30.05.2022
Reflections from Paternoster Learning Community
By the Revd Abigail Sines, participant and Dean’s Vicar Christ Church Cathedral
Earlier this month, May 9 to 11, marked a milestone in the life of the first cohort of the Paternoster Learning Community. It was the closing retreat of what was intended to be 12 in–person gatherings focusing on encouraging and nurturing creative, missional thinking amongst the learning community participants, in this case a group of 12 diocesan clergy. As all of us are all too aware, anything that was planned for the last 2 years was subject to cancellation (at worst) or a serious, intentional re–think (at best). The 12 in–person meetings became 8 scheduled Zooms across the year, with one blessed window of opportunity to meet for lunch (thank you to the Gathering Grounds in Kilternan!) to follow–up all those Zooms, and then the final retreat which has just taken place.
On the face of it, if you had been asked in advance to make a list of things that might help you cope with the ups and downs of Covid pandemic life, being part of a ‘learning community’ might not have made that hypothetical list. However, looking back on it I can say that being part of the Paternoster Learning Community was a great joy and a real support over the last 18 months. I, for one, am so thankful that learning community convenors Rob Jones and Eoghan Heaslip persevered to find ways to make the community work in the virtual space, rather than ‘shelving’ the project until after the pandemic. From conversations within the community, it has been clear that these virtual gatherings, though not ideal, were a support and encouragement to all who participated.
The genesis of the Paternoster Learning Community goes back to a meeting held in September 2020, which explored the future development and synergy of three different mission focused enterprises in our united diocese, set up by Archbishop Michael: Come & C, the New Housing Initiative and Gateway.
When the big vision of that concept meeting ran into the constraints of pandemic precautions, the monthly virtual gathering of the cohort managed to maintain three key elements: prayer, honest sharing and encouragement, and reflection around concepts of leadership and change as presented in the book Pioneering a New Future by Phil Potter. These elements were skilfully managed to avoid the dreaded Zoom fatigue! Working through the book, chapter by chapter, each month provided a helpful structure for discussion and reflection. While the pandemic had brought so many challenges, it also pressed ‘pause’ on some aspects of life and ministry and there was fruitful engagement to be had within those ‘pause’ experiences. In Pioneering a New Future, Potter, most recently the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Missioner and Team Leader of Fresh Expressions UK, and former vicar of St Mark’s Haydock, shares inspirational, yet not unrealistic, stories of change and lessons for leadership within the church. The pandemic ‘pause’ in some ways gave space to assess what had been happening as a matter of course, and to consider what might need to change within the life of our parish communities and the wider church.
It was a great joy then, to be able to meet with Phil Potter in person for our long–awaited learning community retreat. The time opened with a review of the ‘standard operating procedures’ for collaborative learning communities. A willingness to enter into honest conversation (in the context of confidentiality) is the base, from which attitudes and actions within the process grow. In a learning community everyone has something to share and everyone has something to learn. Openness, a sense of discovery, a commitment to be fully present within the learning community space (phones put away!) and to engage reflectively set the tone for three focusing questions: What is? What could be? What will be?
For participants in this learning community, there was no suggestion of change for the sake of it or simply to pursue the next ‘big idea’ or fashionable, church–y resource. Rather, Phil gently facilitated for us open and honest conversation aimed at discerning the action of God’s Spirit in the midst of our varied and unique ministry contexts. Do the use of our buildings, finances and other resources clearly manifest the values we claim? How do we bring our communities along in the conversation? We were reminded of the truth (to paraphrase St Paul) that ‘God’s strength shows up best in weak people’. Dreaming of a more expansive future, contemplating the sharing of a deeper sense of vision, or planning for the launch of a new parish initiative may each in different ways feel overwhelming, possibly unattainable. We were encouraged to be open to the surpassing ways in which God would show up, even in the situations in which we most keenly felt our own, human limitations.
Within the retreat, there were times for individual reflective work and each participant was encouraged to spend time fleshing out one short–term (within the next 6 months) action item, or one long–term (next 5 years) challenge or opportunity. This concrete process provided a good balance to wider and more aspirational conversation around vision. We were able to come away from these exercises inspired, but also with particular, time–bound ‘next steps’ in our minds.
Phil’s closing work with us was based on reflection around the encounter of the risen Christ with the disciples on the beach, as told in John 21. This encounter with the despairing disciples, highlights four areas in which those in leadership, whether lay or ordained, need themselves to be ‘pastored’:
• Jesus asks, ‘You have no fish, have you?’ There is a need for accountable sharing, to acknowledge when something has gone wrong, to confront the need for change, re–evaluation, or a difficult conversation.
• Jesus says, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some’: In Jesus’ day, it was normal for one of the fisherman to remain on shore, to observe the conditions of the water, to notice from a strategic vantage point, that which the people on the boat might not be in a position to notice. There is a need for leaders to have someone available in a coaching or mentoring role.
• Jesus invites, ‘Come and have breakfast’: Church leaders need themselves to be cared for. They need those who provide loving support, without judgement or an impulse to constantly engage in problem–solving.
• Jesus questions, ‘Do you love me?’ Jesus brings this soul–searching question to Peter three times. Church leaders need someone to help keep an eye on heart, whether in the form of a spiritual director, counsellor or some other form of supervision.
This take–away from the retreat was equally important to the ‘action item’ or ‘mission plan’ aspect. Ministry can often be an isolating experience, as much as we make an effort to build teams and share in the work together. To avoid burnout, cynicism, or other potential harms of an isolated ministry experience, it is essential for leaders to have in place for themselves these essential, distinct aspects of support. No one ‘support’ person will provide accountability, coaching, unconditional love and counselling! Along with our short–term and long–term plans, we each came away from the retreat conscious that, if we don’t already have these support structures in place, then our first steps in any ‘action plan’ should be to investigate possibilities and identify how to access these supports.
We were grateful as well to have with us for the retreat Canon Ian Jonas, who prepared and led worship, as well as sharing his own experiences from ministry, in particular the pioneering of the Carraig Centre during his time as rector of the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes. Archbishop Michael joined for part of the time, giving us his encouragement to continue to engage faithfully, prayerfully and creatively in our various ministries. Rob and Eoghan’s leadership throughout kept us moving in productive directions. And we owe our thanks to Alanna Huston, who has proven to be an able administrator across the year of the learning community.
Having been greatly enriched by the experience of learning and relationships within Paternoster, we look forward to how this initiative may develop in the future to encourage the next cohort, and beyond to grow in creativity, sense of mission and pioneering spirit across the united dioceses.