booklet 24/4/09 16:15 page 1 - united reformed church€¦ · · 2015-04-28emil brunner...

hearing your

views

planning for growth in the URC

booklet 24/4/09 16:15

© The United Reformed Church 2009

This booklet accompanies other material which can befound on the website www.urc.org.uk

Produced by Communications and Editorial on behalf of the Mission Commitee

Design and Photography: Twenty-Five Educational 0151 632 1657

Cover image: Flame flower [Vriesea duvaliana]

Printed by APG on REVIVE 100% chlorine free recycled paper. APGhold ISO 14001 Accreditation for International EnvironmentalStandards.

booklet 24/4/09 16:15

hearing your

views

planning for growth in the URC

booklet 24/4/09 16:15

booklet 24/4/09 16:15

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vision2020: your views

Contents

The mission creed ................................................................7

What is vision2020?..............................................................8

Timetable............................................................................10

What kind of church will we be in ten years time? ............11

Ten statements of our mission and purpose ......................12one: identity ..................................................................12two: spirituality and prayer ............................................13three: community partnerships ......................................14four: diversity..................................................................15

Poster: Pentecost ..............................................................16five: evangelism..............................................................18six: church growth ..........................................................19seven: global partnerships ............................................20eight: justice ..................................................................21nine: the integrity of creation ........................................22ten: christian ecumenical partnerships ..........................23

Local Mission Pledges ........................................................24

How to respond..................................................................27Option A: Considering Vision2020 in a special Pentecost session ........................................27Option B: Considering Vision2020 as part of a Pentecost service ........................................29Option C: Considering Vision2020 as an item of a Church or Elders Meeting......................30D: Considering Vision2020 on behalf of your church ................................................31

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the mission creed

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We believe in God’s mission:Beginning at creationwith a word of possibilityand a promise of abundance.

Breathing us into existence to delight in creationand to tread carefully.

We are creatures of the earth,reflecting God’s diversity, interconnected and interdependent.

We believe in God’s mission:Bringing good news in person,starting where others need to beginand finding holiness in every encounter.

Bursting through the walls of our churches,to reach out to the marginalisedwith unconditional love.

We are called to be a people of resurrection, sojourners in this generation,dependent on the generosity of God.

We believe in God’s mission:Challenging complacency,and calling for action,through contemplative love.

So that we might be at onewith each other and at peace with the world.

We are commissioned by God,Creator, Saviour, Holy Spirit,Source of the mission we seek to fulfil.

vision2020: the mission creed

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What is Vision2020?

“The church exists by mission, as fire exists by burning.”Emil Brunner

‘Vision2020’ is being developed as a 10-year plan formission for the United Reformed Church. It challengesthe whole church at local, synod and denominationallevel to think about what kind of church we want to be in ten years time. It also provides suggestions for how toget there together. It asks us to think about our identity,our role in the local community and our relationships withother churches. It will also help us clarify what we can dofor justice and for the environment. And it challenges usto grow.

Growth takes many forms. Every local church will be ableto tell a story of how it has changed and developed overtime: how its members have grown in faith; how peoplehave grown together; how it has grown part of itsneighbourhood. This is vital. But we can’t duck ournumerical decline. Growing in numbers is important too.Vision2020 works on the principle that if everyone does alittle then we can achieve much. And with a little co-ordination, the whole will be greater than the sum of the parts.

There are already many good plans in local churches andsynods. Those who have recently written a PastorateProfile will be familiar with thinking about their plans forthe future and about their mission in the community.Vision2020 aims to support this. Vision2020 will alsosupport synod mission strategies where these are being developed.

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Ed CoxConvenor of Mission Committee

Francis BrienenSecretary for Mission


Vision2020 will build on Vision4Life and will bedesigned to dovetail seamlessly with the evangelismyear of Vision4Life and then beyond.

This booklet is intended to introduce some of the ideasfor Vision2020 and to invite your views on them. Weencourage you to look at this booklet at a meeting or in asmall group session. Page 27 suggests different ways youcan use it to respond. It would be good if you could dothis in May-June this year, ideally around Pentecost.

