Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Change is never easy





Change is never easy. Change always involves a period of confusion and turmoil before the new beginning can emerge. As we have changed from a program driven church to a more relationally focussed church; as we have changed from defining church by the Sunday event to defining church as “3 or more people with a covenant commitment to grow in Christ and make Christ known”; this has not been easy. 

There has been confusion, turmoil, misunderstanding, anxiety, mistakes, reactions and loss of momentum. 12 months ago it felt like we had been trying to push a big stone wheel up a hill only to have it roll back down on us.

2012 has been different. I sense a greater confidence in who we are and in who we are becoming as a church. We have learnt to celebrate that Logan Uniting Church meets in coffee shops and homes and schools and parks and ... all over South East Qld; and at the same time recognise how important it is that we gather together regularly to worship God. We have been able to affirm the value of our institutional/organisational life as being important in protecting the more organic nature of a church built upon relationships and small groups. 

I am hearing more and more stories of people living out Christ’s mission incarnationally (as we all seek to be disciples of Christ wherever we live and work). I am observing the wonderful gift that occurs as people care for each other and celebrate that “this is church”. More and more IFFFs are beginning “organically” as people connect in groups of 3 for deeper discipleship. Life Groups (faith and fun), IFFF’s and ministries continue to explore how to reach out relationally to those who don’t know Christ and how to support each other in this incredible mission. 

We are praying for pre-Christian friends, not just for ourselves. We have experienced incredible generosity as over $76 000 has been given or pledged for mission, the ongoing work of God through LUC and in practical areas such as curtains, video equipment a lawnmower etc. Our website, facebook and video messages have widened the influence of Logan Uniting and have become very useful tools not just for communicating information but connecting needs with people who can meet them. 

We are learning to embrace a different “rhythm” of church as our Sunday evening and Carbrook congregations gather twice a month for corporate worship and on the other Sundays meet in faith life groups, bible studies or engage in relational mission. There is a quiet powerful move of the Spirit happening as we grow in “being the church of Jesus Christ”, not just “going to church.”

The diagram below paints a picture of the way God is shaping us as a church:



May we grow in loving God and others well. In a society of busy, stressed, uncertain people this is the greatest gift we can give – to be a church of people who have the space to love God and others well.

Yours in Christ
Graham Keech


Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Just walk across the room





A number of years ago I heard the statement that, “the moment a person walks through the front door of a church building they step on to an escalator that will move them through the church and out the back door within 2 years. The only way to get off the escalator is to step into relationships/friendships.” I reckon this is true. The key to a healthy church is healthy, accepting, honest friendships. 

I also believe the key to the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ is accepting, honest friendships with people who do not yet know Christ. In the end Jesus boiled true life down to loving God and loving others.

I strongly encourage you to watch out for the person God brings across your path that He wants you to talk with and perhaps befriend and who knows, perhaps share something of your faith in God with. I also ask that you are always on the look-out for the person God wants you to invite to join your Faith life group, IFFF, or Fun life group. This is the way the church grows and disciples are made. 

Go ahead “walk across the room” and include someone today

Yours in Christ

Graham

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Gifts of the Spirit - Manifestations of God's Grace


At our anniversary service I encouraged us to “see beyond” those who are currently part of the church. At the core of Jesus call to follow him is His promise that He will teach us how to help people be drawn into relationship with God.

Last Sunday I argued that in Jesus life and ministry, what we currently call “gifts of the Spirit” were exercised primarily in the context of evangelism. The word evangelism literally means to “announce good news”. Jesus didn’t just tell people about the good news of God’s love; he made it real in their life. When Jesus healed the sick, the good news of God’s love became real. When Jesus visited Zacchaeus and accepted him, the good news of God’s love became real. When Jesus told the woman at the well all about her life and showed genuine respect, the good news of God’s love became real.

The word usually translated “gifts of the Spirit” in the New Testament, literally means “manifestations of grace”. God wants to make His love real to people; God wants His grace to come alive for people; and He wants to do it through us. I believe the next big move of the Spirit will see manifestations of the Spirit in workplaces, homes, gyms, even shopping centres, as ordinary people like you and I live with the prayer “God how do you want to make your love/grace real to ...” and insert the name of people we meet and relate to.

The question and prayer for all of us to work with is “God, how do you want to make your love/grace real through me? In our IFFF’s, Faith Life Groups, Fun Life Groups and Ministries we must pray and discover: “God how do you want to make your love/grace real to those who don’t yet know you, through us?” It is as we do this and step out, that the miracles of God will continue to unfold and grow and we will marvel at the privilege of participating in God’s transformation of people’s lives and our community (often called a “revival”).

Yours in Christ
Graham Keech