The Methodist Church - Leeds (North East) Circuit

Preacher Development

CLPD Meeting ' Needs of Congregations'

Held at Trinity United Thurs January 29th 2009

As there were only four of us present at this meeting, we decided to defer until our next meeting discussions on the CLPD census study that we had agreed to discuss at this meeting.

One member had emailed the group and the LPs and ministers prior to today's meeting informing us of her attendance at a study afternoon which she had seen advertised in the CLAY leaflet entitled ' SIFTing the Infancy Narratives.' The study involved using the personality analysis technique known as Myers Briggs typing which was meant to help inform sermon writing and sought to involve all members of the congregation helping them in their worship . This is because we are all supposed to fit into one of four personality types known as SIFT , that is, Sensors, Intuitives, Feelers and Thinkers. It was therefore implied that those in our congregation who are not the same type as those leading the worship could not relate to what was being said in the sermons.

We discussed this at some length and did not agree that this was necessarily the case as worship was more than just the sermon. We felt that different personality types could and did worship through the singing of choruses and hymns, through drama and story telling, and through the prayers and response to prayers all of which constitute a Methodist service. Also, in the Methodist tradition of worship, a different preacher is planned every week thus providing the necessary variety to suit the differing personalities of the congregation.

Our discussions led onto our concerns for the Circuit regarding music. Many of our churches are finding it increasingly difficult to get organists or pianists for Sunday worship. We all agreed that something ought to be done in this regard by providing those churches with an alternative solution. Music, we agreed, is SO important to meaningful worship. Harewood have most of H&P on disc and this works very well. Some churches have ' No Organist No Problem ' or 'No Music Group No Problem.' discs.

It was felt that the provision of music should NOT be left up to the visiting preacher and the provision of music for the churches was the remit of the Circuit which should provide the finance necessary for the provision of music for those churches concerned, most of whom have very small congregations. We decided that this ought to be brought to our next LP meeting and if agreed there, should be brought to the Circuit Meeting for further discussion.

Our next meeting is scheduled to take place on Thurs April 23rd, 7:30pm at Trinity United. Please feel free to join us if you wish.

AJ

 

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