Gloriously Ordinary
New book from Praxis Press explores mission in contemporary Ireland
(From the October - December 2020 issue of VOX)
Launched in 2019, Irish Christian Publishing House Praxis Press seeks to ‘publish Irish voices for the Irish church’. Fraser Hosford explained, “We have a clear focus on Ireland and seek to serve the Irish church. Ireland has its own distinctive history and culture. This means that mission in Ireland is different. We need our own vocabulary and approaches to talking about Jesus. Theologies and practices from England, America and beyond, while meaningful, will never be exactly right for Ireland.” Following Fraser’s own book Down With This Sort Of Thing, the new book from Praxis Press was written and edited by VOX magazine editor, Ruth Garvey-Williams and is due out at the beginning of November.
Here Ruth shares a taste of her book, which was co-written by William Hayes, Chloe Hanan, Marian Edwards, Emma Bolster Rodrigues, Joe Donnelly, Robert Holden and Andrew Garvey-Williams.
When we look out over our beloved island, with all its beauty and brokenness, its diversity and dysfunction, how should faith communities respond? What does it look like for individuals and churches to be good news and to share the good news of Jesus in contemporary Ireland? Written by people seeking to live out the kingdom of God in Ireland, Gloriously Ordinary weaves together stories and reflections from the grassroots, looks at the way Jesus ministered and invites you to consider your own context.
Gloriously Ordinary - Embracing Incarnational Mission In Contemporary Ireland is a collection of the stories, experiences, learning and reflections of people living and ministering in different parts of Ireland. What emerged and came into even clearer focus in the process of writing are six principles that underpin and inform the approaches we have embraced. These have grown at grassroots in response to the realities of contemporary culture and our local contexts. The principles represent so much of our shared learning both as individuals and in our faith communities. This is not to say that these principles are the key to mission in Ireland but rather to invite you to enter into the conversation, to reflect on whether and how these principles might apply in your context and to consider what you would add.
My co-authors, like Andrew and me, are marathon runners in Christian ministry; we are in for the long haul. We have this “treasure in jars of clay” and seek to live out the gospel in all of life. We represent a wide range of different denominational and church backgrounds and we are deeply embedded in our different contexts. Our methods, focus and styles vary but each one is seeking to follow Jesus and to see His kingdom come and His will be done in Ireland as it is in heaven.
The book was written during lockdown amidst the chaos brought about by a global pandemic. With routines overturned and careful plans hastily shelved, all of us were scrambling to adjust in work, family life and in our church communities. The constant, unchangeable truth of the gospel is a person - Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, today and forever. But as we have learnt, everything else is subject to change, even things we may have once considered rock solid.
It seemed somehow appropriate to be writing at such a time. We have all been forced to reflect, adapt and change, to ask tough questions and to learn new ways of doing things but, for us, this process has reinforced the principles we identify here. We would love you to journey with us as we unpack what it means for us to embrace incarnational mission in contemporary Ireland and to consider what it might mean for you as an individual or in your parish, church or faith community.
You can get your copy of VOX here: www.gloriouslyordinary.com, Teach Solas online bookshop or from the Footprints bookshop in Dun Laoghaire.
What others said about Gloriously Ordinary:
The Rt Rev Dr Ferran Glenfield, Church of Ireland Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh
Ireland is a land of stories. Arguably, the greatest story ever told is about God coming among us in Jesus Christ. Throughout the story of Ireland, generations of people have embraced the Christian story. The words and presence of Jesus Christ have given faith, hope and love to countless Irish people. Gloriously Ordinary is a book that tells the stories of some ordinary Irish Christians. These ordinary yet extraordinary people not only talk the talk but walk the talk in their witness for Christ. These big-hearted people tell of their faith and failures, longings and love, daring and disappointments. Ruth Garvey-Williams who has drawn the collection together is uniquely placed to frame these stories. As editor of VOX Magazine, she has the pulse of the changing landscape of Irish cultures and a sense of the Christian communities, which are represented in contemporary Ireland. This is an encouraging and essential read for our unpredictable times.
Rev Dr Trevor Morrow, former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
This is a book that tells the story of mission in Ireland ‘the Jesus way’ in the 21st century. Each chapter underlines the key aspects of the ‘missio Dei’ fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus. It is an inspirational read as these ‘gloriously ordinary’ people relate incidents and moments from their everyday lives, which reveal God at work as they live ‘in step with the Spirit’. Here you will discover profound missiological reflection earthed in the actions and speech of people like you and me who are learning to be non-judgmentally present in their community. Instead, they have become humble listeners who practice hospitality and so discover opportunities to preach and to practice grace. A great read.
James Reilly, Naas Community Church, Christian Churches Ireland
Every one of the contributors to this gripping book made a journey of discovery into their own locality and found the most unlikely mission opportunities. Things did not turn out as they had intended but, by responding to each situation as they found it, they saw the kingdom of heaven come in unexpected ways. Their experiences can open our eyes to see the possibilities that may be hiding in plain sight in our own gloriously ordinary situations.
Dominic Perrem, National Director Alpha Ireland
‘This is a book that gets right into the ‘why’ of mission: the heart for people. The contributors are the exceptional, everyday people serving others with powerful creativity who can teach us all how to be Jesus' hands and feet. If all of us could see our country through the eyes of the heroes in this book, it would lead to extraordinary change.’
Rev John Alderdice, Director of Ministry, The Methodist Church in Ireland
The title says it all really… ‘Gloriously Ordinary’! This is an extremely accessible journey of possibility and adventure for anyone interested in Kingdom mission in contemporary Ireland. It is packed with powerful images of ordinary people doing extraordinary things for the Lord. The interplay of theological thinking and practical insight along with great questions offers hope and possibility for anyone wondering what they can do to grow the Kingdom in their local place.
Pastor Trevor Hill, Team Leader of Plumbline Ireland Ministries
Gloriously Ordinary is a refreshing look at mission in an Irish context written by God’s agents living and serving Him in different parts of our nation. It is both encouraging and challenging, and for me emphasises again the need for all followers of Jesus to still their souls, to listen carefully, to discern correctly and to obey promptly. The “Time to Ponder” questions at the end of each chapter is an important part of this book. If we don’t pause to think through some of these questions, we are in danger of just reading another book on mission without allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to us and perhaps change how we look at mission in our own context.
Dr Anne Francis, Spiritual Director at the Galilee Spirituality Centre in Boyle, Roscommon
“This book is a small treasure for those involved in mission and ministry. Offering principles rooted in experience, story and reflection, (rather than theories or impossible standards), Ruth and her co-authors invite readers to find their own 'gloriously ordinary' place in the many-coloured picture of ministry they describe. With its 'time to ponder,' at the close of each chapter, this is a great book for ministry teams to share, pray and discuss. It will take them beyond 'what shall we do?' to a deeper conversation about how and why.”
