Well, 5:17 church is now 18 months old. In the last post, I wrote a short summary of what has been happening at 5:17. Following on from that post, during the week I had a look at our Night Vision minutes – remember them?! They were the planning meetings that we held in the months before 5:17 church was launched. Below are some of the things we aimed to be as a church. How do you think we’re going in them? What can we grow in?
Our 5:17 church vision: Connecting with Jesus, connecting with people, connecting people with Jesus
How are we putting the above vision into action?
Connecting with each other
This means: genuine love and biblical fellowship (not simply friendship and social unity). What does this look like?
- Not a religious meeting, but family / community gathering – socialize, celebrate, togetherness, hospitality
- Real and authentic relationships (no veneer)
- Sense of humour / fun
- All inclusive (all ages, social and economic backgrounds, ethnic descent, and cultural patterns)
- The church is a body (the hands and feet of Jesus); one body – unity; many parts (personalities, gifts, talents) – diversity
Genuine love and biblical fellowship includes:
- Assimilation: including all people into the life and ministry of the church (Rev 7:9)
- Service: every-member ministry (1 Peter 4:10)
- Mutual submission – loving respect shown to each and every person (Eph 5:21)
- Prayer (Acts 2:42-47)
- Transparency (James 5:16; 1 Cor 13:7)
- Forgiveness (Matt 18:15-20)
Threats to the above:
- Consumerism (Phil 2:4)
- Divisiveness (Rom 16:17-18)
- Individualism (1 Cor 12:21-22)
- Pretence (Eph 4:25)
- Judgmentalism (Rom 14:13)
How are we going? I’d love your feedback – either in the comments below or via email. Please be honest (yet loving), because only through being honest with ourselves can we grow into what God has called us to be.
Pulse check part II coming soon
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