SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AND EVANGELISM Resources...5 Social Engagement and Evangelism Resources...

SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AND EVANGELISM Resources

Version: 01

Last updated: 29 November 2017

Author: Anne Richards and the Mission Theology Advisory Group

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Table of Contents

SocialEngagementandEvangelismResources 5Introduction 5ResourcePathways 5

StartingaConversation 7Themes:StartingOut 7

HeadsuporHeadsdown? 7

StartingaConversation 9Themes:Trust 9

YourHairintheirHands 9

StartingaConversation 11Themes:Hope 11

MakingRent 11

StartingaConversation 13Themes:Confidence 13

FleshandBlood 13

StartingaConversation 15Themes:Sharing 15

LastTrainHome 15

EngagingwiththeBible 17Themes:Startingout 17

TheFaithoftheSyrophoenicianWoman(Mark7.24-30) 17

EngagingwiththeBible 19Themes:Trust: 19

TheTrueKindredofJesus(Matthew12.46-50) 19

EngagingwiththeBible 21Themes:Hope: 21

ANewCommandment(John13.34-35) 21

EngagingwiththeBible 23Themes:Confidence 23

TheWomanattheWell(John4.27-30;39-42) 23

EngagingwiththeBible 25Themes:Sharing; 25

TheHowlingMan(Mark5.1-13) 25

MakingaChange 27Themes:StartingOut 27

Driving 27

MakingaChange 29Themes:Trust 29

SharingthePeace 29

MakingaChange 31Themes:Hope 31

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SmartLiving 31

MakingaChange 33Themes:Confidence 33

Beingthere 33

MakingaChange 35Themes:Sharing 35

MappingtheKingdom 35

Reflection: 37Startingout 37

LetusPray 37

Reflection: 39Trust 39

Sanctuary 39

Reflection: 41Hope 41

Giving 41

Reflection: 43Confidence 43

Confidence 43

Reflection: 45Sharing 45

FacesandMeetings 45

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The Mission Theology Advisory Group is an ecumenical group formed in partnership between Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and the

Church of England

We provide resources in the areas of Spirituality, Theology, Reconciliation, Evangelism and Mission

This resource belongs to our Evangelism series. Please print and share.

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Social Engagement and Evangelism Resources Introduction

InSeptember2015,thediocesansocialresponsibilityofficersoftheChurchofEnglandgatheredtogetherinElyfortheirnationalconference.Oneofthethingstheydidtherewastolookatstoriesoffaithinformingactionwhichtheyhadgatheredtogetherandsharedtogaininsightsandwisdomintohowfaithandsocialactionchangeindividualsandcommunities.

TheconferencealsoheardfromDrAnneRichards,theconveneroftheecumenicalMissionTheologyAdvisoryGroup,onfivethemesforanewperspectiveonevangelism.Thesefivethemeswere:

• PursuingtheHuman–identifyingpeoplewhounderstandthosewhohavenocontactwithorknowledgeofChristianfaithandwhoarebestplacedtoengagewiththemeffectively.

• MakingCommunity–understandingthatChristianshaveparticulargiftsandskillsforinitiating,developingandsustainingrelationshipsinthewiderworldandsupportingpeopletodothisintheirdailylives.

• CreatingNewNews–acceptingthattheGoodNewsofJesusChristisbadnewsforsomepeopleforwhomChristiancommitmentcomeswithseverecost.Supportingthose,especiallyyoungChristians,whoarementorsforyoungpeoplestrugglingwithcontemporarymoralandsocialissueswhichmanyofusdon’treallyunderstand.

• HonouringMemory–understandingthatsuccessfulevangelismisnotjustaboutthecourseofaperson’sfuture,butalsoaboutwhatGodhasdonewiththeirpastandtheirownjourney,identifyingtheexperiencesandgiftswhichnewChristiansbringtothechurch.

• BeingtheFaceofLove–witnessingtoGod’sloveinChristthroughouractionsandbehaviourwithintheChurchandwithintheworld.

AnnesuggestedthatthestoriesattheconferenceshowedthatsocialactionbyChristianscouldbeinstrumentalinbuildingabedrockoftrust,hope,confidenceinthegospel,andopportunitiesforsharingwhichwouldcreateafertilegroundforevangelismandwitness.

Asaresultofworkingtogether,lookingatthestoriesandthefivethemes,theSROnetworkcommissionedMTAGtoproduceresourcesforuseindioceseswhichwouldenableindividuals,groups,congregationsandcommunitypartnershipstobuilduptrust,hope,confidenceandfaith-sharingfromsimplebeginnings.

Resource Pathways

MTAGresourcesusefourpathwaysforpeopletoexploreandwhichcanbemixedandmatched.Thesepathwaysare:

Word-based[YELLOW]forpeoplewhowanttoexploreanddiscussastory,orlookatquestionsandideastogether.

Activity-based[GREEN]forpeoplewhowanttogetonanddosomething,research,trysomethingoutorjustexploreandseewhathappens.

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Worship-based[BLUE]forpeoplewhowanttoengageatopicthroughbiblestudy,prayerandreflection.Oftenusedinastand-alonemannerwhenchurcheswanttoputasideadayforaparticularissueorforretreatorLent/Advent.

Spirituality-based[PINK]forpeoplewhowanttoseehowissuesimpacttheirownfaith,nurturetheirowngifts,andofferingopportunitiesforreflectiononindividualchange,transformationandcommitment.

ThereisalsoaseparatedocumentforengagingwithissuesarisingfromBREXITusingthesamethemes.

Individualelementsofthepathwayscanbecombinedaccordingtotaste,traditionandinterest.Thereisno‘right’waytousetheresources.

Thethemesarealsocolourcoded,ifyouwanttofolloworconcentrateonaparticulartheme.

Inaddition,thissetofresourceshasfiveextraresources[ORANGE]forindividuals,congregationsandcommunitypartnershipswhichfeelenabledandwanttoengagefurtherinsocialactionorissuesofsocialjustice.

EachresourceisfullydownloadableandreproducibleononesheetofA4.Theirelementscanalsobedeveloped,changedorre-orderedasnecessarytofitgroupinterestsorneeds.

Agridsettingoutthecompletesetofresourcesisshownbelow:

StartingOutPursuingtheHuman

TrustMakingComm-unity

HopeNewNews

Confid-enceHonouringMemory

SharingFaceofLove

Story HeadsUporHeadsDown?

YourHairintheirHands

MakingRent FleshandBlood

LastTrainHome

Activity Driving

SharingthePeace

SmartLiving Beingthere MappingtheKingdom

LiturgyBiblePrayerReflection

TheSyroPhoenicianwoman

Jesus’family Anewcommandment

Thewomanatthewell

TheHowlingMan

Spirituality Reflectiononprayer

Reflectiononsanctuary

Reflectionongiftgiving

Reflectiononconfession

Reflectiononfacesandmeetings

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Starting a Conversation Themes: Starting OutPursuing the Human

Heads up or Heads down?

PhotobyMatthewGonFlickr

Astoryfordiscussioningroupsorforindividualreflection

SomethoughtsfromProfessorJohnDrane

Luke21.28

Nowwhenthesethingsbegintotakeplace,standupandraiseyourheads,becauseyourredemptionisdrawingnear.

WhenyouliveinScotland,likeIdo,youoftenseepeoplegoingabouttheirbusinessonthestreet,headsdown,battlingwiththewindortherain.

Orthesedaysyoucangointoaroomfullofpeople,orintoameeting,andthey’veallgottheirheadsdown,crouchedovertheirphones,lookingfornotificationsortweetsormessages.

Andperhapsasapeople,we’remorelikelytolookdownandawayfromothersifwe’recrushedintoalift,oracrowdedtube,orabusycafé.Wedon’twanttobecaughtstaring;wemodestlylookdownandaway.Wekeepourheadsdownevenwhenshoppingorgoingaboutourdailylives.I’vebeeninshopswherethestaffthinkit’spositivelystrangeforapersontomeettheireyesandsmile.

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ButintheBible,theliftingupofheadsisassociatedwiththenearnessandapproachofGod.Psalm24says‘Liftupyourheads,Ogates!andbeliftedup,Oancientdoors!thattheKingofglorymaycomein’.Luke21.28tellsreadersofthegospeltoliftuptheirheadsandgetreadyforGod.

Youknowwhendogssensetheirmastersandmistressesreturning,theirheadsgoup,theirearsprickupandtheywaitexpectantly?There’ssomethinginthesebiblepassageswhichinvitesusto‘snifftheair’forGod’spresenceandforwhatGodmightbedoingrightnowamongus.

Whatmighthappenifweintentionallyliftedupourheadsabitmore?Whatmightcatchourattention?Whomightwemeet?Whomightwesurprise?WheremightweseeGodatwork?

Somequestions:

• Arewe‘headsup’or‘headsdown’people?Asindividuals?Asachurch?Asacommunity?Asanation?

• Whatdoyouthinkpeoplemightmisswhenthey’vegottheirheadsdownorburiedintheirphones?

• Whenmightweintentionallygo‘headsdown’toavoidthingswedon’twanttoface?• Doyouthinkifweliftedourheadsupabitmorewemightcreatemoreopportunitiesfor

mission?

TheAscensionofJesusbyDinahRoeKendall,anartistwhousesherpaintingstointroducepeopletoJesus.TheAscensionisoneofherfavourites.Everyoneislookingup.FindoutmoreaboutDinahathttps://www.canterburydiocese.org/media/outlook/winter2014_dinahroekendall.pdf

Wherenext?

HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesonStartingOut/PursuingtheHuman.

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Starting a Conversation Themes: TrustMaking Community

Your Hair in their Hands

https://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/3685/Politicians-are-still-trusted-less-than-estate-agents-journalists-and-bankers.aspx

Thepollillustratedabove,showsresultsgatheredbytheresearchcompanyIpsosMoriwhenitinvestigatedwhichtypesofprofessionspeopletrusttotellthemthetruth.Clergyfarelesswellthanhairdressers.

