seeing with new eyes. a missional re-engagement with society
Post on 19-Dec-2015
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Seeing with new eyes
A missional A missional re-engagementre-engagement
with societywith society
ChristmasChristmas
10% of adults think its religiousmeaning is the most important thing.
Children’s Society, NOP survey of 1000 people,2010
4% for 25-34 year olds13% 55-64 year olds20% of 60+ year olds
Four questions about the Christmas story.
12% adults got all four correct
18-24 yr old = 7%55-64 = 18%
Com Res for Theos, survey of 1000 adults, Dec 2010
The average age of an Church of England member is
61.
50% of those in the pews are pensioners
Research and statistics of the Archbishops Council January 2010
82% of people see religionas a cause of division and tension
ICM Poll for Guardian, 2006
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
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0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Age in 2005
pe
rce
nta
ge
of
po
pu
lati
on
under 15
monthly9% monthly
26% De Churched
65% Non Churched
This section of the population is older and decreasing over time
Church attendance 2005Church attendance 2005
“ “ this majority (66%) presents a major this majority (66%) presents a major challenge to churches. Most of them are challenge to churches. Most of them are
unreceptive and closed unreceptive and closed to attending church; churchgoing isto attending church; churchgoing is
simply not on their agenda.”simply not on their agenda.”
How have we defined a ‘searcher’?
► Someone who has had cause to reconsider their core values, or think about the big issues like ‘the meaning of life’, in the last year
2000 interviews with a nationally representative sample of UK adults, conducted 24-27th April 09
Are People Searching and why?
► 73% of people are searching►All ages, male and female, all but the
lowest of social grades
► 70% of people are searching because of either the credit crunch, concern about personal finances or job insecurity
Are people considering prayer, the church or the
Bible?► YES … a third of those who say they are
Christian at all► And, the research shows that it is the most
helpful thing to do (after turning to family and friends)
► NO … if they do not belong to any religion► These do not even feature on the ‘spiritual
search map’► It is not that they are being considered but
people haven’t got round to it yet, or that they have been tried and reject
For those without a religion, where do they
look? (after family and friends)► Reflective time alone
► Under 35s, Social grade C1, female
► Voluntary or community work► Under 45s (part. 35-44), Social grade
ABC1
► Artistic or musical hobby► Under 45, Social Grade ABC1 (very C1)
‘ It is becoming clear that many ofthe people for whom Christ has
died are unlikely to be drawn to ourexisting churches howeverspiritually alive, hospitable
and attractive they are.’
Bishop Graham Cray
‘ as culture has become incessantlymore spiritual and adamantly lessreligious we are convinced that the primary meeting place with ourunchurched friends is now outsidethe church building. Worship must finally become more life than event.
Sally Morgenthaler
A re-imaginationA re-imaginationof what church isof what church is
(and could become) (and could become)
‘We are seeing what corporate formsof life actually happen when people
meet Jesus.’
Rowan Williams
‘The illiterate of the 21st century will notbe those who cannot read or write,
but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.’
Alvin Toffler
‘ rediscover roots in the person of Jesus and to reshape Christian communityin the light of his radical understanding of
discipleship and the Kingdom of God.’
John Drane
A fresh expression is a form of church for our
changing cultures established primarily for the benefit of people who are
not yet members of any church.
This is not new but fresh
It matters……..
Questions for discussion?
•How do you feel about this ?
•What are you hoping to gainfrom this intensive?
1. Context is king
‘ I have become all things to all people,so that I might by any means save some.
I do it all for the sake of the gospel,so that I may share in its blessings.’
1 Corinthians 9;16f
2. Church is multi level
‘listening to the space openedup by Jesus.’
•Culture based communities•Postmodern/Gen X emergent churches
•New monastic orders•House church/simple church
•Cyberchurch•Alt worship/new liturgical
•Pub/café churches –Third Spaces•Contemplative Prayer
•Social enterprises/new communities•Churchless Christians
Andrew Jones 10 types of emerging church
•church viewed as a verb
•importance of leadership
•church viewed as a verb
•importance of leadership
•recovery of church as domestic
3. Church/Community is central
“An unchurchy mission is as much a
monstrosity as an unmissionary church.”
Leslie Newbigin The Household of God
“To live in one place no longer means to
live together and living togetherno longer means
to live in the same place.”
Ulrich Beck
4. Discipleship not attendance is the
measure
5. There is NO one size fits
all model of church
The seed and soil
Questions for discussion?
•Which of these points struck you? Why?
•What might it mean for your context?
Some dangers
We have too many churches
Beware of the default position
The danger of domestication
Change of language does not
necessarily mean a change
of mindset
“Faith means trusting in advancewhat will only make sense
in reverse.”
Philip Yancey
http://davemale.typepad.com/churchunplugged/