The Dream (Morecambe Community Church)

A dream of a church where hurting, confused, searching, questioning, ordinary people can come as they are and be accepted and welcomed. Where they're not afraid to have questions and where they can find the answers and a revelation from God.

A dream of a church that shares and presents the Good News of Jesus in a simple, relevant, up-to-date way that can be applied to peoples lives. A dream of a church that shares Jesus' love, forgiveness and acceptance with 100's and even thousands of people in the Morecambe and Lancaster area and even further a field.

A dream of a church where believers are built up and encouraged in their faith through small groups, seminars, Bible study, prayer, training, worship and service and can reach their full potential in Christ.

A dream of a church where people can laugh together, cry together, pray together, forgive each other, have fun together, encourage each other, but don't talk about each other behind their back.

A dream of a church where everyone is encouraged to find their purpose within the church and the reason why they are here on earth, by finding their God given gifts and talents and being free and encouraged to use them. Where people are allowed to make mistakes and learn from them and are allowed to change direction and try new things when necessary.

Organised Chaos @ MCC/WEI

Sometimes I feel like things are spiralling out of control in our church and organisation, but I think that is a good thing. The more I feel out of control the more we have to depend on God. We are working in a very deprived area of Morecambe with so many issues even just in that area its overwhelming. Having set up 10 years ago now we have seen some real cases come through the doors. We have homeless people, people with mental health problems, unemployed people, people just lacking motivation, lonely people, people with additions, people who have been mentally and physically abused, people who have just got crazy ideas about their Christian faith, people with very low self-esteem who have just lost direction. We get all kinds of people and usually about 150-200 of them a week including youth and children and babies. We have got to the stage now where other agencies have seen our reputations over the years and they want to come alongside and work with us. The YMCA work with us and Lancaster Homeless Action. Help Direct and CVS. The local councillors and Police and PCSO's. They all want to work with us and set up surgery with us so they have a face in the community - this is all great but I am just wondering how its all going to go. We as a church obviously want to work in the community and show people in the community that the church also has a voice and we also want to see agencies all working together coordinating properly so that the people in the community get the best service possible. There are so many gaps at the moment with funding cuts left right and centre and so many services just aren't out there. So its good that one or two new agencies are setting up and working together with us at West End Impact. I thought to myself this morning though, that we need to remain focussed on the fact that ultimately people will not be free and fulfilled and in a better place until they get to know their maker and start a relationship with God and grow into the person He intended them to be. He is their creator and has a plan for each persons life and wants to see them whole and fully functional as a fulfilled human people with a purpose in this world. No other agency can help in that way and although, of course, we would help anyone whether they are a Christian or not and we would never try and push them to God we have to show that that option is readily available to each one. So as my mind is racing today and I can see that God is in the centre of all that is happening, I must always remain focus on the aim that we long to see people discover God and be transformed by him.