Whyisthis?Itisbecausewenowadaystendtospendmoretimetalkingfranklytoourhairdressersthantoourlocalministerbecausepeopledon’tgotochurchasfrequentlyastheyusedto?OrisitbecausesomanythingshavebeenreportedabouttheChurchwhichmakeusfeelthatthingshavebeencoveredupandthetruthhasnotbeentold?

Whowetrusttotellthetruthmatters.Itmatterswhenweareillandwanttoknowwhatiswrongandwhatcanbedone.Itmatterswhenwehavetomakejudgementsaboutthosewhogovernus,aboutthosewhorunourlocalservices,orwhoteachourchildren,orfromwhomwebuygoodsandservices.Whenpeopletwistthetruthorlietousandwerealisewehavebeenduped,wedon’ttrustthosepeopleanymore.

Hairdresserspayusindividualattention.Weallowthemtotouchus,toshapewhatwewillseeinthemirror.Theyhelpcreatethe‘look’wewanttoshowtoothers.Theyareinstrumentalinabigdaylikeawedding.Theycanliftourspiritswhenwefeeldownandhairdressersinhospitalsandcarehomesoftenmakeabigdifferencetohowpeoplefeel.Manypeoplebuilduparelationshipwitha

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particularhairdresserovertimeandsharestorieswiththemabouttheirlivesandfamilies.Andyes,it’ssurprisinglycommontotalkaboutspiritualissuestoo.

Trustingourselvestotheministrationsofanotherpersonenablesustobeginthemakingsofcommunity,whetherthat’scookingfoodforotherstoeat,servinginashop,teachingchildren,walkinganeighbour’sdogoranyofthemanyinteractionsbetweenhumanbeingsthattakeplaceeveryday.SoifasChristians,weseektocareforandtoserveothers,tomakerelationshipswithothersinourdailylivesintheserviceofthegospel,thenthosebeginningsofcommunityandrelationshiphavetobefoundedontrustworthinessandtruth.

Somequestionsfordiscussion:

• Whatdoesyourownlistoftrustworthyprofessionslooklike?• Whydoyouthinkhairdresserspollsohighlyastruth-tellers?• Whydoyouthinkpeopleapparentlytrustclergy,ChristiansandtheChurchlessthanthey

usedto?• Whatwouldittakeforpeopletotrustclergy?ChristiansandtheChurchtotellthetruth?• Howimportantaretruthfulness,transparencyandtrustworthinessforsharingthegospel

withothers?• Howdoyouthinkrelationshipsoftrustcanflowerintogroups,friendshipsand

communities?• WhydoyousupposepeopletrustedJesus?

PhotobyJacobBØtter(ahairdresser)onFlickr

Wherenext?

LookatotherresourcesfromtheTrust/MakingCommunitysection.

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Starting a Conversation Themes: HopeNew News

Making Rent

Photo:‘RelaxingafterWork_MMVI’byandronicusmaxonFlickr

Astoryfordiscussioningroupsorforindividualreflection

Arthuris24yearsold.HestruggledtofindworkafterleavinguniversityandwasunemployedformorethanayearuntilhefoundajobwithanagencyinLondonwhichpaidhim£14kayear.Hiscommutingcostsalonewere£5k.Lifeattheagencywashorrible.Hewasconstantlyshoutedatbyhisbossandhadtoworklateeverynighttohithistargets.Helivedunderthethreatofbeingfired.Manyoftheotheremployeeswereyoung,likeArthur,andmanysimplyleftafterafewweeksorweresackedwheneverthebossfeltvindictive.

HoweveroneofthethingswhichmostshockedArthurwashowhisco-workerscopedwiththestressandfinancialstraintheywereunder.OnhisfirstFridayatworkhewasofferedcocaine.Hesaidno.Butastimewentonhediscoveredthatformanyofhisfriends,weekendsmeantdrugs,casualhook-ups,gamblingorgaming.Manyweretoobroketoaffordrentandwentwithoutfoodorheating.Somewerelivingonfriends’sofasorstuckathomewiththeirparents.Thoseinrelationshipsoftenbrokeupthroughcheatingorargumentsaboutmoney.Onefriendworkedeveningsasastripper;othershadsecondjobscashinhand;yetothersdidsomedrugdealingontheside.

AfterawhileArthurleftandfoundabetter,morestablejob,buteventhere,hefoundhisyoungco-workerswereoftencaughtupinthesamechaoticlives,strugglingtofindawaytoliveinLondon.

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Yetinthetwoyearshehasbeeninwork,Arthurhasfoundthatpeoplecometohimforadviceandhelp.Theyaskedhimwhyhedidn’tdodrugs,whyhedidn’tgoondatingsitesorTinder,andhowhecopedwithhavingsolittlemoneyandstillmanagedtoholdontohisgoalsanddreams.Whenoneofthemhasa‘melt-down’hetakesthemoutformealsanddrinkshecanillaffordandlistenstotheirproblems.AndbecausetheyknowheisaChristian,theyaskhimtoo,aboutspiritualmatters–thepurposeoflife,howtobehappy,howtohavehope,howtochange.

Somequestionstothinkabout:

• WhathopehasChristianfaithgottooffertopeoplewhoarestressedandworriedaboutthefuture?

• HowmightChristiansbeequippedmoreeffectivelytounderstandtheissuesfacingyoungpeopleinandoutofworkinoursociety?

• HowcanArthur’schurchandChristianfriendssupporthiminhelpinghisco-workers?• Whatsortof‘newnews’doyouthinkyoungpeopletodayneedtohear?• WhatdoyouthinkaretheriskstoArthurandhisownfaith?

PhotobyLucieBluebird-LexingtononFlickr

Wherenext?

HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesonHope/NewNews.

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Starting a Conversation Themes: ConfidenceHonouring Memory

Flesh and Blood

Astoryfordiscussioningroupsorforindividualreflection

PhotobyArlBakkeronFlickr

ToldAugust2015toAnneRichards

Iamdiabetic.Iwenttohospitalforaroutinebloodtest.MyhusbandtookmeinthecarandIwasreallyearly.Hedroppedmeoffandwenttodosomeshopping.Iwasn’tsupposedtoeatordrinkanything,soIdidn’tgotothecafeteria.ButIdidn’twanttowaitinthewaitingroomeither,soIwentforawalkaroundtheoutside.

WhenIwalkedaroundthesideofthehospitalIsawthisboy,thisteenager,kickingoneofthebushes.Hewassmashingit.Therewereleavesandtwigseverywhere.Iwentuptohimandshoutedathimtostopitandtolookatthemesshewasmaking.Icalledhimavandal.Hejustlookedatmeandtoldmetofoff.Ididn’twanttroublesoIwalkedbackthewayIcame.

ThenIwonderedwhyhewasthereandwhyhewasbehavinglikethat.Itwasoddthattherewasthisboyonhisownsmashingupabush.ButhehadtoldmetofoffandIdidn’tfancygettinginanargumentorworse.SoIsaidaprayer,well,notreallyaprayer,justa‘whatdoyouthinkIshoulddo?’Ididn’tgetananswerinwords,justafeelingthatIshouldgoandseewhathewasdoing.SoIwentbackroundandhewasstillthere,buthehadstopped.IwentuptohimandsaidIwassorryIyelledathimandaskedhimifhesmoked.Hesaidhedid,soIgavehimacigarette.IjokedthatIwasgoingtogetintotroublebecauseI’mnotsupposedtosmoke.

Hedidn’tsayanythingsoIaskedhimifhewasok.

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Hesaidhisnanjustdiedandthathismumwasinsidethehospitalcryingandhewaswaitingforhisdadtocomeanddealwithher,becausehecouldn’t.IsaidIwassorryandthatIfeltlikethatwhenmyhusband’smumdied.Iaskedwhetheritwasexpected(hisnanhadcanceritturnedout)andwhethertheyhadplannedthefuneral.Hesaidhedidn’tknowwhattheyweregoingtodo,soIaskedwhetherhisfamilywouldliketotalktothehospitalchaplainaboutwhattodonext.Hehadneverheardofahospitalchaplainandaskedwhatthatwas.SoIexplained.Hesaidhisfamilyweren’treligiousbutIsaidthatdidn’tmatter.Isaidthatifhewasfindingithardtotalktoorhelphismumbecausehisnanhaddied,thenthechaplaincouldhelp.

HeaskedforanothercigaretteandIsawhewasstartingtocry.SoItoldhimthatIwasn’tparticularly‘religious’butthatIbelievedinGodandJesusandIfirmlybelievedthatdeathwasn’ttheend.Isaidthechaplaincouldexplainaboutthatifhewantedtoaskaboutit.Iwasn’tthatgoodwithexplainingitmyself,butIdidbelieveit.Hesaidhewouldtellhismumthatthehospitalhadsomeoneshecouldtalkto.ThenhesaidthatifIwasaChristian,perhapsIcouldsayaprayerforhisnan.IsaidIwouldandIsaidIwouldsayaprayerforhimandhismumanddadaswell.Henoddedandsaidgoodbyeandthankyou.Isatinthewaitingroomandprayedforthemall.

Somequestionstothinkabout:

• WheredoyouthinkGodmighthavebeenatworkinthisstory?• Whatdoyoumakeofthewoman’sclaimthatsheisn’t‘particularlyreligious’?• Howdoyouthinkthewoman’smemoriesandpastexperienceshelpedtochangethe

situation?• Howimportantwouldtheboy’smemoriesofhisnanhavebeeninrespondingtoherdeath?• Howmightthisstorygiveusconfidencetospeaktoothersaboutourfaith?• Whatmightittaketorecognisethatthe‘vandal’wasapersonindeepdistress?• Whatdoyouthinkthehospitalchaplain’srolewouldhavebeeninhelpingthewholefamily?

