Communities of Grace

Tim Chester:


Communities of Performance (of Disgrace?)

• the leaders appear sorted 
• the community appears respectable 
• meetings must be a polished performance 
• identity is found in ministry 
• failure is devastating 
• actions are driven by duty 
• conflict is suppressed or ignored 
• the focus is on orthodoxy and behaviour (allowing people to think they’re sorted)

Communities of Grace

• the leaders are vulnerable 
• the community is messy 
• meetings are just one part of community life 
• identity is found in Christ 
• failure is disappointing, but not devastating 
• actions are driven by joy 
• conflict is addressed in the open 
• the focus is on the affections of the heart (with a strong view of sin and grace) 

I know which kind of church I love to be part of.
I know which kind of bride Jesus loves to show off as beautiful.