Dear Friends,
Could you quote the mission statement of the church?
You may be wondering what it’s for, where it is and why have one in the first place. Regular readers of the church magazine will have noticed the mission statement words on the inside front cover of the magazine. This has been in place for a number of years, since I’ve been here (Sept2003) no one has ever referred to it in my presence or been able to answer the opening question. There was nothing wrong with the mission statement but brevity was never in its favour. Ideally all of us should be able to begin to remember and express what our mission statement is.
A mission statement says something about the intent and purpose of the organisation it refers to. In that sense for a church it should answer the question; Why are we here? What is it that shapes our worship and activities? What are we being called to be and do in Panshanger as God’s family here?
After much deliberation, discussion and prayer a suggestion from the worship committee was adapted by the church council at its last meeting and accepted to replace our previous mission statement to:
Knowing God’s love. Growing in the Spirit. Going in Christ’s name.
This has 11 words rather than the previous 36, is Trinitarian in nature and has strong resonances with the five themes that we looked at during the 40 days of purpose earlier last year. Knowing the love of God means we are committed Christians respond to God’s love for us in worship and giving it away to others in fellowship. Growing in the Spirit means an increasing maturity in our faith through discipleship and ministry. Going in Christ’s name refers to the call on our lives to share the good news of Jesus to others through evangelism.
I intend to look at each of these statements in a series of sermons in September as we begin the autumn term together. For now which of these is a priority for you in the early summer of 2007?
I’d like to end with a very simple question. Do you know in your heart that you are a Christian?
For the mission statement above won’t make much sense unless that is the starting point for you and me. If you are not sure, have doubts, or simply want to talk this over with me, PLEASE DO! It doesn’t matter if you’ve been here for weeks, years or decades.
Nothing would give me, and the world wide church greater joy than to explain to you how you can become a Christian and for you to take that step. We’re here to build this church and it starts with those attending, knowing God’s love, following Jesus as their saviour and having the power and encouragement of God’s Holy Spirit in their lives.
With Love and Prayers, Simon
13 When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?"
14 They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets."
15 He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?"
16 Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
Matthew 16:13-16 (The Message)
