Today was KCME – the continuing training program for curates in the Rochester and Canterbury dioceses. I only do the mornings to release me to find space to reflect more on pioneering while others reflect on parish life. I’m quite pleased that those who direct this course have allowed me to do this. Some may see this as an easy option for me, but I can put up with that – but I really do feel I need space to consider what pioneering is all about, rather than spend time on reflecting on situations with others that, although useful, will not be as relevant for me as other stuff may be – just due to difference of role, not because I know more.

This morning we were looking at how to apply the Bible to incidents that occur which cause us to think. I found this really useful and was reminded of the analogy of the Bible being like a city which we need to walk through to learn and experience. The truth is, however, that in cities many of us hop on the tube and just ‘switch off’ as we are transported from A to B.

I remember from my days in London that it took me months to realise how close things were together. Actually this was forced on me during a good summer as the tube was so flipping hot it caused me to buy a street map and walk from places. I was amazed to find walking could often be quicker than catching the tube. It was also more interesting and resulted in me finding some great havens – real, decent, independent coffee shops.

The analogy holds – you only really get to know and understand the city by walking it and being in it. It cannot be done by hopping from one tube station to another and simply revisiting the stations we know. To really get to grips with the Bible, we need to walk it, live it, allow it to transform our thinking and be open to its possibilities.

Walking the Bible could result in finding those great smelling and tasting spiritual coffee shops!