Categories: uncategorized
Date: 07 July 2010 08:46:54
Ok, so BBC2's new comedy Rev, which I mentioned yesterday, has been blogged about and reviewed in various places, and as Maggi Dawn points out probably in the best way by Simon Marsh.
I want to take a different angle on it by putting together a model of a discussion group outline you could use if you were looking at episode 2.
15 mins - do the coffee order, (but you might want to get some smoothies in for tonight) and then when everybody is sorted open in prayer
30 mins - watch the episode of Rev
45 mins - throw around some of the following discussion points:
"How do we treat our clergy?, What are our expectations of them?, How do our expectations impact on their homelives?, What can we do as congregations to help support our clergy and ensure they get some decent family time? and what are our expectations of clergy spouses and partners?"
"What is it about evangelical churches with lively worship which attracts people?, what are the differences between evangelicals and charismatics? and what parts of the evangelical subculture might it be positive for us to consider and what parts do we think are problematic if we aren't part of that subculture? Or what parts of our subculture do we value most and why might our ways of doing things challenge others from different traditions if we are part of that subculture?"
"What do church contributions to wider denominational structures go towards?, why is it useful to be part of a denomination?, what are the distinctives our denomination?, What differs between different congregations within our denomination and how do we handle those differences? and What obligations do larger congregations have towards smaller ones who might not be able to contribute in the way they are expected? and in turn what obligations do smaller congregations have to those larger congregations supporting their survival?"
"Is doubt ok or is certainty required?, How do we handle inappropriate behaviour from those people who struggle with society's norms and values? How do we encourage involvement from and support those with "issues" whilst protecting others from behaviour which might not be appropriate?, Who do we value in our congregations and why? and Is God just on the side of the marginalised?"
Additional question to throw in to the above "and what does the bible have to say on these matters?"
30 mins - Get another drink, share prayer requests and pray for the issues addressed in the evening as well as matters that the group need to support each other in
You might want to choose one area to throw around or order the areas in interest and then spend about 10 minutes on each area, being ready to drop the lower ones if people wanted to stick with one area.
Alternatively with a larger group you might want to get split them down and get different groups discussing different areas before feeding back.
The above just gives you a flavour of what you could do with this programme amongst "churched" people to get them thinking about some of the real issues that face "traditional" or "inherited church".
By the way if anybody reading knows anybody who might be interested in commissioning me to do a whole set of studies on this series please feel to pass on my details.