'Our Calling'

Brainstretchers

Learning is a life-time process and so it is that for some 10 years a group has met each month on a Tuesday morning to discuss and be challenged by one of today's Christian books. Why not come along and observe the mental and verbal antics of about 8 of us from the Circuit?

One example is Yancey's book "Soul Survivor – How my faith survived the Church".  Another is Clive Marsh's "Christianity in a Post-Atheist Age", which invites us to think deeply about our own lives and to examine the religious and theological contexts of Britain today.

The group sessions give a good opportunity not only to learn from today's writers but also from other Christians on life's journey of learning.

Doug Gibbons 

Christians in Sport

Sport undoubtedly plays a major part in people's lives today and there is widespread interest in sport of all kinds. It therefore becomes a potential means by which connections can be made between the church and the community.

Through the organisation 'Christians In Sport' we have discovered the many ventures around the country that are being carried out in this area of work

Here in Congleton it is our aim to create opportunities whereby these connections can be made, and to organise sporting events and links with this in mind. Future events will be publicised.

This really is a challenge for those who love God and love sport to take the opportunity to enhance God's kingdom.

Communicare

Examples taken from www.methodist.org.uk –

Partington, Manchester
We've created a garden on what used to be a mess!  In partnership with the housing authority, council, guides, brownies, police and a pub.  In its second season our garden received the Civic Trust Green Pennant Award.  We open every day and serve tea on Tuesdays during the summer. We want the garden to inspire hope, imagination and further collaboration in the community.

Cheadle, Staffs
20 years ago we began a lunch club. Now there are 10 clubs over the Staffordshire Moorland area, and Home Link, which runs them, also provides transport to clinics and hospitals, a home bathing service, telephone befriending and a drop-in centre. Over 200 volunteers plus some paid staff maintain it all, serving about 500 people a week. 

• WORSHIP 
• LEARNING & CARING 
• SERVICE 
• EVANGELISM 

WORSHIP
The Church exists to increase awareness of God’s presence and to celebrate God’s love

· What helps us to centre our worship on God?
· Where and when do we feel the presence of God? How can these experiences enrich services of worship?
· What motivates us to study the Bible?
· What helps us to express awe and wonder, thankfulness and praise, and love towards God? How can we use resources from the worldwide Church?
· What would help our worship to make sense to people who come only occasionally?
· Can we improve the comfort and decor of our surroundings and the welcome for people with disabilities?
· Is our worship much the same all the time? Should we explore styles and traditions of worship from other denominations and other parts of the world?
What are our plans and targets for improving our worship over the next year?

LEARNING & CARING
The Church exists to help people to grow and learn as Christians, through mutual support and care
· What church activities help us most to deepen our faith in God?
· How effective are our small groups, in linking faith to everyday life?
· How do we learn about the challenges of Christian life today from churches elsewhere in Britain and the wider world?
· Are there peripheral activities we should stop, to make time for our training and learning needs?
· What activities make it easy for others to join us? What links do we have with groups using our premises?
· What do we expect from our pastors? What do we expect from one another by way of support and care? Do we notice or care about those who drift away or leave?
What are our plans and targets for developing our life together over the next year?

SERVICE
The Church exists to be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice
· How do we discover the needs in our community and respond to them?
· Who is involved in service to the community through charities or community groups? Are there opportunities for more of us to become involved? How do we give attention to the moral issues raised by daily work?
· Do we share with one another our concerns about things which do not seem right, or cause trouble in our community, or appear unjust? How do we challenge injustice in other parts of the world?
· Are we making the best use of our premises and our money for service to the community? Are we wasting resources? Are we spending our time and resources in ways which are consistent with our beliefs and values?
· How does the life of our community, and our involvement in it, feature in the prayers of the church?
What are our plans and targets for improving our community involvement over the next year?

EVANGELISM
The Church exists to make more followers of Jesus Christ
· How do we develop friendly attitudes towards everyone we meet?
· Do we have a clear message? Are the words we use straightforward and meaningful to those outside the Church?
· What attracts others to the Christian faith? Are there initiatives we could take to present our convictions? Can we do this with Christians of other denominations? Where should the focus be – on church premises, or in the community?
· How can we learn about effective witness from Christians in other cultures?
· What can we do to make our premises more welcoming?
· Should we consider planting a new congregation in this locality?
What are our plans and targets for making more followers of Jesus Christ over the next year?


© Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes, July 2000

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