A month ago, I began sharing with you some insights from a book the Elders are reading together entitled Sailboat Church: Helping Your Church Rethink Its Mission and Practice, by Joan S. Gray. You may remember that the author is exploring the concept that churches fall in one of two categories – Rowboat and Sailboat. Last month I gave an overview description of these two types of churches. This month, I would like to explore more fully a Sailboat Church.
What is a good description of a Sailboat Church? The author offers several attitudes and practices that she feels are markers for this type of church.
She says, Sailboat Churches....
experience church as a divine-human partnership
make nurturing relationship with Jesus Christ a top priority
are Holy Spirit powered
live by prayer
are shaped and guided by interaction with scripture
require spiritual leaders
take spiritual realities and resources seriously
live to sail
are places of transformation
teach and practice discernment
In looking over these practices, do you see any areas where we are strong as a church? Are there weaknesses that we need to address? Let’s talk, as we work together toward being God’s church in Oconee County.
-Pastor Jane