“What is God teaching you through your present circumstances?” This question was asked by Victor Owuor, speaker at this week’s Baptist Pastors Gathering. This important question highlights our posture to learn, to grow in faith, through all circumstances. Can you see how our answer is a strong indicator to the vibrancy of our faith? Followers of Jesus are always growing. … Read More
OUT TO LUNCH SUNDAY
For churches our sense of community is a big deal. Core to our faith is how God through Jesus calls us his children. We believe people, whatever our background and history, because of Jesus can be now part of God’s family. In the church, we are brothers and sisters in Christ. There is therefore an expectation church will be a … Read More
“Two are better than one”
“TEAM = together everyone achieves more”. This thought was beautifully modelled by our team of 18 Kids Quest leaders and embraced by 32 Kids Quest participants last Monday. The day was filled with activities that encouraged and celebrated teamwork and the children, aged 4-11, rose to the challenge! 23 of the 32 children attending Kids Quest are connected through community … Read More
DON’T PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET
Do you like to put all your eggs in one basket? It is easier to carry a single basket, and it is easier to be focussed. But there is a risk. This old piece of advice means someone who puts all their effort into one thing, risks having no alternatives, if it fails. When it comes to matters of the … Read More
THROUGH PRAYER GOD MAKES YOU STRONGER
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 (NIV) Did you know through prayer God makes you stronger? When Jesus is facing his darkest hour (Matthew 26) and is seeking strength to overcome, he prays. With firm conviction, his companions resolve to support him to the … Read More
DO YOU HAVE A VIVID IMAGINATION?
“’In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Acts 2:17 How vivid is your imagination? Jaco Hamman writes that imagination is the ability “to see what is not there, and to know the unknown or … Read More
“IN SHARING, THERE IS RECEIVING TOO”
Do you prefer to give or receive? Our church has many givers. There is a strong sense God has blessed us, we see needs, we can help, so we give. These are wonderful acts of thanksgiving and worship. It the heart of why we want to be a church “where our life in Jesus helps others”. I heard Dr Seblewengel … Read More
Three simple questions
As I prepare to become a dad for the first time, I am finding that my worldview is very quickly changing. Not only are most of my thoughts becoming much more practical (yes, I’ve started ranking cars by their safety ratings) but much more than that, how I see and engage with the people around me is changing too. I … Read More
SHARING IN GOD’S WORK
Fair warning, this article is about our church budget! I know, not everyone finds a budget interesting. If most of us don’t tune into the Federal Budget, why bother with a church budget? A good question! Practically, our budget supports our ministry and mission. Put simply, a budget is a plan to ensure we pay our bills, support, and grow … Read More
Call and response community
In Japanese culture an important part of conversation is ‘aizuchi’. Aizuchi consists of frequent interjections throughout a conversation to indicate that we’re listening attentively to whatever the speaker is saying. Aizuchi is similar to saying, “uh-huh,” “really,” “I see,” “I get it,” and so on. Without aizuchi, the speaker might think you’re uninterested in what they’re saying. Similarly, if you’re talking … Read More