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Being Congregational Workbook

Hello and welcome to the Being Congregational course. I do hope that as we explore together you will discover what it means to be part of the Congregational Way in your local church and to love and serve God through being in this small part of his kingdom.

You might be looking at this course with others from your church or your area in a face-toface or virtual group in which case the discussion will come naturally as part of each session. However, if you are going it alone then the discussion will be more self-reflective – perhaps written thoughts or shared in a Blog or discussion board.

Over the five sessions, we will see what makes Congregationalism distinctive and how we can take the history, principles and experiences of our forebearers and use them to be a 1 dynamic, Christ-centred and Spirit-led church today.

You are also always free to drop me an email with any questions or points you’d like to consider further. My email address is

catherine.booton@congregational.org.uk

We will be learning through watching short video clips, looking at written sources, exploring the Bible and group discussion.

With every blessing

Catherine Rev Catherine Booton

Every Congregational church is different. There are no right or wrong answers, and every Congregational church is different.

Most of all, we hope that you will enjoy the course and use it to build fellowship in your Congregational church.

This course is not aiming to tell you how to be Congregational or how your church should be run. Our aim is to share a little of the experiences and understandings of different people around the Congregational Federation (CF) and to help you to learn more together about what makes Congregationalists distinctive from other non-conformist traditions.

How this course runs In each session you will see we have included a variety of resources relevant to the theme. It is entirely up to you, and your group, how you organise the sessions. You may not have time to use all the resources or may not find them all relevant to your context. You might also wish, from session 2 onwards, to have a time for feeding back your experiences of the previous session or what opportunities the suggested action has presented since you last met. This is your course so please use it, as the Spirit leads, to develop your walk with God and one another.

Our prayer is that by taking this course, it will help you to think about your own understanding of being part of a Congregational church, and to put that into practice in your own community to bring glory to God and be light and salt in the place he has put you.

Harry Booton

Contributors

Harry is a member at Ashby Congregational Church and CF Youth Ambassador. He is keen to help churches find ways to reach out to young people in their communities and particularly likes being asked difficult theological questions by his school mates at 8.30am on a Monday morning!

We thank to the following contributors for sharing their knowledge, insights and personal stories, which you will encounter throughout this course. Rev Dr Alan Argent Alan has been the Minister at Trinity Congregational Church in Brixton, London since 1977. He is also the author of many books on Congregationalism, and is passionate about the Congregational Way

Rev Dr Jason Boyd

Rev Catherine Booton .

CF Learning and Development Manager, Minister and member of a Congregational church since the age of 5. Catherine has a passion for the Congregational Way, a keen interest in the history of non-conformity and a hope for where the future will lead Congregational churches. Rev Dr Graham Adams Tutor in Mission, World Christianity and Religious Diversity at Luther King Centre, Manchester, and CF minister and theology tutor. Graham is passionate about how the Congregational Way teaches us to share power and believes 'little voices' can make a big difference.

Jason has been in full time ministry in Congregational Churches from 1994 to the present. He considers pastoral ministry to be an immense privilege. There have been many challenges which he has navigated by God's grace and the moving of the Holy Spirit. Rev John Cartwright CF tutor, Member of Congregational Meeting, minister, constant student, dissenter. Dislike of organised religion. Keen fan of rocks.

Joy Howell Always full of enthusiasm, Joy is the Area Support Worker for the South West Midlands. She also sits on the Church Support Committee as the Area Representative.

Lesley Dean Church Secretary of Trinity Congregational Church, Brixton. Lesley grew up in a Congregational Church in Dudley and moved to London, where she became a school teacher. Being in a Congregational Church has given her the opportunity to develop her gifts and deepen her faith. Lisa Ewart Lisa is a tutor for CIPT. In addition to this, she serves as a personal tutor and oversees support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. She has completed a course to enhance her knowledge and skills in this role.

