Thanks Omar. Very good to hear from you. Sounds like you and your wife are doing an amazing job with your family. I hope you can feel the support of your church family in that, but it sounds like you don’t which is a pity, because raising young children is really important and is exhausting.

Thanks Ann. Greatly appreciate your additional thoughts. There is a lot of nuance to consider, but perhaps at heart church-lite is a plea for church to be a worshipping community which is outwardly facing towards the world God loves, and which equips its people to live well in the world (rather than in endless church programs – worthy though most of them are).

Hi Brian, I have been reading all the responses with interest and have been mulling over Church-lite further and something hasn’t been sitting well with me and my initial response, so here are my thoughts: I still really feel comfortable with the vision. However, I think there needs to be further consideration in relation to what consitutes true worship and how we encourage that within the church. As I reflect on the Psalms, there was a deep hunger to be in community in the house of the Lord. I think along the way we have lost some of that hunger and there can be a tendency to continue to go through the motions that are familiar to us. We also become fearful of upsetting those who are uncomfortable with change and flexibility
/ fluidity in favour of something that appears more solid. I also seem to observe a tendency to separate worship in church community with believers and being in the presence of Jesus at the same time, and visa versa. Therefore, I think there is far more to be carefully and prayerfully considered here. I can’t help wondering if the example that you provided was of someone for whom the joy of being in Christian community and being captivated by God’s glory and wonder had somehow been lost? If his worship was measured by works and what appeared to be more worthwhile? Just thoughts Brian and I think you are onto something. Ann

Good to hear from you Rick. I guess I see it as church-lite, not church nothing. I think it’s worth asking the question “is this really going to help us follow Jesus more faithfully?” If the answer is yes, great. My observation is that we hold on to things that no longer serve us well. But if they do serve us well, fabulous – keep them.
It’s no secret that I have been very involved with Carey for well over a decade. The Carey group is clear that everything flows from the church. Given that we now employ well over 500 people it may sound a tad strange that I’m appealing for church lite – but our theme this year has very intentionally been chosen as “Jesus” – a strong plea to remember that even in the midst of running schools and community centres, and a leadership institute and cafe and social outreach and… (the list goes on and on), in the end it’s about Jesus – and living from the love and grace of Jesus.

Love it Keith. “Church without the busy”. I think there is a typo in the link. This one should work https://www.norandachurch.com.au/

And we can find ways to make it happen…