As one of those rather sad individuals who loves Baptist Assembly (songology not withstanding... we did sing that song I so do not like, even if it was twice 'unpacked' before we did so - ha!  Finally people are beginning to grasp that a  bouncy tune does not automatically a good hymn/song make) I feel that I am returning from Blackpool well blessed.

Of course there were niggles and bits I didn't much like, but that's part of the wonder of Bappyness, so I am going to choose to note mostly what was wonderful.

I loved the two morning prayer sessions I attended, the first led by Clare McBeath & Tim Presswood, the second by BMS.  At 8:15 to be still, to pray for God's world, to slow down (or slowly crank up, whichever it was) was fantastic.  Very different styles of prayer but each special.  Indeed, I loved the whole 'Open Space' experience and the artwork by someone I knew from one of my former placements which formed a version of a crucifix/cross: very striking and thought provoking.

I enjoyed Prism Bible study - because it is closer to Bible study than the big stage event where you are addressed for almost 60 minutes.  There is nothing wrong with the latter, I just preferred the former.  Thanks Ruth, Simon & gang for making it so good - even in that dreadful space you were assigned.

Recognition of ministers & missionaries and In Memoriam are always special moments.  The usual request for restraint from cheers & applause and the usual wilful refusal to obey will no doubt raise the usual comments.  I did think this year's batch of ministers looked a bit scruffy and it seemed the dress code we were given last year had not been followed this time around.  As someone who is not a fan of dressing up, but who also thinks that there are times to do as you are told, I was a smidgeon disappointed to see people on stage in jeans and teeshirts but it remains a very special moment.  10/10 to Geoff Colmer for best turned out RM!! (See photo below, Geoff on rhs, photo nicked from Assembly website) I hope, and pray, that this year's batch will have found it a special moment in the way we did last year (notwithstanding being reduced to a number to allocate their seats)

The closing All Age worship was great fun.  Not everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoyed the party atmosphere and slightly irreverent ending to the power points - perhaps a few scowled at the frivolity of the latter, but it sent us out smiling.

The thing that made me think the most was called 'The Full Monty'- a session on spirituality preference/types and (allegedly) mission.  Using nine types including naturalists, sensates, ascetics, intellectuals, enthusiasts, contemplatives, activists, care givers - and one I've forgotten! - should enable a person to understand what helps them to engage with God, and can also be used to understand how a congregation encounters/relates to God.  This should in theory be able to shape or inform mission.  What intrigues me then, is that Assembly is predicated very much on two of these: the worship is designed to suit Enthusiasts - bouncy, loud and fast moving - whilst most others sessions suit Intellectuals - lots of information to listen to and try to assimilate and understands.  So what happens to the contemplative or sensate (presumably Open Space is in some way a response to their needs)?  What happens to the caregiver or ascetic?  Is it the case (alas I think it probably is) that Assembly meets the needs of only some people and that there are those of profound faith and spirituality who would find the whole event a total turn off.  I am fortunate, I think to have a spread of preferences, so can enjoy the bouncy worship and feed on the long talks, but I also need the interaction, multi-sensory and silence that the 'fringe' that is Prism and Open Space provide.  I guess I hope that we can one day find a way to bring the rainbow diversity of authentic Baptist spirituality into the main arena not to 'offend everyone equally', but so that we may learn with and from those who encounter God differently.

I reckon I met around 50-60 people I know, and was introduced to a few people who are kind enough to read this twaddle.  I hope that they, too, had a good Assembly, were in some measure able to encounter God (rather 'do business with God' a phrase I really dislike because it reduces faith and spirituality to a transaction).  Assembly is not perfect because none of us who takes part is perfect... but it does help remind me why I love being a part of these whacky people called Baptists.

Apologies to Scottish Baptist readers for whom this is probably unbearably dull... but we did have Fischy Music all the way frae bonnie Scotland to lead our closing worship.

More photos can be found here

Tonight was our Churches almost Together Ascension Day not quite Communion service.  I think there were ten of us - 7 Methodists and 3 Baptists.  The Meths as hosts had failed to prepare for Communion so we used the liturgy as far as the peace then stopped - a tad odd but there you go.  I was preaching - or at least talking, it didn't feel much like preaching - and explored the roller coaster ride the disicples had been through in the couple of months since Palm Sunday and some of the silences/gaps we have in the record.  I then related it to the roller coaster rides of our own life experiences.  Not sure how much sense it made, but one person said it had made him ponder afresh the horror of seeing the dead Jesus taken down from the cross, and how awful it must have been to witness the nails being pulled out of his lifeless hands and feet...

