Thought for the Week: The church we see
Matt Grant reflects on the church we see
The church we see is not a church of bricks and wood and glass. The church we see is not a church of doctrine, hierarchy and ritual.
The church we see is simply a gathering of people, from a variety of backgrounds, finding unity and common purpose in the Spirit.
The church we see is a church centred through practice – a church which learns together, confesses together, rejoices together, sings together, weeps together, heals together, prays together, breaks bread together.
A church whose God is too big to place into the words of a creed, yet not too far to grasp.
The church we see is a church built on our hopes and dreams and on those who came before us: a church which encourages our individual strengths to spring forth whilst providing support for our weaknesses; a church that provides a space for each one of us to step back for a moment before we step further forth; a church that recognises the unique spark at work within each human being yet invites us into something greater than myself, yourself, herself, himself.
The church we see is a church contributing to the local community, serving wider society, reaching out to the world beyond.
A church following the example of Jesus of Nazareth, loving its neighbour as it loves itself.
A church set on fire with the call to help bring about a new era of justice and peace. A church drawing people from seemingly impossible situations into a life of faith and freedom. A church raising up new generations of disciples, shaped to act as both leaders and servants – and as friends.
One day, this church we see could be our church.
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