<![CDATA[Nottingham North East Circuit

<![CDATA[Nottingham North East Circuit - VISION]]>Fri, 13 Mar 2026 20:12:24 +0000Weebly<![CDATA[(Equipping) TRANSFORMATION (through God's Love)]]>Fri, 23 Sep 2022 13:57:14 GMThttps://www.nnemethodist.org.uk/vision/equipping-transformation-through-gods-love3671927

When we think of “transformation” we often think of “change”, and when we think about “change” that’s when we sometimes begin to dig our heels in… Change isn’t something humans do easily!

Whilst it can seem like the two things are synonymous, and sometimes change is necessary for transformation to happen, the distinction is (to me) that where “change” is about going from one way of being directly to another as if where we are is in some way bad, “transformation” is about moving through from where we are to where we could be at our best.

It’s said that “The end of the World for a Caterpillar is a Butterfly.” The caterpillar isn’t inherently bad, but it equally it isn’t at the place where it will be all it can be. Transformation is about the journey through from where we are, to where we were always destined to be.

Transformation is about releasing what’s already there.
It’s about fulfilling potential.

Everything that a caterpillar needs to become a butterfly is in its DNA. A caterpillar can’t change that and decide that when it emerges from its chrysalis it will be a bird, nor can it deny the natural process of becoming that is going on inside.

As a Circuit we believe that equipping transformation is about helping our people and churches to recognise and release the potential within and become who they are destined to be. We can then help them to do the same for their communities.

Transformation is about us recognising and releasing the potential in everyone we meet.

Transformation is about the process as much as the result. It is difficult, but through the struggle the beauty is revealed, skills learned and resilience built.

Butterflies are often beautiful, but the process they go through to get there most definitely isn’t. Science tells us that they have all sorts of hormone spikes to encourage growth and change, shedding of skin, building of their chrysalis, the ingestion and digestion of themselves to make what’s been described as a “caterpillar soup”, and then ultimately a battle to get out of their chrysalis, during which their new form finds strength and builds its capacity for life on the outside.*

If a butterfly doesn’t have that final struggle with the chrysalis it can end up with under-developed and weak wings. That final little struggle and push brings more colour, life and mobility to the butterfly than anything that has gone before. But it’s worth it.

In that moment of struggle everything has been done that could be done by outside factors. At that point it is all up to the emerging butterfly.

It is the same for us as humans, but also as disciples and churches. It’s definitely the case in our communities too. We can help ourselves and others to identify who we are made to be; we can create the environment for growth; we can make sure there are food and resources for the “caterpillar”; we can celebrate the beauty of the “butterfly” and watch it spread its wings. The final transformation though has to come from within.

That’s what we hope to be able to do as we seek to Equip Transformation through God’s Love.

If you were on the journey from caterpillar to butterfly, I wonder where in the transformation process you are now?

If your church was on the journey from caterpillar to butterfly, I wonder where in the transformation process you are now?

* https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/fantastic-facts-about-butterflies-everything-you-need-to-know-according-to-science/

]]><![CDATA[EQUIPPING (transformation through God's love)]]>Fri, 16 Sep 2022 09:04:57 GMThttps://www.nnemethodist.org.uk/vision/equipping-transformation-through-gods-love

As we considered our vision as a circuit there were a number of things we had to consider, including:

The Methodist Church, and how we are responsible for our churches as well as being accountable to the District and, in turn, the Connexion;
What “leadership” looks like;
Being sure of who it is we serve, both in terms of God and the churches and congregations we have locally;
Assessing what we have and what we need by way of resources and where our strengths and weaknesses are;
Acknowledging that we are part of a bigger picture in the Kingdom of God;
How we honour the fact that our churches are part of both our Circuit family, and their local communities, each seeking to be a unique and beautiful expression of a faith-filled Christian presence where they are.

As we considered those things we were struck by the sense of both privilege and responsibility, much like what might be felt by a parent as they consider their child...

As when a parent considers their child, we were reminded that our priority is not to live the lives of our churches for them, not to dictate their every move, and not to hold them captive, but to equip and empower them to thrive in their relationships with and service of the communities around them. In recalling that priority we find ourselves encouraged to be equippers rather than doers.

The Nottingham North East Circuit is blessed in what it has at its disposal for the service of the Kingdom of God, in physical resources, staff, volunteer capacity, wisdom and knowledge, but the real agents of change, the real experts, and therefore the best placed to lead on mission in our communities are the local churches themselves. Our vision and role as the Circuit are to see that those areas of mission are equipped and resourced, and that the people of God are empowered to share the love of God in order to see lives transformed in our communities.

It’s been said that “the equipping leader steps back, not away”* and as a circuit we are looking forward to journeying alongside our churches in mission, equipping, supporting and releasing potential rather than assuming control. We are ready, willing and able to partner with you as you seek to share the love of God.

I wonder what you and your church need in order to see transformation through God’s love in your community?

We have some ideas of how we think we might be able to equip you, but we do not presume to know everything you might need from us… Share your vision with us via Marc or the Circuit Office so that together we can discern the way forwards.

*said by Todd Stocker

]]><![CDATA[Our Vision, part 2: "Finding our 'WHY'"]]>Tue, 30 Aug 2022 10:41:19 GMThttps://www.nnemethodist.org.uk/vision/our-vision-part-2-finding-our-why

Have you ever had one of those days when you wonder why you bothered to get out of bed!? Or maybe you’re aware of those days when you’re just grateful you woke up.
Some days I find it easy to roll out of bed when the early alarm clock goes off. Those are the days where I know I have purpose and there’s a reason to it: To get to the airport for that early flight to go on that long-awaited holiday; To get to school in time to do that early morning assembly; To meet that friend for breakfast because it’s the only time you can seem to fit in getting together due to the busy-ness of life…

That’s what having vision is all about.