PhotobyMrThinktankonFlickr

Wherenext?

HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesonConfidenceandHonouringMemory

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Starting a Conversation Themes: Sharing Being the Face of Love

Last Train Home

PhotobyAndrewHartonFlickr

Astoryfordiscussioningroupsorforindividualreflection

ToldtoAnneRichards,summer2015

Iwasonthelasttrainhometheotherday,theonetheycalltheVomitComet,becauseeverybodycomesbackdrunk.Itwasprettyhorrible.Therewereallsortsofloud,drunkblokesandthecarriagestankofalcohol.Idon’tlikegettingthattrain,butIhadtoworklatesoIhadnochoice.

Thisgirlgoton.Shewasprettywasted.Shesatnexttomeandkeptputtingherhandtoherfaceandlookingill.Thensheseemedtofallasleep.

Afteracoupleofstopsshesuddenlywokeupandputherhandtohermouthandtriedtogetup.Itriedtohelp,butitwastoolate.Shewassickeverywhereonthecarriagefloor.Peopleyelledandgotoutofthewayandsometoldhertogetoffthetrainbecauseshewasdisgusting.Butshejustsatdownagain,sayingshewassorry.Shefoundsometissuesandcleanedherfaceanddroppedthemontheflooroverthemess.

Acoupleofthedrunkblokescameupandstartedsuggestingshegohomewiththemandstartedtalkingabouthoweasyitwouldbetosleepwithherbecauseshewassooutofit.Istartedtogetreallyworriedthatsomethingmighthappentoher.Ididn’twanttotakeontheblokes,buttheyweregettingverynasty.

Iaskedherifshewasallrightandifsomeonewasmeetingherandwhatstationshewasgettingoffat.Butsheseemedtoooutofittosayanythingverycoherent,soIwasevenmoreworried.Igothertosayhernameandeventuallyfoundoutwhereshewasgoingtogetoff.

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IrangthetaxifirmIuseandaskediftheywouldsendataxiforher.Whenherstationarrived(2beforemine)Ihelpedheroffthetrainandthensomehowgotheroutsidetothecarpark.Iputherinthetaxiandthenaskedthedrivertotakeherhomeandthenme.Ittookawhiletofindoutwhereshelivedandthetaxidriverwasgettingannoyedthatshewastoowastedandmightmakeamessofthetaxi.IdidwonderwhatIhadgotintobutIwasdeterminedtogetherbacksafely.

Whenwegottoherhouse,herparentswereinandwereveryupsetbythesightofher.TheywantedtotalktomebutIsaidIhadtogethomemyselfandthetaxiwaswaiting.Igavethemmyphonenumberandwenthome.

Thenextdayherdadphonedmeandsaidthankyouandsaidthatshewasreallyillandthatshethoughtherdrinkhadbeenspiked.Idon’tknowifthatwastruethough.HeaskedmewhyIhaddoneitwhenIdidn’tknowherandifIwantedmoneyfordoingit.Iwasabitoffendedthathewouldthinkthat.IsaidthatshewassittingnexttomeandIthoughtshewasindangerandthatifthathappenedtomydaughterIwouldwantsomeonetotakecareofher.IthensaidIhadbeenbroughtupasaChristianandthatbeingaChristianwasaboutlookingafterothers,especiallyiftheycouldn’thelpthemselves.AndIsaidabouttheGoodSamaritanandhowhelookedaftersomebodywhowasindangerandwhennooneelsewould.Andhesaid‘Youaremydaughter’sGoodSamaritan’.

Somequestionstothinkabout:

• Whatwouldyouhavedoneifthedrunkyoungwomanhadbeenonyourtrainhome?• Doyouthinkthereshouldbelimitsontheriskswewilltaketohelpothers?• Howdoyouthinkthissituationdevelopedasanopportunitytosaysomethingaboutthe

Christianfaith?• Howdoyouthinkthevariouspeopleinvolvedfeltaboutthewoman’sactions?• Wheredoyouseeopportunitiesforlookingoutforothersinthecourseofyourdailylife?• Whatdoweneedtodotobecome‘thefaceoflove’forothers?

Wherenext?

HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesonthesamethemesofSharing/BeingtheFaceofLove

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Engaging with the Bible Themes: Starting out Pursuing the Human

Photo:Rabiem22onFlickr

The Faith of the Syrophoenician Woman (Mark 7. 24-30)

FromtherehesetoutandwentawaytotheregionofTyre.Heenteredahouseanddidnotwantanyonetoknowhewasthere.Yethecouldnotescapenotice,butawomanwhoselittledaughterhadanuncleanspiritimmediatelyheardabouthim,andshecameandboweddownathisfeet.NowthewomanwasaGentile,ofSyrophoenicianorigin.Shebeggedhimtocastthedemonoutofherdaughter.Hesaidtoher,‘Letthechildrenbefedfirst,foritisnotfairtotakethechildren’sfoodandthrowittothedogs.’Butsheansweredhim,‘Sir,eventhedogsunderthetableeatthechildren’scrumbs.’Thenhesaidtoher,‘Forsayingthat,youmaygo—thedemonhasleftyourdaughter.’Soshewenthome,foundthechildlyingonthebed,andthedemongone.

What’sgoingon?

InthisstoryinMark’sgospel,JesusisintheregionofTyre(nowinmodernLebanon),acosmopolitantradingregionfilledwithmanypeopleofdifferentbeliefsandpractices.There,despitetryingtoremainunnoticed,heistrackeddownbyanon-Jewishwomanwithasickchild.SheasksJesustohealherchildbutheinitiallyrebuffsher,quiterudely,sayingthathishealingministryisforhisownpeople.Yetthewomanpersists;althoughsheisnotJewishshebelievesthatJesuscanhealherdaughter.Jesusrespondstoherrawfaithinhisdivinepowertohelpherandshegoeshometofindherdaughterhealed.

Whydoesitmatter?

ThisstoryofferssomeimportantinsightsintothewayweengagetodaywithpeoplewhoarenotChristian.First,thegospelwriterplacesJesusinaregionfullofmanydifferentpeoplewithdifferent

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thoughtsandideas,tradingtheirwaresandbustlingabout.It’snotthesortofplaceforaheavenly-mindedJewtryingtostayrituallypure.InthisstoryJesusdoeswhatmanyofusdo,hideawayfromthethrongandtrytostaywithourkind,focusingonwhatwe’remeanttodo.Yethecan’tkeepthewidersocietyandcultureout.Itcomestohimanyway,withitsproblemsandconcerns.Inthefacetofaceencounter,Jesusstatestheissue:youarenotoneofus,youdon’tbelong,I’vegotaffairswithmyownpeopletoputinorder,-butthewoman’sneedandbeliefthatJesushassomethingrealandlife-changingtoofferhermeansthatshewon’tjustgoaway.AndsoJesusfindsthattheloveandgraceofGodcannotbewithheldforthechosenfew;hisministryisforeveryone.

Startingaconversation

• WhatisitlikeforChristianslivinginourmodernsociety?HowmightJesus’experiencefeelfamiliartous?

• Imaginewhatitislikeforacompletestrangertocomeintooneofourchurches.Whatdoesthatfeellike?

• WhatdoyouthinkJesuslearnedfromtheencounterwiththewoman?• HowdoesthisstoryhelpuswhenwemeetpeopleoutsidetheChurch?• Howmightthisstoryhelpusengagewithpeopleofotherfaiths?

Prayer:LordJesusChrist,helpustobringyourlovetoeverypersonwemeet.

Whatnext?

Thingstothinkaboutinyourlocalsituation:

Atchurch

• Whatsortofministryofwelcomedoesyourchurchhave?• Howregularlydonon-churchmembersknockontheparishpriest’s

door?Cometothechurchorchurchhall?Parishoffice?Other churchbuildings?Approachchurchmembers?Howcouldthat accessbeimproved?

Photo:DavidAmsleronFlickr

• WhatONEthingcouldbechangedinyourchurchtohelppeoplewhoarenotChristiansfeelmorewelcome?

• Howdoyoufindoutwhatvisitorstoyourchurchexperiencewhentheyattend?Intheworld

• WhathappenswhenyoumeetpeoplewhoarenotChristianinyourdailylife?• DothepeopleyouknowfeeltheycanapproachyouasaChristianaboutmattersoffaithand

spiritualissues?• Whendopeopleyouknowapproachyouforhelpaboutanything?• Whatsortofsituationscouldtherebewhereyouwouldn’thelpsomeonewhoaskedyou?• WhatONEthingcouldyoudotohelppeoplefeeltheycantrustyou?

HavealookatotherresourcesintheStartingOut/PursuingtheHumansections

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Engaging with the Bible Themes: Trust:Making Community

PhotobyColumbiaGASPPonFlickr

The True Kindred of Jesus (Matthew 12. 46-50)

Whilehewasstillspeakingtothecrowds,hismotherandhisbrotherswerestandingoutside,wantingtospeaktohim.Someonetoldhim,‘Look,yourmotherandyourbrothersarestandingoutside,wantingtospeaktoyou.’Buttotheonewhohadtoldhimthis,Jesusreplied,‘Whoismymother,andwhoaremybrothers?’Andpointingtohisdisciples,hesaid,‘Herearemymotherandmybrothers!ForwhoeverdoesthewillofmyFatherinheavenismybrotherandsisterandmother.

What’sgoingon?

Imagineyouareinchurch,preaching,teaching,leadingworshiporgivingatalkofsomekind.Yougetatextonyourphonetosaythatyourmotheroryourbrotherorsisterisoutsideandwantyoutocomeoutandtalktothem.It’surgentandtheyreallywantyoutogooutandmeetthem.Instead,youmaketheirrequestintoateachingpoint.Everyoneinthechurchisyourfamilyandtheyhaveaclaimonyoutoo.InfactthisiswhatGod’skingdomislike,anextendedfamilywhereeveryonetreatspeoplewiththerespectandcareyouwouldgivetoyourownfamily.

