On Sunday the 27^th June I reminded us of 2 seemingly dichotomous truths:

1.      You are more amazing, wonderful and gifted than you have yet embraced and celebrated (see Psalm 139: 14)

2.      You are more broken and messed up than you will ever realise (see 1John 1: 8)

We must keep walking into both of these truths so that we do live out God’s unique call on our life and participate in His kingdom in the way God has designed us to; AND so that we don’t fall into the trap of pride and defensiveness but remain dependent upon God’s grace and live as instruments of God’s grace.

In our series ‘broken and beautiful’ you and I have been invited to face our brokenness and not hide from it; to walk into our pain and not run from it. This facing our brokenness is not an excuse for bad behaviour or a wallowing in self-pity or guilt. Rather it is the means by which we live in the space of dependency upon God’s loving grace and in the space of gracious loving kindness toward others. Think of the picture of the prodigal son - held in the Father’s loving embrace. This is where you and I are to live. Not as elder sons – aloof and distant and unable to face our brokenness or accept others in theirs. Nor as the younger sons, living in rebellion - covering up our pain with self-centred living and/or extreme busyness.

We can then say with Paul “follow my example as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1) and “I am the worst of sinners” (1 Tim 1: 15, 16) without false pride or false humility, but as a genuine gracious truth. We find ourselves celebrating God’s incredible grace – living with genuine joy and joyful obedience to God. We also find ourselves able to relate more lovingly and honestly with all people.  

Yours in Christ

Graham Keech

PS I was privileged to see a pre-release showing of the film “Freedom” which is the story of the underground railway in America which helped thousands of slaves travel across the border to Canada to find freedom. It is intertwined with the story of John Newton (the slave trader who when converted wrote “Amazing Grace”). This is an independent film that will be released in cinemas on the 21^st August. Movie theatres will decide whether to keep the film running, depending upon how many go to see it in the first four days. It is an uplifting story that reminds us of the brokenness of humanity and God’s grace to save. Have a look at http://themoviefreedom.com and consider supporting this initiative. 

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s

    womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and

    wonderfully made;
    your workmanship is marvellous
    and how well I know it.

(Psalm 139: 13-14)

Let me encourage you to honestly and courageously reflect on:

What is wonderful about you?

What is amazing about you?

What is it about you that reflects the wonder and creativity of God?

When we undertook this exercise on Sunday the 6^th July, I had feedback afterwards that some people found it hard to do because they were so afraid of pride and thinking too highly of themselves. My response is that humility is NOT about putting ourselves down but lifting others up. True humility involves recognising and celebrating the unique and special person you are and honouring everyone you meet as even more unique and special – genuinely honouring them and lifting them up.

The other reflection that came out of this exercise is that “we can’t celebrate our worth until we know where our sense of unworthiness comes from.” I think this is true. All of us have in some way received messages throughout our lives that we are not good enough. Some of us have been terribly put down and abused by significant others. It is necessary to identify and face these experiences and the unhealthy messages we have taken on board, so we can lay them at God’s feet, receive Abba God’s healing grace and love, and accept His view of us which is that we are fearfully and wonderfully made – absolutely precious to Him.

Remember that your uniqueness is God’s gift to the world.

Yours in Christ

Graham Keech

Come follow me

Keech’s Korner (1-6-14)

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of people.” At once they left their nets and followed him”                                                               (Matthew 4: 18-20)

The call of Jesus to Simon and Andrew is the same call Jesus makes to you and I. We are called to:

·         Say yes to Jesus – learning from and obeying him     (“Come follow me”)  

·         Be transformed by Jesus                                             (“I will make you”)   

·         Join in Jesus’ work                                                      (“fishers of people”)  

What are the practices you engage in that ensure you are continuing to learn from Jesus? What does it look like for you to be open every day for Jesus to transform you in his love – perhaps through other people who challenge and/or encourage you?                                  How are you joining in Jesus work of taking every opportunity to bring good to others and to participate with the Spirit in helping them move a bit closer to God?

One more question:

If success equals the people we are discipling, discipling others - how are you encouraging your friends (the people you are discipling) in participating in Jesus’work?

On the 15^th and 22^nd June from 10-30 am to 1-00pm we have the privilege of hosting the “Share Jesus without Fear” training seminar. This training tool has been developed by William Fay who in his own words “… was the president and CEO of a multimillion-dollar international corporation. I had ties with the mob and owned one of the larger houses of prostitution in the United States. I was involved in racketeering, bookmaking and gambling. I had a gold Rolex, chauffeured limo, money, my fourth wife and … I felt I had everything the world said spelled success. And I mocked anyone who dared share his faith in God with me.” (p. 1 “Share Jesus without Fear”).

It was through the faithfulness of a Christian that William met at his racquetball club - who put up with William’s constant questions (trying to annoy him); and who 18 months later, when William’s world was rattled, showed gracious care - that William was gradually led to Christ.

