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Orientation

Speak to anyone these days about the Orient and they think of that part of Asia that borders the Pacific Ocean. Originally it meant simply the region of the heavens in which the sun rose, that is, the East. Later Euro-centrics used the term for countries east of the Mediterranean, especially the so-called Far-East. Orientation as a word was only coined in the mid 19th century along the former meaning of the word ‘orient’, as to face the east, to face the sun, to face the warmth and source of life.

We begin the year at the School of Ministry with Orientation that deliberately faces the Son. For two and a half days we retreat to Holy Cross College in Mosgiel, for an extended period of prayer, contemplation and reflection. Led by four spiritual directors the retreat allows ordinands and staff to orient themselves to the task ahead. It is also good for getting to know the new faces.

Of which there are four this year – David Balchin, with Chris and family, from the presbytery of South Auckland; Karen Nelson from Auckland; Nathan Parry from South Auckland; and Michelle Shin from Auckland. Michelle glories in the fact that she is the first Korean woman ordinand of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. These four join the nine of these previous year group. There are also fourteen foundational students on track, many of whom are completing their studies in Dunedin before coming on to the SOM.

The following week partners of the ordinands also went on retreat, and this year we want to be more intentional about providing input and resources for those who share the joy (and agony) of ministry as a ministry partner.

Another part of Orientation was a Pacific Islands module for two days led by Don Ikitoelagi, Uea Tuleia, Ere Talagi-Ikitoelagi and Fei Taule’ale’ausumai. This was a good opportunity to learn about and delight in the richness of Pacific Island cultures in our church. Themes such as ministering in cross-cultural settings, gender issues, NZ born and Island born, cultural perspectives and so forth were part of the colourful agenda.

Yet another Orientation component was doing the Enneagram together. Most of us were reasonably happy with identifying our ‘number’ (go 5’s); although we were surprised to see that we didn’t have any number 9’s (Peacemakers) amongst us! Plenty of Perfectionists, and Observers, and Asserters so it should make an interesting year!

Orienteaching

I like neologisms, and ‘orienteaching’ may be apt for what we try and do in class every year. The essence of the ministry formation programme is reflection on praxis, and the task of teachers and tutors is to provide reflection opportunities as much as teaching input so that there is integration of learnings and responses. "Having said this, or done that, or believed this, what does that mean in the light of that?" says the teacher constantly. "Take what you have done and reflect on it theologically. What is required of you in response?"

This semester Mary Huie-Jolly teaches Theological Reflection, which provides a number of methods for reflecting theologically. Revs Alec and Jan Clark, respectively Ministry Educator and Archdeacon of the Anglican Church are assisting Mary. One of the strengths of church life in Dunedin is the positive ecumenical relationship between the denominations. Ministers and scholars from the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, Church of Christ, Pentecostal, Methodist and Orthodox traditions enrich the School of Ministry. Susan Werstein teaches Christian Nurture which focuses on Christian Education and Pastoral Care, and she also teaches the Practice of Worship class.

OrientLOMs

Now I’m stretching it, however John Roxborogh has been beavering away on developing a structure that establishes training and information for Local Ordained Ministry.

This work has been publicly developed on the School of Ministry website and we have been soliciting feedback for the last couple of months. Refer http://www.schoolofministry.ac.nz/lomideas1.htm
and
http://www.schoolofministry.ac.nz/lomnommap21.htm.

If you consult the schema you will notice that we will be developing a School of Ministry Certificate around the ordination training requirements for LOMs. Some of these requirements will be met through Presbytery resources, others through the School of Ministry. The Certificate has potential as a useful instrument for other recognised leadership roles in parishes and for some members of Local Ministry teams.

I am asking all interested parties to provide feedback to what we have posted regarding Local Ordained Ministry, to either John Roxborogh, john(at)schoolofministry.ac.nz
or me
principal(at)schoolofministry.ac.nz
as I wish to take a firm recommendation to the Equipping the Leadership Policy Group meeting for submission to General Assembly in September.

Reconciliation

I am delighted to be able to advertise the return of Dr Bob Evans, Director of Plowshares International to New Zealand in April. Last year Bob and Alice Evans led two ‘Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation’ workshops in Auckland and Dunedin. Bob and Alice are world leaders in community conflict transformation and case study methodology, and spend much of their time with political and church leaders in the USA, South Africa, China, Indonesia, Latin America and other parts of the world ‘orienting’ groups, church leaders and politicians towards reconciliation.

Bob and Alice were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by the South African parliament in 2002 so we are exceedingly fortunate to be able to host Bob Evans again. I have organised a workshop in Wellington on 15-16 April at St John’s-in-the-City, entitled, To develop the capacity of clergy and lay leaders to be more effective agents of reconciliation in families, congregations, presbyteries and communities.

An advanced workshop, specifically geared for those who attended one of the workshops last year, will be offered at Knox Church, Dunedin on 19-20 April. Cost for the 2 days $50 waged, $45 unwaged. Numbers are limited to each workshop so for registration details please contact Juan Kinnear juan(at)schoolofministry.ac.nz.

Orienting the Mind

Recent books that I have viewed are John P. Meier’s A Marginal Jew, Vol 3 (Doubleday:2001), the third volume in the series on the historical Jesus, which discusses Jesus in his Jewish setting; Philip Culbertson’s The Spirituality of Men (Fortress:2002), which contains reflections about maleness and spiritual wholeness; and Richard Gula Ethics in Pastoral Ministry (Paulist:1996), an excellent resource for ministry ethics, a book we all should read for ministry problem identification and strategies of prevention.

Next month Kevin Ward will share thoughts from his interests and maybe some titbits from his brilliant Inaugural Lecture in February.