At lunch time yesterday, our team leaders gathered to consider our stewarship programme, and where we may go from here. It was agreed that in a few weeks time we will recommence a planned giving programme, as we have run for the last few years. This relaunch will be under the theme, "Give, Live, Grow".
It is not a programme about money, although that is central to some of the teaching. It is a programme that encourages us to have a generous lifestyle and to consider all aspects of our lives as we grow in God.
We invite everyone to join us as we journey together through October with this theme.
Monday 27 September 2010
Security
Security is a big deal with a site like we have at Sturt Road. While it's great to have such activity and such traffic, we also need to be aware of how we keep things safe and secure.
Over the weekend we had a few incidents that I need to make everyone aware of. A bit of vigilence and care will help us to maintain our premises as safe places for people to join in community and eventually join us as disciples of Jesus Christ.
On Saturday morning (between 8-9am) the front windows of our shop were damaged in an attempted break in. The back of the boy's office and the side of the Marion room were also found open. On Saturday afternoon (around 2pm) two young girls wandered into our shop setting off the alarms. This caused a bit of drama with the police and security companies trying to work out what was happening. In this case I think that it was caused by staff leaving through the front of the shop instead of the side door, leaving the shop unlocked.
Either way, let's take care of the little things, like locking up and setting alarms, t0 save our property, to save our money (it costs us every time the alarm goes and someone attends) and hopefully to save some sould through have a place of safety for them to come.
Over the weekend we had a few incidents that I need to make everyone aware of. A bit of vigilence and care will help us to maintain our premises as safe places for people to join in community and eventually join us as disciples of Jesus Christ.
On Saturday morning (between 8-9am) the front windows of our shop were damaged in an attempted break in. The back of the boy's office and the side of the Marion room were also found open. On Saturday afternoon (around 2pm) two young girls wandered into our shop setting off the alarms. This caused a bit of drama with the police and security companies trying to work out what was happening. In this case I think that it was caused by staff leaving through the front of the shop instead of the side door, leaving the shop unlocked.
Either way, let's take care of the little things, like locking up and setting alarms, t0 save our property, to save our money (it costs us every time the alarm goes and someone attends) and hopefully to save some sould through have a place of safety for them to come.
Praying for others
Continuing with the prayer focus, I received this from one of my online devotionals this morning...
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Pray for Others by Rick Warren
"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy." Philippians 1:4 (NIV)
"The more specific you are in prayer the more specifically you get an answer. "
Isn't it an encouragement when you know people are praying for you?
If you're struggling with a relationship today, let me tell you this: The quickest way to change a relationship from bad to good is to start thanking God in prayer for people.
Praying for them will do two things -- change your attitude and change them. Positive praying is much more powerful than positive thinking. People may resist our help, spurn our appeals, reject our suggestions and not listen to our suggestions, but they are powerless against our prayers.
When you say to somebody, "I'll pray for you" what do you say? What do you pray? Most of us are good at praying in a crisis but on a normal basis, what do you pray? God, bless them? That's so general. The more specific you are in prayer the more specifically you get an answer.
In Philippians 1:9-11, Paul spells out exactly what he's praying for people. "And this is my prayer, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God." (NIV)
These verses give you four things you can pray for people today -
"Abound in love ..." Pray that they will grow in love.
"Discern what is best ..." Pray that they make wise choices.
"Be pure and blameless ..." Pray that they will do the right thing.
"Filled with the fruit of righteousness ..." Pray that they will live for God's glory.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Pray for Others by Rick Warren
"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy." Philippians 1:4 (NIV)
"The more specific you are in prayer the more specifically you get an answer. "
Isn't it an encouragement when you know people are praying for you?
If you're struggling with a relationship today, let me tell you this: The quickest way to change a relationship from bad to good is to start thanking God in prayer for people.
Praying for them will do two things -- change your attitude and change them. Positive praying is much more powerful than positive thinking. People may resist our help, spurn our appeals, reject our suggestions and not listen to our suggestions, but they are powerless against our prayers.
