Linc-It

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YOURS LOCALLY ….. *** THE OLD RECTORY, EPWORTH has gained another award for its gardens, as the “best-kept gardens of a commercial property in North Lincolnshire.” *** Members of BARTON TRINITY CHURCH held a sponsored reading of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, helped by members of other churches in the Barton and Brigg Circuit. The marathon began on a Thursday morning, ending three days later just in time for the Sunday morning service. The readings were in 45-minute sessions, the first being read by the Revd Gillian Belford, circuit superintendent, the last by the Revd John Girling, a supernumerary minister in the circuit. The sum raised, £850, will go towards the refurbishment of the church premises *** Prayer Walking in the Market Rasen and Caistor Circuit is more than gentle exercise. It’s ‘praying intercessions on location with insight’. Peter Atkinson says: “Those of us who take part have been uplifted by the power of the Spirit, as we walk and pray (eyes open!). We believe God works through us, we are His eyes, ears, mouth, feet and hands in each place. We have also gained an increasing awareness of the great need for the name of Jesus to be known. We’d love to see more involved.” Prayer tends to be a prelude to mission, but not always. It does cover the ground walked with prayer and enable the Holy Spirit to work! There’s the evidence of the unity of the walkers as they share their desire to bring knowledge of Jesus’ love to their communities. What happens? The group meet at the designated chapel, 7 p.m., enjoy a short period of praise and prayer, the allocation of team members (twos or threes) and areas to be covered (with maps). Each walker commits to pray the whole time of the walk (45-60 minutes), then back to chapel fro debriefing, reflection and praise. *** The MID-LINCOLNSHIRE CIRCUIT was enlarged on September 1st. A service held at Horncastle marked the joining together of the Mid-Lincolnshire and Spilsby circuits, welcoming friends from Spilsby, Halton Holegate, Toynton All Saints and Old Bolingbroke. The superintendent, Revd Dr Jonathan Hustler, wrote: “(This marks) the end of a period of transition. It may well not be the last change that this circuit has to see but – as we have discovered – change is not something to be feared. (It) may be unsettling and it can be demanding in terms of time and energy. But it can also be the way in which new possibilities appear and that is especially true when we remember that in all theses changes, God is with us”. *** It is also appealing to report that, positively, quietly, smoothly and with enormous goodwill, the new SOUTH LINCOLNSHIRE CIRCUIT, with Revd Colin Martin as superintendent, has seen the ‘disappearance’ of the old Bourne circuit and the creation of the new circuit to include Bourne, Thurlby, Deepings and Deeping St Nicholas. *** IF NATIONAL METHODISM’ NEW STRUCTURES BAFFLE YOU, IT IS CLAIMED YOUR BEST ROUTES TO CORRECT INFORMATION AND THE BEST PEOPLE TO ANSWER YOUR QUERIES ARE: PHONE 020 7486 5502 …. FOR PROPERTY INQUIRIES, DO TRY 0161 236 5194. OR E-MAIL: helpdesk@methodistchurch.org.uk Our District Press Officer, Bob Lawe, writes: Dear All, My family and I wish to thank you all for the prayers, cards, phone calls and e-mails during my time in hospital. I had an aortic aneurism (the silent killer) in which, unusually, the aorta split from top to bottom. The lower part has been stitched and the upper section grafted. The survival rate for this aneurism is only 10% and, if you do survive, there is a 40% chance of being paralysed and/or a 60% chance of blockages in the neck and upper arm. I have none of these symptoms except for some discomfort in my feet and slight pain in my back. Through your prayers my survival has been remarkable. I really do mean your prayers had a lot to do with my recovery, as by some instinct, I knew that on at least two occasions, prayer brought me back. I was told later that medical staff brought me back from death. Prayer had a great deal to do with that! On the third occasion, when I had been unconscious for ten days, I knew someone was with me and he told me ”In my Father’s house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you – but not yet, Robert.” Within what seemed like seconds I began to come round. I could see the end of my bed and the nurses’ station on the other side of the ward. Less than a week later, I was back home. I know that your prayers sustained me, helped my recovery and supported my family. For that I am very humbled and grateful. Yours in Christ, Bob Lawe.

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MAPPING THE WAY FORWARD: PROBLEMS & NEGATIVES OR OPPORTUNITIES & POSITIVES?

Revd Liz Childs presented the findings of the District-wide survey and they highlight the realities of our situation, the serious questions which will NOT go away – and the glorious opportunities ahead - which are there for the seizing.. The statistics can depress: by 2017 the District may have 76 sustainable centres of mission, having ‘lost’ 214 churches. A decrease of 60%. Why? Not finance! Numbers, age profile, insufficient officers. The number of ministers reduces by 20%; does that mean fewer churches - more ‘minister time’? Our members (5908 – of whom 4721 can be found in worship) show that 74% are over 60, 25% under 60 – and of those only 8% under 40. Our 274 local preachers have 52 over-80, 151 60-80, 71 under 60, 9 of these under 40 (just 3%). There have been 45 new local preachers in the last 5 years and a very encouraging 206 worship leaders.. Whatever, the need for emerging congregations for under-60’s let alone under-40s, could not be clearer! It can all be done – there are 370 new members and 48 new congregations and a quarter of our churches have seen some growth in the last 5 years. The stated community roll is 15174 – or, about 2 for each member… SO… +++ Is our local preacher training so unsuitable in style and length that it is a disincentive to potential preachers? +++ Over 60s? What can we learn from our elderly members (which includes your editor, only in the sense that ‘elderly’ is a state of mind) What would be the nature of a distinctive ministry? How are we prepared for the needs of an ageing population? See also PASTORAL HEART, MISSION MIND highlighted in our last edition. +++ Under-60s? Can we grow our own pioneer ministers and evangelists? Have we yet understood the needs and nature of fresh expressions? How can the District help in resourcing new ways? COVENANT LINKS are slow but there are signs of energy in some recent LEPs. There are few joint applications to the District Resourcing Mission group. CROSS-CIRCUIT LINKS reveal there’s some sharing of local preachers but only pockets of regular cross-boundary activity. Could we be re-labelled Congregationalists? There is little correlation between perceived needs and churches’ reaction to them but there’s some evidence of ‘specialist’ development in rural areas, among retired people, amid the deprived and migrant workers. There is SOME youth work in all circuits but no real evidence of compatibility with traditional churches and congregations. And there’s an abundance of social gospel evident in the work done within our communities. THERE IS EVIDENCE of core values clearly in our minds, happily reflecting OUR CALLING though there are relatively few signs of a common vision of unity. BUT every circuit has some form of discipleship course. What has the impact of Alpha been? What happens afterwards? WE ALL KNOW there is much to do – and that we have to do it. It is messy, certainly – but not scary. There are no blueprints, no notion whatever that one size fits all. Each situation is different, truly needing a different solution. Fear not! We will surely be certain that the solution is not re-arranging the deckchairs on Pilgrim III, bigger circuits and administrative restructuring but ascertaining which are the new mission units we really need. New structures fit for purpose. Circuits will now take the process forward, consulting with one another and looking to where God’s mission can be taken further. BS adapted and commented from LC’s address to Synod

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