On the day of Pentecost, the Book of Acts tells us thatthe disciples had gathered in a house in Jerusalem, nodoubt fearful of the future and daunted by the challengesJesus had left them. But fired up by the Holy Spirit, theywent from that place and spread the gospel to everycorner of the world. Vision2020 seeks to recapturesomething of the passion and courage exhibited by thefirst disciples and to inspire the United Reformed Churchto become truly mission-focused.

We look forward to your views. Please send us yourfeedback by 30 June 2009.

Many thanks!

Vision2020 works onthe principle that ifeveryone does a littlethen we can achievemuch. And with alittle co-ordination,the whole will begreater than the sumof the parts.

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Timetable

1 May 2009 Vision2020 consultation begins31 May 2009 Pentecost Sunday30 June 2009 Closing date for local church

responsesSep-Nov 2009 Discussions at synod meetings or

synod committees30 Nov 2009 Closing date for synod feedback21-22 Jan 2010 Discussion at Mission Committee9-11 March 2010 Discussion at Mission Council2-5 July 2010 Decision at General AssemblyAutumn 2010 Vision2020 starts

We took time to develop a vision statement to helpidentify the areas of mission to which God is callingus. We want the things we do to be effective andtransforming. Our vision statement is “TransformingCommunity by nurture and healing through faith inJesus”. Everything new we do is measured by how itfits that vision. If it doesn’t fit, we don’t do it. Weexist as a Christian community to transform and betransformed so that people are brought to full life inChrist. This has led to a successful lunch club, plansto work with other community charities, and thedevelopment of a prayer ministry team. It hasshaped our teaching and worshipping, as well as ourengagement with those who are not in the churchcommunity. We have seen growth in many ways.And people’s lives have been utterly transformed byan encounter with the living God.www.christchurchbraintree.org.uk

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At the heart ofVision2020 is theneed to be clearabout our prioritiesfor the future. Whatdo we hope tochange?

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What kind of church will we be in ten yearstime?

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29.18)

At the heart of Vision2020 is the need to be clear aboutour priorities for the future. What do we hope to change?At General Assembly 2008, people discussed a series ofstatements that might help us to plan. They arestatements about what we hope to achieve.

The ten statements are set out on the following pages ofthis booklet. Alongside each statement are a few wordsof explanation as well as some ideas about how we willknow if we are on the right track.

We would like to know what you think of thesestatements:

• Together, do you think they outline the main areasthat the church should prioritise in the years ahead?If not, what is missing?

• Do you have any particular concerns about any ofthem? Are there words, phrases or ideas that areunclear or need to be challenged?

• What do you think about some of the ideas we havesuggested that will tell us how we can measure if weare on the right track?

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vision2020: ten statements of our mission purpose

1: identity

IN TEN YEARS’ TIME every local church will beable to say who they are, what they do and whythey do it.

One of our greatest strengths is our diversity andflexibility which allows our churches to serve socreatively and effectively across a wide variety ofcontexts. However, constant pragmatism can leadto a lack of identity, focus and purpose. We want toencourage local churches to develop mission plansspecific to their local contexts, which are owned bythe membership of the church, allowing them toarticulate clearly to friends, colleagues andneighbours ‘who they are, what they do, and whythey do it.’

We will know if we are on the right track by: 1. The number of local churches with a ‘mission

plan’ or similar strategy document.2. The number of churches having a welcome pack.3. The number of churches having an Open Day.

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2: spirituality and prayer

IN TEN YEARS’ TIME we will have grown in ourpractice of prayer and spirituality, nurturingstrength for our witness in complex times, anddeveloping our discernment of where God is andwhat God is calling us to do.

Our faith must lie at the heart of all we do in thename of God’s mission. This will be nurtured by ourspirituality and theological reflection and will besustained by our prayer. To this end we mustrecommit ourselves to this challenge and reaffirmonce again that “there is yet more light and truth tobreak forth from God’s word”.

We will know if we are on the right track by: 1. The number of churches who have committed to

taking part in initiatives to engage more deeplywith prayer.

2. The number of churches embarking on new waysof exploring mission and spirituality.

spirituality and

prayer

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3: christian ecumenical partnerships

IN TEN YEARS’ TIME we will be more confidentin our identity, valuing the treasures of ourtradition, discerning when to seek ecumenicalpartnerships, and when and how to seek thefurther unity of the church.

