Start The Week

If Starbucks marketed like the church...

You must watch this. A fabulous video from "Beyond relevance" - http://www.beyondrelevance.com/

C of E key facts

Church House communications division are bringing these regularly before people - lots of interesting stats culled from Lynda Barley's work. For example:

Key facts about the Church of England: Church attendance and visits

The Church of England has the largest following of any denomination or faith in Britain today. Almost half the people in England regard themselves as belonging to the Church of England, while 7 in 10 consider themselves Christian.

More key facts about the Church of England today can be found at: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/thechurchofenglandtoday/

Faith in Research consultation, May 09

This should be good. Not till May next year, so you should have space in your diary. Why not come?

Research & Statistics Department, Church House

and  the

Oxford

Centre for Ecclesiology & Practical Theology

invite you to

Faith in Research?

Exploring current research in ministry and mission

Tuesday 12 May 2009

10.30 am to 4.30pm, at Church House,

Westminster

LONDON

Chaired by Bishop John Packer, Ripon and

Leeds

Cost of the day - £30 including buffet lunch, coffee and tea

This conference is designed for those who shape policy and practice in ministry and mission at national and diocesan levels in the Church of England. The aim is to share current research and to take soundings on the future direction of research on ministry and mission. The day will also raise awareness of the issues involved in designing and executing research relevant to the church.

Full flyer is here:  Download 2009_invitation_faith_in_research_may09.doc

Fresh Expressions - insights from Canada

John Bowen at the Wycliffe College Institute of Evangelism, Toronto, has this to say:

Interest in Fresh Expressions seems to be everywhere. Bishops are talking about it. Students are talking about it. Every church doing something new-even a coffee hour after the main service-seems to be boasting that it is doing a “fresh expression.” And, of course, Canada now has its very own Team Leader for Fresh Expressions Canada-Nick Brotherwood.

But already the question has been asked, “Is this just the latest flavour of the month?” Is it just one more in a long line of bright ideas from another country, “guaranteed” to solve our problems and grow our churches? We’ve seen these before: they come and go, and nothing much really changes. How is this any different?

The simple answer is: Fresh Expressions both is and is not the flavour of the month.

Yes, it’s the flavour of . . . the next five years

Read more here: http://institute.wycliffecollege.ca/?p=365

Bishops' Mission Orders and ecumenism

Here's a briefing paper from Roger Paul, Unity-in-Mission adviser at Church House, aimed at ecumenical officers to brief them about the BMO process. It's a helpful and brief overview of the ecumenical dimensions of the new DPM measure.

In his paper Roger writes: "A word of caution: the Code of Practice suggests that “the appropriate courtesies of working in partnership with other Churches are not to be laboured at the expense of mission.” This is not to be interpreted as a green light for ignoring ecumenism!"

There will always be a slight tension between the gospel imperative of Matthew 28.19 and the gospel imperative of John 17.23 - but it can be overcome with good will, mutual prayer and conversation. 

Please make sure your own ecumenical-officer colleagues know where you're coming from in this whole area of mission and church order.

Download bishops_mission_orders_presentation_1.doc

Come Home for Christmas

Latest from the Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation on their "come home" initiative - a project that shares the heart of Back To Church Sunday.

I deeply love the phrase "resting Catholics".

"Last year the Catholic Enquiry Office, under the direction of CASE, created resources to equip parishes to reach out to resting Catholics during the Christmas and New Year period. The initiative was called "Come Home For Christmas" and the response from parishes was very positive. New materials are now available for Advent 2008 and January 2009. This year we are providing a selection of posters and invitation cards which are designed to appeal to different constituent groups. To view the materials available please see here

Alternatively, you might be intrigued to read about the fruits of last year's initiative. More..."