The following devotion was shared at our Parish Council meeting on 19 August. It reflects on a recent discussion about younger people’s renewed interest in Christian faith and reminds us of the importance of remaining true to the identity and calling of the Church: to be God’s people, centred on Christ, grounded in his Word, and committed to worship, discipleship, mission and service.
I came across an interesting article recently by Bijan Omrani in The Telegraph, entitled 'Gen Z Craves Full-Fat Religion While the Church Acts Like a Secular NGO.' It was responding to some recent research commissioned by the Church of England into the journeys of young adults who have come to faith. One of the interesting things about the research is that it challenges the assumption that younger people are simply uninterested in religion. Some young adults today are actually becoming more open to Christianity. The research found that many are searching for something deeper and more meaningful in a world where they are surrounded by competing ideas, distractions and shallow forms of self-fulfilment. And when they encounter Christianity, what often draws them is not a watered-down version of the faith, but something real: genuine relationships, sacred spaces, thoughtful conversations and the timeless truth of the gospel.
That raises an important question for us as a Parish Council: What kind of a church are we seeking to build here at St Augustine's? I think the answer is not that we need to make the church more like the world in order to attract people from the world. Rather, we need to become more deeply and faithfully what God has called his church to be. The church is not primarily a community organisation, a charity, or a social club. We are God's redeemed people, gathered around Christ and his Word. Our calling is to worship God, grow as disciples of Jesus, proclaim the gospel and serve others in his name.
And that why our commitment to the Bible is so important. The world around us is constantly changing. Ideas, values and cultural pressures come and go. If we allow ourselves to be shaped primarily by the changing winds of this age, we will eventually lose our sense of who we are. But if we remain anchored in God's Word, centred on Christ and dependent upon the Holy Spirit, we have something solid to offer – a message that is not simply another opinion, but the good news of Jesus Christ.
So as we meet tonight and make decisions about our church, let us remember why we are doing these things. We are not simply managing an organisation. We are seeking to serve God's church. May God give us wisdom, humility and courage to keep our eyes fixed on him. May he help us to remain faithful to our calling, and may he use St Augustine's to make Christ known, to strengthen his people, and to welcome those who are searching for the hope and truth that can only be found in him alone.
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, thank you for calling us to be your people and for entrusting us with the ministry of your church. Keep us faithful to your Word and centred on your Son, Jesus Christ. Give us wisdom as we lead this parish, humility in our decisions, and courage to remain true to our calling. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Image reproduced from The Road Is Life, “Natural Landmarks in South Australia.”
