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Growing Church
The project takes into account that ways of being church are moving/have moved in recent years. The definition of church is more fluid, more relational, more wholstic, yet the link between these new concepts of church and mission is still being explored and developed. It is in this context that Church on the edge operates. Two of the critical words/concepts for church on the edge are:
These are drawn from the detached work experience[1] of many years, that in effect saw new forms of church being grown, but were operating at a time when defining these forms as church was not possible as peoples view of church was narrower. The concept of intentionality builds on this and is expanded in Off the beaten track[2] (OTBT), which sought to examine the links between newer concepts of church and mission with young people. OTBT introduces the idea of Tacking[3] with young people and argues that we should not disconnect church from mission. OTBT summarises the arguments for Tacking as:
The concept of tacking with young people provides a theological and practical framework that collapses the gaps between mission and church. It suggests that working intentionally within a tacking framework provides an authentic way of being and growing church. It holds the tension of being future focused and present thinking, of process and outcome. It is about attitude and course of action; it is about being and growing Church. Tacking with young people is being Church and becoming Church; it is youth work as Church and growing Church[5]. Therefore in terms of Church on the Edge in some ways we are not looking to prove that the work we are doing is church but to apply the concepts of intentionality and grow and see what can be learnt from young people and the process to support work in other settings, to name the elephant in the room and to give permission for other to do so.
Also see the attachment "beyond outside in and inside out" at the bottom of this page.
- Growing/Grown
- Intentional/ Intentionality
These are drawn from the detached work experience[1] of many years, that in effect saw new forms of church being grown, but were operating at a time when defining these forms as church was not possible as peoples view of church was narrower. The concept of intentionality builds on this and is expanded in Off the beaten track[2] (OTBT), which sought to examine the links between newer concepts of church and mission with young people. OTBT introduces the idea of Tacking[3] with young people and argues that we should not disconnect church from mission. OTBT summarises the arguments for Tacking as:
- Holistic mission is about changing society, ourselves and individuals.
- Mission should happen in-front of Church not out-fromChurch, and the danger is the latter holds back real change and reinforces control.
- An acceptance of the regnocentric position means that Tacking is about helping society and individuals become fully human which is also being and growing Church.
- Church is a broad concept that is about process and outcome; Tacking is Church.
- All of this is framed by the ethics of Christ with Orthopraxis being a key concept.[4]
The concept of tacking with young people provides a theological and practical framework that collapses the gaps between mission and church. It suggests that working intentionally within a tacking framework provides an authentic way of being and growing church. It holds the tension of being future focused and present thinking, of process and outcome. It is about attitude and course of action; it is about being and growing Church. Tacking with young people is being Church and becoming Church; it is youth work as Church and growing Church[5]. Therefore in terms of Church on the Edge in some ways we are not looking to prove that the work we are doing is church but to apply the concepts of intentionality and grow and see what can be learnt from young people and the process to support work in other settings, to name the elephant in the room and to give permission for other to do so.
Also see the attachment "beyond outside in and inside out" at the bottom of this page.
[1] See Detached work Stages below
[2] Off the Beaten Track A fresh Approach to Youth work and Church by Richard Passmore 2004 Christian Education Publishing
[3] Tacking - helping young people and society become more fully human, by a process of purposeful, deliberate and informal interactions
[4] ibid page 28
[5] ibid page 30
Detached Work Stages[1]
1. SURVELLENCE -Working out which geographical areas or groups of young people to engage
2 COLD CONTACT. Visual stage where we acknowledge the groups
3 COLD CONTACT. Introductions where we introduce ourselves and the project (could be interesting for Church on the edge project as it is one time I have had more of an agenda)
4. AREA BASED WORK This is when starting in an area or patch and a wide variety of contacts are being made.
5. PEER GROUP WORK This happens as the work becomes more defined and consists of natural groupings of young people. This stage is often where larger groups are identified usually around a shared interest. e.g. football or hanging out and may be too many work with or inconsistent attendance.
6. BASIC SMALL GROUP WORK As key young people are identified the work should be forward to this stage. This group is made up from the groups that exist within the larger peer group.
7. RISKY SMALL GROUP WORK This is about taking calculated risks to move the work and relationships forward such as 1-1 work, a relaxing , perhaps having a meal with the young people etc. However this is not about putting yourself or the young people at risk. This will be the key stage for Church on The edge project
8. EXPOSURE AND EXPLORATION OF SPIRITUALITY Young people should be introduced to aspects of Christianity in practical supportive ways. It can range from events to raise their consciousness of Bigger things, e.g. watching the sunrise, exploring creation, to going to an event. The worker should explain some of the things that may happen at events and translate what is happening at the event and use the opportunity to explore spiritual issues in a supportive way. This stage will centre around definition for the Church on the edge process and will be part of the action research stage
9. PEER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT or CHURCH ON THE EDGE Enabling young people to become active participants in their community or to choose to take part in the action research
Between each stage there are tools or mechanisms that enable work to progress from stage to stage. These are varied and depend on the interests of the young people you are working with it could be kite flying, sports, hobbies, issues explored, trips etc Anything you do as group together that helps the relationships deepen.
It is possible to identify the groups you are working with and guesstimate where you are on the development plan. From there decide where you wish the group to be in six months time and how you propose to get there, e.g. explore doing a residential. This enables you to gauge your progress in some way.
Detached Work Stages[1]
1. SURVELLENCE -Working out which geographical areas or groups of young people to engage
2 COLD CONTACT. Visual stage where we acknowledge the groups
3 COLD CONTACT. Introductions where we introduce ourselves and the project (could be interesting for Church on the edge project as it is one time I have had more of an agenda)
4. AREA BASED WORK This is when starting in an area or patch and a wide variety of contacts are being made.
5. PEER GROUP WORK This happens as the work becomes more defined and consists of natural groupings of young people. This stage is often where larger groups are identified usually around a shared interest. e.g. football or hanging out and may be too many work with or inconsistent attendance.
6. BASIC SMALL GROUP WORK As key young people are identified the work should be forward to this stage. This group is made up from the groups that exist within the larger peer group.
7. RISKY SMALL GROUP WORK This is about taking calculated risks to move the work and relationships forward such as 1-1 work, a relaxing , perhaps having a meal with the young people etc. However this is not about putting yourself or the young people at risk. This will be the key stage for Church on The edge project
8. EXPOSURE AND EXPLORATION OF SPIRITUALITY Young people should be introduced to aspects of Christianity in practical supportive ways. It can range from events to raise their consciousness of Bigger things, e.g. watching the sunrise, exploring creation, to going to an event. The worker should explain some of the things that may happen at events and translate what is happening at the event and use the opportunity to explore spiritual issues in a supportive way. This stage will centre around definition for the Church on the edge process and will be part of the action research stage
9. PEER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT or CHURCH ON THE EDGE Enabling young people to become active participants in their community or to choose to take part in the action research
Between each stage there are tools or mechanisms that enable work to progress from stage to stage. These are varied and depend on the interests of the young people you are working with it could be kite flying, sports, hobbies, issues explored, trips etc Anything you do as group together that helps the relationships deepen.
It is possible to identify the groups you are working with and guesstimate where you are on the development plan. From there decide where you wish the group to be in six months time and how you propose to get there, e.g. explore doing a residential. This enables you to gauge your progress in some way.
[1] Adapted from Meet Them where they’re At published by SU in 2003
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beyond inside out and outside in.pdf (Adobe Portable Document Format - 1,431k)
posted by passmorer Jan 11 2008, 9:02 AM EST
beyond outside in and inside out
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