Outcome of Interview

Hi guys, as some of you will already know, I went for an Interview this last weekend at a church in Stoke-on-Trent.

To cut a very long story short, I didn't want the job. Although to my suprise I think the interviewing panel actually wanted me to come in the end! I say in the end, I did feel rather "over-done" when they grilled me at certain point throughout the rather drawn-out "informal" interview. It certainly took its toll on my emotions and at one point described it as "the most upset I've been since my school days".

I don't want to go into detail (though feel free to ask me on a one-to-one) as it wasn't all bad. And the vicar (and his wife) who I stayed with were absolutely wonderful and it was a joy to get to know them better and I hope Mim and I can actually go and visit them some time coz they're truly LOVELY! The church community itself was also very welcoming and it's certainly a lovely setting!

In fairness, I think God used the experience to steer me away from rushing into any sort of church ministry/leadership stuff too soon. I really want to get a "normal" job now, maybe earn a bit of cash and set up my own pad somewhere. I still intend to stay with my friends in Ilfracombe for the summer, but really I do need to stretch my wings a bit and be a bit more independent before I settle down for good etc. I also think my Baptist roots may have been stirred into action again! I certainly look forward to getting to know the Baptist church at Minehead run by my friend from Lee Abbey (the former Centre Manager and his family).

Hope all of that waffle makes sense.

Lots o love

David

P.S. Mim had the idea of getting in touch with my parents to arrange a "surprise visit" on Friday afternoon. The idea being that she would arrive at Leicester train station in time for my dad to pick her up when he collected my mum from work. Unfortunately, I arrievd home at 2.30pm which was just in time for her to ring my dad - he wasn't in and so she got me! Apart from the surprise being rumbled...it was also bad news as her train had been delayed yet again.

4 trains and a series of delays later, Mim go into Loughborough train station at about 5.45pm. Despite standing for almost 6 hours and despite me being shattered from a long day of driving...we both VERY MUCH enjoyed being reunited for the first time since our "break-up-and-make-up" spell. It was awesome to see her and to know that she'd made such a huge sacrifice to come and see me!

Incoming transmission

Well, it’s been a while! For those of you who didn’t already know, Mim and I broke up a few weeks back…but worry not…we made up about 1.5 weeks ago!

Sounds weird I know, but was all rather horrid at the time (totally me you understand) but I guess something that arose out of not knowing for sure whether I would break Mim’s heart in the future. You see, December was a pretty crap month for me in terms of trips and falls. However, I came to my senses when it dawned on me that my life here on earth is destined to be weird, depressing and terribly confusing at times since there’s a whole 80% of it (the homosexual bit) that’s simply not being lived out.

I’m constantly talking through with Mim and other trusted friends ways in which it should be lived out that are healthy and non-threatening to my doctrinal stand-point but so far, it’s pretty penned up! Another reason why I had gone through this “tunnel” was I had been working on a Workshop entitled “Homosexuality – the Church’s response” which I had intended to be a thought-provoking look at the whole “gay-issue” as it continues to dominate national headlines. Unfortunately, in digging around in this area, the threads of my own value system began to loosen. So I had to call off the workshop. Don’t get me wrong, I still believe that at its most basic point, the practise of homosexuality is not God’s ideal, but I have to admit, that a lot of things aren’t God’s ideal. I guess in a nutshell, I’m happy with where I’m at, but I’m certainly NOT in a strong enough position to champion any “causes” in this area.

And SOOOO…..

I have an interview next weekend at a church in Stoke on Trent. Looking at becoming a Ministry Trainee/Lay-Assistant. Not sure what the title is, but the allowance would be about the same as I was on as a one-year community member of Lee Abbey, plus accommodation and food would be included etc. It's all rather scary, but if I’m serious about pushing the door of ordination then I will actually have to make contact with the door at some point!

I leave Lee Abbey when my contract expires on 3rd May 2007 meaning I will have been on community for almost 3 years. In terms of workload, stress, and impending M.E. if I don’t watch the physical overkill, I’m counting down the days. In terms of life-experience, solid friendships, excellent teaching, scenery and general growth-rate…I will be VERY sad to leave and can quite easily get very tearful about it if I stop and think for any length of time. Lee Abbey has played a HUGELY significant part of what I would call “formative years” in my life and I know how fortunate I am to have been able to have this experience.

One of my closest friends (of almost 2.5 years) also leaves community in 2 weeks…hmmm, not sure how that’s gonna work :(

Well, hopefully it won’t be another 3 months before I type again…but…I’d definitely value your prayers at this time.

Love

D