Melbourne has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world. The city is known as the sporting and cultural centre of Australia. It is famous for its multicultural diversity, yummy cuisine and beautiful sceneries. However, the reality is that Melbourne is full of deep unmet human needs, including homelessness, loneliness, conflict, situations of abuse or despair, depression, addiction, poverty and oppression etc.
Even deeper than unmet social needs is the spiritual need of the city. The All Melbourne Matters Research gives us a picture of the whole Church (Body of Christ) across the Greater Melbourne: the great strengths, resources and regular attendances - as well as the challenges.
So what is our vision for a transformed Melbourne? What would Melbourne look like if the Gospel took root and blossomed in this city - both in the local (community) and city-wide aspects? I would like to invite you to actively imagine, dream and pray as you walk with God in this journey of seeing the vision for the transformation of Melbourne. Please write your comments here.
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The challenge for me is to not be saddened and overwhelmed by these problems, but to channel my sadness into action, by praying and asking myself at the same time how I might be part of the answer to my prayers.
Melbourne is a melting pot of different cultures and I love this - but where cultures collide, ignorance and fear, even hatred of the 'other' can fester. My vision for a transformed Melbourne includes one in which understanding and compassion rule our interactions with each other; where bigotry and racism is something our children learn about as 'history' but never experience first hand, and kindness is expected, not received in shock.
In this vision, the public transport system also runs like a dream...but I just don't know what I personally can do about this one!
Yes Ross, may the Lord help us to channel our sadness into action.
Leng, I love your vision for a transformed Melbourne!
I dream for a shared vision of a transformed Melbourne, where there is united prayer, communication and relationships across the Body of Christ. And that parts of the Church in Melbourne come together as One Body, united in prayer, witness and intentional mission to the Whole of our city.
In this vision, every person in Melbourne has an intimate relationship with Jesus, glorifying God in all they do.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever!” (Ephesians 3:20)
Also in this vision:
* Every person in Melbourne is empowered to dream and obey what God has for them, and that young people find their God-given purpose in life, and a cause greater than themselves to live for.
* The Church welcomes, equips and releases the next generations into discipleship and leadership in the church, city and nations.
* The real needs of Gen-Y people in Melbourne are met by the church. Churches pray and work together to pastor young people in local communities.
* Many young people come to faith every day.
I think some of the revelations at the Gen'Y event were useful. The church suffers from unbelief, local natural (even what some are calling incarnational)evangelism God can do all things. Without God the city will die and suffer, both spiritually and in other ways, while we need to be careful not to infer direct cause and effect at times, like "told you so." Without vision the people perish. Without light we are in the darkness, without Jesus, the labourers labour in vain- despite their prayers.
Any vision is useful if it has a sincere heart of love for people and their salvation and growth in Christ. The scripture gives very good guidelines, we need to believe in God and be real ourselves- close to God.
For me communication of the gospel takes three forms in Melbourne:
1. Telling and living the simple gospel using "any means"
2. Breaking down false ideas and concepts (our institutions are sometimes the enemy)that detract or distract from the gospel.
3. Showing the limited value and brokenness of the structures that are there. Our institutions are imperfect and must not be glorified in of themselves. Jesus is the Job and the Message.
4. Unity in message and basic unity in Christ and love. This includes equality (a toughy), this is the church.
5. Prayer: Not just communal group prayer, but living in God's presence and targetted prayer. Our prayers are powerful.
6. We must encourage discernment of Spirits and gifts, as well as imparting gifts on people through prayer etc... Many people are doing things they shouldn't be (or doing by default), many are doing things they should be without support. Many are doing things wrong.
7. There needs to be open forum for the sharing of ideas, rebuke and encouragement, with a sense of sibling love.
8. Engaging opposition to the gospel at all levels. One of the biggest problems with the church is we don't think or do, we just go. This is a symptom of a leadership model and ministry models, which negate the ministry of Christ and personal gifting and the natural living of the Word through the Spirit.
9. The church in Melbourne should be established, I started one in Sydney too, because I am a funny guy- I think I have already started the facebook group- but haven't launched it might be a good way to look at unity.
10. Gen J forever- bring the love of God to all. Our distinctions and "generationalising" can create divisions (not bagging out Gen Y stuff). Lets go Gen J forever (J for Jesus)...
...11. The branch bears fruit not of its own. This scripture shows that it is not us, but Jesus. We need to stop just doing and obey and follow Him. That is if we are real disciples- I suspect that's about 2% of us, and probably not the evangelicals always- (I might be in trouble now) !
12. We need to break the rules. Partly to get attention for Christ, partly to diffuse anti-Chritian sentiment in the community. One idea I had was, "make your presentation so contrived, that contrived becomes cool." (You need to let people know what you're doing though. We need to engage the resistance and communicate Jesus and sincere authentic genuine real faith for what it is.
13. We need to present an honest image of the Christian life and faith, not the show business of many Pentecostal groups whose show hides the real transformation happening in the lives of people and the very real struggles of Xians. John Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress or CS Lewis' Pilgrims Regress, both present a "real" picture of the walk with, to, from Jesus. Its no fairytale, but the outcome certainly is.
14. We need to wait for God with expectation. There's probably already an "angel" of the church of Melbourne. And I still think that Reveleation refers to real angels not just human "angels" or messengers in the churches. God has a plan- let's get with it. And ask him to shape ours- even IN ACTION !
15. We need to show that God is a God of variety, that within Melbourne its not a style that makes us unique, but Jesus that sets us apart and unifies us. He is our light, He is our hope, our peace our salvation. He is present, His Spirit lives within and convicts the world of sin.
16. Serving all needs using the real skills available in our churches. Not some leader running a program, but the solution of real problems. This might be transformational mission or evangelism.
...17. Helping people to grow, involves prayer for them, daily fellowship and equality in faith. Hierarchy is not God's way here- the last shall be first ! We have sometimes undermined His children with our programs (my way or the highway philosophy). Not God's way, for His way is one way, but manifests in many ways in the individual lives of believers. Most become Christians through some experience, others through decision and logic, others through the Spirit changing something (off course the Spirit is active in all these)- But we must pray for radical change and life, not going through the motions- we need to be real and promote this- including our failings. Being Born Again is no little thing !
18. Melbourne has a unique position, we have just avoided (by a whisker) the monoculture and pride of Sydney evangelicalism. Our diversity might be our strength. A united message could be a good thing, but while the world looks for unity in numbers, we must take that opportunity to present the true gospel that we are unified in Jesus. This is the difference between dumb and inspired Xian "promotion"- basically being a light for the gospel. It will also be God's test for us, whether he blesses us or gives us a good kick up the backside.
19. Melbourne is both individuals and corporate. Both levels must be emphasised. We must have a vision for individuals using the gifts of the Spirit- the grace we have to edify and build up those around. God loves all, so that will involve all people. With this we must pray that the sin, evil and Satanic patterns and motives fall in official institutions. That people act with love rather than sin. When individuals are right with God what naturally emerges is The Church in Melbourne, a fellowship- friendship- loving sibling sharing with Christ in Melbourne.
20. Once again what does God want to do ? The Lord's Prayer says it well. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Want to know the lord's will, well the Spirit speaks what He hears...what we do with doubt is sin... let's look at this hey ? Lovyas : )
Alf, I can see you do have a vision for Melbourne. Wow you've made 20 points instead of 3, in terms of communicating the gospel in Melbourne. Many foods for thoughs here!
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