Men's Friday Fellowship

Our monthly Men's Friday Fellowship will meet at 8pm in the Lower Meeting Room of the Hall this Friday (3rd August). In addition to the Bible Study in Acts, Mehretab Trkie, the Aid and Development Officer for African Enterprise will be visiting us to give a presentation on a joint project with the Bible Society on “Promoting Literacy in East Africa Today”.

Australian Enough?

See if you would pass the sample test of the Federal Government's new Citizenship Test here. Don't worry if you fail, you won't be kicked out.

Ideas for a new name

We had our congregation meeting yesterday to brainstorm ideas for a new name for our church. The suggestions (in no particular order) were:

• St Andrew's Summer Hill
• Inspired by Christ
• Summer Hill Community Church
• Summer Hill Anglican Church
• Andy's @ Summer Hill
• St Andrew's Summer Hill - a growing church
• St Andrew's Summer Hill - the church on the hill
• All People's Church
• SASH
• The Andrew Ites
• Summer Hill Christian Outreach
• Summer Hill Village Church
• St Andrew's Community Church
• SHAC (Summer Hill Anglican Church)
• Summer Hill Cross Cultural Church
• All Nations Church
• Summer Hill Church
• Summer Hill International Church
• St Andrew's Global/World Bible Fellowship

If you want to add to this list let me know! Where things go from here is for me to discuss the ideas with Parish Council and then make a presentation of some ideas to the congregation. I want to hear as many ideas as possible and listen to what people think before I move towards making a decision.

UPDATE TO THIS POST
Over the last six months I have been sharing about the local area and the challenge we have of mission in our part of Sydney. In church, at our vestry meeting, at coffee nights and in Parish Council I have been saying how we need to:

1. be a church which welcomes a broad age range of people from many different ethnic backgrounds
2. be a church that is able to welcome people in their 30s, including those with children (add to that those in their 20s until we have a functioning group for this age)
   
3. to gather together in what is almost a church plant!

I have said that this will involve change, and said these things about change:

1. change is exciting
2. change is painful
3. we change for the sake of others
4. we don’t change what is central

In thinking about change we particularly looked at Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 9:22:
"I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. "

He then instructs all of us to "run in such a way as to get the prize." As Christians we are called to do everything possible to change ourselves to enable others to follow Jesus. As I lead our church I want to run in such a way as to win the prize and not be one that just beats the air - all talk and no action.

God our Creator

This is the message I gave at church today. It is the first in our series on "My life caught up in God's Mission. It was a great day at church with lots of kids and visitors. I particularly liked singing the hymn 'All Creature of our God and King'!

The theme of this week's message is 'God our Creator'. You can click on the player below or download the mp3 file here.

The Porn Talk

The availability of pornography makes life hell for blokes of all ages. The scary thing is the way it is available for young children. Looking at porn is addictive and destructive.

Parents need to educate their children otherwise someone else will. The Porn Talk website will give you helpful resources for talking with your children and guarding your family.

This site call Covenant Eyes is a great way to have accountability for your internet use.

I am hoping to provide more resources in helping with this huge problem in our society.

Don't waste your cancer

Early last year, John Piper was diagnosed with prostate cancer. John is a pastor and theologian from America and he gives some reflections on cancer and how to face it as a Christian.

A name for mission?

We are currently thinking about a name for our congregation that helps us best in our mission. This Sunday we are going to have a meeting after church where I will give a brief presentation of what this is trying to achieve, outline the process of how we are going to think about this together and then most of the time will be spent brainstorming ideas.

The meeting will be in the upper meeting room starting at 11:30am and finishing around 12:15-30pm depending on where our discussion takes us.

Music Time explodes!

Music Time started up again on Monday and we had 25 mums and 30 children. This has been a great time of making new connections with people in our community and bringing the message of Jesus Christ to them (particularly through the Christianity Explored class we sometimes run beforehand)

We really need to start another class to make room for all the people coming. Those 25 mums and carers came without any additional advertising and no reminder letter!

In order to start another class I am looking to find someone suitable to train and take on this wonderful opportunity as a Music Time teacher. It would suit someone who is has basic musically knowledge, is able to sing and has a desire to reach out to new people with the gospel message.

Download the pdf for a full description of the Music Time Teacher's position.

My Life - God's Mission

This Sunday we start our new preaching series for the term: "My life caught up in God's Mission". It is going to be a great series as we look at story of the whole Bible and how it is about God's mission. This is not something that is detached from us, but we are going to see how we fit into God's mission. My prayer is that through it you will gain a new appreciation for the goodness of God and a clearer vision for your own life.

