I attended the recent Ministry Summit run by the Mission and Ministry Dept of the Lutheran Church of Australia, Qld District. I loved the presentation by Dr Mark Worthing (Luther Pastor at Port Macquarie). Here are the 10 points he made. Grace is God’s mercy for us, as people who get things wrong, and who, at the deepest heart level, are unable to fix ourselves. We need God’s love, healing and forgiveness, in order to become people who do life better. This grace also changes groups, like a congregation. Here is what we can expect.

1. A Grace-filled community gives thanks. Saying ‘thank you’ builds connections. It helps to build up communities.
2. A Grace-filled community is a welcoming community. Jesus welcomed and worked with those on the outer, and those who thought their own goodness ensured they were on the inside of Gods love. Christians learn to welcome those who are different, and on the outside.
3. A Grace-filled community is not ruled by Law. Grace sets us free from never being good enough, or always having to do something more in order to be fully accepted. Ther are core things that can’t be changed (eg Jesus was a real person, he rose from the dead). There is flexibility about the non-core things.
4. 4. A Grace-filled community is at peace about God’s plan for its future. It’s not all up to us, our hard work, our planning, our skills. Of course we do the best we can, but we do that by grace.
5. A Grace-filled community is not a program driven community. Of course it does things well, as it is equipped, but finally it’s not all about human effort. There is a deep down reliance on God.
6. A Grace-filled community is a loving community. Christ loves us all, but it is difficult to love some others, particularly those who rub us up the wrong way, or who have criticized us. The good news is that I also will be loved, in spite of my own faults and failings, which I may be quite unaware of.
7. A Grace-filled community does life together. The early church in Acts 2-6 did lots of things together. Doing something together builds connections. Last year I had the privilege of playing in 2 significant hockey carnivals that went for 9 days each. I learnt to value and work with people I had never met before. Within the congregation I am aware of very deep caring for others that goes on.
8. A Grace-filled community keeps getting surprised in good ways. Good changes happen as we are forgiven and loved. Expect some good surprises, because that is grace at work.
9. A Grace-filled community is a forgiving community. Forgiveness is pivotal, and keeps happening. That does NOT mean there are no consequences, or no difficult conversations.
10. A Grace-filled community is a community where grace is continually proclaimed. That comes out in the preaching, and the caring way in which things are done and issues sorted through.

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