645 Real Stories Episode 5

India Prayer Points (July 1)

• Praise God that we have this magnificent opportunity! Praise Him that his love is shown everywhere in the world!

• Praise God for the IGL (India Gospel League) and praise God that there are millions of people worldwide that know his son!

• Please pray that the pastors' churches would have suitable leadership whilst they are attending our courses

• Pray that our courses would be nothing but BIBLICAL and GODLY, in order that we can share the right words with them.

• Pray that we are all kept safe, and that we are keeping God at the centre.

• Pray that all work related loose ends would be tied up asap.

200 words on… the 5 commandments

This week on Nova they’re having competition where you can ring up and win tickets to some upcoming concerts. They’re calling it Nova 969’s Five Commandments... a week long divine intervention of amazing events.

The commandments are something like this.

• Commandment One...
Thou Shalt win your way to the Bruno Premiere.
  
• Commandment Two...
Thou Shalt win the final ticket to Nova’s Pink True Blue Party...
  

And so on.

The DJ reminded everyone today that the top commandment is to always listen to Nova. Someone won a ticket and said ‘Oh my God’. The DJ said (tongue in cheek) ‘oh – you’ve just used the Lord’s name in vain… Oh dear!’

Now this is all just a bit of fun. I get that. But what do we think about this as Christians? Is this our culture saying that it’s all just a joke? Is this more evidence that people really just think being a Christian is simply following the 10 commandments.

I’ve said it the last few posts but I’ll say it again – we need to give the world something more than this! The time of the law is finished. We are a new people in Christ. We do follow his way of living  - not as a bunch of rules, but because we have a new identity in Christ and because it’s the best way to live. 

Sunday@645 Rosters (June/July/Aug - VERSION 3)

Please let Troy or Ed know if you need to change a week

RevWrites June 28

I wrote last week about making sure you have a system for giving financially to the Lord’s work. The biblical concept of tithing didn’t simply disappear when Jesus came. After he had given his all for sinful people like us, the thrust of the New Testament is towards generosity. Generosity seems to start where tithing leaves off. So if you’re not giving at least a tithe are you being generous?

A considered and consistent approach to tithing is important. Many of us need systems to help us in this area of Christian obedience. Personally, we use direct debiting because it’s a good system.

You must remember that what we all give to NAC is not only used to pay for our own expenses. Much staff time is taken up in mission among school students and also adults. Some of our money (not enough) is directed to missionary support like the Berthons. I hope soon to be in a position to tell you about new developments in mission that we will be involved in.

A NACer wrote to me recently and mentioned that sometimes they feel like we ask for money but not for our members to give in other ways. I really hope that isn’t reality for too many NACers. If it is for you then read on.

The New Testament makes the point that all Christians are ministers of the goodness of God. The ministry staff are here to enable all NACers to be involved in ministry. Generosity of spirit isn’t limited to money but extends to all the good things our Heavenly Father pours out upon us.

We are to share our homes. We are to share our goods. We are to share our meals. We are to share our time. Just as we share our money. In all these we are to be a generous people.

Are you being generous with ministry? I love watching the men who lead and teach our teenagers on Sunday mornings. I think it’s challenging for them but they seem to get a lot out of ministering to our young people.

I’ve seen JGs leaders struggle to attend JGs after having the flu for a couple of weeks. It would be much easier to stay at home but they press on. It certainly isn’t the pay! They don’t get any. It’s the joy of being committed to an area of ministry that God blesses.

Just as we need discipline and systems for tithing, so we need discipline and systems to maximise our ministry generosity. Are you involved in a regular ministry? If not, why not? Is it because we haven’t asked you? Do you feel like you need training?

There may be many good reasons. If you feel like we ask for you to be generous with your money but not with other ministries, then please talk to your congregational leaders. If they can’t help you in this, give me a call.

645 road trip

Hope you're all getting excited! Here are some more details....

We will get into cars at Northmead at 10am on Saturday 11th July
We’re heading to the Mountains with stops along the way

• bakeries and coffee
• pies and open fires
• outdoor sport
• adventures in mountains towns
• great community times!

 Bring money ($25-30) for lunch, treats & petrol, winter woolies and a smile. Back by 5:30pm

200 words on... how does our culture see our church?

I found this interesting article in the Australian today written by Michael Jensen. He is writing about Calvinism (which Is basically the Christianity that we know here in Sydney). He believes that our culture sees our church as similar to Islam.

 

“It is a church of prigs and wowsers, of Talibanesque idol-smashers and woman-haters, of middle managers and bean counters. It is a faith that broods on the depravity of humankind rather than celebrating its glorious capacity to build, to create and to redeem. It is the religion of Ned Flanders and the ironically named Reverend Lovejoy.”

