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

As of this day of writing, the undetermined/undecided election took many by surprise. It is now clear that very many Australians do not trust their political leaders. Many suspect hidden agendas. We don’t appear believe in either the promises or the denials.

How much different is Christian Faith! God is the God who never lies. Titus 1:2 makes the point that God promised eternal life before the beginning of time, and has brought the promise to reality through the gospel of Christ’s death and resurrection. God never lies.

None of God’s promises fail. In the Old Testament, Joshua reminded Israel that as they now stood within the promised land, that not one of God’s promises (which must have seemed outlandish at first sight) had failed, all had in fact been accomplished

In Christ we have the fulfilment of the ages. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul contrasts the poor examples of many Old Testament believers with the privileged position of New Testament believers.

We live in the “culmination of the ages” (1 Corinthians 10:11), because Jesus has lived, died, risen and ascended. And he has promised to return.

Do you live the promises of God?

Graham Errington

On Saturday week, Australia goes to the polls.

Christians will come to different conclusions about how they should vote.

We attach different levels of importance to various issues.

One may feel that economic management is extremely important.

Another may prioritise the plight of refugees or climate change policy.

However there is one issue, unique to this election, which is very important from a biblical point of view.

This election may decide whether or not the definition of marriage will be changed to include same sex marriage.

This is a very significant departure from the Bible’s teaching, which will have profound long-term consequences for the fabric of our society as a whole, because it undermines the place of marriage and the family as the basic societal unit.

It is likely that legislation to implement same sex marriage will not contain sufficient protections for those who continue to believe and teach that marriage is only between a man and a woman.

As a result, our ability to exercise biblical, gospel ministry through our schools, caring organisations and even our local churches could be severely constrained.

It is important for Christians to know the position of the major political parties on this issue.

According to the ABC, the Coalition will “hold a plebiscite… at some point after the election”, Labor will “introduce a bill to Parliament within 100 days”, and the Greens will “legislate through Parliament immediately.”

This is not the only issue we should consider when deciding how to vote.

There are other issues that are also very significant.

But it is essential that we don’t underestimate the importance of this election for this particular issue. 

I invite you to prayerfully consider this when you come to vote on July 2.

Bishop Michael Stead, Chair of the Archbishop’s Plebiscite Task Force