When you say to somebody, "I'll pray for you" what do you say? What do you pray? Most of us are good at praying in a crisis but on a normal basis, what do you pray? God, bless them? That's so general. The more specific you are in prayer the more specifically you get an answer.
In Philippians 1:9-11, Paul spells out exactly what he's praying for people. "And this is my prayer, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God." (NIV)
These verses give you four things you can pray for people today -
"Abound in love ..." Pray that they will grow in love.
"Discern what is best ..." Pray that they make wise choices.
"Be pure and blameless ..." Pray that they will do the right thing.
"Filled with the fruit of righteousness ..." Pray that they will live for God's glory.
Saturday 25 September 2010
Pakistan & Samaritans Purse
Even though the evelopes were late in coming, I am pleased to advise that so far our Corps has raised $1385.
It is also good to report some peripheral, but related activity. Brian Hunt, Doug Giddings and Len Sharp are volunteering one day a week at Samaritan's Purse to help them get ready for Operation Christmas Child. If you woul like to join in by donating a shoe box (with $9 for transportation etc) speak to one of the guys listed above, and send your box along to either Men's Fellowship or the Glenelg Companion Club.
It is also good to report some peripheral, but related activity. Brian Hunt, Doug Giddings and Len Sharp are volunteering one day a week at Samaritan's Purse to help them get ready for Operation Christmas Child. If you woul like to join in by donating a shoe box (with $9 for transportation etc) speak to one of the guys listed above, and send your box along to either Men's Fellowship or the Glenelg Companion Club.
Thursday 23 September 2010
Praying for leaders
In almost every letter that he wrote, Paul asked his friends in the churches to pray for him. Today we had the opportunity at our Team Leader's meeting to spend time praying for each other.
It is important to pray for people in church leadership. There are a whole range of reasons:
- They need health and energy to lead
- They need God's guidance for their work
- They are the most susceptible to temptation because of proximity to people and finances
- There are pagan and satanic influences that wage spiritual warfare directly against Christian leaders
- If a leader falls it has the most impact
- They have the most influence, and this must be godly
- They are the most susceptible to be the targets of criticism and gossip
- In Australia we culturally and habitually cut down leaders (the 'tall poppy' syndrome)
- Leaders carry greater responsibilities, and
- Leaders will be held more accountable (James 3:1)
Please pray for the leaders in our church. Pray for each of the teams of volunteers that they lead. Pray for sound succession planning and for sound leader recruitment. Pray for God's leading and protection. Even next time you feel like criticising a leader in our church - pray for them.
Wednesday 22 September 2010
Types of prayer
This morning I was reading Luke 5. It's a chapter that has a couple of stories that many Christians would be familiar with. Given where my thoughts are at the moment, readers of this blog would not be surprised to hear that I was looking at the prayers in the chapter.
There were many ways that prayer occurred in this short passage of Scripture. First there was demanding prayer - "You can make me well". Then there was prayer in solitude, when Jesus went away to pray. Then there was prayer of faith in action when the friends brought the paralysed man to Jesus. Finally there was the prayer of submission and acceptance as Levi responded to Jesus and followed him.
No prayer type is right or wrong. It's just important we are praying to our God who loves us.
Tuesday 21 September 2010
The power of prayer
Following on from Sunday's messages, I was reading this morning from Daniel. There are powerful images of prayer in this book. There's the commitment to prayer that gets Daniel thrown into the lion pit, and then there's the prayer that saves him.
But I was intrigued this morning by a visit of Gabriel to Daniel. Daniel had been praying and Gabriel, the angel, shows up with a message. (Daniel 9:22ff)
"The minute you started praying a command was given..."
The very minute that Daniel was praying, God was acting. The command included the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Prayer is a very powerful thing.
But I was intrigued this morning by a visit of Gabriel to Daniel. Daniel had been praying and Gabriel, the angel, shows up with a message. (Daniel 9:22ff)
"The minute you started praying a command was given..."
The very minute that Daniel was praying, God was acting. The command included the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Prayer is a very powerful thing.
