Waikato Plant

How do we communicate

2006-10-28T02:42:00.000-07:00

This is an article I put together in 1999.

It is still something is fundamental to doing church..

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How do we communicate? Are our ideas one dimensional with no room for interpretation? Do we give people a chance to see the things that mean something to them?

Jesus is the greatest teacher and communicator ever seen. His ideas and thoughts were full of life and imagery relevant to his culture. Imagery is a key. The human mind loves to discover for itself rather than being force-fed. Through the use of imagery we have the opportunity to enable the audience to draw out for themselves their own truths.

Solomon in Proverbs gives us truths embodied in an image, "Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam".

Through this one comparison we can see how an argument may be small to start with, but it will grow and become more and more destructive. Like a small hole in a dam, it grows till finally it destroys all life near the dam and the dam is left empty.

Jesus used parables (short descriptive stories) to explain truths and answer questions. Some of these parables were mysteries to the crowds that gathered. The truth was hidden and it was only if your heart was touched that the meaning would be revealed (see Luke 8:4-15).

I believe that as Christians we are to communicate as Christ did, using imagery which is relevant to our culture. This imagery maybe in the lyrics of music, a poem, a play, a written story, a painting, sculpture, dance, comedy, any creative act inspired by Jesus. For so long we, as the church, have been stuck in a form of "church" which doesn't use the powerful imagery that God would have for us. Our culture is used to hard hitting imagery; It takes sex, violence and scandal to make us look twice. It is hungry for more and what is new today becomes old tomorrow. In this culture we need a fresh perspective to see how we can be a light which attracts attention, tapping the creativity and uniqueness that God created in us.

The imagery we use may be a mystery to the crowds. But through the Lord softening hearts a spiritual truth will be discovered. The Bible tells us that the Gospel is like foolishness if you don't know Jesus, so it is through Jesus that the truth can be revealed; We just need to provide him with material and opportunity.

"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in see the light."

The imagery we get needs to be on display, if it is hidden the light will not be seen.

"See to it that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you." [Luke 11].

Our imagery should be lightness not darkness. If our imagery is just a reflection of the darkness, what have we achieved? Probably a poor substitute. We have something unique to offer which comes from a different perspective, a heart of light. So our art and imagery should reflect this.

Ask God the creator to stir up the creative in you; Pick up your pens, brushes, dust off your instruments, get into character and create. Put the lamp on its stand!

Why do you breathe?

2006-10-25T01:24:00.000-07:00

Where is your hope?

What do you live for?

To Worship, to live a generous life, to follow Jesus.

To play sport, to watch sport

To spend, to build up stuff, fill the garage

To look after your kids

Passion. What do you live for?

On Saturday night we went to the final game for the Air NZ Cup. Waikato and Wellington were playing. It was a huge game the atmosphere was electric. It was passionate. The noise was overwhelming.

It was an experience where you were hit with the raw emotion and the fact that Waikato won was also a highlight. Confirming that the Waikato is the best place in NZ.

What is Passion::
1. intense emotion: intense or overpowering emotion such as love, joy, hatred, or anger

Passion in bible:: several translations

Pathos translates to ‘evil desire’

Pathein refers to Christs suffering and death. Else where translated as suffering
Acts1:3
3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
Heb 13:12
12And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.

Passion can be pretty crazy, for example Rugby last night, out of control, exciting, wild emotion.

What about the Passion that Jesus showed us. "Pathein" ("to suffer") the suffering he went through so he could win the battle of the Kingdoms.

This passion had a focus, it was to see us connect with God again.

In Isaiah 53: (700 BC) it describes what Jesus in his "passion" would achieve for us.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, (rebellion)
he was crushed for our iniquities; (sins)
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, (be whole)
and by his wounds we are healed. (be healed)

Then we see this worked out in the gospels. In Matt 27 we see the conclusion of Isaish 53. We see Jesus mocked, flogged, humiliated, mocked by the religious leaders and finally crucified.

The Death of Jesus
Matt 27:45 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi,[c] lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"[d]

Then out of that passion he was raised the battle won.

In the end I think it can be easy to loose sight of what this life is about. Why do we breathe? Houses, cars, family, work, study can suddenly drown out the passion of Jesus that he has called us to live. He had a heart that was after his sheep, he would passionately and selflessly do all he could to see the sheep saved. Remember in Jesus’s final conversations with Peter, do you love me? Feed my sheep. Jesus passion is for people.

He wants us to share his passion. A passion that is not all about its own pleasure but is selfless and after the good of others. It may mean we share in his suffering.

Phil 1
29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him

1 Peter 1
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.

These verses show us that passionately following Jesus will result in some hard times.

But the great thing is that he walks through this with us, He is:

The God of All Comfort
2 Cor 1
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.

Unlike Jesus we have him to walk through this suffering with us. To comfort us and to motivate us to be patient in the struggle of showing his passion to the people around us.

So after a night of great rugby I feel the challenge to be a people that are passionate followers of Jesus that live a life of true “passion” (Pathein).

