Dit is een tekst die een van onze pastors hier geschreven heeft. Het gaat over wie – wat de kerk is. Ik weet dat het een vrij lange tekst is, voel je niet verplicht verder te lezen. Maar als je geinteresseerd bent, kan dit je beeld van de kerk misschien wel verbreden…

She is the PLAN of God on earth
Always in her Father’s eye
Cherished, mysterious, beautiful and potent beyond measure.
King empowered and life infused. She emerges triumphant;
limitless with potential;
a harbour for the hopeless and an answer for the ages:
The church resplendent – a bride for His Son.

She is the BODY of Christ on earth
Born, like her Head, amidst tribulation, under jealous skies.
Cradled in her innocence and guarded for His purpose.
She grows in wisdom and stature with victory on her lips and freedom in her hands.
Hers is an unstoppable cause.
She embraces the world with dignity, honour and compassion;
gives vision to the sightless and life to the dying.

She is the FAMILY of God on earth
Within her compass, the hungry find sustenance and the weary receive strength.
She is a haven for recovering humanity, enthralled by grace.
She invites the broken, the vulnerable and the outcast to be immersed in love.
She stands imperfect but perfection resides within her.
She is flawed but is washed with forgiveness.
She has a treasury of faith and a wealth of belonging.

She is the HOUSE of Heaven on earth
A representative, resolute to reconcile.
The Word within her accepts the receptive
but challenges the heartless.
She is the ecclesia, called out to serve the world:
Calling out to welcome in.
Blood-washed and armed with testimony,
the cross on her lips liberates the chained and offends the unchanging.
Like her Master she is pursued and persecuted.
Yet she rises with strength in her heart and fire in her soul.

She is the BRIDE of Christ on earth
Readying herself for the day when all eyes will be upon her.
Prepared and presented before the Lord:
The Lamb for whom the world waits, who comes like the rising sun,
majestic and magnificent beyond description, while she dazzles with reflected glory,
Spotless, perfect and mature, she bows low to cast her crowns and
passionately worship Him, Her temporal focus becomes her eternal gaze.
She is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.