ThisiswhatJesusdoes.HeusestheoccasiontochangethehierarchicalrelationshipsofteacherandfollowerstoafamilyunitedintheloveofGod.AsGodisFather,soeveryone’sreligiousidentityisnowdefinedbykinship,withallthetiesofmutualduty,love,hospitality,trustandrespectthatentails.

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Whydoesitmatter?

Jesusproposesaradicalwayoflookingatourselvesasacommunity.FollowingGodisnotabouthavingstatusorrolesbutbeinginrelationshipwithoneanother.Discipleshipisnotaboutgainingspecialaccesstodivinetruthorhavingpoweroverothersbuthavingthesameresponsibilitiesandcareforoneanotherasinafamily.

Itmatterstoo,becausethiswasanaspectoflivinginthelifeofChristthatthedisciplesoftensimplydidn’t‘get’.TheyarguedaboutwhowasgoingtobethegreatestandwereshockedandhorrifiedwhenJesuswashedtheirfeet.YetJesusconstantlyurgedthedisciplestobefamilytooneanotherandaskedoneofthemtoadopthismotherevenashehungontheCross.Wetoo,oftenforgetaboutbeingfamilyandcommunityandarestilltodayhunguponroles,titles,statusandpower.

Startingaconversation

• Whatactivitiesinyourchurchfeelmostlikebeingafamily?Oneparticularelderlywomanalwaysstoodjustoutsidethechurchdooraftertheserviceandsaid‘Godbless’toeveryoneastheywentdownthesteps.Peoplewouldsay‘Thanks,Mum.’

• Supposeyourwelcomeandoutreachtootherswerere-modelledasaninvitationfromanopenandextendedfamily.WhoinyourChristiancommunitywouldyouidentifyasmothersandfathers?Whowouldbesistersandbrothers?

Prayer:Lord,helpusalwaystobeyourbrothersandsisters

Whatnext?

Makealistofactivitiesyoudoforandwithyourfamilyinatypicalweek.Forexample:

• Washingandironing• Makingmealsforfamilymembers• Lookingafterpeoplewhentheyaresick• Babysitting• Celebratingspecialoccasions• Spendingtimeandhavingfuntogether

PhotobyYunHuangYongonFlickr

Ifyouimaginedthesocialactionyourchurchorchurchestogetherdointhecommunityasbeingextensionsofthesefamilyactivities,howmightthatchangethewayyouviewthem?

HavealookatotherresourcesintheTrust/MakingCommunitysections

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Engaging with the Bible Themes: Hope: Creating New News

PhotobypaukrusonFlickr

A New Commandment (John 13.34-35)

Igiveyouanewcommandment,thatyouloveoneanother.JustasIhavelovedyou,youalsoshould

loveoneanother. Bythiseveryonewillknowthatyouaremydisciples,ifyouhaveloveforone

another.’

What’sgoingon?

Thecontextofthis‘newnews’matters.InJohn’sgospel,JesussaysthesewordsattheLastSupper.JudashasjustleftandJesusknowswhereJudashasgoneandthathewasgoingtobetrayhim.Theotherdisciplesdonot.Whatisgoingtohappenwhentheyfindout?WhatwillhappenwhenJesusisarrested,triedandsenttoexecution?

Thechancesarethatthediscipleswillfallapart.Theymightwellturnoneachother,dolingoutblameforJesus’death.Withouttheirleaderandteacher,astheystruggletounderstandGod’swill,theymightwelljustgiveupandthetiesthatbindthemtogethermightsimplydissolve.

EveryJewunderstandsthecommandmentsastheholiestexpressionofGod’sLaw.NowJesusoffersanewcommandment,adefiningreligiousrequirement,partoftheirreligiousidentity.AndthisnewcommandmentistoreplicateJesus’lifeintheirownlives,tobeChristianwitnessestoothers,characterisedbyloveforoneanother,notblame,recrimination,powerstruggleordespair.Thisiswhypeoplewilllooktothedisciplestogivethemhope.LivinginChristmeanstoliveinanewway,whichovercomeseventhedarkestandmostbewilderingexperiences.Jesusthrowsthemalifeline,awaytobethenewChristiancommunity.Theyjustdon’tknowityet.

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Whydoesitmatter?

JesusisabouttoplacehimselfentirelyinGod’shands.ButattheLastSupperhealsolaysthefoundationsforthedisciples’future.Inwashingtheirfeet,institutingtheEucharistandgivingthisnewcommandment,heoffersawayofbeingwitheachother,andwithGod,whichwillbeasignofhopeforthosetheyministertoandevangeliseinthefuture.Indoingthesethings,healsogivesusthesamecommandment:wearetoloveoneanothersothatpeoplewillknowthatweareChristiandisciples.Butdowedothis?

Startingaconversation

• Alotofwhatpeople‘know’abouttheChurchisgatheredfromscandalstoriesinnewspapersandothermedia.Whatcouldwedoinourownlocalwitnessandbehaviourtochangeandchallengethoseperceptions?

• WhatneedstohappenwhenChristiancommunitiesareveryobviouslynotlovingoneanother?

• Jesussaid‘....asIhavelovedyou’.Whatdoyouthinkthedisciplesunderstoodbythat?

Prayer:LordJesus,helpustolivebyyournewcommandmentinallweareandwhatwedo.

Whatnext?

Somethingstodo:

• Whenyouarenextplanningeventsinchurchorforyourlocalcommunity,thinkabouthowyoucouldadvertiseitfornewnewsthatbringshopetopeople.Whywouldpeoplebesurprised,pleased,excitedorcuriousaboutwhatyourchurchisofferingorsayingaboutitself?

• WhatONEthingcouldyouchange(orstart)inyourchurchorinyourownlifewhichwouldshowChrist’sloveforhisfriendsmoreclearly?

Photo:CaitlinDoeonFlickr

HavealookatotherresourcesintheHope/CreatingNewNewssections

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Engaging with the Bible Themes: ConfidenceHonouring Memory

Photo:gags9999onFlickr

The Woman at the Well (John 4. 27-30; 39-42)

Justthenhisdisciplescame.Theywereastonishedthathewasspeakingwithawoman,butnoonesaid,‘Whatdoyouwant?’or,‘Whyareyouspeakingwithher?’Thenthewomanleftherwater-jarandwentbacktothecity.Shesaidtothepeople,‘ComeandseeamanwhotoldmeeverythingIhaveeverdone!HecannotbetheMessiah,canhe?’Theyleftthecityandwereontheirwaytohim.

ManySamaritansfromthatcitybelievedinhimbecauseofthewoman’stestimony,‘HetoldmeeverythingIhaveeverdone.’SowhentheSamaritanscametohim,theyaskedhimtostaywiththem;andhestayedtherefortwodays.Andmanymorebelievedbecauseofhisword.Theysaidtothewoman,‘Itisnolongerbecauseofwhatyousaidthatwebelieve,forwehaveheardforourselves,andweknowthatthisistrulytheSaviouroftheworld.’

What’sgoingon?

JesusbreakssomeculturalandreligiousboundarieswhenhetalksaboutGodtoaSamaritanwomanwhoisdrawingwaterfromawell.SamaritansandJewsdidnotgetontogetherandmenwerenotsupposedtotalktounaccompaniedwomen.Butthisisnotjustatheologylesson;Jesusshowsthatheknowsallaboutthewoman’slife,includingallaboutherpast.Despitehercomplicatedlife,JesusentrustsherwithgoodnewsaboutGod.Shebecomesanevangelist,tellingeveryoneinhercommunityaboutJesussothattheygotofindabouthimthemselves.HavingtalkedtoJesustheygo

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backtotheircommunityandtellthewomanthattheybelieveinJesusandthatshehasspokenthetruth.

Whydoesitmatter?

ManycommentatorsfocusonthewayJesuscutsacrossculturaltaboos,butitisalsoimportantthatJesustalkstothewomaninthecontextofherwholehistory:‘HetoldmeeverythingIhaveeverdone’.Sheisapersonwithapast,butthatpastisalsowhataddsdepthandconfidencetohertestimonyandmakespeoplewanttofindoutaboutJesusforthemselves.IfthispersoncanbeexcitedaboutJesus,perhapsit’sworthfindingoutaboutJesus.ThewomanissoamazedbyJesussherushesoff,leavingherwaterjarbehind,invitingpeopleto‘comeandsee!’Peopledo

comeandseeandinviteJesustocomeintotheirlivesandsharewiththem.

PhotobyDavidRosenonFlickr

Startingaconversation

• Howmightaperson’spastorreputationaddweighttowhattheysayabouttheirfaith?• HowimportantisitthatJesusshowheknows‘everythingIhaveeverdone’?• Howdoyouthinkthewoman’scommunityreactedwhensheturneduptalkinglikethis(and

withoutthewater)?• Doesyourchurchwelcomepeopleofeverybackground?Howwouldyoufeelabout

worshippingalongsidepeoplewhoaredivorced,oraregayoraretransgender?• Howwouldyoufeelaboutworshippingalongsidepeoplewhohavebeeninprison,orare

homeless,orwhohavementalhealthissues?• Arethereelementsinyourownpersonalhistorywhichhelpyouempathisewithpeople

goingthroughproblemsnow?

Prayer:LordJesus,youknowthesecretsofourhearts,helpusinviteothersto‘comeandsee’.

Whatnext?

Thingstodo:buildingconfidence

• Youcouldlookatprovidingasafespaceinyourchurchforpeoplewhomightwanttotalkaboutdifficultepisodesintheirpast.

• Youcouldalsoreviewyourchurch’sworkinmissionandevangelism.Aretherepeoplewhoarebeingoverlookedbecausetheydon’t‘fit’thepictureofanevangelist?

