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Update 01 - September 2005 |  |
A Vision for Our Church - Update 01 (Sept 05)
Thank you to all of those who have given feedback on the St Alkmund’s Vision document etc. This has led directly to the need to give some clarification. The vision is still being defined, and the document did not give a clear picture of the church’s path, for which we apologise, particularly for hurt and distressed caused. We hope this helps correct that balance. Please keep feedback coming in to Small Group leaders, to other leaders within the church, to members of the Interim Leadership Team and to John White.
Here are the points covered in this update:
- Pastorates
- Key Question
- Examples of pastorates
- Experience from other Churchs
- Meeting other Churchs
- Conclusion
Pastorates
Recall that the main focus of the vision is the establishment of "Pastorates" - also called "Clusters" in some other churches and "Worshipping Missionary Communities" previously in teaching at St Alkmund’s.
Pastorates are not:
- about changing church on Sundays.
- time limited
- about telling anyone what to do
- about destroying what’s good at St Alkmund’s (eg children’s work)
- about changing small group structure
No decision has been made to change how Sundays work. The thoughts expressed previously are a response to the possibility that (some) Pastorates may see their mission involving other commitments on Sundays (see experience overleaf).
It isn’t possible to put dates to specific points, except that Pastorates can form from today.
Pastorates are for people and small groups who share a vision and want to set them up.
There are no plans to restructure children’s work or do it differently (see experience overleaf again).
There are no plans to restructure existing small groups, although there will be freedom to change if groups feel it is appropriate.
Pastorates are:
- Mission focussed
- Releasing
- Low maintenance, lay lead
- A new dynamic
- Resourced by staff
People who have a burden for seeing God work in a particular field are encouraged to get together and start that work - examples below.
Anyone in the church can ask to set up a pastorate with any focus (providing it is not illegal, immoral or unbiblical, of course), and this will be encouraged.
Pastorates will only work if this is the case, and they are not designed to replicate church on a smaller scale. Very few are likely to resemble anything like a church service, as we know it.
Because pastorates are about being church out there where the unchurched are, they can work very differently from the church structures we know.
Staff have an extra role using their gifts (eg teaching, worship) to support the ministries of Pastorates.
Key Question
The key question for us all is perhaps the following, as this will help each of us see if God is laying on our hearts a mission for particular people: Where or how is it that you most passionately want to see God move?
Possible examples of Pastorates
Examples could include (but this list is not exhaustive!):
Hospital/School/University. People who feel a call from God to minister to those in a particular setting (staff, visitors, residents, patients, students, families).
Young families. It may be that there are those who particularly want to reach out to unchurched young families, and do this by having occasional teas with families.
Football teams. A group of people passionate about playing football and seeing non-Christians involved.
Night clubs. Those who have a vision for God moving in the night club generation.
Geographic. A group passionate for God to move in one particular location (eg because most of them live in that area).
Experience from other churches who have set up a Pastorate vision
Sundays
Pastorates can become the main focus of the church members, and this can lead to them seeking to do activities towards this mission on a Sunday. The church releases people to do this. However, it is still important to have a central celebration at least monthly. Some Pastorate churches keep Sunday services.
Time
It is often many years before a mature pastorate structure is established. Initially many pastorates meet say once a month and focus on activities with the unchurched. In time, pastorates can increase this frequency if they wish, and some may then see their main commitment to the church as their Pastorate.
The role of individuals
Pastorates are set up by people with a shared mission objective. There may be few at first, and they may include people in different small groups.
Children’s work
As church continues on a Sunday, there is no pressing need to think about changing children’s work. However, if and when Pastorates begin to opt out of "every Sunday" central worship, then resources and plans need to be made centrally as to supporting the children and families in those Pastorates. In other churches this has often included a mid-week children’s club.
Small groups
Those who get involved in mission together often then decide that it is with the same people that they derive their spiritual nourishment, and so small groups can become subsets of Pastorates.
Mission focussed
This is the key - it is what Pastorates are all about, and focus on the mission naturally becomes the driving force of the whole church. Non-Christians meet Jesus in a place they want to be, and this is a great encouragement that naturally focuses the Pastorate and furthers it.
Releasing
Because Pastorates are not forced and are encouraged to do what they understand God is calling them to do, this naturally seems to envision people who perhaps previously were not really "involved" in church. Members can feel a need to see the ministry of spiritual gifts or worship leading, for example, and then ask the church to help them develop this area.
Low maintenance, lay lead
Pastorates fail and close if there is over-dependence on a few people, and the observation from other churches is that the ownership of the shared vision actually encourages more people to take an active role, and leadership to be a much smaller task.
A new dynamic
Church life has been transformed by God moving through Pastorates; new people are reached because the church goes to them rather than inviting them to a church where many do not understand or want to come.
Staffing & Resourcing
As Pastorates minister to others, they become aware of needs for training, support, expertise and teaching in particular areas; these are largely provided by staff, and experience shows that these needs for staff help become a significant part of the staff roles.
Meeting other churches who have worked with Pastorates
Currently being arranged are the following occasions to hear more from those who have worked directly with pastorates:
Leaders Weekend. In December 2005 for all leaders in the church - leaders of Small Groups, ministries (Storehouse, Nippers, Youth, Friendship Group, etc), Worship leaders, PCC, etc. Evening of Friday 9th December and daytime Saturday 10th December.
Church Weekend. In the first half of 2006 - all church members invited. (Date yet to be confirmed).
Conclusion
A deep and heartfelt thank you for honest and constructive feedback on the vision. Please continue to be involved in the process of seeking God for the vision for St Alkmund’s, and continue to contribute to it.
John White, Vicar
& the St Alkmund’s Interim Leadership Team
September 2005
