So, here's what I see ......

One of the goals I set myself in beginning my present ministry was to visit all of the churches of our Union. I am nearly there! It is a real privilege to do this. One of the consequences is that it places me in a unique position to offer an accurate report and authentic assessment of what I witness. So here it is:

As I see it:

Our Baptist Union of Scotland, committed to being Intentionally Relational, Creatively Rooted and Unashamedly Missional, evidences a confident rejoicing in the Good News of the Kingdom of God come among us in and through the life, ministry, atoning death and resurrection victory of Jesus Christ.

Churches are seen to embrace the righteousness imputed and imparted to men and women of faith in Jesus Christ, looking to develop this both in personal pilgrimage and corporately, joined together in congregations consecrated and committed to pursuing justice and loving mercy.

Churches can be seen as looking to develop and multiply communities of disciples that demonstrate and proclaim the Good News that Jesus Christ saves; expressing the Holy Spirit's power to deliver and heal, reconcile and restore; heralding hope and inviting repentance and faith towards God our loving Father.

To this end, churches look to promote and foster teams of committed disciples, who are committed to embodying local expression of these convictions, reaching into Scotland and beyond with the love of God and an invitation to others to embark on the journey of Christian discipleship.

And two questions I would ask of every congregation:

What  do you have dreams and aspirations to see happen, in and through this church?
What should we reappraise and possibly need to change, here among us, in order to help this happen?