January 2011 Archives

At the meeting I was at today we were talking about the average age of UK Church goers..

A 2008 report puts the average Anglican as 61 against a UK average age of around 40. (It's not just the church that has an ageing demograph though with the average age of a Harley Davidson customer being 49. (I'm guessing too that there are a depressingly minimal number of Harley riding Anglicans, lol)

This evening I had to log onto the Scripture Union website to sign up for a holiday ... and in doing so, enter my birth year. Amusingly given the above discourse, SU clearly cater for a wide wide demograph, with my choices for birth year beginning at 1753 (some 27 years before the birth of William Wordsworth and less than a hundred years after the publishing of the King James Bible). Bizarre

A goodly number of readers of this blog (Hi both) know my son H and therefore enjoy stories of his adventures in Go-Karting, Church and Life. Anyway, I thought I'd add a tendency he has into the stories that make up the blog.

Whether it's because of his disability or not I'm not sure, but he doesn't grasp metaphor or simile at all. With his love of worship music this makes for some lengthy and complex discussions as he tries to make sense of the lyrics therein. In a similar vein, he doesn't 'get' rhetorical questions. Yesterday in what was a great preach, Sarah (our minister) used a rhetorical question in a key moment of the sermon. The profound pause that was left after the question was posed was filled with H answering it, loudly and confidently.

One of the things that I love about our church is that he is such an accepted part of the community that Sarah thanked him and carried on, thus rather than crashing the sermon, H's contribution was absorbed in.

I was leading some Taize worship last night as part of an evening looking at the whole subject of Worship. It was a good discussion but for the benefit of the blog what I particularly wanted to flag up was the instructional video that the Youth Minister used to kick start the session: Enjoy

Great blog post from Andy Burns highlighting the effects of cuts on the poorest and on young people. He asks, how do we bring hope?

On Friday 4th March I am showing some Youth Workers around Woolhope Cockshoot and the surrounding area. If you are interested in seeing the centre and gleening some information about running a residential there (and in general) then let me know.

You'd be most welcome :-)

The Woolhope Cockshoot website is about to go live, but in order to complete it I need a couple of quotes that I can add to the front page. So please leave some pithy and apposite commendation via the comments.

The above applies to those who have been. If however you haven't (Really?) then I'm organising a visit with a Youth worker one week day in Early March, wanna come?

A number of youth workers have commented that they haven't built team in their setting because of a lack of committed volunteers.

My reflection though is that it is difficult to have committed volunteers if there isn't team.

I know this sounds a bit like, "what is the sound of one hand clapping?" but I really think it's true. Waiting until you have committed leaders to try and form and develop team will not work, it is unlikely you will have that level of commitment from people just turning up for task. (In the early days of being a Parish based worker I nearly lost one really gifted volunteer because I asked to little of them and hadn't put enough energy into team so am reflecting from painful experience).

I wrote a piece on recruitment a while back and team is part of that Matrix. It is hard I know to recruit volunteers BUT when inviting people into a vision ...and a team that is working with that vision, it becomes significantly more achievable.
As one of the commenter's on the Rota entry said, belonging to a series of rotas is not very rewarding.

We need to build the Fun, trust and Vision that makes for team as this is a great way to work, it is a place that fosters commitment AND it's a way of modelling and living out Kingdom among young people in a way that one Youth worker simply cannot. (The other thing that happens with team is that the creativity abounds in a way that one person alone cannot hope to achieve)

Bit of a ramble but it's related to conversations with Youth Workers .... and has cropped in several times with Churches reviewing projects, where they have been delighted with their Youth workers ability to build rapport with young people but have been saddened that the worker had not managed to build and develop team.

Not easy I know ....... but needs to be a more significant intention than being on the, "Things I need to get round to at some point" list.

I received this e-mail today .... if anyone is going near a Starbucks can you test it out and confirm if it's true:

"If you have ever found yourself with no alternative to a Starbucks on offer as a coffee shop and wondered why there smallest coffee size is "Tall" and is frankly larger and more expensive that you really wanted. Well the answer is that your musings would be based on an untrue premise. "Tall" is not the smallest measure of coffee officially on offer at Starbucks. If you ask for a "Short" Cappuccino, Latte or Americano etc the staff will look knowingly at each other and serve you a smaller drink and charge you a more modest price. It is an official measure available in their shops and they have a price list for it; it is just that they don't advertise it.

I understand that it being a little bit secret makes it taste very slightly better...."

My beloved Camping Gaz powered Vauxhall Astra has broken down and has been out of commission for a week whilst two different Garages have tried to diagnose where the problem is. The main dealer failed, but the brilliant independent Vauxhall Garage at Bicester have tracked the fault down to the number one LPG injector.

Good news: A diagnosis

Bad news: Injectors cannot be bough individually so I have to buy the full set meaning a total repair bill of £1042

Good News: I thankfully renew and pay for the warranty every year with 'Recall Direct'

REALLY bad news: Recall Direct say that they don't cover Injectors!