And of course on the topic of Roller Coasters, tomorrow along with around 2000 other Baptists, I'm going to Blackpool, home of the tallest roller coaster in Europe.  I won't be riding it, indeed, I have no intention of going anywhere the Pleasure Beach whilst I'm up there.  I am looking forward to catching up with some friends and generally spending some time chilling out.  I can't say there's much in the programme that 'grabs' me and I'm disappointed that we've reverted to the big morning Bible study rather than choosing from a range as we did last year (though I'll probably go to the Prism one as it's more Bible study and less very long sermon).  But, for all its faults, and all my failings, I do enjoy being in a big Baptist jamboree - just please, please don't let's sing 'these are the days of Elijah' this year!

I'll be staying at the Norbrek so at least I can roll out of bed and into the sessions without the need for a 20 minute brisk walk along the prom! 

Hope to see some other Blogging Baptists!

In two conversations yesterday the topic of theological labels came up.  I do not like labels very much - they become the source/cause of much angst, mud-slinging, fear and division.  One of the best observations I ever heard on the whole topic was from a Scottish minister who, coming from a fairly traditional, ostensibly evangelical background said words to the effect of "I eventually realised that God might not like my theology and that other perspectives had valuable insights."

In one conversation I was asked if I thought it possible for a person to be a 'fundamentalist liberal.'  Well, if labels must be assigned, then yes, I do, because I have met some!  In the other conversation I was asked where I sat on a spectrum from 'fundamentalist' (person extends their left arm to the left - odd since this is usually expressed as 'right wing') to 'liberal' (extends right arm similarly).  My answer - which may or may not have satisfied - was 'somewhere in the middle.' 

If a fundamentalist is someone who has some fundamental beliefs they won't compromise on, then I am one.  If a liberal is someone who is open to new ideas and insights and doesn't think it can all be sewn up in a nice neat formula, then I am one.  If an evangelical is someone who think the gospel is worth sharing, I am one.  If a charismatic is someone who is open to the guidance and direction of God's Holy Spirit then I am one.  But maybe the people who use any or all of these labels would tell me I'm not one.  And the great thing is, I'm not bothered!  The murky middle ground that says 'I'm a follower of Jesus trying to work out what that means and it'll take a lifetime' is a place I am content to be, and a place that, I believe, equips me to learn with and from those at various 'poles' and to support others in their own quest for authentic discipleship.  And if that makes me a hopeless, helpless heretic, well I reckon I'm in pretty good company!

So, what label would I use?  I reckon that to be known as a Christian of the Baptist variety will do me fine! 

Spotted on Angela Almond's blog (and rewritten slightly)...

One night a person had a terrible nightmare - they dreamed that God saw what they put into the offering at church, multiplied it by ten, returned it to them and said 'live on this for a week...'

As Angela observed they would, strictly, have to live on nine times the offering, not ten, but the story works because, out of the ten times, they would give a true tithe.

Of course the story is over simplistic, I don't give 10% of my income to my church (or I'd be paying 10% of my own wages!) and many people split their giving over several causes, as I do in fact.  But if in our churches we all gave half a tithe of our net income, my suspiscion is that most churches would have far less financial worries.

I do know one or two ministers who give nothing to church, and a few who even argue that they have 'given up to God' the earning potential they had in past lives (e.g. if they could now be earning £40k and are now paid £18 they have 'given' God the £22k difference).  Whilst that is their decision, it troubles me because it assumes we have a 'right' to some level of income, not that it is all something for which we ought to be very grateful.  Whilst I can get very angry that there are ministers with children who have to have state benefits to make ends meet, I also know that most of those give very generously to their churches, and that compared with most people in most countries we are all very wealthy.

Could I live for a week on 9-10 times what I literally 'give to God'?  Yes, I could and I do - at least by my definitions of what constitutes giving to God.  That does not make me more righteous than other people - I could be deluded about my giving! - it just serves to remind me of the choices I make and their implications.

So, it's finals time in BUGB-land, and unlike Eurovision, it is safe to say the being ".co.uk" does not guarantee nurl points.

It has been interesting to compare and contrast the sites - a few of which seem more like blogs to me - and then to vote for the one that I liked best.

What makes a good website?  I tried to imagine that I was looking for a church to go to, and the questions I'd want to find answers to.  So, for me, the number of clicks needed to get to service times, location, contact details and activities were more important than how many whizzy widgets were employed.  Colour schemes, font size/style, language, photos probably came next.  I was clear I wasn't looking for 'a church I'd like' rather than 'does the website help me to decide if this might be a church I'd like.'

My vote went to Minehead because their front page ticked all the boxes for me - a map, service times, quick links to the main activities, good colour scheme, uncluttered layout and suitable use of pictures.  The site is not perfect - a few links are circular - but for me it does what a church website needs to do, and it does it well.

On Sunday I'll find out what everyone else thought...