Brian and Lynn
Cell Inc.
Dear Brian and Lynn,
RE: Relationship between Cell Inc Members and the Church
We appreciated the time you spent with us last week to discuss the relationship between members of Cell Inc. and the Church and the planned Alternative Service. We gained a better understanding of Cell Inc. and hoped it clarified the Elder's perspective on wanting healthy relationships with everyone in our community of faith.
Our view is that we are open to the idea of an Alternative Service that shares the gospel with others and helps to strengthen and renew faith in Jesus. As with other Cell based mission endeavours we would like to be given the opportunity to pray, encourage and support these initiatives as God calls us to be the salt and light of the world. However, we believe it is important that given our oversight responsibilities as Elders we understand what is involved in an Alternative Service.
The starting point we believe is for all of us to consider ways of how to improve the relationship with each member of Cell Inc. and the Church where it is required. Our understanding is that the relationship for some time has become strained as evidenced by a resignation and others not feeling able to share in worship on Sunday mornings. Our desire is to see each member of Cell Inc. participating along side others in Church life, growing in their own uniqueness and gifts and sharing it with others.
Whatever has brought any difficulties about appears to go back some time and has not been fully addressed by either party. We appreciated the opportunity the other month to begin discussions and to listen and learn from each others faith journey.
As leaders we are pleased with the overall mission of the Church but there may be instances where things have been said or done (or not done) by us or by previous leaders that has contributed to an unhealthy relationship with members of Cell Inc. Being conscious of these we as leaders are sincerely sorry and seek your forgiveness as brothers and sisters in Christ.
To enable us to move forward we would like to consider ways we can build and strengthen our relationship through sharing the love of Jesus Christ with each other. Ideally we would like full reconciliation with each member of Cell Inc. and where this is not possible to acknowledge any differences and bless and honour each other as members of Christ's wider Church family.
For our part we would like to genuinely understand what God has put on the hearts of members of Cell Inc. and what members feel is at odds with the Church.
On the part of each member of Cell Inc. we would like them to pray and discuss amongst themselves ways of developing a constructive relationship with the Church leadership and to clarify some of the underlying Christian principles they see as the key to their mission as a Cell.
If we can agree on this, we believe there is an opportunity to embrace and share the Good News together. As a sign of trust and good faith it would be appropriate or us to permit as a "one-off" the Alternative Service for members of Cell Inc. to be held on Church premises on Friday, 17 November 2000. Several of us may well accept your invitation to attend as a way of understanding what Cell Inc. is seeking to achieve. We feel comfortable with this as if it is in God's Will then it will bear good fruit. As we move forward our preference would be to ensure we both have the opportunity to discuss such an event ahead of time.
We are committed to building a positive and affirming relationship with each member of Cell Inc. as we strive to serve Christ together. Building these relationships takes time and a commitment by all parties to work through the issues and we would like to meet and access our relationship with you and other of Cell Inc. members on a regular basis. We are keen to commence this as soon as possible, and to this end we would welcome your thoughts on a suitable approach.
Please contact any one of us if you have any questions or wish to discuss.
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit
through the bonds of peace"
- Ephesians 4 v 3
Yours in Christ's Love,
Shirley, Chris, Ian and Paul