Monday 20 September 2010
Prayer
Yesterday our services concentrated very heavily on prayer. The video message seen by the 10am congregation was inspired and powerful. Let this become a catalyst through which we are reaching our world. Let prayer be the dominant feature in our church so that God's light eminates from here. Jesus told us that if we lift him up, he will draw people to himself.
What an opportunity, also, in both services to join in prayer. Becuase of the different dynamics of each congregation, this was different. But to see people at 10am kneeling at the forms at the front of the hall, and after the 4pm service heading to the chapel to pray while the community meal was set up was inspiring.
Make time today to pray and let the momentum build.
What an opportunity, also, in both services to join in prayer. Becuase of the different dynamics of each congregation, this was different. But to see people at 10am kneeling at the forms at the front of the hall, and after the 4pm service heading to the chapel to pray while the community meal was set up was inspiring.
Make time today to pray and let the momentum build.
Infantry Training
One of the unique roles that I have as a chaplain in the Army is that I am asked to participate in character and leadership training for soldiers. On Saturday I made the long drive out to Cultana (between Pt Augusta and Whyalla) to conduct sessions with a group of new infantrymen.
On Saturday we spoke about self respect, the importance of belief systems and how to make an ethical decision. Amid a broad spectrum of life stories and personal circumstances these soldiers come together, and it is amazing to be able to talk about 'deeper things' in such a setting.
This is another way that our Corps is bearing God's light to the world. It is among the many ways that we collectively touch our world for the Kingdom's sake.
On Saturday we spoke about self respect, the importance of belief systems and how to make an ethical decision. Amid a broad spectrum of life stories and personal circumstances these soldiers come together, and it is amazing to be able to talk about 'deeper things' in such a setting.
This is another way that our Corps is bearing God's light to the world. It is among the many ways that we collectively touch our world for the Kingdom's sake.
Friday 17 September 2010
What God teaches us in unlikely situations
Last night Mark and I made it to Memorial Drive to see Powderfinger and Jet. Most of you would be aware of Powderfinger - the biggest Australian band of the last twenty years. They are on their final tour and last night was their second to last show in Adelaide - after first performing here in 1994 at the Exeter Hotel, then moving up to the Thebarton Theatre and now playing stadiums.
The first thing I learnt last night was a new appreciation for Zaccheus. You get a different glimpse into the life of a biblical character when you are thrust into their circumstance. Being short - 171cm (5'7" or 5'8" ish) - has some advantages, but when I am placed among many tall people it isn't that good. I wished for a sycamore tree so that I could catch a glimpse of the few things I was missing. I learnt the excitement he would have had when he was noticed by Jesus - feeling small amid everyone else, but seen by God.
The second thing that I learnt was hope for our worship times in Australia. That may sound random and unconnected, but I have often lamented that we don't worship freely in Australia. We like to sit and listen and woe-betide anyone who would dance or speak or move around or get lost in the sound. Compared to the Caribbean reggae worship, people in PNG singing for hours before worship starts, Indians wailing and jumping and excitedly dancing, Africans joyfully bringing gifts and dance.. we can be so staid and even boring. It's as if we are scared to let loose.
But Australians can let loose. Last night thousands of people clapped, danced, allowed the music into their bodies and minds, celebrated, joined in community and did all this while being in circumstances that churches wouldn't stand for (about 7 or 8 degrees, outdoors, no chairs and little personal space). I hope we get that sort of abandonment in our worship.
Thursday 16 September 2010
Hallett Cove
Many would be wondering what has happened to our planned extension into Hallett Cove.
Simply put... we're still working on it.
Our identified property in Hutt Close is being constructed, however there are problems with getting permission to use the premises for welfare outreach, retail and church meetings. All of these things are outside the "local commercial" definition.
A hearing will be held at Council on October 6 to determine a similar neighbouring application. If this is recieved positively and approved, we will have the green light to go ahead with our own application and from their it is hoped the process will be much simpler.
Once we have approval, we can then work toward fitting the centre out and perhaps a move into this new area (for the Salvos) in early 2011. Please keep praying for this vision to become reality.
Simply put... we're still working on it.