Some people naturally have the gift of evangelism, most of us don’t. The training seminar equips us with questions to ask that will help the people we are in relationship with take the step of saying Yes to Christ.

The seminar will be led by Aaron Trevis (who is connected with the Gideons). I know I will learn and grow through it and believe you will as well.

Yours in Christ

Graham Keec

At our AGM on the 6^th April we had a great discussion around finances, staff and also the role all of us can play in encouraging children and young people in their growth in Christ.

In this notices you will see a summary of our budget and finances to date. I thought I would supplement this information by reminding us of the decisions we made last year regarding staffing.

In the light of Glen finishing with us last year, we spent over 3 months as a church praying and discussing the way God was shaping us for the future. This took place in life groups, focus groups, leadership community and through individual responses. As a result we made the decision not to fill Glen’s position as it stood but to reshape our leadership model. The conclusion we came to was that instead of replacing Glen we would put on 2 more part time staff (a part time office secretary and a part time youth worker). 

This would allow us to move the Resource Pastor position to that of Executive Minister (giving the role a more strategic, systems, organisational dimension) and to have Tim Robinson focus on the discipleship life of the church (particularly through life groups and IFFF’s). The 3^rd member of the Senior Leadership team would focus on the gathered life of our church (corporate worship, prayer, spirituality, care etc.). In this way the 3 dimensions of LUC – the institutional; scattered, organic discipleship; and the gathered, would be further enhanced.                                            

Our model will look something like:

Evangelism-Discipleship Minister – Tim R –                                           Associate Minister  

Congregational Life Minister (across all campuses)                               Snr Minister

Executive Minister/Manager                                                               

Other Staff

Children and Families Pastor (17 hrs per week)                                      current

Springwood Music and Creative Arts Coordinator (15 hrs per week)      current

Secretary/admin support (24 hrs per week)                                             new

Youth/young adult (16 hrs per week)                                                        new

Spiritual Director, Calvary Christian College

(fulltime placement – funded by the College)                                           current

Recovery Pastor (18 hrs per week – funded through couns centre)       current

Pitstop (15 hrs per week – government funded)                                      current

Note: this model is approximately $15,600 cheaper per year than the staffing model we were using until Glen finished (which included 3 Ministerial placements and a fulltime Resource Pastor).  

A few years ago I did some research on staffing ratios in churches (within the Uniting Church and beyond) and discovered that for a church our size and complexity you would expect to be funding the equivalent of about 4.5 to 5 fulltime staff. We are currently funding (through tithes and offerings) the equivalent of 3.8 fulltime staff and with the restructure would be funding the equivalent of 4.8 fulltime staff (although the cost financially is approximately the equivalent of 4.1 fulltime stipends as the Pastors, Youth worker and Office secretary receive less than the stipend for an Ordained Minister).

It is also worth noting that the first priority is to find a new Senior Minister. The above model may change a little depending on the gifting this person brings.

It is also vital to remember that the role of Ministry staff is not to “do the work of ministry” but to be the connection, resourcing, support people for the “work of ministry” God is doing through every one of us.

Please pray for the Joint Nominating Committee as they look for our new Senior Minister. Also please seek God regarding your tithes and offerings. We, the church, function only because of God’s grace working through each of our faithfulness.

Yours in Christ

Graham Keech

A clear call

 Over the last 2 weekends I had the privilege of engaging in 2 conferences focussed on mission and evangelism. The first was the “Fire” conference which we co-sponsored with Springwood Church of Christ – featuring Paul Gibbs and Lindsay and Myk McKenzie. The second was the Uniting Church “A Clear Call” conference in Adelaide – featuring John and Olive Drane who are very involved with the “fresh expressions” movement in the Church of England, UK.

There were 3 things that struck me out of these weekends:

1. Encouragement. I was greatly encouraged regarding the journey we have been on in shaping church around incarnational mission and relational discipleship.

Incarnational Mission = instead of trying to get people to join us we go and serve and witness where people are at. Examples through LUC are: people participating in building God’s kingdom in their workplaces; people caring for neighbours or people they meet at the gym or on the bus or …; providing breakfast at the local schools; going out on street vans and serving homeless where they hang out etc.

Relational Discipleship = recognising that discipleship requires “life on life”: that is, discipleship involves engagement in relationships that are genuinely honest and encouraging. Such relationships include reflecting together on the bible and what God is saying to us personally, being honest about how we are or aren’t participating in God’s purposes, encouraging each other in incarnational mission; working together and supporting each other through life issues etc.

2. Disciples of Jesus disciple others. I have been reminded of the need for all of us to take responsibility for discipling others. One of the mistakes we can make is that when someone shows any interest in God we think the next step is to invite them to a Sunday service and/or to try to connect them with others who can help them grow. In reality, if we have a relationship with them then we need to own the responsibility of seeking to disciple them. Our IFFF questions and the Discipleship Pathway offer some tools that can assist us in this.

