Why 'A Church'

What is it that makes us a church, rather than simply a group of people gathered together?

In some senses we're church whenever a few followers of Jesus are gathered together, or even by ourselves perhaps. I think in a church with limited tradition and structure, it can be easy to find ourselves accepting our friendships and community as church with anything else as extras. I would suggest calling this church is a misnomer. Certainly together we form part of the body of Christ, a community of believers, but I'm not sure that this alone entitles us to call ourselves a church, identifying ourselves with a name and identity.

I don't have any answers, this is a question really, but I have a few ideas about it. I think a church has to be more than encouraging people to do stuff individually; it has to have some sort of corporate expression of the life of Christ. Internally with each other; a corporate expression of prayer and worship of our God; and crucially, a corporate, as well as individual involvement in being Jesus to others outside of our community.

John Wimber equated ministry to the poor with ministry to the poor in spirit (linked below) - and I believe that this as a corporate expression is a key part of what makes us church. I would add to be people who are generous to other, and give of themselves, and find a way to do that together,

I'm not sure how we could do that? (if we do). I think it has to flow as we develop in our own lives, ways in which to help and contribute to other's lives, building relationships with no more than a normal agenda to share the things which excite us and those people we love. Taking every opportunity to involve each other in that, and when we are offered the chance to shape our lives and attitudes so that, if possible, we respond positively.

I think within our church is a safe place to practice and experiment with this. To build on our strengths in these areas, to make a place for each other in our lives, and give of ourselves to each other, valuing our relationships. Yeah - I'm way off this - I'm beginning to try!

We've already started this conversation as we've talked together. I'd love to continue this. What do you think? What are your thoughts on it. Do you care. How would it impact on you. On us? Am I talking nonsense? I know Alison has something to say on the few topics here - I'm sure others do…. Steve

Ragley Hall

Hello, I just wanted to say that I had a great day today at Ragley Hall and it was lovely to see so many people there.

Getting Started

Hi - I've added a link to the bottom right of the page (under 'Links')giving some basic information on how to get started posting. Cheers - Steve

Later: I've also added guidelines and etiquette for posting and commenting - have a look and see what you think. Also posted under 'Links'

Hello, I've signed Up!

Hello, I've followed the link and logged in so here I am! Is anyone else here yet?
:0)

Testing

This is a test at steve's house

Welcome

This is the experimental community blog for the compass vineyard.
We will be experimenting with it to see how we can use blogging as part of the vision of the church.
For example, We will probably post details of talks and dicussions that we have.
Note: This site is experiental and may change location and functionality anytime soon.

How to start posting

These are some instructions to help you start blogging if you aren't certain. If you would rather go through it with someone in person, that would be great. Mention it to someone.

Invitation

In order to post to the blog you need to be invited, currently by either Howard or myself. If you haven't received an invitation, click in the 'Contact Us' link on the right, email us, and follow the instructions you receive.

Log In

Once you have signed up, go to Blogger and sign in by entering your username and password at the top right of the screen.



One you are signed in, you will see the church blog listed on the page as Musings.



Click in 'Musings', and you will see a list of previous posts, and a button labeled 'Create a New Post'. From here you can click on edit to edit one of your own posts, or you can create a new post - which is what we will do now.



Posting

Once you have clicked on 'Create a new post', you will see the screen below. Enter the title of your post in the 'Title' box. This isn't essential - but is helpful to have, and then start writing in the main box.



If you want to preview you post click on the 'Preview' link to the right of the Title box, and click again to return to editing.

Styling

To add styling you select the text you want to style, and click in the toolbar button. Blogger automatically adds the HTML for you. It may be easier to add the styling at the end of your post. Hold you mouse over the button for an explanation.



Adding a link

Blogger has 2 ways of adding a link to another page. You can enter your link in the 'Link' box, directly below the 'Title' box, and it will appear on the blog below the body of your post. If you want to add an inline link like THIS, then select the text you wish to use to link using the mouse, (e,g, I used THIS), and click on the Insert Link button in the toolbar (third along on graphic, globe with two chain links), and enter/paste your link into the pop-up box.

Bold and Italic

To make text bold or italic, select the text you wish to change, then click on the B button for bold or the I button for Italic.

BlockQuote

A blockquote produces an effect like this, which I use for quoting other people, books etc. The blockquote button is the forth from the left on the toolbar. Once again, select the text and then click on the button.