Classic Vineyard

2006-04-09T02:08:00.000-07:00

Today one of our team spoke. He has seen vineyard grow and develop from the early years and recounted his memories of vineyard today.

He described what he thought was "classic vineyard". He recounted his memories of going to some of the first Vineyard meetings in the US where John Wimber was meeting in the Gym. Being hit with the worship, no OHPs, Hymnals just a music team being used to lead people into worship. He described it as like being hit with waves of worship.

This is similar to my first experiences of Vineyard where we walked into a small vineyard church and were hit with worship that was like rain to our souls. It brought life and refreshing like rain in the desert.

He went on to describe another aspect of "classic vineyard", the teaching around the "Kingdom of God", that it could break through into our lives today. That God wants to heal, wants to set free and we can invite him to break into lives.

Another aspect of classic vineyard was "mercy", works of grace and mercy, looking after the poor. Described the street parties in the US, where they would bless a neighbourhood with food, fun, music and gifts.

Also that we are to all be involved, its not about the pastor, everyone can pray, everyone can hear, we can do the stuff everyday.

So as a church over the last month we have felt God call us to rediscover our identity, what is at vineyards core. Why are we vineyard?

We worship
We ask and expect to see Gods kingdom break into this one
We actively show mercy
We all do the stuff, see healing, deliverance and abundant life

So another great day at Liverpool St.

Waikato Plant

2006-04-04T01:51:00.000-07:00

Waikato Plant

Had a huge weekend. A great turn out to our new building party on Sunday. A lot of new faces, we doubled in number. We had some great worship, shared our story over the last 2 years and had a great BBQ together.

On the move again

2006-04-01T01:08:00.000-08:00

We moved into a new building this Sunday, 26 March 2006.

It has been another God organised lease, flexible, the right price and an awesome location.

Felt god was wanting me to talk about the concept of being a "shepherd".

This new building will be a place where God is going to gather his people that have given up on church "the exiles".

A church of shepherds

Jeremiah 23

1 "Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. 2 Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: "Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done," declares the LORD. 3 "I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the LORD.

Acts 20:27-29
27For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.[a] Be shepherds of the church of God,[b] which he bought with his own blood. 29I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.

1 Peter 5:2
Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;

shep'-erd (ro`eh, ro`i; poimen, "a feeder"):
The sheep owner frequently tends the flocks himself (Genesis 4:4; 30:40; compare Ezekiel 34:12), but more often he delegates the work to his children (Genesis 29:9; 1 Samuel 16:19; 17:15) or relatives (Genesis 31:6).

P`ASTOR, n. L. from pasco, pastum, to feed.
1. A shepherd; one that has the care of flocks and herds.

The shepherd's equipment is a simple one. His chief garment is a cloak woven from wool or made from sheepskins. This is sleeveless, and so made that it hangs like a cloak on his shoulders. When he sleeps he curls up under it, head and all. During the summer a lighter, short-sleeved `aba or coat is worn. He carries a staff or club (see STAFF), and a characteristic attitude is to make a rest for his arms by placing his staff on his shoulders against the back of his neck. When an especially productive spot is found, the shepherd may pass the time, while the animals are grazing, by playing on his pipe (Judges 5:16). He sometimes carries a sling (qela`) of goat's hair (1 Samuel 17:40). His chief belongings are kept in a skin pouch or bag (keli) (1 Samuel 17:40). This bag is usually a whole tawed skin turned wrong side out, with the legs tied up and the neck forming the opening. He is usually aided in the keeping and the defending of the sheep by a dog (Job 30:1). In Syria the Kurdish dogs make the best protectors of the sheep, as, unlike the cowardly city dogs, they are fearless and will drive away the wild beasts.

Shepherd -
A word naturally of frequent occurence in Scripture. Sometimes the word "pastor" is used instead (Jeremiah 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 12:10; 17:16). This word is used figuratively to represent the relation of rulers to their subjects and of God to his people (Psalms 23:1; 80:1; Isaiah 40:11; 44:28; Jeremiah 25:34,35; Nahum 3:18; John 10:11,14; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4).

The duties of a shepherd in an unenclosed country like Palestine were very onerous. "In early morning he led forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot where they were to be pastured. Here he watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep strayed, and if any for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest, seeking diligently till he found and brought it back. In those lands sheep require to be supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose has to guide them either to some running stream or to wells dug in the wilderness and furnished with troughs. At night he brought the flock home to the fold, counting them as they passed under the rod at the door to assure himself that none were missing. Nor did his labours always end with sunset. Often he had to guard the fold through the dark hours from the attack of wild beasts, or the wily attempts of the prowling thief (see 1 Samuel 17:34).", Deane's David.

New Building

2005-09-07T03:50:00.000-07:00

We have moved into a new building in Garden Place. Its been great to be in a building we can use all week.

Since moving in we have been able to setup the building with cafe/lounge feel.

We have had a lot of visitors since moving in.

A new chapter has opened for Waikato Vineyard.

Worship Night

2005-04-22T02:52:00.000-07:00

We had our first worship night this Friday. We grabbed an old church hall up the road from where we normally meet. It was a great atmasphere, candles, food and hanging out in one of the oldest churches in Hamilton.

