Discover a different way of being
Wondering where to look but don’t want to be told what to see?
Artwork by Sophie Killingley
‘The best teachers are those who show you where to look, but don’t tell you what to see.’ Alexandra Trenfor’s well known maxim is our aspiration as trainers and writers.
by Rev Greg Bakker
Our forthcoming book, Into all the Parish, is an attempt move away from rejuvenation of the parish church based on replicable strategies or programmes into a ‘way of being’. As reviews of our forthcoming book pour into our inbox, many have commented on the ‘practical companionship offered’ for congregation wishing to make this journey.
Our approach does have a strategy; it is simply rooted in rediscovering afresh the missional aspiration and calling through five dynamic principles (or ways of being church) which characterise a pioneering congregation. Through the five dynamics, we seek to show leaders and congregations where to look, but not what to see.
Our theory is that parish churches who have recaptured a pioneering spirit and made it integral to parochial life practice these five dynamics in a communal way:
- congregational spiritual discernment: the transformative skill of noticing
- shared missional values: the power of principle over preference
- shifting heart, attention, and resource outward: losing your life to find it
- trusting in God’s abundance: what do you have in your hand
- different ways of being church: equal, connected, and distinct.
We sometimes have clergy say that they are already teaching these things in their congregations. This is great. Keep going.
What we ask for is the opportunity to help raise missional aspiration and formation in whole congregations through the communal practices of the five dynamics. For as long as I’ve been a parish priest, our interpretations of the gospel have largely been focused on the individual. What would we see if we practiced together the five gospel dynamics in a communal way, allowing these to shape our aspirations, our use of power and processes in decision making, and our spiritual care for one another and a wider range of people unconnected with the church?
So, if you yearn for your congregations to thrive but you’d appreciate a little help about where to look without being told what to see, get your hands on a copy of Into all The Parish.
Buy Into All the Parish now from Church House Publishing, Eden or Amazon.