 

I wonder if that’s true? I’ve certainly heard people say some similar things. How can we change what our culture thinks about Jesus and what it means to follow him? Do people think this because of the way we preach to them about doing the wrong thing? Should we simply lead people to Jesus and not talk about any of the implications for their lives?

 

I don’t think so. If we follow Jesus, we believe that following God’s way truly is the best life, even in tough times. We need to share that with people, in love, and not just be seen as moralists who are judging sin in our friends lives.

 

PS - The article is worth a read for more information on Calvinism too.

Real Stories - Episode 4

just thought it was a nice view :)

Real Stories - Episode 3

200 words on... religion

It’s always interesting to see what people think it means to Christian. This article is about a new 'religion of environmentalism' but also sheds light on what our culture thinks it means to follow religion or be Christian. It was so sad to see the negative view the writer had of belief in God.

“But above all, like any religion, it claims to be the unique holder of the Truth, intent on imposing its system of belief on a trusting society. Attempts at questioning its dogma, through scientific examination or logical thinking, are dismissed as heretical.

It compels us to obey its canon in every action of our daily lives, some sort of Green Decalogue: Thou shalt recycle, thou shalt offset thy carbon emissions, etc. And it relies on the good old trick discovered by the church, many centuries ago, to manipulate and control the populace: guilt”

What he doesn't get is that being a Christian is not about guilt or being illogical. It is also not just about following rules. We need to share with our world the positive message of Christianity – that living God’s way is the way of joy and true freedom, That it’s not a perfect life, but it’s the best life now and give the greatest hope for the future.

RevWrites- June 21

Somebody once told me that Jesus said more about money than he did about faith. I’m not sure how you measure that kind of comparison. Does the word money occur more times in the gospels than the word faith? Are there more words about money than words about faith in the Gospels? I don’t know.

But Jesus still said a lot about money and a lot about faith and the two are clearly connected. There’s a lot of discussion and anxiety about money around the world at the present moment. Even the Archbishop, Peter Jensen, has written to all ministers-in-charge about the diocesan money.

So I thought I’d add my 2 cents worth. (Joke! Mildly funny.)

The wardens have informed you that our parish is on budget for this year. Interestingly, in spite of the GFC, this is the first time in some years they’ve been able to say that. And we took on a new staff member (Tania) this year!

But more than that, in spite of the anxiety about finances, members of NAC are being generous. So many NACers (including WHACers) are investing in gospel opportunities. George and Jeff have been to Africa. They had some support from us but also paid a lot themselves. Team India are off soon. It’s costing each of them a considerable amount. But our parish has also given a large amount of money to enable Indian pastor to attend the conferences.

And these are just some big ticket items. There’s generosity behind the scenes in many ways. Some of it we’ll never know about. Unless our Heavenly Father reveals it on the last day.

One thing Jesus said about money was: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Many NACers are investing in gospel enterprises. They are putting their treasure where they want their hearts to be. And their hearts are following their treasure more and more. We must thank our Father for the miraculous ways he continues to work among us.

Many of us are regular and consistent in our financial support of our church. Robyn and I “tithe”. We do this electronically so we never miss a week. We give more than $250 a week to the work of NAC. We think what God does here and what he enables NAC to do for Christ’s kingdom is worth investing in. But we also think it’s what the Bible requires of us as members of this church.

Interestingly, our children follow in our footsteps. They give electronically too so they don’t miss a week.

If you struggle to be consistent and regular in your “tithing”, then consider direct giving to help you live more biblically. But, most of all, remember to thank our Heavenly Father for all his goodness to us in so many ways.

Neil

playing on photoshop :)
make of it what you will

645 Rosters (June and July - Version 2

Please email troy@nac.asn.au for any changes

645 Real Stories Episode 2

RevWrites - June 14

Last week I concluded with two options: Director of Connections or a Heart Transplant?

The first proposed appointing someone to help us develop connections with our community. Our regional bishop, Ivan Lee, tells me that another parish has already done this. They’ve appointed a part-timer to help them develop connections with their community.

This will help them as they seek to be good neighbours and as they seek to connect with their community so that they might connect with the Lord Jesus.

The second asked if we needed a heart transplant. Of course, every true believer has already had a heart transplant. As long ago as the prophet Ezekiel, God promised to give his people a new heart:

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26)

Every Christian, when born again, comes alive to God. We have a new spirit and a new heart. So God has already done his supernatural work of giving his people new hearts. It is those new hearts which beat continuously with the longing to see others saved.

That is why so many members of NAC long to see people come to Christ. But three things conspire to prevent us connecting with lost people – the world, the flesh and the devil.

The world, we can pray about, and resist.

The devil, we can pray about and resist.

Our own flesh, our own inherited and learned habits of doing things independently of God, God transforms as we align our lives to his will.

Three things help us as we seek to conquer our own flesh. Reading the Bible so that we might know God better and know his will better. Being connected with God's people so that we might encourage each other to live for Christ.

