Well, what can I say? Our three weeks of residential training has come to an end, and I find myself back at home with my wonderful Stepney family, readying for what the next year will bring- crazy, huh?
This past week we have been up in the Yorkshire Dales, staying at the Westwood Christian Conference Centre in Slaithwaite, which was quite possibly the most beautiful place I have ever been to in the UK - it was just incredible. From where the conference centre was, you could see all the way across the valley, even when it was raining (oh, okay, it was mostly always raining, but my point remains valid - a very cool view!) It also had a swing right in the middle of the meeting hall, which was awesome!
Whilst we were here, we spent two days looking at the mission being lead by Andrew Grinnell and his lovely wife, Maggie, in East End Park, Leeds, and also learning more about interfaith youth work from The Feast, an initiative set up to bring Muslim and Christian young people together. I saw God at work in so many ways this past week and was particularly moved by the work in East End Park and the wholehearted commitment of the Grinnell family to their community. Their mission statement was simply "Open hands. Open hearts. Open eyes." and it really struck a chord with me. He led a really powerful seminar with us on the forgotten five% in the United Kingdom and an in-depth study of Isaiah 61, where we explored missio dei (mission of God) and how it was less of the Church bringing God to the people, and more of
the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit through the Father, which includes
the Church.
As we were discussing this I remembered the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, where we are called 'the salt of the earth' (Matt. 5:13). You see, salt does not give food the flavour, but encourages out the flavours which already exist and enhances them, compliments them - and it occurred to me that this how we should be in ministry. As Andrew had explained to us, too often is ministry a case of people thinking that they are bringing God with them into what they plan to do, when He is already there and we are just there to seek out Him in all we do. Like Rowan Williams (former Archbishop of Canterbury) said, "Christian mission is about finding out where God is at work and joining in." Isaiah 61 is a powerful chapter, and calls for us to serve the next generation, and to be active in our seeking of justice and righteousness - especially for those whose voices simply are not heard. But more than anything, we should be working to emphasize the flavours that already exist, the God-given gifts of those we serve, because it is not "us" that 'will rebuild the ancient ruins, and restore the places long devastated' (Isa. 61:4) but '[Them]'.
I can't even begin to collate this past week, I learned so much and even had the opportunity to go down a mine-shaft and experience our own little slice of Sweden - Essential just keeps surprising me! Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we embark upon our first week of placements.
Hope you have a nice week!
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