A major new initiative of the Presbyterian Church aimed at encouraging creative thinking on how the Church focuses on import aspects of Christian witness is to be introduced to ministers and church leaders at an event in Assembly Buildings, Fisherwick Place, Belfast this Tuesday, 24 January at 7.30pm.
Entitled 'Fit for Purpose' the programme has the subtitle, 'Becoming the Church Christ wants us to be' and is a five year scheme which will see Presbyterians consider the importance and implications of five priorities, one for each year, as agreed by the General Assembly last June.
"Some year ago the General Assembly began a project to identify the priorities for the work of the Presbyterian Church at any given time," explains Clerk of the Assembly Rev Donald Watts.
"After a process of consultation we identified a vision and a number of aspirations for what our Church may become under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. To help achieve this, five key themes were identified to inform our discussions. These were adopted by the General Assembly in 2011 as Assembly themes for 2012 until 2017 and it is hoped that they will be considered at all levels throughout the Church as we seek to become the Church that Christ wants us to be."
The scheme will be officially launched at the 2012 General Assembly and the Church will begin focusing on the each of the following priorities in turn in a programme that will continue until June 2017.
A prophetic voice, confidently proclaiming where it stands and who it stands beside, in a society which is increasingly secular and often opposed to Christian values and lifestyle.
A place of transformation, where people do not leave as they have entered but are challenged and changed, having encountered the living God present in the worship and the lives of his people.
A people of service and outreach, with each Congregation seeking to identify the needs of the community where it is placed and encouraging its members to act as Christ's representatives in the place where they live and work.
A caring fellowship, welcoming the stranger and learning from one another, valuing the gifts of each individual, while offering prayer and pastoral support to all in need.
A community of global concern, learning from and sharing with our brothers and sisters in the world Church, while recognising with them those issues of concern for our stewardship of the world's resources where together we must challenge injustice, poverty and oppression in Jesus' name.
Dr Watts defines the programme as being "a continued and courageous outworking of our vocation to be a Biblical Church in the generation in which God has placed us.
"Our reformed and reforming identity does not consist of merely understanding accurately the liberating truths that distinguish us, or of resting comfortably within their expressions and forms they have been given over the centuries, but being committed to a view of Christian faith and presence which is not only personal and private but which is vibrantly public and engaged with the world for Christ's sake."
Taking part in the Assembly Building's event along with Dr Watts will be Presbyterian Moderator Dr Ivan Patterson with keynote speaker Rev James Burnett, minister of Lowe Memorial Presbyterian Church with praise led by Robin Mark.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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