RevWrites - Nov 22

I asked you two weeks ago if you wanted to go for it. We had the opportunity to invite a young man from Queensland to work with us part-time and go to Bible college to train for youth ministry. This was on top of the need to employ a new assistant minister to replace James Lewis when he eventually accepts a new position.

Some people responded with: “Go for it!” Some even offered to help finance it.

We heard this week from the young man and he is not yet ready to go to college. But thanks to those who wanted to stretch our ministry. It’s a great sign that many people here want to be stretched by God, even financially.

Next Sunday, and the Sunday after for 6.45, we will have the opportunity to indicate our pledge for 2010. I will total the pledges and give this to the Parish Council to assist them plan for ministry next year.

The last time we did this it was encouraging to me personally. I found out how much people loved gospel ministry and loved what God was doing at THEIR church. I look forward to being encouraged once more.

One problem with our church is that we continue to grow. There is a lot happening that many people don’t get to see. I popped into WHAC last Sunday and it continues to grow. Woodberry Village Chapel, since we took over, has grown remarkably. Last Sunday 6.45 was almost full.

As a resident of Thomas Street, I’m beginning to get cheesed off with Friday nights. You can’t move in the street because of all the parents dropping off and picking up Reggies.

God continues to bless our ministry efforts with growth. But we’ve hardly begun. Even if we had 1,000 people a week here, that leaves about 20,000 people in our parish that aren’t here. They could be at another church. But I suspect they don’t yet know Christ. There’s a lot yet to do on our door-step. And there’s more to the world than our door-step!

This week please pray and consider your pledge. It will help you and us as together we plan for ministry here and around the world.

Neil

P.S.

On a personal note, last week Robyn’s dad settled on a house in Copacabana on the Central Coast. It looks like we will be moving the first week in December and he will join us the next week.

Please pray for us. It is a time of grief as we leave behind our home of twenty years. It is the longest time Robyn has ever lived in the one place. We moved here when Sarah was tiny and Thomas wasn’t.

Your rectory has been the centre of much of our lives. It is the place of great memories for which we thank God and thank you.

Now let’s see what God has planned for us as together we push on into 2010.