Off to BUGB Council again tomorrow; an extra one to progress the conversation about the Futures process. Many people, several of them friends, have invested a lot of work in this yet I go with a heavy heart because I don’t think we have identified the vision and strategy needed.
- I don’t see Association Partnerships, in the way that is envisaged, achieve anything other than a layer of bureaucracy and levers of centralised control.
- The presuppositions which shaped the situation we are in still persist; particularly assumptions about Home Mission giving, an over reliance on ethos of service provision and a desire to preserve as much as possible rather than restructure for a sustainable future.
- Any future that doesn’t see us put a greater proportion of our resources into front line mission and ministry doesn’t deserve support.
- Although many people like some of the ideas, when you get to the detail there is neither enough change nor enough speed to change the culture.
– Whilst I prefer the idea of national ministry (see previous post) whichever model is used needs to come with a clear sense of roles and accountability. People need to be released to exercise their gifts; but we need to have the right people in the roles and the right accountability structures.
- I also wonder if the current senior post holders in the Union believe in the proposals; if they don’t why should the rest of us?
Yet I also have a responsibility to the Union to work with other people on Council to find a way forward. Which leaves me with a dilemma, should I speak up even if it appears that I’m being difficult or should I keep quiet?
Distinct Reflections 
Speak up – appear to be difficult – challenge – why change the ways of a lifetime!!
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Thank you for your honesty in this post. It is a tough time/place for all involved…
Someone recently said to me “I bet you’re glad you’re in BUS now” in relation to all of this. They were jesting but I think it said something about something.
I am minded that if one part of the Body of Christ suffers the whole suffer, and so in some measure I ‘ache’ with all those on Council as they wrestle with these ideas. Will keep all in my prayers… even if I’m not quite sure what or how to pray (other than for wisdom and grace)
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I will speak up, but I will also try to be positive. If there is a cause for hope it is that many members of Council are going with a sense of concern; and a gracious, listening and prayerful environment always has potential.
And let’s not forget that all of the proposed outcomes involve people’s jobs disappearing.
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Dear BU Council, these next two days are your moment to grieve what is and imagine an inspiring new future for baptists after 400 years.
Will you choose a future with BMS World Mission? Will you shape an inspiring missional vision for us all to affirm? Will the changes you decide make a transforming difference to our country? Will you release a new wave of mission?
God bless and put courage into you. This is not an exercise or a practice. This is not a time for for inward looking re-ordering and fiddling.
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Please do speak up if we get this wrong now we will probably have to revisit it sooner rather than later
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