It is important we become
more like what God wants us to be
How that happens or what it’s called really doesn’t matter
By Ana Watts
The Parish of Pennfield is riding a spiritual wave.
“There is a perceptible move of the Spirit and people are noticing a difference in terms of atmosphere and overall joy and exuberance,” said the rector, Canon Keith Osborne, in a recent parish report to the Diocesan Council’s Administration Team. “I feel we are on the brink of what may indeed be a renewal in the hearts of many here.”
He credits the Holy Spirit, rather than the diocese’s Nicodemus Project, with this profound change.
Administration Team chair Jim Morell has a different point of view. “The Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways. I might suggest that the changes you are experiencing in Pennfield are indeed related to the Nicodemus Project, and – of course – to the moving of the Spirit.”
The Nicodemus Project for transformational change emerged at Synod 2009 following several years of study and analysis of the diocese’s strengths and weaknesses. Synod delegates concluded that without transformational change the diocese would no longer be the Spirit-led, mission-minded church God wants it to be.
Preaching and teaching on congregational renewal, engaging the 10 marks of a healthy parish, incorporating the stewardship advice of retired Bishop Edward Salmon of South Carolina, focusing on prayer, investigating and documenting interest, priorities and new ideas through parish surveys … these are all vital components of the Nicodemus Project. The Parish of Pennfield employed all these components intuitively, before they were officially included in the project.
Canon Osborne maintains that although his parish intentionally set out to grow through teaching and planning, it is still “evident that the Spirit's moving was of His own sovereign intention.
“I feel,” he said, “that these things would have happened even if the diocese had never embarked upon this (Nicodemus) project. It is his timing and he has chosen to bless our people. Much of this has come about through the vitality of a very dynamic ladies' prayer group. And it could be that my efforts and prayers aimed at parish renewal are being rewarded.”
Mr. Morell concurs. “The Nicodemus Project is not a ‘one size fits all’ endeavour. The only thing that matters is that we try to become more like the individuals and the congregations that God wants us to be. How that happens or what it’s called really doesn’t matter. For those who need a bit of guidance/support there are processes and facilitators that might help. In your (Pennfield’s) case you’ve done it in a less structured/deliberate way, which is just fine. The important thing is that you and your vestry are showing leadership and your people are responding. Praise be to God!"
The Parish of Pennfield has recently noticed higher attendance and higher offerings, either meeting or exceeding what they need to cover expenses. “Which is not normal for us at this time of year,” says Canon Osborne. “There is a renewed joy in singing and music, a renewed spirit in the preaching, and in the depth of fellowship we are experiencing among ourselves. We are at times laying hands on the sick and seeing results.”
For the past two years Canon Osborne has been preaching intentionally on parish renewal and the dynamics of ministry. He has used material from the diocesan task forces on Rural and/or Struggling Parishes and on Budget support, as well as from the 10 marks of a healthy parish, Bishop Salmon’s stewardship material, Natural Church Development material and exegesis of his own.
“The people have been well primed to think along the lines of ministry, outreach, renewal of their faith and what it means to be Anglican and Christian. This teaching has been done in Sunday sermons and at both Bible study groups and has been very well received,” he said.
The parish also conducted a survey encouraging its people to share their thoughts on its weak points, what its goals should be, how it can minister more to the surrounding community, what it should do for youth and other topics.
In the fall the Parish of Pennfield will celebrate the 175th anniversary of its consecration with a mission led by retired Bishop George Lemmon. “The theme will be our history but it will also be about parish renewal in keeping with the aims of the Nicodemus Project,” says Canon Osborne, who says he has also experienced an increased depth of spiritual presence and profound growth in his own life.
“Suffice it to say that we are encouraged concerning our future, and anticipating good things.”
