Hospitality - the power

Today we're so busy running here, there and everywhere I think we miss out on the power of simply slowing down. Slowing down and clearing our schedule to relax and meet with some good friends and enjoying a good meal together. I'm always blown away by the life change that I desperately pray for and desire in my own life most often comes over a meal with friends who I know love me. Similarly, the way Jesus most often uses me isn't through well planned 'classes', conferences, tracts... but from simply offering and sharing my life, my space, my food and the gospel with someone someone who is far from God. Jesus uses this simple offering, this simple environment and repeatedly engages and impacts people with His love and life. Worth reminding myself and Engage City Church about :)

Am I a church planter?

"Every young man that considers church planting asks the question, Am I a Church Planter? It is the question I asked myself before planting a church. It is the question we ask every man who submits himself to our Acts 29 assessment process to be a lead planter in our network. Many times he is depending on our assessment process to confirm his calling. "
Scott Thomas on this subject...

Just for the boys... :)

The Good News - God will call the game

This Sunday as we hit part three of our new series, The Gospel, we'll be journeying through the history of Israel from the time of King David. Sadly the kingship of Dave was really the high point of Israel's monarchy. After David died Israel as a nation slipped and slid into division, rebellion, exile and devastation. This Sunday we're going to see that God cares so much for His people that when we rebel He remains faithful and commits to disciplining us to bring us back from our path to self destruction.

Discipline. I don't think it's ever been a word or concept that's ever been real popular. Discipline rubs us up the wrong way. Discipline implies that we're in the wrong and we need another's correction to bring us back on track. Discipline is not popular but it is the loving thing to do when a loved one is engaging in self destructive behavior. I thank God that He not only lovingly disciplines when necessary but that Jesus has given us His Spirit that we might embrace His leadership and actually change and grow!

Planters - Be Clear About the Vision

Planter? Replant Pastor? Leader? You must be clear about the vision and your core commitments that flow from it. To be unclear or uncommitted to the vision you fail as a leader. At Engage City Church we are committed to seeing people far from God engaged with Jesus and the life He offers. That is our vision. And our core commitments that flow from this are to continually; Gather, Grow and Go for Jesus.

Being clear about the vision keeps us on track as we follow Jesus.
Being clear about the vision allows our church to say yes to some people and plans and no to others that would ultimately sidetrack us off following and serving Jesus and His gospel work.
Being clear about the vision allows us to clear in our direction and flexible in how we pursue it at the same time.

Dana's Journey

I’m totally blown away by the ongoing impact that people can have when they love each other with the love of Jesus. This past Sunday was fantastic as we continued our ‘Gospel’ series and celebrated Mothers Day. It was great honoring both our ’spiritual’ and ‘biological’ mums. I can’t stop myself laughing as I think about the way Ian spilt all the Ferrero Rochers, I’m sure there were a few blokes who stashed a few :)

Rachel, Ian and Jess did a great job with the music and introduced a new song. A real highlight was the thoughts that Dana shared about the way God has ministered to her at Engage City Church, here is the clip if you’re interested…

Dana's Journey | Engage City Church from Will Henderson on Vimeo.

This made my week - Manly Tragics!

I just love Tim. Just sayin. Good to have a laugh!