Reflection on BAP : 14-16 May 2012

I attended BAP at Shallowford House, Stone, Staffordshire between 14-16 May 2012. BAP is the conference mechanism used by the CofE to discern whether Candidates offering for Ordained Ministry and sponsored by their Diocesan Bishop, meet the Ordination Criteria.

 The panel is organised with 16 candidates attending, split into two syndicates. Six Assessors are appointed, three to each syndicate. The Ministry Division administrator for Ordained Ministry attends as the Panel Secretary.

 The Assessors cover three main areas; Vocation, Pastoral and Educational. They assess against several of the nine criteria for Ordination, with a necessary overlap for some criteria. For example, Vocation impinges on all of the other eight criteria.

The journey to Shallowford for me was 174 miles, with many candidates travelling much further. One flew in from the Diocese of Europe in Spain.

Shallowford house is a former country house, set in its own grounds, which was left to the Diocese of Lichfield about 60 years ago for use as a Retreat and Study Centre. The house, much modernised, retains its Victorian charm and the grounds are well kept, with lovely gardens and fields to walk in, one of which has a Labyrinth cut into the grass. It is a peaceful setting, which despite the presence of the West Coast main line railway running past it, seems in some way, to have retained its aura of a country house.

Meeting the candidates and assessors was a joy. Every single one was enthused and very aware of why we were there and the significance of the deliberations over the three days.

Day one of the panel consisted of settling in, briefings and worship and a lively exercise in getting to know each other, ending at about 9 pm. Part of this was the completion of a Personal Inventory, which was challenging to complete in the 40 minutes allocated.

Day two of the panel commenced a routine of Worship, Meals, Delivering Presentations, Chairing a discussion on the presentation (and contributing to the discussion in turn). Followed by one to one interviews with each of the three syndicate assessors on their respective subject areas. In my case, I slightly abandoned the script for my presentation, but was able to bring out the missed points in the discussion phase. All of us in the syndicate joined in with supporting and encouraging our contemporaries, by being attentive and engaging in the discussion(s) making the process, while a little pressured by time constraints, enjoyable and productive. One assessor, observing, saying that they really wanted to join in, but had to remain neutral - which is I believe a compliment to the quality of both presentations and discussions.

 Interviews: After lunch we moved to individual interviews, I had one (Vocation) on the the second day and a further two on the third day. I had gone with the Bishop’s words in my mind. “Not to much preparation and rehearsal” and “concentrate on one or two things” and “be yourself and enjoy the process”. I did exactly that. Whether or not I prepared enough, will not become clear until the results are announced late next week - but I was challenged by each interview, particularly the one on Vocation. I found all of them enjoyable, and actually found myself laughing at some of the things I shared with the assessors.

Pastoral Exercise: We also had to complete a pastoral exercise over the three days, which involved writing a letter of not more than 500 words on a set pastoral situation. The exercise challenged me, but I thanked God for the insights of the preparation of a diocesan panel and one day of pre-BAP activity earlier this year, prior to BAP.

The people. Overall, everyone was fantastic, both assessors and fellow candidates. There was much humour about, as well as story telling as we recounted to each other our individual journeys, each were unique, and each were inspirational. They came from vastly different backgrounds from someone already in Lay Pioneer Ministry to those involved in Fresh Expressions and New Wine arrangements, it really helps to widen the perspective of someone involved in parochial lay ministry and perhaps even gives insights into how future vocation may change and take you.

The Worship was organised and provided by the assessors. We had a compline, two HC, One MP and one Day prayer during the 2.5 days together. The choice of hymns, Psalms etc was inspired and corporate worship, despite the variety of traditions was wonderful. Time was plentiful for quiet prayer, for walking the grounds and labyrinth and to just ‘be’.

Social. There was a bar open, but I found myself so tired each evening, finishing at 9 pm, that I didn’t avail myself of it. But, we had ample opportunities to socialise during meal times and free-time between interviews and on the many, useful tea/coffee breaks provided in the programme.

Atmosphere. The overall atmosphere was one of prayerfulness, mixed with some nervousness from some (including me) and trepidation on what to expect from the interviews in particular. There was pressure of time, but the reality is that most pressure is self generated by candidates upon themselves. But humour abounded and was evident from everyone. I actually think that the church has got this right, because having heeded the Bishop’s words, I actually enjoyed the process.

What Now?

 We all await with baited breath the outcome of the panel, which will be announced in a week or so. We can expect to be given the verdict by our DDO or Bishop. I hope and pray that I am recommended for Training, but know that it’s God’s will that is the overriding authority. I pray that it any vocation that I have is discerned in the wisdom and knowledge that I know the assessors possessed.

