The President’s Tool Kit

1. The President’s Tool Kit Del Sexsmith President 2010, MNWO United Church of Canada

2. Introducing the President’s Tool Kit • 12 Pointed Questions for the New Millennium • Isaiah 65:17 (NIV) • Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

3. Tool Kit Instructions • Apply any one tool or any combination of tools to your current situation. • Does it tell you who you will be or what you will be doing in 5 years? • Does it suggest who we (the United Church) will be in 15 years (our centennial)?

4. Will the Church of Tomorrow Be • A church without walls? Where owning property is not a concern and the faithful meet whenever and wherever they wish? • Achurch without pews? Where a multi-purpose facility with stackable chairs and movable divider walls creates useable space for the community 24/7?

5. Will the Church of Tomorrow Be • Achurch within the community where no one professes to belong to a “home” or “host” church? • Achurch with 21st Century language where words such as “Thy” and “Lord” are never used, even in prayer? • A church with 21st Century technologywhere paper is neither seen nor used?

6. Will the Church of Tomorrow Be • A church without organ music but guitars and other instruments only? • Achurch without hymns or choirs but favourite recordings instead? • A church without clergy where lay leaders take all the initiatives?

7. Will the Church of Tomorrow Be • A church without children where elders form the core of church life? • A church without seniors where young people engage in modern free-form worship unencumbered by tradition?

8. Will the Church of Tomorrow Be • A church without financial requirementswhere a network of households forms the basis of meetings? • A church with other churcheswhere denominationalism is gone and the local community is paramount?

9. Are we ready for the Church of Tomorrow?