I've had a conversation with them and they say it is not listed as a covered part therefore no claim. I have tried to point out that if they had bought Buildings insurance which left out a room and certain walls and your claim was invalidated because the problem occured in that room, you'd feel quite cheated. My logic is without effect though and I either scrap the car or pay the repair. AAAAArrrghghghgh

My new definition of frustrating!

15th March London
16th March Leeds

detailfication type splurge etc can be found here

"People see Church as a great big helicopter!
........ you have to be careful not to get too close
in case you get sucked into the Rotas!" Milton Jones

I was thinking about this today as I managed to miss the fact I was reading at the 09:15 service, doh! Musing further I realised I am on the Chalice Rota, the Reading rota, the Coffee rota, the Drop-in rota and the Youth group rota. Helicopter syndrome, lol

I am having a big battle with the evil forces of internet spam at the moment. I've been getting lots of spam that leaves comments of gushing praise (with the advert or link at the bottom). However these are easy to spot as for some hilarious reasons they always attach themselves to my most inane and silly postings, the disparity being VERY obvious.

This week Messrs Annoying Spambots and Co. have tried a new tactic, that is leaving comments that are highly disparaging about the style and content of the blog. (I know what you are thinking, how do I know it is Spam? ... Only, it's true, because of the loans, Viagra or Real Estate link at the end)

Who can fathom the mind of a Spammer eh?

Having spent last week speaking on Authentic Faith and the Post Modern Disciple, I wish I'd known about this video. Really really worth a watch (listen) and I'm uploading it here so I can find it again.

One of the comments on Youtube i loved, "Epic! And I'm an Atheist"

ht to the Originator of the 'Bosworth Googly'

Short notice but I've been asked to publicize this leadership weekend happening at Woolhope Cockshoot on Jan 28th - 30th. Girls leadership weeekend.docx

Any Herefordians, Gloucesterites or Worcestrians out there may well want to take a look.

The Right Revd John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford:

"I'm delighted to be able to tell you that today we are announcing the appointment of the new Bishop of Reading. He is the Rt Revd Andrew Proud who is currently Area Bishop of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. Bishop Andrew brings deep and fascinating experience and knowledge of the wider Anglican world which will be very enriching to the people of Berkshire and the Diocese as a whole.

"Bishop Andrew will be installed as Bishop of Reading on Saturday 16 April. Please remember him and Janice, his wife, in your prayers over the next few weeks as they make the move back to the UK."

I got back from the Ski trip yesterday after an uneventful all-night coach trip and a breakfast fuelled ferry cruise through a gale. I was sleepy but muchly refreshed by the whole Skiing and Ministry adventure in Switzerland.

So what to tell, what to tell?

Being the 'resident minister' on the Gold Hill trip was a real blessing and I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the team. The group seemed to appreciate my post-modern musings on Authentic Faith; and we explored life, questions, suffering, discipline, wisdom and hope.
My attempt to 'open source' the preach by putting up a graffiti sheet and encouraging pre-emptive heckles didn't produce as much material as I'd hoped, but did elicit some good questions ... and set the tone for an open conversational approach to the input.

Over the course of the journey I discovered that those I would be ministering to included a Baptist Minister, a Free Church pastor and two Anglican Priests, talk about being out qualified by the congregation, lol!

The ski area open to us from Lautrerbrunnen was extraordinary and included the chance to see the setting up and practising for the Lauberhorn Classic Ski race, which was a great bonus. My skiing improved slightly but mainly I was enjoying tracking briskly all over the mountains and taking in the view at the optimum speed I could safely(ish) manage. This was my first time skiing with a helmet on (95% of skiers seem to wear them now) but it remain un crash -tested; I have a couple of bruises but only fell three or four times during the seven days of skiing so am feeling quite chuffed.

Much good natured banter when one of the vicars I was semi racing (and found myself some distance behind) had apparently not taken a high speed ninety degree turn ... and thus encountered a cliff like wall. I was so engrossed in the challenge of the turn that I failed to see he'd not made it. I was very surprised to beat him to Wengen; and it was only when he turned up covered in cliff, clay and some blood that the story emerged.
Much teasing therefore that the preacher had passed by 'on the other side' but in my defence the man in the Biblical parable had not disguised himself as a cliff, and the Samaritan et al were not travelling at speed through a highly technical and challenging turn.

So goodbye mountains, hello Youth Ministry
'normal' blog service resumed (but maybe with a slight far away look in my eye)

I'm looking for someone or a recommendation of someone to lead a pre confirmation quiet day for a bunch of teenagers. It's a school group on a week day (In the Berkshire area).

The Chaplain is specifically looking for someone who can put together a creative and engaging day.

This afternoon I head out to Switzerland as the resident "minister" on a Ski Trip. I'm looking forward very much to seeing my beloved mountains and especially the foreboding but beautiful, North face of the Eiger.

