distance learning

Nothing to do with today, but here are some photos from Graham and Helen's wedding.

You can see just how happy they are!

* * *

Children don't seem to have much trouble when it comes to saying 'No!'

Certainly, the word very commonly goes hand in hand with a phenomenon called a 'tantrum'. But, hey, they manage to get the word out clearly enough!

Sometimes getting on in adult life it gets harder. Maybe it's the desire to please. Maybe it's some pangs of guilt. Who knows? (I'm not a psychologist).

But it sometimes gets harder simply to say to folk 'No'. Gently and quietly. With not a hint of a tantrum.

But still simply 'No'.

Anyway, I didn't manage it when asked the other day if I would take on a 'student' for a six month placement here.

I say 'student' because the guy is a grown man with a family who holds a responsible job in one of the high street banks. I know him well, and his family, too. They used to worship here and were much involved in all that was going on. Lovely folk.

Which was part of the reason I couldn't say 'No', of course!

He's started a course of training which will see him in a year or two able to serve the Lord not only in the work-place, but as a pastor, too. A 'minister of word and sacrament' as it's put.

He doesn't live all that close, but he wanted this placement here. And I'm glad to oblige. Really.

So that's why I didn't say 'No'.

What I did do, though, was step down from another commitment I've had for long enough in the teaching and training realm.

I've tutored for ... well, it must be more than twenty years I guess at a Bible college in Glasgow.

A 'Distance Learning Tutor'. Which means I don't go through to Glasgow or anything like that. Any more than the students do. I simply get assignments and I mark them and return them with my comments and suggestions. And sometimes there's the chance to ring the student up and chat things through.

I've really enjoyed the stimulus it brings. But I've recognised for quite some months that now perhaps is time to let that go.

It's not a huge commitment, obviously. But neither was the final straw that broke the camel's back.

So that's been where my gentle little 'No' has now been said. I've written in, resigning from that role. The folk at the college are great. They more than understand.

Which frees me up to give that added extra time that's needed with a placement such as Barry will be doing here.

I was seeing him today. Discussing with him what these months might involve. Why he'd asked for his placement here. What he looked for from what these months bring. That sort of thing.

I'm pleased there'll be that further point of contact with his family as well. They'll all come here on Sundays and be part of what we're at. Despite the distance there is.

So it is, I suppose, another sort of 'distance learning' I'm involved in once again! Except this time I get to see the student. The best of all worlds!

We've tried to see there is for us a certain responsibility to help in the training and shaping of leaders within the church.

'Us', I stress. For it's not just a thing that I do. We see it as a way in which our congregation's life can help inform and shape and nurture the whole ministry of leadership the likes of Barry will have.

We're glad to help. And the more so with someone like him. It should be good!