19 January 2009

Living Faith: for the future – which will be formally launched at diocesan synod on 7 March - is intended to provide a supportive framework for work in the parishes. It offers a vision (‘the transformation of all human life under God’); four values (‘contemplative, creative, continuous and accountable’); and a purpose (‘to join with God in creating a caring, sustainable and growing Christian presence in every part of the diocese of Oxford, enabling every Christian and every Christian community to live and share the love of God, seen in the life of Jesus Christ’). Central to Living Faith is a set of priorities: sustaining the sacred centre; making disciples; making a difference in the world; creating vibrant Christian communities; and shaping confident, collaborative leadership.

The Living Faith vision builds on the Sharing Life initiative which preceded it. The name was inspired by last year’s evangelism conference. (That project is now to be renamed ‘Encouraging Evangelism’ to avoid confusion.) Bishop John presented a draft document to diocesan synod last spring and invited comments. ‘I received a great number of really useful responses to the initial paper. As a result, the final version is shorter and sharper,’ he said, stressing that Living Faith was not intended to be prescriptive or to cut across local planning.

‘The key aim is to have a banner under which we can all unite in the cause of Christ. I envisage the five priorities as a palette of bright and vivid colours,’ he said. ‘What I’m inviting everyone to do in their church, parish, boards and committees is to use these colours to paint their own picture of the kingdom. I’d love to see all the churches of the diocese working away with these bright colours of the kingdom to design their own vision for the next stage of our life together. ‘What we end up with then is a gallery full not of look-alike paintings, but of vibrant, colourful and unique works of art.’ Over the next few months the diocese will be publishing a range of resources, including leaflets, a study guide and a DVD, to explain the Living Faith vision, and to help people relate it to their context. ‘I’m determined to offer continuing encouragement,’ said Bishop John. ‘There are lots of implications which we’ll keep coming back, but for now I trust we can unite around Living Faith and enjoy the Lord’s favour. I hope what we’re doing is building on the fine heritage of Sharing Life but sharpening it up for our time. I think the Church has to be value driven rather than target driven, and I trust that a thousand flowers may then bloom.’

Living Faith: Bishop John is pictured above with five-year-old Olivia and her penguin after a recent service in Streatley.Pic by the Revd Chris Hargraves.