Website changes
As a member of the King's Church, I'm not happy with our church website. And I wrote it.
True, I was given the words to put on, and they are correct. The problem is, is that the words don't sound like the church. Church is lively, fun, generous, always doing new things, welcoming, friendly, and looking for ways of helping out in Uckfield.
The website, as it stands, hasn't changed in a couple of years, and sounds all corporate. There's a lot of marketing blah blah blah, and nothing different to many other church websites. This sort of thing might be of interest to people going to similar churches elsewhere in the country, who are looking to move to Uckfield, and want to know our theological values. There are couple of people who've joined us recently; I'll have to ask them what they thought of it.
I doubt it is much interest to people in general. I want the site to be interesting to people in town. When we deliver our newsletter around town, our website address is on it. If someone has heard of us, from the carnival, the face-painting or whatever, and decides to look at the website, I'd like them to see what we're really like.
So. I'm going to change it. Although the site looks old-fashioned, prettying it up can wait. I'm adding a weblog* so that news, comments, events and stuff can be quickly added to the site. I'll set about the static words at some point. I want to put interviews or details about some of the people in the church on the site, as church is people, not the building they meet in.
Anyway, enough new year manifesto. Let's what happens.
* If you're not sure what a weblog is, you're reading one now.
5 Comments:
As it happens, I couldn't wait to pretty up the site.
I have been following the King’s Church for a while, and I believe its God’s calling that I critically review and comment on the Church’s Vision and Values as I do not have the ability to attend the upcoming training in these. I trust that this objective review and questions is treated with respect and appreciation.
Firstly what is a Vision
If we think of the being a member of the King’s Church as the first step in a journey towards a more Christian future, it is important to have a clear idea of our destination. The vision should be used to measure where the Church wants to be in the future.
A vision is a broad idealistic statement regarding social, environmental and economic future, which focuses on core values and long term goals of the King’s Church. The visioning process is about encouraging long-term thinking of its members. It is a summary of the goals of the Kings Church strategy and indicates the outcomes it seeks in becoming a Christian.
This shared vision of our Christian future should be used to frame all our discussions on how to identify the issues, which issues to prioritise, how to measure these priority issues and how to implement the action plan. The King’s Church vision should focus us on the goals we need to set and the changes we want to make to create a future that is different from the ‘business as usual’ situation.
Vision
A Life Worth Living
Jesus was filled with compassion when he looked upon the crowds of people who flocked to Him. Jesus came into the world to set people free from every kind of oppression. He came to bring life. Life which is rich and full and throbbing with .... life!
Above all, Jesus came to bring people into a living relationship with God the Father. He did this by providing forgiveness of sins through His death on the cross for all who put their trust in Him. But Jesus did not remain dead. He came back to life and was taken up into heaven where He is alive right now. Jesus longs that people everywhere should discover the joy of knowing God and living for Him.
How does this relate to the King’s Church and the Uckfield community? Surely the vision should reflect the Kings Church and the vision of Jesus Christ. What did he wish us to achieve? Should we start with ourselves, and our families…before the church? What is God’s plan for us as a Church? Do we really know? I agree with a life worth living, but is this a Vision or a value? If it’s a vision, then how that will be achieved?
Build the Church; reach the lost
It is our vision, in the King's Church, to impact the Uckfield area with the good news of Jesus Christ. God called us more than ten years ago to build a lively, dynamic Church in Uckfield that would affect the whole area. We have a twofold priority as a Church: to build the Church as a loving community and to reach the lost with the message of Jesus.
We aim to build our church so that it has a heart beat of faith, and that love extends to those in need or are lost. God is all around us, he guides us to do his work. Our vision drives us to deliver a vibrant and lively church that is true inclusive.
People on fire (Why use the word fire? Can be seen as positive or negative word) Investing in our own people and our Church community. For people on the out
Our greatest resource in achieving this goal is people. People who will lay down their lives for the gospel. People who will die to their personal goals and ambitions and take up the challenge of working together to see the Uckfield area won for Christ. People who have been touched by the fire of God and are burning with a passion to see His purpose fulfilled.
Our church recognises that our biggest asset is our dynamic congregation and our surrounding community. Our people recognise the importance of the Gospel, and will offer all their internal power to help the Church to extend God’s call.
Town and villages Supporting our surrounding Community
God has called us not only to Uckfield, but also to the surrounding villages including Buxted, Framfield, Isfield, Maresfield and Newick. Our aim is to establish Community Groups in each village and to plant out strong, lively Churches as God directs us.
The whole body of Christ Developing our Christian Faith through our extended family.
We will not achieve our vision alone, but in partnership with others in the body of Christ. Through our involvement with Newfrontiers, a growing family of Churches across the world, we receive encouragement, training and apostolic leadership to equip us for the task. We also have growing relationships with other evangelical Churches in the Uckfield area and we are confident that this will lead to more co-operation in the work of the gospel. Does this include the acknowledgement of other faiths?
Go into all the world
Jesus commissioned His followers to go throughout the world proclaiming the gospel message. The King's Church, Uckfield is involved in the work of the gospel across the world through prayer, financial giving and the sending of gifted people. This is done in partnership with Newfrontiers, which has a ministry to plant new Churches and strengthen existing Churches throughout the UK and in nine other nations. We also support an aid project run by Churches in Romania and have friendship links with other Churches around the world.
I note that the Chruch’s Vision’s have failed to acknowledge God creation (Our environment). What is the Church’s vision towards the Environment? Looking at our local, Regional and global issues. This can include poverty, climate change, fair trade, supporting local economy, protecting local landscapes. Our public transport issues, local educational facilities. Etc. If the church is to connect and address today’s needs, you need a vision that captures those issues.