Spell Check

Simply click on the ABC button (fifth along, ABC over a tick) when you have finished posting. A pop up box will offer you choice, or you can enter your own corrections. Be warned it uses an American dictionary, and for some reason doesn't know the words blog or blogging!

Preview

You can preview your post by clicking on the 'Preview' link on the top right of the entry box. This will show you what your styling looks like. Click again (now says 'Hide Preview') to go back to editing.

Publishing

Click on the orange Publish button to finish, and wait for blogger to complete publishing. If you receive an error message (which may happen intemittantly), click 'Try Again'.

To save a partially completed post to come back to later, click 'Save as Draft'. When you return, instead of creating a new post, find your post and click the Edit Button to it's left. You can only edit your own posts. Note that when you publish an edited post, the time and date remain the date at which you first saved it, and so it may not publish at the top of the page.

More Page Options

At the bottom of the main writing box is a grey bar with 'More Post Options' written inside. Click on this bar to open up some advanced options.

Allow New Comments - Advanced Options

Posts have comments by default. If you wish to turn the comments off for a particular post (this also hides comments retrospectively if you are editing a post), then choose No.

Change Time and Date - Advanced options

Choose what time and date you want the published post to display. This can be useful if you have saved a draft and want to have the updated time on it when you publish.

Leaving a Comment

Click in the 'Comments' link at the bottomleft of the post. Scroll to the bottom of the page that comes up, and click 'Post a comment'. Enter your user name if neccasary, and write your comment. Click Publish. Click the link that comes up on the new page to return to the comments page. If you want to return to the main page click either the blog title (Musings) at the top of the page, or the ' Home' link at the bottom of the page.

Posting Images

If posting images make sure they are not wider than 400px. Thanks.

We can show you!

Remember someone is always happy to show you in person - just give us a shout. Steve

Etiquette for Posting & Commenting

While these may be obvious, I was talking to Kirsty and we thought it would be sensible to have some of this stuff written down, if only for the record, and for the future. These are draft, my aim in writing these is to try and create a safer place for us to interact. I'm happy to have suggestions/additions, specifics, too harsh etc.

Guide for Posting & Commenting Etiquette

While only members of the blog can post, anyone can comment, and these guidelines apply for commenting as well as etiquette for posting.

Posting guidelines

Please...

• Avoid posting personal details such as telephone numbers and addresses.


• Be aware that posting your email address may lead you to receiving increased volumes of junk mail


• Remember that this is a place for ideas and discussion, and that we do not hold people responsible tomorrow, for what they write today. We aim for our community to be a safe place to question and explore. We try to do our best to allow this to be so. Please do not condemn others for questioning that which you hold to be true and dear.


• As in church itself, please share only for yourself, or your experience, rather than speaking or sharing for others.


• Remember that this is a public forum, and that other people may read what you write. While I hope this will not dissuade you from posting, Imay help inject a sense of awareness into what you post, and the context you give it.

Ground Rules for Commenting

Please note...

• If you break the ground rules for commenting, your comments may be deleted at the administrator's discretion. Repeated abuse may result in a limiting of commenting ability.


• Please be friendly. While we value free thought and expression, abusive and derogatory comments will always be deleted.


• If you choose to post using Bloggers anonymous feature, rather than creating a blogger ID, please leave your name at the end of the comment.


• Interacting online is very different than face to face or on the phone. Where-as normally we pick up voice tone, facial expressions and body language, online that is not possible. It is much easier to mis-read what someone writes, read in unwarranted negativity, and to respond in kind. In writing can be more inclined to be harsher than we would in person.
  
  Please remember that those posting and commenting are real people, with real lives and feelings, and with good days and bad. Please try to assume the good intentions of others, and respond accordingly. Wimber quoted Augustine when he said In essentials unity, in nonessentials diversity, in all things charity. While we try to figure out which things are essential and how diversity works, please allow us grace.

Affiliation

As a church we are part of a family of churches known as the Vineyard. The Vineyard is a growing movement of churches started by the late John Wimber in Southern California. We are one of over 85 Vineyard’s in the United Kingdom and Ireland, who together are known as Vineyard Churches UK.

Contact Us

We are always happy to hear from you, for whatever reason.

Pete and Alison Bird are our church leaders, and you can email them below, or for information about our site you can email Steve or Howard.