So I’ve now had a chance to share the vision for The Dock with you all –

…coffeestorming (the process)

…shared…medley… (the core values)

…the chaplaincy sofa (the model)

I guess just one (pretty fundamental) question remains – Why?  What’s at the root of all this talk of medleys and sofas and boats? Well maybe the last episode of The Vision will provide some answers…

– or you can watch the low definition/mobile version here:

Another possible answer has been playing on my mind for the last while. During the few weeks that I’ve been away from this blog more than usual, whether for holidays or hospitals, the world of the church has changed forever. Each day’s papers brought fresh news of atrocities, cover-ups, abuse scandals and failures of leadership. The stories are heartbreaking in themselves, and I also find it painful to watch the hurt, anger and disappointment of people as their trust and respect for the church gets eroded story-by-story.

Susan and I noticed it especially during our few days in Galway; every overheard conversation in cafes, street corners and coffee shops was full of disbelief, outrage and a deepening suspicion and rejection of the whole institution of Church. I wonder if we’ve reached the ‘tipping point’ when the majority of people will suspect the majority of churches of abuse, corruption or deceit the majority of the time.

Even today as I read the Sunday papers by the fire, further stories are coming to light – including the news that Richard Dawkins is supporting a bid to have the Pope arrested for his role in concealing crimes when he visits Britain later this year. It’s just one more symptom of the growing feeling that the institution of church is now seen as Bad News. And I think we’re naive if we think that the anger and disappointment is confined to one tradition or denomination. The church in its widest sense – the worldwide body of those who follow Jesus Christ – is reeling from this blow. Many people don’t know or care about the distinctions of theology and authority that divide Christians, and don’t see one group as culpable and another as innocent. None of us can afford to point smug fingers.

What does all of this mean for the task of planting a fresh expression of church in the Titanic Quarter? Will the challenge be harder? Maybe. Or is it a good thing that a clerical collar (or any other symbol of authority) no longer commands automatic deference – that respect has to be earned? Maybe. And is there anything that can be learned from the terrible lessons of the last few weeks – something to safeguard the future against repeating the sins of the past? Maybe.

It’s worth saying that churches everywhere now have systems of child protection, reporting and accountability that are light years away from the secrecy-shrouded structures from the 1970s that are now coming to light. But maybe there’s an even more fundamental need – not just for better management in time of crisis, but something that mitigates against the crisis happening in the first place. And it all boils down to this: I don’t think we’re meant to be alone. Any leader is easy prey for their temptations when they are overworked and lonely – and that applies not only to sexual temptations, but any kind.

Don’t misunderstand me – I’m not just talking about celibacy (that’s a whole other conversation…) But whether married or single, leadership can be a lonely, draining, thankless place…that’s not an excuse – but it is a reality.

So how much plain sense does it make for leaders to stop operating as lone rangers (as so many clergy in parish settings are expected to do)? A lone ranger can’t call on anyone to share the strain when the workload becomes overwhelming. Equally, there’s no-one close by to hold a lone ranger to account for his or her own personal integrity.  No-one to ease the burden and no-one to ask difficult (but vital) questions.   In some ways, is it really surprising that so many people in positions of lonely leadership have fallen so tragically? The odds are stacked against them. Again, it’s not an excuse, but it is a reality.

So the vision for the boat – of a big, messy, diverse team of chaplains, sharing, co-operating, holding one another accountable, offloading some of their burdens to each other, talking, communicating, even sometimes arguing, disagreeing, but still ultimately together… isn’t that how it should be? Speaking for myself, I can tell you this: I don’t want to go it alone. I don’t want to take on board the demands and challenges of ministry in the Titanic Quarter until I’m burnt out, weighed-down, easy prey for sweet temptation or a prime candidate for a breakdown.

Every time I think about the Shared Medley (even with all the challenges it might bring) I think – Bring It On.