If you could put in your ‘order’ – what would your church be like? Would you want a church or what form of gathering of people for the worship of your God would you want?

Or socialising with kindred spirits/network/community would it be like?

I could say why i am asking this question but for now i will not. I want to see what others think/desire.

This is a very interesting thought to put out there, its making me think so will reply soon. Good question.

ohhhh come on Sandy, i want to go fishing and was expecting you to bite.

PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

well for me – a church attitude of love, non judgement, (and that means a humble place), where we ACKNOWLEDGE we do not know all the answers and need to keep our vision/minds open.

All that AVB said.

For me, because of my experience and conversations i have had with a long lost friend just this week I really want to add with emphasis – a leadership base that does not desire power and control.

I am sick and tired of churches/leaders that make everyone in their church, on their staff etc succumb to his (usually his) vision with no regard to the individual’s own gifts, talents, ministry motivation. What i mean by that is for example, a couple may have a desire to be involved in missions but if it is not on the personal agenda of the senior pastor it is not permitted to happen (within the bounds of the local church community) And when i say not permitted i mean not permitted. I fail to see this as being biblically supported for such to occur but it happens all too often. Often resulting in people becoming so dispondent and often leaving the church community, (some hop then from church to church, while others abandon church culture all together) These people only want to do good in their own way for some part of the community that is hurting/suffering.

I personally feel that some of our Aussie churches are up themselves. Certainly the ones/brands i have been involved in. This attitude causes them to miss the boat on so many levels. They major in minor issues and forget about important ones that Jesus/the bible talk about continually. They have a small minded view of what they should be doing, only being in their own comfort zone, often negating what people in their congregations have to offer.

VERY SAD.

I have been thinking about this and must say a church very much like my old church but with a few changes. My old church believed in nurturing your giftings and talents, sent out those called to misions to missions or missionary work, apostolic to that kind of work etc… we also had a brilliant counselling dept. amazingly spirit led of which I was involved, we had small support groups for single parents, alcoholics/drug addicts etc….no church is perfect and there was a downside to areas including leadership but tell me one organisation or person who is perfect.

The only major change I would have is it being inclusive of the glbtiq community and not expecting us to change unless we have a personal revelation that maybe we are closet “straights” 😆 😉 also the Pastoral team to do a Christian counselling course for the sake of a better understanding of themselves and people with different backgrounds and I agree with Anthony and Terry on many things especially regarding scripture that we dont have all the answers but what we have we give for guidance and lifting up and possible direction for those who want to embrace that……….thats all I can think of right now but Jesus would be the centre of everything and great morals, love and grace outpouring.

Oh and an accountability amongst leadership with grace and confidentiality and a sense that anyone in the congregation could go to anyone in leadership about anything and know they wont be judged but loved and helped.

something I’d like to add…….I think the test of whether I was doing it right or not would be the demographic of the church. Does it reflect the community it resides in?

For example. In Darlinghurst Sydney NSW 2010, 35% of the population identify as gay or lesbian. Ps Mike from the Baptist Church in Darlinghurst asked a pentecostal pastor in the area if he felt he was reaching his local community. The pastor seemed quite proud of his growth in the church. He was asked the question…..“How many gay and lesbian people do you have?”

“None that I know of” was the reply.

Funnily enough I knew of 4 gay guys who went to his church. 😆 The guy was either incredibly naive or ridiculously stupid. 😥

Ps Mike stated that he was using that % as the bench mark of effectiveness. When he has 35% of his congregation gay or lesbian then he feels he is genuinely reaching his community.

Another thing that I’d like to add is that I would like my church to give. Give to the community without expecting anything back. …….and that includes conversions. Giving out of love unconditional love.