In October and November of 2004 we held 4 one-day Conferences entitled Vision to
Venture at 4 centres around the UK. After the success of these event another date
was added in Bristol for March 2005. Over 200 delegates attended and with us explored
the practical application of connecting with those who have yet to believe. Each
day included teaching (by Nick Cuthbert or Martin Robinson), stories from established
and emerging churches, interaction and open forums as well as worship reflection
and prayer. Below are a reports by Pete Hancock from the day held at the Methodist
Mission in Huddersfield, and from Victor Howlett on the day in Bristol.
A copy of the PowerPoint Slides used by Nick Cuthbert is available for download.
Click here.
Wednesday 10th November - Methodist Mission in Huddersfield
"People from Greater Manchester, Liverpool and Chester in the West and as far as
Hull in the East converged on Huddersfield on Wednesday 10th November for the RUN
"Vision To Venture" day conference. They joined others who had arrived from all
points in the rugged and beautiful county of West Yorkshire.
We were pleased to host the event in the comfortable and spacious surroundings of
our recently built Huddersfield Methodist Mission which provided the setting for
what was a very successful day. The main speaker on this occasion was Nick Cuthbert,
leader of Riverside Church, Birmingham, and a member of Run's Council of Reference.
In the early part of Nick's presentation there was a welcome breath of realism -
revival is not just around the corner; models of church-life from other countries
should not hold us in a state of debilitating paralysis because they have little
relevance to our setting; there is little to be gained from banging your head against
the wall of those things which won't change - concentrate on finding the signs of
life which God is giving and fan them into flame; it is more important to find the
right questions than all the answers.
There was also an acknowledgement of just how much of a new environment this post-Christendom,
post-modern, post September 11th society has brought into being. As a result we
will need to be looking at developing some fresh expressions of Church alongside
those we are already familiar with. It is a different experience altogether to go
where you haven't been before and set the sails waiting for the wind of God's Spirit
to blow.
This new environment challenges us to adopt a more outward-facing style of church
life. The emphasis will need to shift from an inward church-focus to an outward
world-focus. Three telling statements were:
-
The Church does not exist to run programmes and honour preaching but to release
people and achieve its purpose.
-
The Church does not exist to gather people to itself but to give freely.
- The Church does not evaluate its effectiveness according to numbers gathered but
by its impact on society around it.
Nick drew upon his recent reading in secular management theory to bring out some
illuminating parallels with church life and leadership. Among these were the benefits
of a corporate ethos which avoids hierarchy and releases creativity - taking the
risk of letting those who want to do new things have their head whilst at the same
time holding them accountable. Recent research had indicated that the most effective
leaders were characterised by personal humility and strong will. Words which best
described them were "quiet, humble, modest, reserved, shy, gracious, mild-mannered,
self-effacing, understated" - and they were rarely big names brought in from outside.
Throughout this part of Nick's presentation, listeners had the unmistakeable impression
that the nettle of radical change had to be grasped sooner rather than later by
the Church in this country. He closed by encouraging a clarification of vision,
a setting out of strategy and a commitment to action based upon a realistic appraisal
of where we are at present.
David Male from 'The Net' in Huddersfield then shared a fascinating insight into
his experience of building a new expression of church focussed on reaching the unchurched
through network relationships. A couple of other stories were also shared using
the RUN video diaries and these were followed up by a lively open session discussing
the issues raised.
For the last part of the day, Nick changed tack and spoke about "surviving leadership",
drawing upon his own personal experience of near-burnout as well as valuable lessons
learned from years in a demanding leadership role. Many bells were rung with the
experience of other leaders present and the day concluded with Chris Stoddard leading
a time of prayerful worship and re-dedication.
An excellent first day conference in West Yorkshire for RUN - from the response
of those present, it won't be the last."
Rev. Peter Hancock is a member of the RUN Executive Team and Superintendent
Minister of Huddersfield (Pennine) Methodist Circuit.
Thursday 10 March 2005 - All Saints Church, Longwell Green, Bristol
A grey Thursday morning saw clergy and other church leaders dashing through the
morning traffic to get to All Saints Church, Longwell Green for the first RUN Conference
in the South West.
After some arm twisting the RUN team had been finally persuaded to bring their 'Vision
to Venture' Conference to Bristol and they and we were not disappointed one bit.
The response was excellent- over sixty church leaders attended and they were given
a practical, thoughtful, and inspiring day which left us all both challenged and
motivated.
The day, led by Nick Cuthbert, started with an overview of the church today. 'What
makes a great church? 'What is a healthy church?' These were introductory questions
that we wrestled with rather than just wring our hands and bemoan that the church
is declining and sit back and watch.
What we began to understand is that we should, without losing faith, face up to
the reality of our church life today and then plan and pray to move forward putting
mission at the helm.
The key being three things:
- Our Purpose - why are we here?
- Our Values - what is important to us?
- Our Vision - where are we going?
This would require tough and firm leadership and probably the hardest -letting some
things go- but that would be necessary too.
After that helter-skelter morning we heard from several speakers who were pioneering
innovative ways of 'being church'. Stories from the ASDA Chaplaincy team here in
Bristol, the B1 Church in Birmingham and Bar None (a Pub Church). All of them demonstrated
that innovative ways can work and be at the cutting edge of mission today.
In the afternoon Nick Cuthbert spent some time talking to us about 'leadership survival'.
The realities of burn out need to be taken account of by all of us as church leaders
and it was good to spend some time looking at our own perspectives on our roles
in the church today- a breath of fresh air!
At the end of the afternoon Chris Stoddard led a thoughtful and reflective time
of worship which seemed to bring everything together and also reminded us of that
our relationship with God is that at the heart of all we do.
Thank you to the RUN team for heading down the M4 to be with us at Bristol- it was
greatly appreciated. 'An inspiring and thoughtful day'.
Come again soon!
Rev'd Victor Howlett, Area Dean