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changing contexts

All these variables can be mixed and matched by local churches with the

resources to do so, or they can be expressed across a diocese or deanery 

  by a policy of encouraging variety and recognizing gifting and divine

opportunity. No one kind of worship can attract, much less hold, a major

proportion of the varied population of this country. The Church will be able

to reconnect with both society and individuals through a pattern of diversity

and unity, rooted in the triune, endlessly creative, life of God. It is a pattern

that looks ahead to the diversity, brought from all corners of the earth, that

will be celebrated in God's eschatological reality.

The new is not necessarily better or more lasting. For neighbourhood and

network we need `forms of Christian community that are homes of

generous hospitality, places of challenging reconciliation, and centres of

attentiveness to the living God'.

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The challenge is to form communities 

that facilitate encounter with God and God's people, in such a way that

convinces, converts and transforms those who respond to them.

a moment of opportunity and the 

gift of repentance

Although Western culture will continue to evolve (particularly through

technological change) it has taken a shape that it is likely to hold for the

foreseeable future. The shape of the mission field has become clear. 

The missionary task remains the same:

A changing culture constitutes a call from God. Many people today live

in a variety of worlds such as family, job, leisure, politics and education.

These worlds represent different social structures.

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The gospel must be proclaimed afresh within these different structures.

They present a moment of opportunity, a challenge to confidence in the

gospel, and a call to imaginative mission.

So far from foreclosing the possibilities for appropriate Christian living,

these conditions actually open the door to new variations, new

combinations of authentic and responsible action. The demise of

Christendom reduces radically the temptations of power, clearing 

space for the old story to be retold.

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But this is also a moment for repentance. We have allowed our culture and

the Church to drift apart, without our noticing. We need the grace of the

Spirit for repentance if we are to receive a fresh baptism of the Spirit for

witness.

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