Preparation for Bishops Assessment Panel (BAP)

I had a brilliant day yesterday with 13 other ordination candidates at a pre-BAP preparation day.

We had a briefing on BAP, what to expect and some do's and don’t’s. I met yet again with loads of people who had been on courses with me over the last year or so. It was very affirming to see them still sharing a similar journey.

One, young candidate goes to BAP next Monday. The rest of us have differing dates over the next three months. I and one other candidate are going to the same BAP in May, so we are now tying up arrangements to travel together.

Our group  studied some Pastoral Exercises and delivered our presentations and were offered constructive comments from our fellow candidates. 

As I went up to deliver mine, I abandoned the script and just spoke from the heart and mind. It was me!   I was comfortable, not stilted by the written script.  It appeared to go down very well. It's a very brief outline of i-church and internet outreach - connected to the Mission and Evangelism criteria. It was well received and I was offered some good comments to take on board for BAP itself.

All documentation is complete and handed in, only to be asked for 6 passport photo's, which were not on the 'required’ documents' list.  Visit to the local photo machine next week.

We all felt prayer had been said for us, and we were thankful for all of their prayers now, and ongoing. I now have just under 3 months to prepare and reflect. The discernment process has been a growth experience and I'm loving it all.

Going to BAP : Bishop's Meeting

I was asked to meet the Bishop to discuss whether he would sponsor me for the Bishop’s Assessment Panel (BAP). Advice before the meeting from the DDO was be yourself and don’t wear purple (an illusion to my dress code for the diocesan panel, which had given rise to comment, which was unintentional, but amusing).

On the dot of 10 am, the Bishop came through and invited me into his office. He had a copy of the Diocesan Panel Report and said straight away that it was a good report and that he was going to sponsor me for BAP. He made it clear that all decisions including recommendations from BAP were his to take and he had discretion over the outcomes. I in turn thanked him and spoke briefly about how much I had enjoyed it.

He than said that he needed to just say one or two things to me!

He spoke about being open and accessible. On occasion, my demeanour can present in such a way that others might feel that I’m unapproachable or aloof. He knew that it wasn’t the case, but BAP was an opportunity, which needed to be siezed from the outset.

As guidance, he believed that I should concentrate on three or four things about my vocation, which were important to me - and to speak well about them. There’s little point in preparing for everything and coming across as too glib.

Secondly, he indicated that I shouldn’t suppres my Army background. It had been the major part of my working life, which had given loads of transferable skills and experiences, particularly that of leadership and collaborative leadership. I explained that I had felt that the ‘directness’ of my army style wasn’t always appropriate in pastoral situations. He acknowledged this, but said - “just be yourself”.

He advised me that I should go forward to BAP with anticipation and to enjoy it. Sure it will be intense, it is after all an examination to some extent of suitability - but it is also an opportunity to be seized, experienced and enjoyed for its challenges and blessings. I said that I was looking forward to it.

We discussed my planned future move to be nearer my parish - he advised against moving early. He suggested that I needed to concentrate on the process of discernment, BAP and possible training and ordination. After which, it would be time to consider a move.

What did I get from this meeting:

Firstly, I went into the meeting feeling on a high after the Diocesan Panel Report, but also apprehensive as I was well aware that if the Bishop disagreed with the advisors, it could all end messily or he could refer me back for more discernment as he had done twice previously. When it became clear that it wasn’t to be the case, the apprehension disappeared in an instant. I felt affirmed and encouraged in his trust in the advice given by his advisors.

Secondly, the meeting was a useful tool for me to gauge the approach that I took with him. I went determined to be open and chatty, naturally, not from a forced position. I was comfortable with this and on this occasion the Bishop put me completely at ease. The situation was different from our previous meeting and was productive with an outcome that I had hoped for. His remarks about demeanour I had already registered and have striven to address. I’ll need to just be myself for BAP, because it’s the real person underneath the exterior they want to meet - not the one presented to the world.

Thirdly, it seemed to me to be another step along the path - the journey that I had wanted to speed up, had been slow, for someone who suffers from impetuosity and sometimes impatience. But I appreciate that discernment can’t be rushed., the consequences for getting it wrong, both for the candidate and any possible future ministry could be disastrous. Time, space and reflection are needed from all sides to allow God’s will through discernment to be understood.

I say it often, God is Great!!

Image courtesy of https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ3imMJ9l-v0GfCp4JQx2uzDYhnSfnkAh-YIi_QMFGGLEXq0a2Q4g