HavealookatotherresourcesintheConfidence/HonouringMemorysections.

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Engaging with the Bible Themes: Sharing; Being the Face of Love

PhotobyAleksanderDragnesonFlickr

The Howling Man (Mark 5.1-13)

Theycametotheothersideofthelake,tothecountryoftheGerasenes.Andwhenhehadsteppedoutoftheboat,immediatelyamanoutofthetombswithanuncleanspiritmethim.Helivedamongthetombs;andnoonecouldrestrainhimanymore,evenwithachain;forhehadoftenbeenrestrainedwithshacklesandchains,butthechainshewrenchedapart,andtheshackleshebrokeinpieces;andnoonehadthestrengthtosubduehim.Nightanddayamongthetombsandonthemountainshewasalwayshowlingandbruisinghimselfwithstones.WhenhesawJesusfromadistance,heranandboweddownbeforehim;andheshoutedatthetopofhisvoice,‘Whathaveyoutodowithme,Jesus,SonoftheMostHighGod?IadjureyoubyGod,donottormentme.’Forhehadsaidtohim,‘Comeoutoftheman,youuncleanspirit!’ThenJesusaskedhim,‘Whatisyourname?’Hereplied,‘MynameisLegion;forwearemany.’Hebeggedhimearnestlynottosendthemoutofthecountry.Nowthereonthehillsideagreatherdofswinewasfeeding;andtheuncleanspiritsbeggedhim,‘Sendusintotheswine;letusenterthem.’Sohegavethempermission.Andtheuncleanspiritscameoutandenteredtheswine;andtheherd,numberingabouttwothousand,rusheddownthesteepbankintothelake,andweredrownedinthelake.

What’sgoingon?

Inthisstrangeanddisturbingstory,Jesusgoestoamanwhoissodesperatelymentallyillandinwardlytormentedthatpeoplehavechainedhimup.Butnoneoftheirrestraintshavelastedandheisrovingaboutscreamingandhurtinghimself.Hehasbeenabandonedandislivingamongthedead.Jesustalkstotheman,agreeshowhewillbehealedandgiveshimhealing.Theevilthathasafflictedthemanisdrivenoutanddestroyed.

Whydoesitmatter?

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OnonelevelthisisastoryaboutthetriumphofJesusoverthespiritualrealm,drivingoutevilandrestoringthemanashewasmeanttobeunderGod.However,onanotherlevel,whatisimportantisthatthereisafacetofacemeetingbetweenJesusandamannobodyelseknowswhattodowith,apersonabandonedasahopelesscase,tiedupandcastoutawayfromsociety.YetJesusdoesnottreatthemanasa‘case’orashowpieceinexorcism;hesharesaconversationwithhim.Heaskshimhisname,findsoutaboutwhatitisliketobeinhisconditionandhealshim.JesusrevealsGod’sloveandcompassiontotheman,meetinghimonhisowntermsandinhisownplace.Heshowsusawaythatwetoocanbethefaceoflovetoothers.

Startingaconversation

• Whatsortofpeopledoyouthinkareinthepositionofthehowlingmantoday?• Wherearethe‘no-go’placesinoursocietyandwhoisbestplacedtohelpthepeoplewho

livethere?• IfJesusspenttimesharingwiththemanbeforehealinghim,whatshouldwebesharingwith

thosewetrytohelp?Whatmightwelearnfromtheminourturn?

Prayer:LordJesus,helpustobethefaceofGod’slovetoothers,especiallytothosewhomothers

haveabandoned,givenup,orwhoareunheardorignored.

Whatnext?

Somethingstodo:

• Lookroundyourlocalareaforcharitieswhichhelpthemostvulnerableinoursociety.Findoutwhattheydoandseeiftherearewaysinwhichyouand/oryourchurchcouldhelporsupportthem.

• Thinkabouthowyoucouldsupportpeoplewhoprovideministrytothosewho‘hiddenaway’,suchasthoseinprison,insecurepsychiatricfacilities,peoplewhoarevictimsoftraffickingetc.

• Putasideaperiodoftime(egLentorAdvent)toconcentrateonbeingthefaceofJesus’lovetothosearoundus,perhapstakingabitmoretimetolistentofriendsorcolleagues,ormakingtimetovisitpeoplewhoarelonelyorinneedofachat.

Photo:‘CompassionandFriendship’byAdamSmithonFlickr

HavealookatotherresourcesintheSharing/BeingtheFaceofLovesections

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Making a Change Themes: Starting OutPursuing the Human

Driving

PhotobywhatleydudeonFlickr

Awomanwasinvitedtoastreetpartybutsherefusedtocomeandjoininwithherneighbours.Whensomeoneknockedonherdoorandaskedherwhyshedidn’twanttocomeandjointhem,shesaidthatwhenevershedroveupthenarrowroadtoherhouseandpulledovertoletsomebodypass,theyneverwavedorsaidthankyou,soshedidn’twanttosocialisewithsuchungratefulpeople.

Foralotofus,gettinginthecaranddrivingoffissecondnature.Ifwe’refortunateenoughtoownacar,thenitoftenbecomesanextensionofourhome.Wepilethekidsintogotoschool,theswimmingpool,tovisitrelatives.Weputthedoginthebacktogotothepark.Wegotothesupermarket,thegardencentre,ontripsout,orvisits.

Oftenthoughassoonaswe’rebehindthewheelorcomfortablysittinginthepassengerseatwezoneout.Weputtheradioon,talktopassengersorjustthinkaboutwhatwe’regoingtogetattheshopsorwhetherwe’regoingtobelatefortheschoolpickup.Otherroadusersandpedestriansarejusttheregoingabouttheirbusinessorannoyinguswiththeirbaddriving.

Butsupposethatweconsideredourowndrivingbehaviourasawayofbeingsociallyresponsible?Perhapsitreallywouldmakeadifferencetootherpeople,ifwemadeanefforttodrivewiththeirwelfareconsciouslyinmindandhelpedpeoplewhomightbelessconfidentthanweare.TheAAreportssomeappallinginstancesofharassmentoflearnerdriversandagenerallackofconsiderationandrespect.http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/news/driving-school-road-rage-idiots.html

Jesusasksustoloveourneighbourandwetendtothinkofneighboursaspeoplewholivenearusorwhoshareourlivesinsomeway.Butontheroad,allthevehiclesandpedestriansaroundusareour

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neighbours.Perhapsitwouldmakesomeone’sdaytobegivenspaceatabusyjunctionorleftaparkingspacenearertotheentranceofchurchorshop.

Whatreallymakesmecrossiswhensomeonedangerouslycutsyouupandthecarthey’redrivinghasgotafishstickerontheback...

Herearesomeideastothinkabout.Youcouldalsocomeupwithideasofyourown.

• Acknowledgeandsaythankyoutoanyonewhogiveswaytoletyoupass.• Bemoreawareofpedestriansatcrossings.Waitthatbitlongerforaparentwithatoddler

crossingtheroad.Don’tspeeduptogetpastthembeforetheystarttocross.• Consciouslyanticipatetheroadconditionsandtraffic.Whatdoyouneedtodotodrivemore

safely?Howcanyouhelpotherroadusersgetaboutsafely?Thinkespeciallyaboutpeoplearoundbusesandicecreamvans,cyclistsandmotorcyclists.

• Makesureyourcarisingoodrepairandallthelightsareworkingandthatyouarenotendangeringothersbymakingitdifficultforthemtoseeyou.

• Ifyoufeelangrywithsomeonewhohasdrivenbadly,findawaytoletitgoratherthanretaliate.

• Makespaceforpeopletojointraffic–evertriedtogetontoajammedmotorwayfromasliproadorontoamainroadfromabusyjunctionandbeenstuckthereaspeoplecrowdyouout?Youcouldhelpsomeonebyleavingenoughspaceforthemtogetout.NOTE:ifyouaregoingtoletsomeoneout,makeeyecontactwiththemandeitherjustwaitforthemtopulloutorindicatewithyouhandyouarelettingthemgo.Don’tflashyourheadlightsasthereisascamcalled‘flashforcash’wheresomecriminalsdeliberatelyinvitepeopleoutbyflashingandthenhitthemtoclaiminsurance.Flashingheadlightstoletpeopleoutmightmakethemvulnerabletothisscam.

• Ifyouareablebodiedleavetheclosestparkingspacesforpeoplewhomightfinditmoredifficulttowalktotheshopsorthehealthcentreorthechurch.Itcan’thurttoparkabitfartherawayfromtheentrance,evenifit’sraining.

• Whenyouhaveparkedyourcarthinkbackoverthedrive.Howhaveyouhelpedyourneighboursontheroad?Whomighthavehadabetterday?Whattemptedyoutogetannoyedandhowdidyoureact?

Whatnext?

HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesintheStartingOut/PursuingtheHumansections.

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Making a Change Themes: TrustMaking Community

Sharing the Peace

PhotobyDavidPaceyonFlickr

John20.21Jesussaidtothemagain,‘Peacebewithyou.AstheFatherhassentme,soIsendyou.’

Whatdoyoudoinyourchurchtogreetoneanother,ortosharethepeacewithoneanother?Ahug,akiss,ahandshake,apolitenodinthedirectionoftheotherperson?Doesitmatterhowwedothis?Isitsomethingwelookforwardtoordreaddoing?

Insomecountriesitisamatterofpolitenesstogreetothers,shakehandsandperhapsevenshareadrinkoraconversationbeforebuyingsomethinginashop.IntheUK,wetendtojustmarchin,findwhatwewant,handitover,payforit,andmarchoutagain.

Yetonthewhole,Christiansaregoodatmakingcommunitywherevertheygo.Thismeanswearemorelikelytoconsidertheotherpersonintheencounterswehaveinourdailylivesandtoseethemasinterestinghumanbeingsratherthanas‘just’serviceproviders.ItmightbethatmeetingoneanotherasafamilyonaSunday,equipsuswiththeabilitytoseeothersintermsofrelationship.Howcanwebuildonthat,sothatwebecomemorewillingtoengagewithothersratherthanjust‘take’fromthem,andmoreabletobuildtrustwiththosearoundus?

