- News: Views
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12 Feb
[11-11-08] Update on our 08-09 Goals
We've been pursuing our strategic goals for 08-09 for over two months now, so I thought it would be good to update everyone on how they're going.[06-10-08] The Ten Commandments
This term we are looking at the Ten Commandments - barely 300 words long in English, yet they form the basis of our legal system, the foundations of our parliament and lie at the core of western civilisation.[01-10-08] Open Heaven at 15 Years Old: Growing Up
This summer, Open Heaven turned 15 years old.[26-09-08] Welcome to Loughborough
If you're a fresher (or even someone who's just thinking of coming along to Open Heaven for the first time) we'd like to give you a warm welcome.[15-09-08] To be Loved, to Love and to Serve
Here is a short account of what my last year has been like my aim is to encourage, motivate, and challenge us all, as we seek to be continually transformed into the likeness of our king, Jesus.[10-09-08] The Hidden Beauty of the Church
While walking around inside an old but still well used church building, I found myself in a kind of gatehouse with a dusty old staircase leading down from one end.[28-05-08] I Am the True Grapevine
Looking at a tree outside my office window the other day I realised how strong the trunk was and that the branches did little to support it.[12-02-08] Responding to the Call
We are embarking on a journey of adventure, into the unknown; a little nervous, anticipating many challenges but determined to position ourselves to be ever more used by God in establishing the Kingdom in every area of our personal and corporate lives.[27-11-07] Getting Closer...Part 2
For a while it's been everywhere.[08-11-07] What on Earth is Daniel on about?
So you've finished reading the story of the lion's den and you fancy reading on to find out what happens to Daniel next.
Responding to the Call
We are embarking on a journey of adventure, into the unknown; a little nervous, anticipating many challenges but determined to position ourselves to be ever more used by God in establishing the Kingdom in every area of our personal and corporate lives.
We are entering an enormous time of change in our 15 year history. Now is the time for each of us to decide how we will respond to God’s invitation to build the Kingdom together.
I’m not just talking about the building that’s in the offing but about our mission and where God is taking us. For the 5 ½ years that I’ve been part of the Open Heaven journey we’ve always had a very fluid nature, a flexibility and a freedom that has pointed to our desire to be led by God and not just to be building our own kingdom. We have broken new ground and had ‘radical’, ‘risk-taking’ and ‘relevant’ at the core of our DNA. I don’t wish that to change one bit. That’s why I was attracted to the church and that’s why I still love serving it.
As a child grows and matures its parents give it more and more opportunities to stand on its own two feet, to learn to take responsibility. They do this so that when the time comes to walk in its own direction, the child, which is now an adult, can walk with a humble confidence and grasp hold of all that is before it.
I feel like that is where we are as a Church. For some time we’ve been free and flexible, experimenting with new styles, raising the bar in discipleship, calling on God for the campus, giving of ourselves to building meaningful community. Now we’re looking broader than what’s on our doorstep - internationally, for some time, and stirrings about Europe; locally with families, Loughborough residents and a growing group of young professionals.
It’s time for us to take a new level of responsibility for the town and for continuing to bring in the wisdom gained in our younger days as a Church to instigate and oversee new initiatives now. It’s time again for each of us to respond to the corporate call that God has for us, “to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth” (Acts 1:8).
Although change is coming, in fact change is inevitable, we must keep sight of who we are. Even if we’re finding that some of the things that used to indicate who we are start to change, our call remains. And the call on each of our lives remains. I believe God is asking each of us to examine our hearts, to find God’s call to us, individually in the midst of the corporate call, and to respond to God with our hearts first, and then our minds and all of our strength.
I love serving this Church – it is an honour and a privilege. And I’m excited about our future together; with God’s help and guidance let’s advance the Kingdom for his glory.
Posted by: Sam Huggill on Tuesday Feb 12th, 2008
- Comments
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- Sarah Crouch writes:
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amen huggill!
...left on Wednesday Feb 13th, 2008
- Lucy Purves writes:
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Yesss!!
...left on Wednesday Feb 13th, 2008
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