Jul 6, 2022 7 min read

The Church That I See

A burning picture of the Church That I See. What do you think?

Over the past 25 years I’ve had the privilege and honour of being positively impacted by the life and ministry of Brian Houston and Hillsong Church.

As I created this article, a series of memories came up. There’s the time I first heard Hillsong United as a non-Christian — amazed that a band could play music in a way which connected with me. It wasn’t old and fusty. There’s the time I turned up to a Hillsong service and the preacher (Pastor Brian) shared a message which changed the trajectory of my life. My favourite — Hillsong Conference 2008 when I first heard someone (Joseph Prince) preach on grace. Each memory represents an inflection point in my life. I can literally and honestly say that they changed my life.

What Is ‘The Church’?

As 2022 continues to unfold, I’ve found myself pondering the concept we call ‘The Church’. What does being ‘The Church’ mean? What does being a part of ‘The Church’ offer? Should I continue to invest in it, and if so, why?

It’s a potent question. Clearly, ‘Church’ has had a profound impact on my life. In ‘The Church’ I’ve found inspiration, challenge, insight and hope. I even met my beautiful wife there!

At the same time, the world has shifted since COVID-19. I have changed. I feel that to authentically examine myself I must also answer this question. I must understand my ‘Why’ behind ‘The Church’.

My Conviction Remains

There’s been no change in my convictions. Jesus Christ remains, in my estimation, the greatest answer to challenges we face in the world. His inexhaustible love, unbreakable resolve and unlimited creativity is truly the greatest message to ever be shared. His sacrifice and substitution in the place which I should have held has not changed its impact.

I remain convinced that that Ephesians 1:20–23 encapsulates ‘The Church’. Through ‘The Church’ that Jesus speaks and acts and fills the whole earth with His presence. ‘The Church’ remains Christ’s bride and there will never be a replacement for her. ‘The Church’ is not peripheral to the world, rather, it is the world which is peripheral to the church.

And at the centre is, has been and always will be, Christ.

Who Am I to Ask This Question?

I also find myself experiencing a deep sense of humility. I’ll be the first to admit that there’s a ton of reasons why I might not be the ‘best’ choice to listen to about a vision about ‘The Church’. Here’s a few:

I don’t have experience in paid ministry
I’ve never been to bible college or obtained a theology degree
I don’t have a large following (of any kind to be honest). At the time of writing I have 121 followers on Medium, and around 670 on LinkedIn.
I don’t live in a large city with a ready made group of people good to go
I’ve made plenty of mistakes in leadership

I’d be incredibly surprised if more than a few people read this article, let alone join in to take it where I feel it’s headed. I’m very confident that there are probably far more people with far greater qualifications than my own 😃

A Burning Imperative

Yet there remains in my heart a burning imperative. An imperative to articulate and share this vision / dream / ‘something bigger than me’. A drive, a push, a call to write it down, post it up and see what happens next. That the time is now — even if I have no idea what now means.

It’s something stronger than a feeling, less certain than a sunrise, and far, far bigger than I could have come up with by myself. I feel like it’s

Just The Beginning

…even if I’m not sure what it is we’re beginning or where it’s going to go.

I’ll be honest, my plan is to write it down and then put up my hands and my heart and say:

Here I am Lord, use me.

I’m nothing more than a vessel of the message. It’s not about me — it is all about Him. Jesus.

And So Here We Are: The Beginning…And The End

In many ways, what follows feels like a beginning — and yet also an end. It feels like a vision shaped by what I’ve seen go before me, yet indelibly influenced by a breath of freshness and ‘newness’ which makes it contemporary and alive.

It’s a deep awareness that the message has never changed. Jesus is still the answer, has always been the answer and the answer will never change. Yet how we example, portray and communicate the message has changed.

There’s a fresh wind blowing and we’re all a part of it. You, me, our families, our friends, our neighbourhoods, our cities and our nations.

Our hands, combined with Jesus’ leadership and empowered by Holy Spirit are called to do this.

Do You Here The Call?

Together, let’s do this.

The Church That I See

A House of Connection: Platforms & Tables

I see a church full of incredible, excellent, well provisioned and dynamic platforms and tables. A church who does ministry every day of the week — not just those on staff, but everyone.

A church with a global impact so vast that it can only be fully expressed and experienced in the hearts of the men, women and children who sit around tables all over the world.

