Here is the second in my series of guest posts about going to BAP. Today Father David Cloake from the wonderful ‘Vernacular Vicar’ blog tells us about his experience. Do check out his blog, for a wry and I’m sure he won’t mind me saying, sometimes comical, insight into the life of a vicar…
Mine took place in March 2006 when
the revised process was still fairly new. I was called to Ely and was quickly
surrounded by a dozen or so others who were as frightened as me. As with all
things, I didn’t go unprepared although preparations are few in number due to
the nature of the event. Here’s what I did:
the revised process was still fairly new. I was called to Ely and was quickly
surrounded by a dozen or so others who were as frightened as me. As with all
things, I didn’t go unprepared although preparations are few in number due to
the nature of the event. Here’s what I did:
·
Memorised all of my papers, forms and statements – not just the words but the unwritten
truths (the more important aspects of the sponsoring papers, as you will
fast discover)
Memorised all of my papers, forms and statements – not just the words but the unwritten
truths (the more important aspects of the sponsoring papers, as you will
fast discover)
·
Asked trusted critical friends to give me clues as to
how I behave under stress or pressure (I talk too fast and fidget apparently,
and suck in hard through my nose when I make statements)
Asked trusted critical friends to give me clues as to
how I behave under stress or pressure (I talk too fast and fidget apparently,
and suck in hard through my nose when I make statements)
·
I prayed hard for a long time in an empty but locked
church so I could talk out loud and hear how daft I can sound at times, and how
pompous
I prayed hard for a long time in an empty but locked
church so I could talk out loud and hear how daft I can sound at times, and how
pompous
·
Tried hard to remember that I was there because I had
a right to be and that I was called to the process, even if not necessarily
beyond it.
Tried hard to remember that I was there because I had
a right to be and that I was called to the process, even if not necessarily
beyond it.
·
Had a book in my mind that I had read recently in case
asked
Had a book in my mind that I had read recently in case
asked
·
Had three or four favourite passages from the Bible
that I could call on if asked
Had three or four favourite passages from the Bible
that I could call on if asked
When there, you will have a sense
of having every movement and moment scrutinised. I am told that this is normal.
What is important, though, is that the selectors see who you really are, not who wish to be
portrayed as. Over meals, in those informal ‘passings’ in corridors – they all
add to the picture that they hold of us when they gather at the end. Indeed,
more of the ‘me’ discerned over those times reached the report than the ‘me’ in
interview.
of having every movement and moment scrutinised. I am told that this is normal.
What is important, though, is that the selectors see who you really are, not who wish to be
portrayed as. Over meals, in those informal ‘passings’ in corridors – they all
add to the picture that they hold of us when they gather at the end. Indeed,
more of the ‘me’ discerned over those times reached the report than the ‘me’ in
interview.
A highlight for me was in how much fun it was. After the initial “Oh …. My …. God” moments at the
beginning, things settled nicely and I would even go so far as to say that part
of the process were fun. Everyone in the ‘room’ wants the same outcome – God’s
will for you. I came away claiming to have enjoyed it, and that was a wonderful
revelation.
beginning, things settled nicely and I would even go so far as to say that part
of the process were fun. Everyone in the ‘room’ wants the same outcome – God’s
will for you. I came away claiming to have enjoyed it, and that was a wonderful
revelation.
The low point for me was not in the process, but after. I left the
Panel quite sure that it had gone well, but during the two week spell between
the panel and its result, I went from a high mood directly after to absolute
depths of despair ten days later. That is quite unlike me, and it caught me by
surprise. I was incredibly down in the days immediately before the result
arrived, simply because I had convinced myself by then that I had failed.
Panel quite sure that it had gone well, but during the two week spell between
the panel and its result, I went from a high mood directly after to absolute
depths of despair ten days later. That is quite unlike me, and it caught me by
surprise. I was incredibly down in the days immediately before the result
arrived, simply because I had convinced myself by then that I had failed.
If I had to give five tips to those about to go, they
would be:
would be:
1.
Be yourself whatever that means (I even went to my interviews
in a business suit and tie, because at that time that was what I did and who I
was – and much to the mirth of the gathering)
Be yourself whatever that means (I even went to my interviews
in a business suit and tie, because at that time that was what I did and who I
was – and much to the mirth of the gathering)
2.
Be open to the possibility that you might actually
pass
Be open to the possibility that you might actually
pass
3.
Time the presentation scrupulously
Time the presentation scrupulously
4.
Fill in your audit with good handwriting (I was told
off for mine) – the selectors need to read what you put and it sets them
against you from the beginning if they struggle (and they are under pressure
too)
Fill in your audit with good handwriting (I was told
off for mine) – the selectors need to read what you put and it sets them
against you from the beginning if they struggle (and they are under pressure
too)
5.
Most important – is it you going to Panel, or a set of
projections from your ecclesial tradition? Fight for yourself, not your church
or worship-style. They won’t care if you are catholic or charismatic, but they
will care if that is the only thing you talk about.
Most important – is it you going to Panel, or a set of
projections from your ecclesial tradition? Fight for yourself, not your church
or worship-style. They won’t care if you are catholic or charismatic, but they
will care if that is the only thing you talk about.
If you are one reading this and
preparing a small bag of chattels for a few days away, then may God be with you
and those who will be praying for you back at home. If you are successful, they
will need your prayers by return!
preparing a small bag of chattels for a few days away, then may God be with you
and those who will be praying for you back at home. If you are successful, they
will need your prayers by return!
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