A Preferred Future for All
A vision is a picture of a preferred future. The Bible records a picture given by Jesus of His preferred future for all mankind (Revelation 7:9-10, 22). This is the vision we have adopted, to see ‘a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne’. Jesus also gave His followers a strategy to fulfil His vision: The Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:37-39) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus saw His followers as disciple makers living on mission, motivated by their love for God and love for their neighbour. We’re now learning to apply the vision and strategy Jesus gave in the city of Birmingham. We believe God has given us a ‘sketch drawing’, not a detailed architect’s drawing, so we remain flexible and dependent on Jesus and in step with the Holy Spirit as we go. But we’re off!!!
Two Priorities
Since we began in September 2023, we have focussed on two priorities. Firstly, to continue to reach out in B29 through the choir and neighbourhood events to make disciples and build a community/microchurch in our postcode. Over 42,000 people live in our community from all walks of life. The second is to connect, encourage, and serve other Jesus followers called to live on mission. To equip and champion others as they form communities of disciple makers committed to living on mission in their postcode. We believe God wants to see a network of mission focussed pioneers, disciple makers, microchurch planters to start worshipping communities across the city of Birmingham and the West Midlands. Communities who radically love Jesus, sacrificially love each other and moved by compassion to reach and see their communities transformed by the love and power of Jesus.
We also want to share our story, create resources, write blogs, develop teaching material, and utilise social media to get the word out across Birmingham. We want to connect with the many people we believe are being stirred by the Holy Spirit across our city to find another model of church. We believe all are called and can be people of influence for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Therefore, we will celebrate the individual, honour the small, extend grace for the journey and serve people as they follow Jesus on mission and make disciples ‘as they go’.
Why?
Jesus said, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.’ (Matthew 9:37). Yet, over the last few years we have heard so many people say that the model of church we love and once led, is not currently effective in mission. The statistic that less than 1% of the 1.1 million people who live in Birmingham currently attend Church would seem to support this view. According to Einstein the definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result”. Therefore, we believe it’s time to take a leap of faith and try something new. Not to compete, but compliment what God is already doing in and through His church in Birmingham.
Having grandchildren has changed our perspective and inspired us to take this step of faith. When we look at the prevailing model of church, we wonder what type of church will exist for the next generations to be part of. God has used them to remind us that we serve the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We have been reminded that how we live today will impact those who follow. That’s why we are saying ‘yes’ to the call to leave all that has been familiar to learn, grow and pioneer something new. We are not alone; we have discovered many people are being inspired to question and review their understanding of the Church and what it looks like to follow Jesus. Our hope is we can be part of what God is doing around the world today and help leave a legacy for the Isaac and Jacob generations. As we go, we will ‘have a go’, and trust our ceiling becomes our children’s floor and their ceiling our grandchildren’s floor. This is a long-term and multigenerational vision. It is counterintuitive to a world that looks for immediate results, but we believe this is what God has been preparing and equipping us for.
How?
We believe God is calling people to four priorities:
B in – Be a devoted apprentice to Jesus, learning to listen and obey all He says
B you – Discover and embrace our unique shape, secure in knowing we are God’s workmanship created for mission.
B present – Intentionally take responsibility to be an ambassador for Jesus in our unique sphere of influence bringing the message of reconciliation through words and action.
B together – Be committed to a community where we are seen, supported and sent to join Jesus on mission.
We recognise mission is not an activity to engage in every so often by an intentional lifestyle we can live every day. Through the skills we are learning and the experience we are gaining we are developing maps, resources, and tools to help and equip others to discover their potential and become fruitful workers in their mission field. We are looking for disciples who will make disciples who will make disciples. To join those around the world who are seeing multiplication and the beginnings of a move of God. We haven’t got all the answers, just a sketch drawing, but we are convinced there is more to discover.
As we see people come to know Jesus and God connects us with others across Birmingham who are living on mission, we want to see families (communities) of disciple makers form in each postcode. Families that love God with all they have, are committed to love, honour and support everyone in their family (community) and to prioritise reaching those who don’t know Jesus in their postcode. We don’t have a product, programme or a 3-point package to offer. We believe we are all called to seek Jesus and He will guide and lead us to fulfil both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
Figures from the 2021 census reveal that the city’s ethnic minorities represent 51.4% of the city of Birmingham’s population, making Birmingham one of the first super diverse cities in the U.K. Apparently, we are the country’s most culturally diverse city. Therefore, it will take all types of people to reach all types of people. One model may work in one postcode but would be ineffective in another. As families (communities) living on mission seek Jesus, we believe He will give the keys to unlock each postcode.
Oversight
We believe it’s essential that we are accountable and set up our oversight team at the beginning of 2023. This currently consists of two couples who pray, love, and cheer us on. They also inspire, challenge, and through their wisdom help keep us track.
We have also joined Churches in Community International (CiC) who have formerly recognised my Ordination and the B network.
Finance
We believe God has called us to be missionaries to Birmingham prioritising engaging with people to make disciples and disciple makers. The benefit of the missionary model over the prevailing church model is that we are financially supported by those who believe in us and what God has called us to do rather than looking for financial support from those we are serving. Separating financial support from those we are serving enables us to freely challenge and speak truth, not hindered by the fear we may offend or lose them and their financial support. We would like to thank all those who have already demonstrated their support and belief in us by committing to give monthly to support us.
However, if we are to continue to live as missionaries, we will have to increase our number of supporters. There have been some significant increases in our outgoings, we need to invest in equipment and resources to help support others. Learning how to be honest and appeal for financial support has been a tough journey, it’s certainly not very ‘British’, but we trust you hear our heart and will consider starting or continuing to financially support us.
I was reminded today how the gospels don’t record Jesus appealing to individuals or crowds for money. Instead, we read: ‘Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.’ (Luke 8:3). We would love to be in the place where we didn’t have to make a monthly appeal but were confident that we had enough to do the ministry God is calling us to. It’s interesting that some are noted by name, but many are anonymous. Perhaps you would consider being one of the ‘many others’ that would release us to be missionaries in Birmingham.
This year we have also opened an online shop with beautiful handmade crafts created with care to share warmth, love, joy, hope, and peace. There are many gifts available to brighten hearts and homes throughout the Advent season. Please visit our new online shop: Advent Tree Shop. You can find the details of how to give HERE.
All pictures taken and used with permission by Anthony Vaander Tiger @avaandertiger (except Birmingham skyline author unknown)
"Live to Serve" 