For it to genuinely qualify as a representative of Christ's bride in the city (rather than just a gathering of believers) we do believe a church needs to be a publicly recognisable entity that uses public premises in the city. So this means we'll be meeting somewhere public and central and having a clear name and identity - but purely to enable it's role as a 'light on the hill' - not to build it's own brand or ego.
We also feel our role must be to increasingly enable those that journey with us to steward their own lives and callings, under the leading of the Holy Spirit. We must work against encouraging any dependency on any of us as leaders etc. Working from that principle we'd encourage a model of teaching that emphasises dialogue and interaction (helping people think rather than telling them what to think).
We'll aim to build deep friendships and gather regularly around food and fun as a community.
And lastly, the other main change we'd make is in worship. Really keen to move away from that feeling of singing lullabys for the insecure and instead towards bold proclamations of who God is (worship as warfare vs that self--oriented "Jesus-did-it-all-just-for-me approach).
We hope to incorporate pertinent secular songs regularly too - consciously work against that sacred/segular divide that comes with religion. Lyrically hymns are brilliant. They'd be a good complement to some of the more searching secular songs. Musical style is probably less relevant, and depends on the ability of people who can play so probably work that out last - but definitely more upbeat, rock style than the current tendency towards country-music lullabies.
We aim to blend learning with fun and creativity. If we really are God's children we should be brimming with life and creativity. Not to put on an unreachable perfect 'show' but as an everyday expression of life we all come to embody.
We also feel our role must be to increasingly enable those that journey with us to steward their own lives and callings, under the leading of the Holy Spirit. We must work against encouraging any dependency on any of us as leaders etc. Working from that principle we'd encourage a model of teaching that emphasises dialogue and interaction (helping people think rather than telling them what to think).
We'll aim to build deep friendships and gather regularly around food and fun as a community.
And lastly, the other main change we'd make is in worship. Really keen to move away from that feeling of singing lullabys for the insecure and instead towards bold proclamations of who God is (worship as warfare vs that self--oriented "Jesus-did-it-all-just-for-me approach).
We hope to incorporate pertinent secular songs regularly too - consciously work against that sacred/segular divide that comes with religion. Lyrically hymns are brilliant. They'd be a good complement to some of the more searching secular songs. Musical style is probably less relevant, and depends on the ability of people who can play so probably work that out last - but definitely more upbeat, rock style than the current tendency towards country-music lullabies.
We aim to blend learning with fun and creativity. If we really are God's children we should be brimming with life and creativity. Not to put on an unreachable perfect 'show' but as an everyday expression of life we all come to embody.
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