“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
- Romans 12:2
Ahoy Open Road!
It was great to meet on Sunday! We blessed two children and their parents as well as got our heads and hearts thinking about the year ahead!
As a church, our vision for each of us is to be FULLY ALIVE in Jesus. We don't want anyone to miss out on the freedom found in living just as God designed us to.
On Sunday, I encouraged us all to prayerfully start 2026 by asking, “God, how am I to be Fully Alive in 2026?”
“Do not be conformed to this world [half-dead], but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God [Fully Alive], what is good and acceptable and perfect.” - Romans 12:2
To accept God's call to an abundant way of life we have to reject living half-dead. In Romans 12 Paul says that we are to, "not be conformed to this world". I'd suggest that much of what the world encourages is a half-dead life. Discouraged, distracted, selfish.
However, Paul says in Romans that God believes a transformed, Fully Alive YOU is possible. God believes in you - literally.
Paul outlines a simple plan to discover the "good, acceptable, and perfect" life God offers us. It starts by "testing". By taking whatever you know to be true in Jesus and giving it a crack.
Unsure if forgiving others will actually serve you well?
Try it out in 2026!
Never given sacrificial generosity a go?
Commit to starting 2026 with an unusual act of generosity.
Been steering your own ship for years/decades?
Why not ask God what he wants for your life in 2026?
Life is short. Some of us are young. Some of us are close to death. Some of us have just moved to the coast. Some are about to move away. Because we don't know how long we have together, we're aiming to ensure that becoming Fully Alive in Jesus isn't a talking point, aspiration, or buzzword. We want to offer each other a process to make sure that we are all moving in the right direction!
This is why last year I began developing a simple process for our church to guide us through the multiple phases of apprenticeship to Jesus - testing out what you learn along the way. Late last year I reviewed and refined it with our Governance Group and Deacons and we all agreed we would more intentionally encourage it in 2026.
We called it FAM, our Fully Alive Model. It's our process for each of us to be Fully Alive in 2026. It's not meant to be a silver bullet, but it is our strongest suggestion for each of us to help ourselves and others learn to follow Jesus.
Each phase involves goals, skills and content for you to test on your journey with Jesus. We hope that by testing everything, you will, as Paul said, learn to discern the "good, acceptable and perfect will of God".
While you can use it personally, it's designed to be done together with one or more people you're walking through life and faith with.
You can read about FAM on our website. It will make the most sense if you understand our church's Vision, Mission, and three simple rhythms.
If it's totally new or overwhelming for you, ask someone you trust where they think you should start.
If it feels old hat or too simple, ask God who is around you, who needs you to walk with them through it?!
Much love and see you Sunday,
Dan
Running from JAN 5TH–9TH, Sonic Boom's amazing leaders will be out across three locations running our kids, teens, and BOOM programs. Martine and I have sent our kids for a couple of years and they've all LOVED it!
☀️ KIDS: Moffat Beach - Eleanor Shipley Park
☀️ TEENS: Kings Beach - Park Alexandra (the Amphitheatre)
☀️ BOOM: Pirate Ship Park (along Mooloolaba Esplanade!)
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to them via Facebook or Instagram!
Coming Up
January - 9am [Home] + 4pm [Moffat]
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sun 11 - Home/Moffat Gatherings
Sun 18 - Home/Moffat Gatherings + BYO Dinner + Baptisms
Sun 25 - Home/Moffat Gatherings
February - 9am [Home] + 4pm [Moffat]
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Feb 01 Home Gathering + Monthly Worship
Feb 08 Home + Moffat Gatherings
Feb 15 Home + Moffat Gatherings + Baptisms
Feb 22 Home + Moffat Gatherings
March - 9am [Home] + 4pm [Moffat]
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Mar 01 Home Gathering + Monthly Worship
Mar 08 Home + Moffat Gatherings
Mar 15 Home + Moffat Gatherings + Baptisms
Mar 22 Home + Moffat Gatherings
Mar 29 Home + Moffat Gatherings
April - 9am [Home] + 4pm [Moffat]
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Apr 05 Home Gathering + Monthly Worship [Easter Long W/end]
Apr 12 Home + Moffat Gatherings
Apr 19 Home + Moffat Gatherings + Baptisms
Apr 25 Anzac Day
Apr 26 Home + Moffat Gatherings
May - 9am [Home] + 4pm [Moffat]
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
May ? Church Camp Sat-Sun [Labour Day Long W/end]
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus.
Our Rhythms
Get to Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you intentionally open up your life to?
Gather and get involved: who can you connect, listen, share, or pray with this weekend?
Giving Up, In, and Out
Our church follows the same simple pattern of giving that we encourage each other individually: UP, IN, and OUT.
Giving UP
As a church, we give 2.5% to our denomination to support what's happening in churches like ours statewide and show appreciation for all the support they provide.
Giving IN
We give to personal/family needs within our church from our $5,000 Giving Kitty. Please alert us if you know someone with genuine needs that you're unable to meet out of your own resources.
Giving OUT
We encourage giving to at least four specific Christian projects beyond our church and local community: African Missionaries, Middle Eastern Aid, Cambodian Aid, and Walkervale Church (Bundaberg).
Last month's giving: $20,505
Last month's expenses: $12,258
Balance: $86,690
Giving in: Oct 23-Dec 25: $5,000
Giving out: Oct 23-Dec 25: $16,293
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
If you would like to support what we are doing and our giving to those in need, you can get started giving to Open Road to meet the needs of our church or get in touch with any questions you may have.
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