I hope you're enjoying the AMAZING weather we've had this week. Aside from tiny waves, it's about as good as it gets! When it's like this, you can't help but feel blessed that our church gathers by the beach.
Last Sunday was especially beautiful as we were able to gather to celebrate Jordyn's baptism. Well done, welcome to the church family and thanks to Jordyn's wonderful family for joining us!
Whether you've been in church your whole life or last Sunday was your first time, many of our conclusions on what a church should be like are simply a result of our experiences, both good and bad.
Over the next month or so I'm putting together some of my personal reflections on "church". I'll save a theological deep-dive into a myriad of scriptures for personal conversations, and instead offer some of my simple conclusions. I trust they will resonate to anyone who has thought deeply about how God calls us to live and gather as Christians.
In the coming weeks I'll explore questions like:
- What are the key ingredients in a church gathering?
- What should church 'feel' like?
- When do we become a 'real church'?
- What comes first? Disciples or a church?
- What about the kids?
However, today, I want to start by flagging a change in this weeks gathering that's involves you! It's technically tiny, but, depending on your personality, it may feel huge!
You may have heard me say that we as Christians are not defined by how we gather, but who we follow - Jesus.
In short, we are followers of Jesus, not gatherers of Jesus.
While we obviously believe that gathering is fundamental to our faith, we believe they are an expression of how we followed Jesus last week and an encouragement for how we aim to follow in the coming week!
This very personal and practical perspective reminds us that our gatherings are not in themselves, "church", but are an expression of the fact that all of us, together, make up a living, breathing church family.
In the letter to the church in Corinth written about 53-54CE (not long after Jesus was around!), Paul described what a gathering of Jesus followers could look like.
1st Corinthians 14:26-33
"What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace."
What I've always loved about this passage is that it challenges the notion that we gather to hear from one or two "professional" followers. Rather, when we gather, it's a time when any follower of Jesus has an opportunity to share what God himself is speaking to them!
You see, even though I've been in "christian leadership" for decades, have a "Masters of Divinity" and have been appointed to lead the church, in God's eyes I'm just like you.
- Both you and I are made in God's image (the imago dei).
- Both you and I were born sinners!
- Both you and I were forgiven by faith!
- Both you and I are filled with God's Holy Spirit by faith.
- Both you and I are called to follow Jesus with our whole life.
- Both you and I have access to all of God's Word, the Bible.
- Both you and I have a place in God's family.
- Both you and I are gifted and called to "build up" and encourage God's family.
In Paul's letters to churches like Corinth, he was very clear that every church needs leaders. But he was also very clear that every follower of Jesus had something to contribute to the church.
This Week!
To practically live out this simple principle, this week I'm encouraging you to not just gather to hear from another follower (myself), but to come as a follower of Jesus with something to contribute to our gathering.
To consider:
"What has God highlighted to me in the Bible this week?"
"What have I learnt about God and life this week?"
"What answers to prayer have I experienced?"
"Is there a revelation from God that he wants me to share with the church?".
So, when you join us this Sunday I'll kick us off around 330pm with a simple invitation for a few of our group to share something encouraging ("for building up") and then leave it up to you guys. There's no pressure for anyone to speak, but simply an appreciation for the fact that God is speaking to many of us throughout the week in a variety of ways.
So, providing what you share is brief and done, "for building up", please move to the front and share!
Cheers and look forward to hearing some of you share on Sunday,
Dan
Congrats Jordyn!
Someone who is excited to be a part of the "family of Jesus followers" is Jordyn! As she shared on Sunday, a huge part of her desire to be baptised is to formally identify as part of God's family! Congrat's Jordyn and thanks to her family and friends who joined us and voiced their support of Jordyn's big decision!
Prayer
As we shared last week, we want to be asking God to speak to us on a number of topics:
- Rhythms: how will we foster our simple rhythms (know, invite, gather)?
- Elders: how will we structure our long-term leadership and who will be on the team.
- Generosity: how would God have us become the generous individuals and church he's called us to.
- Future: how and where will we continue to gather including our location.
If you'd like to join with others in prayer, chat to Fred on Sunday about his men's prayer group that meets 6am every Friday in Dicky Beach!
If you can't find him Sunday call Fred on 0431 437 080.
Coming Up
Sun 16 July 3pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 23 July 3pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 06 Aug 3pm Worship + Prayer Gathering. Location TBC
Sun 13 Aug 3pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 20 Aug Baptism
Sun 27 Aug 3pm Moffat Gathering
Getting ahead-of-the-game
Sun 03 Sep 3pm Worship + Prayer Gathering. Location TBC
Sun 17 Sep Baptism
Sun 01 Oct Worship + Prayer Gathering. Location TBC
Sun 15 Oct Baptism
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus
Our Rhythms
Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you bless this week?
Gather and get involved: How can you connect, listen, share or pray with others this week?
Our Giving
If there is someone in need around you we'd encourage you to team up with another Christian friend and ask God to show you how to meet their need directly. You can also get started with giving to Open Road or get in touch with any questions you may have.
Last mths giving: $5,974
Last mths expenses: $7,987
Bank Balance: $16,113
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
Bonus: Worship
A while back Ben Kilah (husband, dad, drummer!) recommended this great new song, "God Is Love" by Chris Renzema. I love it!
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