This article was first published in eMessenger in December 2017.
The Methodist Alliance – Connexionalism in Action
Connexionalism is at the heart of being Methodist and all Methodist organisations. It is fundamental to how we understand the Church and how we relate to each other. The essence of being connexional is the sense of belonging, mutuality and interdependence. It is acknowledging that we are stronger and better when we are connected in a real way – sharing knowledge, experience, skills and supporting each other. It is the assumption that everyone contributes to and receives from the life and mission of the whole church. It is a mutuality of a relationship. It is the insight that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, our organisation and our church.
All Christians are essentially linked to each other through faith in God and no local church can be effective if it is an autonomous unit complete in itself. The same principle applies to all Methodist organisations – they are all linked to each other through their church’s mission and also to the larger Methodist church. No organisation can be as effective if it is independent, self-directed and separate.
A feeling of being Connexional was evidenced by many people that attended the Methodist Alliance Forum last month. I asked some of the staff here at the Green House at the Christchurch Methodist Mission, where I work what was important to them. They said:
“It was a privilege to meet and get to know other colleagues from around Aotearoa. It’s exciting to hear about the various support being offered and meet the people delivering such wonderful services. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting our Te Taha Maori staff and gaining an understanding of their vision. It is wonderful to feel I have colleagues who are working with passion to see positive changes for our people.”
Angeline Harema-Hughes
Registered Social Worker, Christchurch Methodist Mission
“I just loved having the opportunity to be part of the forum and learning more about the Alliance and how that will strengthen the work that is done through the Mission’s and the Churches. I also loved that there are some many different cultures involve with the Methodist Churches, it made me feel proud to part of the Methodist Alliance.”
Anne Gibling
Community Led Development Manager, Christchurch Methodist Mission
“For me it was about seeing myself as part of a ‘National Affiliation’. It gave me hope that we would have more leverage for having a voice for our people to make change for good.”
Andrea Wilson-Tukaki
Aratupu Preschool & Nursery Manager, Christchurch Methodist Mission
“It was great to meet people from around the country doing fundraising and communications in their parish or social service organisation. Many of the challenges we face individually were shared by the others. We were able to identify areas in which we all could work collaboratively moving forward which was encouraging.”
Dave Marsh
Fundraising & Communications, Christchurch Methodist Mission
It is clear that “being connected” was a valuable part of our first forum – the feeling that we are connected to a wider organisation and to people all over Aotearoa New Zealand. That other people and organisations are facing similar issues, trends and opportunities. By sharing our expertise, we can benefit everyone. Knowledge sharing is essential for success as it facilitates decision making capabilities by enabling fully informed decisions to be made. It instils a learning culture where people strive to do their very best at all times. It can stimulate cultural change and innovation.
We are fortunate to live in a time where we have multiple ways to connect with each other. We can meet face to face, text, phone, Skype, video-conference, Facebook, twitter, etc. Technology has given us more opportunities to become part of many communities – some of them global. However connexionalism is about genuine, authentic, and meaningful relationships – it is more than liking a post on Facebook.
Where relationships are sustained over time it strengthens the sense of belonging and with that comes a greater level of engagement and commitment. Connexionalism is evidenced by intentional and effective communication, shared experiences, tangibles expressions of support and encouragement, and sharing stories and learnings of what went well and what didn’t.
At the Methodist Alliance Forum, Lifewise presented their intensive in home parenting support and they are sharing their expertise on this newly developed alternative to foster care with Wesley Community Action and Christchurch Methodist Mission. Both missions hope to be in a position to provide this service in the future. This is an example of connexionalism and is the heart of Methodism.
Maori has a similar concept to connexionalism – that of “whanaungatanga” which is defined as arelationship, kinship, sense of family connection - a relationship through shared experiences and working together which provides people with a sense of belonging. It develops as a result of kinship rights and obligations, which also serve to strengthen each member of the kin group.[1]
David Harding from Trinity Union Parish in Newtown is ensuring that all of his Parish households have a copy of Paul Dalziel’s key note address. They have some interesting plans for Advent too, so if you are in Newtown, go along to one of their services.
Christmas is about connexionalism and whanaungatanga – family traditions are forged and some become part of family legend.
Wishing you a safe and joyful festive season - I hope you get some rest, time to spend with friends, family and whanau, and I wish you a holiday season that is merry and bright with the light of God’s love.
Ngā mihi nui Carol Barron, Methodist Alliance National Coordinator, Carol@MethodistAlliance.org.nz
[1] http://maoridictionary.co.nz/word/10068
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