skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Fellowship and Friendships
My usual ministry in Yelvertoft was cancelled today (I started writing this on Thursday) to make room for what is often still called a fraternal even though there are people from both genders present - as was the case today. This event was for church leaders who are at a church within the East Midlands Area of the Congregational Federation. This has been badly needed and was the first in what we hope will become a reasonably regular occasion.
There are 34 churches. Ten have no formal leadership. The remainder are served by 20 recognised leaders (i.e. a minister, pastor or team ministry). We also have a couple of retired ministers and an Area Worker. However, the Area stretches from Grimsby to Bedford and include six counties. We are therefore rather disparate, with occasional clusters. Despite a reasonable amount of enthusiasm only five of us were able to make today's meeting. Some have full time secular work, others have commitments that clashed with the date.
Despite the small numbers we had a really excellent time which included a focus on the pastoral issues related to a situation (in another denomination) where someone went through a gender change. In today's world tackling these issues "academically" might prove more relevant than some might think. Maureen (our Area Worker) had been researching a real situation as part of a degree course. We now need to think how those who missed this might pick up on it.
The event included a really good pub lunch. When our afternoon session closed, the deacons from Clarendon Park Congregational Church arrived to express thanks on behalf of the church for the pastoral oversight and guidance I have
provided during the last couple of years until the recent appointment of their new minister. I was deeply moved by their kindness. They really have been a treat to work with - and that comes from a man with a heart for change and missional churches.
The event included a really good pub lunch. When our afternoon session closed, the deacons from Clarendon Park Congregational Church arrived to express thanks on behalf of the church for the pastoral oversight and guidance I have
I received an email with the following comment on recent blogs:
ReplyDeleteI was interested to read your recent blogs which were thought provoking.
Regarding the sexual abuser (5th March) I can empathise with your decision to let go and let god....
This seems in keeping with the stance of many twelve step programmes that suggest that each person has his own higher power and that it certainly is not the role of another to usurp that position. Does that mean we should never venture an opinion? I would suggest not but for me the line should be drawn after expressing it once. To repeat the exercise seems to be seeking to change from being a helpful friend to becoming a controller.
This leads me ponder whether the church as an organisation needs even to consider the matter of gender change (12th March blog). Is this not implying that church members should take a stance and act as the higher power of another whose moccasins they are fortunate not to have worn? Would not a more fruitful discussion be whether the church and its members even need to be a helpful friend let alone more?
I leave it there as I fear I too may be straying from one role to another!
Your comments are welcome, and especially your support for my decision posted 5th March.
ReplyDeleteThe gender change issue was not a matter of being judgemental of what was a serious and carefully considered step involving a middle-aged man who has since had surgery and is now legally defined as a female. Nor was there any attempt to be prescriptive. He/she needed and sought pastoral support through a very difficult time. Many of his/her friends who were part of a Bible based and caring church also had issues they struggled with. This was entirely a gender issue and had nothing to do with sex in this case. The challenge of pastoral ministry in such a cultural context is significant as we seek to hold to what we see as absolute and public truth on one hand, and demonstrating Christlike loving ministry on the other hand. We are called to show integrity with the nature and ministry of Jesus, and for most of us that is a continual challenge.