Learning to Grow
I am nearly two years into my role as Pioneer Priest-in-Charge in Goole, two years that, apart from parenthood, have presented me with by far the steepest learning curve I have ever encountered. One of the three vision statements that we have at St John’s is Learning to Grow, which I inhabit every day. We like it, because it has a double meaning: we are learning how to grow, and learning is how we grow. And actually, that simple statement in itself has probably been the most significant thing I have learnt: learn how to learn, and you will grow.
“I have learnt: learn how to learn, and you will grow”
I have always loved learning, but I am not sure that I have always been teachable. Thankfully, at various points along my journey, I have been challenged on this, both indirectly, and also (more painfully!), directly. I wonder what it was that Jesus saw in the disciples. Probably numerous characteristics, but among them, I am sure, was simply that they were willing to learn, that they were teachable. They were okay with accepting that they were lacking in some way, and that there was more to be absorbed and understood. They recognised Jesus as a source of life, and gave themselves to learning from him.
“For me, learning has been a challenge, but one of the richest joys along the way”
So for me, learning has been a challenge, but one of the richest joys along the way. My experience of learning whilst in this role has, at times, been like opening a gift. Something I didn’t know I needed, but I then used every day. I think, for example, of the maxim I learned from the brilliant book, Scaling Leadership, that “leadership is a deployment of self into circumstances.” A little gem that I am so much the richer for and to which I constantly refer. How can I, Hannah, be deployed into my circumstances, Goole, for the building of God’s Kingdom? So helpful.
“Leadership is a deployment of self into circumstances”
At other times, learning has been like the removal of a splinter that had stopped hurting but was still buried under the skin. More comfortable to leave it there, but it does need to come out so that it doesn’t get infected. I think of a leadership questionnaire that scored me high on arrogance. Ouch! Painful, but necessary learning for me, and impactful to those I lead.
“One of the biggest revelations about learning has been how naturally hungry the flock is”
One of the biggest revelations about learning has been how naturally hungry the flock is. We see people begin to learn about Jesus on Alpha, and their hunger grows. They begin to read their Bibles, to learn; they want to do further study. Another saying I find myself constantly repeating is Jesus’s commission to Peter: “feed my sheep.” Christians very naturally want to learn, and in doing so they grow. We mustn’t starve them.
When I think about the bigger vision of what we want to achieve here in Goole, it can all feel quite daunting and overwhelming. How are we going to get to that point? It’s those times that I can come back to the simple things. I may not have all the answers, but I can learn along the way, help others to learn too, and enjoy the journey. Learning to grow.
Hannah Patton
Since May 2019 Hannah has been Priest-in-Charge of St John’s, Goole, a town in the East Riding of Yorkshire. St John’s is a Resourcing Church, with the aims of growing a healthy worshipping community, blessing the town, and resourcing the wider church. They love to see people receiving life through Jesus, and being transformed by him.
Hannah is married to Jonny, whom she works alongside, and they have two young children, Lois and Jamie. Hannah thrives when I she is with people, drinking coffee, or outside in the garden. A combination of all three is a bonus!
