Letter NOT From the Manse

Contents

It is a privilege to be asked to write this month’s letter. Since my stationing without appointment in the Watford Circuit two years ago I have been able to preach and to meet many local Methodists. Also during that time my ministry has taken me to some interesting places, including two preaching visits to USA and Canada as well as to many churches, synod meetings, conferences, etc around Britain. This has given me an insight into what is happening here and elsewhere: from despair about the future of particular churches to places that are either growing or where people are excited about the seeds of new growth.

And now I have the added privilege of joining the Team Ministry alongside Gill and Derek. However, I am also joining a team of some 230 adult members and adherents [if my addition skills are still sharp!] across the four churches of this Section of the Circuit. The ‘officially appointed’ Ministry Team is not here to do the work of community development, evangelism, church building, etc for this Section. We are here to help you develop your vision, to discover what is possible within the gifting of each congregation and its members and adherents. This is a real opportunity to spend the coming two years developing your future. It is an exciting time but it will be demanding of us all.

So, what do you want and wish for your Church? In thinking through the future perhaps you would consider your vision in the following ways?

1] Is your vision explicit [e.g. to recruit 10 new members this Connexional year] rather than general [e.g. we want to increase our membership]?

2] What are the strong points of your Church as [a] a building, [b] the gifts of the people, and [c] current successful initiatives?

3] What are the weak spots and limitations of [a] the building, [b] the gifts of the people, and [c] current initiatives that seem to take a great deal of energy for little apparent reward?

4] What are the possibilities for development of new activities arising from [a] the building, [b] the gifts of the people, [c] current recognised needs within the community ‘beyond’ the walls of the church, and [d] work with ecumenical and Section partners?

5] What is there that can work against your vision in [a] the building, [b] the gifts of the people, and [c] current recognised needs within the community ‘beyond’ the walls of the church?

Answers on a postcard… or rather through detailed, honest and open consultation that never ceases and is always provisional and constantly under review. The three members of the ‘official’ Team are here to help you – use us but it is not ‘our’ work alone. Looking forward enthusiastically to working along side you all!

John Churcher

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So they went out in a boat, but all that night they did not catch a thing.
Jesus said to them:

Throw your net out on the right side of the boat and you will catch some. So they threw the net out and could not pull it back in, because they had caught so many fish.

John Ch 21, v 4, 6