God for All update March 2023 |  |  |
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Dear friends, This month, we’re thinking about the importance of community. We’ll hear about Keighley Methodists’ work to bless their community, and Liverpool Methodists’ desire to welcome Eurovision visitors with love and prayer. We’ll consider how a coaching relationship can help us bring about positive change that we’d struggle to achieve alone. We’ll learn of opportunities to gather together with others to talk about leadership; to learn more about rural mission; for worship and teaching in beautiful Derbyshire. We’ll explore how small churches might gain fresh energy for God’s mission by working together. God calls us to share the love of Jesus – together. - The Evangelism and Growth Team |
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This month’s story of hope Keighley Methodists decided to take a bold risk with God and have a go at something new. They opened a small pre-loved children’s clothes shop in the town on a trial basis for six months, to see if their sense of God’s call connected with the community. They learnt that there was indeed a need for reasonably priced clothes for children and families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. They also discovered that people were open to God’s love and wanting to receive prayer. Their advice? “Have a go! It might seem like a huge thing, but it doesn’t have to be." If you’re sensing a nudge from God to have a go, check out New Places for New People and Church at the Margins gatherings and events. |
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01 Collaborate. Small churches: what's our future story? 16 March | 19:30-21:00 (online workshop/webinar) People often tell us how exhausted they are, dealing with the demands of running small churches with big responsibilities. There is so much to do, and too few people to do it. If this is you, register for our 16th March webinar to find out how other churches have found freedom and renewed energy for mission by merging together. Each church – no matter how small – has a gift to offer its community; a part to play in God's mission; a future with hope. Sometimes living into this hopeful future will mean joining with another church to share resources. Sometimes it will mean letting go of a cherished building in order to worship in people's homes or in a community centre. If you’re a lay or ordained person discerning whether your church should merge with another – or perhaps already in the process of merging – come along to the webinar to hear stories, network with others, and share your top tips for coming together for the sake of God’s mission. |
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02 Change.
Have you ever wanted to make a positive change in yourself or your church, but struggled to make that change a reality? Coaching helps individuals and teams move from desire to action. In this article for the Harvard Business Review, Richard E. Boyatzis argues that, in order to change, we must: imagine what we wish to be and do; explore the reality of ourselves and our current situation; develop a road map for turning dreams into reality; and then try out new behaviours. If you’d love to have a coach help you do just that, fill out this simple application to receive a year’s coaching funded by the Methodist Church. We believe coaching is a gift that makes all the difference to pioneers and to people in more traditional settings; to ordained ministers and to lay leaders. |
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03 Grow. How do you feel when you’re facing a tough challenge? When you try to do something, but it feels too difficult? In her 2006 book, Mindset, Dr Carol S. Dweck argues that people with a ‘growth mindset’ believe that, with effort and persistence, they can get better at anything. Failure is less frightening because it doesn’t mean they can’t do something; it means they can’t do it yet. (And your mindset isn’t fixed: you can develop a growth mindset). Here’s a short video summary of Dweck’s ideas. For more inspiring ideas, and opportunities to discuss them with other lay and ordained leaders, sign up for our monthly Leading into Change webinars. |
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04 Gather. Are you ministering in a rural context for the first time? Or perhaps feeling that you need a refresher? Gather with other ecumenical rural leaders to explore what community, mission, evangelism and leadership can look like in rural contexts at the Rural Ministry Course, 25-26th April or 17-18th Oct at King’s Park, Northampton. We’re currently offering a 50% bursary for lay and ordained Methodist leaders. Sessions include: rural contexts and people, wild worship, mission and evangelism, rural leadership and Agriculture 101. Contact the Evangelism and Growth Team for more information. And for another low-cost opportunity to gather and explore God’s mission in beautiful surroundings, check out the Cliff Festival, which this year will be exploring garden encounters in Scripture as part of the theme ‘Eden Restored.’ |
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05 Laugh. Volunteer during Eurovision 9-13 May 2023 | Liverpool Liverpool will be hosting this year’s Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine. Check out this hilarious recreation of Britain’s finest Eurovision moments, courtesy of Måns Zelmerlöw and Mel Giedroyc. If you’re free any time from 9th to 13th May, come and volunteer with the Liverpool Methodist District, who have exciting plans afoot for engaging with Eurovision visitors through prayer. Apply here or email our team for more info. |
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