Thursday 3 February 2011
c2b
What's in a name? After suggestions of Beacon 1, Salt & Pepper, Zarapheth and fruit & nut, we had the revelation of c2b! So where did it come from. Friends suggested church to beacon, see to be, a journey/route somewhere, but the meaning of it was chrysalys to butterfly, where we are transformed to spread our wings and fly, a place where transformation happens into something vibrant and colourful. The Chrysalis is a safe protected place for this to happen. We want to stress though that this doesn't mean we are an introspective group. It's all about being prepared and equipped for mission, for reaching those who don't yet know the love of God.
Wednesday 2 February 2011
calling/mission
Specific Calling
We believe as a group we are called to welcome the vulnerable and marginalised, providing them with family, resources and a place of safety in which to learn more of God and the healing He brings. We seek to reflect who He is in every aspect of our lives and ministry. The automatic overflow of knowing and enjoying fellowship with God is a desire to share Him with others.
Priorities
To accomplish this we will prioritise;
1.Modelling the welcome that underpins the love of God
2.Teach and keep reinforcing the big picture story of who God is
3.Teach and create an environment in which everyone learns to trust their ability to hear God
4.Teach and create an environment in which everyone understands the realities of the spiritual battle and develops their gifts as combatants in that.
5.Provide an environment in which people can have strongholds broken and establish healthy living patterns
Composition
We anticipate the group comprising a mix of backgrounds – diverse dysfunctionality is our favourite phrase! We are all broken in different ways, but we recognise that the nature of the group will predispose us to being attractive to some who will at least for a period require significant support. It would be our aim to have at least one couple who were not in that place for every individual who was. Essentially a two-thirds / one-third balance. We have no desire to hire premises so the limit to size will be the capacity of our homes. This would seem to indicate around 30 adults plus children, although we don’t by any means rule out the possibility of multiple versions of such a group developing over time.
Mission
We see ministry as a two-fold opportunity. Firstly it is to bless others, but a key secondary effect is to provide opportunities for individuals and the group as a whole to be dislocated from normal security structures. It is in this environment that the dross rises to the top most quickly and refining can take place.
In terms of specific ministry we envisage serving those who are at the edge of ‘normal’ life, be it through unemployment, housing problems, debt, mental health or a combination of these issues. We expect to become ‘expert’ in debt counseling and how to make the housing and health systems work to the best advantage. We may well explore micro-business opportunities to facilitate some of these areas.
We believe as a group we are called to welcome the vulnerable and marginalised, providing them with family, resources and a place of safety in which to learn more of God and the healing He brings. We seek to reflect who He is in every aspect of our lives and ministry. The automatic overflow of knowing and enjoying fellowship with God is a desire to share Him with others.
Priorities
To accomplish this we will prioritise;
1.Modelling the welcome that underpins the love of God
2.Teach and keep reinforcing the big picture story of who God is
3.Teach and create an environment in which everyone learns to trust their ability to hear God
4.Teach and create an environment in which everyone understands the realities of the spiritual battle and develops their gifts as combatants in that.
5.Provide an environment in which people can have strongholds broken and establish healthy living patterns
Composition
We anticipate the group comprising a mix of backgrounds – diverse dysfunctionality is our favourite phrase! We are all broken in different ways, but we recognise that the nature of the group will predispose us to being attractive to some who will at least for a period require significant support. It would be our aim to have at least one couple who were not in that place for every individual who was. Essentially a two-thirds / one-third balance. We have no desire to hire premises so the limit to size will be the capacity of our homes. This would seem to indicate around 30 adults plus children, although we don’t by any means rule out the possibility of multiple versions of such a group developing over time.
Mission
We see ministry as a two-fold opportunity. Firstly it is to bless others, but a key secondary effect is to provide opportunities for individuals and the group as a whole to be dislocated from normal security structures. It is in this environment that the dross rises to the top most quickly and refining can take place.
In terms of specific ministry we envisage serving those who are at the edge of ‘normal’ life, be it through unemployment, housing problems, debt, mental health or a combination of these issues. We expect to become ‘expert’ in debt counseling and how to make the housing and health systems work to the best advantage. We may well explore micro-business opportunities to facilitate some of these areas.
Tuesday 1 February 2011
What will it look like?
Ad-Hoc Meetings
We envisage a lot of these; getting together for coffee, for meals, for other social activities. The intent being that out of quantity of time together comes occasions of quality time together. Although they are informal and often spontaneous that does not mean they lack intention. Rather, because there is intentionality from the leadership that discipleship is lifestyle, these times together generate opportunities for discipleship and growth in a very natural, everyday environment. So, in casual conversation an issue arises, very naturally it turns into a prayer time, which is both effective in its own right, but also as a worked example of how to do it. Leaders within the group do not artificially seek to turn every conversation into a learning opportunity, but they don’t miss the opportunity when it naturally presents itself!
Planned Meetings
Meetings of the whole Beacon Group would normally be weekly (Once a month this would occur as part of the wider SBC ‘Feast Day’). They would be characterised by:
We envisage a lot of these; getting together for coffee, for meals, for other social activities. The intent being that out of quantity of time together comes occasions of quality time together. Although they are informal and often spontaneous that does not mean they lack intention. Rather, because there is intentionality from the leadership that discipleship is lifestyle, these times together generate opportunities for discipleship and growth in a very natural, everyday environment. So, in casual conversation an issue arises, very naturally it turns into a prayer time, which is both effective in its own right, but also as a worked example of how to do it. Leaders within the group do not artificially seek to turn every conversation into a learning opportunity, but they don’t miss the opportunity when it naturally presents itself!
Planned Meetings
Meetings of the whole Beacon Group would normally be weekly (Once a month this would occur as part of the wider SBC ‘Feast Day’). They would be characterised by:
1.Everyone being encouraged to exercise their gifts
2.All ages interactively involved together
3.Diverse forms of worship
4.Mutual ministry by all ages
5.Teaching in some form (see below)
6.Creativity
7.Stories
8.Food
Bearing in mind the priorities set out above, a meeting might well look like;
People arrive over a period, have a drink, chat, help with food prep, ad-hoc planning for activities, informal opportunity for ministry
Everyone eats together, chance to catch up, pass information – all ages together
Stories from the week and prayer response over coffee – again, all ages involved. Might lead to ministry or spiritual warfare and / or singing
Teaching time – interactive, whole group involved in reading, input, responding, telling the biblical story, application. Connecting where possible to what has gone before in terms of personal situations, stories from the week etc. Very young children present but not expected to participate!
Thanksgiving, intercession, response
Occasionally a specific planning / training time for ministry or events.
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