Assignment 1 - Personal Statement

Introduction
Since entering theological studies for the pastoral ministry in 1980, my main interest and focus has been classics and ancient history in relationship to the scriptures. This focus has been brought to all my teaching and preaching in many ministries I've been involved with, and my aim has been to explain, in detail, the historical context of the Biblical texts.
This approach has left me without any real effective engagement with my own culture, so my recent studies with Tabor have been designed to intentionally focus on cultural engagement.
The brief introduction to this intensive on the Tabor website says: 'This intensive will explore the communication of the Biblical text in a contemporary world with particular missiological reference to the use of the Bible in the postmodern emerging church. It will apply theological insights around the text, community and culture, to the task of maintaining and communicating the integrity of the Biblical text with reference to postmodernity'.
This is what I know I need to learn; I'm now exploring 'outside my comfort zone'. I'm pushing my knowledge boundaries out into new areas and being confronted by new ways and means of being church in a rapidly changing world.

Brief reflections and insights on new learning (not in any order)

1.  one of my initial thoughts, as the intensive began, was to reflect on what Paul had to say about 'not being conformed to the world' in Romans 12:2. I need to constantly remind myself that being separate is different to being isolated and for me that means becoming more involved in what's happening within my own cultural setting. Being isolated is not helpful and is quite contrary to what Jesus and Paul did. 'Go into all the world' (Mark 16:15) means just that, and to do that means understanding culture. The 'big bad constantly changing world' is where we must work.

2.  I found the 'word/s - image - community - dialogue' diagram helpful as it reminded me of the ways and means of communicating. Previously I've focussed almost exclusively on 'word/s' with minimal use of 'image' (too gimmicky?), 'community' (aren't we too disjointed to even be called community in the Biblical sense?) or even 'dialogue' (can be risky and who really wants to take risks?). I've basically been the 'feeder' and the 'recipients' have had minimal real feedback/ reflection/ disagreement opportunities; even in Bible studies where there is feedback, it's mainly been regurgitation. Thinking outside the text has not been encouraged although it does happen.

3.  Rob Bell's 'Resurrection' was an eye-opener to me. I particularly enjoyed the way he used 'image' in a simple way with minimal use of colour and the dramatic use of lighting together with his authoritative body movement. The 'dialogue' with challenging questions I found very effective at drawing me into the exercise. And, his use of 'you','we', and 'us' made the exercise one that involved the 'community'. I found it confrontational yet powerful and I was drawn into the presentation by wondering where it would go next, and even, would it fulfil my expectations about the subject? His uncomplicated non-theological language was refreshingly welcome and well worth emulating.

4.  The BrianMcLaren sermon about the woman caught in adultery (John 8) really captured my imagination as he led the congregation into reacting personally with the story. I'm intending to trial that technique after first doing one where I provide the responses. My responses could be shaped by folk interacting with the text before I present it and providing me with community feedback.

5.  The 'absorption/active/immersion/passive' grid was one I've seen before but obviously put to one side. It has valuable implications for all that we do in ministry and I now intend to keep it close at hand as I plan my future ministry activities.

6.  The challenge to communicate 'not just on Sunday' and be a 'guide' rather than a 'teacher' is one that I will struggle with (because I've always seen myself primarily as a teacher) but it's one that I will certainly address. I ask myself 'why?' and the answer is that a 'once a week contact' is insufficient if we are to keep people faithfully on the gospel road. I need to engage with new methods of interacting, and, although most of our folk are older and not 'computer savvy', I can resource people much better that I have done in the past. I can show older folk how to use community library computers to access material from helpful approved websites (I've done this already with my in-laws who are well into their 80's; it can be done).

7.  Storytelling is something I enjoy but I've done most of it for children in the church. Because people often say they remember these stories (which are always based on real events) better than sermons (that can be an 'ouch' moment), I need to apply stories more often in my sermons and Bible studies.

8.  I'll need to invest more time to reflect upon the concept of DJing.

New questions for me (in addition to the ones already noted)

How can I be more effective in ministering to my community? How can I make meaningful contact with my community, especially those who walk past our chapel? How can I integrate the intensive learning into my future ministry?

Personal implications (in addition to then ones already noted)

As a relative newcomer to cultural studies, I need to read more broadly about new initiatives happening in the Christian world. I need to read authors and subjects that once I would have happily bypassed or ignored (6 books now on order; yes, I'm a bibliophile). I also need to read more from people who I may not agree with; I need the challenge of re-examining my 'pet views'.

Final comment

I'm always aware of a tension within me about doing ministry properly (not getting sidetracked; but is that so bad?) and not dishonouring God (that's good but sometimes that approach leads to stress which can affect my joy in the Lord). I need to remind myself of what Howard Hendricks once asked a group of Christians: 'Do you think God's in Heaven chewing His finger-nails over what's happening with you?' Am I fussing too much over getting it so right? Sure sounds like it! Do I need to be more adventurous? Sure sounds like it!

a bit about me

I'm a father, grandfather & husband & I live in Perth W.A. where we worship at the Maylands Baptist Church. I did my theology training at the Churches of Christ College in Sydney back in the early 80"s.