Planning and Purpose

Recently, a few people have asked me, “What is St John’s purpose for being… What is our mission?” I, too, have been asking myself similar questions.

Not that I find it hard to give an answer – our Vision Statement: We are ordinary people, partnering with God and with each other; growing wholeness; and the symbol of the “St John’s Cross”, highlighting our commitment to Follow Jesus, Honour God, Live the Learning, Build Healing Community, and Serve the City, have guided our “wayfinding” for a while.

But perhaps the real “question behind these questions” is this one: How does this great vision work out in practice, in September 2011? Furthermore, as time passes, and Central changes, and the St John’s community changes, are these still the ideals by which we feel called to give expression to the Gospel, here and now, at St John’s?

The Society Stewards and Staff are already thinking about and planning for 2012; and we would value the input of the wider community in this process. There are always things that inconvenience and irritate us as we live in community together; we are not now looking for those issues, but rather for a “big picture” sense of What and How are you Thinking and Feeling about St John’s?

We have included a questionnaire in this Bulletin, which we would really appreciate you returning to us by Monday 26 September. Why not complete it now, and put it into the Offering Bag? Or you could take longer over your responses and either drop it off at the Potters House through the week, or into the Offering Bag next Sunday? Your participation in this process will be deeply valued.

I look forward to carefully analysing and using your replies, as the Stewards, other Leaders, and I, plot the way ahead.

Thank you

Rod