NewChurchLife

“Skyrocketing rental prices and the cost of living are ‘trapping more Maroondah families in poverty,’” reports social worker David Knoop in the Maroondah Leader (the area newspaper in eastern Melbourne). David Knoop runs The Dining Room - a soup kitchen - where the number coming for food has almost doubled since December 2007 to 90 people. Members of Revive (church plant) have teamed up to support Knoop – and the press reports that Knoop and Revive are now launching an extra families’ night at the Revive centre to cope with the demands.

It is Allan Martin’s passion to pursue a 24/7 experience of GOD with as many as possible. A summer Book Club - starting with Blackaby's Experiencing GOD - will provide the basis of this shared experience. Check out the details on facebook, myspace or at encounters cafe - and join the discussion (starting July 11)

“72 people, 26 ‘seekers’, an unforgettable morning and afternoon, $600+ for our church budget, a legendary lunch! Praise God!” writes Darius Ignasiak – reporting on the first public worship service of a new Adventist church plant in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. While as yet a name has not been chosen, Care Groups are meeting and a Care Groups Workshop will be happening this Friday evening. A planning envisioning retreat is planned for two weeks time. Some values are already clearly established – participation, acceptance, sharing, worship, witness and conversation! For the first worship service Acts 11:19-30 and 13:1-4 were read – and all involved in discovering the experience of Antioch as a multiplying church. Many of the "pioneers" of this new church are second and third generation Polish Adventist.

A year ago Marjo, with her husband and 5 children (with a 6th on the way), moved from the Shetland Islands to a farm near Suonenjoki (in NE Finland), next door to a small declining Adventist church. There (as in the Shetland Islands) Marjo has built a network of friends close to her home. “All the kids from the community come to see their animals and play with the kids,” says Atte Helminen, leader of the Adventists in Finland. “She has also organized a choir for the community kids called the Strawberry Choir – as this little town is the strawberry capital of Finland.” The choir is taking church to the kids and these community kids also regularly come to the church to sing. The once dying church is thankful for the “missionary” who has come to town – someone who knows that mission starts at home! (Note: Marjo is an engineer who works from home as a consultant, runs a farm, and cares for her five - soon six - children.)

John Caputo says: “The church is not the answer. The church is the question!” This is the question (for church planters as well): How does Jesus’ distance from us illuminate what we must say and do in the different situation in which we find ourselves? (What would Jesus deconstruct? p. 34)

For ideas on ministry in a postmodern environment some may like to check out Ryan Bell’s blog. Ryan is the pastor of the Hollywood Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The Uniting Church pastor and church planter at Hampton Park (Melbourne), Mat Harry, is experimenting with a simple acronym to cultivate disciples in his churches and groups. Built around the idea of becoming a blessing to their community, it is simple, comprehensive, and biblical, and includes reflection/action learning. Members will explore one aspect of discipleship one week – then following practical application they will return to share their stories the next week. For the first week the theme has been BLESS PEOPLE – and each person (young and old) makes a commitment to bless at least 3 people each week. It is working. Some pretty interesting stories are already coming in. (Mat is not letting his members know the full meaning of the acronym up-front. If you would like it, leave a comment!)

Check out Dan Kimball’s book They like Jesus but not the Church (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007), David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons', unChristian (Grand Rapids, USA: Baker Books, 2007) and the Adventist Review article “They Love Jesus, They Don’t Love the Church”. The Review article gives an introduction – but a thoughtful church planter or leader will want to read Kimball and Kinnaman’s books.

Three is Enough Groups (pray, grow, serve) are expected to make a big impact for the gospel – all over the world. Check out Todd Hunters blog at http://www.3isenough.org/

Heritage Community Fellowship is a very new church plant (on the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia) growing from the vision of the Heritage College chaplain – Faye Stothers; teachers and members; and strongly supported by the college principal, Stuart Barons, and area pastor, David Butcher. But two things stand out – first, it is very creative; and second, it is “owned” by young adults. The structure is simple and open – (1) worship music, (2) a brief exploration of a theme for the day, (3) followed by groups that translate that theme into real life through photography, drama, art, music or in dialogue groups. The groups then come together to share what they have developed during the afternoon. The youth and students are so excited – they invite their friends!