Message from the Rector
Making Decisions
Ow sos ger,
In the ancient monasteries and across the Church today we hold meetings called Chapter, the clergy gather for Chapter…in local churches there is a body of people called the parochial (meaning local) church council (PCC). Each year candidates for the PCC are elected during the annual parochial church meeting (APCM). The APCM is the opportunity for the church to hear and or read various reports on how the PCC and clergy have determined how to spend their time in looking after the church assets, this includes pastoral care, finances, any buildings and maintenance, mission and outreach, discipleship. It includes an overview of the number of baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals that have taken place providing a litmus test as to whether the church is being effective in its role and purpose of reaching out to draw others in.
Day by day there are so many decisions that must be made, some of them we will get right, and some of them we may come to regret. It stands to reason that when two or three are gathered there is always an opportunity for conflict. There is also the opportunity to disagree well, to explore creative solutions to problems, and scope for total fall-out! Of course, we always hope to disagree well and to forgive one another as needed.
We, you and I, need to make decisions every day, how do we do this, do we do this with others, do we ask everyone to vote, do we seek consensus? My preference is to seek consensus, but this is often a challenge for people to accept because it is different to what has gone before. What I like about it is that everyone has an equal share of voice, responsibility, and commitment to whichever way the decision goes. We decide together.
Thinking about your engagement with your local church, how do you get involved with decision making? You may not serve on the PCC but are you able to put your point of view forward or to make suggestions or to question activities or question how the finances are spent?
Decision making is part of everyday life, as I’ve already said. The things you have considered in relation to church you can relate to your practice at home or at work or at the groups you attend.
Is there something out of balance here, that might need to be addressed? Is your voice unheard?
How are you doing with your decision to keep reading these articles?
Are you maintaining your commitment to setting aside time each day to have a 1-1 with God? Are you ready to increase this time perhaps up to 10 mins at least once a day?
Are you spending time in your journal capturing the thoughts and ideas, the questions you might have as you read this month by month?
Don’t forget you are welcome to call me or to speak with a member of the leadership team if you would like to. We are always happy and willing to come alongside you, to laugh or cry, to listen and to pray.
Gras ha kres,
Caroline
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