As the demographics of the northern suburbs of Melbourne changed, what were once vibrant churches declined. Northern Community Church of Christ came about through the merging of four of these dying churches. But this was not just a survival strategy. Phil McCredden – who has been the team leader for 12 years – had the… Continue reading
Post Category → Simple Church
They Like Jesus, Not Church
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… Continue reading
God answers prayers in pub!
Cottage Beck Café Church was established as a link to the community in Scunthorpe (Lincolnshire). The Church in the Pub (the Kingsway @ the Queensway) was seen as another link to the community. With this in mind the In Touch meetings on Tuesday evenings – after the Café closes – was designed for deeper Bible… Continue reading
Home Churches – making a comeback!
There are no doubt many reasons for this development, including (1) it is the way church existed in the early centuries – and there is a strong desire to return to ‘original’ Christianity, (2) it is ‘simple’ – without the complexities of structure and the exhaustion of trying to keep a performance type church on… Continue reading
Planting New in Kariong!
After seven months of dreaming and planning, two families started a new ‘venture’ on 3 February 07 in their local community, Kariong – north of Sydney. “We are not exactly sure what to call it,” says Laurel Ansell – the team leader. “While we are currently a ministry of Central Coast Community Church, we are… Continue reading
Surfers & Grom Churches
Surfers Church will move (next week) and start to meet at Zeebra Café where many from the local surfing community hang out. If you are in the area – head there on Mondays at 7 pm. “It's well known, attractive, and run by a generous local surfing family,” says Steve Bligh – the planter. “Around 50 people… Continue reading
Re:vive in Australia
For some years small groups of young people have been discussing the possibility of planting a church to reach their unchurched & de-churched friends in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne. The last months have been spent in prayer and planning. Last Saturday they went public for the first time – and yesterday, it was… Continue reading
Operation Global Rain
It does not involve keynote speakers – but just groups pleading for nothing else but an outpouring of the “latter rain” of the Holy Spirit. Check out Global Rain pages and ideas!
Is There a Church in the House?
This is a special report in the Adventist Review – taken from Outreach Magazine. While some congregations build bigger facilities, other faith groups are starting a new trend in worship. See how by clicking on this link. http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=857 (First published in the Jan-Feb 2003 edition of Outreach Magazine )