yesterday I finished writing six articles for a little church publication.
the series was titled 'mission for the timid'
there was a pretty strict word limit so i had to be brief.
I'll publish all 6 here over the next few days (bear in mind the readership are mostly your average 'regular' church-going folks). Anyway, here's no.1:
Why be a mission-shaped people?
My dad was at Woodstock festival in 1969. As a teenager I loved knowing that. It was something legendary - like seeing Nirvana play at Reading festival in 1992 (which I did).
Woodstock has become an icon for a decade in which young people were caught up together in a movement bigger than themselves and led to believe that they could genuinely change the world for the better. Togetherness and vision for change provided much of the energy that drove the ‘revolution’ of the 1960’s. The combination of these two things - togetherness and vision for change - is attractive and powerful. It is no coincidence that togetherness and vision for change characterised the heady early days of the church.
Jesus taught the disciples to pray; ‘Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven,’ and then he left them to make a start on being the answer to that prayer by working together towards a vision of a radical new age in which justice, peace and mercy will be the defining features.
God calls the church of today to join in with his mission: a gargantuan vision for the renewing of the whole of creation - a vision that also involves inviting individuals into a new kind of community. Trying to take hold of the magnitude of this vision might just lead us to trade the emphasis in the question; ‘why be a mission-shaped people?’ for, ‘why not?’
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
less blogging recently...
I've noticed I'm getting round to doing this blogging thing less often.
To be honest life seems pretty full. I hesitate to use the word 'busy' because that isn't it.
Being 'busy' is not a good thing and it hardly ever equals being productive.
Often (in my experience) people who say they are 'busy' might as well be saying 'actually I don't manage my time very well so I'm always feeling rushed.'
or something like that.
but anyway, life is full to the brim and it is all good but blogging is getting squeezed out.
or maybe I'm loosing my desire to do it. I figure you always make time for the things you actually want to do.
anyway, got to be in the cathedral at 7.30am to do matins and then the 8am Eucharist in old language. then it's the 10.15 Eucharist to witness Daniel Robinson all togged up and carrying the cross for the first time, and then I'm presiding the 12.15pm Eucharist, and then it's Daniel and Al for lunch and then I'm on at the cafe with Big G.
so there.
this is why I'm going to stop blogging. cause I'm boring myself writing about it.
To be honest life seems pretty full. I hesitate to use the word 'busy' because that isn't it.
Being 'busy' is not a good thing and it hardly ever equals being productive.
Often (in my experience) people who say they are 'busy' might as well be saying 'actually I don't manage my time very well so I'm always feeling rushed.'
or something like that.
but anyway, life is full to the brim and it is all good but blogging is getting squeezed out.
or maybe I'm loosing my desire to do it. I figure you always make time for the things you actually want to do.
anyway, got to be in the cathedral at 7.30am to do matins and then the 8am Eucharist in old language. then it's the 10.15 Eucharist to witness Daniel Robinson all togged up and carrying the cross for the first time, and then I'm presiding the 12.15pm Eucharist, and then it's Daniel and Al for lunch and then I'm on at the cafe with Big G.
so there.
this is why I'm going to stop blogging. cause I'm boring myself writing about it.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
congratulations to Dan and his team
suffice to say, if the penalty shoot out had gone the other way, Dan would have been a mess.
glad it went as it did. (although I have to say I was pleased to see Ronaldo miss his penalty. ha!)
oh, and I honestly don't support Chelsea really...
seriously.
I'm preaching at a big service in the cathedral this evening. I'm a little stressed.
nightmares of climbing into the pulpit with nothing worthwhile to say.
back to the books now...
glad it went as it did. (although I have to say I was pleased to see Ronaldo miss his penalty. ha!)
oh, and I honestly don't support Chelsea really...
seriously.
I'm preaching at a big service in the cathedral this evening. I'm a little stressed.
nightmares of climbing into the pulpit with nothing worthwhile to say.
back to the books now...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
feig this evening
so, we have our community meal this evening - a chance to be together, hear from each other, be encouraged along the way on life's peculiar journey, listen to God, offer thanks for blessings received etc etc.
