Opening Up and Out?
Over the past few months, with our churches called to supportive prayer, we've been reviewing some key aspects of our Baptist Union. This process has included two rounds of regional meetings, open to all who wished to participate, and the work of a small discernment group clarifying issues. The purpose has been to focus the denomination on our commitment to God's mission thereby empowering churches in their missionary priority. This seeks to maintain the momentum of our inspirational "Live the Mission" Gathering last October.
On October 27 this year the Assembly will consider notices of motion which have been circulated to all churches with the unanimous support of the Review Group and of Union Council.
BEING A MORE INCLUSIVE ASSOCIATION
We're seeking to open up our understanding of Church to celebrate greater diversity, ranging from conventional to so-called fresh espressions of Church. For example we propose a broader description of church: "Any biblical expression of the life of Jesus in communal form". Obviously this widens scope to affirm fresh expression of church which are springing up, as well as establised models.
Within our broad Baptist heritage we have so-called "open" and "closed" forms of belonging......
To view the complete article written by General Superintendent, Rev. Garry Billing, for the September 2007 'Advance', please click here to download.