A lot has developed ecumenically since our unionsin 1972, 1981 and 2000; the focus has changedfrom seeking further union to forming a wide varietyof partnerships – at local and national levels. Whilstour instincts remain deeply rooted in seekingfurther unity, we do not believe our dreams areserved well by lacking in confidence, purpose andidentity. Being confident in ourselves and workingwith others are not mutually exclusive; on thecontrary, celebrating and offering our many gifts willmake our partnerships stronger and may speed theway to further union.

We will know if we are on the right track by: 1. The number of churches in Local Ecumenical

Partnerships.2. The number of churches involved in working with

ecumenical partners.

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4: community partnerships

IN TEN YEARS’ TIME we will be a church that ismore active in the life of local neighbourhoods.

Many churches already have strong and long-standing links with their local communities – butothers have become gathered congregations withlittle connection to the places where they meet toworship. An incarnational understanding of missioncalls us to shape – and to be shaped – by thecommunities in which we worship and serve. Wewant to encourage local churches to get involved intheir local neighbourhoods in new ways, beingcreative and taking risks in forming activepartnerships with other local agencies, working withpeople of other faiths in the area to seek thebenefit of those that live or work in the area.

We will know if we are on the right track by: 1. The number of churches running some form of

community-project.2. The number of churches that work in partnership

with local agencies, including people of other faiths.

3. The number of church members volunteering inother community-based activities.

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5: diversity

IN TEN YEARS’ TIME we will be a diverse churchthat does more to welcome and include allpeople equally.

There is a rich diversity in the URC of churchbackgrounds and theologies, of cultures and lifeexperiences. As a multicultural church we arebuilding on our radical commitment to justice as weaim to include and affirm all, welcoming rather thantolerating difference. We will continue to seekgreater equality of women and men in all aspects ofchurch life.

We will know if we are on the right track by: 1. The number of churches that have regular

training to consider inclusiveness in thecongregation and act on it.

2. The number of churches that regularly monitortheir membership and eldership to ensureinclusiveness.

3. Representation of black and minority ethnicgroups on all key councils, committees and taskgroups, at local, synod and general assemblylevels.

4. Appropriate numbers of black and minorityethnic ministers, church-related communityworkers, staff and candidates.

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6: evangelism

IN TEN YEARS’ TIME we will be more confidentto engage in evangelism, proclaiming the goodnews of the kingdom of God with friends,families and strangers, through story and action.

We need to re-claim an understanding and practiceof evangelism. Learning to tell the Christian storyand our ever evolving stories of faith, needs to be aregular part of church life, so that disciples of allages are equipped and encouraged to share thegood news of Jesus Christ in their daily lives.Equipped with a robust and reflective knowledge ofthe Bible and a commitment to openness, ourchurches will be communities where faith isexplored and the questions of the present dayengaged with. The call to ‘go’ into the world and‘make’ new disciples (Matthew 28:19) being heardand taken up with imagination and creativity.

We will know if we are on the right track by: 1. The number of churches taking up the opportunity

of the Vision4Life or God is Still Speaking projectsfor congregational development.

2. The number of churches drawing on synod (staff)resources for evangelism for training andnetworking.

3. The number of congregations planning andcarrying out activities whose primary function isto share the gospel.

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evangelism

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7: church growth

IN TEN YEARS’ TIME we will be a growing churchwith an increasing membership.

The numerical decline of the United ReformedChurch is unsustainable. And yet a significantnumber of local congregations are growing innumber – and other denominations areexperiencing local growth points too. Whilst ourgrowth must be qualitative in terms of ourspirituality and fellowship, we should be boldenough to seek quantitative growth too. Withresources such as the Vision4Life evangelism year,God is Still Speaking and Fresh Expressions at ourdisposal we have every reason to be hopeful thatour denomination can grow again. We must alsoexplore and embrace new forms of the emergingchurch.

We will know if we are on the right track by: 1. The number of new members in a congregation.2. Growth in URC membership by 2020.3. The number of churches exploring Fresh

Expressions or new ways of being church.

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8: global partnerships

IN TEN YEARS’ TIME we will be a church that isan active partner in God’s global mission withother churches around the world.

