What is a church?
It's amazing to realise that such a simple, seemingly straightforward, question can elicit a wide variety of responses! Is it a building, a 'service', a community, or, something else?
As a church, we are in a season where we are tangibly "feeling out" the answer to this question.
We began, without any intention of becoming a church, as a gathering of like-minded Christians having a BBQ breakfast by the beach. We formed into a more structured 'service' -though, quite relaxed and simple, by comparison. In December of 2022 we became a formalised entity, opened a bank account and appointed an interim leadership team. We began meeting for worship each month in backyards, other churches and on farmland. We now have a paid pastor, elders, a growing team of deacons and this month we are having our second worship gathering in the CCSA Hall in Caloundra (why not join us!!).
It's interesting to ask, at what point(s) along this journey have we been a church?
Many would say that from our very first BBQ Breakfast by the beach we were an expression of 'the Church' worldwide? However, from a short time after that until now, many would consider us as much of a church as any other more traditional setup! Interestingly, Jesus had a BBQ by the beach (John 21:1-14) right before the first disciples began identifying as 'a church'!
No matter what point God, or anyone else, things we became a church, Jesus made it really clear what all churches should be doing together as they follow him! Before leaving his followers to prepare our ultimate heavenly home, Jesus told his followers that they were to "go" (activation and adventure!), "make disciples" (multiplication), "baptise" (identification) and "teach people to obey my commands" (formation).
While Christians may differ what a church should "look" like (a BBQ by the beach or a big building), it's much harder to disagree on what a church should be doing. As how we gather changes (it will!) let's remind ourselves that we are ultimately a family of Jesus followers who share the same mission given to us by him.
As such, it's not just about what "our church" is doing, but what we do together as followers of Jesus. It could include weekend worship or midweek bible studies, but it surely has to include your time in God's presence throughout the day, friends and family we love like Jesus, learning from Jesus and sacrificing our will for his.
As we follow Christ together and watch God form us from a Beach BBQ into a Beach Church and beyond, please continue to pray we hear and obey God's guidance for our future!
Cheers, God Bless and see you Sunday 3pm at CCSA (Nutley St, Caloundra) for worship!
Dan
P.S. Listen to and learn the songs for this weekend at the bottom of this email.
Testimony from Burundi
Dan and Martine met Jean-Claude in Bible College. He was studying after arriving in Australia as a refugee from Burundi. However, God called he and his wife Joyce to return to Burundi as missionaries!
Please be encouraged by this testimony and pray for Jean-Claude, Joyce and their children as they live and minister to the people of Burundi.
Jean-Claude share's Banda's story
Banda is life changed when he left his wife and three children. He had a good job but he became a drunkard and a lover of women. But God changed him. Three weeks ago, when I was sharing the word of God with some prostitutes, one man came and started listening to the message. He was Banda. As I was speaking, Banda began to cry. I asked him why he was crying and he told me how he has been touched by my message. He also told me his life story and how he left his wife and children for worldly pleasure. Banda and one of the prostitutes who were present, turned their life to God. After talking to him for an hour, I asked Banda if I could see his family. When we arrived where the wife stayed, Banda was open to his family and asked them to forgive him. They forgave him and now they live together. This morning, Banda's wife came to my place to thank me. I told her that it is thanks to God for it was Him who saved him, not me.:
Banda is life changed when he left his wife and three children. He had a good job but he became a drunkard and a lover of women. But God changed him. Three weeks ago, when I was sharing the word of God with some prostitutes, one man came and started listening to the message. He was Banda. As I was speaking, Banda began to cry. I asked him why he was crying and he told me how he has been touched by my message. He also told me his life story and how he left his wife and children for worldly pleasure. Banda and one of the prostitutes who were present, turned their life to God. After talking to him for an hour, I asked Banda if I could see his family. When we arrived where the wife stayed, Banda was open to his family and asked them to forgive him. They forgave him and now they live together. This morning, Banda's wife came to my place to thank me. I told her that it is thanks to God for it was Him who saved him, not me.
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.
Coming Up
Sun 01 Sep 3pm Worship + Prayer Gathering. CCSA Hall, Nutley Street
Sun 08 Sep 3pm at Moffat
Sun 15 Sep 3pm at Moffat
Sun 22 Sep 3pm at Moffat
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: $68,103
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
Bonus: Worship
Here's a great playlist of the worship songs for this coming weekend!
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