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Information about up and coming changes |  |
A Vision for Our Church
The leadership of the church feel that God is giving St Alkmund’s a vision for the future - initially through John White. This summary information is part of the process of informing all the church membership of the vision in its current form to help discussion and prayer.
Here are the points covered in this summary:
- What is the vision?
- Three levels of church
- Why do we believe the vision is from God?
- The 4 Pillars; Growth through evangelism, Every member in a small group, Leadership development, Mercy ministries
- Why change?
- Does this actually mean things will change?
- When will this happen?
- Why now?
- Is this a "done deal"?
- What will happen to children’s work?
- How will this affect me?
- Can I give feedback?
- What can I do?
- Conclusion
You can download and print out your own copy of this vision summary in .pdf document format by clicking here.
What is the vision?
The vision is a church which is engaged with the local community including mission and outreach to them. We believe this is likely to be based on "Pastorates" - that is Worshipping Missionary Communities of between about 20 and 50 people - within a church currently numbering 300 or so.
Membership of the church would principally be expressed by membership of one of these Pastorates, and they would organise their own worship, ministry and outreach in whatever ways they felt led under the oversight of John White - this could include radical transformation of the way we use Sundays at present.
One picture of Pastorates is migrating geese - all going the same way, but in different forms and sizes.
Three levels of church
We envisage three levels at which church will need to work: Small Group, Pastorate and Celebration.
A Pastorate is a Worshipping Missionary Community in the sense that we studied as a church during November 2004. Pastorates may well meet twice a month or so, and this could be on Sundays or at other times during the week. Pastorates will be the main focus of the church since:
- 20-50 is a comfortable and practical number of people in which to develop new ministries and gifts - it is easier to lead worship or speak or find your feet in a healing ministry here than in a larger church setting
- it can often be a less threatening environment to bring along our non-Christian friends and colleagues.
- 20-50 is the number of people we can really get to know and recognise
Celebration. Throughout the Bible there are examples of God’s people - the wider family of the church - meeting together to celebrate him. A celebration would be the whole church including all the Pastorates meeting together, and this is envisaged once a month or so.
Small Groups. Even Pastorates are too large to be individually accountable before God, and it is important that each of us has a reference point and support group where we are accountable. Small groups would be groups of people who choose to meet together - this might be similar to groups at present meeting in someone’s home, or for example, 2 or 3 meeting specifically to pray and support one other.
Why do we believe the vision is from God?
God giving a vision to His leaders is not new - as we know throughout the Bible and through our own experience. For example,
- Nehemiah 1:4. God spoke to Nehemiah and had his heart burn for his city of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was convicted and convinced that his work was to go there and rebuild the walls. A call to action.
- Jesus in John 15:16 tells us about the fruit that he will bear through us and fellow believers. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. This is a calling on us now.
- God has given John White the following word from Ephesians 3:20 which we believe to be for St Alkmund’s: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Let’s not be shy about what God might or will do - let’s go for it.
- John White has received this vision (as outlined in the first few paragraphs) and believes it is from God for St Alkmund’s at this point in time. Together as a leadership team, we are seeking God to clarify how the vision might be worked out and ask for continued revelation by God.
- God has been speaking to St Alkmund’s in recent times including the vision of four pillars of the church, and the Pastorate vision is consistent with this
The Four Pillars
1 - Growth through evangelism
Part of the role of each Pastorate is to work out its plan for evangelism. One part of this may well include the fact that it may be easier for each of us to invite friends and colleagues to a smaller, and in many ways less threatening situation. Pastorates may of course have social events or other activities which are natural avenues for involving non-Christians.
2 - Every member in a small group
A key part of the four pillars vision was the involvement of everyone - this is consistent with the Pastorate vision where it is now key that (i) everyone is involved in a Pastorate and (ii) everyone has accountability before God at some point - typically through small groups (see point above). However, the Pastorate vision appears to give greater scope for new ministries to be developed - worship leading, teaching, healing, welcoming, hospitality and all the other Spiritual gifts (eg 1 Corinthians 12: 7&28).
