Tasting the New Wine – a fresh vision for CDFB
After four years of Anna Arnold leading our fellowship, since autumn 2020, “for such a time as this” [Esther 4:14], through our prayer initiatives 30 Days of Prayer (2021) and Treading the Grapes (2023), these past few months have seen Anna, Jane and a few others gently, prayerfully sifting through all the words, pictures, dances and emotions God has been sharing with the CDFB as to how we might move forward in his next steps for us as an organisation – as a fellowship.
Please be assured, we very much feel that God is saying “start walking, I’ll fill in the gaps as we go along.” These plans and ideas are not set in stone. We also recognise that – as a fellowship – we have been talking and praying for quite some time now, and that this natural change in leadership – as Jane Grimshaw takes up the mantle of National Coordinator – it is the right time to begin the next stage in our journey together. This article simply outlines our priorities to God [up], to one another [in], to other dancing Christians beyond CDFB [out] and to safe legal governance [down].
In collating the many words, pictures and bible verses given in feedback to our various prayer initiatives over the past three years, it became clear that CDFB’s strengths lie in fellowship and networking. This four-directional cross shape emerged as a picture of this. We must always look upwards, to our spiritual relationship with God; and we must keep our roots/foundations strong in good healthy governance; but we also reach sideways – both internally to others within the fellowship – and externally to other dance groups, individuals and organisations with whom we can work and provide mutual benefit.
In practical ways, we see this as beginning with a ‘formal redefining’ of the structure/ organisation of CDFB, giving clear target areas of oversight and activity within
Creativity & Vision; Marketing & Strategy; Pastoral Support & Prayer; and Governance
thus aiming to grow the fellowship, to share the load that currently falls to a few immensely dedicated individuals, and to give opportunity for newer members or those on the periphery to use their skills to the glory of God and the benefit of CDFB. These four areas are what we see as the ‘declaring’, ‘sharing’, and ‘caring’ elements of CDFB.
For those who attended our National Conference on 5th October, or our monthly second-Saturday Zoom on 12th Oct, we were able to spend time talking, thinking, praying and dancing about these areas and where we each feel called to – or called to pray for. This is still an ongoing process and the newly appointed Trustee Leadership Team are meeting monthly throughout 2025 to spend time together in prayer and discussion. So please be lifting them to the Lord as they seek to discern the best/ right first steps on this latest CDFBritain journey together.
And, of course, if you feel God is steering you towards a new area/ role within CDFB, please get in touch. We very much need for people – you – to be using your unique gifts and talents to God’s glory within our – his – fellowship. And if you’re not currently ‘doing’ anything but feel God’s hand on you, please shout up!
Jane, Paul, Jackie, Jacqueline