Categories: uncategorized
Date: 23 January 2009 20:50:10
Q. How many times do we reinvent the wheel or tear our hair out with frustration about a lack of appropriate resources when we needn't?
A. Far too many because far too often good, appropriate resources are produced and then vanish without trace a couple of years later. They become hidden amid a large resources list and dismissed due to when they were produced.
So it is that during the course of my digging about I want to share some recommendations of excellent resources waiting to be rediscovered.
Today's recommendation is a work book for small groups, called Belonging, produced by Baptist Union of Great Britain in the mid 90's.
Flicking through the material which is aimed at addressing issues of inclusivity and contemporary society, looking at singleness, disability, young people, unemployment and multi-culturalism amongst other things I was struck by its' relevance for today. Fifteen years after publication the stats are slightly out of date and the pictures remind you why retro won't always be a good thing, but the case studies, challenges and biblical material are all still up to date.
Within the section on singleness lone parenting is directly addressed and homosexuality is discreetly slipped in, particularly during the practical bit. Additionally, at the back of the book there are some good pieces of liturgy and prayer, including a couple of bits relating to unemployment. The list of organisations at the back is slightly out of date, but a quick trip onto Google should let you know whether something is still there if you need it.
Anyway at £2 a copy (+ p&p) I suggest that if you have any interest atall in how to practically engage with thinking about these issues, from a Christian yet deeply human perspective, you get hold of a copy, it's an absolute bargain.