Learning by Doing – a book by Inspiring Communities.

Having been part of an Inspiring Communities workshop group in Auckland, I am really excited about the launch of this book.

The book draws on three years of experience from around the country and provides tools, resources, stories and learnings to help support and grow community-led development thinking and action.

“Just when we need it most, here is a book guiding people back to the power of community. It sets out the principles and practices we need to use, and demonstrates the possibilities when every community is enabled to find its own way. Learning by Doing is a gift to the nation and also to the international community-led development movement. This tiny organisation really is leading a movement from the bottom up. This is the only place in the world that I know where this is happening”.

Jim Diers, International Neighbourhoods Expert from Seattle.

Just Money: The Vision of Shalom
This book by NZ writer Wayne Kirkland is available for loan from the Baptist National Resource Centre. It is an accessible book but it certainly lays down some challenges to our consumerist attitudes and also our view of what constitutes ‘mission’. Each chapter concludes with thought-provoking questions suitable for personal or group study.

In the words of Duncan Pardon, editor of the NZ Baptist magazine, who reviewed the book in April 2012: “Wayne challenges Christians to faithfully pursue the values of the Kingdom of God and, in so doing, create a counter culture that rejects consumerism and instead follows the dream of ‘shalom’ – a world living in harmony where there is enough for everyone.”

To borrow the book contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , giving your name, the Baptist church/trust with which you are associated, and the address for delivery. If the book is currently on loan, your name will be added to the waiting list and you will be contacted when it is next available. The library service is free; you just need to pay for return postage/courier. The loan period for books is one month. The full list of loan resources available from the Baptist National Resource Centre can be found here www.baptist.org.nz/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=199&Itemid=124 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Working Smarter Together.....

Many of you will be aware of the proposed plan to decentralise the work of our Baptist Resource Centre to the Regional Associations.

This move aims to strengthen the capacity of the regions in order to maximise our effectiveness as a missional movement. It is also precipitated by fiscal restraints – there's less discretionary money in the pockets of our congregations; many churches are challenged by less giving; there appears to be less available through charitable trusts and sources and costs have increased for all of us.

Baptist Community Ministries has been aiming for a long time to strengthen the capacity of the regions in their abilities to resource and support mission in their localities. We have talked much about the need for churches, trusts and community initiatives to plan, strategise, form vision, implement effective mission, evaluate and partner with others for the benefit of families, the wider community. Ultimately this is so that the Good news may be alive and communicated to all who need to know and hear.

The Canterbury earthquakes have been a catalyst for radical change in terms of the shape of mission and church in Canterbury and beyond. The identification of the need to change and the need to both 'be' and 'do' church differently uncovers complexities, challenges, fears, opportunities and exciting possibilities. But this all requires resources of time, energy, funding and people. It can be very daunting. Our fall-back position beckons us to return to what we think we do best in a secure place, free from uncertainties, challenge and having to venture into unknown territory. Our Baptist autonomy can be a big barrier to working differently and our independence gets in the way of collaboration and cooperation.

The need to change can also surface our lack of leadership skills, particularly in the area of innovation, entrepreneurship, community engagement, bringing the best qualified people into the decision making processes, and identifying and building strategic partnerships. Too often we see pastoral leaders feeling overwhelmed with trying to meet the needs of churches and being stretched beyond their capacities when it comes to equipping the church for community mission. So we end up with square pegs in round holes – in trusts, community initiatives and churches.

It is time for courage in the face of challenging situations.

How can we assist you?

My dream is to see effective networks of those involved in community initiatives operating in every region – urban and rural. Places where people can get together to share what is happening, plan together for mutual benefit and better meet the needs of the wider region. Such networks would support the bigger community initiatives and provide a coaching opportunity for those working in isolated and challenging situations. They would be networks where experts in trusts, early childhood education, food banks, budgeting services, parenting support etc. could from time to time be available to meet with others engaged in the same activities, to coach, mentor, support, up skill and update. Contact me if we can assist you in facilitating this type of initiative.

On July 1, we are partnering with the Canterbury/ Westland Regional Association to hold a forum in Christchurch on social housing, bringing together all those nationally with an interest in social housing – trusts, NGO's church leaders, funders, experts from other denominations, people with innovative ideas which need further exploration.... a wide variety of people who, by working smarter together, could make some progress in this high priority challenging area. If you are interested please contact me – asap!

Blessings

Lyn