I Have a Dream

 

Remembering a Dream

A few weeks ago, I found myself expressing as a dream my 60+ years of prayer for the people of rural Britain.  It was rather like the famous comment by Martin Luther King, “I have a dream…”

I have a dream 
that in every rural community across the land 
there will be a vibrant visible 
community of Christian faith

I invite you to share in this dream and to pray and work to make it become a reality.  Of course, there are already signs of it taking place as God’s servants in various places commit their lives to God’s supreme purpose.

What might such a community look like?

Essentially, it is a people thing and not institutional.  It will be the people of God who love the Lord Jesus and who want to see the kingdom of God, appearing and flourishing in villages and on the streets of country towns.  It could be part of the life of a village church.  It could be a development of a home group.  It could be people from different local churches.

They will be characterised by love and compassion.  It will be joyful and prayerful. I hope it would be transgenerational and people from different strands of society.  It will be visible by acts of love for those who are not part of the community.  It will be outward looking.  It is not a church, but a movement of love that will encourage and support through prayer the local churches and those in leadership.  It will be a beating prayerful heart of the local community, working with all who seek the common good and the values that Jesus taught.  The people will be good news and the source of the Good News, and always humble.

I could go on, but I guess you have the picture.  Many sincere Christians in the rural areas faithfully support their village churches, which are not always as inspiring as they wish they would be.  I am not advocating something as an alternative to the local church, but the formation of intentional Christian groups alongside and supportive of the local churches, schools, councils etc. They would be made up of people who, through how they relate to one another and serve the wider community, become signs of the kingdom of God within their villages and country towns.

How would such communities of faith be formed?

They would develop organically rather than some kind of strategic organisational plan.  They will probably form around a Christian individual, couple, or family who are hospitable and open their home to others who might share their love for Jesus and the vision of a ‘kingdom of God’ community.  They might well develop around a meal or on a summer picnic, or even a drink at the local pub.  They will be places where people are welcome and so is Jesus.

How might they be nurtured?

They would be self-supporting.  If there are people who have knowledge and gifts that could be used, then they should be used.  There are lots of Bible studies and other resources on the internet, and Rural Mission Solutions can supply information and resources.  Those participating should be able to relate their ‘real world’ every-day life to the life of the caring and prayerful community.  The emphasis should always be on being rather than doing, although doing should be important.  So, they might include some time to consider how they could pray and encourage one another, then what is happening in the churches and wider community that needs their prayers.  They might include times of quiet, waiting on God.  They could have times of discussion about New Testament scripture and its practical application.

I have a dream!

How have you responded to what I have written?  If you are already part of a group such as I have described, I would love to hear about it.  Please write or email me.

If there is not a group like this in your village or the area of a country town where you live, are you willing to help it come into being?  Could you use your home as a place of love and hospitality to others?  Could you arrange an informal meeting with some refreshments and share what I have described so as to see who might be willing to be part of it?

From that you could consider when you might meet again, what you might do and what other meeting places are there?  That could include a local walk.  Don’t over-organise; let it be organic and natural.

But, please, do not do nothing!  

At the very least, invite another Christian, meet, talk, reflect and pray.  Let us know what you are doing so that we can support you with prayer and offer any other help to you.

Thank you.

Barry

Rev Barry Osborne
Founder and CEO of Rural Mission Solutions
5th November 2022