3.Be ready to try innovative things as God makes us aware of the need. At the conference in (Cont  P2)

Adelaide we heard the story of a 70 plus year old lady who recognised that physically she couldn’t do as much as she once did but after 50 years as a follower of Jesus she could pray for people. In her village in England there was regular “spiritual fair” and she decided to set up a little booth and offer free prayer for people. The response was amazing as young mums, in particular, sort her out. In another story a church in rural England was dying with a congregation of 6 people all over 80 years of age. There was nowhere in their village for young mums and children to meet so they converted their church building into a children’s indoor play gym with coffee etc. The relationships developed through this have become “church” for many.

We are seeing these innovative responses taking place through the life groups and ministries of LUC as people take initiatives in connecting with the YMCA school at Kingston (serving the students and families); as a life group takes responsibility for connecting with and encouraging another ministry of LUC; as people become aware of a neighbour in need and involve their life group or IFFF in helping them out; as member of LUC takes the initiative to help a mate who lost a child through Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytis  by organising a group of people to get involved in “tough mudder” and raise money for the leukaemia foundation – bringing a sense of community and purpose to his friend and others; and so on.

I am greatly encouraged by the incredible gift we have at LUC of people who are willing to continue to grow and stretch as disciples of Christ who make disciples.

Yours in Christ

Graham Keech

Priorities

Happy New Year

Many years ago a friend said to me that the most important voices are often the quietest. I have found this to be true; particularly with God and my family. For all of us, the demands of work, life, mortgages, sport, church, other people etc. can be very loud and constant; whereas God is often the still small voice. At times our spouse’s or children’s voices can also seem less important and not as loud as the other pressures and demands on us.

A couple of years ago I was talking with a colleague who was struggling with the demands of the church and the needs of his wife and children. My advice was that, “more often than not you will not be able to avoid disappointing someone; so make sure you deliberately choose who it will be. And whatever you do, don’t disappoint your wife and children too often. Choose to disappoint other people more often than them.”

My encouragement for 2014 is to regularly stand back and check your priorities and ensure God and your Spouse/family are at the top of the list AND that your actual allocation of time reflects this.

Yours in Christ

Graham Keech   

As I look back at this year the thing I celebrate most is the way in which you/we ARE being the church of Jesus Christ. For a few years now we have been moving strongly away from seeing church as an event on Sunday but rather living church as “3 or more people in a covenant commitment to grow in Christ and make Christ known.” 

I remember in 2011 when we pushed into this through the “What is Church – Really?” series, that it was an unsettling and confusing time for many people. What is fantastic is that we are seeing the good fruit of what it looks like to be church in this relational way of being, rather than simply coming to church as an event on Sunday.

I can tell you story after story after story after story of the way in which individuals and groups have cared deeply for others (both within the church and beyond) in costly and powerful ways. At times this has involved assisting financially (into the thousands of dollars); helping out practically; listening well; going the extra mile; showing God’s love through little and big acts of kindness; taking risks in sharing Christ with others; making a positive difference in the     workplace or community; helping people move from a belief in God to a living relationship with Christ; and so on. PRAISE GOD – AWESOME JOB CHURCH!

In the December Rochedale SS & Springwood SS Chaplaincy Newsletter the following paragraph highlights this:                                                                                                                                             

“One family from Springwood Central have really done it tough this term. After losing their house and almost everything they owned in a fire, they have struggled to get back on their feet. Fortunately, our Springwood Central and wider community    (especially Logan Uniting Church) has rallied behind them and donated many items of clothing, toys, food and furniture to help them out…”                   

Just last week one of our life groups also ran a free sausage sizzle at the Springwood Central School Christmas Concert. This is just a very small example of the way in which you as Logan Uniting Church are serving the wider community.

I have also appreciated the clearer understanding of the place of our Sunday worship gathering that has been lived out this year. Sunday is when we gather as church to celebrate God and His goodness; to      celebrate what God has been doing in and through us; to be encouraged and equipped in our discipleship; to be reminded of our call to “draw people into a life transforming relationship with Jesus Christ”. 

It has also been important to remember that we don’t come as spectators, sitting back like judges on “Australia’s Got Talent”, giving a tick to what we like and a cross for what we don’t. Rather we come as participants who are seeking to bring joy to God and others.

As we drive home the conversation should not be about what we did or didn’t like but about the way/s in which we blessed God and/or someone else. I have to say that for me the sense of God’s grace and presence is continuing to grow – and it will continue to do so as we gather as participants not   spectators.

All in all I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU for your faithfulness to Christ. It is an incredible privilege and joy to live and serve alongside you.

Merrett and I pray you become increasingly aware of God’s presence, love and activity this Christmas.

Yours in Christ

Graham Keech