Before the end of the year...
I thought I really should put some thoughts down on, um, virtual paper before the end of the year, as this one time obsession of a blog has been repeatedly neglected in the past year. It has been a funny old year for all sorts of reasons and either for reasons of sheer busy-ness or because my brain has been full of other things I have been less inclined to put things on paper. I've had a few things going on that have distracted my thinking, feeling and doing processes in the past year or so as well so all in all the blog thing has been on a bit of a ropey footing lately!
I find myself in a strange position, there are lots of things I would like to say, and lots I can't because of the very public nature of a blog. Not that there is anything negative to say, but just that of the thinking out loud aspect of blogging I might find myself saying something that is simply unhelpful! I am not trying to be a 'man of mystery' but find that some of the things I am wrestling with, considering and praying about are much more to do with me than with the world outside and it wouldn't be beneficial to air them!!!
This year has seen a lot of learning - and some lessons that should have been learned earlier! I am constantly amazed and gratified by the dedication and commitment of members of our Church and Village communities to the life of these villages. I have experienced some uplifting and inspiring times of worship and service. I have enjoyed visiting people around these village communities, and I have also had some joyful and sad times with the round of Weddings, Funerals and Baptisms. I am grateful for the support, challenge and prayer I receive from dedicated Christian people in our Church communities and from able and dedicated colleagues. In many ways what is going on is very good indeed.
But as one year wraps up and another comes I am also aware that after two years of looking, listening and praying there are things we as a group of parishes in this Mission Community need to tackle more strategically - not necessarily changing things (though that may, with a bit of prompting from the Holy Spirit, happen) but thinking about what we do well and building on that.
In two years I can only think of a handful of things I have encouraged and/or instigated that could be considered 'change'. I am not someone who tries do do things differently for the sake of doing things differently - but I would hope that I am flexible enough to consider and work at alternatives where that need arises. Likewise I hope that with a bit of help from above and my Christian brothers and sisters we could formulate a vision for where we are going, and why, and consider again what being a 'Mission Community' really is!
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