I’veservedaboutthirtycustomersthismorningandyouaretheonlyonewhohassaid‘thankyou’...

OnewaymightbetoimaginesharingthepeaceofChristwitheveryonewemeetonadailybasis.Thatmeansbuildingonwhatwedoinchurch,pausingtoallowenoughtimeandspacetoacknowledgetheotherpersonandtowishGod’sblessinguponthem.Youcandothiswheneveryouareoutandaboutorifyouworkinaprofessionthatispublicfacing.

Itriedtoaskwhattheshewantedbutshewouldn’tgetoffhermobilephone....

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Itmaysoundodd,butwenowliveinasocietywhererespectforothers,politenessandgratitudearesometimesinshortsupply.Beingmoreintentionalaboutenquiringafterothers,offeringtohelp,sayingthankyouandbeingwillingtohaveashortchatcanactuallymakesomeone’sday,especiallyiftheyworkinajobwhichlaysthemopentorudeness,orevenverbalabuse.Manypeopleworkingtoprovideotherswithgoodsandservicesalsofeeltakenforgranted,exploitedandundervalued.Evenprofessionalpeoplelikedoctorsandsolicitorsneedtofeelvaluedandoftenonlygetcomplaintsratherthankindnessandappreciation.

Herearesomethoughtsabouthowwecan‘makecommunity’andshareGod’speaceeveryday.

• Trynottobetoorushed,sothatyouhavetimefortheotherperson,ratherthanthinkingaboutwhatarushyouarein.

• Ifyourphonerings,leaveit.Helptheotherpersontofeeltheyareimportanttoyou.• Sayhello,askthemaquestion[eg‘whatsortofdayareyouhaving?],saythankyouand

meanit.• Trynottosaytheemptythingspeoplealwayssay.• Ifthepersonhasanamebadge,remembertheirnameandprayforthemlater.• Ifyougetthechanceforafriendlyconversation,useit.• Imaginesharingthepeacewiththemorsaysomethinglike‘Ihopeyouhaveapeacefulday’.• Ifyouregularlyseethispersoninyourdailylife,likeabusdriverorGPreceptionist,make

thempartofyourprayerlife,thankingGodforthemandwhattheydo.Tellthemyouaregladtoseethemorgratefulandappreciativefortheservicestheyprovide.

• AttimeslikeChristmasandEasterorotherappropriateoccasions,youmightbeable,asachurch,totakesomethinglikebiscuits,fruitorothersmallgiftstoplacesyouhave‘madecommunity’toshowappreciationforwhatthestaffdo.

Thisisanexerciseinbuildingtrustandapplyingwhatweofferinchurchtothewiderworld.Whiletheserelationshipsmightleadtoevangelismandinvitationinduecourse,theimportantmatteristolearnaboutourselvesandhowwerelatetoothersaswetrytoleadmeaningfulChristianlives.

Trydoingthiswithothersfromyourchurchorgroupforaweekandthencompareexperiences.

• Howeasyordifficultwasthistodo?• Whatsortofreactionorresponsedidyougetfrompeople?

Photo:ManishBansalonFlickr

Whatnext?HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesintheTrust/MakingCommunity

sections.

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Making a Change Themes: HopeCreating New News

Smart Living

Wearelivinginatimeofcomputers,tablets,satnavs,appsandsmarttechnologyfromphonestofitbits.Oursourcesofinformationcomeincreasinglyfromtheinternet,andsoitmattershowconnectedwearetowifiormobilecommunications.Foryoungerpeopletodaytheinternethasalwaysbeenpartoftheirlives;olderpeoplemaybebusytryingtolearnnewskillsandtomanagethewelteroffast-changingnewtechnology.Often,itisyoungerpeoplewhotodayhavemorewisdomand‘savvy’aboutusingsmartphonesandtheinternetthantheirparentsandgrandparents.Shouldwetrustthemmoretoleadthewayinthis?

Thequestion,‘whoismyneighbour?’takesonanewperspectivetoday,whensocialmediaplatformslikeFacebookandTwitterallowustoconnectinstantlywithpeopleontheothersideofacityoreventheothersideoftheworld.Therearepeoplewhosharetheirintimateliveswithothersonline,perhapswhenlivingwithdisease,andgetsupport,encouragementandprayersfromthosewhofollowtheirstoryandhelpthemfeellessalone.Ontheotherhand,wealsohearoftrollswhobully,belittleandberateindividuals,usingtherelativeanonymityoftheirstatusonlinetoventtheirhatredorspleen,causingupsetanddistress.

Withthesenewtechnologiescomenewopportunitiesandnewproblems.Ontheonehandasmartphonecanstopyoungpeoplegettinglost,reassureparentsthatalliswellandprovideeasyaccesstohelpandassistanceshouldsomethinggowrong.Ontheotherhandtheriseofcyber-bullying,onlinegroomingandsextingcausesparentsnewworries.

RelianceontechnologysuchassmartphoneshascausedthemissiologistMikeFrosttocointheterm‘excarnation’.Peoplenowadaysmaychoosetolivemorethroughtheirtechnology,takingselfiesandvideoingeventsandlookingatthoselater,thanexperiencingthemoment.Ourtechnologyinvitesustoengagewithrealitydifferently,sothatinatraincarriagefullofpeopletherecanbeawholehostofinvisiblepeoplealsopresentattheotherendofconversationsandexperiences.

Soinanincreasingly‘excarnate’worldwecanask:

HowdowemakesenseofnewtechnologyasasignofhopeforthefutureGodintendsforus?

Whatnewnewsdopeopletodayneedtoheartohelpthemknowhowtousetheirinternetenableddeviceswisely?

• Makealistofhelpfultechnologieswhichareusefultohumanbeingsintransformingourworldforthebetter.

• Makealistofcautionsabouttheuseofinternet-enableddevicesindailylife.Someexamplesmightbe:

• Technologiesusedtocurediseasessuchasmalaria• Peoplenottakingcarewithselfiesandputtingthemselvesindangerbyforgettingwhere

theyare.Reversethelistsbylookingatthedangersoftechnologicaladvancewithoutproperethicalcontrolsandatthehelpfulsideofinternet-enableddevices.

Someexamplesmightbe

• Issuesaroundgene-editingandgeneticmodification;orinternetscamsandphishing.• GPStohelpyouifyougetlost.

Photo:AndrewCurrieonFlickr

In2015thecomposerAndrewLloydWebberurgedchurchestoprovidewi-fitomakechurchesmoreconnectedtotheircommunities.Somechurchesandchurchhallsalreadydothis.How,asChristians,canweprovidewisdomtogenerationsafterusaboutappropriateuseoftechnologyandtheinternetandhowcanweuseitourselvestoobtaingoodinformation,careforandsupportothers,andreachoutandsustainothers?

Thingsyoucandoinyourchurch:

Oneinitiativemightbetogetyoungerpeopleinthechurchtoprovideahelplineserviceforolderpeoplewhoareworriedaboutcomputervirusesandphishingscams.

Anothermightbeforolderpeopletoprovideapersonal‘humanvoice’helplineserviceforanyonesufferingfromcyberbullying.

Youcanprobablythinkofevenmorepossibilitiesandexamplesofhelpingyourneighboursandcommunities.

Whatnext?HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesintheHope/CreatingNewNews

sections.

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Making a Change Themes: ConfidenceHonouring Memory

Being there

Ayoungmotorcyclistwaskilledinanaccidentandatthesiteofhisdeath,hisfriendsgatheredtobringflowers,cards,andtoys.Hismotorcyclewasalsoleftthereandpeoplewrotemessagesonit.Somepeoplebroughtcansofbeerinabucketandleftanotherbucketforrubbishwhichwasclearedawaydaily.Someoneelsebroughtabenchandpeoplesatonittoremembertheirfriend.Afterawhileanelderlymancameeverydaytositonthebenchandtalktothedeadperson’sfriendsaboutwhattheywerefeeling.Andsoonpeoplecametospendtimewithhim,askinghimallsortsofquestionsaboutfaith,life,theuniverseandeverything.Onedaythoughhewasn’tthereandthepeoplemissedhimandwonderedwherehewas.HehadgonetochurchbecauseitwasSunday.

Agroupofyoungadultsfromseverallocalchurchesundertooktoprovideamapofalarge,ratherneglectedgraveyardintheirarea,chartingnamesanddatesanddrawingthelocationsofgraves.Whiletheywerethere,theyfoundtheywereincreasinglytalkingtorelativesandfriendsatfuneralsandhelpingwhenpeoplecametovisit,layflowersandremember.Fromtheseencounters,thegroupfoundthemselvesformingsomesmallergroups.Onedevelopedabereavementministryforpeopleimmediatelyafterfuneralshadtakenplace;anothersmallgroupstartedtoworkwithfuneraldirectorstoprovidepracticalhelpaboutpreparingforfunerals.Athirdgroupoperatedabefriendingservicetowidowsandwidowersofferingpeoplecomingtovisitthechanceofacupofteainthegardencentrenextdoor.Afourthgroupofferedprayersforbereavedfamilies.

Wesometimesthinkthataconfidentsharingofourfaithwithothersisaboutleadingpeopleforwardintoanewstageontheirspiritualjourney.EvangelismisabouttheirlifewithChristfromnowon.Butpeople’smemoriesandrelationshipsareanimportantpartoftheirspiritualitytoo.Whotheyhavebeen,eveniftheyhavetragicordifficultpasts,canbeimportanttotheirdevelopmentas

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peopleoffaith.Lifecrises,likeillness,divorce,orthedeathoffriends,childrenorparents,alsobringtheimportanceofrememberingandreflectionintotheforeground.Itispartofspiritualdevelopment,howpeoplemakesenseofsurvivingthoseevents.

