Reflecting together, 28 May: Whom are we serving in our services?

Opening reflection from Revd Raj Bharath Patta, on ‘Reimagining Church Today’

How is church being missed today by the community around us?

• Online church is reaching thousands more people than before.
• Are we creating new communities – including people who were not church members before (people who were excluded or marginalised).
• Some people really miss the regular church service.
• God is present in unexpected places.
• Worship, fellowship, communion.
• What is the church for (beyond the church community/friendship)? If the church has no impact in the local community what is it for?
• During C19 we have found God in the community, mutual aid, helping people.

What is our dream if the church has to be reborn? (How do we achieve this?)

• What does ‘church membership’ mean? It does not have to be weekly attendance.
• Church language can be off-putting for new people (e.g. ‘unchurched’).
• Small dreams are important (as well as big dreams).
• Be real, authentic. Walk alongside people. Show God’s love.
• We need a liturgical revolution.
• We need to dream big – a revolution for society.
• Doughnut economics – an alternative to growth economics (see Ted Talk and book by Kate Raworth). People are stuck in the hole in middle, we need to reach out to them. 
• Doughnut theology – we need the church to think in terms of people and need, not growth.
• Participation in and with the community (e.g. SRGs, Messy Church). Do not separate the church and community into ‘projects’, see it as a whole.
• Rethink the way we do ministry.
• This could be a moment of transformation for the church and wider society.
• Zoom church is more accessible for some people (e.g. families, people with disabilities).
• We need safe spaces in the community for people of different faiths to come together.
• Reflect on our activities annually and drop one to create energy for something new.