A framed print on the wall of my office has these words:

‘A vision without a task is but a dream
A task without a vision is drudgery
A vision with a task is the hope of the world.’

Vision is not the sole responsibility or privilege of a minister.  A minister might lead a group in setting vision but cannot impose his or her vision on a group.  Vision emerges from shared ideas, dreams, imagination and passion.  It can emerge from the distinctive characteristics or gifts of a church that have been embedded in its history, or it can be a creative spark that comes from left-field or way out on the edge, yet holds the possibility of new ways of being and doing.

As I have read the history of the Williamstown Church of Christ I have gained a deeper understanding of the characteristics that make up the church’s spirit and energy, and that make this congregation unique and special.  These aspects will be part of a vision for the future, although they are going to be expressed differently.

Why are we here?
What do we exist for?

These are critical questions in discerning a way or ways forward

The strengths of this congregation are evident in:

• Community service and involvement which has always been a feature of the church and continues today through the Helping Hand ministries.
• An acceptance of people in their brokenness and need, which is expressed in the description: ‘A church anyone can come to’ - no judgements, no second-class citizens, no excluding.
• A willingness to take risks and experiment with new ways of connecting with people.
• Relationships and a team spirit that comes to light when things have to be done – like the preparations for this weekend, and the Christmas Festival.
• The combination of people’s gifts that creates something greater than what could be produced individually.
• An informal atmosphere in worship that is meaningful, down to earth and relaxed.  For the future that may mean that in addition to Sunday morning worship, we experiment with other days and times, and not necessarily in the chapel.

For the future, the challenges are:

• Buildings: They are being used a lot through the week by community groups.  What message do our buildings give to the community?  Can we make them more functional?  More attractive?  We need a focus group to investigate and come up with some recommendations about our buildings.
• A priority is connecting more intentionally with a whole generation, the majority of whom do not find church essential in their lifestyle.  We are being proactive about this challenge and we are seeking out a ministry team member whose priority will be to connect with under-40s.
• We need to be more purposeful about discipleship, helping people to be committed to following Jesus and then growing in their commitment.  The report of the first gathering for communion which eventually became the core of the North Williamstown Church of Christ said that those who assembled were anxious to know Jesus in the Breaking of Bread.  Knowing Jesus, following him, becoming like him – that’s discipleship.
• In the face of enormous need in the community, how can we love our neighbour as ourselves and offer a place where people may experience healing and hope?  This is about grace that doesn’t hold the heavy stick to people to beat them up because they’ve gone wrong.  It’s grace that says yes, I’ve done wrong – but that’s not the end.  It’s the grace that is fully expressed in the life of the one person who can help us keep our commitments, who can help us become more than we ever hope to be – Jesus.  He looks beyond our faults and sees our need, and invites us into a relationship where we come to know ourselves more because we know we are loved deeply by God.
• In the unstable economic climate that the world is currently living through, how will we be faithful stewards of the financial and spiritual gifts God has given to us?  Will we lock up our resources so they are safe for the future, or will we live a message of generosity born of our faith and hope? 

I will be calling the church to pray about these strengths and challenges as together we frame a vision for the future.  One of the greetings we received from a former member said this:

May you continue to be a community that loves and nurtures people into a relationship with Jesus.

That’s our primary purpose as a church.
That’s our basis for mission.