2020-2021 Summer goals summary

 It’s the last day of summer.

So, how did I go in achieving my Summer goals?

1 - The aim was to get back down to 78kg. I didn’t. I’m currently 83, down from a max of 85. So, I’m heading in the right direct...

FAIL

2 - It took until last night, but I finally finished writing up 1473 Tiny Bible Bits posts. As nice as it has been to go over then, it took far longer than I first envisaged. But, it’s completed...

SUCCESS 

3 - The aim was to complete all the lessons of the German Duolingo course. While I’ve completed all the lessons as of this week, my OCD won’t let me consider it really finished until I’ve read every outstanding story - of which there are about 60. They should be done by the end of the month. 

I’m still looking forward to my next language. I’ve even told a few people what it will be.

SUCCESS 

4 - I wanted to read two non-fiction books. In part, due to the unexpected amount of work it took to finish the Tiny Bible Bit audit, I only finished a book and a half.

FAIL

5 - Operation No Nail Biting failed, I’m more aware of my chewing, have cut down and would still like to quit.

FAIL

6 - The aim to blog twice per week, obviously, didn’t happen. I completed around one post per week. While this is slightly more than the last few years, it seems like this is the pace renewed University study will allow.

FAIL

7 - Over the last week I started to make some progression on the medical front, actually seeing my optometrist and making a booking for a new dentist. While there was some progress, a few tasks are still outstanding.

FAIL

So, I only achieved two out of seven aims. 

What does that mean?

What lessons did I learn?

I’ll tell you in my next post...

Should you review and rewrite the past?

As I’ve recounted in my summer goals, I’ve been conducting an audit of the Tiny Bible Bits which I’ve written over the last decade.

Bloody hell it’s been a big job.

Currently, I’m midway through 2012, having back-catalogued all but the last 150 of nearly 1500 posts.

Frankly, some of the things I have written have been fairly pedestrian.

A few have been boarder-line lazy.

Most are somewhat-solid thoughts based mostly upon scripture.

More than I would have suspected are quite insightful.

The experience has been frustratingly insightful.

First of all, I’ve - quite independently - recycled a lot of input. I haven’t crunched the data yet, but I look forward to finding out which passages have been the most revisited.

Second, I’ve written some things which I’ve since softened on. Like some things in this blog, while I may not disagree with what I’ve previously penned, the tone I’ve used has sometimes been... overly self-assured.

Honestly, most of the things I’ve written have been completely wiped from my memory and I would never have rediscovered the hidden gems if I hadn’t trawled back through my previous posts.

I wonder what ministers would find if they did the same thing?

What would they change about their previous sermons?

What points in bible studies may they now disagree with?

While the foundations of the faith should be constant, over the years, experiences will dictate that your personal faith will change/develop/grow.

So, what do you do with the old info?

Do you amend it?

Do you publicise that you no longer hold this position, or at least have softened your stance?

Really, the problem only exists for those who have their prior thoughts recorded - such as in a blog or searchable sermon catalogue - but with the internet, as they say, everything is now permanent.

How many ministers in their 40’s will be haunted by what they said or wrote in their 20’s?

What would happen if we had truth in advertising?

 It sounds impossible. I know. But stick with me...

What would happen if we had truth in advertising within the church.

What if every event wasn’t going to be the biggest?

Or the best?

Or awesome?

Or life defining?

Or, even, better than last year?

What if our church services were a community which meets to worship, sing, pray, support one another, pray and learn about God and how to live the Christian life?

What if this was the way we advertised our small groups?

Or our youth groups?

Unfortunately, this may mean that the leaders within a church or ministry will need to swallow their pride and look upon their groups with realistic eyes.

But, what if we actually believed that the “ordinary” things we do actually matter?

What if they actually do result in life change?

Maybe, if we honestly believed these things then we would not only be more honest in our advertising, but more enthusiastic in the way we describe our “ordinary” groups and activities.

Has someone had to make the COVID offering request?

For many churches, I assume, that COVID-19 has been an unfolding financial nightmare. While virtual services and cancelled programs may well have reduced overheads, surely this has not offset the dramatic reduction from the offering plate.

Especially if you have a predominately elderly congregation.

Frankly, if you’re financial bottom line was dependant upon funds coming in from pensioners, then 2020 would have royally screwed your budget.

So, in a COVID world, how was this subject breached?

Was there, like the Bequest Requesters, a person - the treasurer - who went around assisting members in establishing electronic transfers to the church?

Was there a person who went around and manually collected giving envelopes? To this point, how would they be filled in during a lockdown or in an increasingly cashless society?

I don’t know what financial position many churches are in, but for those who are also dependant upon outside activities - all of whom had to shut down last year - the pressure to squeeze the offerings from the congregation would only have been intensified.

Summer goals update #2

Nine weeks ago I set myself 7 Summer goals.

How am I going?

1 - I started summer aiming to get down to 78kg. A month ago I had ballooned up to 84. With a gym off limits due to lockdown and a week with my girls in the middle of the month, I only got back to the gym a week ago. Thus, I went up to 85 but am now back down to 84. 

A new FitBit, which I got for Christmas will hopefully continue the downward trend but getting to my goal may be a problem.

2 - I’ve currently recorded every Tiny Bible Bit going back to November 2013, having logged 1114 entries. Only 300 or so more to go...

3 - Duolingo only has 1 topic still to complete and a few more tasks to mop up... (as I said last month) I’m well on track for the end of summer. 

I’m quite looking forward to my next language.

4 - I’m currently halfway through my current book, with the hope to be done by the time uni starts at the end of the month.

5 - Fail. While I’m not back to square one when it comes to Operation No Nail Biting, I’m not far away.

6 - the aim was to blog twice per week. I did four posts last month. That’s less than last month. Far fewer than hoped.

7 - Again, every medical duty is still on the to-do list... but the cat went to the vet.

Hopefully, everything will be on track by the end of summer. Hopefully...