Moving forward TOGETHER!
fresh ideas for growing and creating church
The PCC has been prayerfully considering the way forward for us as a church for some time, as we seek to serve God and local people in a challenging and changing world.
Nationally, the Church of England, with other denominations, has been embracing change and seeking “fresh expressions” of church. In 2004, the C of E issued a report called “Mission-Shaped Church” which called us to let mission to our communities shape how we are church, allowing new ways of being church to grow alongside “traditional” forms. The Archbishop of Canterbury referred to this approach as “a mixed economy” and our Diocese has embraced this way, along with the wider Church. Every parish has been encouraged to adopt it as well, cherishing the “inherited” ways of being church, whilst exploring opportunities for fresh expressions that suit the local culture, providing church for the “unchurched” everywhere.
Under Paul’s leadership, St. Luke’s has been trying to understand this dual call to be church for everyone. That’s why we saw parts of a DVD about some fresh expressions of church a while ago (like “Messy Church”), and had a go at “liquid worship” down at Queens Park School. It’s why the PCC has been exploring the possibility of alternative Services for some time, and why Paul helped to organize the Mission-Shaped Intro course for St. Helens Deanery recently, which several of our church members attended.
What will it cost?
Your PCC is exploring this at the moment and realises that it won’t be cheap. We will have to “dig deep” if we believe that this is for the good of God’s mission in our parish, but it may be possible to get some funding too.
It will be costly in more ways than financial as we accept change and live with some uncertainty for a while. The PCC has taken some time to come to this place and we understand that it will take other church members time to prayerfully consider their response.
On a journey with God
The Bible speaks of believers as aliens and pilgrims in this world. God’s people are on a journey towards their true home in heaven. This means that we have to live with change, ready to move on when God moves, just like the Israelites journeying through the desert to the promised land. The Lord provided for all their needs as they travelled: He will provide for us in every way if we will walk with him.
Open to God, open to one another
We all need to be open to what God is calling us to and to prayerfully weigh what the PCC is sharing as the way forward. We need to talk together and listen carefully to one another. Please speak with PCC members and share your views, excitement, anxiety…
...and let’s all listen and talk with God in prayer
St. Luke’s PCC, October 2009
Please make sure you have the original leaflet and the latest updates on THE PCC’S VISION for the way forward for our church life - a donation sheet for gifts of chairs is out now.