1. © Diocese of Guildford 2012 Witnessing People Session 5 Witnessing People

2. © Diocese of Guildford 2012 Witnessing People Session 5 Witnessing People

3. © Diocese of Guildford 2012 Witnessing People Community of Faith Looking at the shape and mission of the church –Biblical foundations –Forces shaping the church –Form and function –Call to God’s people Five sessions 1.What is church? 2.Incarnate people 3.Growing people 4.Kingdom people 5.Witnessing people

4. © Diocese of Guildford 2012 Witnessing People Keys Key Point –As well as individual witnesses, the church as a whole is called to be a witnessing people. Key Skill –Identifying the witness and prophetic ministry of the church

5. © Diocese of Guildford 2012 Witnessing People Today How is the Church heard today? Why bother to witness? A contemporary perspective Marks of a witnessing people Letter to the churches Seeking to be a witnessing people

6. © Diocese of Guildford 2012 Witnessing People How is the Church heard today? What should the Church be saying? What would make that message heard? What is actually being heard?

7. © Diocese of Guildford 2012 Witnessing People Introducing the Session Called to distinctive witness Matt 5:13-16Salt and Light Micah 6:8Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God. John 13:35By this will all men know that you are my disciples Matt 28:19Go, make disciples…

8. © Diocese of Guildford 2012 Witnessing People Why bother? In our culture Are there compelling reasons to listen to the Christian witness? In a Christian world-view What would be the consequences for the world if the Church failed in its witness?

9. © Diocese of Guildford 2012 Witnessing People Is it difficult? Brainstorm: Is it difficult for the Church to witness in the world today or does it enable us to offer a positive alternative? Choose two or three areas, and discuss how they might be seen as opportunities for a Christian voice

10. © Diocese of Guildford 2012 Witnessing People Coffee Break

11. © Diocese of Guildford 2012 Witnessing People 5 Forces of Formation 1.Formation (biblical roots from which the church has developed) 2.Deformation (Consequences of political power, cultural pressures and internal struggles) 3.Reformation (The call back to biblical integrity) and 4.Transformation (The impact of the Holy Spirit) preparing it for: 5.Consummation (new heavens and a new earth) Read the notes on ‘A contemporary perspective’

12. © Diocese of Guildford 2012 Witnessing People A Contemporary Perspective How well does the Church fulfil its call to be a witness today? What might I (we) do to strengthen our own church’s commitment to be a witnessing people?

13. © Diocese of Guildford 2012 Witnessing People 7 Marks of a Witnessing People “You may have the Truth, but do you have the Way and the Life?” (Mark Greene, LICC) –Unity –Fellowship –Service –Protest –Mercy –Worship –Love

14. © Diocese of Guildford 2012 Witnessing People Letters to the Churches Revelation chapters 2 and 3 What does Jesus value? What does Jesus reprimand? What are the marks of a witnessing church? What are the marks of a failing church? How does Jesus encourage his Church?

15. © Diocese of Guildford 2012 Witnessing People Contemplation and Action “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Cor 1:27). “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses … to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:20)

16. The Lord bless you and keep you, The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you, The Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26