Values
God's pattern for Church life is given in the New Testament. The King's Church, Uckfield holds a number of values which we believe are important for us to build a Church which is faithful to the Bible and relevant to people today.
I acknowledge Values are very personal attributes. My Christian values are based on
 Being honest
 Don't kill
 Don’t swear or be rude to others
 Look after the vulnerable
 Be positive about others and yourself
 Respect your mother and father and older generation
 Enjoy life to the full
 Nothing in excess
 Be true to God 
 Treat others as you would like to be treated 
 Be true to yourself
 Protect your family
 Try your best at all times
 Look after your health.
 Don't commit adultery
 Live within your means
 Appreciate what you have
 Never be violent
 Protect the environment
 Protect and nurture children
 Take responsibility for your own actions
 Don't steal
Based on these values I will now evaluate the Values of the Kings Church
The Power of the Spirit
Ever since the day of Pentecost, Jesus has been pouring out the Holy Spirit on his people. We need to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit so that we can be effective and productive as Christians. We need the power of the Spirit so that we can boldly proclaim the good news of Jesus. (Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2:1-13; Acts 2:33; Ephesians 5:18-20)
Is this actually a Value? Could be reflected as “Be true to God?â€
The Word of God
The Bible is the inspired word of God. It is the final authority for what we believe and do, both as individual Christians and as a Church. We need the power of the Holy Spirit both to understand the Bible and for it to affect the way we live. As a Church we are committed to regular teaching of the Bible in the power of the Holy Spirit. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12-13; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14)
Repetitive from above as a value? Be true to God? Could be combined?
The Grace of God
God's grace is His undeserved love which He lavishes on those who have faith in Jesus. If we are in Christ, God deals with us in love and mercy and not with anger and sternness. As we grasp the truth of God's grace, we are set free from guilt and are able to serve God with much energy and great joy. (Romans 3:21-26; Romans 4:4-8; Ephesians 2:1-10)
Can be interpretated as Treat others as you would like to be treated in the eyes of the Lord. Also enjoy life to the full.
Worship to God
As Christians we are filled with joy and thanksgiving because of what Jesus has done for us. Worship filters into every part of our life. As a Church we give high priority to worship, which is a joyful expression of praise to God and which makes use of all the creative abilities He has given us. (Psalm 100; Psalm 150; Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 5:19-20) Be True to God?
A Loving Community
The Bible refers to the Church as the Body of Christ and God's plan is that we should be closely joined together. In the Church we express God's love by caring for one another spiritually, practically and financially. Each member belongs to all the others; we are accountable to one another for how we live and work out our faith in Christ. ( 1 Corinthians 12:12-13:13; Romans 12:4-8; Galatians 6:1-2)
Good – but what about the extended community….Accountable is a good word to use. Are we really accountable to each other or God alone? We should also be transparent about our goals, and our objectives.
Reaching the Lost
Jesus came into the world to seek and to save the lost. He calls us to continue His mission by proclaiming the gospel throughout the world. As a Church, we make it a priority to tell people about Jesus. We encourage this at two levels - individually as we each speak to the people around us, and together, through organised events and activities. (Luke 19:10; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Acts 8:1-4)
I interpret this as “Look after the vulnerableâ€
Every Member Ministry
God gives every Christian spiritual gifts so that we can all be involved in building one another up and reaching out to a lost world. Are we living in a lost world? Like a human body, the body of Christ cannot function properly if some members are missing or are not working properly. Each one has a part to play. The task of Church leaders is to motivate, train and equip each member to fulfil their place in the body. (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Romans 12:4-8) Have you ever mapped out the congregation and the roles everyone plays, and carried out gap analysis. That would be something that would give you great insight, and wisdom to the needs of the Church.
Leadership
Leaders who are called and gifted by God are vital for the health and growth of the Church. The King's Church, Uckfield is led by a team of elders who direct the Church and care for the people. They are helped by group leaders and others with responsibility for different aspects of Church life. In addition to local leaders, God has given apostolic leaders who have the vision and ability to bring Churches together in a common cause. The King's Church, Uckfield receives apostolic oversight from Terry Virgo and the team he leads, through our involvement in New Frontiers International. (Acts 20:13-38; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Corinthians 3:10)
Thank you so much for your comments, in our Vision and Values booklet (I think you are quoting from an older edition)we go into greater detail and give people a chance to ask questions,
You will know that we are are fairtrade (having been asked by the town council to help organise their recent fairtrade day)and that a number of our folks were involved in cleaning up the Uck and litter picking around the town.
We are constantly seeking to make our faith real and practical.
We would see ourselves as a people on a journey, seeking to glorify and honour God in every area of our lives, both, corporate and communal.
I will certainly prayerfully consider the things that you have said
Robert
Simon
I really like the new web-site. I agree with you that the marketing blah blah blah doesn't capture the reality of the church. (And I wrote the original Vision and Values document!) What you are doing shows some of the life and vitality of the chrch, and its passions e.g. Trade Justice, worship, etc.
You might like to know that the "our own building" link on the "What we do" page takes you to a map of the Civic Centre (oops!) The map is coorect for the Church Centre on the contact page.
Keep up the good work.
Regards
Jerry
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for your comments. The vision and values does have its place, but I don't think the website is it. I'm glad you like the new content. Ideally Robert would actually start posting things, but I think he's scared!
Thanks for the correction: I'll take a look at it.
I see you've started a blog - I've subscribed, and I'm interested to see what you write about.
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