Saturday 27 April saw about 30 SEAN users and enquirers brought together for the first SEAN Workshop Day to be held at Weycroft Hall at Axminster in Devon.

Although the day was primarily aimed at UK users of SEAN, we were blessed both by enquirers who had never used SEAN materials and by several overseas visitors – including two Koreans (Gil Kim and Han Soon Jin, pictured bottom right enjoying good English tea) working in California who flew over especially for the day, having read about it on this website!

The agenda for the day was ambitious: • A closer look at Matthew 28 • Setting up a SEAN programme within the Church • Objectives and expectations • Sharing of the 'good and bad experiences’ in running a group • How to get the best from SEAN groups • Tutoring skills • Support Networks • Setting up SEAN support Centres • Prayer for our Churches and area • Prayer for the South West.

It was fair to say that both visitors and organisers learnt much from the day – some visitors had their first glimpse of the material and were introduced to its simple but effective methodology; others were experienced users and tutors who benefitted both from the presentation on tutoring and from the open discussion that resulted; and the organisers experienced (and enjoyed!) the steep learning curve of using PowerPoint as the main tool of communication (with a special thank-you to our Korean friends whose superior technical know-how helped us overcome an initial set-up problem).

But, of course, it is so often the informal conversations that form the lasting memories and friendships, and therefore reflect the true value of bringing together Christians who long to see more and more of their Christian brothers and sisters grounded in the discipline of God's word.

There will, we hope, be many more such workshops at Weycroft, and we thank God for blessing this, the first one. Thank you, the SEAN team at Weycroft, for giving us a taste of things to come – and watch this space...

More about Apr 27 at Weycroft

From the ‘Thursday morning Ladies’ at St John’s, Havering-atte-Bower

We started meeting together several years ago and thought we would use Abundant Life as our study material. We were so thrilled by the course that we moved on to Ephesians and, having completed that, decided to move on to Life of Christ Book 1. We didn’t have any particular plans to follow right through to Book 6, but we so enjoyed Book 1 that we found ourselves hooked and captivated – we are now just beginning Book 6! Throughout we have found the series stimulating, challenging and incredibly practical, keeping our emphasis on the outward focus.

When asked if I would like to write a few lines about how the SEAN course has helped me, I immediately thought “Yes, how could I not?”… Like walking up a mountainside, the further you walk, the better the view. Everything fits into perspective as you take in the view around you at each stage. The vistas you receive are so clear, because you’re walking up the mountainside, not running, therefore you acclimatise gradually. Thank you, SEAN, for teaching us God’s word so accurately, yet so simply presented.

Pam Garnett

Others in the group write:

I have found that SEAN is excellent for filling in all the gaps and giving background information that I may not have found out for myself.

Carol Lyne

Although I thought I knew the outline of Jesus’ life, I was opened to so much more in this course on the Life of Christ. The application questions bring out the reality of Kingdom living – very enriching.

Jo Garnish

I thoroughly enjoyed doing the Life of Christ. It gave the opportunity to study parts of Matthew that I had glossed over in the past, together with learning new truths about parts I had read many times before.

Valerie White

Much to my Vicar’s amusement, when I became a Christian at the age of 27, I felt called to the ministry after about three weeks. Through his chuckles he said, “What you need, son, is more pew time.” But he also took me under his wing and started to train me.

‘The Life of Christ’ was a revelation to me

One of the methods he used was the early SEAN course – at the time SEAN was being piloted for use in this country after its success in South America.

The course was The Life of Christ, and it was a revelation to me. I had thought that Bible Study was beyond me and that ‘theology’ was a dry and dusty pursuit for wrinkled academics. Instead it was vibrant and exciting, I could hardly get enough.

This was 27 years ago, I’ve been ordained for 21 of those years and I still reckon that the SEAN Course was one of the most effective and enjoyable learning experiences I’ve been through. It made Scripture accessible to me and laid firm foundations for all that was to follow.

Because the course was being piloted in the UK, I had to fill in an evaluation. The only negative I could come up with was that the cartoon character who was the ‘tutor’ looked like someone you wouldn’t buy a used car from – a really shady character! I noted that in subsequent editions he was a changed man – that’s the power of SEAN, I guess.

That is why I recently enquired as to the current availability of the SEAN course so that I could start using it for discipling others.

Rev Deryck Charnock, Whitwick Parish Church, Leics

Spreading the news about the SEAN courses in the UK is fairly easy these days using current technology. An enquirer can be pointed towards the new website and, with a few clicks, all the information can be read from there; even ordering can be done by this means. What could be easier!

But, for all those who have used the material, you will know that the dynamic of the courses can only be appreciated by actually doing them – and doing them within the tried and tested framework that has been set out in the manuals, adapting as necessary to your own local needs. We are currently working on tutor training manuals that could eventually go on the website too.

The majority of questions asked are: How do I start? Which book do I start with? What is SEAN all about

But the truth still remains that the essence of the SEAN material is about people – about relationships, sharing, growing together, having a common goal of seeing the need for training, talking over difficulties, enthusing each other, etc.

The majority of questions asked about SEAN over the phone are: How do I start? Which book do I start with? What is SEAN all about?