Today being Champions League finals night, we also have to turn on the TV.
flexi-church and all that...
Obviously, being a London boy, I am hoping the blues walk away with the cup.
we shall see.
Good to meet up with Rob after the cathedral Eucharist this afternoon. Rob is about to complete his pre-ordination training and take up a pioneer post attached to Rochester cathedral in September.
Maybe one day there'll be a pioneer attached to every cathedral in the country?
Monday, May 19, 2008
a weekend at Ammerdown
I spent the weekend with 30 other curates at the Ammerdown centre near Bath.
amazing place, great food and good teaching on Paul's letter to the Colossians by Dr Paula Gooder.
Got back just in time to get over to feig-cafe for another brilliant evening. new faces, good conversations etc etc.
During the Ammerdown W/E I walked up a local hill a few times. On top is a 100ft tower put up by the local landowner in the 1800's. It's crumbling away now, as you can see, and you're not allowed on or near it.
But I couldn't help myself.
Was tempted to climb inside but didn't want to get stuck. (see bottom pic of inside)
It was interesting to be trespassing given the content of the study we were doing.
In his letter to the church in Colossae, Paul writes:
'when you were dead in trespasses... God made you alive together with Christ when he forgave us all our trespasses.'
If the landowner had caught me trespassing at Ammerdown, he would have had a right to haul me off to face some sort of justice. Paul tells the Colossians that when they were 'dead' in their trespassing, instead of making them face 'justice', God acted on their behalf to set them straight with him. My own 'trespassing' at the monument gave Paul's point added impact for me.
amazing place, great food and good teaching on Paul's letter to the Colossians by Dr Paula Gooder.
Got back just in time to get over to feig-cafe for another brilliant evening. new faces, good conversations etc etc.
During the Ammerdown W/E I walked up a local hill a few times. On top is a 100ft tower put up by the local landowner in the 1800's. It's crumbling away now, as you can see, and you're not allowed on or near it.
But I couldn't help myself.
Was tempted to climb inside but didn't want to get stuck. (see bottom pic of inside)
It was interesting to be trespassing given the content of the study we were doing.
In his letter to the church in Colossae, Paul writes:
'when you were dead in trespasses... God made you alive together with Christ when he forgave us all our trespasses.'
If the landowner had caught me trespassing at Ammerdown, he would have had a right to haul me off to face some sort of justice. Paul tells the Colossians that when they were 'dead' in their trespassing, instead of making them face 'justice', God acted on their behalf to set them straight with him. My own 'trespassing' at the monument gave Paul's point added impact for me.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
phones are ok really...
just re-read my last blog post.
sounds a bit harsh. not meant like that at all. I was just thinking through why I have a bad rep for phone-non-use.
I love my friends but can't bear phones. nuff said.
The 'conference' today, or rather the 'conversation' was helpful in parts but really un-helpful in other places.
the difficulty of language was a BIG problem (although an acknowledged one), as was sharing personal stuff, and personal journeys with people you've only just met and are hardly ever going to see in the future.
I ended up feeling mis-understood and defensive.
not at all helpful...
I am exhausted by it.
Off on a curate's training W/E tomorrow. what joy!
I can't think of anything else I'd rather be forced to do.
Back on Sunday
sounds a bit harsh. not meant like that at all. I was just thinking through why I have a bad rep for phone-non-use.
I love my friends but can't bear phones. nuff said.
The 'conference' today, or rather the 'conversation' was helpful in parts but really un-helpful in other places.
the difficulty of language was a BIG problem (although an acknowledged one), as was sharing personal stuff, and personal journeys with people you've only just met and are hardly ever going to see in the future.
I ended up feeling mis-understood and defensive.
not at all helpful...
I am exhausted by it.
Off on a curate's training W/E tomorrow. what joy!
I can't think of anything else I'd rather be forced to do.
Back on Sunday
for my friends...
I think I may be allergic to phones...
I rarely know where my mobile is. (no bad thing really)
and the phone on my desk is only any use if I am sitting beside it. which I sometimes am but which, if I am actually out and about doing my job, I am obviously not. and if I am not beside my desk phone I am probably with someone who doesn't want my mobile interrupting.
