Leadership Comm. 9

Hey Team,

I'm busy reading a great book by two UK pastors called Total Church and it is an outline of some thinking and attempts to 'do church' differently. Part of what God has been leading me to think about and strategize towards is how will we as PVFC do church differently. It's not that old is bad, but timely methods presenting an ancient message is what the Bible teaches and what the church needs in this post-modern world. Most churches are doing things the way they worked a century back – but this world is totally different and we've got to live differently for Jesus to be effective as his agents in this post-modern environment.

Total Church talks about gospel centred communities where people feel welcomed but challenged by the message of the crucified Jesus. The authors note that what tends to happen is that churches head into one or other of the paradigms: some churches present a strong gospel message but are weak on relationships (many mainline churches are in this category, we go to church and hear good messages but we don't talk to each other) and other churches are strong on the relational aspect but weak on truth (Emerging churches operate like this, with poor teaching but high value is placed on relationships)

We're often presented with an either-or option. But it is a both-and: we must seek real relationship with unbelievers and believers alike and we've got to be built around the gospel contained in the Bible that is well summed up by Paul writing to Timothy: The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 1 Timothy 1:15 ESV   

I believe there is something different about us. Week after week I have people raving about our congregation and what God is doing in our midst. This makes me excited because worldwide disillusionment with the church is high, and by God's grace we seem to be getting some things right. On Sundays we have truth filled worship and, gospel centred preaching. During the week we have well led and warm communities who gather and study the scriptures together and share life with each other.

By God's grace we are becoming a gospel centred community who value both the truth of the gospel as well as the depth of relationship that leads to a world changing church. I am blessed to be part of this family and my prayer for all our leaders is that you would take this call seriously to follow Jesus, to teach about Jesus, to lead others towards Jesus that we might become the church that Jesus has called us to be.

Blessings,

Brent