As a parent to someone with Autism, she understands the challenges he faces as well as the difficulties families encounter in providing support.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you”. Psalm 32:8

Rev Dr Richard Cleaves Now retired, Richard has been minister at various congregational churches for many years. He has a special interest in history and is particularly enthusiastic about the history of Congregationalism. Yvonne Campbell Yvonne Campbell is the General Secretary of the Congregational Federation and a member of Wavertree Congregational Church in Liverpool. Yvonne has a passion and a mandate to promote the distinctiveness of the congregational tradition as part of her role to support churches. 5

Session 1 Let’s begin with a prayer (You can use these words or feel free to pray as the Spirit guides).

Loving Lord, as we come together today, we pray that you will be with us. As we listen and think, discuss and pray, love and act, we ask that you will guide us in all we do. We give thanks for our churches, for those who have served in the past, those who are part of the church now and we pray for a future where your kingdom will come. Help us as we gather to know your presence with us and to be open to hear your voice. For we ask all our prayers in the precious name of Jesus. Amen

Watch the video Introduction to the course (Rev Catherine Booton, Learning and Development Manager, Congregational Federation) WHY CONGREGATIONALISM? In today’s session we are going to take a look as some of the general principles that make up the Congregational way and consider what makes it distinctive from other ways of following Christ and being church. What questions do you bring to this course and what answers are you hoping to find? Watch the video

Discussion Consider some (or all) of the following:

Read Pages 2, 4-5 of the Being Congregational booklet.

1. What stands out from what you have just heard? 2. What words or phrases are consistent across the various video clips? 3. Can you see the points mentioned in your own Congregational Church? 4. Is there anything in these videos you would like to find out more about?

1. Is the Congregational Way important to you and your church? How? Why? 2. What could you and your church do to tell others about the Congregational Way?

Look at the Bible Acts 2:42-47 Discussion - Consider some (or all) of the following:

Give thanks to God and pray for what you have discovered together.

Reflection Take some time in quiet reflection to think through the points you have discussed this session.

Action This week why not look out for opportunities that the Congregational Way can help those in your church and outside in the wider community. Be ready to feed these back to the next session!

1. What jumps off the page in this reading? 2. Can you see any links between the early church and Congregational churches? 3. Are there things mentioned in this passage that would be useful in your own church?

Session 2 Let’s begin with a prayer (You can use these words or feel free to pray as the Spirit guides).

Loving Lord, we thank you for our discussions last time and we ask that you will come amongst us again as we gather to learn more together. We thank you for brave men and women who in the past stood up for their beliefs and the right to follow you in ways the Spirit guided. Help us to follow in their footsteps and to carry on looking to serve you as you guide. Help us to hear your voice in the stories of the past and to carry that forward into times to come. For we ask all our prayers in the precious name of Jesus. Amen

HISTORY AND HERITAGE Telling the story In this session we are going to think about where we came from. Of course there is lots of history and heritage that has made us who we are and we certainly, as CF churches, don’t have the monopoly on being congregationally ordered. Our brothers and sisters in the Union of Welsh Independents (UWI), Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches (EFCC), Unaffiliated Congregational Churches (UCC), churches of a Baptist tradition and others can all trace their roots back to similar foundations. But what are those foundations? That is what we will explore in this session along with our interaction with other parts of the world-wide church. Watch the video

Discussion Consider some (or all) of the following:

Read Pages 7-8 of the Being Congregational booklet.

1. What stands out from what you have just heard? 2. Is there anything you didn’t know before? 3. Is there anything in this video you would like to find out more about?

1. How is your church Christcentred? 2. How does your church relate to other churches in your community, the CF (area or national) and the wider world church?

Look at the Bible 1 Corinthians 12 Discussion Consider some (or all) of the following: 1. What jumps off the page in this reading? 2. How do the spiritual gifts talked about influence the way you are church? 3. In what ways is your church part of the wider body of Christ (church)? 4. Are there things mentioned in this passage that would be useful in your own church?

