I am a third of the way into using up unused leave from last year. I have 3 days which I have needed to use by the end of March and so I am taking them now. As Sarah and the children are at school I am using the time to write assignments that need to be handed in during the middle of April.

I have just finished writing my report of my placement at Harvest. My placement there finished a few weeks ago and having the break before writing properly has enabled me to reflect and change the opinions that I originally had. I have found the placement challenging as I have struggled with some things but on gaining a greater understanding of why things happen as they do has helped me to grasp the complexity of the issues surrounding the practice.

My placement here has caused me to ask some serious questions of myself, how I prefer to ‘operate’, what inclusivity actually means and looks like in reality and the cost associated with developing along that whole journey.

One thing in particular that I am continuing to reflect upon is whether there is anything you can do to encourage the growth of authentic community that maintains a missional edge?

It seems to be in my observations that something can start and have quite a missional focus, but as it develops people like what they have, grow accustomed to the feelings of being comfortable and then, if they are not careful, start to get all protective over their inclusive community so that it becomes exclusive. As these protection barriers are built, people retreat behind them, mission then grounds to a halt and before you know it a new exclusive community has developed – and there are already a number of them around! Is there any way that a community can become aware of this gradual shift happening before it becomes irreversible, or is this just inevitable due to our human nature and desire to be safe?

I guess I am asking does a time ever come when mission becomes secondary to other things? Personally I don’t even like that question and my head is already shouting ‘NO!’ in great massive bold letters.