In Madrid, and social cultural ministry in the church
Sunday, September 27th, 2009Most of this week (Monday-Thursday) was spent in Spain, in a training and planning meeting for some of the leaders of European Christian Mission. It is hard work, staying inside for meetings all day, but there are good relationships between the about 20 of us that come together every six months, so that makes it more enjoyable. It was also hard work for Pinuccia to look after the children by herself. But it was great to see the excitement of them all when I got back.
After the service this morning, there was a presentation of the new association Altrimenti. This association has been in the works for almost a couple of years, and will be the social and cultural arm of the church. Some of the things that the church has done in the past (eg public conferences) and some of the things that individuals have been doing (organising collections of second hand clothes to send to other countries, working in nursing homes) will be brought under the name of this association, whilst also gives us a better base to do similar things in the future. This is just at the time when ECM in the past few months, and especially in the meeting this week, has been considering how to promote integral or holistic ministry in the mission. Although the church is not just now starting such ministry, it will now have a more conscious part in the church’s service in the community, and be more directed and organised.