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General Assembly 2008: Future Focus - a way forward
for Congregations
In its report to May's General
Assembly, the Mission & Discipleship Council
will remind Commissioners that there are many
reasons for the existence of the church and that
one of these is to proclaim the good news of what
God has done through Jesus Christ.
| The Council notes that, in our contemporary
world, it is easy to become disorientated by the
rapidity and complexity of the changes taking place
both in society and in the church and that it is
useful to remind ourselves that challenging times
offer exciting new opportunities to realign ourselves
with Christ's calling. |
|
The Council recognises the significance of the local
church and reminds commissioners of its intention, intimated
to the 2007 Assembly, to produce a resource to help
congregations develop and to implement the vision of
the Church of Scotland -
To be a church which seeks to inspire
the people of Scotland and beyond with the Good news
of Jesus Christ through enthusiastic worshipping, witnessing
and serving communities.
It is, therefore, with much pleasure that the Mission
and Discipleship Council launch and commend Future
Focus: a way forward for congregations. This
'toolbox' of ideas is intended to help congregations
understand their situation better, read the signs of
the times and be all that God wants them to be in these
challenging times.
Clearly, individual congregations will wish to address
different issues and move at a different pace, some
choosing to take a long and more comprehensive look
at their current life and future shape. Future
Focus is designed to be used by a facilitator
who will guide congregations through steps of reflection
and redirection, helping navigate change and transition.
The Council will tell the Assembly that it is taking
steps to incorporate Future
Focus into the work of the Regional development
officers who will recruit, train and work alongside
volunteer facilitators with the aim of enabling every
congregation to enjoy the benefit of facilitated forward
thinking.
Ends.
Note to News Desks
For further information, contact Rev Angus Morrison, Convener
of the Mission & Discipleship Council, on 07748 447751
A full copy of the report is available on our General
Assembly pages online
here.
GANR/04/03/2008
Monday 14, April 2008
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