My Hope for the Church
One of the great things about holidays is that I get plenty of space to think. And what has been on my mind today is the state of the church. I am really bothered by the slowly eroding influence of the church in the West. Our message is still as fresh and as deeply relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. And without a doubt we continue to have something important to offer society. So it is with this conviction that I share my hopes for the church.
My hope is that we the church take the time to understand the society we seek to influence and serve, and out of this observation we shape our offerings to meet the contemporary reality.
My hope is that we the church are seen within the local community as an amazing resource for assisting people in navigating the challenges of life.
My hope is that we the church are an outspoken advocate for the poor, the marginalized and those with a mental illness.
My hope is that we the church focus on growing people as well as congregations. We certainly need more people in church but equally we need those people to be growing in their faith.
My hope is that evangelism becomes part of the church culture and not some uncomfortable add on.
My hope is that the Bible will become not just a peripheral resource but a central part of the church’s practice and identity.
My hope is that creativity is encouraged within the church and that creative people are given more say and influence.
My hope is that we the church can honestly discuss the reality of our situation and see any predicament as a glorious opportunity for change.
What is your hope for the church?
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13 Responses to “My Hope for the Church”
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I’ve been thinking about this for 18 years. My hope for the Church is that it will become such a central part of the socio-economic development process in the Third World that the compassion of Jesus would be undeniable. In other words, the Church should partner with development NGOs (many of which are Christian-inspired already, of course), social and collective service providers, infrastructure builders and financiers (including all the development banks) to help build ALL the infrastructure that Third World countries to survive and thrive - hospitals and medical centres, schools and universities, water management and sanitation systems, transport and communication networks, energy generation and distribution, EVERYTHING that’s needed to stop the slaughter of vulnerable people that goes on every day. The process starts with the reform of global governance and the weeding out of corruption, nuclear proliferation, arms trading, racism, classism, Western supremacy, militaristic belligerence, and the selfishness and hatred that motivate them all. It also encompasses a much higher level of sacrifice and discipline among those of us who do profess the name of Christ.
Yes, I absolutely agree that biblical studies are the foundation of all this. The Hebrew prophetic tradition is full of references to the redemption of THIS world, not only life in the next for the select few. I find some of the writers who bring a new perspective on St Paul to be quite refreshing and inspiring. That’s part of a new Reformation that’s been quietly happening in the Church in the last 15 years. They don’t talk about ’salvation’ in an individualistic sense, but the redemption of whole communities, even the redemption of this beautiful but tragically broken world in its entirety. It’s a view that makes Christian faith central to ALL this world’s issues, not just the private sphere. BRING BACK THE CHURCH!!!
My hope for the church is that it will be less prone to viewing itself as an end in itself, and more focused on seeing itself as an organic means of dispensing the life of Jesus.
Mark - I love your hope for the church. I may say you’re a dreamer. But you’re not the only one.
My hope for the church is that we can be seen as an open door, a safe haven. That we can get back to being about LOVE, loving God and loving others.
thanks for your post and your encouragement! - Viqui
One of the great things about holidays is that I get plenty of space to think. And what has been on my mind today is the state of the church. I believe the church is an important part of society, I believe it has a central role to play, and it really bothers me that its influence here in the West is slowly eroding.
MARK I DON’T KNOW THAT I AGREE THAT THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IS BEING ERODED.. I BELIEVE IT HAS CHANGED. NO LONGER DO WE SEE THE CHURCH BEING ABOUT ATTENDANCE BUT NOW INFLUENCE. INFLUENCE IN THE WORKPLACE AND OR SCHOOLS/UNIS. INFLUENCE IN FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND WITHIN GOVERNMENT.
So here is my hope for the church.
My hope is that the church takes the time to understand the society it seeks to influence and serve, and out of this observation it shapes its offerings to meet the contemporary reality.
My hope is that the church is seen within the local community as an amazing resource for assisting people in navigating the challenges of life.
THIS IS HAPPEN EVERY WEEK IN MY AREA AS PEOPLE FROK LOCAL CONGREGATIONS SUPPORT THE WORK OF OUR LOCAL SECONDARY COLLEGE WITH UP TO 100 PEOPLE BEING INVOLVED EACH WEEK OF THE SCHOOL TERM. IN OTHER AREAS BEING INVOLVED WITH ASYLUM SEEKERS, REFUGEES, THE ELDERLY, CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND WORKING WITH THOSE IN NEED
My hope is that the church is an outspoken advocate for the poor, the marginalised and those with a mental illness. Time to stand up and be heard.
