WHAT TYPE OF CHURCH ARE WE?

As you may have read in a previous article our church leaders recently met to explore where we are as a church community and where we should be. Few would believe where we have travelled in a few years, and guess so much is down to God, and the amazing people that form the church community here and want to embrace all that God has for us. In the summer our senior leaders were challenged through a book they read by the Reverend Steve Chalke, entitled Intelligent Church. It explores how the church can journey towards being a Christ Centred Community. Like Canon Robert Warrens book on church health, it looks at several aspects of what is essential within a church community, and what really needs to be assessed and explored. Of course the book is not the answer to all our problems as churches, and neither is it ideal and complete in everyway, but it is a starting point to explore what is happening in our church community, and what we need to seriously be considering at this time. As a church we recognise we have a long way to go. We are far from perfect, we are not professionals at what we do (thankfully), but do have a deep desire to honour and bless God, and He has answered those prayers among us. We have been sent a lot of new people - many have stayed. We sense for some the chaos of our church community is not acceptable, and the style is not for everyone. Thats why it is great we use a team of different people to preach and teach, and not just our 'ministers' do it - they believe that we are all 'ministers' to God and to His People.

So, we are at a new point for this church community. We need to assess where we should be going. We need to question what we are about, and we need to ensure we keep in line with the mission and ministry God has called us to, and not go on and do it all ourselves. It can be very easy to be in that place. We also want to leave a future for this church for those who are not yet born, those who are not yet born again, and ensure that The Salvation Army in Ashford continues to honour Him.

We will continue to explore, ask questions, and seek to find the answers, not through endless discussions and meetings, but by recognising where we are, and doing something about it. We are currently then asking what type of church are we, in order to reflect a Christ Community.

Are we:

Inclusive? Messy? Honest? Purposeful? Generous? Vulnerable? Politcal? Diverse? Dependent? Transforming?

We would love to hear what you think - and after all, everyone matters and has a right to say what they see, experience and know.