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Midweek News
This Sunday
We read Malachi and we ask ourselves: "How did things get that bad?"
The answer is more simple than we think.
It's also a good reason for us to reflect on our own approach to worship. On the other hand, some other examples of worship, e.g. Acts 2:42-47, and Hebrews 10:24-25 allude to worship which is transformational for people and honouring to God.
Here's the question: Can we do anything to ensure that the worship we do together is more God honouring than God distressing?
Car Wash for CARE this Saturday
Come for a couple of hours between 8am to midday. Money going to C.A.R.E (Community Assist Redlands Enterprises) a not for profit organisation that assists with aged care and families of persons with disabilities. (You may recall an article on the front page of the Redland Times on March 2 where their office was broken into and computer stolen.)
Contact Damien Watson on Ph 3829 3468 or e-mail damienwatson@optusnet.com.au for further details.
Prayer Chain Update
Prayer Chain Update
Hi all,
Ben West: Just letting you all know that Ben West has been discharged from Greenslopes Hospital on Wednesday morning. His recovery from the surgery has proceeded well, and we're still awaiting the detail on the pathology results. Please keep Ben, Sharon and family in prayer.
Rani Gillan: Rani is making good progress in Greenslopes. While it appears that her bowel blockage is clearing, she still has a way to go.
Please continue to pray for these and others you know who are suffering with health issues
DG
SURGERY / HOSPITAL UPDATE
We have a number of our church family in hospital or
awaiting surgery that we encourage you to pray
for:
Ben West continues to recover after surgery on
Saturday. The
surgery went very well, being a little less complication than was first
thought. Understandably he is still in some pain and discomfort. He and
Sharon
are awaiting some pathology results in the next couple of days. Ben is
not sure
when he will be home at this stage
Rani Gillan has been readmitted into
hospital
today with further complications from her Crone’s Disease.
Rebecca
Cooper will undergo surgery on
her injured
knee this Thursday. The extent of the surgery will be decided on the day
when they
can see the full extent of the damage.
Please continue to pray for these three, and others
who have
ill health or recovering from illness. Pray that their recovery would be
quick,
the diagnoses received favorable and that the grace of God would sustain
them
through this time.
CHURCH PLANTING
Over the last couple of months (since the purchase of
the neighboring
properties) some people have asked a few questions about Church
Planting. I
thought I would take this opportunity to answer some of
these.
1)
Are we
still going
to plant churches now that we have more property and (eventually) more
space?
The answer to that is basically “yes”, we
are
still going to plant churches. Church planting was never an answer to
our space
problems, but it did arise out of discussions on the future of RCRC.
Church
planting is a ‘gospel’ issue, not a ‘space’
issue.
2)
But
isn’t our
focus on getting RCRC bigger now that we have so much land to take
up?
The goal of RCRC has never been to get bigger. The
goal has
never been to plant churches, either. The goal has always been to see
the work
of the gospel of Jesus make inroads into the
A larger church, as we grow and expand over time, is
going
to be capable of gospel ministry in some ways that RCRC at this current
size,
and any church plant that comes from RCRC, can not do. A larger church
can mean
more ministries, more resources, greater community presence and impact.
A
larger church will reach into our local community in new and exciting
ways.
But by the same token, a church plant is going to be
capable
of gospel ministry in other ways that a larger church, or even RCRC at
its
current size, can not. A church plant that is small, and targeted to
specific
groups within the community is going to reach and envelop people in new
and
exciting ways as well.
As you can see, its not a choice between one and the
other.
The choice is between gospel ministry, or… no gospel ministry. If
we take
the former, we are going to be pushed into both
directions.
3)
Won’t church
planting significantly reduce our size, in both numbers and
resources.
It is true that church planting is going to have
impacts on
many areas of church life. It is going to impact leadership, ministries,
and
also money. But maybe not in the way that we might think, or
expect.
When we talk about church planting we are not
thinking about
splitting the church in half (or even taking away a quarter, or even 50
people)
and putting them in a different location. If we were to do that, the
likelihood
is that we would end up with a church that looks pretty much like RCRC.
And as
much as I love RCRC, we already have one and we don’t need any
more. If
people want to come to an RCRC type church, let them come to
RCRC.
What we are talking about is taking away a smaller,
missionary type, group of people. When we do the work of overseas
mission, we
take very small teams and we plant them into a new culture and they work
with
local people, creating a church of local flavor. It can sometimes look
very
different from the church that the missionaries came from and in fact it
should
look different as it is made up of very different people.. When we are
thinking
of planting church we are thinking about sending out mission teams
–
smaller groups of people, who work hard at mission and evangelism, who
seek to work
with those who come to know Christ and build a church that reflects the
community it lives in. Instead of the church producing evangelism,
evangelism
will produce the church.
A church plant of this nature, especially in its
early
stages, is going to be less of a draw on resources that sending out a
ready
made church with services, rosters and a weekly newsletter already in
place.
Now, of course, this is not going to answer every
question,
but maybe it has aroused some curiosity in church planting and what we
are
looking into for the future. So a reminder of a way in which you
can
scratch that church planting itch, we are having our first Church Planting Exploration Team
meeting
on Tuesday 3rd April,
7.30pm at
the church. Even if you are only curious, or want to know a
little
more, we would love to have you there.
For further comments, or questions, email churchplanting@redlands
crc.org.au
There will be another email next week to talk about
this a
little further.
Ministry Fair Tomorrow
Tomorrow
...is a special day at Redlands CRC! The focus of Clinton's messages will be on ‘serving together'.