THIS IS HAPPENING THE UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA THROUGH UNTING CARE GETS TOP OFFER ITS CONCERNS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS LISTENING!
My hope is that we the church focus on growing people as well as congregations. We certainly need more people in church but equally we need those people to be growing in the Lord.
WE ARE WORKING ON DISCIPLING PEOPLE THROUGH THE WORK OF JOHN EMMETT (commission fro Mission)
My hope is that evangelism becomes part of the church culture and not some uncomfortable add on.
THAT DEPENDS WHAT YOU THINK EVANGELISM IS? IF YOU BELIEVE IT IS ‘GOOD NEWS’ THEN IT BECOMES A NORMAL CONVERSATION BUT IF WE CONTINUE TO BELIEVE EVANGELISM IS A COURSE WE NEED TO TAKE OR PRACTICES WE NEED TO DEVELOP THEN YOU ARE RIGHT ON!
My hope is that the Bible will become not just a peripheral resource but a central part of the church’s practice and identity.
WELL AGAIN WHO ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? EVERY CHRISTIAN I KNOW PRACTICES READING THE BIBLE SOME TIMES AND IS CENTRAL TO THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF A GOOD FAITH PRACTICE BUT IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IT EFFECTING OR EVEN CHANGING THEIR LIFE PRACTICES THROUGH READING AND STUDYING IT THEN YES AGAIN WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO
My hope is that creativity is encouraged within the church and that creative people are given more say and influence.
MOST CREATIVE PEOPLE I KNOW DON’T NEED OR WANT TO HAVE MORE SAY THEY WHAT THE CHURCH VLAUE AND COMMISSION WORKS OF ART AND TO ALLOW THAT ART AND CULTURE TO INFLUENCE THE WAY WE SEE GOD AND PRACTICE THE FAITH
My hope is that the church can honestly discuss the reality of its situation and see any predicament as a glorious opportunity for change.
YES THIS IS DIFFICULT!
What is your hope for the church?
THAT WE MAY AS THE CHURCH ENGAGE IN GRACE FILLED CONVERSATIONS WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN OUR WORLD AND THAT THIS WOULD FLOW THROUGH OUR VALUES AND BELIEFS INTO OUR ACTIONS SO THAT PEOPLE WOULD SAY ‘ THOSE CHRISTIAN’S REALLY DO BELIEVE THE WORDS, ACTIONS AND DEEDS OF THEIR SAVIOUR AND LORD IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT IS EASY TO SEE THEY ARE CHRISTIAN.
My hope for the church is that we move out of monstrous buildings and live life in the communities we are in. My hope is that we quit trying to ‘get people in to church’ and start being the church on the street and in our homes. My hope is that I live a life so fully that I am feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and visiting those in prison. My hope is that each of us makes other people a priority in our lives - that we quit being comfortable pew sitters.
I’ve been thinking a bit about the “Third Place”. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Third_Place). This is a place where the community gathers based on shared interests. There have been writings on Metaverse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaverse) that Second Life (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_life)can be considered a Third Place.
Anyway, the “Third Place,” again, is a place where community gathers. At one point in time, when people didn’t have so many options as to what their community was (no cars or phone or TV or internet), the church was a major part of the Third Place. Everyone went.
Maybe it’s time to promote church as the Third Place some more. Only thing is, how to do that when there are so many options? People can be so much more picky. It is primarily the truly religious (or spiritual) who go to church anymore. People who aren’t religious (or who are anti-religious) do not see any reason to go; they don’t see the communal benefits.
I like your heart Paul. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Sally! You are right, it is the risk with any church that it becomes the focus. One of the biggest dangers of any Church is that the process gets confused with the mission. We need to be mission focused and change the process to suit this end. Perhaps the issue is with clarity? Churches not really clear as to what their mission really is?
Hey Rod!
My complements on posting the longest comment in the history of Brownblog, good work mate!
Ok see my comments below:
MARK I DON’T KNOW THAT I AGREE THAT THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IS BEING ERODED.. I BELIEVE IT HAS CHANGED. NO LONGER DO WE SEE THE CHURCH BEING ABOUT ATTENDANCE BUT NOW INFLUENCE. INFLUENCE IN THE WORKPLACE AND OR SCHOOLS/UNIS. INFLUENCE IN FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND WITHIN GOVERNMENT.
