Burning Hearts

“They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” “ Luke 24:32 (ESV) 

What is Burning Hearts?

Burning Hearts is a dispersed community of Christians who share a desire to encounter Jesus in a way that touches their hearts as well as transforms their minds, a hunger for close, intentional relationships that fan the flames of their own love for Christ and a desire to be used by God in ministry and mission both in their local church and in the world around them.

The vision

A church on fire. A world turned upside down.

The strategy

  1. Individual Christians encountering Jesus in a way that sets there hearts on fire.

  2. Pairs of Christians walking together and sharing in a way that fans the flames.

  3. Christians going back to enliven their churches and impact the world.

What is the thinking underlying the community?

That the Emmaus story provides an insight and a framework for Christians who are individually passionate about their walk with Jesus and who are walking together and fanning the flames of that love and passion. We believe that these “burning heart” Christians will invigorate their local church communities. In turn, these “burning heart” communities will have a transformative impact in their local communities or wherever people are sent out into the world.

What commitments are required to be part of the community?

There are three basic commitments that are expected if you would like be part of this Fellowship. These are:

  1. A commitment to encountering Christ in a way that doesn’t just feed the mind but touches and kindles the heart.

  2. A commitment to an intentional relationship with one other Christian to encourage, support and fan the flames of smouldering heart.

  3. A commitment to seeing that heart overflowing in practical ministry and mission in your local church and in the world.

Why do I need another community?

Some people may feel well supported by a local vibrant church community. However, others may be looking to be part of a community or movement who they know share the same heart and the same vision for personal and communal renewal and growth and the same desire to see the church impact our world for good.

Does the community meet?

At this early stage, the community does not meet. It simply exists to connect people and encourage them to know that others of like heart and mind are out there. However, depending on how the community grows and the expressed need of the community, it is possible that events may be organised to come together to encourage and support each other.

What are your doctrinal beliefs?

The community includes people from all Christian traditions. The community does not advocate particular positions on church practice or belief other than the core Christian beliefs found in the Bible and expressed in the creeds of the early Christian church.

Is this designed to replace church?

No. The community is not a substitute for belonging to a local church. The aim is not to take people away from their church but to support people to grow more deeply and be transformative within their local church.