 Baker's Blog ...
April 2008
I came
back from my refreshing Easter break to an inbox full of emails! The
existence of the information super highway is both a blessing and
curse isn’t it? So, let me try to bless and not curse you with this
month’s blog, aware as I’ve become, that the readership is extending
to people and places all over the world.
Some
of you may remember the visit to Highfields back in January of Dave
Murrow, author of the book ‘Why men hate going to Church’.
Dave has been keen to use his experience with us during the
Facethebook Sunday he spoke, as an example of how a different
Church Service format can be helpful in reaching and keeping men in
particular.
Here
are some of Dave’s reflections which he hopes to use to encourage
churches in his network:
Highfields’ unusual format once a month is man-friendly in a number of
ways:
·
Men’s
most common complaint about church services is their length.
Highfields allows blokes to shove off whenever they want. This is an
option very few men choose, but simply having the choice increases
men’s comfort level. Many linger afterwards for conversation.
·
Men
like to ask provocative questions. They learn from argumentation and
give-and-take. Highfields lets its members participate in the service
and play “devil’s advocate.” Guys love seeing Peter on the hot seat
every week – answering pointed questions and taking tough stands on
the issues.
·
The
intermission gives high-testosterone males an opportunity to get up
and stretch.
·
Highfields has eliminated one of the most awkward elements of modern
worship: the turn-and-greet time. Instead of a few seconds of forced
friendliness, worshippers can enjoy a leisurely fellowship time and
find out what’s really going on in the lives of others.
·
The
day I visited Highfields I couldn’t help but notice a trio of burly
athletes in their early 20s sitting in the front row. Young single men
are rarely seen in UK churches; young single men with muscles are
practically an endangered species!
It’s
interesting to see how others see us and good to know that we are
providing a best practice model for some. And it’s not just young
muscular men who need the gospel by the way. We have to be sensitive
to all ages and types of men and women.
Responding to the challenge however, I’m fully aware that not everyone
finds the occasional changes to Highfields Sunday Service format, such
as Facethebook, or the evening which had a Jazz theme, a
positive experience - I have the emails to prove it!
Even
All Age or Youth Services can turn some gracious pew fillers into
apoplectic worshippers. I tend to operate by the principle in church
life that if you are pleasing all of the people all of the time- then
there’s something wrong!
The
great challenge for every Church each Sunday is to remain God-centred
not man-centred, relevant primarily to Christians while accessible to
non-Christians, sermon-based but not sermon-dominated, expositional in
method but not a slave to a form, engaging mind, heart and will in
songs, prayers and preaching and finally open to the Spirit within the
framework which a meeting of a mixed congregation in ages, backgrounds
and expectations, numbering upwards of 250 people three times a Sunday
can helpfully enjoy.
Having
just described the scenario, I realise how impossible it is to hit all
those targets equally well every week!
But we
seemed to get it right during the Easter programme - at least
according to the emails I received.
In
truth, let’s pray about the ongoing spiritual impact of each Sunday in
our lives. These are the primary times for congregational learning
about the truth of God and responding to Him. Every ingredient
matters from the welcome at the door, the quality of the music, the
clarity of the audio, the effectiveness of the sermon and the
conversations afterwards.
And
now to something completely different…
Regulars at Highfields will be aware of our desire to appoint a full
time Student Minister from September this year. We have been thinking
as Elders about the strategic importance of our work among students
and the need for a dedicated worker since last September. We agreed
the appointment in principle in December and subsequently the position
appeared in our Vision 08 presentation in early February.
This
is a teaching, pastoring and training role primarily among students -
the largest single demographic in the church and equally in the local
community of Cathays.
As is
often the case, the development of such a post has a history out of
which it has evolved. It’s a role which has been filled part time (in
the region of 20 hours a week) by Giles Cattermole on a voluntary
basis, over the past three years, while the overall supervision of the
Student Ministry, along with our Ministry Apprentice programme, has
been in the hands of Simon Price during the last 2 years.
So
things are set to change with the full time appointment of a paid
Staff Member. We have gone to press with the following advert:
Highfields Church,
Cardiff
www.highfieldschurch.org.uk
Student Minister
Highfields is a large Bible-teaching church in the centre of Cardiff,
ministering to people of all ages, including many university
students.
We are seeking to appoint an individual who will oversee our student
programme. Responsibilities will include;
The successful candidate will have a heart for student ministry,
strong interpersonal skills and significant pastoral experience. They
will also be encouraged to use their gifts within the context of the
wider church family.
For
further information please contact:
Jenny
Turner, Highfields Church Administrator
Monthermer Road, Cathays
Cardiff CF24 4QW
Tel: 02920 650740
Closing date for applications is May 31st 2008
Please
pray that this notice, which we are also sending to key theological
colleges and para church agencies like UCCF, will fall into good
soil. If you know of anyone suitable, tell them to contact us!
A
Student Minister with skills as a trainer will also benefit the whole
church as we are seeking not only to equip students but all ages to
handle the word of God effectively as individuals and with others.
The
appointment of the right person will allow Simon Price to concentrate
more of his energies on the Evangelism of the church to the community,
releasing him from overall leadership of the Student work and Ministry
Apprentice training. In order to make us more effective
evangelistically right across the life of the Church, we’re planning
for Simon to take overall responsibility for our Small Groups
programme.
So I
trust your socks have been blessed right off and that you’ll join me
in the never ending pursuit to keep the main thing (the gospel of the
undeserved love of a unique Saviour) the main thing! Keeping the
gospel central and our preferences secondary is the mark of a mature
church.
As
always, in Christ
Peter
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