That is a good point. As with any generalization it is open to being challenged based on individual examples. My evidence is census statistics, reporting in the media, sunday school attendance research and so on. I suspect that your point is how some churches and individuals, including yourself, have responded to the eroding I talk about.
THIS IS HAPPEN EVERY WEEK IN MY AREA AS PEOPLE FROM LOCAL CONGREGATIONS SUPPORT THE WORK OF OUR LOCAL SECONDARY COLLEGE WITH UP TO 100 PEOPLE BEING INVOLVED EACH WEEK OF THE SCHOOL TERM. IN OTHER AREAS BEING INVOLVED WITH ASYLUM SEEKERS, REFUGEES, THE ELDERLY, CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND WORKING WITH THOSE IN NEED
As wonderful example Rod! Thanks for sharing that.
My hope is that the Bible will become not just a peripheral resource but a central part of the church’s practice and identity.
WELL AGAIN WHO ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? EVERY CHRISTIAN I KNOW PRACTICES READING THE BIBLE SOME TIMES AND IS CENTRAL TO THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF A GOOD FAITH PRACTICE BUT IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IT EFFECTING OR EVEN CHANGING THEIR LIFE PRACTICES THROUGH READING AND STUDYING IT THEN YES AGAIN WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO
I am here referring to research in a number of western countries that clearly displays a disconnect between the Bible and church attending Christians. Very low reading rates, low regard and general misunderstandings abound. For some NZ based research see: http://biblesociety.org.nz/Bible-Engagement-Crisis/
My hope is that creativity is encouraged within the church and that creative people are given more say and influence.
MOST CREATIVE PEOPLE I KNOW DON’T NEED OR WANT TO HAVE MORE SAY THEY WHAT THE CHURCH VLAUE AND COMMISSION WORKS OF ART AND TO ALLOW THAT ART AND CULTURE TO INFLUENCE THE WAY WE SEE GOD AND PRACTICE THE FAITH
Here I am talking not so much about creating art, but of giving creative people the freedom and authority to assist in addressing the challenges that face the church. I remember a service you ran at a UCA youth worker in-service back in the late 90s.. it was creative and unusual and though I haven’t told you this before, it really influenced my approach to worship from that point on. You showed me that there are other ways of being a worshiping community outside of the hymn sandwich. That is creativity.
What is your hope for the church?
THAT WE MAY AS THE CHURCH ENGAGE IN GRACE FILLED CONVERSATIONS WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN OUR WORLD AND THAT THIS WOULD FLOW THROUGH OUR VALUES AND BELIEFS INTO OUR ACTIONS SO THAT PEOPLE WOULD SAY ‘ THOSE CHRISTIAN’S REALLY DO BELIEVE THE WORDS, ACTIONS AND DEEDS OF THEIR SAVIOUR AND LORD IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT IS EASY TO SEE THEY ARE CHRISTIAN.
Amen to that brother!
Brilliant Terri!! I have been reading a book I got for Christmas called, “Speeches that changed the world’ and what stood out for me is that many of those speeches were from people we esteem greatly. And common to them all is that they didn’t just talk about stuff, they did it. They didn’t care what others thought, they got on with it. Very challenging indeed.
Hey Suzanne! The third place is an interesting concept, that can be the coffee shop or wherever I guess, we as the church need to be there as well. I remember an Anglican Priest by the name of Frank Sheehan once saying that the church is answering questions no one is asking. Moving out into the community and being incarnational is very important. And to add to Frank’s comment, so that we might answer the questions that are actually being asked.
I really appreciate your comment Viqui! Thanks for that.
Thanks for this opportunity to finally share something I have been saying to my social work training. The Church at times do not realise what their role is in the community and become a part of the problem by not realising they are a Psychology of the community. No one person can councel a bigger group except by a group.
I would love to see the church play its role by sharing the love of the Bible, not any pre idea god of believes but the God of love the Bible is talking about. I would also like to see people talk about the Word of God which directed by the Holy Spirit not what the people think it says. With that, we are on the role in helping people without judgements because of some beliefs we have as how the church should be.
That is me, saying those thing based on the experience I found from the God of Love in the Bible. Not the God which interpret by many beliefs.
God bless you all.