Platforms. I see a church with platforms birthed in prayer. A church who uses these extraordinary and miraculous platforms to lift the name of Jesus high. A church whose platforms impact, set and change media and culture around the world.

I see a church whose platforms are run with a deep and incredible sense of excellence. The events they fill their platforms with are so well run, so intensely full of prayer and praise that in a room full of hundreds of thousands, each person feels a unique touch from God.

I see a church where the impact of their platforms changes perceptions. Cities and nations who used to be hostile to the gospel line up to have them shared in their location.

I see a church whose platforms bring each and every person to a place of grace and favour.

Tables. I see a church who prepares a table for people of every nation, tongue and colour. The kind of table where you know you belong, you know you can encounter Jesus, and you know that you’ll have a family to do life with. A church where no matter where you’re from, where you’re at, or what you’re facing, you are welcome.

I see a church whose tables change a nation. Exposed to Jesus, the disciples in these tables pray, eat, love, fast and grow together. Every person has a place and every place has a person.

I see a church whose tables have a global impact. Every person learns about their unique gifts in Christ. Every person is renewed. Guided by a healthy and wholesome view of Christ, His Church and their own selves, people are empowered at their tables to operate in every sphere of leadership around the world. As a consequence, in the church that I see, the tables which are built are the heart and soul of their communities, cities and nations.

A House of Grace: Come As You Are

I see a church which unapologetically shares Grace (His name is Jesus) in every sphere of influence. A church who welcomes home every person.

I see a church who scales the message of the grace of Jesus Christ to every part of the world. The rich and poor, broken and whole all work together to share Grace everywhere and always.

I see a church who shares the transformation of a Grace-filled life in practical, real ways. A church who partners with Christ-centred mental health experts and programs to help every person be released into everything they have been called to be.

I see a church who does this so effectively and so profoundly, that even in places where Christianity is despised, they still publicly and verbally acknowledge its incredible impact.

A House of Leadership & Influence: Leaders of Excellence

I see a church who demonstrates world changing leadership.

I see a church who places effective Christ centred leadership at the core of their model. A church who invests heavily in building, executing and delivering practical, high impact leadership courses. A church who preaches leadership, demonstrates leadership and helps, trains and releases world changing leadership as a norm, rather than a ‘fortunate result’.

I see a church who creates leaders in every sphere of influence. A church of extraordinary influence because leaders are released in spheres of influence ranging from boardrooms to classrooms, from Universities to primary schools. A church who works hard to connect people of every sphere together, creating a united body who works to build and repair a world crying out for answers.

The church I see does this so powerfully, so impactfully, that boardrooms and classrooms across the world are willing to hear the name of Jesus, provided they are able to be taught what this church has.

A House of Discovery: Science & Culture

I see a church which leads the way in impacting science, religion and culture.

Science. I see a church which welcomes, encourages and promotes the exploration of God through science. A church who invests in scientific discovery across every sphere, secure in the knowledge that it is God who created the earth and He has an infinite amount of knowledge for us to discover.

I see a church who pioneers new discoveries across the cosmos. A church who is not limited by those who explore the world, but who considers these incredible explorers as part of a beautiful legacy they wish provide to others.

Culture. I see a church who speaks into the culture of the age. A church who isn’t afraid to challenge culture when needed, and doesn’t apologise for who they are in Christ. A church who leverages the communication networks of the day to be where people are, rather than forcing people to come to them.

I see a church who effectively balances the need to change the communication of the message of Jesus, while ensuring the message remains the same. A church who actively resists a religious approach, while remaining true to their calling.

As a consequence of this approach, I see a church who is welcomed in universities and places of learning across the world.

A House of Vision: A Place for Big Dreams

I see a church with a big vision. A church where every person is encouraged and equipped to have a big vision for their own lives and go for it. A church where it’s not just spoken about — it is exampled by the church and encouraged at every opportunity.

I see a church where people are equipped to pursue their big dreams. A church where this equipping includes resources to as practical as a ‘How to write down your God vision’ and as effective as ‘How to manage your money so that you thrive’. A church where you are as likely to have conversation at one of their ‘tables’ about your God calling as you are about the weather.

As a result of this church of Big Dreams, I see a church which shows people how to feel liberated and encouraged to tap into the infinite imagination, plans and purposes of God.