tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9901815.post116920119118918053..comments2023-06-04T14:47:02.324+01:00Comments on a sideways glance: So, who are we?simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13470335172330595542noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9901815.post-1169252932207658782007-01-20T00:28:00.000+00:002007-01-20T00:28:00.000+00:00Hi SimonContinuing to enjoy the blog. Know many of...Hi Simon<BR/><BR/>Continuing to enjoy the blog. Know many of the issues from practice. <BR/><BR/>I guess I find myself asking why should one be concerned for participation in decision making and why chose that method rather than others especially recognising the difficulties both on leaders and members. For me it is about aspiring to make concrete in practice convictions about discipleship with attention to individual and corporate responsibilties and privileges that come our way through being part of the body of Christ, of which he is the head.Stuart Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08107195255166362803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9901815.post-1169243569309775082007-01-19T21:52:00.000+00:002007-01-19T21:52:00.000+00:00Simon,Would we be the first official BB Church mem...Simon,<BR/><BR/>Would we be the first official BB Church members to join in the Blog?<BR/>The lunch was good last Sunday and very thought provoking about what belonging really is. We had comments from members in their teens to their seventies all saying they didn't feel that they really belonged. <BR/><BR/>However, when you question what is the definition of belonging, everyone has a different opinion. Some are quite content to dip in and out of church activities, believing that the sense of belonging to the church is actually more important in the outside world when surrounded by non-believers.<BR/><BR/>Is an element of this debate that once the question of 'belonging' or 'membership' is raised, everyone starts worrying about an issue they weren't previously concerned about.<BR/><BR/>Who has the hang up here? Is it the Leadership, the members, the newcomers or all of the above?<BR/><BR/>Living, working, commuting and paying the mortgage in Bromley leaves little time these days to get to church more than once or twice a week. I remember growing up when my father would be home from work by 6 or 6.30pm. That just isn't realistic these days, particularly when both parents are usually working.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps technology, such as this could provide an answer for communication? I spend between 8-10 hours a week in my car. Are we close to being able to download services, mid-week meetings etc as Podcasts in the foreseeable future from the church website?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9901815.post-1169218689713347982007-01-19T14:58:00.000+00:002007-01-19T14:58:00.000+00:00If they were that interested in congregational inv...If they were that interested in congregational involvement, wouldn't they have been quite likely to have become members already?<BR/><BR/>I suspect that the truth is that congregation is a fuzzy grouping - those who are passionate about being baptist (methodist / anglican / etc), those who are passionate about active involvement in a local church, those who just want a church to help them along, those who... (the list could go on some way).<BR/><BR/>Maybe being diligent to engage with people and seek their participation is enough? Getting 100% attendance is just about numbers and more of a hindrance than a help?Wulfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14122559314286527166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9901815.post-1169218361473136452007-01-19T14:52:00.000+00:002007-01-19T14:52:00.000+00:00Hi SimonThanks for the mention. Now I only need t...Hi Simon<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the mention. Now I only need to find the time to revise the paper!<BR/><BR/>SeanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9901815.post-1169209323795606712007-01-19T12:22:00.000+00:002007-01-19T12:22:00.000+00:00Hi Simon,I've been following your blog about membe...Hi Simon,<BR/>I've been following your blog about membership etc. and recognise the same issues about attendance and inclusion. I have no great solutions, but one thing that has crossed my mind is how we present both the discussion and the decision to the wider church.<BR/>When I was at the Global Leadership Summit last autumn, I remember James Meeks saying something about the need to preach the notices. I think the argument went something like this:<BR/>If you "preach" the notices then, when you call for a response, you are asking people to engage with the "notice" in the context of the message. So, if your notice is about an upcoming outreach event, you preach on outreach, and then ask for a response to the message through the event.<BR/>Perhaps we need to find more inclusive ways to "preach" the discussion so that people will engage with it and enter the decision-making part of the journey as a result.<BR/>It needs some thought, but it might be something to chew on.Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14877422243994973637noreply@blogger.com