Start The Week

If Starbucks marketed like the church...

You must watch this. A fabulous video from "Beyond relevance" - http://www.beyondrelevance.com/

C of E key facts

Church House communications division are bringing these regularly before people - lots of interesting stats culled from Lynda Barley's work. For example:

Key facts about the Church of England: Church attendance and visits

The Church of England has the largest following of any denomination or faith in Britain today. Almost half the people in England regard themselves as belonging to the Church of England, while 7 in 10 consider themselves Christian.

More key facts about the Church of England today can be found at: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/thechurchofenglandtoday/

Faith in Research consultation, May 09

This should be good. Not till May next year, so you should have space in your diary. Why not come?

Research & Statistics Department, Church House

and  the

Oxford

Centre for Ecclesiology & Practical Theology

invite you to

Faith in Research?

Exploring current research in ministry and mission

Tuesday 12 May 2009

10.30 am to 4.30pm, at Church House,

Westminster

LONDON

Chaired by Bishop John Packer, Ripon and

Leeds

Cost of the day - £30 including buffet lunch, coffee and tea

This conference is designed for those who shape policy and practice in ministry and mission at national and diocesan levels in the Church of England. The aim is to share current research and to take soundings on the future direction of research on ministry and mission. The day will also raise awareness of the issues involved in designing and executing research relevant to the church.

Full flyer is here:  Download 2009_invitation_faith_in_research_may09.doc

Fresh Expressions - insights from Canada

John Bowen at the Wycliffe College Institute of Evangelism, Toronto, has this to say:

Interest in Fresh Expressions seems to be everywhere. Bishops are talking about it. Students are talking about it. Every church doing something new-even a coffee hour after the main service-seems to be boasting that it is doing a “fresh expression.” And, of course, Canada now has its very own Team Leader for Fresh Expressions Canada-Nick Brotherwood.

But already the question has been asked, “Is this just the latest flavour of the month?” Is it just one more in a long line of bright ideas from another country, “guaranteed” to solve our problems and grow our churches? We’ve seen these before: they come and go, and nothing much really changes. How is this any different?

The simple answer is: Fresh Expressions both is and is not the flavour of the month.

Yes, it’s the flavour of . . . the next five years

Read more here: http://institute.wycliffecollege.ca/?p=365

Bishops' Mission Orders and ecumenism

Here's a briefing paper from Roger Paul, Unity-in-Mission adviser at Church House, aimed at ecumenical officers to brief them about the BMO process. It's a helpful and brief overview of the ecumenical dimensions of the new DPM measure.

In his paper Roger writes: "A word of caution: the Code of Practice suggests that “the appropriate courtesies of working in partnership with other Churches are not to be laboured at the expense of mission.” This is not to be interpreted as a green light for ignoring ecumenism!"

There will always be a slight tension between the gospel imperative of Matthew 28.19 and the gospel imperative of John 17.23 - but it can be overcome with good will, mutual prayer and conversation. 

Please make sure your own ecumenical-officer colleagues know where you're coming from in this whole area of mission and church order.

Download bishops_mission_orders_presentation_1.doc

Come Home for Christmas

Latest from the Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation on their "come home" initiative - a project that shares the heart of Back To Church Sunday.

I deeply love the phrase "resting Catholics".

"Last year the Catholic Enquiry Office, under the direction of CASE, created resources to equip parishes to reach out to resting Catholics during the Christmas and New Year period. The initiative was called "Come Home For Christmas" and the response from parishes was very positive. New materials are now available for Advent 2008 and January 2009. This year we are providing a selection of posters and invitation cards which are designed to appeal to different constituent groups. To view the materials available please see here

Alternatively, you might be intrigued to read about the fruits of last year's initiative. More..."

The Objectives of the Archbishops' Council

In the present season the Archbishops' Council is working to the following objectives. Please pray for the Council and its staff as we discern the best way to further them. You can also find these on the C of E website:  http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/archbishopscouncil/objectives.html

The Council's objectives are:

to enhance the Church's mission by:

• promoting spiritual and numerical growth
• enabling and supporting the worshipping Church and encouraging and promoting new ways of being Church, and
• engaging with issues of social justice and environmental stewardship

to sustain and advance the Church's work in education, lifelong learning and discipleship;

to enable the Church to select, train and resource the right people, both ordained and lay, to carry out public ministry and to encourage lay people in their vocation to the world; and

to encourage the maintenance and development of the inherited fabric of Church buildings for worship and service to the community

HOPE08 and Back To Church or Harvest - help required please

If you have any stories of local churches and groups of churches that combined any HOPE08 outreach events with Back To Church Sunday or Harvest celebrations, could you email details to Paul in the next day or two - paul.bayes@c-of-e.org.uk 

It would be great to have some engaging stories for the new HOPE08 book. 

Jobs (1) Share co-ordinator, Sheffield Centre/Fresh Expressions

George Lings and Laurence Keith send news of this forthcoming job; please pass the details on if appropriate:

Learning Networks Coordinator for Share, an online community for fresh expressions

Half time post

Church Army’s research unit, the Sheffield Centre, and the Archbishops Fresh Expressions Team have been working together to support the development of mission-shaped fresh expressions of church.  We have created Share, an evolving Online Guide to serve this young discipline and also begun the Share community – making connections between learning networks reflecting on practice. Fuller details are available in the job description.

For more information please contact Laurence Keith at l.keith@sheffieldcentre.org.uk

Downlaod the details here: Download online_guide_lnc_advert_08.doc 

Jobs (2) Chester Diocese - Parish Mission Development Officer

Richard Burton in Chester diocese is asking us to share this vacancy round any who might be right for it. Papers are downloadable below.

The Diocese of Chester

is seeking to appoint a

 PARISH  MISSION DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

This is a new full-time post, carrying considerable responsibility and offering the opportunity for creative and fulfilling ministry

·          The person appointed will work with parishes throughout our diverse diocese to strengthen and develop mission, with particular responsibility for Growth Action Planning in the Macclesfield Archdeaconry

·          The post is open to lay or ordained applicants.

·          Salary likely to be in the range of £38,000 - 41,000; a house may be provided for rental

Further details and an application form are available from Jane Hood, Secretary to the Director of 

Mission and Ministry, Church House, Lower Lane, Aldford, Chester, CH3 6HP

(01244 620444; jane.hood@chester.anglican.org)

The closing date for applications is 15^th December 2008

Interviews will be held on 26^th January 2009

Enhanced CRB disclosure required

Download advert_17102008.doc

Download background_info_17102008.doc

Download job_description_person_spec_17102008.doc

Download selection_process.doc