Cool way to spend Long-Service

Check out this cool way someone spent their long-service leave.

Baby boy for Biju and Shiny

This morning at 9:52am Shiny gave birth to a healthy baby boy weighing 6.5 pounds (2.965kg). Biju, Shiny and Angel are all very happy, but tired after no sleep for two days! The little boy's name is Ansel Thomas, a name given to him by his grandfather. We rejoice greatly with this new arrival!

"The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children after them." Proverbs 20:7 (NLT)

Option rich but time poor.

One of the features of our society is that there are so many options of what to do ... all the time. There are movies to see, books to read, friends to see, work to do, shops to go to, holidays to go on, sport to play etc. It is so easy to fill life full of so many things that family and community things take second place.

I read in the Sydney Morning Herald that even school canteens can't find people to help out. It is not surprising given all the other things going on in life - particularly with couples both working full-time.

As Christians in our culture we have to be more aware of the decisions we are making and not just go with the flow. We need to see the impact our personal decisions have on our families, our church and our community. It is good to be reminded that our heavenly Father will provide us with all good things and that our lives are given in service of Jesus and his gospel. Paul writes this as he speaks about Jesus:

2 Corinthians 5:15 "He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live to please themselves. Instead, they will live to please Christ, who died and was raised for them." New Living Translation

Psalm 96 - all nations to praise God!

We had a great message from Josh Taylor, one of our Student Ministers, today from Psalm 96. Click here to download it or listen to it in the player. If you want to skip to a particular part of the talk just move the marker along the display.

RATs in the church

I was speaking to someone this week who was at a church were there was no-one over 50. They realised that they were missing out on not having older people in their congregation. In the bible the picture of church life is one were there are people of all ages.

In Colossians 4:16 it is clear that the letter was to be read out to the congregation. In chapter 3 verse 20 Paul addresses not parents, but children when he says 'Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.' This means children were to hear the congregational reading of scripture!

Paul instructs Titus to 'teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.' (Titus 2:2) and 'likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children.' (Titus 2:3-4). Here we see a wide age range in the congregation, and the relationships that exist between them.

In our church there are not only a wide range of ages, but the older people are one of our greatest assets! I was talking to a friend and he was telling me about the RATs in his church. That is, people who are Retired, Available and Teachable.

Many people treat retirement as one long holiday. Christians take holidays now and then but are always engaged in the work of the Lord. How good is it to have people who are self-funded, available and willing to serve our Lord Jesus in his work. Praise God!

Looking for Treasure(r)

We are looking for a new Church Treasurer. This is a very, very important task in the life of our church (my family doesn't eat if it doesn't happen!) If you think you are able to help in this way please talk to one of the Wardens: Bob Claxton, David Loane or Thelma Thoms. If you need contact details for them please give me a call on 9798 5300.

Baptism of Naomi Gibson

This Sunday, Naomi Gibson will be baptised. Peter and Annette will be making promises on her behalf and we will be praying that she grows in her trust of Jesus even at such a young age.

Senior High 27th July

Our Senior High Group will start up again on Friday 27th July. Since I am looking after the kids while Beth is at a Ministry Wives Conference, will meet at the Rectory from 8pm. See you there!

2 New Bible Fellowship Groups

Next week two new Bible Fellowship Groups starts up. One for men and one for women.

The blokes' one is going to meet on Thursday mornings from 6:30-7:30am and include breakfast. At this stage we are going to meet at my house, 2 Henson St, Summer Hill starting next week on 26th July. I will be leading this group.

The womens' one will meet in the upper meeting room from 10am-12noon on Wednesdays starting on 25th July. My wife, Beth will be leading this group.

Please be in contact if you want to join either of these groups.

Kids Craft Club

In August we are running a Kids Craft Club for three afternoons. It is for all primary age kids and their parents as well. Click on the picture for a larger version and more information.

We will be singing, hearing about what it means to follow Jesus and making some cool craft things. Come alone and invite a friend!

Just for fun

I was showing this to some friends and it brought tears to their eyes. Enjoy....

Psalm 87

The bible talk from Sunday 15th July. Click here to download. Or listen using the player...

TWIST Conference

Check out the video made at the last TWIST Conference (The Word in Song Together) along with the backing music "Nothing but the blood of Jesus". This is the new song we are going to be learning in church. For more information about the TWIST conference on 25-26 August visit the TWIST website.

Part-time job at head office

The Professional Standards Unit is looking for a part-time administrator. Check out the job description for more information.

Shoes that speak

Get ready for summer with these great sandals and thongs. Look carefully at the pattern on the tread.Only from America!

