A new model for parishes and seminaries today?

My thesis is that a new model for thinking and building ministry today especially in the local congregation is founded in the example of the early Christian communities in Ireland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall and Scotland and the Isle of Man. One problem with our world is that we have developed into an individualist society that has become fragmented and uncaring. People desire community, yet are afraid of it. We need to concentrate in the parish ministry on enabling our congregations to be true communities. The Celtic Christians formed their communities successfully by living a rule of life, by being a spiritual center, a learning center and a community center, which often included training people for the ordained ministry for the larger community and they fostered a sense and belief in sacred space, especially where true community existed. They can be a model for us as we strive to become church communities in our time that are filled with God's presence and Spirit.

I am currently serving as a college chaplain at a large university. We minister to a large variety of people. They include students but also people who work at the university including faculty. The ministry has evolved into lay people being responsible for ministry areas such as program, stewardship, and liturgy. This is similar to total ministry but not formalized like total ministry. The people doing the ministry are like the monks of an early celtic monastery; they are very committed and often attend a regular parish as well, but they regard this as their ministry to the greater world. This should be a model for lay ministry in parishes. It also can appeal to clergy. I volunteer my time and my past parish pays me a small salary to compliment my retirement income. I do this as a call to mission because I can; I am not really retirement age. I am healthy and am 59 year old.

It is also a way for us to train clergy. In seminary I had very little "hands on " experience in the day to day working of a parish. If seminaries were living communities and parishes doing ministry the students would get this experience. They would also learn to work collaboratively which is the successful model today. Without extensive resources we have to work this way if we believe in mission.

Pilgrimages

Pilgrimage was an important part of  early Celtic spiritual life. People felt that if they were in a place where the Gospel was particularily manifest, where God acted, or a great saint lived some of the holiness would rub off on them. In medieval times they wanted to see the relics of the saint. Today pilgrimage is a concentrated time when we are able to contemplate or own spirituality in hope of growing in the Spirit.

I have two pilgrimages planned for the next year. One is August, 2008 to the holy islands of Iona and Lindisfarne. It is filled. I will be leading a Lenten Retreat to Wales, March 1-12, 2009. I am planning another pilgrimage to Wales later in the summer of 2009. If you are interested contact this website. I try to keep the costs down while providing a truly spiritual experience. A pilgrimage is not a tour; there is time for silence and learning.