Similarly,andperhapsparadoxically,havingconfidenceinfaithdoesnotnecessarilymeanhavingalltheanswers.Theelderlymanonthebenchwasconfidentinhisabilitytoreceivethegrievingofbewilderedfriends;hedidnotclaimtobeabletosolveorchangetheirgrief,butcamebackdayafterdaytosharewiththem,praywiththemorevenjustsitinsilencewiththem.

Thesestoriesshowusthatstandingalongsidevulnerablepeople,grievingpeople,lonelypeopleandlostpeople,beingpreparedtolistentothem,honourtheirmemoriesandsimplytocomeback,dayafterday,buildsconfidenceinthosepeoplethatChristiansdocare,willcareandcanbereliedupon.Tryingto‘solve’people’sissueswithoutsolidarity,orevangelisingthemtowashawaytheirpasts,caninfacterodesuchconfidence.

Thingstodoandthinkabout:

• WhatexistingministriesdoyouhaveinyourchurchwhichcanbuildconfidenceinthecommunityinChristiansasasourceofhelpandsolidarity?

• Howmightthoseministriesbeextended?• Whoarethepeopleinyourcommunitywhosememoriesespeciallyneedtobehonoured

andrespected?• Howmightthosepeopleofferthosememoriesbacktothechurch?• Whatopportunitiesdoyouhaveforcommemorationandcelebrationaschurchesandas

communities?

Photo,‘streetparty’byIainandSarahonFlickr

Whatnext?HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesintheConfidence/HonouringMemory

sections.

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Making a Change Themes: SharingBeing the Face of Love

Mapping the Kingdom

ThisisamapofBurybutyoucanuseanybasictownmaporamapofyourownlocalarea.

Imagine,eitherindividuallyorinagroup,thatyouarelookingatthismapfromaGod’s-eyeview.

• WheredoyouseeaChristianpresenceonthemap–whereChristiansareactiveandmakingadifference?

• WheredoyouseeplaceswhereChristiansregularlygather?• WheredoyouseeplaceswhereChristiansregularlygointheirdailylives?• ArethereareasofthemapwhicharenottouchedbyChristianpresence?What’shappening

inanyofthoseareas?WhatmightGodalreadybedoingthere?• Wheremightpeopleofotherfaithsfitintothispicture?• Aretherefeaturesmissingfromthemapwherepeopleareoverlooked,unmentionedor

forgotten?• ImaginethismapasamapofthekingdomofGodoverlaidonthephysicalgeography–

whereisthekingdombecomingmostapparent?Whereisitnotinevidence?• WhatchangeswouldhavetotakeplaceforthekingdomofGodtoberealisedacrossthe

wholemapandwhowouldbeinvolvedinthat?

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• Whatnewthings(housing,shops,schools,leisurecentres)havebeenhappeninginyourlocalareathatcouldbenefitfromChristianhospitalityandengagement?

• Inruralareas,howdoesthekingdomincludefarmers,animals,land,landmanagement?• Isthemapdifferentaccordingtoseason?• Howcanwebethefaceoflovetotouristsorvisitors?• HowcanweuseourkingdommapstobuildconfidenceinsharingourChristianpresence

andwitnesstoChristeverywherewego?

Photo:DickO’BrienonFlickr

Thingstodo:

• ImagineyouarerecordingsatnavinstructionsforChristianactivitiesinyourarea.Howwouldyoudirectapersonstartingonamainroadintoyourarealookingforworship,services,enquiriesaboutfaith,helpwithpersonalproblemsetc?Anumberofyoucoulddothisinagroup,mapoutthedirectionsandoverlaythemtoseewhatdifferentjourneysthatmightentail.Youmightthenwanttovisitsomeofthoseplacesandseehowtheyworkas‘stations’forpeopletryingtofindoutmoreaboutChristianfaithorlookingforChristianhelp.

IdentifyONEareaoftheplacewhereyoulivewhereyoucanbethefaceofChrist’slovetootherpeople.

• Whatisthatareaandwhatdoesitneed?• Whathaveyougottooffer(Presence?Time?Volunteering?Talents?)• Whoelsecouldyouworkwith(includingotherchurches,faithgroups,communitygroups,

agencies,farmersetc)?Setatimelimit(aday/week/month)tothis,andthenreviewwhatdifferenceithasmadetothemap.

Whatnext?HavealookatsomeoftheotherresourcesintheSharing/BeingtheFaceofLove

sections.

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Reflection: Starting outPursuing the Human

Let us Pray

Photo‘PrayingHands’byPhilWarrenonFlickr

Amancametoafriend’sfuneral.Whentheministersaidtothecongregation‘letuspray’,themanturnedtothepersonnexttohimandsaid‘whatdoIdo?’

WhentheChurchofEngland’sSocialResponsibilityOfficerscametogethertodiscussstoriesonfaithinactionattheir2015nationalconference,itwasnoticeablehowmanyofthosestoriesincludedtheimportanceofprayer.Prayingwithandforothers,prayinginworshipfortheworld,prayingforguidanceandwisdomtoknowwhattodotohelpothers,prayingforGodtobepresentinsocialactionandworkingforsocialjustice,prayingforstrengthandcourageindifficultdecision,prayingwhenwefailandpeoplestillgohungry,unhelped,ordie.

ResearcherslikeDavidHayandRebeccaNye,whohavestudiedthespiritualityofpeoplewhodonotgotochurch,showthatmanysuchpeoplehavepowerfulspiritualexperiencesandmayfeelthattheyhavegenuinelyencounteredGodworkingintheirlives.Buttheymaynothavethewordstoarticulatetheseexperiencesoraskquestionsaboutthem,andmanymoreworrythattheywillbelaughedatorhumiliatediftheytry.Suchpeopleoftenwanttopraybutdon’tknowhowtobeginorifthereisa‘rightway’topray.

WhenthosearoundJesusaskedhimhowtopray,hegavethemthewordsoftheLord’sPrayer(seeLuke11.1-4).Healsotaughtthemaboutprayer;thatitisprimarilyanexpressionofrelationshipwithGodasFather,notasetofdemandsorawishlisttoadistantdeity(seeMatthew6.5-14).Tothatextentprayerispersonaltoeachoneofus.Thereisno‘right’waytopray,butJesussaysthatprayingforshow,tolookextrareligiousortoimpressothersisnotwhatprayingisabout.

Thingstodo:

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• Spendsometimethinkingabouthowyoupray.Howcouldyoudeepenandextendyourownprayerlife?

• UnderwhatcircumstanceswouldyoufeelcomfortableprayingwithsomeoneoutsidetheChurch?

• HowwouldyoutalkabouttheLord’sPrayertosomeonewhohadneverheardofit?• Whatwouldyousaytosomeonewhoaskedyouhowtopray?• PeopleofallfaithsandnoneareoftenprofoundlygratefulfortheprayersoftheirChristian

friends.Howcouldyouletthepeopleyouencounterandworkwithknowthattheyareinyourprayers?

AtChristmasateamofChristianswentfromdoortodoorinaparishwithanotebook,askingpeopleiftherewasanythingoranyonetheywouldlikethemtoprayforattheparishchurch.Alotofpeoplewroteinthebookaboutsickrelatives,jobworries,bullying,examstressandmanyotherproblemsandconcerns.Allwereprayedforataspecialservice,butthebookalsocreatedapictureofissuesinthelocalarea,especiallylonelinessandisolation.Thechurchthenorganisedaseriesofschemes,includingbefriendingschemes,aChristiantaxiandbaby-sittingserviceandapet-sharescheme,tohelppeopletheyhadheardaboutthroughthedayofprayer.

Photo:NancyHannonFlickr

WhatNext?

HavealookatotherresourcesintheStartingOut/PursuingtheHumansections.

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Reflection: Trust Making Community

Photo:AnthonyEastononFlickr

Sanctuary

Awomanwasphonedbyananxiousneighbourwhohadnoticedatallyoungmaninahoodedtophangingaroundthewoman’sfrontdoor.Afterawhiletheyoungmanwasjoinedbytwoothers,alsoinhoodedtops,whowerelookinginthroughthewindows.Theneighbourwasconcernedforthewoman’ssafetyandaskedherifsheshouldcallthepolice.Thewomanlookedoutandsawthatthetallyoungmanwasherson.Theothertwowerehisfriends.

Manypeopletodayareasanxiousastheneighbourintheabovestory.Becausepeoplefearthingslikecrimeandterrorism,commonworriesandsuspicionsoftencentreonpeoplewhoappearinsomewaysuspiciousordifferent.Thatmeansthatpeoplewhoarevulnerableorinfactinmostneedofhelpandcarecanbeviewedasthreatening,alarmingorsimplytobeavoided.

Anotherprimecauseofanxietyintoday’ssocietyisthefearthatwearenotincontrol,thatpowersofevilareatworkintheworldandthatourlivesaredisintegrating.Peopleoftenfeelthatthosewhogovernuscannotbetrustedandsoourfuturesareindanger,whethertheissuesarearoundtheNHS,pensions,patternsofmigration,orclimatechange.

Christiansarenotimmunetotheseworriesandconcerns,butwecanstarttothinkabouthowtogetahandleonthemifwethinkaboutthemasspiritualissues.

Somethingstothinkabout:

• HowdoesChristianfaithhelpusdealwithfears,worriesandconcernsaboutthestateoftheworldandourlocalsituation?

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• Howcanwehelpotherswiththeirownworriesandanxietiesthroughbuildinguptrust?• HowcanourchurchesandChristiancommunitiesbeplacesofsanctuaryandsafetyfor

vulnerablepeopleandthosemistrustedbyothers?Whyshouldpeopletrustus?

