one size fits all

This link was sent to me by Kerry Whalen. It mentions a lot of stuff that we are into and they even us a lot of the same terminology. There are a lot of interesting concepts brought up that we already run with. It’s certainly worth a look and Id love to hear your thoughts.

http://www.onesizefitsall.ca/web-shorts

 

Do this in remembrance of Me

I’m often asked what the vision is for our church family. I find it kind of hard to answer. I don’t believe the projects & goals we might like to see accomplished should be what unites us. Amazingly Jesus didn’t give us a vision statement to remember Him by. He gave us a covenant affirming meal. And He did it in the context of denial, betrayal and shattered dreams.

What unites us is Christ. His blood has purchased us, His body broken so that His body the Church can be united and whole.

The Apostle Paul puts it this way;

‘The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, the many, are one bread and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread.’     1 Cor 10:16-17

When we break bread together we covenant with each other to share our lives. When we share the cup we make blood covenant to be there for each other when it counts, when we are failed and disappointed.

Jesus claimed they would know we are His disciples by our love. Love counts most and is noticed when there is a reason not to love.

lets do this, in remembrance of Him.

 

The Church that Jesus is looking for

This is a list of things that people from the prevailing Christian culture look for in a church offset by a corresponding list of things that attract people from outside the institution to our churches.

 I am aware that distributing this at times cryptic list virtually without explanation will be open for large amounts of criticism and misunderstanding. This is not about ‘do’s and don’ts’, its more about values. For example: we still have preaching most Sundays in our church gatherings and the gathering is still an event, but the focus is on community rather than a great event.
My hope is that you will ponder these comparisons prayerfully and that you allow why you do what you do to be adjusted, this may or may not lead to a changes in what you do.

 Christians are looking for;                                      The world is looking for;

# Unconditional Love                  (with no obligation to reciprocate)   #A church that agrees with pet doctrine / dogma  # Exclusiveness (People just like me) # A place that creates people just like me                                     (Transformed into our image) # To be an ideal, find the perfect way to live. # Rules for right living # Methods to change     .       .      .      .      .      .      . # A place of Activity # An event                         .       .      .      .      .      .      . # Excellence                  # Programmes                  .      .      .      .      .      .      . # A place to be absolved of spiritual obligation # Culturally significance organisation # A God that will show the world their wrong # A God that will change the world Christian # Display Arrogance # Want to preach  # Want to make you valuable # Want to get you on the journey

# Unconditional love                       (Want to learn how )   # A church that is not dogmatic #Inclusiveness (whosoever cometh) # A place of acceptance   # Be themselves, find themselves # Grace # Power to change # A place of Rest # A community # Encouragement # Lifestyle expression of faith # A spiritual reality # A counter culture # A God that will accept them # To change their world The world # Is looking for humility # Wants to dialogue # Wants to be valued # Wants someone to join them on their journey