Be connected -- an update.
As a church we have been focusing on two things: being connected with God and with one another. We believe that God has called us into a real and loving relationship with him and has equipped us all for ministry to one another. Our connection with the Lord Jesus Christ means that we are connected to one another (Eph 4:11-16). Thus, God's purpose for us is to grow: 'up' into Christian maturity and 'out', as God adds to our number those he saves through our ministry.
Practically, this has meant we have applied ourselves to: (i) a daily walk with God, (ii) transformational Home Groups, and (iii) Church that matters. It has been very encouraging to see our growth in these areas in the past year or so.
Now, going into 2008 and beyond, we believe it is time for us to work hard on connecting with our community as well. As a church we want to be developing a wide network with Avalon and Palm Beach because most people meet Jesus through a friend or neighbour. We recognise that few will ever just turn up to church out of curiosity or because they wondered what life was all about. So our prayer is that we would be so authentically 'on fire' for God that others around us will notice (Jesus said that others will know we are Christians by the quality of our love for one another-Jn 13:35). In order for our community to see how great it is to be a Christian, we need to be connected in meaningful ways with it.
So this year we want to:
Be Connected:
- With God
- With One Another, and
- With our Community.
be connected: a journey
St Marks and St Davids : a time of transformation
Since the beginning of 2005, we have been asking God for transformation: a time of growth where together we become more like Jesus, knowing him through his word and prayer and seeing his work in the lives of those around us. We understand that this happens by the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of the Father (2 Cor 3:18; Col 1:28; 2:6-7).
We believe that God has called us into a real and loving relationship with him and has equipped us all for ministry to one another. Our connection with the Lord Jesus Christ means that we are connected to one another (Eph 4:11-16). Thus, God's purpose for us is to grow: 'up' into Christian maturity and 'out', as God adds to our number those he saves through our ministry.
We believe that God will do this in us as we apply ourselves to our relationship with him in three particular ways:
1. A daily walk with God
We want to build times of meaningful personal interaction with God through his word and prayer (Ps 84:10; 89:15-17). We want to be encouraged and equipped to do this as part of the daily life of every member of our church, not just as part of a church program but as a way of life. This kind of living personal relationship is the key to a transformation that fosters generous service to one another, our community, and the wider world.
2. Home Groups that connect
Meeting together in small groups outside of 'church' is foundational to our life together (Acts 2:42-47; Col 3:15-16). These 'Home Groups' are like miniature communities; places of friendship, care, encouragement, and transformation into Christ-likeness. They are places where we connect with God and connect with one another.
Home Groups meet on a weekly basis to study God’s word, try to apply it; and so that members can prayerfully support one another through the challenges and trials of life. We believe that belonging and connecting at St Marks and St Davids through a home group will be a truly life-changing experience for many this year.
3. Church that matters
We regularly meet together as a larger community to engage with God and with one another. We want these meetings to be so alive, encouraging and helpful that they too good to be optional or occasional. This kind of 'church that matters' is a public celebration of all that God has been doing in our lives through the week and an opportunity to be stretched by the teaching and preaching of God's word. Drawing near to God, vibrant praise, prayer and fellowship will be features of these gatherings, as well as a warm welcome to all newcomers, who we believe will be drawn to God by evidence of our love (John 17:20-23).