What sort of Church do we want? More importantly, what kind of Church does God want? These questions are important, and especially so if the church is considering church planting.
The following points are not intended as a complete description of the ideal church, but as a statement of priorities. These are things we consider to be vital if we are to attempt to live as Christ's Body on Earth. They are not listed in any particular order.
Stands on one foundation: Christ.
Stands on two legs: Truth and Love, firmly rooted in reality and honesty.
Seeks to balance the five basic tasks: mission, prophecy, evangelism, pastoral care and teaching.
Practices every member ministry, believes in the priesthood of all believers.
Knows that relationships are essential: loves God and loves other people in practical ways.
Remembers that who we are is more important than what we do.
Keeps the priorities clear: being a child of God first, a worshipper second, and a worker third.
Is committed to personal and corporate growth.
Freely gives and receives forgiveness, recognising that we are all less than perfect.
Strives for holiness but does not pretend to have achieved it.
Seeks to achieve but accepts the limitations given by God.
Recognises that personal growth and obedience are the responsibility of each individual: we are all disciples, all learners; we all need to grow more like Jesus.
Lives in the light of eternity.
Desires to play a significant part in God's eternal purpose.
Recognises that following Jesus is the ultimate adventure in life.
Attempts to learn from history.
Believes what the Apostles taught, as revealed in the Bible.
Encourages use of the gifts of the Spirit as a natural part of the Christian life.
Encourages the exercise of all the gifts and talents God has given. Uses everything God has given, including the intellect, in His service.
Expects our Father to lead us all, but not lead us all to do the same things. Celebrates unity in diversity.
Balances inner life and outer service, both as individuals and as a group.
Believes that God is interested in the whole person - our bodies, minds and emotions as well as our souls.
Practices evangelism as a part of its total involvement in the world where God has placed us. Follows the call to be salt and light.
Refuses to separate the sacred and the secular.
Does not believe any of the historic Christian churches have been infallible, either in orthodoxy or orthopraxy.
Receives with pleasure and thankfulness the good things God gives us. Fun is a by-product of faithfulness.
The style is primarily relaxed and informal. We don't need to dress up to 'meet with God.' We don't take ourselves too seriously: God is important; we are not. God does not need us to build His Kingdom.
The worship invites participation, it doesn't try to dictate what we should do or feel.
We don't criticise other Christians or groups - we seek to learn from them what we can, and give them the freedom to be different.
Chart or diagram to encapsulate the key ideas, a smaller version to use as the logo - see below.
Charter to publicly define the group.
Covenant: my personal statement of commitment to God and the other people.
Guidelines: expectations. What members can expect of the church, and what the church can expect of the members. What we can expect of each other.
The Church is growing, getting larger.
Jesus at the centre, the world on the outside, and the five areas connecting the two together. The whole structure resting on God.
The structure is unstable: it will fall down unless God keeps it upright, keeps it going.
Crisis Centre