January 22, 2004

Induction

On Saturday February 21 I become the "Senior Pastor" at Opawa Baptist Church (part-time, alongside my teaching at BCNZ). I join to lead a staff team of 4 (possibly 6) and a congregation of about 150 people.

Induct v.
introduce someone formally to a post
from the latin inducere, 'lead in'

I get to shape the service and they have asked for "multi-media." So there's room for creativity. Any suggestions; of words, rituals, visuals, songs?

Posted by steve at January 22, 2004 09:39 AM | TrackBack
Comments

Good luck. As for rituals, I always like the idea of giving real symbols - a road map to symbolise the travelling you will do, a bag of coffee to represent the coffees you will have with people etc

Posted by: dan at January 22, 2004 11:29 AM

I was at a brilliant service when the Bishop of Birmingham took up his post - he had lots of gloden crowns made out of cardboard, and then when the moment came for him to take his place he got 12 local kids to come and wwear the crowns, and sit on his Bishop's throne one by one instead of him.
He then got up and preached a sermon about how leaders are there not to lead from the top, but to make it possible for everyone else to take their place in God's kingdom.
I imagine you aren't going to have a 'Throne'?!! But you might find a way of focusing the attention on some of the world's 'little people' - perhaps put on an apron/waiter's kit/ ... ?? and show them that you are there for them, not them for you.
I dunno. just an idea. But anyway I hope it's a great party! congratulations.

Posted by: maggi at January 22, 2004 11:29 AM

The last "induction" I went to was for my youngest child. There's a bit of mileage in the "giving birth" and "getting something new started" part of induction, I reckon. A "new birth" for both you and the church (with God as the midwife)

Posted by: Stephen at January 22, 2004 11:35 AM