date: Fri, 02 Jan 1998 19:51:49
from: Alastair Grant <A.Grant@uea.ac.uk>
subject: To be positive.....
to: M.Hulme@uea.ac.uk

I've been thinking about positive routes forward from the current situation
in Trinity.  Let me test an idea out on you:

Clear biblical teaching is not always what we get on a Sunday, so why not
think about alternative routes to providing it?  

The Tuesday morning group has been a very positive experience for a number
of people, but is only available as an option if you are:

	a) female
	b) free on a Tuesday morning.

What would be your response to the possibility of an evening group run
along similar lines to the Tuesday morning meeting? i.e.

	1) A focus on bible study as the primary aim

	2) A commitment for group members to do some preparatory work (say 30 mins)

	3) A request that people opt in for a term at a time, with a committment
to 	do their very best to attend each meeting for the full term but a clear
	agreement that it is OK to come for a term then opt out.
	
	4) A clear statement that the function of the group is not pastoral
support, 	while recognising that honest study of scripture is often an
excellent 		method of building relationships and can be a lot more
beneficial than 		sitting and discussing one's problems.

I am undecided on the relative merits of making it a "mens" group or making
it open (there are a number of females in the church who are not free on
Tuesday mornings, as you are aware).  By holding it on either a Monday or a
Thursday evening, there would be little conflict of timetable slots with
existing homegroups, and this might be of help to couples where currently
only one can go to a homegroup in a particular week.

The aim of serious bible study would link very clearly with the stated
strategic focus of discipleship, and presumably no-one could object to the
idea of a group meeting together to discuss scripture.  Your honest
response to the suggestion would be gratefully received, both in terms of
whether this would be of personal interest and whether you think there
would be enough interest within the church to make such a group viable.
There are however a few potential sensitivities around the idea, so please
don't discuss the the suggestion with anyone for the moment.  I will take a
few other soundings, then float the idea with Rob Gladstone, who is the
staff member responsible for small groups.

Yours,

Alastair
Dr. Alastair Grant

School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4
7TJ, UK.
Phone 01603 592537         Fax 01603 507719
Email: A.Grant@uea.ac.uk           WWW:  http://www.uea.ac.uk/~e130/ag.htm
