statement about last week

STATEMENT 

reflecting on my growth and development during the course,

and on the place of the Bible in my future ministry

Of the colours, green best describes my experience of last week. Green as in new shoots bursting from the soil – though perhaps those five July days  could more accurately been seen as a deep watering of the soil, that in time will produce new shoots.

I understood my role as preacher in new ways. To re-interpret the ancient text for today. To connect the human experiences of then to human experience now. To explore some of the present meanings of the Biblical stories for to-day’s communities of faith. To allow the text to create space for those who hear. Space for reflection. For their questions. For engagement – and for engagement to be experienced. I like that quote from McSpadden that “an environment that treats questions hospitably, as the starting point for conversation, becomes a place for wondering, rumination, and imagination.”

I was reminded that my words can close down or can open up. But communication is always far more than words. That’s where Monday’s diagram/frame was so helpful. From word to image. From word to dialogue /conversation. From word to community. From word to environment. Indeed, I suspect it’s the interplay and re-texting between these five that brings the text to life.

Over the years I have relied too much on words. But no matter how well words are put together – nor how memorable the illustrations – they will better open up meaning for people and create space for their reflection and engagement when other media / communication channels are used. These channels include all of the senses – and there were many  examples of this being powerfully experienced during the week.

For instance, a light bulb experience for me was the realisation in the context of the Mary and Elizabeth encounter – that text will never be the same again – that God doesn’t only speak through cognition.

Further, the power of visual image was demonstrated for me during my Friday presentation, when the class was gripped by the photo of Grunland’s  painting  “The Resurrection.” Without that image, my words would have lost much of their power. The image set the context. 

For me to be able to “curate” such experiences and encounters – I’m not sure whether I am entirely comfortable with that word – will require me to spend more time “dwelling in the word”. More space for me to ask my questions of the text. To engage experientially with the text myself. That I think will be one of the most important take-aways into future ministry.

Another take-away for me was the realisation of how crucial is the actual reading / experiencing of the text within the gathered community. I have known this, but going forward (as they say) I will be giving far more attention to this. I will work at being more creative here, and will borrow and build on from the many examples experienced during the week.

An ongoing question for me will be how to make place here for the voices of others to be heard/experienced in the reading– the voices of those, for instance, who are the minority, the marginalised, children, women, those from other cultures. More importantly, how can I ensure these voices – or even multiple voices - are heard responding to the reading. My voice is dangerous. It will need to be filled out, balanced and challenged. Space must be found for responding in different creative ways. Emotionally, as well as (or maybe more than) merely intellectually. This of course is a risky business. Am I prepared for this ? To potentially “lose control” or not end up at the point I am heading for ? What a ridiculous question. Lose control to who ? To the Spirit ? Whose end point ?

That reminds me. There were many helpful insights about creativity. I was much helped by the image of left and right hand – and was challenged (in my case) to work at strengthening my right. “Creativity is a muscle that can be developed.” Another powerful image. And my experience last week was that my creativity muscle was developed – largely by using it !

A take-away for me will be the idea of an actual take-away itself. As part of my Friday presentation, I decided I would offer as a take-away a round stone, linking it to my poem about what the resurrection means to me. I took a stone from a collection on the window sill in my study, and was very  surprised when that ordinary stone suddenly became a stone of significance and meaning for me. It now sits alone on the top of my filing cabinet – a reminder of the living Lord Jesus. But also a demonstration of the on-going power of a simple take-away. What will I use next Sunday at Hallett and at Jamestown ?

The Thursday stuff on story-telling was very helpful. I like the title. Tell me the old, new story. I was saddened to realise I have let slip some of my skills and gifts in this area, and was encouraged/challenged to put more energy and time into this art/craft. Not all new, either in the theory or the practical. But great reminders. About good frameworks. About the importance of sensory detail. About different ways of looking. The whole idea of twist. Growth here for me, and likely impact on my future ministry.

One final point. The missional questions were never far away. I do think missionally – but nevertheless was startled during the session in which we were being encouraged to smell the text when Steve suggested we think of possible missional responses to the bad/unpleasant smells we experience in our neighbourhood. This suggestion somehow took thinking missionally to another level – or at least took missional out of the box I had made.

There were other bits that are provoking thought too. Such as that stuff about absorption/immersion, and the context of active or passive participation. The brief excursion into inspiration. The little gem suggesting that the fourth gospel uses the term life in those places where the other gospels use the image kingdom of God/heaven.

But above are the things that grabbed me, and that the Spirit continues to draw to my attention as I go about living the text in my postmodern world and endeavour to help, facilitate, encourage and stimulate others to do so.