The Dean speaks

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December 2006

The Dean speaks

Praying and dreaming a way forward

Why have a Cathedral anyway? Perhaps you remember my question from the fantastic October Tasmanian Anglican.

With you, I long for an Anglican ministry that brings the gospel of Jesus in all its fullness to our friends, workmates, neighbours and the strangers near our gate both young and old. The goal is impossible without a God who bears us up and in the end run accomplishes what we can only do in faithful dependence on Him.

As Dean I continue to pray and dream my way forward, 'Why St David's?'

I am not reflective by nature - indeed in a previous place I was sometimes known as the 'white flash' - but I will try and be reflective for a minute. Churches that are growing share a number of common features:

envisioning leadership

loving relationships

a community that is outward looking and welcoming

inspiring worship (enjoyable and inclusive)

small group community life and discovery and use of personal gifts.

The German Church assessment tool, Natural Church Development, refines and enlarges these categories. In my early days at the Cathedral these are some of the areas we are working on. Prayer and godly attitudes, of course, are foundational.

God blesses us.

Yes - small beginnings and not much different from the sort of ministry in a church in a rural village or suburb:

Our Sunday morning ministry for children has grown from two children to two groups (5 - 10 years old and 11+) and last Sunday nine children enjoyed Sunday. A grandmother joined us because her 7 year-old grandson wanted to go to church.

Finances are growing.

We launched an appeal to get the cloisters right for children's ministry.

BBQ lunches once a month are hitting the spot.

The Cathedral name badges at $10 each are a talking point for new members (yes, numbers are well up) and make it so easy to say 'Hello.'

Two Christianity Explained groups have introduced a living faith for enquirers.

An Advent course, and

Our midweek communities are growing.

Our midweek communities are open to all:

Tuesdays at Noon, a communion led by the Revd Shelagh Shaw with a special focus for women (a light lunch and discussion follows).

A communion at noon on Wednesdays,

A BCP community at 10.30am on Thursdays, and

Fridays at noon for communion and prayers for healing.

Choral Evensong @ 6pm on the 4th Sunday of the month

The church is strong when it takes discipleship seriously.

In our stressed busy world we have little time to pray and to simply sit with people. The Missing Generation of the Anglican Church (28 - 40 years) will only be engaged with us anew if we are real to them. The Generation X-ers (those under 28) are captivated by volunteering but they know in this fast moving, ever changing, chaotic and technical word they need a life coach.

Jesus sets the pattern - he calls the 12, he mentors the big group, but time and time again in the gospel stories he works with the small group, Peter, James and John or Andrew, Peter and James, coaching.

In this column I am committed to being a coach. I will raise practical topics such service design, increasing the church finances, children and youth, starting a men's ministry or intergenerational worship and church shape.

But foundational will be The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). Taken seriously a church that disciples will focus on:

engaging with the community out there

evangelising the lost

establishing Christians in the faith, and

equipping all the saints for ministry.

Are you still standing?

Fortunately it is God's work but he calls us as co-workers. And so we are back to where we started - can we walk together and Why a Cathedral?

I look forward to walking with you.

Lindsay

John 3:16

And here's a taste of things to come in 2007 in the Cathedral Church of St David

Taste of Tasmania with traditional and modern quilts reflecting changes in our world 30 December - 3 January

Wooden Boat Festival 11-12 February

Do not miss Hobart's gorgeous Floral Festival and Sunday afternoon concert 15-18 February

St David's Cathedral

	The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search
	a healthy church...transformingLIFE
	Home About Contact us News Issues Parishes Prayer Calendar Youth Resources

				December 2006

		The Dean speaks Praying and dreaming a way forward Why have a Cathedral anyway? Perhaps you remember my question from the fantastic October Tasmanian Anglican. With you, I long for an Anglican ministry that brings the gospel of Jesus in all its fullness to our friends, workmates, neighbours and the strangers near our gate both young and old. The goal is impossible without a God who bears us up and in the end run accomplishes what we can only do in faithful dependence on Him. As Dean I continue to pray and dream my way forward, 'Why St David's?' I am not reflective by nature - indeed in a previous place I was sometimes known as the 'white flash' - but I will try and be reflective for a minute. Churches that are growing share a number of common features: envisioning leadership loving relationships a community that is outward looking and welcoming inspiring worship (enjoyable and inclusive) small group community life and discovery and use of personal gifts. The German Church assessment tool, Natural Church Development, refines and enlarges these categories. In my early days at the Cathedral these are some of the areas we are working on. Prayer and godly attitudes, of course, are foundational. God blesses us. Yes - small beginnings and not much different from the sort of ministry in a church in a rural village or suburb: Our Sunday morning ministry for children has grown from two children to two groups (5 - 10 years old and 11+) and last Sunday nine children enjoyed Sunday. A grandmother joined us because her 7 year-old grandson wanted to go to church. Finances are growing. We launched an appeal to get the cloisters right for children's ministry. BBQ lunches once a month are hitting the spot. The Cathedral name badges at $10 each are a talking point for new members (yes, numbers are well up) and make it so easy to say 'Hello.' Two Christianity Explained groups have introduced a living faith for enquirers. An Advent course, and Our midweek communities are growing. Our midweek communities are open to all: Tuesdays at Noon, a communion led by the Revd Shelagh Shaw with a special focus for women (a light lunch and discussion follows). A communion at noon on Wednesdays, A BCP community at 10.30am on Thursdays, and Fridays at noon for communion and prayers for healing. Choral Evensong @ 6pm on the 4th Sunday of the month The church is strong when it takes discipleship seriously. In our stressed busy world we have little time to pray and to simply sit with people. The Missing Generation of the Anglican Church (28 - 40 years) will only be engaged with us anew if we are real to them. The Generation X-ers (those under 28) are captivated by volunteering but they know in this fast moving, ever changing, chaotic and technical word they need a life coach. Jesus sets the pattern - he calls the 12, he mentors the big group, but time and time again in the gospel stories he works with the small group, Peter, James and John or Andrew, Peter and James, coaching. In this column I am committed to being a coach. I will raise practical topics such service design, increasing the church finances, children and youth, starting a men's ministry or intergenerational worship and church shape. But foundational will be The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). Taken seriously a church that disciples will focus on: engaging with the community out there evangelising the lost establishing Christians in the faith, and equipping all the saints for ministry. Are you still standing? Fortunately it is God's work but he calls us as co-workers. And so we are back to where we started - can we walk together and Why a Cathedral? I look forward to walking with you. Lindsay John 3:16 And here's a taste of things to come in 2007 in the Cathedral Church of St David Taste of Tasmania with traditional and modern quilts reflecting changes in our world 30 December - 3 January Wooden Boat Festival 11-12 February Do not miss Hobart's gorgeous Floral Festival and Sunday afternoon concert 15-18 February		St David's Cathedral