Inspiring Imagination

Imagination

                Imagine… simply imagine, anything you want, how would your life be different? 

                This is a very important time in the life of mychurch, not because we are about to celebrate a half million pound building project (note the “Open Doors” weekend 22-23^rd March), but because we are about to set out on what I believe is the most important experiment that I have ever been part of. This blog is about a way of life called Inspire, a movement committed to develop our love, of God and neighbour. It is I think the most important movement that I have been part of in 23 years of ministry: an experiment to see if we can make discipleship work.

                Are you happy with your life? Is it doing what you wanted to do? I don’t mean simply are we comfortable, do we have enough wealth or friends, but are we living like we dream we could live: helping others; being fulfilled; truly developing as people? When we look at life there are many things that give us joy, there are also areas where we ponder, if only. However, even if we got a chance to live life again, could we act differently? I have chosen (or been called?) to live as a leader in the church, but am I a fraud? The hardest aspect of life, the development of character and a lifestyle that truly pleases God and brings light to others, eludes me. Neither could I say with certainty how I should help others in that development. I have been privileged to help some become Christians, to discover the joy of a life committed to God, and of course they have developed, but I am convinced there is something more. This is where the inspire movement has stepped in. It seems other leaders, particularly Phil Meadows who lectures at Cliff College, had a similar frustration.

The great commission from Jesus Christ was not to build churches, but to make disciples, transformed people. I think at times Christianity settled for believers rather than tackling the question of how to make our beliefs make sense. You are aware that most people treat Christianity as irrelevant, not primarily through lack of belief but because they do not feel a need. I do not think today’s answer is to “set the fear of God among them:” ie to threaten them with hell. Rather we need to place a beacon of heaven among them, the radiance of lives that do make sense, that offer peace. It is these lives that I long to see developing among us, but how?  I realise that there are “traditional” answers: bible study, a quiet time, practicing at serving etc etc and these have a place. I have tried them, but I spent 20 years looking for more, for both a way of life that was fulfilling and a means of keeping to it and growing. I honestly think that I have discovered this in the Inspire Movement. Inspire is, a simple way of life; guidelines to check which path we are travelling on, and also a small group who have committed to walk a similar path and who are committed to seeing me become more of what God imagines and knows I can become.  It is not a magic bullet, I still need to reflect on my own life and respond to insights either from God or from the group, but there is an intention to conform our lives to a different, ultimately more fulfilling pattern.

Over the next months and years at Zion we are offering everyone a chance to investigate whether Inspire could help them. This is not about “doing” more things; it is a means of becoming more fully you.  I urge others to approach this opportunity with an open mind, God knows and imagines all that you could become, he knows the people who can mentor and inspire you, and also who you can release to love their neighbour better. Building a Beacon was easy (relatively!!!) becoming beacons this must become our focus now we need one another and of course Gods help. I am willing to work with you, and this time I plan no “run away” sabbatical, we are in this together to become a people of imagination and love.

Stephen

For information                www.inspiremovement.org

Dates:

1^st March we are supporting an away day in Portishead entitled: “Inside-Out Discipleship” a chance to experience some of the principles and practices of Inspire.

1^st April (we must be fools!) 7.30pm Upper Cottage or Beacon: An evening to explore how we may choose to go forward with Inspire.

Zion also has appointed two “Inspire Champions” Mel Reed for the ladies and P-j Charters for the men. Please ask them any questions. (Also the elders and Peter and Stephen would be happy to answer any of your questions.)