3 - Leadership development
It is clear that more people will be involved in the Pastorate vision in leadership and every other responsibility within the church. Pastorate leaders will be key appointments, and training will have to start soon.
4 - Mercy ministries
Because Pastorates can be local and/or consist of people who naturally share a burden for a locality or particular ministry, it is anticipated that mercy ministries will be part of the life and work of several Pastorates.
Why change?
Staying still is not an option as it wasn’t for Nehemiah - nothing would have happened to the walls of Jerusalem if he’d sat still. We have plenty of room for growth in St Alkmund’s, but this is not happening - look around you on a Sunday. The Church is the one entity that exists principally for the benefit of its non-members, and the Pastorate vision is in large part a response to this - the need to get involved with our communities and see them won for Christ.
Does this actually mean things will change?
Yes, we believe things will change - with all the roles delegated to Pastorates, many more people will need to be released into ministry. We will need to train and encourage new worship leaders, speakers, people committed to prayer, welcomers, children’s workers - in fact people in every area of the church’s life.
Even though we will be in different pastorates, we are all still part of St Alkmund’s and will be meeting to Celebrate God’s greatness together. All the Pastorates are linked - like elements in a chemical compound, each different but part of the whole, each sharing together common strong bonds.
When will this happen?
It is envisaged that groups will start to become Pastorates at whatever stage they are ready between now and September 2006.
Why now?
Now is a time when we have to be asking God what is next - key personnel are moving on including Derek and Jo and Karen or have recently moved such as Carol and Barney.
Is this a "done deal"?
No, this is not settled. We do believe that the direction of this vision (ie towards Pastorates/ Worshipping Missionary Communities) is from God, but none of the details are certain - if God wants this vision to be modified, then you need to help us hear that!
What will happen to children’s work?
This is a key area of the ministry of the church that has not yet been worked through in detail. We are asking key people who are committed to this work to help work out how this work could transition. There are other areas too that need careful consideration.
How will this affect me?
We all need to think about what ministry we think God is calling us to. As with Paul’s picture in 1 Corinthians 12 (v14 for example) we are a body of many parts, and each of us is crucial, but each of us needs to ask God to reveal his part for us. Working out what God is calling each of us to (it could be a certain gifting or mercy ministry or to be with particular people) will help us identify our place in the Pastorates.
Can I give feedback?
Yes; in fact feedback is essential. There are many ways to do this - use any or all of them. Feedback will include what you feel God is saying together with what excites you about the vision and also what is more scary, and practical wisdom. For example:-
- Small Groups are invited to give feedback - talk/pray things over with other members and the leader and feedback together or individually.
- Noticeboard at church. There is a specific feedback board - put your thoughts on it.
- Interim Leadership Team. We are talking and praying through this vision as a team (see end of paper) - find one of us to speak to.
- Come to the Church Meeting (see box).
There will also be further opportunities for feedback. All feedback is welcome, and please remember that attributable feedback (even if confidential) is given greater consideration than anonymous contributions.
What can I do?
Well, first of all, pray. Then, pray again! At every stage the church needs prayer, but at times when we are seeking and hearing specific direction from God, prayer is even more key.
But also, give your feedback, and keep involved in discussions as the vision clarifies.
Conclusion
We invite you to join in the process of seeking God for the vision for St Alkmund’s, and we pray that together we will move forward in his will for us.
John White, Vicar
& the St Alkmund’s Interim Leadership Team
August 2005
The following are currently members of the Interim Leadership Team, but this may change from time to time.
Vicar: John White
Wardens: Rachel Brooks, Jon Pocock;
Staff: Sharon Shipley, Ruth Turner, Simon Wood;
Members: Derek Crocker, Andrew Brooks, Jon Hyde, Brian Stanton, Nigel Town, Rowland Travis, Rachel Wheway.