• Howoftendowetellthetruth;behavewithhonestyandtransparency;showrespectforothers;showkindnessandcompassion;actwithintegrity?

• Whatdowedowhenwefallshortinourbehaviour?• HowdowewitnesstoaGodwhocanbetrusted?

Ifyourchurchorcommunityisinvolvedinsocialaction:

• HowdosocialactionprojectsbuildtrustandconfidenceinChristiansandChristianbehaviour?

• Doesthechurchcomeacrossasaplaceofsafety,wherepeoplecanbetrustedtohelp?• Howdoyourprojectsaddressspiritualneedsoffearandconcernaswellasmaterialneeds?

Photo:JPonFlickr

WhatNext?

HavealookatotherresourcesintheTrust/MakingCommunitysections

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Reflection: HopeCreating New News

Photobyasenat29onFlickr

Giving

ThinkbacktoyourlastbirthdayorChristmasandthegiftsyoureceivedfromyourfamilyoryourfriendsandaboutthoseyougavetoothers.

Didyouget:

• Whatyouwanted?• Whatyouneeded?• Whatotherpeoplethoughtyouwanted?• Whatotherpeoplethoughtyouneeded?• Whatotherpeoplethoughtyoumightlike?• Whatotherpeoplereallywouldhavelikedtoreceivethemselves?• Somethingwhichclearlyindicatedtheycouldn’tthinkwhattoget?

Whatwouldhavehappenedifyoureallydidn’twantagiftatall?

Gift-givingisactuallyquiteacomplexbusiness,andindeeditisaspiritualissue.Afterall,wetalkaboutthegiftofGod’slove,thegiftofgrace,thegiftofredemption,thegifttousofJesusasGod’sson.Gift-givingcanbeanactofhospitality,respect,love,kindnessandcompassion.Itcancementfriendshipandbringgreatjoyandgratitude.

Butgiftgivingcanalsocreateproblems,especiallywhenitincludesanexerciseofpower,requiringreciprocationorputtingapersoninanother’sdebtorplacingobligationsuponthem.Giftgivingcanalsocomewithassumptionsaboutwhattherecipientwantsorneeds,withoutactuallyfindingoutthetruthaboutwhatthosewantsorneedsare.

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AChristiancharitybuiltawellinanAfricanvillage.Butthewellkeptbeingvandalised.Thecharitydidn’tunderstandwhythevillagerswouldkeepbreakingit;afterall,thewellfreedthewomenofthevillagefromwalkingmanymilestogetwater.Itturnedoutthatthewomenthemselveswerebreakingthewell.Thewalktogetwaterwasimportanttothem.Itgavethemtimealonetotalkabouttheirownconcernsandabreakfromtheotherchoresofthevillage.Noonehadaskedthemtheirviews.Everyoneassumedthewellinthevillagewouldbethebestoptionforthem.

ManykindsofevangelismandsocialactionareundertakenontheassumptionthatGod’slove,freelygiventoothers,mustbethebestkindofgiftthatChristianscanoffertoothers.Butifwedon’tstoptoimaginewhatitisliketobetherecipients,anddon’tgivethemspacetoletusknowwhattheywantandneedfromus,thenwecanbeindangerofabusingthegiftinourowndesireto‘dogood’.

Somethingtodo:

Thinkabouttheworkyouandyourchurchdointheareasofmissionandevangelismandsocialaction.

• Whatstepsdoyoutaketofindoutwhatpeopleactuallywantandneed?• Whatspaceisavailableforthoseyouhelptogivesomethingback?• Whatdoyouneedtothinkaboutinreachingouttominoritygroupsofpeople,vulnerable

groupsofpeople;peopleofotherfaiths?• Supposewethoughtaboutthetimeandeffortweputintoevangelismandsocialactionas

creatingsignsofhopeforothers.Whatwouldthose‘signsofhope’be?• Howcanreallytakingtimetounderstandtheneedsandwantsofotherscreatenewnews

aboutGodforthosepeople?DFID:givingaidtopeopleneedingshelterinNepal.

Whatnext?HavealookatothersectionsinHope/CreatingNewNews.

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Reflection: ConfidenceHonouring Memory

Confidence

GospelShip–exhibitioninAberystwythMuseum2015(1)

OneofthetraditionalspiritualdisciplinesoftheChurchhasbeentoconfessoursinsandreceiveGod’sforgiveness.HowthathappensdependsontheparticulartraditionsofourchurchesandhowfacinguptothewaywefallshortasChristiansaffectsuspersonally.

TheBookofCommonPrayersays:

ALMIGHTYandmostmercifulFather,Wehaveerred,andstrayedfromthywayslikelostsheep,Wehavefollowedtoomuchthedevicesanddesiresofourownhearts,Wehaveoffendedagainstthyholylaws,Wehaveleftundonethosethingswhichweoughttohavedone,Andwehavedonethosethingswhichweoughtnottohavedone,Andthereisnohealthinus:Butthou,OLord,havemercyuponusmiserableoffenders;Sparethouthem,OGod,whichconfesstheirfaults,Restorethouthemthatarepenitent,AccordingtothypromisesdeclareduntomankindinChristJesuourLord:Andgrant,OmostmercifulFather,forhissake,Thatwemayhereafterliveagodly,righteous,andsoberlife,TothegloryofthyholyName.Amen.

Oneofthingsthatpeopleperhapsforgetabouttheseimportanceactsofconfessionandpenitenceinworshipisthat,withabsolutionortheassurancethatoursinsareforgiven,theygiveusconfidencetogoforward.Whenwethinkbackoverthewaysinwhichwehavegotthingswrong,

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notliveduptoouraspirations,goneourownway,andlostsightofthefutureGoddesiresforus,wedonothavetobeweigheddown,crushedbyourfailures.Prayersofconfessiongiveuswaysofmakingsenseofourmemoriesandlearningfromourpastfailuresandmistakes,andbecausewealwaysandwithoutfail,areofferedthechancetostartagain,tolive‘godly,righteousandsober’livestothegloryofGodinthefuture,wecanbeconfidentthatwhenwegooutintotheworldtotrytoshareourfaithwithothers,totryanddoGod’swillintheworldandhelpothers,thatGodgoeswithus.Itdoesnotmatterthatsometimeswefail,orgetthingswrong.Worshipconnectsuswithachancetoreflectonthethingswehavegotwrong,orfailedtodoandgivesusthepromisethatwecanalwayslearnfromourmistakesandbeginagain.

Somethingtodo:

• Maketheprayersofconfessioninchurchworkforyou.Don’tjustusethemonSundays,makethemapartofstartinganynewendeavourinmissionandevangelismorsocialaction.Usethemtobuildconfidencethatwearecalledtoshareourfaithandwitnesswithothersintheworld.

Gospelship:exhibitioninAberystwythMuseum2015(2)

WhatNext?HavealookatotherresourcesintheConfidence/HonouringMemorySections.

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Reflection: Sharing Being the Face of Love

Faces and Meetings

PhotobyplofizonFlickr

‘Welivebeforethefacesofothers.Somearetherephysically,othersinmemoryoranticipation.Wehavebeenformedfacetofacefromourearliestdays,deeperthanconsciousmemory.’

ProfessorDavidEFord,SelfandSalvationp.17

Weareusedtoseeingourselvesinmirrorsbutwerarelystoptothinkwhatpeopleseewhentheymeetus,workwithus,sharewithus,worshipwithus.Whatsortoffacedowepresentoroffertoothers?Andwhatdoourface-to-facerelationshipshavetodowiththewayweofferthegospelandtherealityofChrist’slovetoothers?

WorkinginWestminster,Iamoftenaskedfordirections,information,orIfindmyselfbeingengagedinconversationbytourists,visitorsandallkindsofotherpeople.IhavehadquestionsabouthowtofindtheactorHughGrant,howtomeettheQueen,wheretogetadecentsandwich,wheretofindasex-worker(yes,really!),wholivesinWestminsterAbbey,andwhetherIcouldgotocourtandholdthehandofafrightenedwitness.

Thestrangethingisthatpeoplereallydoseemtosinglemeout.Butwhy?Inoticethatwhenthere’salargegroupofpeopleavailableforpeopletoask,theystillseemtohoneinonme.Ireallydon’twantpeopletoaskme,becauseI’maveryintrovertedpersonandnotverygoodatgivingdirectionsandI’malwaysworriedIwillgivethemthewrongadviceorinformationandtheywillhatemeafterwards.I’vegivenawkwardanswersinFrench,Spanish,GermanandItalianandbeenaddressedinahostofotherlanguagesIdon’tactuallyunderstand.

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IsitbecauseIwearglasses?Doesthatmakemelookknowledgeable?DoIlookapproachable?Isawomanmoreapproachablethanaman?Isitmyage?ThefactthatI’moftenwearingmyofficebadge?ThefactthatI’mwearingacross?DoIlooktrustworthy?Streetwise?DoIlooklikethesortofpersonwhowillstopandhelp(Ialwaysdo).Orisitthatpeoplesomehowthinkthatthisface,myface,istheonetheycanaddress,ratherthanthisfaceorthatfaceinthecrowd?

It’samysterytome.Butalsoaprivilege.ChanceencountersandmeetingsarewaysofbeingChristforpeople.Ican’tknowwhatdifferencetotheirdayImightmake,butstoppingwhatI’mdoing,givingpeopleattentionandmaybewalkingintheirlivesalittlewaymightbesignificantinwaysIwillneverknow.Ihopeso.

AnneRichards

Somethingstothinkabout:

• WhatarethevisiblesignsofbeingaChristian?• Whatmakesonepersonmoreapproachablethananother?• Howcouldwebemorepreparedtohelpthepeoplewhomightstopusinthestreet?• Whatkindsofpeoplemightwebewaryofhelpingandwhy?

PhotobyMichaelSummersonFlickr

Whatnext?

HavealookatothersectionsinSharing/BeingtheFaceofLove.