Last Thursday, Oasis UK founder Steve Chalke shared his ‘Manifesto for Hope’ with attendees from churches across the Diocese at an evening event hosted by Top Church in Dudley, with support from the diocesan Mission and Ministry team.
Steve Chalke became a Christian aged 14 and forty years ago set up a homeless shelter for teenagers aged 17-19. Since then, Oasis has rapidly expanded and now has nationwide youth inclusion programmes as well as a network of 50+ Academy schools, a housing association and overseas development projects in 11 countries.
‘Manifesto for Hope’ sets out 10 principles for transforming the lives of children and young people and their families, and how churches can and should be involved in that. Steve’s book centres around the idea that human beings are relational, and we need each other to survive.
During his speech he used a number of analogies and stories to demonstrate his theories and perspective. He spoke about a young student he’d met and the way in which she was holding her new born baby so protectively had helped him ‘wake up to his theology’.
He said: “We know that God is love. Though how can God be love unless there was always another to love? This is why it’s so important that God is a Trinity. The Father, and The Son and The Holy Spirit. We are made in the image of God, which means we’re made for relationship and community. It’s in our core.”
He added: “Throughout our lives, we need love and to be loved in return. Otherwise humans fail, we can’t function or form good relationships.” Steve talked about the well-known phrase ‘From tiny acorns, mighty oaks do grow’ but he argues, this can only happen if they are in rich soil, which for human beings, is community.
Steve also talked about the Beveridge report, which was the basis of establishing a welfare state in our country. Beveridge felt that for this to truly make a positive and long-lasting difference to people’s lives it should be a partnership between professional and voluntary organisations, such as churches. He wrote a second report on this point, which was ignored. Steve emphasised how important it is therefore, for churches to welcome, walk with and care for local families.
The audience was invited to split up into break out groups and Steve asked them to consider: ‘If what I say is true, what is the opportunity for your church in your community?’. Later feedback suggested attendees were buzzing with ideas and keen to get started.
During the Question-and-Answer session that closed the evening, Steve recommended a good starting point for churches keen to serve their local communities is to set up church youth groups. He also suggested reaching out to other local organisations and schools. He said, “All schools advertise for volunteers and mentors, you could sign-up and get involved. That’s a great way to get to know local families.”
Concluding, Steve spoke about the importance of having a vision of what you want to achieve and then ‘just do it’. ‘Don’t let it dwindle’. For example, Oasis UK’s vision and mission statement is; “We exist to build communities where everyone can flourish, thrive, and achieve their God given potential.”
He added: “People need a leader with courage to do what nobody else thinks can be done, to point the way to ‘the promised land’. I think that’s you, which is why you’re here. You have this in you.”
