Here is 'The Messenger' downloable for free: February Magazine.
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Dear brothers and sisters,
Over the past couple of years the PCC have been thinking through how to explain simply what the vision of our parish is, and how it might work itself out in our two parish churches with their different opportunities and gifts. This month we launch our vision and as we do I’d like to try to explain it a little, with more to follow in due course. Our new vision is: Closer to Christ; further out for Christ.
First, why do we need a vision? It’s a great question because in some ways being a Christian is simply about following Jesus. However, if it was only a case of it being that simple the Church in the UK might not be in such a predicament. The truth is, as we all know, that the number of people choosing to follow Jesus in our country goes down each year. As a nation there is, sadly, a very real chance that those Confirmed this year will be not able to attend many of the churches which currently exist in Chorley when they come to retire, because they simply will no longer exist. To ensure that our children and our grandchildren have faithful churches in which to worship requires us to step out in faith and actively work to ensure this aim. Where do we start?
‘Closer to Christ’ - We must start with ourselves. If we aren’t whole heartedly following Jesus why would anyone else, including our children. Long gone are the days when people just went to church because their parents did… and, indeed there are positive elements to that. In the modern age, as in the age when the Christian faith first started, people need to decide for themselves whether to follow Jesus and then commit to following Him with everything they have got. To make a relationship work, any relationship, requires time, attention, and love. This is true of our relationship with Jesus, just as much as with our family. There is no sidestepping making daily time to be with Jesus. Silence (so we can hear from Him), prayer (as we talk with Him), and Bible Reading (so we can better understand Him), are the essential building blocks of our personal faith. This in turn needs supporting with a lifestyle which complements your faith, ensuring there is the time for such devotion, and cutting out the things which detract from living Jesus’ way. In order to strengthen the church which exists and to attract others to find out more we must be living the faith. So first and foremost let’s give attention to drawing closer to Christ.
‘Further out for Christ’ - Having ensured we’re drawing closer to Christ each day, we are then called to go out and share our faith in words and deeds. A faith which doesn’t have a positive impact on those around us is no faith at all (just look at Jesus’ challenge in Matthew 25!) Start by identifying five people you know who don’t yet come to church and commit to praying for them every day, asking God to care for them and open their heart to knowing more about Him. Then in tactful and appropriate ways seek to invite them to something taking place at church. Perhaps start with something social, like a coffee morning, the Panto, or even the Parish Dinner in June. Find something they may be interested in, invite them, and then go with them and introduce them to others. In addition, or if you don’t know anyone who doesn’t yet come to church, why not find a way to get to know new people, through volunteering in the community or in one of our schools… they always appreciate having someone to listen to the children read, for example. Seek ways of serving others and then prayerfully see where it goes.
I’ve barely scratched the service, but hopefully this is enough to begin to understand our vision, and also help you to begin to assess what your next steps in following Jesus might be. Taking these steps may be hard, but together we can strengthen our church and ensure that Christian community remains in Chorley for the next generations.
God bless,
Fr Mike.