The Dean speaks
Changing the face of a Diocese - activating passivity, revitalising the dying...
Martin J. Heimlich once published an article describing how a lay person, by the use of a simple bear hug, could save the life of an individual who was choking to death. (I know this reality only too well after nearly choking to death on a tooth pick hidden in a sweet savoury.) That same month, at a medical dinner in Washington, DC, a doctor choked to death on a chunk of food while 100 physicians looked on helplessly.
First World denominations are for the most part dwindling, starving rather than choking to death and the under-40s are absent. In the Third World, especially in Africa and South America, Anglican dioceses are literally jumping. In the Diocese of Nigeria recently 20 bishops were consecrated on one day.
If we are to change and grow, 'leaders must lead' and as Lyle Shaller puts it '...in a majority of congregations afflicted with complacency, lethargy or passivity, the most effective response requires a redefinition of the Parish.'
Newcomers must be seen as assets and not liabilities. Embraced! Encouraged to use their gifts! Invited into our homes!
The Bible must be taught as a way of life and a source of energising truth. The teaching must be 'alive' and applied to life. And perhaps the preacher might dare to touch on personal experience and allow room for the unexpected, especially the touch of the Holy Spirit in the life of the individual and the congregation. Talk about God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and expect God to be at work among us.
Few orthodox congregations are growing where the Bible and its authority is not central.
I will keep harping on this. Church is the family of God and we must be inter-generational. The smallest church can recognise its children, be it only two or three of them. All of us can ask our neighbours whether they have thought of their children's faith. We can assure friends that child-like faith makes a difference. If we value our teenagers, be they few, one or two of us will set aside three or four hours in the week to teach and mentor them and take them on a desired outing.
Children in church are today's Christians not tomorrow's. From baptism to young adulthood and beyond they are so valuable. How many churches make absolutely no provision for them? Well, the Sunday's text for Pentecost 10 is Luke 12:34 (look at verse 21) too).
We must be committed, all of us, whether Christians of 60 years+ or new babes in Christ, to a life as disciples. We are all on permanent 'L' plates. We more and more try to live under the rule of Christ. We learn in the sermon but the best place most of us learn is in the small group at home or college or church. Small groups sometimes get bad press. Led by a well trained leader (who is safe ministry accredited) they are times of praise, and prayer, learning and social interaction. Very few people who join a well run group ever want to give it up.
Finally for real change in the shape and life of a diocese there must be a firm commitment to the priesthood of all believers.
Again this is not clericalism. In the Book of Hebrews this idea is a snapshot of God's ideal for Israel in Deuteronomy, where as God's people all Israelites were to live under the embracing loving providence of God and as witnesses and servants to him in Israel and the world. Like Israel and Christ, we are to be lights in a groaning world. To do that we must be equipped.
The churches that are alive and growing seem to share the following characteristics:
- Newcomers are integrated
- The Bible's authority is central
- The Church as family is intergenerational
- In life its members live as disciples of Jesus open to the Holy Spirit and
- The local church is committed to its members serving God well-equipped.
Lindsay
Dean
John 3:16
Postscript - three important events by the Cathedral for the Diocese
Jesus All About Life
Archbishop Peter Jensen preaches 'Church is Family'
Sunday September 30 @ 10am
We love grey hair - Seniors week
In the Cathedral - a gathering with concert, meal and communion. Will you be the link person in your church? Talk to the Rector and email <dean@anglicantas.org.au> or phone the Cathedral Centre week days 10am to 2pm on 6234 4900
Children and the childlike invade the Cathedral October 12-14
FUN! FUN! FUN! FUN! FUN! FUN! FUN! FUN!
The Cathedral is absolutely committed to ministry to children, young people and families. Because our ministry is very small we are offering children and leaders three days of fun and learning in the Cathedral.
Speakers include - the Dean, Jan Stoddart, Paul Chew, Graham Wade and Kids Plus.
Jan is an accredited Youthworks Trainer, Lindsay the Dean is not much chop but is totally committed, Paul brings great youth ideas, Graham Wade is an internationally claimed sketcher, trainer communicator and loads of fun, and Kids Plus with its big frog Croakie promotes Kidz Plus and Playgroup Plus.
Great opportunity
In late September Anglican Archbishop of Sydney Peter Jensen will be in Hobart for a number of speaking commitments. This visit dovetails with the flurry of activity surrounding the Jesus. All About Life campaign. Highlights of the visit will be -
Dr Jensen speaking on
- 'The Future of Jesus' on Friday, 28 September at UTAS
- 'Engaging with God in the 21st Century' the following night
- 'Church is Family' Sunday 30 September at 10am in St David's Cathedral
- and at a combined church service on Sunday the 30th at UTAS.
The Cathedral will host a breakfast for up-and-coming leaders on the Monday morning at which Dr Jensen will speak on 'The God who reveals himself'. This visit will be a great opportunity to learn from our brother in Christ.