July 25, 2010: Shaped by Prayer

From Phil Hoffmann

Partnership is emerging as a theme for churches worldwide as faith communities search for ways and means to shape their future. In an increasingly interconnected world, churches offer great potential for linking and building relationships with other communities in other places of the same country or, particularly, other places in the world.

The findings of Church of Scotland’s “Panel on Review and Reform” offer one such example. In its report to the Church’s national governing body, the General Assembly, the panel noted that one-third of Scottish congregations hold among them an estimated 162 worldwide and local partnerships. These partnerships have been particularly effective where members of these churches are able to visit one another in person. Partnership with a church or community has been shown to provide members with a “new and changed perspective,” the panel’s report said. “Issues at home or in the church are seen in different terms and in a broader context; problems that seemed huge seem less important.”

Members of congregations interviewed in the research commented on a strong sense of being needed – “what I do can be of help and change lives” and “the partnership has given church members an opportunity to talk about the work of the church and their faith to people in the community.”

There was further evidence that partnerships have given churches and their congregations a “better knowledge of the world and of Christianity in different countries,” helping to establish a realisation that “there is much to learn from other people.” These benefits are further described in the report: “People no longer see the social habits and culture in Scotland as ‘that is just the way things are’ but as factors that can be challenged and changed.”

The report noted that such partnerships are sought most keenly by younger generations and “this has a positive ‘knock-on’ effect for churches in their local area.” Significantly, partnerships have given the churches a different idea of worship: “three-hour long, African-style services had not been widely adopted, but new approaches to music and informal worship and a greater perception of God were evident in some churches.”

In Australia, the Uniting Church has a particular partnership with its indigenous people, described as a “covenant.” A guide produced by that church encourages and lays out for member churches the steps towards a practical, engaging partnership activities and events.

Explore…Luke 11:1–13

  • What do you think is behind the disciples’ request to Jesus to teach them how to pray? Which human needs does the Lord’s Prayer address?
  • In this prayer, what words tell you something about God?
  • If you could pick only one phrase or petition of this prayer as your own, which would you choose? Why?
  • In what ways does the prayer that Jesus taught shape your partnership with other Christians, as an individual and as the church?

Prayer links…
Dear God, the prayer that Jesus taught is our shared prayer that shapes our lives together. So, help us, in partnership, to be fed and feed, to be forgiven and forgive, to choose your ways and turn from ways that separate us from our neighbour. For your reign’s sake. Amen.

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