Reflection Take some time in quiet reflection to think through the points you have discussed during this session. Give thanks to God and pray for what you have discovered together. Action This week find out something about the history of your own Congregational church. How could you share that heritage with others?

Session 3 Let’s begin with a prayer (You can use these words or feel free to pray as the Spirit guides).

IN OUR CHURCHES Congregational management and worship

Loving Lord, we thank you for all that has gone before, and we gather to learn more again today. As we think about the ways that Congregational churches manage themselves, may we always look to your guidance and seek your mind in all our decisions. We pray that you will guide our worship and help us to realise that whilst every moment of every day is spent in worship of you, it is particularly important to come together to worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Guide us in our discussions today and be with us as we do so. For we ask all our prayers in the precious name of Jesus. Amen

In this session, we are going to think about how a Congregational church comes together to manage its affairs and to worship the God that we all serve. Church meeting is one of the main characteristics that makes Congregationally ordered churches distinctive. It is more than a business meeting, although of course we do have to be good and responsible stewards of our building, funds and gifts. It is an opportunity to seek the mind of Christ together as we look for guidance on how to serve God in our church. But what does that really mean and how do we communicate that with others? Who makes up the church? Who makes the decisions?

And when we come together to worship, how is that worship shared?

2. In what ways does this reading relate to Congregational management and worship? 3. How could our way of being church be influenced through the promise in this reading?

Who makes the rules and how are we guided in that worship. Is it different to other traditions and denominations?

Read Pages 13 and 16-18 of the Being Congregational booklet.

Hopefully as we travel through this session we will find out.

1. How is this reflected in your church? 2. Are there further things to consider in your own context from what you have read?

Watch the video Discussion Consider some (or all) of the following:

Reflection Take some time in quiet reflection to think through the points you have discussed this session.

1. What stands out from what you have just heard? 2. Do the things mentioned here happen in your church? 3. Is there anything in this video you would like to find out more about?

Give thanks to God and pray for what you have discovered together. Action Take a moment to thank God for the many gifts that are shared by all those who are involved in the management and worship of your church. Perhaps there is something you are being called to do in your church – why not have a chat with someone about that?

Look at the Bible Joel 2:28-32 Discussion Consider some (or all) of the following: 1. What jumps off the page in this reading? 12

Session 4 Let’s begin with a prayer (You can use these words or feel free to pray as the Spirit guides).

LOOKING OUT Mission and inclusion in Congregational Churches

Loving Lord, we thank you for the times we have been able to learn together, and we ask that you will continue to guide us throughout the time we spend with one another and with you. We thank you for those who have spread your word around the globe and throughout our community. We ask that we can do our small part to share the good news we believe to those who have yet to hear of your goodness and love. Guide us to do that in a sensitive and appropriate way so that one day your Kingdom will come. For we ask all our prayers in the precious name of Jesus. Amen

Our session today asks us to think beyond our doors and look out in to the community around us. We’re going to think about mission – what is it? And to consider if Congregational mission is any way different? We are also going to think about how we include those around us, particularly those who on the face of it may appear different to us, in all sorts of different ways. How can we be inclusive? What steps do we need to take to welcome people into our fellowships and to extend Jesus’ love to those who need to meet him. Watch the videos

Discussion Consider some (or all) of the following: 1. What stands out from what you have just heard? 2. What does mission and inclusion mean to you? And to your church? 3. Is there anything in this video you would like to find out more about?

Reflection Take some time in quiet reflection to think through the points you have discussed this session.

Look at the Bible Matthew 15:21-28

Give thanks to God and pray for what you have discovered together.

Discussion Consider some (or all) of the following:

Action This week look out for opportunities to be missional with those you meet. Or find out about a mission your church could support and share what you find at your church meeting.

1. What jumps off the page in this reading? 2. In what ways does this reading relate to our approach to those outside our church doors? 3. How can this reading help us to be more inclusive? More missional? Read Pages 14-15 of the Being Congregational Booklet.

