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paulvipond · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 60 Location: Bury

Any iterim thoughs on our month looking at Discipleship? There will be opportunity for feedback at the end but any initial reactions and thoughts?
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Make you walk in the dust of your rabbi, Jesus

thequietman · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 9 Location: down in the dumps

I missed the second 'sermon' on the theme but found Peter took hold of the subject well and gave us food for thought for the third week This was carried on in our house group the following evening as we had quite an in depth discussion on the dvd plus Peter's message. Mind you, when we start discussing any biblical topic we end up with more tangents than spaghetti junction!! I think one serious thought from myself is that we must look closely at the length of time needed to get through a sesion of 'theme preaching' I know the problems that arise from this style of worship, eg. all age worship and in particular parade sundays, but maybe in the future we can somehow get round the awkward slots without jumping a sunday or so. Also the need for particular preachers to lead these themes is critical. I would not be breaking any secrecy clauses by announcing that there are some in the circuit who cannot meet the needs of the congregations at Seedfield. That's my three ha'pence a foots worth. I wll sit back and wait for the response?

paulvipond · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 60 Location: Bury

You are right, Quietman, that is the problem with "theme preaching" in the Methodist/Seedfield calendar.

That's why this time we have tried "theme learning" rather than "theme preaching". In other words the focus is on the small group study with the preaching an added support instead of the other way round. A few reasons for that, uppermost being issues with variability of preaching ability and the time constraints imposed on preachers.

Choosing appropriate preachers is a bit of a pain especially as the Circuit appear to have tightened up on Seedfield in this respect. This time around Formation wasn't up to speeed to sort out preachers 4/5 months in advance.

Having said that get 24/11/07 in your diary. A full day on Romans at whalley abbey with David Burton. Watch out for the details in due course.
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Make you walk in the dust of your rabbi, Jesus

countrydancer · Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 20 Location: any local ceilidh

I agree with the comments by Quietman. Much appreciated the first service and message from Janet Mckernan but missed the last one. Don't really think parade services are the right place for theme preaching (They could have a theme of their own or take the theme from the Junior Church material so that they fit in with the JC programme)

Having said that, During David Milner's time a few years ago we did a series on the 10 commandments and the Creed so that must have taken over 20 weeks and we didn't use Parade services. We jiggled around with the order a bit so that different themes were at the right time of the year ie Easter, pentecost, Trinity Sunday, Ascension etc. and we requested our own designated preachers. This should still be acceptable if a church is doing a theme and planning far enough in advance. If not let's get out of Methodism!!

Been to two sessions of Home group and found them helpful. The video input has been good. There was an interesting discussion in one of the small groups last week where one lady was questioning the value of church membership. 'If we are a member of the Church why should we become a member of Seedfield? Isn't this putting up a barrier between members and non members?'

thequietman · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 9 Location: down in the dumps

In reply to country dancer, I don't think we will reach the point of forming a 'breakaway, ex methodist group of renegades' in the near future, although I understand frustrations creeping in if we are brought to book by circuit/district. All new schemes and groups suffer teething problems in the early stages and formation, as Paul stated, probably dropped into the pool half way towards the dep end. Certainly lessons learned and I am confident that future events will be organised/held with much more preperation time and 'special services' catered for.
As for the membership argument from what I know (not a lot!) we have to have membership scheme in order for the methodist hierarchy to work out wether we need a minister or not, The fewer the members in the circuit, the fewer the ministers appointed for that circuit. This is in very simple terms but I think it's something like that. As for the barriers which might erected between the two factions, just to nit-pick, if you are not a fully joined up member of the church then you are an adherent. You may be a part of the family of, say Seedfield, but unless the promises and all the formalities have been gone through then you will remain an adherent, nothing wrong with that, by the way. If there is strong feelings that barriers are appearing (and I see no evidence of this) then the problem must be addressed by those concerned. I see no reason why people hold back from becoming members if their faith and commitment is in place. It costs nothing financially. I guess the main drawback is that word that crops up time after time ---commitment.More like lack of. I realise that not every adherent is ready to take on full membership but I am unable to think of anything which holds back a person (causing these barriers?) because they haven't got their membership ticket. membership doesn't give you exclusive rights to worship, prayer, attending fellowship gatherings etc.etc. Where's the problem?

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paulvipond · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 60 Location: Bury

paulvipond · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 60 Location: Bury

thequietman · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 9 Location: down in the dumps

I think this month has certainly put new thoughts and ideas into the minds of those who have participated. Unfortunately, I have reservations as to whether these thoughts will result in a fresh approach to the 'christian walk'. Besides the dreaded 'C' word there is also an underlying current of apathy, quite a strong one at that. I really don't like sounding negative, and I'm sure that "Discipleship" will have impacted some but only the future will show us hjow much the majority of the church family retained not only in their minds but most vitally, in their hearts.

paulvipond · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 60 Location: Bury

Aint it the truth!
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Make you walk in the dust of your rabbi, Jesus

admin · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:50 pm Post subject: My initial reaction

I've really enjoyed this month. The main reason is not that I've learned anything new in terms of Christian teaching but that in meeting with other Christians and hearing how thy apply the teaching to their lives has encouraged me in my walk with Jesus. I often can't see ahead very clearly and tend to live day to day , if not hour to hour, but I hope that's what Jesus taught us to do.