The church we see
Hello again after a 3 week break! No seriously the last 3 weeks with the CAP conference, the Willow Creek conference and the handover from Ben to me have been so busy that I've barely found time to read my email, let alone write any blog entries! Anyway, with all that now in the past I'll hopefully carve out a bit more time to update anyone who may be interested with my thoughts here.
On Sunday I spoke on the process I want us to go through over the next 6 months, agreeing a set of statements on "The church we see". The intention is that these will outline the vision for what we feel God wants our church to become over the next few years. On Sunday I went through a list of statements we came up with amongst some of the ministry team members who happened to be in the office at the time (not a very scientific process I know!). Over the next few months I'd like us to refine these statements, remove any which we don't feel apply to us and add any extras. I've already had a load of very positive comments and ideas for additions / changes which is great. My aim is to try and meet with every housegroup and ministry group over the next 6 months so we can all have our input. Once we've done that then we'll have the statements made into a huge display in the reception area as well as putting a copy in every meeting room, so that we are constantly reminded of the vision of where we are going.
So here is the first draft of the statements. Let me know what you think by emailing me, adding a comment to the blog (which always encourages me as then I know at least one person is reading it!) or bringing your comment up at one of the meetings over the next six months.
Thanks for reading,
Simon.
------------------------
On Sunday I spoke on the process I want us to go through over the next 6 months, agreeing a set of statements on "The church we see". The intention is that these will outline the vision for what we feel God wants our church to become over the next few years. On Sunday I went through a list of statements we came up with amongst some of the ministry team members who happened to be in the office at the time (not a very scientific process I know!). Over the next few months I'd like us to refine these statements, remove any which we don't feel apply to us and add any extras. I've already had a load of very positive comments and ideas for additions / changes which is great. My aim is to try and meet with every housegroup and ministry group over the next 6 months so we can all have our input. Once we've done that then we'll have the statements made into a huge display in the reception area as well as putting a copy in every meeting room, so that we are constantly reminded of the vision of where we are going.
So here is the first draft of the statements. Let me know what you think by emailing me, adding a comment to the blog (which always encourages me as then I know at least one person is reading it!) or bringing your comment up at one of the meetings over the next six months.
Thanks for reading,
Simon.
------------------------
The Church we see
Is a church of thousands, so large that its influence stretches throughout the nation.
Is a church that reaches up to God with extravagant, heartfelt, life giving worship, birthing songs that are sung throughout the nations.
Is a church that reaches out with practical demonstrations of the love of Christ, locally, nationally and internationally, such that it would be missed in society if it ceased to exist.
Is a church that so effectively reaches out with the life changing news of the new life that is offered in Jesus that every day people are being saved and added to their number.
Is a church where we learn to laugh, cry, grow great friendships and do life together, and where ‘fine’ isn’t an acceptable answer to the question “how are you”.
Is a church where people are discipled to understand who they are, and whose they are, in Christ, to fulfil their God given potential and live life in all its abundance.
Is a church where we grow first class leaders who will take the lead in the worlds of politics, economics, business, media, the creative arts, education, sports and the church.
Is a church where people can come as they are, which is not a refuge from the world but a refuge for the world.
Is a church that embraces young and old, rich and poor, men and women, people from all nations in one family under one head, Jesus Christ.
Is a church marked out by its creativity and relevance, which uses the internet and other means of communication to gets its message to the nations.
Is a church of thousands, so large that its influence stretches throughout the nation.
Is a church that reaches up to God with extravagant, heartfelt, life giving worship, birthing songs that are sung throughout the nations.
Is a church that reaches out with practical demonstrations of the love of Christ, locally, nationally and internationally, such that it would be missed in society if it ceased to exist.
Is a church that so effectively reaches out with the life changing news of the new life that is offered in Jesus that every day people are being saved and added to their number.
Is a church where we learn to laugh, cry, grow great friendships and do life together, and where ‘fine’ isn’t an acceptable answer to the question “how are you”.
Is a church where people are discipled to understand who they are, and whose they are, in Christ, to fulfil their God given potential and live life in all its abundance.
Is a church where we grow first class leaders who will take the lead in the worlds of politics, economics, business, media, the creative arts, education, sports and the church.
Is a church where people can come as they are, which is not a refuge from the world but a refuge for the world.
Is a church that embraces young and old, rich and poor, men and women, people from all nations in one family under one head, Jesus Christ.
Is a church marked out by its creativity and relevance, which uses the internet and other means of communication to gets its message to the nations.