Three pictures…
Kerryn Claire Banks d.o.b. 16th July 2013
The 
Lifeboat
Each picture comes with a
question.
Kerryn – what hope would
you offer her?
By
2050 it is estimated that there will be 9.07 billion. 62% will live in Africa,
Southern Asia and Eastern Asia . This will
increase the need for food and water by over 50% on top of today’s demand. As
economies grow in the southern hemisphere some predict the UK and other
northern provinces will fall behind and may even become much like 3rd
world countries are today.
Water
and food wars may increase; already we spend six times as much on training and
equipping a soldier as we do on feeding a child.
Homelessness
and displacement are set to grow exponentially – an already acute problem both
here in the UK
Whichever
way you look at it the predictions do not look good unless we radically alter
the way we live.
We
have been living way beyond our means using up the earth resources.
You
will also be well aware of violence and crime and anti-social behaviour. Street
Pastors & Street Angels have been once response to this.
Plus
you will be well aware that babies like Kerryn who have birth mum and dad who
are married are fast becoming in the minority given current trends and the
shift away from traditional family patterns.
So
what hope could you offer?
Two
boats that offer two pictures for a possible response from the local church.
The ARK
Lifeboat – rescue those in danger.
Everybody
on a Lifeboat is an active crew member. Lifeboats are manned by volunteers who
go about their daily business. They meet to practise their skills and receive
training for the task to which they feel called. When the shout goes up they drop
whatever they are doing or get out of bed no matter what time it is and rush to the
rescue.
One
of the hopes for the future and the future of the Church is seen in the
development of communities of faith who will begin to learn to walk in covenant
more than in convenience. People who
love each other and are committed to each other enough to drop everything and
run to help in the rescue.
Lessons
are being learned from Monasticism both ancient and modern.
How
do we walk with Christ as the people of God that goes beyond our simple meeting
up for worship on Sunday? Living more like a Lifeboat crew with a deep love and
care and willingness to put our lives on the line for each other and those in
danger.
How
do we discern the misseo dei – the
mission of God to bring about the redemption of the cosmos?
And
what’s the part a local church can play in bringing about a realized Lord’s
Prayer.
How do we share our faith
and become attractive so that as we read of in Zechariah people will be
grabbing us by the coat and asking to know more.
(See Zechariah 8. 20-23)
How
do we live as exemplified by Jesus, who washed the feet of the disciples?
How do we ensure we don’t
Lord it over anyone else and live out a life of service to one another? (See N.T.
Luke 22. 24-27)
How
do we offer hope to a world when there is so much darkness and despair?
It has been suggested that this equation is fast becoming defunct...
Priest + Congregation + Building + Sunday Worship = Church
What alternative suggestions might you have for the 21st century?
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