By Kim Thoday
Sometimes it is helpful to ask your people how they picture their Church. What would they want it to look like in 5 years or 10 years? This can make a useful and interesting small groups activity. Recently we held another Vision Dinner. Church was done caf © style and I presented some discussion starters and my own interpretation of God’s Vision for our Church. Then we broke up into small groups and brain stormed: the non-judgemental dreaming of the big picture. After that the ideas were gathered together and consolidated into a meaningful whole. A Vision for the Church does not ask the question: how do we get there? That comes later in strategy meetings. Rather, it asks the question: What will God’s purpose for our Church look like?
For a Vision I prefer a picture or an image rather than statement. A statement will be useful but it can lock us into a particular formula. A picture, on the other hand, is an artist’s impression. A picture or symbol or story is dynamic and has more scope for meaning and modification. A picture communicates a thousand words. Jesus often used picture language and story to communicate his vision and purpose. The early churches chose stories and symbols to spread the Gospel. Their symbols were drawn from every day life and often maritime or agricultural metaphor was employed. Water, fish, boats and sea-faring activities became important signs of God’s purposes, of seeing the extra-ordinary in the ordinary, of perceiving God’s miraculous dealings with his people.
For our Vision Dinner, I used Maritime pictures or images. Our Church is to be: * A Light-house The primary purpose of our faith community is to point people to God, in Jesus. * A Harbour Our Church community is to be a safe haven, a sanctuary, a space to learn to simply be, amidst the storms of life. * A Dock-yard Our church community is to support people in times of crisis, offering counsel, prayer, healing, practical assistance, to help them restore their lives. * An Academy Our Church community is to teach, disciple and mentor in the ways of Jesus Christ. * A Port Our Church is a place of engaging with the world in mission and evangelism.
Grace and Peace in Jesus’ name,
Kim Thoday, Hewett Community Church of Christ, South Australia
Discussion
No comments for “A Fishy Story”