It’s been a busy few days with training stuff to write for trustees and reports to write for various things. There have also been various visits to groups of churches or centre directors to talk mission.

Amongst the writing, the talking, the thinking and mulling things over there have been some special highlights which I’m told are work:

meeting with Richard in the Scooter Cafe which is home of the best ‘ambient coffee’ in the city. I love this place and reviewing the last month with my boss there did not really see like work – bit it was.

Afterwards we caught up with Richard from Oxygen (no wonder I’m getting confused … i met with Richard and then I met with Richard and Richard!) to chat over some stuff. Again this was another great time and hearing feedback on various projects was a great use of time.

Another highlight was being told I’m healthy by a doctor – always good to know. I had an hours medical with Interhealth which is a requirement of Rochester Diocese and the doctor seemed quite impressed and happy with my mental and physical state!

Today I met up with some key people in Littlehampton which in the sun looked like a great seaside town. These people have just started the process of thinking about a YFC centre. I’m not sure where this will go, as I never am after an initial meeting like this, but it was still a great pleasure to hear what is happening and sense the desire to do more together. Getting there early was a bonus as the sun was shining and I was able to walk from the harbour to the coast and quench my almost constant longing for the sea (you can take the boy out of Weymouth but …)

On my journey home I was able to reflect on the specialness of this role and the real privilege it has been for me to be involved as I am. It hit be again … I’m loving supporting people through their mission thinking, I get to meet some very keen exciting people, I am fortunate to be able to taste some great coffee in fantastic places …. and the real bonus on top is that THIS IS MY JOB! (well … for the next few months!)

God’s cool!

On a reflection note for Lent … I did wonder on the fact that I seem to be involved more and more in talking about new centres as well as seeing more and more centres planted,while the church seems to be in decline.

Is this a normal correlation? As the church shrinks, should we expect to see more mission occurring? Maybe the urgency is more obvious when we are in a time of shrinkage, although to me that sees to make little sense. Surely the best time for growth of mission is with a healthy church – or am I equating ‘health’ there with ‘numbers’?

Or, is it that as the church shrinks those people that are burning with desire for mission are released to answer their calling, beforehand being held back by people that have since left? That’s an interesting ponder point!

It’s good to reflect!