After both services, there will be a ‘ministry fair' where the different ministries at Redlands CRC are presented. This will take place in the hall. There'll be plenty of time to chat with people about various ministries and how you can be a part of them.
There will also be ample opportunity to catch up with others: We'll get to share a bite to eat as the sausage sizzlers will be cooking up a treat! You won't want to miss this!
See you tomorrow!
Feedback: dave@redlandscrc.org.au
Midweek News
This Sunday
Ever feel like a cog in a machine? Feel that way at work, in your family, in life? Ever feel that way in the church?
Sometimes we just keep doing stuff, serving, ministering, but we wonder what its all in aid of.
In Ephesians 4, Paul gives us a unique look at our place in the body, in the world and in the plan of Jesus. When we see this, we can never simply consider ourselves a cog in the wheel again. Read ahead in Ephesians 4:7-13
RCRC Ministry Fair - 40 days of Community
Don't miss this great opportunity to learn more about the various ministries that exist at Redlands CRC. Find out how you can help them share the love and word of God in our church, and local community.
Make time to visit the displays.
Where: Redlands CRC (overflow area)
When: Sunday 18th March, directly after both the AM & PM service.
For more information
Please contact Doug Pobjoy.
0411 241 585
dpobjoy@tpg.com.au
Watch Found
A watch was left in Dave's study after Kids@Church on March 04 It has a silver case and a purple floral band. Please contact Ingeborg office@redlandscrc.org.au 3286 4700; 0417 791 097
Prayer Points
- -Please especially remember Ben West, who is having his facial nerve removed on Saturday in an effort to treat cancer in his face. This is a huge operation. Ben will be in Greenslopes Hospital. Please check with Sharon before making any plans to visit (3206-3424). Please also uphold Sharon and the children during this time.
- -Please continue to pray for those recovering from recent illness. We think of Bec Cooper.
- -Also continue to pray for those who have recently had medical diagnosis which means a change in life as they know it. We think of Clinton Berends, Michelle Hudson, Damien Watson, Craig Jewell, Stella Dekker, Albert Verkruissen and any others with long term ailments.
- -Please pray for our elderly, as they come to terms with being able to do a little less and feeling somewhat frail. Pray for patience and understanding for them and their families.
- -Please pray for all those in leadership in the church as they seek to serve our Lord and Saviour to the best of their ability. Pray for a pure heart and a right attitude to do His Will. Also pray that they may draw closer to God, and draw strength from Him to serve in their appointed roles.
Come to Breakfast @ RCRC: Mar 31, 8am
The entire congregation is invited to attend a (continental) breakfast from 8am on March 31. The topics for discussion will be:
- Part Time Children's Worker: Church Council has considered the present needs and stresses on the Kids@Church ministry, and recommends to the congregation that we approve the appointment of a Children's Worker, 2 days per week, to further develop the ministry in terms of
o Development and support of K@C teachers and leaders
o Teacher & helper recruitment, training and resourcing
o Development and responsible implementation of mandated duty of care policies
o Development of curriculum, assisting teachers in preparation of material
Church Council affirms the current K@C leadership for their excellent effort, and believes with them that the ongoing development of K@C ministry has now gone beyond the realm of volunteer ministry. There are 150 children registered, and sometimes over 100 in attendance.
We also point out that there is still a need for further teachers and leaders in K@C, and that any future appointment will not remove these needs, but probably increase them.
We will be asking the congregation to support this move at this meeting with a ballot.
- Taking pressure off the 9AM Church Service: Following the meeting on Feb 25, and the feedback forms collected over two Sundays, the church council believes the best way forward is to encourage a ‘migration' of about 15-20 families to the PM service.
o This will free up space in the AM service, allowing further expansion
o This will also allow for some ongoing discussion about developing increased ownership in the PM service and how the PM service might develop it's own character
o After 40 Days of Community the AM & PM Dave & Clinton will again prepare specific messages for each service
o With regard to moving people from the AM to the PM service, we will need to discuss together
§ Starting date for the changeover (we have observed that some have already started to make the change - thanks for showing great initiative)
§ The nature of a Children's Program to be offered in PM Church
§ Ministry openings for those who seek to be involved
- Restructure of Leadership. Church Council has been in discussion of how we can better support the various ministry areas at RCRC, how we can be more responsible with pastoral care, etc.
These are changes of process, and not changes to our form of church government.
These developments need to take place in a way that does not intensify burden on the current Church Council. We would love to share some of these changes with you and receive your feedback.
- Other issues
o Church Planting update
o Building developments
A more extensive information paper will be made available on Sunday March 25.
So please come!
We want maximum involvement in these discussions: God leads us together into an understanding of his will. You can send us any thoughts before then if you like:
Feedback: dave@redlandscrc.org.au
Ministry Fair
RCRC Ministry Fair - 40 days of Community
Don't miss this great opportunity to learn more about the various ministries that exist at Redlands CRC. Find out how you can help them share the love and word of God in our church, and local community.
Make time to visit the displays.
Where: Redlands CRC (overflow area)
When: Sunday 18th March, directly after both the AM & PM service.
Join us for a sausage sizzle as well
For more information
Please contact Doug Pobjoy.
0411 241 585
dpobjoy@tpg.com.au
Interested?
Wesley Hospital Medical Trial: Flu Patch
Would you like to be part of an official medical trial of a flu patch?
Are you over 65 years of age?
Jill Griffiths, who comes along to Redlands CRC, has a family member who is part of a research team at the Wesley Hospital.
Some travel and parking expenses will be reimbursed
If you are interested, please call Jill Griffiths on 3822 6296
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