Sep 27 2009
Pastor’s notes
Hallelujah! This is the Day of the Lord…
Perhaps its because Spring has sprung, the flowers are blooming and the crops are looking good but there seems to be a distinct joyfulness in the air. These are the obvious signs of God’s good intention towards us and they ARE cause to celebrate. Indeed, we should hold ever before us the fact that God’s intention towards us is ALWAYS good. He desires for us to know the goodness and the fullness of the life He has given us. Sometimes it might seem that we do not have this joy but that is not because God’s intention has receded. No, rather that something has intervened. God’s offer is always to remove that intervention. This is the message of the Gospel. The greatest barrier between us and God is sin … our (and other people’s) choice to live independent of God’s intention. God came in Christ to deal with that. He showered us with grace by the offering of Himself to settle the difference between us. Having received that grace, what can we do but live the life of Jesus. A life lived in honour of the Father, accompanied by the Holy Spirit and for the sake of those who have yet to know that grace. So let us rejoice, let us lift up our hearts, let us be bold in the fullness of God’s love towards us.
If you missed the first of the “Jesus, All About Life” adverts on TV, you can watch it by clicking the connection on our website. It’s a no-nonsense presentation about the reality of Jesus in our life – in the good times and also when the world comes crashing around us. Jesus really is “all about life” and Life is “all about Jesus”.
In the services today there is opportunity for you to share what Jesus means to you. My own reality check with Jesus came way back in 1977 when I was still pretending to be a Christian. In a startling incident, He told be that He had many times tried to come to me but had been prevented from doing so. Suddenly this “friend” was in my life. Whichever way I turned He was there and He was always gracious towards me in my ignorance. It took a while but gradually I realized that the best way forward through life was for me to put my feet where His had been. He strengthened me when I was weak, encouraged me when I was down, directed me when I was lost. This journey with Jesus over the past 30 years has been awesome (and sometimes confusing). I knew Him first as a friend and comforter but I have also come to know Him as the glorious King seated in majesty in the throne room of heaven. This dichotomy is truly a mystery but it also speaks volumes about the amazing grace of God.
Looking ahead, we have a big day on Saturday October 24th. It starts with a Parish Council Meeting then leads into the Parish Planning Day and ends with the Variety Concert – Hard work, big decisions and lots of laughs. Please plan to be there…
In the Planning Day exercise we are going to be following the “Twelve Keys to an Effective Church” program. It begins with an assessment of who we are. This is a significant part of the exercise because we invariably have a low view of ourselves. This “low view” perception then determines our behaviour which ultimately fixes our destiny. But God has great plans for His Church and He wants us to be part of it. So we will then decide how far we want to go to fit into God’s plan ie how much practical faith do we have.
We then move into an assessment of our own strengths in terms of the twelve key characteristics. These are:
|
Relational Characteristics |
Functional Characteristics |
| 1. Specific, Concrete Missional Objectives
A defined ministry to reach out and touch the hurts and hopes of people (Objective>Event) |
7. Several Competent Programs and Activities
Programs that serve people and the missional objective (Event>Objective) |
| 2. Pastoral/Lay Visitation in Community
A consequential and regular visitation program by the minister and congregation |
8. Open Accessibility
A good physical location with highly accessible leaders |
| 3. Corporate, Dynamic Worship
A good welcome program, worship that draws the congregation to God and preaching that inspires |
9. High Visibility
Both physical visibility of the church and its news on the community grapevine |
| 4. Significant, Relational Groups
Small groups that create a sense of community |
10. Adequate Parking, Land & Landscaping
|
| 5. Strong Leadership Resources
Leaders who are trained in a relational and caring ministry |
11. Adequate Space and Facilities
|
| 6. Solid, Participatory Decision Making
A structure that lends itself to community involvement in the mission and ownership of the vision |
12. Solid Financial Resources |
Using this strength assessment we will plan to use the characteristics in which we might already be strong and to build up those where we might not be as strong so that we can move forward to be who Jesus wants us to be.
This is a long term program. We will plan a 3 to 5 year future with a series of achievable and measurable goals. And then we will need to revisit the strategy regularly at Congregation and Parish Council meetings. I know of nothing more exciting than to catch a glimpse of God’s plans and to discover that I have an invitation to be part of it – I am sure that you will find the same!
Thinking about it, this is like the birth of Fanie and Suzette’s baby girl. They have been blessed and they are now part of another person’s life. Their hopes, dreams and future decisions now have eternal significance. Congrats!
God is so good! Shalom and God’s joy be with you all.
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