Self-supporting minister Ray Anglesea recently came to the end of a period of 20 months serving as interim moderator at Robert Stewart Memorial Church - a post he held while working as a community regeneration officer with Planning Aid North East.
Reflecting on the many links between these two sides of his life (RSM is situated on the doorstep of the Benwell and Scotswood neighbourhoods where PAN was active) Ray asked the question What is Regeneration? In both the world of urban planning and the world of Christian theology, Ray recognises that Regeneration is a concept "that is stretched to cover diverse and conflicting understandings".
In a challenging paper that explores some of the themes arising out of his own experience, Ray offers a brief theological introduction to the themes of Creation, the City, and Wealth before exploring what the Church can learn from the Rgeneration Industry. He reflects on the need for vision, and opportunities for partnership, before affirming the Churches' potential contribution through "social capital" and their presence as a worshipping community.
This brief but substantial paper also contains a useful bibliography.