We know that Jesus has dealt with death, and yet we still have loved ones who grieve at the passing away of family and friends.

This is painful for us today, but for the first Christians, it was also confusing.

They had seen Jesus’ power over death when he raised Lazarus to life, and his empty tomb was evidence that he’d cured death by his own resurrection.

So what was happening to the believers in Jesus who were still experiencing death?

In 1 Thessalonians, we read words of wisdom and comfort for those who were confused and saddened by death.

The words were written so that they would not be “uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

And it turns out that whilst death is conquered, there is still a final chapter to be played out in the future:

According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)

Death has been conquered by Jesus, but we still await the final day when the present age will come to a close and when eternity will begin and never end.

This is a great source of encouragement, and something we must continue to remind each other. Do not give up hope, but keep waiting!

I am delighted to announce that Simon Chaplin has accepted my invitation to join our church as our new Assistant Minister at Oak Flats Anglican!

Simon is married to Amy, and they have three children: Liam (aged 8), Lily (aged 3), and Annabel (6 weeks). They will move into Oak Flats in the week before Christmas, and will begin with us two weeks after Christmas.

Simon has been serving at St Mark’s Malabar Anglican Church for nearly ten years, initially as a student minister, and then after that as the full-time assistant minister. During this time he’s done everything from youth and children’s ministry, occasional services, and ministry training, through to regular preaching.

After completing a science degree, Simon worked as an industrial chemist before doing a two-year MTS Ministry Training Apprenticeship at the University of New South Wales, prior to heading to Moore College for his four-year theology degree.

I first met Simon when he was a kid in the youth group I led in the 1990’s, and I hadn’t really caught up with him until the recent commissioning service of our CMS missionaries Adrian and Anita Lovell, who also happen to be their close friends.

Please pray for Simon, Amy, Liam, Lily and Annabel as they prepare for many farewells and changes in the coming months.

Particularly pray that as they move to our neighbourhood that they will have many opportunities to help us grow in our knowledge and love of God, and that Simon will help equip us for ministry with each other in our church and in our region.

As I prepare to return to Canada after seven months as your Youth Ministry Intern, I recall one of my favourite parts of Scripture:

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:15-17

These verses simply and profoundly tell the Church how we are to be with one another.

As I read these words and reflect on my time with Oak Flats and Jamberoo Anglican Churches, I see this passage being lived out.

It is beyond encouraging to walk into church on a weekend and be greeted by a room full of people who clearly love the good Lord and his church deeply, are at peace with one another, and take such joy in worshipping God communally. 

In caring so deeply for the church family, even times of trials and admonishment seem to come and go with joy (James 1:2-3) and thankfulness in our churches, which further reflects the integrity of God being so clearly at the centre of everything.

Many churches do not reflect Colossians 3 as well as your two parishes do. Your witness as church congregations is profound.

I hope you are encouraged by this and continue to build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11) as the body of Christ, for I have been so encouraged by you. I will thank God for you always.

Blessings, Rayne Loehndorf

If you hadn’t already noticed, next week’s Census is causing quite a bit of a stir.

Most of the concerns are because the Australian Bureau of Statistics have determined that they will be keeping every name and address on file, without giving people a choice to ‘opt out.’

Censuses tend to be a magnet for controversy, usually because people like to keep their secrets to themselves.

There is a place for appropriate privacy, (especially when it comes to modesty), but it’s worth remembering that nobody can keep their secrets hidden from God.

For, we are reminded in the Bible that “nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight” and that “everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews chapter 4 verse 13.)

God is fully trustworthy with what he knows about us, but as our creator he has a right to hold every human accountable for their lives.

And we know that his living and active word is “sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12.)

Fortunately, God is merciful, and we know that he will forgive us when we seek reconciliation with him for when we’ve acted like he’s not our loving ruler.

So, knowing how much God knows about us, this Census Tuesday is a perfect opportunity to ask God’s forgiveness, through the death of his son, Jesus.

It would be easy for many to view my time at Oak Flats and Jamberoo Anglican Churches ultimately as a failure. As an energetic and enthusiastic College grad hopes were high that God would do great things. In less than two years those hopes came crashing down due to anxiety and depression that led to hospitalisation and 9 months of ‘stress leave’.

However in the midst of these incredibly hard 9 months, I can’t help but reflect on God’s goodness and my own ability to reassess ‘success’. In my time at Oak Flats and Jamberoo I have seen the way in which God has worked, in spite of my weakness, to make himself known. There is a reason Paul says, ‘“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.’ (2 Cor 12:9) 

It has been exciting to see people grow in relationship with Jesus through the teaching I have been a part of. It has been particularly amazing to see people come to know and put their trust in Christ for the very first time! It has also been great to see the development of ministry to youth in our churches and I am really thankful for the role I have been able to have in that regard.

It is sad for us as we say goodbye. We will miss the fellowship we have had with you all. My hope and prayer is that you continue to fix your eyes upon Jesus, trusting in him, through your own ‘failures’.

Adam