RevistingGrowingYound

Link to PostShutDownDiscussion

Revisiting the Growing Young book

Growing Young (the book) – revisited during the COVID-19 pandemic

Guidance for remodelling during this time of change

What keeps people involved in the church?

Personal relationships
The general sense of community
Activities such as small groups and retreats
Personal involvement
A sense of calling or loyalty
Preaching

Adaptive change

Adaptive change involves a shift in attitudes, values, and behaviours of the people in the congregation.

Our role as neighbour

“An emphasis on our role as neighbour as part of our identity ... [reminds] us of our shared cultural and geographical spaces and the fact that proximity brings responsibility. Even apart from Jesus’ call to love our neighbour, we know that our common flourishing depends on one another.” Makoto Fujimura

Community

“Community is not defined: it’s a posture toward people that creates space for everyone at the table. Our table always has room.” Tasha, age 23

Close communities can become closed communities

One of the potential pitfalls of closely connected groups is that over time they can become shut off to outsiders.

Warm churches keep watch for the unhealthy tendency to grow inward.

Welcoming

“Welcoming involves attentive listening and a mutual sharing of lives and life stories. It requires an openness of heart, a willingness to make one’s life visible to others , and a generosity of time and resources.” Christine Pohl

The Future

Perhaps the future of the church is to be multilingual, multigenerational, and multiethnic. The care of our community forces us to adapt to different approaches and styles of ministry, rather than insisting that they worship and serve God according to our linguistic and cultural preferences.

DavidFraser 13 June 2020