Short-term approaches for development that have worked for us – could they work for you too?
by Catherine Frieze and Anne Vautrey

The plot
A few years ago in North East Leeds, at a regular preachers’ meeting, we discussed the idea of an interesting programme of workshops and reflection. We agreed we would value different ways of training and supporting one another. The meeting suggested a range of topics for workshops there and then. From the start there was a mix of topics: extending what we know, deepening our faith and honing how we lead worship and preach (knowledge, conviction, competence).

Two of us (Catherine Frieze and Anne Vautrey) volunteered to join in, even though we were already busy with three young children between us. Together with Rev Dr George Lovell, a supernumerary presbyter, we found ourselves facilitating the programme. From the discussion at the preachers’ meeting it appeared that all we had to do was organise workshop sessions to cover the topics suggested…

Growing all together
When we met as a facilitating group, we thought further about the suggestions. What if all of us, as preachers, started this new process by sharing our understanding of fundamentals of preaching?  As a result, in the first year we held a 60-minute session during each of the three remaining preachers’ meetings. The topics we covered were:
•    Private and public dynamics in preaching
•    Helping congregations to pray
•    The nature, attributes and functions of congregations

We also put on a study day called ‘Our ministry: personal and collective vocations’.

That was the first year done already!  We recognised that the preachers’ meeting agenda followed the traditional pattern with discussion at the end. It was too easy for the development session to get squeezed by other business. (The new short agenda introduced since then across Methodism puts development discussion/ presentation after the opening worship and before the business. Editor)

Knowing the plants
The session on congregations sparked us off wanting to learn more about the twelve congregations we serve. We decided to go out in pairs to have a structured conversation with representatives from each congregation.

We wanted a common approach. What was uncommon was that the preachers were doing more of the listening and the worshippers were doing more of the talking!  This was a useful exercise. We did learn new things but it was not a resounding success. Still, that’s the risk we all take when we engage in development. We learn from our not-so-good attempts perhaps even more than we learn from our successes.

Crop rotation
It was good that alongside the main programme, we also had small, informal, self-programming groups who met ‘as and when’ and reported back to the preachers’ meeting from time to time. These groups are not permanent and do not have fixed membership. For example, a few groups meet to discuss a book they have chosen. One group organised a study day on the lectionary Gospel. Another group tried out multi-media worship one Saturday morning.

Over time, other self-programming groups have sprung up that look at the practicalities of preaching. One short-term group looked at ways in which we interpret the Bible in our preaching. Another explored how we preach on delicate social issues and two worked on preaching in a multi-cultural society.

Green fingers
We have discovered interest and energy within us. This is our scheme – not one imposed from above. We have discovered support from keynote speakers who are prepared to come to us and from ecumenical partners who join us in some of our events.
•    Why is it working for us? 
•    All of us tailored our scheme to the time we felt able to give it.
•    We made use of the preachers’ meeting so that development became a regular feature.
•    We can join or leave small groups easily.
•    Ending a group is not failure – just an opportunity to move on to something else.

At last, continuing development feels really good. There are growing pains but there’s always something fascinating, rewarding and practical coming soon!  You could try growing your own scheme where you are.

More information is available on the website www.preacherdevelopment.uk7.net which is being set to share our experiences

Catherine Frieze and Anne Vautrey are local preachers in the Leeds North-East Circuit of the Methodist Church