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Add a headingLENT EDITION:
Lent 2 – John 14
INCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVITY… 


“We believe in inclusive church – a church which celebrates and affirms every person and does not discriminate.

We will continue to challenge the church where it continues to discriminate against people …

We believe in a Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.”

This is the statement of Inclusive Church.

Inclusion is a deceptive word that we think we know what it means but in fact it may mean something else. They key is about who is doing the including or excluding.

The kingdom of God is inclusive but it is not universal.

The first bit, inclusive, is God’s bit. The second bit, not universal, is down to us.

Let me explain using Jesus’ words to the disciples in the upper room in John 14.

Peter, having been told that he will deny Jesus, is told “Do not let your hearts be troubled”. Jesus goes on to explain that he will be going away and that he will prepare a place for them. He is talking of his death, resurrection and ascension. Thomas doesn’t understand. Jesus tells him “I am the way, the truth and the life”
OK – “we follow you” they might have thought. But Jesus wants them to have no doubts.

“No one comes to the Father except through me.”

The Gospel is exclusive – there is only one way – but it is inclusively offered to all (“whoever believes in him” 3:16).

Jesus – one way. One truth. One life.

OK….so to be included, I need to believe in Jesus? Well, yes and no.

“21 ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt 7:21)

Doing the will of the Father is also a requirement.

Rule 1: by Jesus

Rule 2: doing the will of the Father – the offer is open to all. Jesus will never drive anyone away who comes to him (John 6:37).   But we can disqualify ourselves. Exclude ourselves. Further, “Anyone who sees me has seen the Father”; Jesus and the Father are one. Jesus explains this further, “If anyone loves me he will obey my teaching ( or in another place “what I command” v15) He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.” (14:23-24)

Rule 3: in the power of the Spirit – “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (14:26)

So,  should church discriminate?

No, the offer of life is made to all.

Can we affirm all people?

Yes and no.

Yes, all are made in the image of God and are loved and valued by God.

No, “all fall short of the glory of God” and fail at some time to follow the commands of God, obey Jesus’ teachings or follow the promptings of the Spirit. When it comes to living out the life of a Christian, there are “thoughts, words and deeds” that can be affirmed and others that can’t.

How can we tell?

By being scripturally faithful, interpreted together, by the counsel of the Holy Spirit, tradition and reason.

The path to life is inclusively exclusive.

Lent preparation lesson 2: Obedience centered on Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit

Blessings all

Doug
vicar@christchurchpurley.org.uk


LENT EDITION: JOHN 13-21 Week 1: BOTH/AND….HOLD THEM IN TENSION.. 

 

Hello
Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.
Visitors click here

Planning your Visit

Welcome to Christ Church Purley 

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The following information is aimed initially at those planning a visit but is useful for anyone visiting Christ Church Purley for the first time on a Sunday.


Where and When
We meet at Christ Church Purley (click here for directions). For our Sunday Services starting at 8:45am and 10:15am, for your first visit, we recommend arriving 15 minutes early to help you get a parking space and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team who will be wearing a Welcome lanyard and will be happy to help.

We serve tea and coffee between the first and second services from 9:45am and then after the service at 11:30am. It is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to find your bearings. All refreshments are free.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. There are disabled toilets off of the Foyer.

Our Services 
Our 8:45am Service is traditional in style with Holy Communion, liturgy and hymns on an organ. You will be lead through the service throughout by the leader. 

The 10:15am service is relaxed in style and led by a band. It is broadcast online and past services can be watched here. It begins with a warm welcome from one of our team and opening prayer. We typically have two or three songs and notices lasting approximately 15 minutes.

At 10:30am the children and young people leave for their groups. A speaker will give a talk that is bible based and that we can apply to our everyday lives after which there is usually a song and a led-prayers. One of our leaders will share news and notices, usually about what is going on in the life of the church and we then finish with a final worship song and blessing.

Every second Sunday of the month we share Holy Communion and the children and young people return to join as a whole church family otherwise parents will pick up their children at 11:30am.

On the first Sunday of the month at 10:15am we all worship together in a Worship for Everyone service, with round tables and activities.

Third service:  This is a extended worship and word service led by a band and happens at 11.45am on the first and second Sundays of the month.

Gospel Service: On the last Sunday of each month at 6:30pm, an informal service of worship and word in the Foyer space.

Children and teenagers
We have a great programme lined up for children of all ages:

Stay & Play (Pre-school years). Parents/carers remain and join in with the fun
Kids 1 (5-7 years)
Kids 2 (8-11 years)
Youth (11-18 years)

Parents register their children aged 5-11 years prior to the start of the service from 10am and stay with their parent or grown-up for the start of the service for the welcome, songs and notices.

The children’s group activities vary depending on the age but usually there are topic-themed activities, games, craft, bible story, music and ministry. Youth fill up on doughnuts whilst discussing how God is relevant to their every-day and those under five, stay and play with their adult whilst enjoying coffee, tea and chatting with other parents. Free-play and themed activities precede an interactive story and song time learning about Scruffy the puppet dog’s latest dilemma and Mr Bible’s always-great advice.


Getting Connected:

Discipleship Groups
While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our discipleship groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other through biblical study. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some morning and some evenings. If you would like to join one we can put you in touch with a discipleship group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering
If you want to get involved in the life of the church and community throughout the week, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Why not complete our Newcomer form and sign up for the Newsletter?