Nigel Pimlott from the Learning Network helped us in our vision setting as we came together as two circuits both as a large group by facilitating our vision day (when we gathered in Bestwood Park Church to discern what we’re all about) and by working with a smaller group of us as part of the Transformational Leaders’ Learning Community (TLLC) for the last 3 years.

Nigel led us through a process based on “The Golden Circle” work by Simon Sinek (“Start with Why:2009” and “Find Your Why:2019”) to help us find our “why.” Knowing your “Why” is about knowing your purpose, cause or belief - the very reason we exist. Personally and collectively we were encouraged to work out what motivates and drives us, what our contribution and impact is supposed to be. Knowing our “why” is what will enable us to discern the “whats” and “hows” of the process.*

Eventually a “why” should fit into the format:

“I get up in the morning TO ……………………….. (This is the Contribution)
SO THAT …………………………………………….. (This is the Impact).“

We discerned that “we, the Nottingham North East Circuit of the Methodist Church, get up in the morning to help our churches share God’s love so that lives are transformed in our communities.”

Or in five words we’re all about “Equipping Transformation through God’s Love.”

I wonder what your personal “why” is?
I wonder if you know the “why” of the organisations you are part of?
I wonder if we are clear on our “why” as churches?
What is the contribution do we seek to make when you get up in the morning?
What impact are we hoping to see as a result of our contributions?

Some of the churches in our circuit know their “why” and are working on the “what” and “how” effectively. Other churches are perhaps less clear on the “why” but still working on the “what” and “how”.
In the coming months we’re going to be helping our churches discern their “why” and to make sure that their “whats” and “hows” line up with their vision accordingly so that we can be more effective at seeing transformation through God’s love.

*You can work through some of the process for yourself and alongside your church here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/media/22628/golden-circles-website.pdf

]]><![CDATA[Our Vision, part 1: "Vision Matters"]]>Thu, 18 Aug 2022 11:06:28 GMThttps://www.nnemethodist.org.uk/vision/our-vision-part-1-vision-matters

In January I was bed-ridden with flu. It was the real deal, not just man-flu. My joints and muscles were sore, my head and face hurt, I was lethargic, and could only manage to sleep. I dosed up on fluids and over-the-counter drugs to try and fight it off whilst I slept. And after three days of being in bed I put my glasses back on again for the first time in days. But there was a problem.
The last time I’d worn my glasses I had been able to see perfectly, the prescription restoring 20/20 vision and correcting my astigmatism. Now I was seeing double whilst wearing my glasses. An emergency opticians appointment gave me some new lenses with prisms to correct may vision, but they couldn’t spot a discernible reason for the sudden change so the optician referred me to the GP. After several inconclusive blood tests and diet checks to assess whether there was a viral or dietary reason for it, I just put it down to “one of those things that happens when you reach 36”.
A couple of months later I was at one of our churches when someone in the congregation asked how I was doing and shared a similar experience they’d had. The cause for them had been codeine. I initially responded to say I hadn’t had any codeine, but mid-sentence realised I had taken two extra strong paracetamol-codeine tablets that were in the cupboard… I haven’t verified it as the cause, but safe to say I won’t be taking it again in a hurry!

Here’s my point: I had taken my vision for granted, and without vision I was less capable and more ineffective...

For more than 2 weeks without my glasses and with limited vision I found myself not being able to see my laptop screen and therefore not being able to do as much of the work I love and am called to; not safe to drive and therefore unable to travel places unaided; with increased headaches as my eyes tried extra-hard to focus on what I was looking at; frustrated and bored as I couldn’t do what I needed or wanted to.

I’m aware that there are plenty of people out there who live full lives with constantly limited or impaired vision, and so my ongoing analogy is flawed, but I cannot think of any organisation that has flourished or had any effective presence and longevity that didn’t have vision.

When we officially merged the Nottingham North, Nottingham East, and part of the City Centre Circuits amidst the mess of life in the world in 2020 we were given the opportunity to think about who we are as a circuit and what we’re about. We were blessed with the chance to take stock and create our vision.
That vision is to be the lens through which we look at our life and mission as a circuit: It is to inform where we employ our resources, how we engage in mission, how we interact with the world around us, and will ultimately see us fulfilling Our Calling.

Our Vision as the Nottingham North East Circuit of the Methodist Church is this:

"The Nottingham North East Circuit exists to equip our churches to seek, serve and follow Jesus, so that God’s love is shared in our communities and lives are transformed ."

We believe that “Equipping Transformation Through God’s Love” will be achieved through the following areas of our Christian life:

Prayer & Worship | Discernment & Calling | Discipleship & Evangelism
Service & Caring | Communication & Resources

I wonder what excites you most about this vision statement
and the accompanying priorities?
I wonder what your priorities would be for your church and congregation
to see “transformation through God’s love”?
I wonder…

Marc

———
In coming thoughts, conversations and blog posts we’ll be sharing a bit more about how we were equipped in the vision-making process, defining some of the more “Christianese” terminology in a more accessible way, and thinking about what this looks like in practice, with the hope that together we can get behind this vision.

Please note:
This process and vision isn’t supposed to be some onerous that adds to what churches are being asked and expected to do. Rather we hope that it will be the opposite! Our vision is to be able to empower our churches and congregations to be effective worshiping and missional communities who are equipped to experience and share God’s love together.

We'd love for you to join us as we seek for this vision and these goals to become a reality in our Circuit. To find out more about what this looks like in practice, please do contact Marc, another member of staff or the Circuit Office.

]]>