It might be a bit strange to think that conflict could be good, but healthy relationships will include good conflict, whether it’s two people in a marriage, a team of people, or even an entire church or larger organisation.

The reason is that conflict is simply any disagreement between two people or parties, which, when handled well, is a normal part of life together.

This is something I learnt in a book called ‘Five Dysfunctions of a Team’ by Patrick Lencioni, in which Fear of Conflict’ is listed as a significant problem in teams that don’t work well.

As Christians, we rightfully “make every effort to keep [ourselves] united in the Spirit, binding [ourselves] together with peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)

And, at the same time, we know that it is right for us to “speak the truth in love, (Ephesians 4:15), knowing that truth will bring conflict amongst us.

Indeed, Jesus made it clear that his message will “set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother,” (Matthew 10:35) as the call to follow him will bring conflict amongst even the closest families.

Another form of conflict comes when we tell someone to stop sinning, as we read in this week’s chapter from Matthew 18.

It’s sometimes hard to pluck up the courage to lead someone to be convicted of their sins, but “wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. (Proverbs 27:6).

For if they listen to our rebuke, then we will be serving them in love as we seek to help them see their error and to lovingly serve them as they move towards repentance and reconciliation, as needed.

This kind of conflict is often the hardest, but it is always the most important for us to pursue, out of deep love for each other and for the church of Christ.

JODIE McNEILL

On Wednesday I met ‘Marie’, a six-year old mannequin who had ‘jumped’ into the river near Jerrara Dam to escape a pretend bushfire.

It was part of an Illawarra Shoalhaven Health training exercise, which included NSW Ambulance staff as well as our local,

Jamberoo Rural Fire Brigade, of which I was a part.

As part of the afternoon scenario, I was first on scene, providing first aid care for this hyper-real dummy, made more real by the paediatric specialist hiding in the bushes, ‘speaking’ on behalf of the little girl… “where’s my daddy? I’m cold! I’m scared!”

It was a great relief when the paramedics arrived on scene to take over from my feeble attempts to administer first aid to the nearly-drowned girl, and it showed me afresh the skill and care that our medical experts provide for our community every

day.
Again, it showed that life is unpredictable and fragile.

Any day at any time we may face death, and so we must all be prepared for the time when we will stand face-to-face before Jesus.

I take great comfort in knowing that I have certainty for eternity, because I have trusted in Jesus and have sure forgiveness from him because he died for me.

It’s something that is on offer to anyone who wants it.

This week I also met with the family of a man who passed away aged 91, as I helped comfort them and prepare a funeral service with them to honour him.
He was old and had plenty of time to plan and consider eternity.

The six-year-old girl who nearly drowned in the RFS scenario could have died much younger, and with fewer opportunities to stop and reflect on eternity.

My prayer is that everyone, young and old, would stop and reflect upon the fragility of life, and make sure that we’ve followed Jesus before it’s too late.

JODIE McNEILL

Meals have always had an important place in the ministry of our church, because food has featured strongly in the life of God’s people throughout the ages.

God’s people remembered the amazing Exodus from Egypt with a special meal, the Passover, and then Jesus fulfilled and transformed that meal into the Lord’s Supper.

In fact, the Bible often records Jesus’ meals with people, many of which led to his reputation as someone who, “eats with sinners”.

Food slows us down and brings us together, as we share in a moment of both sustenance and reflection for people of all ages.

Our Saturday night dinners have played an important part in the life and growth of our church, as they have been a powerful way to welcome newcomers and visitors into the life of our intergenerational church.

Indeed, our after-church meals are probably the most strategic and effective way of attracting, welcoming and integrating new people into the life of our church.

Whilst we’ve done something similar for morning tea, we’re ready to take our Sunday mornings to the next level by running a weekly, sit-down Sunday brunch.

So, for every Sunday morning we’re going to invite a household to purchase, prepare and share a meal for everyone present, just like we’ve been doing on Saturday nights.

If each household is happy to cater once or twice a quarter, then that should be enough for us to have a weekly brunch for all ages, every Sunday morning of the year!

We expect that it is likely to take a little while to get the systems in place, so please be patient and generous as we upgrade our hospitality each Sunday morning.

Our prayer is that every week we enjoy this opportunity to sit and enjoy a meal with others, especially when we ‘chew on’ the word of God that has dwelt richly among us during the church service we’ve just experienced, together.

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: jeffreyw via Flickr.com)

We often use the word ‘fellowship’ to describe the experience of being with other Christians.

So, we’ll talk about enjoying “a time of fellowship” after church, when we gather to have a meal or a cuppa together.

But did you know that the word in the original language is actually based on the idea of commonness?

So, you have ‘fellowship’ with a person when you are involved with others in a common interest or pursuit.

That’s why the ‘fellowship’ that the Apostle Paul refers to in Philippians 1:5 is often translated “partnership”, and it describes what is happening when one church works with another church in a common mission.

It’s also the word that is translated “contribution” or “offering”, as we read in Romans 15:25 and 2 Corinthians 9:13, where it refers to the financial gifts that people have made towards the common mission they share.

Over this week we’ve been blessed to hear reports of our ‘fellowship’ with our friend from overseas who has shared with us about her opportunities to bring the message of Jesus to people who don’t know him.

As she’s shared the highs and lows of this special ministry, it has given us inspiration to pray and give, as she’s helped us understand how we are working in common with her.

This is true fellowship: when we pray, give, and even go ourselves to places local and global with the gospel of Jesus.

Our church is passionate about being missional, and that’s why it’s so good to invest our time, money, prayers and passion to see others know the great salvation that comes in Jesus Christ alone.

As we partner with those in mission, we experience the richest friendship of all… as we are united with Christ!

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: Keith Parker via Flickr.com)

It is with great anticipation that we now begin to return to in-person church, knowing that as we’ve been physically apart, we’ve remained united by the Holy Spirit, as we’ve gathered online around the glorious word of God.

From next weekend, Saturday 16th October, we’ll be able to include some people face-to-face, whilst we continue to provide the best-possible livestream for everyone.

For the next two weeks the public health orders advise that we may only accommodate in-person participants who live in Regional NSW (which excludes Shellharbour and Greater Sydney), who are not required to ‘stay at home’ (due to contact with confirmed cases or venues), who are not showing any flu-like symptoms, and who are fully vaccinated (noting that unvaccinated children under 16 can attend if accompanied by a fully-vaccinated adult from their household.)

Everyone must wear a face mask (unless under 12 or exempted) and refrain from congregational singing, and we can seat 34 people (plus workers) in the church and 45 people in the hall to watch the livestream in-person.

Both services will offer a separate children’s program (with plenty of time outside) which will commence approximately half-an-hour into the service, but our youth Bible studies will remain online only until Friday 29th October.

We will be joining for dinner on Saturday and morning tea on Sunday, and will initially eat outdoors on our church lawn to increase ventilation.

Two weeks later, on Saturday 30th October, people can attend regardless of where they live or their vaccination status, unless they are unwell or required to stay at home.

Four weeks after that, on Saturday 4th December, we can double the number of people in our buildings, remove our masks (when you’re ready), and start to sing together.

So, whether you’re online or in-person, we are so thankful that we continue to be together as we travel the roadmap to returning to ‘normal’ church.

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: Simon Berger via Flickr)