Answering a work phone during family times like tea, bath and bedtime has to be a no-no.
I've known too many vicars / pastors kids who can't stand their dads (or God) because dad always jumped up whenever the phone rang, whatever was going on with family.
Some vicars justify this as part of the sacrifice of the job.
I think they're wrong.
big time.
I know this is a bit different to hardly ever answering your phone, but like I said, I think I may be allergic...
I rarely know where my mobile is. (no bad thing really)
and the phone on my desk is only any use if I am sitting beside it. which I sometimes am but which, if I am actually out and about doing my job, I am obviously not. and if I am not beside my desk phone I am probably with someone who doesn't want my mobile interrupting.
Answering a work phone during family times like tea, bath and bedtime has to be a no-no.
I've known too many vicars / pastors kids who can't stand their dads (or God) because dad always jumped up whenever the phone rang, whatever was going on with family.
Some vicars justify this as part of the sacrifice of the job.
I think they're wrong.
big time.
I know this is a bit different to hardly ever answering your phone, but like I said, I think I may be allergic...
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
day conference
I'm hosting a day-conference tomorrow in the cathedral's meeting rooms.
should be good. it's a follow up to the 3 day CMS bash I went on back in Feb.
Chris Neal has pulled together ten or so people who are heading up 'small missional communities' around the UK and will chair what should be a great conversation.
I think it'll be a productive few hours.
should be good. it's a follow up to the 3 day CMS bash I went on back in Feb.
Chris Neal has pulled together ten or so people who are heading up 'small missional communities' around the UK and will chair what should be a great conversation.
I think it'll be a productive few hours.
GOD IS NOT…
unfaithful impatient dishonest unjust inactive dispassionate foolish spiteful deceitful insensitive uncontrolled unstable distant disrespectful unreliable untrustworthy chaotic remote vindictive aloof unmerciful unforgiving arrogant hateful unreasonable regretful ashamed unattached malicious unresponsive anxious bitter violent weak reckless perverse ignorant unrecognizable definable obtainable unbelievable stationary unproductive conceited fearful dishonourable negligent sinkable threatened unconstructive wasteful tempted distasteful cheatable uncompassionate deceivable inaccessible pompous replaceable ignorable deficient cynical lifeless unknowable defeated sceptical calculable pessimistic unknowable passive perishable fragile
Dan's list for our worship this evening.
thought it was worth posting.
Dan's list for our worship this evening.
thought it was worth posting.
Lectio divina
this evening we meet for our community meal.
dan will lead a little worship. I will lead us in some quiet reflection on a couple of Jesus' parables as narrated by St. Mark...
The art of lectio divina begins with cultivating the ability to listen deeply, to hear “with the ear of our hearts” as St. Benedict encourages us in the Prologue to the Rule. When we read the Scriptures we should try to imitate the prophet Elijah. We should allow ourselves to become women and men who are able to listen for the still, small voice of God (I Kings 19:12); the “faint murmuring sound” which is God's word for us, God's voice touching our hearts. This gentle listening is an “atunement” to the presence of God in that special part of God's creation which is the Scriptures.
The cry of the prophets to ancient Israel was the joy-filled command to “Listen!” “Sh'ma Israel: Hear, O Israel!” In lectio divina we, too, heed that command and turn to the Scriptures, knowing that we must “hear” - listen - to the voice of God, which often speaks very softly. In order to hear someone speaking softly we must learn to be silent. We must learn to love silence. If we are constantly speaking or if we are surrounded with noise, we cannot hear gentle sounds. The practice of lectio divina, therefore, requires that we first quiet down in order to hear God's word to us. This is the first step of lectio divina, appropriately called lectio - reading.
The reading or listening which is the first step in lectio divina is very different from the speed reading that we often apply to newspapers, books and even to the Bible. Lectio is reverential listening; listening both in a spirit of silence and of awe. We are listening for the still, small voice of God that will speak to us personally - not loudly, but intimately. In lectio we read slowly, attentively, gently listening to hear a word or phrase that is God's word for us this day.
so there you go.
off to do the lunchtime Eucharist at the cathedral now.
dan will lead a little worship. I will lead us in some quiet reflection on a couple of Jesus' parables as narrated by St. Mark...