1. What are your thoughts on these topics? 2. If it is, how is your church already inclusive and missional? Are there ways you would like it to be more inclusive and/or missional? Do you need help with that?

Find out about schemes that help churches become more inclusive, e.g. Inclusive Church (inclusivechurch.org.uk), Honest Church scheme (honestchurch.org.uk) or other ways of thinking about inclusion in your church.

Session 5

Let’s begin with a prayer (You can use these words or feel free to pray as the Spirit guides).

WHERE’S MY PLACE IN THE STORY AND HOW DO WE PASS THE BATON ON?

Loving Lord, as we come to the final session of this course, we thank you for all we have learnt together, for the discussions we have had and the actions we have been led to make. We would ask that today, as we look at the hopes and dreams for the future, you would be close to us and lead us to new ways of loving and serving you. Give us the encouragement, enthusiasm and drive we will need as we step out into the future and may we keep our eyes always fixed on you, the author and perfector of our faith, and the one we want to love and serve in all we do. For we ask all our prayers in the precious name of Jesus. Amen

Today in our final session of the Being Congregational Course, we are going to consider our own place in our own Congregational Church and think about how we pass the baton on to future generations of Congregationalists. We’ll consider the place of all ages in our churches as we hear from a variety of people who will offer their hopes and dreams for the future. We also think about the place of the Holy Spirit in our fellowships and how listening to God’s guidance can help us as we go forward to bring glory to him. Watch the video

Discussion Consider some (or all) of the following: 1. What stands out from what you have just heard? 2. What are your hopes and dreams for the future of your walk with God and your church? 3. How can we pass the baton on to the next generation?

Reflection Take some time in quiet reflection to think through the points you have discussed this session.

Look at the Bible Romans 8:31-39

Give thanks to God and pray for what you have discovered together.

Discussion Consider some (or all) of the following:

Action Your final action is to think on your own, or with others, what the future might look like. Can you draw up a vision plan with your church? Can you take all the aspects of this course and ask God what sort of church he is calling you to be How you can be true to your roots, your hopes and dreams?

1. What jumps off the page in this reading? 2. How can this reading help us as we look to the future? What reassurances does it offer? 3. Can you think of any other bible passages that can help us as we look to the future? Read Pages 9-12 of the Being Congregational Booklet.

1. What are the ways you have experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit, personally and in your church? 2. How can we let the Holy Spirit guide us as we look towards the future?

Perhaps you could show what you discover visually in a poster for your church wall, or in an article for your church magazine or website?

A final word We do hope that you have found this course useful, engaging and inspiring. We hope it has helped you to think about your place in the worldwide church, as well as in your own fellowship. That through the course you have had space to think about some of the history and principles of Congregationalism and that your own understanding of the Congregational Way has been developed through joining in. Perhaps, if you are not already a member of your Church, the course has helped you to consider making that commitment. Why not have a chat to one of the Deacons, or Minister, and see how you can further embrace the Congregational way.

We would love to hear what you thought – so please do complete the feedback form, which is on the back page of this workbook or can be accessed online by scanning the QR Code if you prefer.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 18

2 Timothy 3:16-17

If there is anything else you would like to explore, as a church or individually, please get in touch with the Learning and Development department and we will be able to help you. Thank you for taking part in this Being Congregational course and we pray for God to bless you, and your church, in all you do to love and serve him.

Notes

Being Congregational Course feedback form Name of Church: Date course completed? What is the most important thing you have learnt from completing the course?

Did you learn something new about your own church?

Will your church make any changes as a result of completing the course?

22 Do you have any suggestions of how the course could be improved?

Anything else you would like to tell us about the course?

Please return your form to the Learning and Development Department at the address overleaf

Or email a scanned copy/photograph to: training@congregational.org.uk

8 Castle Gate Nottingham NG1 7AS www.congregational.org.uk