
Have a read at this article... from the BBC
or this one... from the Guardian
Newspapers rely on advertising. How about having a word with the Investor Relations departments of Tesco, Aldi, Currys, and the Body Shop, who all ran adverts in News of the World last week. Persuade them that you might not like to associate one good brand with a nasty, grubby one.
Because there's some papers that I wouldn't even wrap my chips in.
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Enquirers Conference (Part Four)
So what next?
*********************************************************************
TO: Vocation @ Church of Scotland
From: Spot
Subject: Extended Enquiry
Having attended the recent Enquirers Conference, I’ve given the whole calling thing some thought. I feel I’d like to enter into a period of Extended Enquiry, heading in the direction of Ordained Local Ministry. Can you please send me the application pack.
*********************************************************************
I've taken the red pill – Let's stay in Wonderland and I see how deep the rabbit-hole goes.
*********************************************************************
TO: Vocation @ Church of Scotland
From: Spot
Subject: Extended Enquiry
Having attended the recent Enquirers Conference, I’ve given the whole calling thing some thought. I feel I’d like to enter into a period of Extended Enquiry, heading in the direction of Ordained Local Ministry. Can you please send me the application pack.
*********************************************************************
I've taken the red pill – Let's stay in Wonderland and I see how deep the rabbit-hole goes.
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Enquirers Conference (Part three)
So what did I get out of it?
Well I genuinely feel I'm being called to something. I was keen on being a reader a few years ago, as I have helped lead worship, and some people actually liked my various sermons. So I went along to the Readership talk, but this time it just didn't feel quite right. The speaker was a great guy, and really was enthused with his role as a reader, but something wasn't there for me.
The two deacons that were speaking sounded like they have the most rewarding lives. They were doing God's work in their communities and were doing it amazingly well. They came from the more troubled areas in the West, and demonstrated that God's love can cement a fractured community back together. But while I have the utmost respect for them, something wasn't right for me.
It was the Ordained Local ministry that seemed to fit me best. I've had a sort of feeling that the Auxiliary ministry (now OLM) was where God was nudging me, and the more I heard abut it, the more "right" it felt. I need to go away and think seriously about whether this is really what God is wanting for me.
I had went to this conference knowing that whatever I’m being called to do, I can’t do anything that will get in the way of Mrs Gerbil. One of the first people I encountered had a husband who will be starting university this year (probably encountering Mrs G at some point.) , and was exploring her own call. We agreed that the traditional role of ministerial spouse, doting housewife, cakemaker and Guild member wasn’t for either of us. Then there was the husband and wife who are ministers in adjoining parishes. Then another minister whose husband plays a regular part in worship, and finally, the friend of mine, a deacon whose wife went to conference with Mrs G. All of these couples work well together, so I’m a bit happier about doing my thing. Whatever that is.
There was one conference delegate who I had a private discussion with late on the second day, and during our discussion we considered a few options. It would have been nice if we had longer to talk. (For obvious reasons I can’t reveal the discussion.) Sometimes I feel awkward giving advice , as I can’t believe anyone would take me seriously. If you ever read this, I hope that things work out for you and you continue to explore your call, wherever you end up.
More follows...
Well I genuinely feel I'm being called to something. I was keen on being a reader a few years ago, as I have helped lead worship, and some people actually liked my various sermons. So I went along to the Readership talk, but this time it just didn't feel quite right. The speaker was a great guy, and really was enthused with his role as a reader, but something wasn't there for me.
The two deacons that were speaking sounded like they have the most rewarding lives. They were doing God's work in their communities and were doing it amazingly well. They came from the more troubled areas in the West, and demonstrated that God's love can cement a fractured community back together. But while I have the utmost respect for them, something wasn't right for me.
It was the Ordained Local ministry that seemed to fit me best. I've had a sort of feeling that the Auxiliary ministry (now OLM) was where God was nudging me, and the more I heard abut it, the more "right" it felt. I need to go away and think seriously about whether this is really what God is wanting for me.
I had went to this conference knowing that whatever I’m being called to do, I can’t do anything that will get in the way of Mrs Gerbil. One of the first people I encountered had a husband who will be starting university this year (probably encountering Mrs G at some point.) , and was exploring her own call. We agreed that the traditional role of ministerial spouse, doting housewife, cakemaker and Guild member wasn’t for either of us. Then there was the husband and wife who are ministers in adjoining parishes. Then another minister whose husband plays a regular part in worship, and finally, the friend of mine, a deacon whose wife went to conference with Mrs G. All of these couples work well together, so I’m a bit happier about doing my thing. Whatever that is.
There was one conference delegate who I had a private discussion with late on the second day, and during our discussion we considered a few options. It would have been nice if we had longer to talk. (For obvious reasons I can’t reveal the discussion.) Sometimes I feel awkward giving advice , as I can’t believe anyone would take me seriously. If you ever read this, I hope that things work out for you and you continue to explore your call, wherever you end up.
More follows...
