The foundation of this isn’t an attempt to bolster declining membership rolls and make a better parochial report to the bishop.
No, it goes much deeper than that. It starts with who God has called us to be as church. It involves discovering our gifts and purpose. And it mandates joining God at work in the world.
This isn’t about getting the world into God’s church; it’s about getting the church into God’s world.
If you’ve read any postings on this blog before, you know that God’s mission is what we are to be about.
Everything comes from that — including the identity of the church. We exist as church only because God has a mission. Our purpose, our very identity, is called forth out of God’s loving care and redemptive activity in creation.
We are steeped in God’s mission. We are drenched through baptism into this essential character of God. God is at work in the world, and creates, calls and equips the church specifically for that work.
Each congregation has a purpose within God’s mission.
Each congregation has particular gifts. Each congregation reveals the life-giving reign of God in unique ways.
No congregation is everything to everyone. But every congregation is something to someone.
Who can know God through your worship style?
Who can experience forgiveness and grace through your congregational community?
Who needs the gifts you have to offer?
Who can offer gifts you need?