Check out their website at Shoes of the Fisherman

Parish Boundaries?

Before cars, parish boundaries were of some relevance. Peoples' worlds were smaller and they travelled less, particularly on Sundays. With easy transport and cheap communication, people are able to maintain a social network that bears little connection with geography. For Christians, it means you can drive 40 minutes to be at at church with your friends.

The reality from the National Church Life Survey (NCLS) is that about 50% of people travel 10 minutes or less to get to their church. This means that for most churches, most of their congregation does not come from their parish area. The boundaries are completely irrelevant in the secular world and for church life.

I suppose the parish system is helpful to ensure that people aren't 'missed out'. There is always a church that is taking responsibility for a particular area.

The dark side of the parish boundaries is when they are used as an exclusion zone. This way of thinking has resulted in mission for an area being left up to the local parish, even when it is clear that the local parish is in no way doing the task of mission or does not have the capacity to reach those around them. Put a few of these parishes together and you end up with a 'burnt out' patch. Our church ordinance for Recognised Churches should make it clear that our diocese is on about doing ministry and even planting churches in someone else's 'patch'.

The whole parish boundary system seems ridiculous as an 'exclusion zone' when you think of there being other churches and religious groups in the area anyway. The Catholics, the Baptists, the Presbyterians, the Unitings, the Mormons and the Buddhists know nothing of my parish boundaries and sure don't consider them an exclusion zone!

In summary the parish boundaries are a region of particular responsibility, but are not the sum total of our mission field and certainly should not be used as an exclusion zone. What are your thoughts?

The picture below shows the travel times to our church. Inside the red is less that 5 minutes, inside the blue is less than 10 minutes and inside the green is less than 20 minutes. It is likely that only half our congregation members will come from inside the blue area. Click on the map for a larger version.

Some links:

Bishop Ray Smith's article about many issues that face our church, including the parish boundaries under the heading "Developing New Structures vs Maintaining Existing Structures". It is six years old, but still relevant.

The issue is a big one in the UK with parish boundaries regarded as no-go zones. See what is said in this 'covenant' under the heading "Action' for a little on the issue.

Article about St Paul's Carlingford planting outside their traditional parish boundaries.

Christ Church St George, an Anglican church with no parish boundaries!

The Pope is a Catholic and we're not a church!

The Pope has released a document affirming the teaching of Roman Catholicism on the nature of church and where we Protestants fit it. The Pope calls us a religious community and not a church:

"According to Catholic doctrine, these Communities do not enjoy apostolic succession in the sacrament of Orders, and are, therefore, deprived of a constitutive element of the Church. These ecclesial Communities which, specifically because of the absence of the sacramental priesthood, have not preserved the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic Mystery cannot, according to Catholic doctrine, be called "Churches" in the proper sense."

We need to remember that there are very real differences between the teaching of the Roman Catholic church and Protestantism: how we are saved and what church is are only two! The Reformers in England wrote the 39 Articles which are the statement of belief for Anglicans.

Article 19 says this "The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in the which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ’s ordinance ...."

Phew, we really do have a church!

For the 39 Articles check out the Anglican Church League website.

You might like to check out Mark Gilbert's new set of Bible Studies that go into what the Bible really teaches on how God saves.

Check out the full document from the Pope.

Bicultural Paul

Some thoughts I've had about Paul and his way to change to the cultural situation around him....

Photos at Church

At church on Sunday we are going to take some photos to use on displays, publications and online. Please smile when the camera comes your way!

Working Bee

On Saturday 4th August we are having a working bee at church. We'll start at 9am and go through to about 12:30pm. There are heaps of things to do, so even if you aren't a member of our church please come along and lend a hand.

Jesus - missing in action

How can it be that Jesus gets pushed to the side just through our own busy lives? We need to make decisions in our own lives that leave room for Jesus: for reading his word, meeting with his people and serving others. Otherwise Jesus can just go missing because of our own activity.

Can the Cushite change his skin?

"Can the Cushite change his skin?" is a rhetorical question in Jeremiah 13:23 implying that the people of Cush had a very different skin colour from the average Israelite. This was not a derogatory comment.

This Sunday we look at Psalm 87, where these people (along with a bunch of others who are not Israelites) are described this way:

Psalm 87:6 The LORD will write in the register of the peoples: “This one was born in Zion.”

It is staggering that God includes in his chosen people groups and nations from everywhere! Even in the Old Testament this was the expectation that God had raised.

Missionary Information for Ans

Our link missionary Ans van der Zwaag is serving our Lord in Johannesburg in South Africa. Check out the Church Missionary Society (CMS) website for more information about her work.

