My primary vision of God is as a loving Father; since God is in his very being a

loving relationality and because he is supremely revealed by Jesus as ‘Father’. It is

also fundamental to my understanding of God’s character that he loves all he has

made and that the very motive of creating all that exists was grace – to invite

humanity into the giving and receiving of love within the Godhead. Out of that

understanding flows the revelation that despite the alienation of humanity from

God, by evil choices, still God desires to save every person and that Jesus lived,

died & rose again to make that reconciliation possible.

Due to the above and my reading of the priorities for the early church (within the

context of the culture it was called to reach), I believe the church is there to

primarily continue the mission of Jesus by revealing the Loving Father to the world

and welcoming people into relationship with Him. I believe that it should do this by

various means but continue to ensure that form serves purpose and that every

church practice is evaluated in the light of whether it is Christ-like in character and

serves others in a spirit of self-sacrificing love.

I take very seriously that Jesus testified that he perfectly revealed the Father. As we

have no other direct revelation of what God is like, I take this to mean that all our

presuppositions and practices (however supported they may be by received

teaching) need to be tested against whether or not they are supported by Jesus’

words, actions and his serving, gracious, anti-judgemental, poor-focussed, out-in

society, loving revelation of God.

That may all sound too theoretical, so let me try and ground it in some concrete

examples. The above causes me to believe that the following principles are

important in my vision for church:

• Leadership that serves the people; supporting their growth and caring for them.

No controlling or manipulating others and no assumption that the leadership can

just decide what to do without sharing convictions with the rest of the people in the

church and being open to discuss where there are legitimate concerns – a strong

desire to move forwards together (as a family).

• Reality in relationships, so that people are not meant to pretend to be more pious

than they are or to achieve certain standards of outward appearance or language.

Above all that people know that inward motive is more important and that they can

safely be honest about when they are having a hard time with unbelief, sin, doubt or

anger against God – without fear of being judged or punished.

• Absence of prejudice: the wonderful vision of a ‘a new humanity’ in Christ is

practiced by every person having equal right to share their convictions, practice

their gifts or fulfil any role in the church (based purely on character/gifting) whether

black or white, male or female, married or single, young or old etc. This should also

be practiced in ensuring that we are accessible as a safe place for all types of

people to come and hear what Christians believe and what they are like. Which

means we are also careful that our services, preaching or prophesying are not

misunderstood as bigoted against any group in society; but that they are all

welcome to come and hear the good news for them from Jesus Christ.

• Openness to anyone: a place that recognises that each life is precious and that

the church, as Christ’s body is there to serve and care for others, as well as sharing

the truths of the gospel. Thus I would envision a church where any person,

whatever their status in society, affluence, age, gender, sexual orientation, politics,

faith or lack of faith (including any other religion practiced) felt welcomed and

accepted to come and be part of a meeting – on the basis of their common humanity

and our message of the Loving Father’s saving love for all humanity.

• Gentle spirit: a people who value the gentleness that Jesus showed with people

and recognise this as a key fruit of the Spirit. Who combine a valuing of each life

with a respect for each person; his or her dignity & freedom of choice. No coercion

or guilt tripping permitted.

• Thinking encouraged: A people encouraged to think about their faith and to ask

questions or challenge proclaimed ‘truth’ when they are not convinced or do not

understand. Of course, this needs to be done in a way that is also respectful of the

other person & their convictions. This is all to foster a valuing of: authenticity; a

desire to learn; the importance of people being true to their personal convictions (or

‘faith’) and the accountability of each member to the others. Further, people should

also be encouraged to value thinking in science and the arts; without seeing

learning in these areas as in conflict with their faith but rather complimentary to it as

part of their God inspired search for truth.

• Active participation: All members of this church family are encouraged to actively

participate in the life of the community and corporate meetings/worship by bringing

their own gifts. Each encouraged to share their heart and be honest about their

spiritual journey. Serving also to be taught; both practical services of one another

(i.e. dishwashing, putting out chairs, cleaning etc) as well as the more obviously

spiritual tasks.

• Willingness to learn & change. A willingness for the body together and

individuals within it to learn and change in their understanding of God, themselves

and church. An unashamed acknowledgement that we are all on a spiritual journey

and thus have an incomplete understanding that changes and grows as we do.

People should be encouraged to be open to this transformation.

• Valuing the whole Bride of Christ. Knowing that the wider church is important and

that there is a protection in understanding what God is saying and doing across

different churches. Denominations should not be viewed as a barrier to God’s

activity but rather a structural representation of a diversity which is still blessed by

God, as well as a testimony to the limitations of our human ability to ever fully

embrace the revelation of Jesus Christ within one set of church beliefs/practice. As

such, contact with other churches within a variety of denominations should be

encouraged; as well as visits from them & working together.

• Jesus is the Saviour, not church or even the Bible. It should be ensured that

people are continually encouraged to prioritise their relationship with Jesus and

practical obedience to his teachings; avoiding any idolising of Church or Scripture

as primary.

• General revelation is important. Some of what I have shared also comes from a

conviction that God is more actively involved in our world than we frequently credit. I

believe the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father & the Son and thus is active not just

in the church but also throughout creation reaching out to people who have never

heard the gospel or a very far from the Christian faith. People should be

encouraged to be open to this existing work of God in people and to build on that

foundation.