Our main overall objective for 2010 is to develop deep, firm foundations, both
individually, and as a united family, in our relationship with Jesus.
We are aiming to be one family with strong foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
This is why our main priorities this year are to:
- Draw closer to God through prayer
- Hear, through other people's personal testimony, how we listen to God
- Reduce our activities for one month during Lent for 24/7 prayer
- Encourage everyone to be part of a home group
- Encourage everyone to read and reflect on the word of God in the bible
- Ensure every youth member has a Cell Group to help them deepen their relationship with Jesus
- Set time aside to hear God's plans and purposes for us as individuals and, corporately, as a church family
As we see God's church grow in Dorridge and Bentley
Heath, we may then be called by Him to work towards developing and renewing our
buildings to help us better serve Him and His people.
Our Vicar, Duncan Hill Brown, says,
"I do think that God is asking this huge step of faith
of us and that taking it will be good for us, not only in terms of the new buildings
we will get, but in terms of what the whole process will do for us in our understanding
of our relationship with God, our relationships with one another in the church family,
and ultimately in our relationship with the people of Dorridge and Bentley Heath."
However, while we have developed some potential designs, the project will
only be pursued further if, as a united family and through our year of prayer, we
feel God's timing is right for us.
The design and layout of a building can
make a real difference to how we think and feel, and also to whether our visitors
get the best possible welcome and want to stick around!
Our aim should always
be to make our churches as welcoming for Jesus as we can, ensuring we can worship
together in the best possible way, and enabling Him to engage more closely with
His people.
It would be great to improve the environment for every member
of our church family - whether they are involved in Sunday Worship, in a children's
or youth group, or sitting in an office.
Let's also not forget the comments
from the former Bishop of Aston, John Austin, who visited us in 1996 and wrote of
us developing a worship space that would 'surprise and delight'.
Is God calling us now to provide just such a worship space for our local community where
people might find delight in the building, and also be surprised by finding something
spiritual they didn't expect?
Taking this step could provide a valuable
resource for our community through which Jesus can work now, and in future generations.
If you would like to comment on this please email the Parish Office.