Vision and Values

The Forum is part of a long-term strategy to mobilise the Church in influencing the key change drivers in our culture: education, politics, the media and the arts, business and the professions.

All of us have a passion for transformation. This is very evident from the numerous prayer networks and social action initiatives already in existence. But something is missing. There is no context for the integration of prayer, social action and strategic response. We are increasingly aware that the key change drivers are influential in shaping the culture, but there is no strategic forum connecting specialists together across these disciplines.

What does exist in our diffused ministries is a common concern for the future of our children. The Forum believes that children are central to a transformational vision. And a long-term vision for change must concern itself with how these cultural drivers affect our children and shape their future.

In our increasingly complex society, we are learning that no one discipline can create a better world without reference to others. In the same way that poverty is inextricably bound to debt, trade, aid, education and technology, so any focus on a transformed Britain must work with a multi-lateral vision of change.

Similarly, Christian ministries must learn the same lesson. This means, for example, that Christians involved in education will be far more effective as they dialogue with MPs, media producers, artistes etc, also committed to change for future generations.

This is the purpose of the Forum.

Motivated by God's passion for His world, the Forum for Change exists to enable Christians to be a transforming presence in our culture.

By providing a central focus on our children's future, the Forum will mobilise the Church to be a life-changing influence in society.

It will:

• be prayerful and prophetic
• promote partnership and collaborative initiatives
• share knowledge for common purpose

When Jeremiah tells the people of God to seek the welfare of the city where they are in exile and to pray to the Lord on its behalf, "for in its welfare you will find your welfare" (29:7), he inspires them to dream again. This small community was to hold out a vision of wellbeing for the wider society and bring shalom in the place of brokenness and hopelessness.

The question 'What would a society influenced by the Christian faith and worldview look like?' calls for a Christian imagination expressed in these key sectors of society in which we witness to an alternative social vision. In the outworking of the agendas, we will continuously look to the important and necessary contribution of the local church, its capacity in the recovery of happiness in society, and draw upon the expertise developed by those who constructively engage in their locality.

The question of how a society moves towards a new horizon and experiences the welfare Jeremiah had in mind requires a humble and prayerful approach. The Forum implies the challenge to think laterally, forming interdependent and strategic relationships across a variety of sectors and locations. We hope that this platform, where people across the different spheres take time to think and dialogue, will generate a greater capacity and quality of constructive social change.

As in Jeremiah's days, the community of believers does not constitute a critical mass. The kingdom paradigm speaks, however, about 'yeast'. We hope that the Forum's website will become a hub of critical thinking, thus shaping our collective imagination and mission as we live out a vision and hope for the welfare of society.