Quite a few challenges will arise for Uniting Church congregations in the next 10 to 15 years, and the church’s national assembly last month encouraged them to take some steps toward meeting these challenges.

The assembly recognised four principles for being church in the future:

· Developing an outward focus.

· Developing a sense of vision.

· Developing new ways of being church.

· Making space for those who are not already part of the church.

These principles were part of a long report from the assembly’s strategic planning unit (SPU) chaired by Queensland’s former moderator, Rev Dr David Pitman.

Over the past 18 months, SPU has examined who the church is, beginning with the Basis of Union. Its members then tried to imagine Australian society at least five to 10 years ahead.

They looked at family styles, technological trends, the political and economic future, the environment, and values and beliefs. "Materialist values … will push the consumer attitude to the absolute foreground," says the report.

"In this time of rapid change, the church could convey a sense of hope … [and provide] a valuable meeting place, where worship services are culturally appropriate, many options are available and the evident interest in spirituality could be nurtured."

SPU said they did not want to offer a "vision" for the whole church. Rather, they wanted to encourage each congregation and faith community to develop their own vision. But the four principles suggest some ways forward.

Developing an outward focus: This means reaching out those outside the church, looking for a variety of ways to engage and challenge society.

It also means guarding against a maintenance mind set. An outward focus cares for the congregation’s "fringe people", newcomers, and those who’ve dropped out. It means sharing faith, but it also means engaging in action for social justice.

Developing a sense of vision: The National Church Life Survey has shown that vital congregations have a sense of vision and directions for the future.

The Assembly has encouraged every congregation that has not written a vision statement within the past two years to do so.

Developing new ways of being church: "We have to reinterpret the gospel for every new age, even though it is the same gospel we proclaim," says the report.

Congregations are encouraged to introduce a greater variety of worship styles, to undertake ministries based on network buildings and to find new ways of providing leadership, especially where full time ordained ministry is not possible.

Making space: Finally, each congregation needs to learn to make spiritual, emotional, physical and financial space available for new directions and new ways of being church.

To do this, congregations need a culture that supports risk-taking, then reflecting on experience.