Living Life Loud in 2011
Dear Church,
In 2009 we began a new course direction as a church. This directional change came in response to the fact that the broader community no longer have a positive perception of ‘the church’. It has become obvious that there is a widening distance between our community culture and the culture of our church. This distance represents a barrier that many in the community would not be willing to cross. The problem is that if they are unwilling to come to our programs, then we will have a hard time bringing them to Jesus! Therefore, 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.
Bringing others into the family of God through community connection
We have made significant progress in connecting with our community over 2010.
- The Kids Hope program continues at Kin Kora Primary School with more mentors to be placed in 2011
- We coordinated the Love Gladstone region initiative along with Port City and Shed 19
- We hosted Gladstone’s first Kids Games holiday program in partnership with other churches
- We saw the establishment and explosive growth of the Thursday night events initiative. In liaison with the QLD Police, the Gladstone Regional Council and PCYC this project has become a benchmark for strategic policy in how communities respond to problem youth.
- Next year we plan to engage with the burgeoning migrant population by co hosting cultural acclimatisation talks at the Regional Council welcome to Gladstone morning teas.
In line with the vision of the church we are asking all ministries to continue to explore ways to establish connections with our community.
Deliberately being the family of God through intentional linking
The fact that we are emphasising connections with our community does not mean that we will be neglecting the important ministries that support and strengthen the church. We need to be healthy as a church and attractive to the community.
We need to continue to encourage each other toward spiritual growth and maturity. In early 2010 we placed an emphasis upon developing a culture of deliberate connections (Links) within the church.
We encounreged each adult of our church to commit to two things:
- Commitment to a Small Group
- Become part of a ‘Link’
Just as the link in a chain is connected by other links above and below we have encouraged everyone seek to establish a deliberate connection with someone of the same gender who can help them grow and also with someone else whom they can help grow. I encourage you all to continue to be more deliberate in you already existing relationships.
As a church we will continue in 2011 to practice the linking model beyond ourselves by partnering with other local churches in cooperative ministries and internationally by continuing to pursue a sister church relationship with the Praise and Worship Church in Dillions Bay, Vanuatu.
Looking to the future: Living a kingdom lifestyle
As a farmer I learnt a valuable lesson: “You cannot have a harvest without planting seeds!” We have entered into a season where we are intentionally planting relational seeds within our community. To foster the healthy germination of those seeds we need to be individuals and a community of faith that is authentic and attractive. Our vision for 2011 is to “Live Life Loud.” This year we are encouraging commitment to live lifestyles that reflect the character and values of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our lives both inside the church family and outside should speak loudly of the reality and life changing power of Jesus. As we enter a new year let us live life loud for Jesus.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Mt 5:14 &16.
Pastor Stewart