Of course, it is possible to share some the above over the telephone but…

One of the best ways to discover these dynamics is to talk with those who have used the material face to face, who know it and who have seen the fruits, and then to go along to a group to find out what goes on and what it is that makes this material so effective.

SEAN has grown rapidly across the world and the blessings have gone far and wide. Just as the Gospel was spread through people so this tool has grown because faithful people have seen its value, taken hold of it and been willing to commit themselves, not only to their local needs, but also to the wider needs in the body of Christ.

So…

We are sending out an urgent call across the UK to churches and groups who have used the SEAN material, who understand its methodology and who have seen its fruits, to be willing to be recognised in SEAN’s support network in the UK.

The workshop day at Weycroft recently (see front page) proved a valuable day, not only in training, but in establishing relationships and sharing with one another. Once the regional networking is up and running it will be possible for the SEAN team at Weycroft to visit your region with the SEAN workshop and to create an interest amongst other churches.

If you would like to join with us to achieve country-wide growth please contact Jacqui Brown at the SEAN Office.

Amanda Percival first encountered SEAN when she was 60 – six years later she reflects on how her life has changed

Before

I grew up in London knowing no-one who attended Church (except a girl friend who was Irish Catholic). In those days when morning assembly took place it was prayer, reading and hymns – probably whispered and giggled, for all that. Later we moved to Surrey, then to Kent, by which time I could have attained a Degree in swearing, lying and gambling!

What happened, and when

When I was nearly 60 (I am nearly 66 now) I was at my usual visit to bingo when I overheard a conversation between my friend – the caller – and the cashier – and the word ‘Alpha’ was used. I asked him what they were talking about and he said “Jesus”. I hastily said “Doesn’t matter, forget it.” Knowing me very well and remembering I love to eat but hate to cook, he said “Amanda, it’s a free meal you wouldn’t have to cook once a week for ten weeks”. Well, how could I resist? – it was five minutes walk away at a school hall, so I certainly didn’t feel threatened.

The lady on the door – soon to become a very good friend – was most welcoming. A man spoke to us and invited us to get a meal, sit down and get to know each other. I was to find out three weeks later he was my soon-to-be minister – no robes etc!

We ate, nobody mentioning anything remotely ‘religious’, and were then put into groups. Part of my testimony which I have given many times mentions my group leader. (From then onwards his family took me into their hearts and have taken me away to New Wine and Spirit of the Bride.) When he saw me he prayed: “Please Jesus, not in MY group”. At the end of the session he said: “Would you like me to pray for you?”. I told him: “Leave it out!”

I have a vivid imagination so when walking home I heard a voice saying “Come unto me” I thought – “O yeah!”

The second/third week I said the prayer asking Jesus into my life. I wasn’t looking for anything – my life was quite settled – I didn’t need anything. Or so I thought.

What has happened since

That was in September. I was baptised, full immersion, on December 15 that year. The same Minister from the Alpha course – Neil Perkinson officiated, and my Alpha group leader assisted. (I sometimes think they would have liked to have kept me under!) The venue was Newington Free Church and a lot of the members came together with a lot of the Alpha course participants.

What can I say? I stopped swearing, lying, gambling instantly. It was not a problem to do this, it was just put on my heart to do this so as not to offend my Lord Jesus. I do hope I never forget how I felt before this miracle – and it was one – so that I can relate to non-believers.

Hilda Briscoe from Newington Free Church introduced me to the SEAN courses. I have been through Abundant Life, Abundant Light, The Life of Christ series, and now have three more lessons from of Pentateuch Book 1 to go. What I thought was a very dry and dull book has turned out to be an exciting journey.

When I had finished Abundant Life, Hilda suggested I take my friend Mary through it as she had expressed an interest. You can imagine how I felt – a baby Christian taking my friend (a lay reader!) through a study. It turned out to be a wonderful experience for both of us. Mary went on to lead groups in our Church. I have had the same group for two years now – four ladies from four different churches! We have done Abundant Life, Abundant Light and are about to embark on Life of Christ Book 5.

Having been the administrator for three Alpha courses, I have given my testimony in Holy Trinity, Brompton, the Church which started Alpha. As I told them at Holy Trinity, it was all very well doing this job and having to cope with one minister but I was in a team parish with three ministers!

Originally I prayed for the gift of tongues but I have a feeling God has told me I have enough to say in English! However, the Lord has blessed me in all areas of my life, spiritually and practically. I really have learned to give him all my worries and problems. I have a six year old grand daughter who has had a pacemaker since she was under a year old and who has had nine open heart operations. She has come through all this with her surgeons saying what a fighter she is. So many people in different churches pray for her. My daughter has said she cannot believe, as why should a God want children to be born with such defects. I pray she will accept Jesus.

Anyway, I took to SEAN courses like the proverbial duck to water. I give my very grateful thanks to Hilda Briscoe who has input her great knowledge, humour and patience into my studies. My students really appreciate SEAN’s interesting way of presenting the Bible – they are all long standing Christians, ages 55, 57, 78 and 80! – and say they are continuing to learn daily. Our sessions are full of laughter as well as learning.

Amanda Percival

Hot off the press and in with with this [mailed] issue of Forum is SEAN’s new colour leaflet –
12 pages of brightly presented and up-to-date information. Order your free supply on-line.