Moderator's Address Part V
Part I - A Key Moment
Part II - Contemporary Mission
Part III - The Local Church
Part IV - A New Framework
Part V - Key Areas
Key Areas for Attention
The burden of my message is simply this: if the
contemporary church possesses a lively view of God, a positive attitude
towards change, a critical approach to tradition, a relational view of
society, a realistic understanding of church and a fundamental commitment to
persons and the universe which sustains them, then people will encounter in
it the true church. A church which intends to encounter others with the
gospel will need to operate with something like the framework I have
mentioned if it wants to connect with contemporary men and women and be
faithful to the agenda of Jesus.
But what are the key areas to which this framework
needs applying? Part of an honest answer to this question involves the
painful recognition that a great deal of what we get up to in church life is
largely beside the point of our calling to be a sign, expression and
foretaste of God's reign of love over all things. It seems that we sometimes
lose sight of what the institution is here for in our fervent work to keep
the institution going. What I want to see in every local church is a radical
commitment and honest attempt to review church life in the kind of spirit
which would be generated if serious attention is given to my proposed
framework. Particular attention might be given to one specific early example
of church life: 'They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers'.[18]
The early Jerusalem church is recorded as paying particular attention to
teaching, fellowship and worship. That in turn became the driving force
behind its proclamation of the gospel to others. Nothing could be more basic
or vital: teaching - people becoming steeped in the doctrines and traditions
of the lifetime of Christianity; fellowship - people experiencing the
richness of a Spirit-filled community which is inclusive and committed to
the welfare of those for whom Christ died; worship - the offering in words
and song, reflection and silence, of all that is of our best to God; and
thus proclamation - both inside and outside the church giving of an account
of the hope that is within us.[19]
There is not much future for churches with dispirited
outlooks who are held captive to traditionalist attitudes. Their useful life
is over, unless they re-discover a new vision for a fresh age. But there are
enough quality people in our churches to lead the venture I'm calling for -
a search within each local church for what God has for it to do today. Make
teaching, fellowship and worship your key areas for consideration. Come at
them on the basis of the kind of framework I've suggested and then be
prepared for God to do exciting things with you!
David Peel,
May 2005
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