Our identified property in Hutt Close is being constructed, however there are problems with getting permission to use the premises for welfare outreach, retail and church meetings. All of these things are outside the "local commercial" definition.
A hearing will be held at Council on October 6 to determine a similar neighbouring application. If this is recieved positively and approved, we will have the green light to go ahead with our own application and from their it is hoped the process will be much simpler.
Once we have approval, we can then work toward fitting the centre out and perhaps a move into this new area (for the Salvos) in early 2011. Please keep praying for this vision to become reality.
Schools
As The Salvation Army we are privileged to be invited occasionally to share in schools.
This morning I spoke to the year 10s at Tabor College. They are doing and assignment on poverty and homelessness. I was, of course, able to share about this from both a domestic and international perspective, and speak up about the role of The Salvation Army. In doing so I was able to speak of The Salvation Army as a part of the universal Christian Church and our motivation for working in the community.
The students were very receptive. We were able to use the opportunity to also promote immersion experiences and volunteering and fundraising opportunities. Thes experiences can bring the kids into better contact with their world, assist their community and introduce them to our churches.
Pray for Julie Davis. Next Wednesday she will be sharing with some of the primary aged students at Immanuel College in Novar Gardens.
This morning I spoke to the year 10s at Tabor College. They are doing and assignment on poverty and homelessness. I was, of course, able to share about this from both a domestic and international perspective, and speak up about the role of The Salvation Army. In doing so I was able to speak of The Salvation Army as a part of the universal Christian Church and our motivation for working in the community.
The students were very receptive. We were able to use the opportunity to also promote immersion experiences and volunteering and fundraising opportunities. Thes experiences can bring the kids into better contact with their world, assist their community and introduce them to our churches.
Pray for Julie Davis. Next Wednesday she will be sharing with some of the primary aged students at Immanuel College in Novar Gardens.
Meals
One of the greatest graces we share is a meal. This week has been a blessing for me as I've been able to share a meal with friends a few times. Monday it was in our home. Last night it was with the team leaders from our church. This was our way of thanking them for their efforts while we were away. Friday I get to go and share a meal with the officers of my Army unit.
When Jesus shared meals with people from his community he was often criticised. He was told off for being a glutton and a drunkard. He associated with people that the relious and elite didn't like. But in sharing the meal he showed acceptance, grace, forgiveness, love, friendship, peace and community.
Lives were transformed by eating bread and having a laugh together. Pretty simple, hey.
When Jesus shared meals with people from his community he was often criticised. He was told off for being a glutton and a drunkard. He associated with people that the relious and elite didn't like. But in sharing the meal he showed acceptance, grace, forgiveness, love, friendship, peace and community.
Lives were transformed by eating bread and having a laugh together. Pretty simple, hey.
Tuesday 14 September 2010
Some bits and pieces
Today there is plenty of news to share, but it's like a news brief on the TV. Lots of little bits and pieces.
Following the Christchurch earthquake it has been good to hear that the families of our church members are safe. Continue to pray for the Russell family and the MacSween family as they assess property and decide on future plans. Also pray for teams from South Australia that are going to help. This week Major Lyn Jones from DHQ is assisting, and on the weekend Major Daryl Rawlings, known to everyone at Marion is heading to NZ to help.
The bus is a valuable asset for our Corps. It needs a little coordination as we've had booking conflicts in recent days. Please contact Lynette at the Seacombe office to book the bus. Note that any group or personal use will incur a minimum fuel charge of $20.
Our website is ready to relaunch. (Except the youth page... still working on that). Go to www.salvationarmy.org.au/marion for everything that's happening at either the Seacombe or Glenelg centres. As we get our information together we'll be doing further updates. Thanks to Lucas Kelly at THQ who helped us get the maps and menus fixed.
We are grateful to all of our volunteers who help keep the centres open each week. We are desperate at the moment for a volunteer or two who can help in our garden. If you have a green thumb and could assist for a few hours a week, you would be most welcome. Give us a call at the Seacombe centre and chat to Brad or Angela.
