|
|
| |
 |
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to
condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3 : 16, 17 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
| Welcome, from the Minister
On behalf of the congregation can I extend a warm welcome to
you. You may be reading this as someone who has been
involved in Maxwell Mearns Castle since we began worshipping
in the Mearns area in the late 1960's or you may have come
across the church for the first time today. However familiar
you are with our congregation I hope you will find this web
site a mine of information and once you've explored it we
hope you'll come and discover the people whose story it
tells and the living God whom they worship and serve.
We have a vision that we all in our own particular way seek
to make a reality: It is … |
| |
|
|
"a welcoming Christian community
where all are able to discover Christ and grow in faith
and, by the power of the Holy Spirit,
be encouraged to follow Christ’s teaching
by serving God in the church, the parish and the world." |
| |
Such a vision we hope to live out in every part of our
church family life and we now invite you to come and help us
make such a dream a reality.
Some time ago, after preaching a series on what on earth the
church is, I set before the congregation a fuller picture of
my dream church -
I have a dream … …
I have a dream of a church that is full of people who are
excited and passionate about the God they worship. A church
that when it gathers together to worship, does so with a
sense of excitement and anticipation. Every time they
worship their praise raises the roof – Heaven opens – their
prayers rise up and they hear God speak. A church that is
also reflective, creative and expressive in every element of
its worship as it meets Sunday by Sunday and at any other
time in the week.
I have a dream of a church that is hungry to know more of
God, who in their prayer life, individually and together,
see God move in them and through them – when they gather to
pray they can’t all get in!
I have a dream of a church that is made up of people between
whom there are no barriers.
No barriers of position or status in or out of the church.
No barriers of wealth or power.
No barriers of background or past.
No barriers raised by education or ability.
No barriers caused by appearance whether marked by age,
gender, skin colour, hairstyle, or the clothes they wear.
I have a dream of a church that is made up of people that
feel included. A church that is inclusive and
OPEN to outcasts.
OPEN to those who’ve made mistakes
OPEN to those who haven’t yet discovered the love of God.
OPEN to those who didn’t know that God has a way that is
best for them – in their lifestyles, relationships and
careers.
OPEN to those who have been rejected.
OPEN to those who feel rejected.
OPEN to those who haven‘t yet discovered their heart’s
desire.
OPEN to those who are currently on the storm seas of life,
those who set sail themselves and those who have found
themselves thrown overboard.
OPEN to those that society says – you don’t fit – you’re not
normal.
I dream of a church that says "you belong here".
I have a dream of a church that is made up of people who are
hungry to know more about God and all that he has done for
them in Jesus Christ. Who not only know this but also pass
it on with their words and actions and by the evidence of
their changed and freed up lives. They are hungry to know
more so they may understand more fully all He has done for
them that they may therefore tell others of the length,
breadth, height and depth of the love of Christ.
I have a dream of a church that is made up of people who
have not only passion for the lost but also compassion for
those in need:
who call nothing their own – who give without counting the
cost – who open their hearts and their homes – their wallets
and their reserves – whose possessions are held lightly as
only for a season and then only to be a blessing to others.
I have a dream of a church that is made up of people who
have a desire to see none of their number suffer – to see
none of their number in need – to see none of their number
want for anything that their time, resources, gifts and
possessions could not meet.
I have a dream of a church where those who for a season have
real practical needs can confidentially and quietly and with
dignity accept such tangible love – and in so doing they
discover they are enabling blessing to come on others as
they give!
I have a dream of a church that has a heart, not only big
enough for those around us, but outwith the Mearns, outwith
the city – around the nation to the north and to the south –
the east and the west. To the Scots, English, Irish and
Welsh. To those in the Americas, in Africa and Asia, the
Middle East and to all points around the globe. No race, no
creed, no tribe, no tongue is beyond their concern and
compassion.
I have a dream of a church that will discover that we have a
God who can raise up from our number ordinary people to do
an extraordinary task – whether on our doorstep, in our
nation or in lands far away.
I have a dream of a church in which God by his Spirit is
opening and softening hard hearts – is pouring out gifts of
power – is revealing mysteries – is healing the sick of
body, mind and spirit – is setting the captives free –
captives to the past – captives to all manner of chains that
bind them, be it addiction to self – lust – drink – drugs –
gambling – captives to the enemy of God.
I have a dream of a church where people in unity dwell –
where there is no deceit, no gossip, no talking behind
backs, no dissatisfaction, no unforgiveness, no bitterness
and harbouring of grudges, where all are one in Christ
Jesus.
I have a dream of a church in which the young are an
enthusiastic, refreshing and dynamic force for good – where
the elderly feel honoured and loved – where those in between
feel fulfilled and refreshed. Where all feel a necessary
part of it and all play their appropriate part in it!
I have a dream of a church like that – anyone share it with
me? Anyone ready to make it a reality? – we’ve come a long
way towards it over the last 2000 years – and the best is
yet to come!
So are you up for making it a reality? - then come and
journey with us.
Every Blessing. David |
| |
|
|
|
