How do we prepare and position ourselves to grow?
We believe God is inviting Proximity Church to GROW, both in depth and size. Considering this, we are asking ourselves 'how can we best prepare and position ourselves"?
We landed on:
G: give generously
R: rooted in The God Story
O: one family, many homes
W: witnesses and disciple makers
We are going to cover each of these areas with clear invitations and ways to respond in turn. This week we review O: One Family, many homes.
A word of encouragement given to Proximity Church, by 24-7 Prayer Team: "you are going to grow this year. Growth can be challenging but it is also natural" (Feb 2024).
Growth is a challenge
Multiplication is at the heart of the gospel. The compelling story of Jesus is radically and beautifully embracing of others. Nevertheless, growth is inevitably a challenge. It can be uncomfortable; it is unfamiliar and stretches our ability to love one another. As we grow, it will require an openness to embrace difference. In this season, there may be ways we are reshaped to make space for others to join our family - which might feel like a sacrifice.
Gathered and Scattered
"They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God… Every day their number grew" Acts 2: 46-47.
We place high value on the celebration of the dinner table, a primary way we express this is through House Churches. As we increase in number; we feel House Churches will be even more significant. They are precious times of God encounters, where we are small enough to maintain relational depth and to ensure everyone can be seen and heard.
You just don't get the same levels of closeness in the large.
However, like the early church, we also place great significance on times we gather as one big family. Encounter Sunday (amongst other key calendar events e.g. Christmas, baptisms etc) are times where we get to experience the 'exuberant and joyful' celebration of all being together in one place.
As we grow, we feel that our structure of House Church, Encounter and Learning Sundays will enable growth both in size but also (crucially) in depth.
Safeguarding
Important to note as we grow: Safeguarding
As we grow, it is imperative we have culture of safeguarding.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility in Proximity Church. If you hear, see, or even feel concerned regarding a child or adult at a Church event it is imperative that you share that information with the right people.
Recording and Reporting
You can do this by: reporting concerns to our Designating Safeguarding Lead (Charlotte Harman) or our Deputy Safeguarding Lead (Joyce Gjoni) and reporting your concern on our safeguarding portal.
(If you want this to be kept confidential, you can opt for this on the portal).
Safeguarding Training
We are running safeguarding training via Zoom on: Tuesday 22nd October 2024 and Sunday 27th October 2024 for all adults in the church.
We would ask you make every effort to attend one of these training sessions; to ensure we have the most up-to-date knowledge and skills to ensure safeguarding within Proximity Church.
Invitation
There are two further ways we want to challenge one another to be "one family, many homes":
If Proximity Church is to grow, how might God want you to be a part of that? Do you have a dream, vision or desire to do something? Do please let the Leaders know.
If Proximity Church is to grow, would you be willing to embrace this challenge? Consider what that might require of you, your family. Are there people in your sphere of influence that could reach out to, share Jesus with? Let your heart grow for?