God’s vision for God’s people
Thinking, praying churches will always be asking ‘What is our vision?’ God renews his people by giving them fresh vision of how the world and the church might become.

How we can discern an authentic vision from God which inspires us to go on a journey together; an owned vision to which each of us can commit.

I believe that God is calling us to a ministry that is deeper, higher, and wider building on a heritage of 160yrs of work. It will be exhilarating and demanding; it will challenge our pockets and stretch our faith.

Deeper — moving to be more committed disciples of Jesus Christ, for God has not finished with us yet! Discipleship is the process of investing in prayer, taking time to read the scriptures, being in fellowship with others, receiving the sacraments, being with God, wanting more of God and his perspectives.

Higher — higher means a new quality of fellowship, real sharing breaking down barriers and building bridges. The early church discovered that multi-cultural, multiethnic churches can have tricky issues to deal with. Higher calls us to deal with these issues with grace serving ‘one another’, whatever our status or background.

Wider — to look beyond ourselves to a world in need of the good news of God’s forgiveness and reconciliation; confident that justice will prevail, evil will be defeated and working for peace and justice are ultimately worthwhile. Such a vision will respond to God’s heart for a broken world and broken lives. It is our response to his call for reconciliation, hope, justice and faith.

In the name of Jesus, the love of the Father and empowered by the Spirit we can do all kinds of scary and wonderful things, deeper higher, wider.



Revd Dr G Howard Mellor
Senior Minister