1. Developing Christian missional community in the C21st

2. The Uniting Church Since 1990 31% of UC’s have closed
Lost 40% of attenders
Average congregation size today is 35
Average of 3 children

3. What’s changed?
Loss of faith in institutions – Religion, Politics, Banks
Decline of clubs (Scouts, tennis, youth groups, kids)
Sundays
Different cultures and faiths
Little Christian faith knowledge e.g. RE
Religion to spirituality
Where people meet

4. The future
It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent or rich, but the most responsive to change.
Many churches are learning and growing.

5. Light weight institutionally
Not rules, rosters, obligations, forms, buildings, filling seats
Time and energy not all about maintaining the inside, but about mission and simple shared life

6. Authentic Jesus not God. (The Jesus story and Jesus values)
People walk the talk. Live out the Jesus life
Visible love for each other and those in need

7. Community A place to belong not attend.
To share life – meals, life experiences
In different ways, places, times
Participant not spectator

8. Experience of God Experiences of God, not about God.
Not about rules, doctrine, but hearing the gospel for me and my life

9. Same treasure, different packaging
Light weight – rules, obligations, maintenance
Authentic – way of Jesus
Community – sharing of life, times, places
Experiences – of God.

29. ‘Go out into the world and share the Good News’
Risen Jesus