We have a vision of a A BIBLICAL CHURCH ● loyal in every way to the revelation of God in the Bible ● whose leaders and teachers teach Scripture with integrity and relevance, working to present every member mature in Christ ● which is preserved from all unbiblical emphases ● whose people deeply love the word of God and live it out with an obedient and Christ-like life ● whose whole character manifests the health and vitality of a balanced biblical corporate lifestyle.

We have a vision of A WORSHIPPING CHURCH ● who love to regularly come together to meet God and worship Him ● who long to worship in the Spirit with joy, thanksgiving, reverence and humility ● where people lovingly offer their God given skills to inspire and build up one another in faith ● who fervently seek God in prayer ● whose worship is expressed not just on Sundays and in prayer, but also in their homes, work and everyday lives.

We have a vision of A CARING CHURCH ● whose congregation is open to people from all races, nations, ages and social backgrounds, and exhibits the unity and diversity of the family of God ● whose fellowship is warm, welcoming and encouraging and never marred by anger, selfishness, jealousy or pride ● who love each other with a pure heart, forgiving each other and bearing each other’s burdens ● who offer friendship to the lonely, support to the weak, and acceptance to those who are despised and rejected by society ● whose love spills over to the world outside - attractive, infectious, irresistible…the love of God himself.

We have a vision of A SERVING CHURCH ● who have seen Christ as the Servant and heard his call to be servants too ● who are delivered from self interest, giving selflessly to the service of others ● who obey Christ’s command to live in the world and permeate secular society in being ‘the salt of the earth’ and ‘the light of the world’ ● who share the good news of Jesus simply, respectfully and enthusiastically with their friends and families ● who diligently serve the people of Forres and district locally, whilst sending its people out to serve globally too ● who are alert to the changing needs of society, and sensitive and flexible enough to keep adapting its programmes to serve more usefully ● who constantly challenge their people, of all ages, to give their lives in service to Jesus.

We have a vision of AN EXPECTANT CHURCH ● who resist being seduced by the comforts of this broken world, because they are full of anticipation for the life in the future restored/renewed world ● who longingly look for the Lord to return in final fulfilment of God’s plan of salvation ● who keep the flame of this future hope shining in a dark, despairing world ● who, on the day of Christ’s return to earth, will not shrink from Him in shame, but rise up joyfully to greet Him.

Such is our vision of living life together as God intended.

Inspired by, and so indebted to, John R . W. Stott; ‘I Have A Dream of A Living Church’ in The Living Church; Convictions of a Lifelong Pastor, IVP: Nottingham, 2007, pp179-182.