I'm feeling a bit nervous, for two reasons:

1. The talks are not finished yet. I would love to have them all sewn up but the trouble is I see them more as a kind of dialogue so can't fully write them until I've met the people (and because I want to 'open source' them so that people can input into the direction the next evenings talk will take). This creates a kind of stress but it's the way I work, pray and think.

2. The fatigue thing. I'm still struggling with energy levels and I'm definitely anxious about being below par in for both the mountains and the ministry.

Despite the above I am really excited and can't wait for the coach to be actually rolling out of Gerrards Cross and out towards mainland Europe.

So, no blogging for a week and I'll probably not be on the Scrabble board. Catch up with you again on the 17th.

Self assessment?
New years Resolution?
Handy kick up the backside?

Well you decide what they are but here's a list of stuff that I modify and post annually to apply to myself and youth ministry:

I will start organizing the Residential earlier, MUCH earlier
I will stop and ask why?
I will prioritise time for prayer, silence and worship
I will stop eating the tuck when setting up for youth group
I will spend some time with the teenager whose behaviour has been winding me up
I will ask for a proper budget AND report back on how I used it
I will review
I will plan how I can involve young people more fully in the programme and leadership
I will actively seek opportunities to learn
I will get around to renewing my out of date First Aid certificate
I will invest energy in the Line Management process.
I will book into the rather wonderful DEPTH 4 retreat in March
I will remember that I can only give out of what I have received, lived and journied
I will listen more (to young people, to God, to those on the margins and those I disagree with)
I will invest time in relationships with the church family
I will build, live and celebrate team
I will put time-out in the diary NOW not look for a space later

Shalom

Icon for the 21st Century, very cool. Ht to the Ben Meister

Has anyone got a copy of Jamieson's "Journeying in Faith" as my copy has gone awol and I need a particular quote off page 82.

I don't actually know what the quote is but my scribblings for a talk are very particular about a quote on that page :-)

Thanks

The new look January edition of Youthwork magazine has just arrived. I was expecting the next step in a magazine-esque evolution (having being reading it since the early 90's and watched that progression). Instead it has changed to a kind of matt finish cardboard-feel Journal stylee. Different, but good.

There's also some content update to match the format change .... I'll continue to be an avid reader.

It's now been exactly three months since I joined the 'Smart' phone set and it seemed a good point to re-visit my review, and write in light of the experience of greater ownership and usage.

So, the HTC Desire, do I still like it as much as I did? On the whole yes!

In terms of phone function it is, I think it's not great ... just OK. The reason being that the touch screen makes phoning tricky with problems such as dialling the wrong person as the 'touch sensor' phones the person above or below who you were aiming for. Also the screen sometimes locks on standby; so with no physical button to press to answer, whilst the screen lock may block the necessary 'swipe,' it means it is, at times, impossible to answer the call.

As a mobile computer though it does, I admit, absolutely Rock! The screen is brilliant and renders images with gorgeous clarity and vibrancy. I'm loving the Kindle reader on it, I use the diary, maps, mobile internet, Bible compass, torch, games, camera and the like lots. I watch BBC iplayer on it and Youtube. Functionality like the Contact sync with gmail, and the voice to text software is really useful. In short it's geeky practicality is extraordinary.

But that leads to it's biggest downfall: Battery!

The Battery life is appalling, to the point in my mind where I do not think the phone should have been launched until greater juice or lower use was sorted. If you are out and about on the train or the like you'll be lucky to get a working day out of the machine. I spend my time turning off the wi-fi, dialling back the screen brightness and craving an additional 'hit' of power like some sort of electricity junkie
Having a machine that offers you so much, whilst the reality is that availing yourself of that functionality will mean you no longer have even an emergency phone to use, is a bit crock. Not unlike a new jaguar car being launched that is fast, sleek, luxurious and loaded with electronica; but has fitted only a five litre fuel tank.

Happy New Year my friends. Hope Christmas and New year was a good time whatever it looked like for you. Every blessing for the adventure that 2011 will bring.

I'm back at the desk and already feeling a bit whelmed (note to self, never agree to speak on a trip in early January again) but also very excited about heading out to Switzerland on Friday. Today is going to see voracious tackling of the 'to do' list and I can at least tick the 'post something on the blog' entry off with a satisfying flourish.

I didn't seem to have much energy at all over the break which turned out to be quite a blessing in fact as it led to much sleeping and reading (what's not to love?). I am really enjoying "Suprised by Hope" by Tom Wright at the moment, but alongside such worthy reading I've also been ploughing through loads of thrillers ... the highlights of which had to be the first two of the "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" trilogy by Stieg Larsson. (All the reading has been via a Kindle app' on the HTC phone which although borderline nerdy is also surprisingly good)

2011 looks like an exciting year as Bishops Council have fully backed my strategy for enabling work with teenagers in and through the Parishes. This means that I now have to deliver and there is much to be done before the first major event which is the "Mend the Gap' day on June 18th.

And so, on with the adventure of 2011. I look forward to bumping into you for coffee along the way.