Clapton-on-Sea?

Our final Sunday placement has been announced. When she opened the letter Lynley said, "Clacton's a long way to go!" Thankfully, in her excitement she had misread the letter - we will be worshipping, leading and preaching at Clapton. An interesting place, but no sea! (And I mean no disrespect to Clacton either - it just would be a long way to go just for Sunday meetings.)

Really looking forward to the final placement, not just because it's the last one, but because it's a completely different expression to anything we've experienced so far in college. Very multi-cultural, people new to the Salvation Army, no music expect midi files, but a corps with a fine SA heritage that has had to reinvent itself to be effective in its community. As part of the placement Lynley and I each need to deliver a series of three sermons on the same text. Quite a daunting task but one that we are currently working on - both privately and in class. This morning we had a preaching class where we got to do some detail work on Genesis 12 and John 10. I still don't have my text for the series, although I think Lynley is making good progress with hers.

College life is still rather mixed, however, and we're all looking forward to a few days study leave next week, coinciding with the school half-term holiday. We spent some time this afternoon with our friends who comprise our spiritual formation group. It was good to share concerns and very helpful to pray together.

That's all very well, but I am supposed to be writing a pastoral practice essay, not blogging!

Mission - Quotable Quote

Something from a Mission in Practice lecture today that I want to remember:

"Our churches should be such, that if they were taken away, they would be missed by their communities."

I don't think I have it 100% accurate, but something that was helpful as Lynley and I completed our personal profiles today - the document that forms part of the process that will result in our first appointment.

I want to be part of a church that is at the heart of its local community.

Something to ponder on; something to help against complacency?