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Enquirers Conference (part two)
So now with part two of this series, having already done a middle, I'll go back to the start.
The Enquirers conference is one of the key stages of the whole Enquiry process. If God is calling you to become a Minister, Deacon, or Reader, then God is going to send you to an Enquirers conference. Or more precisely, He'll give you a rough direction then you find your own way to Dundee.
So the best way to approach an event like this is to do whatever registration is required of you, then find a person with a name badge. Slowly approach them, smile, and ask if they are here for the conference as well. They smile, say yes, and after you have exchanged pleasantries, discussed the weather and the large amount of Take That fans on the Glasgow train, you realise that the other party is here for a Star Trek convention. You make your apologies and go find your own species of convention goer. The green skin should have been a giveaway...
(Actually, when I worked for a large bank I was at a work convention at a hotel in Edinburgh. Part way through the evening I had managed convince the HR Director to add my beer tab to his account, and was trying to drink through the bank's 2001-02 profit margin. Looks like I am the reason for the bank bail-out. After a few too many free drams I went out to the lobby to recover. There was a convention of rail users in the next room, and one of their party tried to convince me to buy a train. Apparently all I had to do was buy the train from Canada, with finance from the far east, then lease it back to Network Rail for them to haul ballast at night. I think I signed something, so I may own a train. I hope Network Rail can hang onto it, as the driveway is a bit crowded for a class 66)
So a couple of Enquirers were gathered on the lawn, then the group slowly expanded as more and more people arrived. The usual pleasantries, along with some more probing questions about what we wanted to gain from the conference. This is the point that you realise that there are plenty of people there who are in the exact same boat as you. Knowing they have a call of some description, but wanting to probe it a bit more. It's the point you realise you are not alone.
Over the Friday evening and the Saturday morning you are sent in shifts round a series of speakers, from Mission and Discipleship, Ministry of Word and Sacrament, Crossreach, Diaconal Ministry, Readership and World Mission You do three 30 minute sessions on the Friday, and three on the Saturday. Along with this there is acts of worship and sessions from the key speakers. I was pleasantly surprised to recognise one of the speakers as a the husband of one of Mrs Gerbil's friends from her enquiry process. We had met up a year ago, so it was nice to be able to catch up again.
While there is a lot to cram in to 24 hours, at no point did it feel rushed, and there was always time to reflect with your fellow enquirers. There was also space left in the schedule to be able to have a private chat with the speakers.
The thing is, you will never get all the answers in the space of a day. This conference is only a beginning.
But what did I get out of it? More to follow.
The Enquirers conference is one of the key stages of the whole Enquiry process. If God is calling you to become a Minister, Deacon, or Reader, then God is going to send you to an Enquirers conference. Or more precisely, He'll give you a rough direction then you find your own way to Dundee.
So the best way to approach an event like this is to do whatever registration is required of you, then find a person with a name badge. Slowly approach them, smile, and ask if they are here for the conference as well. They smile, say yes, and after you have exchanged pleasantries, discussed the weather and the large amount of Take That fans on the Glasgow train, you realise that the other party is here for a Star Trek convention. You make your apologies and go find your own species of convention goer. The green skin should have been a giveaway...
(Actually, when I worked for a large bank I was at a work convention at a hotel in Edinburgh. Part way through the evening I had managed convince the HR Director to add my beer tab to his account, and was trying to drink through the bank's 2001-02 profit margin. Looks like I am the reason for the bank bail-out. After a few too many free drams I went out to the lobby to recover. There was a convention of rail users in the next room, and one of their party tried to convince me to buy a train. Apparently all I had to do was buy the train from Canada, with finance from the far east, then lease it back to Network Rail for them to haul ballast at night. I think I signed something, so I may own a train. I hope Network Rail can hang onto it, as the driveway is a bit crowded for a class 66)
So a couple of Enquirers were gathered on the lawn, then the group slowly expanded as more and more people arrived. The usual pleasantries, along with some more probing questions about what we wanted to gain from the conference. This is the point that you realise that there are plenty of people there who are in the exact same boat as you. Knowing they have a call of some description, but wanting to probe it a bit more. It's the point you realise you are not alone.
Over the Friday evening and the Saturday morning you are sent in shifts round a series of speakers, from Mission and Discipleship, Ministry of Word and Sacrament, Crossreach, Diaconal Ministry, Readership and World Mission You do three 30 minute sessions on the Friday, and three on the Saturday. Along with this there is acts of worship and sessions from the key speakers. I was pleasantly surprised to recognise one of the speakers as a the husband of one of Mrs Gerbil's friends from her enquiry process. We had met up a year ago, so it was nice to be able to catch up again.
While there is a lot to cram in to 24 hours, at no point did it feel rushed, and there was always time to reflect with your fellow enquirers. There was also space left in the schedule to be able to have a private chat with the speakers.
The thing is, you will never get all the answers in the space of a day. This conference is only a beginning.
But what did I get out of it? More to follow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)