Where are we going in 2012?
Over the last couple of years we have sought to connect with our community in ways that break down barriers and provide future opportunities to share the love of Jesus. Our over arching motto has been “Bringing Jesus to People”.
Bringing others into the family of God through community connection
As we are reminded on a daily basis Gladstone is a community that is experiencing unprecedented growth. With this growth has come a number of challenges but also some significant opportunities that we as a church can take advantage of.
I believe that 2012 is a year for us to focus upon and to live out the following scripture:
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Mt 9:36
This year our teaching emphasis will be upon this passage of scripture. We will spend time understanding and sharing the compassion of Jesus. We will be highlighting the absolute importance of prayer. We will be identifying and releasing our individual spiritual gifting. We will also be seeking to identify our ‘harvest fields’.
In all this we must understand who we are as Jesus disciples and that we are charged with continuing His mission. As Spirit filled children of the living God we have the resources of heaven at our disposal. This year I have a vision for us to change our perspective about how we are used of God. Essentially I believe we need to understand that God doesn’t want to do things for us he wants to do things through us.
In Jesus day there were crowds of people who were spiritually lost. Around us today are crowds of people who are coming to Gladstone. We must have the compassion of Jesus for these, but the reality is that we cannot reach all of those coming here. So we must be focused in identifying the particular harvest field that Jesus is calling us to. In addition to maintaining our other community connections, I suggest we consider three other possibilities in 2012.
1) Partnering with SCFS (Seamen’s Christian Friend Society) and commencing a ship-visiting ministry to reach the multi national seafarers who enter the port.
2) Explore the possibilities of industrial chaplaincy to minister in the worker camps.
3) Look for ways to minister to migrant workers through conversational English classes. Either joining existing programs or commencing something new.
As we approach 2012 let us do so with a sense of anticipation that we are joining the Lord in what he is doing to see His kingdom come in Gladstone.
Pastor Stewart