St Francis of Assisi Church Radford

Why a Community and not just a church?

 

We believe that as God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit and in an eternal community of love, equality and collaboration we too, who are made in the image of God are called to live in community. 

 

We believe that our community should attempt to model the community of the Trinity and that we should be united in mutual love, working together in harmonious consensus, and respecting the equality and dignity of each person.

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Of course a church should model this aspiration and many do.  However we want to define ourselves as a community using the traditional marks of monastic orders:  daily rhythm, daily corporate prayer, works, hospitality and a Rule of Life.

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In doing this we believe we are better able to engage with those we find ourselves in the midst of.  Our society is a 24 hour society and we believe that people are better able to relate to a church community that strives to achieve this.  A church that is open 7 days a week is more able to meet the needs of people, meet them in their hour of need and offer them hospitality, time and friendship.

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By defining ourselves as community we are reminded that we are bound to one another and those in the centre of the community cannot forget that they are to love one another, pray for one another, learn from one another and support one another.

We share a common rhythm and common goals and are supported by the whole community as we journey together.

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We are reminded by one another that in following Christ there is no compromise.  We have to live as he calls us to live and our community supports us in doing this.