This week Paul and I have been in Melbourne at a leadership intensive run by and organisation called Reach Australia. It has been a time of reflecting on how we lead ourselves and God's people in the important task of multiplying and maturing wholehearted followers of Jesus.
We began with gospel convictions - things we know that are true from the scriptures and ought to put fire in our bellies, giving us a sense of urgency for the task at hand.
1. There is a Heaven and Hell. People's eternal destiny hangs in the balance.
2. The fact of the Cross. The only way people can be saved is through the cross. This must be central.
3. God' big vision. In Revelation 5 we see all creation worshiping Jesus. This is where it is all heading and we're caught up in this great work.
4. The brevity of life. Our task is urgent because life is short.
5. We're compelled by love. Love for God and love for others means we will act.
6. Gospel imperatives. God has been clear what he wants us to do. 'Go and make disciples!'
These convictions shape and drive and motivate all that we do at City on a Hill. Why not take a moment and reflect on them? Do you share them? Are there any you're not sure about? Which ones motivated you the most?
Grace & peace,
Andrew
eNews - 29th July 2022
Churches don't know what to do with single people.
Kids, youth, people getting married, families, yep. We know what to do with them.
But if you're *insert some age between 25-35 here* and still single... well, not to sure. And if your marriage ends and you find yourself single again... well, that's when things get awkward.
This week I came across this really helpful blog. It is worth a read below.
Marriage, singleness, and rugby in heaven.
Some say that rugby is the game that we’ll play in heaven (I assume it won’t be compulsory). The idea is that if we’ll play it then, then it’s worth watching and playing now! While they don’t have the Scripture to prove it, they do have the somewhat scary Notre-Dame-du-Rugby chapel in South West France.
Putting rugby to one side (phew!), there is truth in the idea that what we do in the New Creation brings dignity and authenticity to what we do now. As Andrew Cameron argues in Chapter 36 of Joined-up Life, singleness is an example of this. Whilst there will be the ultimate marriage of Christ and his church, in the New Creation, in terms of our person-to-person relationships we will be single (Matt 22:30). This gives singleness a revolutionary dignity and authenticity that our society (and even churches) can rob from it in their idolatry of ‘coupledom’ and ‘the family’.
I wonder if you’ve ever heard one of those sermons on Singleness which ends up being 10 tips on how to get married and which simply doesn’t uphold Paul’s teaching that both singleness and marriage are two ‘right answers’: ‘So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better’ (1 Cor 7:38). Singleness is not a problem to be solved by churches, parents or friends.
However, as churches we are to provide a network of close, chaste supportive friendships to help the loneliness that single people (and also married people) can face, and we can pray that God might provide a partner in his time, if that’s what they want. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be married. There is a lot wrong with cultures (in church or wherever) that suggest you need to be.
Single people are harbingers of the New Creation - offering a glimpse a glimpse of heavenly society: ‘they show how care and intimacy can go beyond family boundaries. They nudge members of families out of the introverted obsession with family life that becomes its dark side’.
This raises thoughts for us like:
· When did we last have a single friend over for dinner?
· Does the language I use uphold an idolatry of coupledom?
· How can I learn from the example of my single friends not to be overly distracted by family stuff?
· I no longer want to ask ‘is there anybody on the scene?’ (implying they are lacking if there is not) but rather ‘how are your friendships going?’ or something similar...
We may not play rugby in heaven, but in the new future we will gather on a new basis – not culture or genes or kinship – but our united worship of the lamb on the throne! (Rev 7)
Grace & peace,
Andrew
eNews - 22nd July 2022
If you have spent any time with me in a work setting you'll probably know that I mostly operate in the urgent and important quadrant of the Eisenhower Decision Matrix. I only ever seem to find the time and motivation to do things that are essential and time sensitive.
The challenge is that this isn't always the best way to make decisions as a follower of Jesus! […]
eNews - 15th July 2022
eNews - 8th July 2022
eNews - 1st July 2022
I wonder what your take home was from the sermon on Sunday? If you haven't had a chance to listen yet – remember you can catch up online any time at cityonahill.co.nz/sermons.
On that note – if you miss any of the Wholehearted Series talks it'd be great if you can catch up on them, because these talks explore the theological beating heart of everything we value as a church. […]