Please pray for the many folk that have been unwell lately. I feel like we are getting daily reports of hospitalisations. (This is no exaggeration - I found out about two this morning!). Please also call in our folk if you know which hospital is caring for them.
Finally, a reminder that this weekend, and next week, we will be taking up a free-will offering to support the emergency work in Pakistan. There are up to 20million people affected by this disaster, which is beyond our comprehension, but we can help. The Salvation Army already has people on the ground, and you can read about what they are doing through the IHQ website. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this work.
Following the Christchurch earthquake it has been good to hear that the families of our church members are safe. Continue to pray for the Russell family and the MacSween family as they assess property and decide on future plans. Also pray for teams from South Australia that are going to help. This week Major Lyn Jones from DHQ is assisting, and on the weekend Major Daryl Rawlings, known to everyone at Marion is heading to NZ to help.
The bus is a valuable asset for our Corps. It needs a little coordination as we've had booking conflicts in recent days. Please contact Lynette at the Seacombe office to book the bus. Note that any group or personal use will incur a minimum fuel charge of $20.
Our website is ready to relaunch. (Except the youth page... still working on that). Go to www.salvationarmy.org.au/marion for everything that's happening at either the Seacombe or Glenelg centres. As we get our information together we'll be doing further updates. Thanks to Lucas Kelly at THQ who helped us get the maps and menus fixed.
We are grateful to all of our volunteers who help keep the centres open each week. We are desperate at the moment for a volunteer or two who can help in our garden. If you have a green thumb and could assist for a few hours a week, you would be most welcome. Give us a call at the Seacombe centre and chat to Brad or Angela.
Please pray for the many folk that have been unwell lately. I feel like we are getting daily reports of hospitalisations. (This is no exaggeration - I found out about two this morning!). Please also call in our folk if you know which hospital is caring for them.
Finally, a reminder that this weekend, and next week, we will be taking up a free-will offering to support the emergency work in Pakistan. There are up to 20million people affected by this disaster, which is beyond our comprehension, but we can help. The Salvation Army already has people on the ground, and you can read about what they are doing through the IHQ website. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this work.
Monday 13 September 2010
Community
This weekend we had a great sense of community around the place.
The youth enjoyed an 'in night' on Friday before many of us went down to witness the wedding ceremony of Myrtle Stibbe and Tim Freund at Murray Bridge. It was a beautiful day, a simple but meaningful ceremony, and Myrtle looked gorgeous. Check out the photos on the announcement slides on Sunday.
At the same time there were others working away at our centre looking after the shop. We are grateful for the ongoing work of the volunteers while we are in the long process of recruiting the right shop manager to replace Lucy. Advertising for this position should be out this week.
And at the same time, John, Margaret and Brian were collecting at the show. It is one of the easiest ways to raise money as people are so keen to support the work of The Salvation Army.
Yesterday was a good day also. The feel at both of our services was one of community. The meal last night was good fun. Thank you, as always, to everyone who makes our services run so well.
Some news worth sharing amid this:
Congratulations to Drew de la Fuente who has been accepted as a SUPA volunteer with Scripture Union. He did his first school activity this week at Edwardstown Primary. This is going to be great training for him and a great ministry experience.
If you get the chance, catch up with Paul who has spent the weekend at the Children First conference, and recently went to "Kidshaper" training. These opportunities to reflect and learn are going to make a big difference to our children's ministries.
Finally (today is a long post - sorry), on Sunday the annual City to Bay will be run. A group of us are running for Heartkids SA, a foundation devoted to supporting families whose child is suffering congenital heart diseases and also promoting childhood heart disease research. This has been driven by Nathan and Chrissy whose son Tyson, as we know, has had heart surgery this year and faces more surgery in the future. If you would like to support this cause and sponsor our run, log on to the everyday hero website and search for Nathan's page (called "Doing it for Tyson"). Thanks.
The youth enjoyed an 'in night' on Friday before many of us went down to witness the wedding ceremony of Myrtle Stibbe and Tim Freund at Murray Bridge. It was a beautiful day, a simple but meaningful ceremony, and Myrtle looked gorgeous. Check out the photos on the announcement slides on Sunday.