The art of lectio divina begins with cultivating the ability to listen deeply, to hear “with the ear of our hearts” as St. Benedict encourages us in the Prologue to the Rule. When we read the Scriptures we should try to imitate the prophet Elijah. We should allow ourselves to become women and men who are able to listen for the still, small voice of God (I Kings 19:12); the “faint murmuring sound” which is God's word for us, God's voice touching our hearts. This gentle listening is an “atunement” to the presence of God in that special part of God's creation which is the Scriptures.
The cry of the prophets to ancient Israel was the joy-filled command to “Listen!” “Sh'ma Israel: Hear, O Israel!” In lectio divina we, too, heed that command and turn to the Scriptures, knowing that we must “hear” - listen - to the voice of God, which often speaks very softly. In order to hear someone speaking softly we must learn to be silent. We must learn to love silence. If we are constantly speaking or if we are surrounded with noise, we cannot hear gentle sounds. The practice of lectio divina, therefore, requires that we first quiet down in order to hear God's word to us. This is the first step of lectio divina, appropriately called lectio - reading.
The reading or listening which is the first step in lectio divina is very different from the speed reading that we often apply to newspapers, books and even to the Bible. Lectio is reverential listening; listening both in a spirit of silence and of awe. We are listening for the still, small voice of God that will speak to us personally - not loudly, but intimately. In lectio we read slowly, attentively, gently listening to hear a word or phrase that is God's word for us this day.
so there you go.
off to do the lunchtime Eucharist at the cathedral now.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
a book by Tom Wright
I've just ordered this (Surprised by Hope). meant to for a long time. it comes highly recommended.
the blurb goes thus:
* What do Christians hope for?
* To leave this wicked world and go to 'heaven'? For the 'kingdom of God' to grow gradually on earth?
* What do we mean by the 'resurrection of the body', and how does that fit with the popular image of sitting on clouds playing harps?
* And how does all this affect the way we live in the here and now?
Tom Wright, one of our leading theologians, addresses these questions in this provocative and wide-ranging new book.
He outlines the present confusion about future hope in both church and world. Then, having explained why Christians believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus himself, he explores the biblical hope for 'new heavens and new earth', and shows how the 'second coming' of Jesus, and the eventual resurrection, belong within that larger picture, together with the intermediate hope for 'heaven'. For many, including many Christians, all this will come as a great surprise.
Wright convincingly argues that what we believe about life after death directly affects what we believe about life before death. For if God intends to renew the whole creation - and if this has already begun in Jesus' resurrection - the church cannot stop at 'saving souls', but must anticipate the eventual renewal by working for God's kingdom in the wider world, bringing healing and hope in the present life.Lively and accessible, this book will surprise and excite all who are interested in the meaning of life not only after death but before it.It is intended for readers of Tom Wright's other books, such as "Simply Christian" and "Evil and the Justice of God".
Monday, May 12, 2008
cafe
was excellent last night.
some new faces. a few regulars. great weather - table outside.
we're getting into the groove of this now. will be interesting to see how it all evolves over the coming months.
Just filling in our worship booking forms for what feig are doing at Greenbelt in the summer.
It's tricky because the form says things like: 'describe you contributions in 30 words. this will be used in the festival guide and on the website.'
Tricky because we haven't started to think about what our contribution might be yet.
I have no doubt that it will be an excellent, creative, uplifting feast for the body, mind and soul, but life is busy-biz and it's only May. Greenbelt is at the other end of August.
wow. I need to get on it with the other feig-ers.
some new faces. a few regulars. great weather - table outside.
we're getting into the groove of this now. will be interesting to see how it all evolves over the coming months.
Just filling in our worship booking forms for what feig are doing at Greenbelt in the summer.
It's tricky because the form says things like: 'describe you contributions in 30 words. this will be used in the festival guide and on the website.'
Tricky because we haven't started to think about what our contribution might be yet.
