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What is Forward?
For so long our parishes have played a central role in the lives of many. It was the place where many went on a Sunday. It was the place many socialised, met their life partners. As we have moved into the new millennium the role of the parish has changed vastly. Sadly it no longer holds the importance for many it once held in peoples lives. However while the role of parish has changed its message is still as fresh and relevant - that is Jesus Christ is still 'Good News!'. We still have a gospel to proclaim and a Kingdom of God to build in the here and now. With this in mind a program called Forward was set up across the dioceses in 2004. Its aim is to encourage parishes to look at how they do church so that each can grow in a healthy and God honouring way.
Forward operates at two distinct levels. There are the occasional diocesan level 'big events' which are designed to encourage, inspire and equip us in our Christian journey together, but perhaps even more important are the ways in which individual parishes are using FORWARD! as a tool to prompt thinking about how they can do new things and grow.
This year our main diocesan event was our 'Day of Inspiration' held again in the splendid conference suite at the Slieve Russell Hotel, Ballyconnell. Bishop Ken welcomed a thousand people to and afternoon of praise, worship and inspiration. Paul Clark of W and Dr Marion Gibson, a world expert on dealing with trauma were our main speakers. In the course of an interview which the bishop conducted with them they shared how their Christian faith impacts on their lives and shapes the way that they work and live.
But our inspiration also came from closer to home as members of our own diocese told us about new things that they were involved in as a result of their faith in Jesus. We heard about initiatives to reach young people in worship, to show practical Christian kindness both at home and abroad, and how one group of parishes is engaging with the Church 21 programme to help them develop their life together.
There were activities especially for the children organised by Alice McAlarey and the team from Alliance Youth Works (who have been helping train some of our young people to work with children and run holiday clubs).
The whole afternoon was tied together with prayer and worship led by Eternal Echoes and a diocesan choir trained by Dean Raymond Ferguson and Mr Alf Potter. And of course we were all afforded the opportunity for fellowship with friends from other parts of the diocese.
It was really an afternoon of inspiration for all who were present, an opportunity to encourage each other and perhaps even to dream dreams.
Could we take some small aspect of what we saw that afternoon and develop it in our , own situation to help our parish grow? It is encouraging to hear- of many, situations throughout the diocese where that is exactly what is happening.