Each year we receive a Thanksgiving Offering for the ministry of the Church. A Thanksgiving Offering is a pledge or gift over and above our current regular offering. We encourage our church to prayerfully consider their gift to this offering. These finances help our church fund strategic outcomes in mission and developing people. This FY25 budget we have set a … Read More
Pray like elijah
Are your prayers powerful and effective? The Author of James writes: James 5:16-17 “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.” In the book of 1 Kings … Read More
What are the big decisions?
What are the big decisions we make in our lives? At the end of high school, I thought studying engineering was a big decision. It was, but not because I would work an engineering job. In a way I studied the ‘wrong’ degree. Yet, reflecting on the cascade of opportunities that followed, it is no exaggeration to say I would … Read More
Teamwork
In the winter basketball season of 1988, my two brothers, aged 18 and 13 and bunch of church youth and adults (including Peter Battersby), entered a men’s basketball team in the Saturday church basketball league. It was the first sports team to represent UPBC after a long hiatus. Wearing dark green singlets with iron on numbers and yellow footy shorts, … Read More
How to grow our spiritual discernment.
“There is no individual discernment outside community, and no community discernment without individual discernment.” Ruth Haley Barton I wonder if the last 5 sermons I preached will be my most important at Unley Park? As we consider our future, we have learnt about discernment. The core message has been spiritual discernment, which requires us to grow in faith. Without God … Read More
ENGAGE WORK FAITH
At Unley Park we love working with others to help people follow Jesus. Our belief is God’s work is so important, and the opportunities are so great, our church must connect with others. One of our long-term mission partners is Engage Work Faith. We promote the valuable events and mission resources they offer. Several members of our church participate in … Read More
Dare2Care
At the end of Millers Court in Adelaide’s West End, on a rainy Friday night in August, a warm light escapes from an open door. Etching closer, there’s a buzz of activity and noise winding through from the courtyard – a welcome mix of excitement, a busker’s Ed Sheeran cover, excitable conversation and chapel worship. On this particular Friday, close … Read More
Prayers to prepare for pursuing god’s will
As you think about the significant decisions you’ve made in your life, how have you prepared yourself for discernment? How have you prayed? Our surrender and God’s strength are required to discern and do God’s will. These prayers prepare us for the decisions we make and the challenges we face: Two prayers of surrender, two prayers for strength. Prayer of … Read More
How to grow in seeing God at work in life
Spiritual practices help us see God in our lives. Ignatius of Loyola, who founded the Jesuits in 1541, described discernment as “finding God in all things to love and serve Him.” He created the Prayer of Examen to help people notice and respond to God’s presence daily. A simple guide for this prayer is: Recalling our feelings can help us identify key moments. … Read More
Discerning ‘Our Life in Jesus 2030’
Our church is developing our ‘Our Life in Jesus’ plan for the next 5 years. We want to approach this as a discernment process—listening to God, alongside our congregation. We are seeking God’s will for our church, our mission, and four key areas of our church life: “Our life in Jesus helps others: We will be having sets of focus … Read More