1. Standing strong
1 Peter

2. Three areas for prayer and consideration:
Church life
Mission (esp to 20 – 30yr’s)

3. ‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1

4. ‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1

5. ‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1
‘Strangers’ - because of their belief and commitment to Jesus.
‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1

6. ‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1
‘Strangers’ - because of their belief and commitment to Jesus.

7. ‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1
Christianity in the UK:
59% of the UK population identify as Christian (2011 Census)
‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1

8. ‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1
Christianity in the UK:
59% of the UK population identify as Christian (2011 Census)
20% of population have any contact with any church.
‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1

9. ‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1
Christianity in the UK:
59% of the UK population identify as Christian (2011 Census)
20% of population have any contact with any church.
40% of population are ‘unchurched’
‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1

10. ‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1
Christianity in the UK:
59% of the UK population identify as Christian (2011 Census)
20% of population have any contact with any church.
40% of population are ‘unchurched’
40% of population are ‘de-churched’
‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1

11. ‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1
Christianity in the UK:
59% of the UK population identify as Christian (2011 Census)
20% of population have any contact with any church.
40% of population are ‘unchurched’
40% of population are ‘de-churched’
5% in church on any given Sunday
‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1

12. ‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1
Christianity in the UK:
59% of the UK population identify as Christian (2011 Census)
20% of population have any contact with any church.
40% of population are ‘unchurched’
40% of population are ‘de-churched’
5% in church on any given Sunday
2% attend a Bible believing church
‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1

13. ‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1
Christianity in the UK:
59% of the UK population identify as Christian (2011 Census)
20% of population have any contact with any church.
40% of population are ‘unchurched’
40% of population are ‘de-churched’
5% in church on any given Sunday
2% attend a Bible believing church
70% say they have no intention of ever attending a church service
‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1

14. ‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1
Christianity in the UK:
59% of the UK population identify as Christian (2011 Census)
20% of population have any contact with any church.
40% of population are ‘unchurched’
40% of population are ‘de-churched’
5% in church on any given Sunday
2% attend a Bible believing church
70% say they have no intention of ever attending a church service
72% of under 30’s have no religious affiliation at all.
‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1

15. ‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1
‘Strangers’ - because of their belief and commitment to Jesus
The church has gone -
from the centre of the nation’s life to being on the fringe
from majority to a minority
from privilege to being one among many
from control to influence
from Maintenance to Mission
‘Everyday Church’ - Steve Timmis
‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1

16. ‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1
‘Strangers’ - because of their belief and commitment to Jesus.
The good news:
‘God … has given us new birth into a living hope’
1 Peter 1:3
‘To God’s elect, …… strangers in the world’. 1 Peter 1:1