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

We are going to be learning a new song in a couple of weeks called "Nothing but the blood of Jesus" It is a fast moving song with some great words that focus on wonderful work of Jesus in his death on the cross for our sins. Here are the lyrics for the first verse:

1. What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
For pardon, this I see:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
For cleansing, this my plea:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus


Check out the rest of the lyrics and listen to the sample version online.

Handrails shine again

Thanks to Stuart for painting the handrails of the church and making them shine again!

Men's Friday Fellowship

Our monthly Men's Friday Fellowship meets tonight (Friday 6 July) in the lower meeting room from 8-9pm. We will be looking at the conversion of Paul and hearing about the work of the Gideons.

A name for mission!

Many churches which are reinventing themselves or planting are taking on new names to help them in taking the good news of Jesus to new people.

A familiar name has powerful associations for us, but for outsiders a name can be alienating or just plain meaningless. Our congregation's name is a powerful way of communicating who we are and what we are on about:

Here are some examples:

1. The Cross-cultural Bible Church (CBC) is the name of the congregation that meets at St David's Arncliffe
2. Christians in the Media and Annandale Community Church meet at the corner of Booth and Johnston Sts, Annandale. You will be hard pressed to find any mention of St Aidans!
3. St Albans Multicultural Bible Ministry meets at St Albans Anglican Church Rooty Hill.
4. Penisula Community Church is the Anglican Church at Pyrmont
5. Concord Community Anglican Church is the name of the Church at Concord West (Holy Trinity)
   
6. Macquarie Anglican Churches is the name of the churches that meet at St Dunstan's and St George's, Eastwood.
7. Meadowbank International Church is a church plant of Christchurch Gladesville aimed at reaching the multi-ethnic people of Meadowbank.
   

As we think about if St Andrew's is the best name for us we need to think of how we communicate to outsiders more than our preferences. Jesus' great mission was for the sake of those who were lost in order to bring them back to God:

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10

Friends of Summer Hill

I met Jean and Audrey who knocked on the door today. They both grew up in Summer Hill and were members of St Andrew's.

It was great to be able to find their wedding certificates from 1956 and talk about church life a generation ago.

I have asked them to pray for us as we go about taking the gospel to the people around us. It is great to have friends like this!

Click on the photo for a bigger version.

Voice of the Martyrs

We take it for granted that we are free to meet as Christians and speak to others about Jesus. Many Christian people do not have these freedoms and are persecuted for being Christian. The organisation, Voice of the Martyrs, brings their needs to the attention of Christians all around the world.

You might to use this map to pray for Christians in countries where there are restrictions placed on Christians or where there is outright hostility.

Rector's Report

I'm putting some older material up on the web. This is my report for our church vestry meeting that we had in March.

Anyone can comment!

I just realised that not everyone could comment on the blog. I have now turned on this facility.

Not just new to the area, but new to Australia!

The citizenship ceremony I attended made me ask the question, 'how many new people are there in our area?' I searched around on the latest census data and discovered that in some parts of our area 50% of the people are new in the last five years. Not only new to the area, but new to Australia!

I know that 50% just seems like a nice round statistic, but it is hard to comprehend that as you walk past every house and every flat that half the people you see living there were new to Australia in the last five years.

This is the reality of living in an urban context. The suburbs are not like this at all. Our church has this wonderful opportunity of being a Christian community that can welcome these people to our shores.

Check out the 2006 census data for new arrivals in our area.
...and the data for just down Canterbury Road.

(It would be great to have a name for our church that immediately was welcoming to these new people to Australia, and not be at all seen as holding the banner for a denominational/ethnic allegiance)

Count your blessings

It is all too easy to focus on the negative things that happen to you and not stop and count your blessings. When the Bible says to rejoice in the Lord, it is not just when we feel like it. In fact rejoicing in the Lord can help us see our lives from an eternal perspective. As Psalm 100 says:

"A psalm for giving thanks.

1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. "

Comments turned on!

I have turned on the comments for this blog, so feel free to interact with what I write!

Rector's Spot - Is St Andrew's the best name for us?

Today in my Rector's Spot I raised a question about the name of our congregation. Is the name St Andrew's the best name for us as we undertake mission in our area?

The name we use for our congregation is a powerful tool for communicating who we are and what we are on about. In our mission we want to put everything to our advantage.

Over the next two months I want to talk about this issue in our congregation, with Parish Council and with our Church Wardens.

Please note - this discussion is not about the name of our building, it will remain as St Andrew's.