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Loving Northampton: Blessing the Spheres
Loving Northampton has a vision to see all spheres of Northampton impacted by the blessing and love of God. This includes individuals' lives, but also extends to the spheres of society that together represent the areas that contribute to a thriving town.
These spheres are: Education, Health Care, Government and Justice, Business & Economy, Social & Environment, Media & the Arts. God’s impact in these spheres can come through church activities, but will come most effectively through Christians who are already in these spheres being equipped and encouraged to understand how they are caught up in the mission of God.
For those who are passionate for God in their sphere as well as those who feel isolated and discouraged, connecting people from across churches will help people to support each other. By sharing stories and struggles, people will feel encouraged to boldly bring the love of God to the places God has placed them. Together across the spheres and within each sphere, equipping will give vision and ideas to enable each one to have an impact on people's lives and in the context where they are.
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Across the different spheres of Northampton, we want to connect people together, for encouragement and equipping, prayerfully seeking God’s blessing for thriving Northampton.
The Vision
Loving Northampton has a vision to express the love of God for the town, to seek the good of the place where God has placed us and to see Northampton become a thriving destination where the goodness of God is evident. This is rooted in the absolute conviction that God loves Northampton and the people of Northampton. This holistic vision has all areas of societal life in its scope, and includes individual’s lives within the spheres.
One way to look at a town or region is to consider the different spheres of life within it.
We are looking here at 6 spheres: Education, Health Care, Government and Justice, Business & Economy, Social & Environment, Media & the Arts.
When we seek the blessing of God for a thriving Northampton, we are praying for God’s blessing in all these areas.
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As Christians and churches we believe our mission includes participating in these spheres, as representatives of God’s love. It is notable that there is no “spiritual sphere”, as if God can be contained to just the “spiritual” areas of life.
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As Christians, our lives are not divided into sacred things and secular things. All of life is an arena where God is to be found, a place where the Spirit of God is leading and empowering us to be a blessing. Although there are ways church communities do and could have impact into those spheres, it is important to acknowledge that we as individuals are already placed in these spheres in our work, volunteering and social life. Hence expressing God’s love in the spheres of society doesn’t need church to ‘invade’ it or even try and take over it, but to see each individual encouraged, equipped and empowered to prayerfully step into the spaces God has given us. Through courageous creative engagement we can be part of bringing Godly influence in the areas around us.
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Many Christians struggle to see how God is using them in their ordinary life outside of church activities. It is possible to feel isolated in tough environments that don’t appear to value the good news that each Christian carries. Many have a sense of the call to the mission of God but can’t see how they live that out in their work and relationships. This vision for carrying the blessing of God into all the spheres gives an opportunity to bring purpose to each of us wherever we find ourselves, understanding how we are caught up in the mission of God.
How we can do this
Connection
By connecting people placed in these varying spheres across the churches, we will reduce the feeling of being on our own in these contexts, and get together with others who have similar experiences.
Encouragement
By sharing stories and struggles, people will feel encouraged to step boldly into the spaces that God has placed them and have an impact. Together people can see the opportunities around them
Equipping
By equipping for the larger purpose of God for the spheres, and the specific sharing and equipping within the spheres, people can be more effective in bringing God’s blessing to their contexts.
By connecting together, we can be prayerfully seeking God’s blessing for thriving Northampton.
What do we mean by the Spheres?
Education
This sphere is all the aspects of learning and education within our town, with a focus on children and young people. We are thinking about those involved in delivering that education as well as those receiving it. Education is a crucial part of people's growth and development, and their ability to express their potential.
Who?
Teachers, students, school administration and leadership, governors, learning support, carers, parents, PTA members, mentors, schools workers, classroom assistants, library staff.
Healthcare
This sphere is all the areas working for all aspects of physical and mental health, preventative and curative. The ways in which those who are suffering and struggling receive the care they need. The focus here is on those involved in delivering and receiving good care that results in healthy lives.
Who?
Doctors, nurses, carers, pharmacists, health visitors, counsellors, neighbours, friends, personal trainers, gym staff, coaches, surgery receptionists, support group organisers and participants.
Government & Justice
This sphere is the government and legal system that exists to bring order to society, promoting fairness and good treatment of all, and creating an environment for thriving in other spheres. Good, healthy governance at all levels should be a source of blessing to a community, and Justice works to ensure fairness in the delivery of the governance.
Who?
Lawyers, local councillors, MPs, local government staff, civil servants, advocacy workers, those who speak up for others, judges, police officers, CPSO’s
Business & Economy
This sphere is the economic life of society which is an essential part of thriving. There needs to be good jobs available, which can be part of people having purpose and dignity, as well as resources to live. Business then can be part of human thriving as well as wealth generation, and the services business provides can enhance other areas of society.
Who?
Business owners, retail workers, entrepreneurs, policy makers, housing, office workers, accountants, book-keepers, builders
Media & the Arts
This sphere is the media and the arts which provides thriving entertainment, an important part of a thriving society, and a beautiful, creative, inspiring environment. It also displays and communicates the way the world is, as well as funding the imagination for the world could be, for good or for ill. In this way it is creative as to how the world could be, a potential prophetic role in society.
Who?
Graphic designers, knitters, media producers, artists, dancers, instagramers, musicians, actors, art curators, theatre staff.
Social & Environment
Societies are built on the relationships that hold people together. This community building, in all manner of ways and all manner of scales, is the fundamental to all environments, and essential to human thriving. Our physical environments are also important for make places a good place to live. The relational and physical environments can be fostered and developed to serve to build strong communities.
Who?
Community builders/workers, neighbours, friends, parents, street cleaners, recycling centre workers, gardeners, policy makers, home recyclers, litter pickers, social club leaders, building surveyors, taxi drivers, sports people, town planners, family support workers