THE TEACHING WEEK ITSELF - GUIDANCE FOR A PARISH PRIEST
THE TEACHING WEEK ITSELF
It is important to be realistic about how much of the Christian faith can be taught in five sessions! The whole of the catechism cannot be covered. What the teaching week does seek to do is set the teaching of Christian doctrine in the context of sacramental and spiritual encounter.
So the five evenings involve:
exploring the basic Christian themes of:
"These remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers."
(Acts 2:42)
Just as such a glass concentrates the existing heat from the sun making a dry leaf burst into flame, so faith that has been ‘clouded' by overfamiliarity or lack of understanding or the sheer business of ‘keeping the show on the road' can be rekindled by this concentrated time together in openness to the Holy Spirit.
By putting our faith under the magnifying glass, the truths we have already heard preached, and the sacraments we have regularly celebrated, and the joy of community living are experienced afresh and with renewed power.
So in a very real sense there is nothing new or novel about Fan the Flame. Rather it is a re-newal, a revitalising of faith and a rediscovery of the power of preaching, sacraments and community life.
It can sometimes be a little disconcerting for a parish priest as he listens to the teaching ministry which doubtless reflects all that he has been preaching since he came to the parish, only to find parishioners saying, ‘I never knew that!’ or ‘I’ve not heard that before!’. A sense of humour is required, and a realisation that the missioners come with a ‘fresh voice’ to echo and be in solidarity with the resident pastor.
The week is led by two missioners or (one member of the Mission Task force and two Ordinands from St Stephen's House) – who may be priests, members of religious orders, deacons, ordinands or trained lay people. They work alongside a team of lay people from the congregation – almost invariably selected by you as the local pastor though you may want to consult with any assistant minister and churchwardens. The size of the group depends on the size of the congregation, but the minimum recommended is six and the maximum ten. Sometimes it is appropriate for two or more parishes who are already in a relationship together join for Fan the Flame. It will be important for each community to contribute members to the co-ordinating team. In a team or group ministry this will also be important and may require a larger group than the general maximum of ten.
When it comes to the Follow Up, it may be better to meet as separate parishes so that reflections and strategy for future action and change can be focussed.
The co-ordinating team from the congregation spearhead the prayer ministry and practical details leading up to the week and share in the leadership of the evening presentations. They may be responsible for leading the Fan the Flame Follow Up group meetings or these may be led by others.
In this way the Fan the Flame vision of collaboration between priest and laity can be encouraged and fostered.
As pastor of the parish, you are NOT directly involved as a member of the co-ordinating team, but are in close communication with both the team and the two leaders to ensure that the programme is neither ‘imposed' nor in contradiction with your vision and hopes for the community.
During the teaching you will be involved in the sacramental and prayer ministry alongside the missioners.
Fan the Flame can be as appropriate for a small congregation as for a large one. The evening sessions are adaptable and can be tailor made for the local situation.
Notice that the emphasis is on the existing congregation.
Fan the Flame is not a mission and should not be referred to as such. Although there is all the opportunity to draw in fringe people its main ‘target group’ are those who already belong; to use a rather cumbersome word, it is re-evangelisation.
Of course, spiritual renewal is not simply for the benefit of the individual believer or congregation. The Church does not exist for its own sake, but (like Jesus) is for the world. So the teaching and prayer ministry aims to help those who participate to ‘be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in them’ (1Peter3:15) and to play a more significant role in transforming the local community, and other places where they work or socialise, in a gospel-shaped way.
Fan the Flame can be a time of transformation. It can enlarge our vision of God and his Church and give renewed confidence and hope to the people of God in their worship and witness.
It is important to be realistic about how much of the Christian faith can be taught in five sessions! The whole of the catechism cannot be covered. What the teaching week does seek to do is set the teaching of Christian doctrine in the context of sacramental and spiritual encounter.
So the five evenings involve:
- song
- teaching
- prayer
- sacramental ministry
exploring the basic Christian themes of:
- Baptism (our belonging to Christ)
- Grace (the free gifts of God’s love)
- The Cross (reconciliation)
- Resurrection and the Spirit (healing)
- Eucharist (thanksgiving)
"These remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers."
(Acts 2:42)
Just as such a glass concentrates the existing heat from the sun making a dry leaf burst into flame, so faith that has been ‘clouded' by overfamiliarity or lack of understanding or the sheer business of ‘keeping the show on the road' can be rekindled by this concentrated time together in openness to the Holy Spirit.
By putting our faith under the magnifying glass, the truths we have already heard preached, and the sacraments we have regularly celebrated, and the joy of community living are experienced afresh and with renewed power.
So in a very real sense there is nothing new or novel about Fan the Flame. Rather it is a re-newal, a revitalising of faith and a rediscovery of the power of preaching, sacraments and community life.
It can sometimes be a little disconcerting for a parish priest as he listens to the teaching ministry which doubtless reflects all that he has been preaching since he came to the parish, only to find parishioners saying, ‘I never knew that!’ or ‘I’ve not heard that before!’. A sense of humour is required, and a realisation that the missioners come with a ‘fresh voice’ to echo and be in solidarity with the resident pastor.
The week is led by two missioners or (one member of the Mission Task force and two Ordinands from St Stephen's House) – who may be priests, members of religious orders, deacons, ordinands or trained lay people. They work alongside a team of lay people from the congregation – almost invariably selected by you as the local pastor though you may want to consult with any assistant minister and churchwardens. The size of the group depends on the size of the congregation, but the minimum recommended is six and the maximum ten. Sometimes it is appropriate for two or more parishes who are already in a relationship together join for Fan the Flame. It will be important for each community to contribute members to the co-ordinating team. In a team or group ministry this will also be important and may require a larger group than the general maximum of ten.
When it comes to the Follow Up, it may be better to meet as separate parishes so that reflections and strategy for future action and change can be focussed.
The co-ordinating team from the congregation spearhead the prayer ministry and practical details leading up to the week and share in the leadership of the evening presentations. They may be responsible for leading the Fan the Flame Follow Up group meetings or these may be led by others.
In this way the Fan the Flame vision of collaboration between priest and laity can be encouraged and fostered.
As pastor of the parish, you are NOT directly involved as a member of the co-ordinating team, but are in close communication with both the team and the two leaders to ensure that the programme is neither ‘imposed' nor in contradiction with your vision and hopes for the community.
During the teaching you will be involved in the sacramental and prayer ministry alongside the missioners.
Fan the Flame can be as appropriate for a small congregation as for a large one. The evening sessions are adaptable and can be tailor made for the local situation.
Notice that the emphasis is on the existing congregation.
Fan the Flame is not a mission and should not be referred to as such. Although there is all the opportunity to draw in fringe people its main ‘target group’ are those who already belong; to use a rather cumbersome word, it is re-evangelisation.
Of course, spiritual renewal is not simply for the benefit of the individual believer or congregation. The Church does not exist for its own sake, but (like Jesus) is for the world. So the teaching and prayer ministry aims to help those who participate to ‘be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in them’ (1Peter3:15) and to play a more significant role in transforming the local community, and other places where they work or socialise, in a gospel-shaped way.
Fan the Flame can be a time of transformation. It can enlarge our vision of God and his Church and give renewed confidence and hope to the people of God in their worship and witness.