Today is Pentecost Sunday
The last of the questions I’m thinking about is:
How do we allow God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven – in this place?
I’m coming to the end of the book ‘Church After Christendom,’ and I’ll just have a few thoughts here.
1
De-emphasise worship, and make Mission and Community Building just as central
2
Reduce the number of church focused commitments to allow congregation members to be involved in other activities and mission opportunities outside church.
3
Cultivate simplicity – which does not necessarily mean blandness or lacking in creativity.
4
Take a long look at ourselves, using tools that are there to help us identify areas of strength and weakness – especially in areas of conflict within the church. Use resources such as Appreciative Inquiry, The Healthy Churches Audit, Bridgebuilders.
5
Promote lay participation and become less ‘leader centric.’ Encourage multi voiced worship.
7
Refocused commitment – we live in an age when it is often said that people do not want commitment – yet movements like extinction rebellion show that where people see something worth struggling for, they will do it.
I love this prayer, with four words that are used to describe the way we are called to be … full of generosity, joy, imagination and courage
Living God, draw us deeper into your love;
Jesus our Lord, send us to care and serve;
Holy Spirit, make us heralds of good news.
Stir us, strengthen us, teach and inspire us,
to live your love with generosity and joy,
imagination and courage;
for the sake of your world,
and in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Five Short Words 