Background Information on the SCC
The sequence below comes from a Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. It has 40,000 parishioners and one priest. It could have come from many parts of the world for this movement from a clergy dominated congregation associated with a building to a laity led grouping of Small Church Communities facilitated by a minister seems to be a movement of the Spirit across the world. In a sense it takes us back to the Early Church in Acts 2 or to the early days of Mr Wesley's classes.
Through becoming involved in a Small Church Community, people in many parts of the world, are discovering a lively and witnessing faith. So the diagrams reflect not only the structure of congregations but also the personal journey of faith for individuals.
We hope that it might provide some food for thought.
Which stage reflects your view of the church as it should be?
Which stage best describes the situation in your congregation?
Is God challenging you to move on as an individual or as a
congregation?
FIVE STEPS TO A NEW WAY OF BEING CHURCH
1. A PROVIDED-FOR CHURCH
The Minister is the provider -
of sacraments, prayers, pastoral care and so on.
The Minister provides all that is required in the life of the Church
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2. A CHURCH OF HELPERS
The Minister has asked some people to help. Some visit the sick, some teach in
Sunday School, some lead Bible-study, some collect for charity. They are the
'extended arm' of the Minister.
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3. AN AWAKENING CHURCH
People are asking questions about what it is to be a Christian.
The Ministers are now beginning to question their role as many people are doing
the things that the Minister used to do.
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4. A CHURCH OF MINISTERS
Superficially not that different from stage two, but now the motivation comes
from the people themselves, from the realisation that they are the Church. The
Ministry of all the baptised. The people are committed to Jesus rather than the
Minister. Notice the figure of Jesus in shadow behind each group. And notice in
the lower right-hand side of the picture that the bible-study of stage two has
become a small Christian community serving the needs of its neighbourhood. The
Church Council is the planning and co-ordinating body.
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5. THE VISION
A Communion of small Christian Communities, with all the members sharing in the
ministry to their local community, linking with other comunities through the
Church Council and through shared worship. A Participatory church.
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The Small Church Community Introduction Page can be printed by Clicking here
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