I have no doubt that it will be an excellent, creative, uplifting feast for the body, mind and soul, but life is busy-biz and it's only May. Greenbelt is at the other end of August.
wow. I need to get on it with the other feig-ers.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
feig-cafe this evening
the sun is shining - perfect weather to come out and enjoy a cup of coffee and a game of chess, or the Sunday papers at the cafe this evening...
looking forward to it.
Ligia's first time up behind the counter!
looking forward to it.
Ligia's first time up behind the counter!
Friday, May 09, 2008
something for the weekend (offering 4)
'looking at art is one way of listening to God.' (sister Wendy Becket)
early start
well, not that early...
met Daniel and Al at 7.55am at the cathedral so that we could go along to the 8am Eucharist.
it's in the gorgeous blue chapel - small, atmospheric, intimate. the service lasts half an hour and is such a good way to start the day - especially if it's followed by breakfast at the Square. which it was. it's a long time since I've eaten such a satisfying bacon sandwich...
met Daniel and Al at 7.55am at the cathedral so that we could go along to the 8am Eucharist.
it's in the gorgeous blue chapel - small, atmospheric, intimate. the service lasts half an hour and is such a good way to start the day - especially if it's followed by breakfast at the Square. which it was. it's a long time since I've eaten such a satisfying bacon sandwich...
Thursday, May 08, 2008
B@tch
A friend just pointed me in the direction of a church called B@tch (breakfast at the coronation hall), which is based around a weekly meeting for breakfast in a community hall and is made up of people for whom conventional church has lost its lustre. Looks really interesting. The local Anglican vicar had gone along and after loving it, blogged about it.
He said this.
'There was no sign of adherence to any pre-set programme or method. This church was, after 4 years, still in the process of being invented within the walls of Coronation Hall. The best part, was the strong sense of forward momentum. B@tCH is still growing, still progressing, still figuring out how to make God accessible to those who want to know him but who are put off by the way we have packaged him in the past.'
I am inspired - especially by the 'still being invented' thing.
it seems to me that the key is to not aim at arriving but to aim at staying on the move.
He said this.
'There was no sign of adherence to any pre-set programme or method. This church was, after 4 years, still in the process of being invented within the walls of Coronation Hall. The best part, was the strong sense of forward momentum. B@tCH is still growing, still progressing, still figuring out how to make God accessible to those who want to know him but who are put off by the way we have packaged him in the past.'
I am inspired - especially by the 'still being invented' thing.
it seems to me that the key is to not aim at arriving but to aim at staying on the move.
The Spirit of God
these were our 4 discussion starters last night:
1) True understanding is not achieved in the head but rather, it grows in the heart. There is no genuine understanding without the Spirit of truth.
2) Being a Christian is about becoming a human-being who is fully alive. There is no life without the Spirit of God.
3) The Spirit of God is the source of love, enabling us to love the unlovely. God is love and those who live in love live in God and he lives in them.
4) We are able to know God by following Jesus Christ. We are able to follow Jesus Christ with the help of the Spirit: 'In him we live and move and have our being.'
It was a good time. we shared bread and wine. we prayed by sitting quietly, knowing we were in God's presence, and simply mentioning names of places and people that are on our hearts.
thanks for cooking G n El.
thanks for bringing chocs Ligia.
thanks for my birthday cake Ruth.
1) True understanding is not achieved in the head but rather, it grows in the heart. There is no genuine understanding without the Spirit of truth.
2) Being a Christian is about becoming a human-being who is fully alive. There is no life without the Spirit of God.
3) The Spirit of God is the source of love, enabling us to love the unlovely. God is love and those who live in love live in God and he lives in them.
4) We are able to know God by following Jesus Christ. We are able to follow Jesus Christ with the help of the Spirit: 'In him we live and move and have our being.'
