The bushfires these past few weeks have been alarming, dreadful and tragic. Given how much of Australia has been impacted, it is likely we personally know people who have fought fires, lost property, or even lost their lives. I suspect we all feel anxiety for those in harm’s way. I know there is increased prayer that God will show mercy. … Read More
WHERE IS THE SURPRISE AT CHRISTMAS?
Are there any surprises under your Christmas tree this year? Children make wish lists from which parents dutifully purchase. Adults buy their own presents or receive gift cards so there is no risk of disappointment for the giver or recipient. Despite the boxes being wrapped, does everyone already know what they are getting? Is there anything left to wonder? It … Read More
CELEBRATING KATHY HEATH
Kathy Heath is finishing as our Children & Families Pastor. Through incredible effort and experience Kathy has grown this ministry to be highly fruitful. Kathy would be the first to thank the amazing team of volunteers, but for now I want to focus on her. Kathy & I met on Tuesday so I could get a sense of what happens … Read More
OUR STRUGGLE IS NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD
73% of non-religious Aussies believe religious faith should remain a private, personal matter. ABC reporter Annabel Crabb has a helpful write up on the recent Australian Talks survey on what Australians believe about religion. As Crabb states, one of the most striking findings is “Religious leaders were distrusted by a full 70 per cent of the population, with 35 per … Read More
THE SIGN OF A MANGER
Luke 2:10-12 “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” When … Read More
WHEN CAN YOU SAY “MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU”?
There are a lot of words involved in the Christian faith. We talk, we sing, we read, we share, we pray. It makes sense. How else can we be understood or understand, apart from words? But we should remind ourselves our faith is not only about words. This week there has been some media comment on this matter with the … Read More
IS THERE ANYTHING GOOD TO SAY ABOUT THE CHURCH?
Have you heard criticism of the church recently? Our church, other churches, all churches? It is easy to find what is wrong with Church. Criticism ranges from deeply disturbing insights such as from the royal commission, to general observations of hypocrisy or slow to change, to specific tastes of too loud, not enough bass, not enough hymns. It is easy … Read More
We need to become great at events
Churches are good at running events. We run church services, group events, picnics, street parties, guest speakers and more! We do this most weeks, most months of the year. We run large events, small events. How can we become great at events, for the Kingdom of God? Recently the Council recognised while we are good at running events, we have … Read More
ESTEEMABLE ACTS?
“I am so bad at this”. This is the self-talk I heard recently from a young person. These short negative statements peppered the conversation constantly. There was no factual basis for it. They were not bad at all. In fact, they were learning something new, they were constantly improving and by my assessment became quite good. It was not false … Read More
A Testimony of Thanksgiving
Over these last weeks, we’ve seen that the Psalms can offer us a kind of map for relating to God. We’ve explored this in the suffering of lament (Psalm 69), and also in the discomfort of being out of comfortable relationship with God (Psalm 139). Another kind of ‘map’ Psalm is the Testimony Psalm. This is just what it seems … Read More