How do we go about all this?
Getting down to the practical realities is the next task and setting ourselves time aims to fulfil certain actions, as well as creating a means of appraising our progress. Following is the beginnings of this and an example of how we need to develop.
1) Nurturing Christ-likeness
- Developing personal and corporate spirituality
- worship: varied styles, increasingly open to the Holy Spirit; central to our lives
- prayer: corporate / individual integral to everything
- reading: of scripture, of books and other relevant materials
- Developing in-depth biblical teaching
- knowledgeable church
- maturity of faith
- maturity of character / community development
- use of external quality teachers / preachers
- Developing a School for Preachers and Teachers
- Developing excellent pastoral care for members
- Development of Small Groups as a base
- Development of 3 tier model of care:
Integration, Spiritual growth, Crisis intervention
- Developing training / equipping / nurturing natural and spiritual gifts in all areas of church ministry
- Emphasis upon every member ministry
- Home grown using the skills available
- External courses, materials etc
- Liaising and sharing with other churches on common interest projects
- Joint preparation e.g. Confirmation, Marriage
- Joint training events e.g. Prayer Ministry
- Developing focus congregations that reflect groups within society not simply one large congregation
- Youth congregation?
- Early morning Business congregation?
- Late Night Clubbers congregation!?
Getting down to the practical realities is the next task and setting ourselves time aims to fulfil certain actions, as well as creating a means of appraising our progress. Following is the beginnings of this and an example of how we need to develop.