It was a good time. we shared bread and wine. we prayed by sitting quietly, knowing we were in God's presence, and simply mentioning names of places and people that are on our hearts.
thanks for cooking G n El.
thanks for bringing chocs Ligia.
thanks for my birthday cake Ruth.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
caption?
someone took this of me dressed up with the other canons at 7.30am on ascension day.
it's begging for a caption...
we have our community meal this evening. we'll be sharing some thoughts on the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and discussing what this means for us as a community of Christians getting on with life 2000 years after that first, dramatic out-pouring.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
hmm..
ended up with two copies of Bill Bryson's book on Shakespear for my birthday so just swapped one for this.
I really liked Paul Arden's other two books. short, sweet, very well designed and packed with little jems.
not so sure about this one. good for some discussion starting I guess.
I reckon he knows he's on to a good thing. Any book with the word 'God' in the title seems to fly off the shelves (unless it's in a Christian bookshop, when words like 'miracles' and 'your finances' seem to generate large sales).
sorry. bad joke. lots of great books in Christian bookstores.
obviously.
Good weather today hey? sun, sun, sun.
Gloucester city center is full of crazy teenagers who I guess are supposed to be revising but are just flirting and wrestling and shouting instead.
Monday, May 05, 2008
birthday bummer
so I spent my birthday in bed feeling ill.
and Saturday.
bum.
oh well, I guess with the law of averages being what it is, a sick birthday is bound to drop on your head once in a while.
had to pull myself together and dose myself with many drugs first thing on Sunday morning to go a do a baptism at a local church who are without a vicar.
it was the congregation + 70 or so in the baptism party. It went well - which is amazing for a whole bunch of reasons, not least that the lad to be baptised was a year old which meant that if he'd thrown a wobbly and decided not to go for it, I would have had a job holding him over the font.
As it was he couldn't stop smiling.
excellent.
feig-cafe last night was a good-un.
A nice turn out given the fact of a bank holiday. A good vibe too.
If you've not been along yet - see you some time.
and Saturday.
bum.
oh well, I guess with the law of averages being what it is, a sick birthday is bound to drop on your head once in a while.
had to pull myself together and dose myself with many drugs first thing on Sunday morning to go a do a baptism at a local church who are without a vicar.
it was the congregation + 70 or so in the baptism party. It went well - which is amazing for a whole bunch of reasons, not least that the lad to be baptised was a year old which meant that if he'd thrown a wobbly and decided not to go for it, I would have had a job holding him over the font.
As it was he couldn't stop smiling.
excellent.
feig-cafe last night was a good-un.
A nice turn out given the fact of a bank holiday. A good vibe too.
If you've not been along yet - see you some time.
make me a Christian? no thanks
just a quick one to let the friends with whom I discussed whether or not to take part in channel 4's up coming series Make me a Christian know that I decided not to do it.
thanks for all your advice etc etc.
too much travel (they're filming in Leeds), too much stress, too much scope for mis-editing of what was said, and in fact not the way I would really want to share and discuss faith with anyone (ie in front of TV cameras for a reality show going out to 3 million people...).
I'll be interested to watch it when it comes out though...
Thursday, May 01, 2008
3 pics from the feast...
just thought I'd put these three up from Sunday night's feast:
our community meal last night was most excellent.
we decided on a Thai takeaway - haven't done that for a while - all good.
great to think and pray and talk together. missing one or two guys (you were missed!)
but still a good vibe.
my very early sermon in the cathedral went OK this morning.
processing around the place in a cope and having to deliver a coherent sermon at 7am is not something I leap at. but there we go. done now.
oh, it's my birthday tomorrow. you've still got time to send me a card...
our community meal last night was most excellent.
we decided on a Thai takeaway - haven't done that for a while - all good.
great to think and pray and talk together. missing one or two guys (you were missed!)
but still a good vibe.
my very early sermon in the cathedral went OK this morning.
processing around the place in a cope and having to deliver a coherent sermon at 7am is not something I leap at. but there we go. done now.
oh, it's my birthday tomorrow. you've still got time to send me a card...
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About Me
- michael volland
- I trained for ordained ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, and was commissioned as a pioneer minister by the Church of England in 2006 to grow a fresh expression of church in Gloucester city centre. I was also on the cathedral staff. I have just made the move to Durham where I have taken up the post of Director of Mission and Pioneer Ministry at Cranmer Hall.