We will continue our active participation in theworld church, knowing that together we will morefaithfully discern God’s action and call, and that bysharing our resources we will be able to respondobediently and effectively in the costly struggle forpeace with justice.

We will know if we are on the right track by: 1. The number of churches with direct links with a

church overseas.2. The number of synods linked to a Council for

World Mission (CWM) member church or otherglobal partner.

3. The number of churches sharing in Commitmentfor Life.

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just

ice


9: justice

IN TEN YEARS’ TIME we will be a church thatkeeps faith with the poor and challengesinjustice.

The gospel calls us to work against poverty and thestructures that keep people oppressed. Togetherwith our ecumenical partners we need to influencethose in power and equip local congregations totake action against everything that undermines ordestroys fullness of life. If the church, local, acrossthe UK, and international, is to be part of amovement for change in our world, it will need todiscern and understand the contexts in which welive and the issues which affect us. Only bydeveloping a sound reputation for intelligentcritique and co-ordinated action will we be able tochallenge unjust structures and seek economicjustice from the local to the global marketplace.

We will know if we are on the right track by: 1. The number of churches that actively participate

in at least one Joint Public Issues Team campaigneach year.

2. The number of churches engaged ecumenicallyin action against poverty and social exclusion intheir local communities.

3. The number of practitioners and campaigners inlocal churches involved in a network aroundthese issues.

4. The number of synods that have endorsed andare monitoring the implementation of the revisedethical investment policy of the URC.

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the integrity of creation


10: the integrity of creation

IN TEN YEARS’ TIME we will be a denominationwhere each congregation has taken significantsteps to safeguard the integrity of creation, tosustain and renew the life of the earth.

The changing climate and its consequences for alllife on planet earth cannot be over emphasised asthe most significant underlying issue of our time.Being an intergenerational community of faith thattrusts in the God of creation past, present and tocome, it is vital that the church recognizes thereality and fear present in environmental debatesand lives hopefully in the present climate. Too oftenthe ‘prophets’ who see the truth and challenge forchange are outside the church. Our churches,reflecting faith in God the creator and sustainer oflife in all its fullness, must discover the radical voiceof care for the earth that is supported by the waywe live.

We will know if we are on the right track by: 1. The number of local churches who have

undertaken an environmental audit and areimplementing some form of resulting action plan.

2. The churches that in worship, bible study andprayer give voice to the God whose life and loveis expressed in all creation.

3. The number of congregations that are engagedwith people in their local communities andglobally over issues of environmental care,sharing concerns, contributing the insights of theChristian faith, co-operating with others in findingmore sustainable patterns of life together.

Remember, we would like to know what you think of these ten statements!

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Pledges are a waysynod and assemblystaff can work outthe kind of supportthey need to makeavailable to localchurches to enablethem to engage inmission.

Local Mission Pledges

One of the new ideas within Vision2020 is that of anannual or bi-annual Local Mission Pledge. The suggestionis simple: that each year or every other year, each churchmakes one or more ‘pledges’ to achieve their own localmission goals. This will help each church clarify itspriorities for the year. Some churches will want a single,simple goal. Others will want to identify a number ofchallenges for the year ahead. Each church is free todecide what to prioritise.

The idea of a ‘pledge’ is that it forms a commitment orcovenant with other United Reformed Churches in the

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Ten years ago two small, remote chapels in theBrecon Beacons faced the fact they were fastreaching the end of the line: small congregations,decaying and unsuitable property, and little money.One congregation decided that if they were to havea future they needed to get out of their building, sothey booked the village hall, hoping to start a newoutreach. The other chapel decided to join them.The venture did not take off as had been hoped, butthe links with another struggling URC grew, one witha run-down chapel in a good location and with lotsof potential. So, they soon joined. Today the chapelattracts a regular congregation of about 30, hasbeen totally refurbished and is buzzing with life.Letting go of the burdens and treasuring the richesof the past has resulted in an active, thrivingfellowship. The unions released energy, humanresources and money. Visitors comment on howlively and uplifting the worship is. This is one ruralchapel which is growing – and growing fast.www.brecon.urc.org.uk/?page_id=14

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synod. It is a statement of the contribution the localchurch can make to the wider efforts of the UnitedReformed Church. Pledges are also a way synod andassembly staff can work out the kind of support they needto make available to local churches to enable them toengage in mission.

