Wednesday, December 7, 2022
by
Melinda Johnstone
Over the past year, and over numerous shared meals together, the people at All Saints have nurtured a deeper trust in one another and there’s an increasing sense of being able to call this parish home.
Fresh off the back of their new NCD Church Survey results, it was a little perplexing to Father Paul that what he was looking at could be true - a 31 point increase in their minimum factor? A 17 point increase overall? Every area affected? Positively?
How could this be?!
It became clear in talking with Fr Paul that even after many years of experience with the NCD process, focussing on removing the greatest barrier to growth can still give surprising results.
Paul has a strength of organising and a strong conviction that applying NCD principles to church life is biblical, makes sense, and can be highly effective. It was natural for him to apply this strength of conviction and skill to home in on the revealed weakness in his church, but, just like the farmer in the parable who was left scratching his head as to how the scattered seed actually grew, Paul was scratching his head as to how things had shifted so much so soon.
Covid was a massive unexpected shift that changed interpersonal dynamics worldwide but during this time period, when worship gatherings were forced to operate at a distance, the people at All Saints were coming closer together. They created a virtual lounge room where online gatherings met in breakout groups. Despite the less personal nature of meeting online, they found this to be so effective in changing the nature of their interactions that the breakout group idea is continuing today. This is creating an environment where holistic small groups can grow, like the farmer’s seed, all by itself. In the face of unwanted covid upheaval, the relational atmosphere at All Saints has been changing - for the better.
Over the past year, and over numerous shared meals together, the people at All Saints have nurtured a deeper trust in one another; there’s been a significant shift in openness to new people sharing in their life together; there’s a growing ability to find someone to share life with when things are tough; and there’s an increasing sense of being able to call this parish home. All Saints is becoming the open arms of Jesus to the diverse cultures and needs of their own people, as well as to their community.
Not one to settle for mediocrity, there is a restlessness Fr Paul cannot hide - he has a drive to bring about even greater life within his congregation, where every marker of health and vitality measured by NCD is at the highest level. He doesn’t see the point in taking a survey then not being courageous enough to take it to heart and live it out. As Paul said, for him and his people to truly feel at home, that home must look more and more like the kingdom of God. The vision of a greater and richer experience of Heaven on Earth energises him.
All of this is exciting and possible … but for now, it’s time to pause and reflect on the surprises that come our way when we partner with God to tend our patch of the kingdom - all kinds of unexpected life can emerge and give cause for joy and celebration.
There is a new story emerging at All Saints. Let’s celebrate with them!
holistic small groups effective structures loving relationships
