I dream of how things could be.....

I have a dream to be a church

1. Where we take seriously the gospel message that we are sinners in need of grace.

2. Where there is a wide diversity of all kinds of personalities, generations, and social background.

3. Where people can come to know and follow Christ in ways appropriate to their culture and background.

4. Where holiness is determined by the big themes of justice and mercy as well as the more traditional themes of personal purity.

5. Where we undertake to ensure that there are no needy persons among us.

6. Where eating together features as one of the most spiritual things we do.

7. Where the importance of the nuclear family works alongside the need to be a church family in which friendships can form across generations, ethnicity and gender.

8. Where there is a healthy respect for ordained ministry but never at the expense of every member ministry and the value of the workplace.

9. Where in a culture of statistics and league tables we celebrate the uniqueness and importance of each and every individual in the body of Christ.

10. Where childhood is celebrated as a sign of the kingdom of God and not simply as a stepping stone to adulthood.

11. Where old people are honoured, loved and cared for.

12. Where people of a homosexual orientation but committed to a life of celibacy can be full participating members of the church.

13. Where the differences between men and women are celebrated, but not in a way that limits the opportunities for women to fully participate in the life of the church.

14. Where young people are catered for in terms of their needs, but also challenged in the way of discipleship.

15. Where children and young people are not seen as separate departments but as part of the whole church.

16. Where students feel they can get involved without losing touch with the campus.

17. Where retirement is viewed as an opportunity for further adventures in the Spirit and not as the end of Christian service.

18. Where we learn a counter-cultural rhythm of prayer, solitude and Sabbath rest.

19. Where basic devotional practices such as prayer and Bible study are fostered.

20. Where the task of initiation into the ways of the kingdom and membership of the church is not rushed but given time to develop.

21. Where the church meeting is less a business meeting and more like a place to discern together the mind of Christ together.

22. Where congregational involvement is encouraged in the decision -making of the church.

23. Where the definition of the charismatic includes preaching and sacraments as well as the more overt gifts of prophecy and tongues.

24. Where congregational singing is encouraged whilst never reducing worship to just singing.

25. Where there is an expectation of healing but not in such a way as to induce guilt among those not healed, nor in such a way as to deny the sovereignty of God.

26. Where Lord’s Day worship is taken more seriously as an expression of Christian discipleship.

27. Where there are meaningful mid-size groups that help people to find fellowship and exercise spiritual gifts.

28. Where we give space to embrace the wintry seasons of our lives as well as the sunny seasons.

29. Where we move beyond welcome towards hospitality.

30. Where our homes and our engagement in the community become the mission base of the church rather than our programmes.

31. Where a visitor among us can enjoy anonymity but neither not leave as a complete stranger.

32. Where we recognise those things that are good in our culture and resist living only in the Christian ghetto.

33. Where we affirm not just those on the mission field but the missionary potential of each member and every vocation.

34. Where evangelism is driven by the love of God and not the agenda of church growth.

35. Where we are known not so much for those things we stand against but for those things we are for.

36. Where a generosity of spirit prevails in every aspect of church life.

37. Where the cause of global mission continues to feature as a large part of our overall giving.

38. Where our gifts and resources are made available to the community and the wider church.

39. Where what we don’t do is as important as what we do.

40. Where we learn to thank God for what we are, rather than complaining about what we are not.

Ian Stackhouse May 2010