Churches will receive guidance about making theirpledges. Based on the statements we agree at Assembly2010 and synod mission strategies, where they exist,synods will be able to suggest the kinds of activity thatchurches might want to consider pledging.

Here are some examples of the kind of pledge a churchmight make:• To develop a ‘welcome pack’ and carry out ‘welcome

and diversity’ training for elders and church members;• To develop a youth drop-in project in partnership with

another local church and the Council;• To increase Sunday morning attendance by 10% and

church membership by 5%;• To hold a special Commitment for Life service and

activities;• To maintain an active involvement in a climate change

campaign;• To commit to two hundred hours of prayer as part of

our engagement with the Vision4Life prayer year.

We are thinking about how such Local Mission Pledgescould be collected. This might be a decision for synods.There are three possibilities:• They could be made annually and pledged alongside

church contributions to the Ministry and Mission Fund;• They could be made annually and submitted along

with the church Annual Return;• They could be made every other year as part of the

developing Local Mission and Ministry Review process.

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Ideally, we would likechurches to takesome time toconsider these ideasin a meeting or aspart of a specialsession.


Of course, no church will be forced to have a LocalMission Pledge. And there will be no ‘penalty’ for notachieving a local pledge. We would like to hear yourviews on the Local Mission Pledge idea:• Do you think that making one or more annual or

biennial Local Mission Pledges would help your churchto clarify its priorities?

• Do you agree that such pledges will help synod andassembly staff plan the kind of support they can offerlocal churches?

• What kind of support or guidance might your churchneed in developing a Local Mission Pledge?

• How and when do you think it is best for Local MissionPledges to be gathered?

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We have 15 members; only three are under 60. We arein a comparatively run-down estate. But we haveworked hard on building community relations. Someyears ago, a youth centre was built beside the church.Funding came from the URC and many grants. Amanagement committee was set up withrepresentatives from our church, the local Anglicanchurch, other youth community organisations and thepolice. We now employ youth workers and anadministrator/fundraiser and open four nights a week,catering for young people between 8 and 16. If you arewondering if this has led to a large Sunday School theanswer is ‘No’, but we have built up supportivefriendships. When members of the youth centrereturned from camp they invited the church fellowshipgroup, average age over 80, to come and see the filmof their adventures. It was much appreciated. Engagingwith a different aged group, four of us visit a localresidential home twice a month and take a short service,with plenty of time for a chat before and afterwards. Wehave found this is an ideal way for a small elderlycongregation to reach out to the community.

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How to respond

The main purpose of this booklet is to gather your viewsabout Vision2020. Ideally, we would like churches to takesome time to consider these ideas in a meeting or as partof a special session. We have suggested some ways ofdoing this below. There are four options. They vary intime from 90 minutes maximum to 15 minutes minimum.

Option AConsidering Vision2020 in a special Pentecost session(This exercise will take about 60-90 minutes)

You will need: • Copies of this booklet or PowerPoint slides of the ten

mission statements and the Pentecost image which areavailable on www.urc.org.uk

Start by asking the group to share stories of a personor a situation in which they have been inspired insome way. (It might be a teacher, a famous speech, abook they have read, a sermon, talk or film). Askpeople how it motivated them to act or to dosomething differently as a result. (10 minutes)

Read together Acts 2: 1-13 and draw people’sattention to the painting of Pentecost in this bookletor on the PowerPoint slide.

Ask people to talk in twos or threes about some ofthe images from the reading and the picture. Whatcan we learn about ‘communication’ from theseimages? And what do they tell us about Christian‘identity’ and ‘inspiration’? (15 minutes)


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Referring to the ten statements contained in thisbooklet, ask people to suggest which of thestatements most inspire them, and why. Ask whetherthe statement relates to anything they are doingalready, individually, at work, or with the church.