At the same time there were others working away at our centre looking after the shop. We are grateful for the ongoing work of the volunteers while we are in the long process of recruiting the right shop manager to replace Lucy. Advertising for this position should be out this week.
And at the same time, John, Margaret and Brian were collecting at the show. It is one of the easiest ways to raise money as people are so keen to support the work of The Salvation Army.
Yesterday was a good day also. The feel at both of our services was one of community. The meal last night was good fun. Thank you, as always, to everyone who makes our services run so well.
Some news worth sharing amid this:
Congratulations to Drew de la Fuente who has been accepted as a SUPA volunteer with Scripture Union. He did his first school activity this week at Edwardstown Primary. This is going to be great training for him and a great ministry experience.
If you get the chance, catch up with Paul who has spent the weekend at the Children First conference, and recently went to "Kidshaper" training. These opportunities to reflect and learn are going to make a big difference to our children's ministries.
Finally (today is a long post - sorry), on Sunday the annual City to Bay will be run. A group of us are running for Heartkids SA, a foundation devoted to supporting families whose child is suffering congenital heart diseases and also promoting childhood heart disease research. This has been driven by Nathan and Chrissy whose son Tyson, as we know, has had heart surgery this year and faces more surgery in the future. If you would like to support this cause and sponsor our run, log on to the everyday hero website and search for Nathan's page (called "Doing it for Tyson"). Thanks.
Friday 10 September 2010
Getting back into things
One of the challenges this week has been from people that have missed my blog! Thanks. It's good to know that this method of communication has been helpful to people.
Now that we are finding our feet, I'll start blogging away again and letting people know what is happening around our church and in our community ministries.
Some of you will be interested in where we are up to with replacing Lucy in our shop. Lucy won't be easily replaced. Her retail background was helpful in bringing the shop to the level at which it currently operates. In the first week since she left, we certainly noticed lower sales.
We have reviewed the position in the shop and worked with Divisional Headquarters to reclassify the position under the new Fairwork/ Modern Awards system. Now we are able to advertise the position and hope that it will appear on our website and in the two southern suburbs Messengers (Guardian/ Southern Times) next week. We will give people a couple of weeks to put in their applications and then start the interview process.
I hope that we will be able to announce a new manager's appointment by the second week of October. In the meantime, please pray for the team, especially those in the shop, that are keeping things going.
Speaking of keeping things going, I need to pay tribute to the various Corps leaders that helped on Sundays and kept the mid week hustle going in our absence. This is a strong Corps that has very capable local leaders. Thank you for your ministries.
Finally, as you pray, please remember Tim and Myrtle as the final preparations occur for their wedding tomorrow. I'm sure we'll see many of you there.
A verse that has been with me all week:
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritence; therefore, I will hope in him". (Lamentations 3:22-24)
Now that we are finding our feet, I'll start blogging away again and letting people know what is happening around our church and in our community ministries.
Some of you will be interested in where we are up to with replacing Lucy in our shop. Lucy won't be easily replaced. Her retail background was helpful in bringing the shop to the level at which it currently operates. In the first week since she left, we certainly noticed lower sales.
We have reviewed the position in the shop and worked with Divisional Headquarters to reclassify the position under the new Fairwork/ Modern Awards system. Now we are able to advertise the position and hope that it will appear on our website and in the two southern suburbs Messengers (Guardian/ Southern Times) next week. We will give people a couple of weeks to put in their applications and then start the interview process.
I hope that we will be able to announce a new manager's appointment by the second week of October. In the meantime, please pray for the team, especially those in the shop, that are keeping things going.
Speaking of keeping things going, I need to pay tribute to the various Corps leaders that helped on Sundays and kept the mid week hustle going in our absence. This is a strong Corps that has very capable local leaders. Thank you for your ministries.
Finally, as you pray, please remember Tim and Myrtle as the final preparations occur for their wedding tomorrow. I'm sure we'll see many of you there.
A verse that has been with me all week:
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritence; therefore, I will hope in him". (Lamentations 3:22-24)
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