My experience with a church in danger of splitting is this: When a local congregation put its motto into practice--"Open Doors, Open Hearts, Open Minds"--then it survived, visitors were welcomed and treated as part of the family. Meanwhile, the congregation continued with Christ-centred worship, following a traditional liturgical structure with elasticity shown in worship as pastoral needs became apparent.
I don't know, however, if this is a plan or a strategy or just a result of God bringing gracious, accepting people together.
Posted in: Post-Synod: Not Every Decision Requires Separating (But Some Might)
My experience with a church in danger of splitting is this: When a local congregation put its motto into practice--"Open Doors, Open Hearts, Open Minds"--then it survived, visitors were welcomed and treated as part of the family. Meanwhile, the congregation continued with Christ-centred worship, following a traditional liturgical structure with elasticity shown in worship as pastoral needs became apparent.
I don't know, however, if this is a plan or a strategy or just a result of God bringing gracious, accepting people together.