You might then seek wider views on the statements.You may want to use the questions on page 11.Record these on a flipchart or large piece of paper.(15 minutes)

Form two or three larger groups and ask them toreflect on the question: “If this church was to make a‘pledge’ about what it felt inspired to achieve in thenext 12 months what would it be?” After 10 minutesask each group to feedback their thoughts. (15 minutes)

Share with them the idea in this booklet for ‘LocalMission Pledges’. Seek views on some of thequestions set out on page 26. Record these views. (10 minutes)

Finally, ask the group if they have any further ideas orthoughts about how the URC can become a moreinspired and inspiring church? Record these ideas.(10 minutes)

Finish the session with prayer. You might want to usethe Mission Creed on page 7 or available onPowerPoint slides on www.urc.org.uk

Please send the feedback from your session on theresponse form enclosed with this booklet. Alternatively,you can fill out the response form online atwww.urc.org.uk


Ideally, we would likechurches to takesome time toconsider these ideasin a meeting or aspart of a specialsession.

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Option BConsidering Vision2020 as part of a Pentecostservice(This will take the time of the service plus an optional 30minutes afterwards)

You might wish to take as a theme for the service:“Inspiring Communities”. A suggested order of serviceis available online at www.urc.org.uk

Reflections might include:• The Holy Spirit as our source of fresh inspiration• The significance of Christian communication • The courage of a small band of disciples to witness

in a challenging context

At some point in the service you might introduce theten mission statements.

Give each person a small piece of paper and a penciland ask them to write down a few words prompted bywhat they have heard. For example, one of thestatements might have challenged someone to thinkagain about their relationship with other local churches.Or someone might be prompted to think aboutsomething the church might pledge. Gather up thepieces of paper, perhaps alongside the offertory, andoffer them in prayer.

After the service you may like to gather people,formally or informally, and ask for wider views on someof the questions in this booklet.

Please send the feedback from your session on theresponse form. Alternatively, you can fill out theresponse form online at www.urc.org.uk

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Option CConsidering Vision2020 as an item of a Church orElders Meeting (This exercise will take 30 minutes)

Preparation: Circulate this booklet before the meeting.

During the meeting, seek responses to the followingquestion:• Together, do you think these statements outline the

main areas that the church should prioritise in the years ahead? If not, what is missing or what needs tobe changed?

Present the meeting with the idea of a Local MissionPledge. Ask them:• Do you think that making one or more annual Local

Mission Pledges would help your church to clarify itspriorities for each year? If so, how? And (if there is timeduring the meeting) what might be one or two areas ofchurch life that you would prioritise through a pledge?

Please send the feedback from your session on theresponse form. Alternatively, you can fill out the responseform online at www.urc.org.uk


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Option DConsidering Vision2020 on behalf of your church (By the minister, Church Secretary or other leader)

Please complete the response form that came with thisbooklet or fill out the response form online atwww.urc.org.uk


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m Over the past 15 years, the village of Cottam, on theoutskirts of Preston, has been transformed from a smallvillage to a housing estate with a population of 3500people. Denominational leaders got together anddiscussed the possibility of starting a church on theestate, a mission was undertaken and every householdwas visited and canvassed. By July 2004, Trinity Churchwas formed and met once a month in the localcommunity centre.

By April 2009 the congregation has grown to over 120people from nearly 40 different households with nearly90% under the age of 45. They still don’t have achurch building, but now meet in the local primaryschool every Sunday. What then is the secret of theirsuccess? First, having a clear, down to earth vision anda sense of purpose and direction. Second, lots ofactive involvement in the community – joining forceswith uniformed organisations and others to put on bigcommunity events, getting involved in the local school.Third, having a wide variety of styles of worship –including worshipping on a Saturday.www.trinitychurchcottam.org.uk

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AcknowledgementsOur thanks go to Lena Talbot, Nigel Warner, JaneMortimer and Michael Hodgson for the missionstories in this booklet.

The painting ‘Pentecost’ in the centre pages of thisbooklet is by the 32 year old Ukranian artist RuslanNarayevskiv, and is reproduced here by kindpermission of St Bede’s Catholic Church, Carlisle,Cumbria. The painting is one of a series of muralsby Narayevskiv which have been commissioned bythe church.

Hearing back from you…Comments, stories and suggestions on our website:www.urc.org.uk

or send an email to:[email protected]

or write to us at:United Reformed Church House,86 Tavistock PlaceLondon WC1H 9RT

booklet 24/4/09 16:17 Page 32

booklet 24/4/09 16:15 page 1 - united reformed church€¦ · · 2015-04-28emil brunner...

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