A recent gathering was convened in London of European Christian leaders. It was hosted by Next Wave International http://www.nextwaveonline.com/default.asp. A statement of Intent was published outlining the principles church network leaders are committed to putting into practice within their European cities and nations. As I read about the initiative and the heart behind it I was encouraged. It shows a group of churhes desiring to live the Good News in ways that bring about a better world today. They are committing to pursue an agenda that is for God's creation, for people, for goodness. In so doing they are thinking of the kind of world they want to leave to future generations. I like that kind of thinking. It' s a kind of pursuit of God's Kingdom on earth - certainly in line with Jesus' own sentiment in the Lord's Prayer "Your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Here is the list of 14 items: 1. Build churches and ministries which look to shape the future of cities today.2. Work to create a better future for all the people in our cities and communities.3. Build churches and ministries which, if they were not present, would be missed by their communities.4. Encourage in Christian leaders a passion to bless the city and not just the church and to provide leadership for the city.5. Pray for those in government and civic leadership.6. Help political leaders to find pragmatic solutions to community problems.7. Develop agendas of care for our cities and towns, promoting acts of kindness.8. Promote what we stand for in the community, not simply what we stand against.9. Bring people together, building inclusive alliances to solve community problems, while maintaining the core elements of our faith.10. Develop leaders who are as comfortable in the community as they are in the church.11. Work to gain the trust of politicians and other civic leaders, by establishing a positive track record for solving problems.12. Equip and support people from within our churches who are called to work in the political sphere.13. Offer a voice of moral conscience for our cities and nations – in a positive, respectful and engaging way.14. Pursue constructive influence, through intimacy (with God) alongside involvement (with the community).