Psalm 25:5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.
Reflection During a break in my chaplaincy career, I became a Synod Training and Development Officer for a while. I met some amazing people in the churches and Synod. Whilst we battled with some thorny topics at the time, the underlying feeling I was left with was the churches wanted encouragement and to feel cared for so they could then have the confidence to share the love of God, shown in Jesus Christ in their communities and neighbourhoods. They needed to feel valued, and I think that is even more so the case today with ordained ministry thinner on the ground. It is very difficult to meet the needs of every church, as they are so different. In a small way I was able to meet churches and listen to their stories (the importance of story again).
Is this a way forward now for the Church? To listen to stories and build on them? The mission of the Church is different in each setting BUT each one is valid. You can’t ‘lump’ them all together as if they have the same needs and mission.
Compassionate Communities offers organisations and groups the chance to tell their stories and build on them. This was done with an Executive Team in an NHS Trust as well as a team of support workers. The outcomes were very different but enlightening. For us, as chaplains, it meant putting on training events in communication and listening skills, as well as training around grief and loss. Mental health training also featured post Covid.
What are your church’s needs? Are they being met? Do you need help? What stories can you share with others to inspire them? So many questions, but it’s important to ask them, or else we stand still.
Prayer Lord God we give thanks for the sharing of stories, those handed down to us through the Bible, family and church. Each story is important to making the future an exciting prospect. We give thanks for those who teach and train others, giving us confidence and increasing our knowledge. May our Churches be places of growth and encouragement as we continue to journey as a denomination to find our place in the towns, cities and villages. We go forward in faith, love and the in the name of Jesus Christ Amen
Today’s writer
The Revd Paul Holmes is a retired URC Minister and a Director of Compassionate Nuneaton.
St. Andrew's United Reformed Church - The United Reformed Church in Monkseaton and Whitley Bay
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