St Aiden's Day

A great Sunday at Marion Salvo's again. In the morning there was a spirit of unity - so much so that some of our welcome team commented on the 'feel' as people arrived. The afternoon congregation were challenged by a guest speaker, Brad (what a great name), to take on Jesus yoke.

He used the example of St Aiden, the Ionian missionary sent to the Saxons following their conquest of the Britons. St Aiden was following another missionary who had taken the approach of condemning the Saxons and wondered why it didn't work. Instead, Aiden approached them with humilty and one by one was able to introduce the Anglo Saxon people to Christ.

His approach saw thousands accept Christ. The Anglo Saxon converts became the English people, who formed the Anglican church, from which the Methodists and subsequently the Salvationists come. Our movement owes a lot to Aiden, even though he lived and served in the sixth century.

Today happens to be his feast day in the Anglican tradition. Perhaps Salvationists, too, could take a moment to learn from his story. Look him up on the web. I get the feel that our approach to our community should be like his approach to the Saxons. Let's be a humble, gracious and listening people that journey alongside the people of Adelaide's south and together see where our stories fit into God's big story.

Training

There's always something happening at Marion Salvation Army. For one thing, this weekend we celebrate Mark's 30th birthday - congratulations Mark (Mark is our youth pastor).

Also, Angela, Paul and the children's team are at a training day today entitled "Kidwise". Opportunities like this help them to hone their skills for the sake of the children they endeavour to reach with the gospel. Well done to the team for taking the opportunity to learn.

We all need to keep learning. See you tomorrow in worship.

Ezekiel

Despite my friend Margaret's overview a few weeks ago when she shared the message at our church, I happen to be in the middle of reading Ezekiel. It's part of my regular reading plan.

It's not an easy read. I can only imagine how Ezekiel felt when he was experiencing such visions and being asked to share them with the people of Israel in exile.

Thankfully God promised to steel him for the task, and as always, God kept his promise. And Ezekiel was able to go through with whatever it was that God asked of him and to share whatever it was that God showed him.

May we have the same courage, knowing that we always have the same God and the same support that Ezekiel did.

Holiday?

Apparently I've had one. Let's just call it a week away from the usual, because it doesn't feel like I've actually had a break. Maybe that's what kids do to you.

Even though I return to the mission here at Marion, probably just as tired as when I left, I know God has continued to refresh me spiritually and intellectually. I've been challenged at the Super Cluster gathering and I've had a good time in the Word while we've been away as a family.

Now to put my office back together after the painter has been through and get to work.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to and end. They're new every morning. Great is his faithfulness. (Lamentations 3)

Supercluster

OK... so it's a wierd name for an event. The Supercluster is a gathering of the Growing Healthy Corps Officers from around our territory each year in Melbourne. It is an opportunity to hear from pastors and officers on the journey toward growing healthy corps in their locality, and to glean ideas for our own journey.

This year's guests were Rev Dr Paul Borden from the American Baptist Churches of the West (California, USA) and Ps Bob and Luann Cherry, also from California. Their honesty and passion were evident as they discussed their journey and fed into our ministries from theirs.

Most important was the reminder that the internal stuff within each of us comes first - i.e. dealing with our individual relationships with our creator God. From there we ventured with the timeless reminder that the church only exists for those that don't belong to it yet - in other words, we are here for our community, not ourselves.

While we are off on furlough for another 10 days now, we know that the Corps is in good hands with our extraordinary staff. We know that on Sunday when Margaret and Mark preach you are in for a treat, as you will be next Sunday with Neil. We also know that God is continuing to prepare our church for an amazing ongoing ministry among the people of Marion.

God be with you all this week.

Blake's day

I love those days when we get to witness a commitment to Christ in the form of a Salvation Army enrolment. Yesterday we welcomed Blake, our newest Junior Soldier. He looked great, for sure, but better still he publicly stated his faith in Jesus. Thank you God.

Qudos, also, to Marion our Junior Soldier Sergeant, Paul our children's pastor and Mark, Blake's Dad, who have all played a part in his discipleship. The whole church community is responsible for helping this young one be all that he can in Christ.

On another note, today we've picked up a pallet load of groceries for our Community Services Team, courtesy of IGA and our friends at the Port Adelaide warehouse. We are forever grateful to God and our community for the generosity of such sponsors that help us continue to serve.

God be evident to you this week in your journeyings.

Stress

I just arrived home from a day of training to help assist people who have almost given up. Chatting with Ange, I'm told that while some of our team aren't at that stage, certainly there's a little stress in the air today.

Working in communities always has its stressors, as does maintaining and performing well in team environments. Still beats doing it on our own, but we need to find ways in which we can support each other and also care for ourselves.

We are no good to anyone, if not in a good place ourselves.

This week can I encourage everyone at Marion Salvation Army to uphold our team leaders and section leaders in your prayers. Make it a subject of focus during your Pray 155 times. "Pray for us that the message may be delivered and God honoured" (see 1 Thess 3:1)

Vulnerability

Today's topic has been suicide. I've been with a group of Army personnel discussing interventions and care for people contemplating ending their life. It's worth considering the number of vulnerable people in our communities.

It is also worth noting the value of church communities for the vulnerable. They are an incredible resource, when functional and healthy, for people that are in need of support, love and the grace of God. Since I've been home this evening it has been good to chat with a family who need a bit of practical help to prepare their home for the return of a loved one from hospital. I've also chatted with a family in our church bereaved following the loss of a loved one. Both of these families are better off because they have the support of a church around them.

Keep an eye out for the vulnerable around you. Take time to enter into conversation whenever they invite or hint that they may need you. Remember we all need God and as Christians we can offer hope through his good news.

On the run

Well that's how it has felt in the last day or two, but I've got to be thankful for the variety of ministry opportunities that God has brought our way.

Yesterday was a day of diversity. At around 8 am I was talking with a soldier about his concerns with killing. Mid afternoon I was meeting with our retired officers at their regular fellowship meeting where I was able to share about our current ministry experiences. In the evening I was talking to a lady about her heart surgery, and also to a man who has been in hospital with a mystery virus. Each interaction a potential for God's love and grace to be mutually shared.

Today is similar. It's been a bit more formal: meeting with university lecturers and sorting through some financial and property matters at the Corps. But still, it is part of our community context. It is an opportunity for me to explain our ethos and values.

Now when we multiply these opporuntities across the whole of our Corps - each person's interaction with many other people - we see how we are reforming our part of the world through the influence of God in our lives. God be with you all today, and pray, please, for our Pastoral Care Council who have their quarterly meeting tonight.

Keeping focus

Another great day yesterday at Marion. At 4pm it was particularly good to hear a testimony from Kylie and in the morning it was good to hear some of the updates from our Pray 155 season.

Keep the prayer up!

Of course today is another day, and it is possible for people to come crashing down to reality after such a great day in worship. (For me reality hit early with Essendon's tragic loss yesterday). All the more reason for us to have our prioirties right (ref yesterday morning's message) and make sure that as things happen around us we fix our minds on God.

I'll be around and about this week, and ask for your prayers. Tonight and tomorrow I'll be at an infantry soldiers course, sharing with the guys about self respect, belief systems and decision making processes. Tomorrow afternoon I'll be speaking at a meeting for our esteemed retired officers. Later in the week I'll be involved in suicide awareness training.

Trust your week is a good one.