And thirdly, ministering to others using the gifts and abilities God has given each of us. It’s at this point that a Director of Connections will help us all. Many of us need to learn how to reconnect with our neighbours and our wider community. The old saying is true: The longer you’re a Christian the fewer non-Christian friends you have. So we need to learn how to redevelop friendships with those who don’t know Christ.

So much of community that I knew as a child has simply disappeared. People generally are longing for an experience of genuine community. Some people are trying to develop communities again. For example, the attempts to green the community are one way of connecting with neighbours once again.

Sydney Diocese is giving us all an opportunity to join in what is already happening in a small way across our society. We need to be at the forefront of this. And, of course, we will take the gospel of Christ with us into new expressions of community.

Neil

200 words on… looking for love

There was an interesting article in the Good weekend Saturday. Stephanie Dowrick, author of Intimacy and Solitude, commented on being in love and what people are really looking for.  She says that most people are not looking for the euphoric, adoring idealized love but are looking for someone to love them unconditionally ‘warts and all’. ‘Feeling known, accepted and still deepy loved is the ideal combination for most people.’

 

I totally agree with this. Except she then goes on to say how we really have a desire for others to see our ‘innate perfection’ that only our parents can see. This seems totally wrong to me. There is no innate perfection in any of us – as humans we are sinful. And parents? Yes the do often see us as better than we are but sometimes they are harsh critics and for some they are not even there at all.

 

She does touch on a deep desire of all humans though – to be loved and fully known by another. Thanks be to God that we are fully known and loved by him. This is the message we can share with our world to meet this desire imbedded in all people. 

in 2007 i visited the Notre Dame Cathedral in Rouen, France.
a little different from the churches we have :)
the detail is amazing.

RevWrites - June 7

You would have enjoyed the discussion at the Parish Leadership Team meeting on Tuesday morning. Should we have a Mission Director? Or two – one local and one overseas?

One argument was that this is the Senior Minister’s job. It was argued that all ministers should be about mission, Christ’s mission of connecting with lost people.

Now there’s no doubt in the minds of NACers that the Bible teaches this. All Christians are to share in Christ’s mission. Ministers are to enable people and lead people in this mission. The Bible colleges our people attend all teach this and train ministers in this.

So, why are most churches not doing it, or not doing it well? Why are we not all that good at it? After all, we are a church that has been taught the Bible well. We have developed effective programme from cradle to grave. We have good and godly ministers who serve and lead well. So, why are we not better at mission?

I ran an argument that went something like this:

Ministers run churches. We develop groups and programmes that teach and encourage and enable our members. Our adults help one another in small groups to live godly lives. Our children’s and teenage ministries grow increasingly godly young people. So much, if not all, of what we do is internal. We are building the Kingdom of God by growing Christians towards maturity in Christ. And the better you do that the more time and energy and resources it consumes. And then that’s what you do.

Of course, occasionally we run an event that we all invite our friends to. Then we run out of friends to invite so we run another event (let’s call it Connect09) and go visit our neighbours or invite them some to something. And then things return to normal as we spend our time and energy and resources on growing each other towards maturity in Christ.

I know my argument is simplistic but it seems to me to have some truth about it. We are good at being a church. I love NAC and the people here who encourage and rebuke and genuinely love me. I love the way we are Bible-focussed. I love the way we are willing to do things in a way that helps newcomers integrate into the body of Christ.

But so many of us long to see lost people saved. We pray for our lost friends and relatives and neighbours. But we have lost connection with our community and many of us have really limited friendship with any lost people.

So our discussion moved towards having a Director of Connections. Do we need someone who spends time and energy and resources helping us all to reconnect with our lost neighbours and friends? Will having someone to help us grow in mission to lost people actually help us?

Or do we really need a heart transplant?

Talk it over with your mates. Let’s know what you think.

Neil

 

200 words on… Mel Gibson and judgment

As Christians, we often get labeled as hypocrites. This can be frustrating because we know that we are not claiming to be perfect. We know we still sin. Yet the world seems to judge Christians by a different standard. One foot wrong and we affect the reputation of Christ.

I was thinking about this when I saw an article about Mel Gibson who slammed his church for judging him (he apparently got his girlfriend pregnant while still married).

It’s true that it’s not our place to judge people – that is the job of Jesus. But is there something right about pointing out sin in each other’s lives? Or should we just expect that we will sin and that’s OK. In light of the great Day of Judgment, what kind of people ought we to be?

Peter asks that very question in 2 Peter 3:11. His answer is that we are to be holy and godly. That we are to make every effort to be found spotless and blameless. That we are to be on our guard so as to not fall from our secure position.

We cannot be complacent about sin in ourselves or others. Mel is right to say we shouldn’t judge… But we can’t just let it go either… Can we?