We kicked off at 8:30pm and went through to 10:30pm. Presence of God was really there, a great opportunity to declare God's name and worhsip him.

We had some visiting guys playing along with some of our own team.

I feel like we should start meeting more just for worship at night, so we will see what venues are available and who wants to be involved.

For me Friday was one of many highlights in being involved in seeing a Vineyard established in Hamilton.

Feel my heartbeat

2005-04-17T03:02:00.000-07:00

Feel my heartbeat
Know my heart

Feel my heartbeat
Know my ways
Know my dreams

Feel my heartbeat
Know my ways
Know my truth

And walk in my ways
walk in my truth
walk in my power

Know my name
Know my ways

Let me wash you clean
Let me make you new

For I want you to be new
to be clean
to be true

Feel my heartbeat

Whats your story?

2005-04-10T03:09:00.000-07:00

Tarn shared today. I was out with the Youth but had a chance to listen to it later. The challenge was to start telling your story, don't be scared of what people might think of you or what judgements people might make. Stand tall in what God has done for you and where you have come from.

Always be ready to tell your story it is the most real thing you can do. Who can argue with your personal experience.

I believe that as a church we are going to learn how to tell our story.

Doing the stuff

2005-02-23T01:23:00.000-08:00

Now we have a young peoples group after worship on a Sunday. The 12 to 16 year olds now meet out back after worship. They hang out, spend time getting to know each other and Jesus.

We have started looking at an awesome DVD out of Canada called "QUEST". The guy that hosts it is very "real". It has peoples opinions from Canada, UK and America.

The guys have come up with the things they want to talk through over the next couple of months and we kicked off the fun stuff with a trip to the pool complex this weekend.

What is this group all about?
Being Real,

“Real people, real church, real life”

real people
- Honest, no masks, “keeping it real”

real church
- acceptance – tolerance, unconditional
- community

real life
About a real relationship (with God, and each other)

These guys have got a huge contribution to what this Church plant can do. Its very exciting to see another part of the puzzle come together. So watch this space and we will keep you posted.

"the simple life"

2005-01-23T22:28:00.000-08:00

Sitting back in my lazy boy. In the glow of my Laptop screen, I wonder if my life is simple. In our modern lives full of life improving gadgets and time saving technology have we lost the ability to be satisfied with the simple things of life?

Old Village / Tribe Culture
· Family
· Community
· Having Shelter
· And plenty to eat
· Kids happy
· Safe and secure
· Following our beliefs
· Family Centred -> Community Centred -> Common Belief Centred

Modern Culture, Hamilton City
· How many houses? Cars
· How big is your house?
· Kids, latest mobile
· Excess, Need more stuff
· Are my kids doing well? Academic, Sport
· Where am I going?
· My career, My Education
· How do I manage my time better?
· Believe, whatever fits my lifestyle (lifestyle first)
· Pursuit of value, What will this do for me?
· Identity, I am a brand (plastic surgery), What is my look?
· Self help books, Self Improvement

Attitudes
-- Ego, Pride, Self-Centred or ME-centred
- Hopeless, Aimless

Results
– Its all about stuff, and what can be seen, Competitive, about me
Hopeless because cannot ever attain success (unreal expectations, insatiable)

Modern culture is burning us out, more depression, more hopelessness. Leads to - Having to escape reality. “It’s not worth it”

Our lives wear us down, we have regular career crisis. Cannot see how we could do this job for the rest of our lives. A job is no longer available for the rest of your life. We live with high change. Our grand parents knew a different culture.

High change is resulting in a wearing down of our will and desire. A depressed generation (what’s the use). People become Polarised, the positive take on the world or the what’s the use sit back and hope it goes quickly or at least as a blur.
Others search for identity and meaning.

Need to step back, how do we live in our culture but not buy into it. It is subtle and not obvious when we are in our busy day to day lives.

It’s not black and white, we are part of this community/culture so that does determine what we need to do. We live in houses, kids go to school, we work in high-pressure work environments, stretch every hour. If we are practical we cannot be total separate,

Tenting experience
No power, No TV,
It was all about hunting and gathering, shelter (not blown away, don’t get wet)
Chatting around the candles, I took up whittling sticks, (very humorous).

In becoming westernised I think we can loose track of what matters, more concerned about attaining a material goal, and fitting a successful pattern for life than looking after our collective spirit, mind and body. The simple life is not a consideration.

What locks us in to this life style?
Habit, Pattern, Familiar
Pride, Ego
Debt, the result of trying to become the dream before we can afford it
Expectation, our own and others
Expectation is almost a debt, a debt that others perceive you owe them, to do this, “look at the time I have invested in you.”
Debt, It’s a trade off, what do we trade, future money, emotions, values, standards, dreams.
The wrong focus, centre

What does the bible say?

1 Peter 2:10-12
10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

The Message puts it well
1 Peter 2
The Stone
4Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. 5Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God. 6The Scriptures provide precedent:

Look! I'm setting a stone in Zion,
a cornerstone in the place of honor.
Whoever trusts in this stone as a foundation
will never have cause to regret it.

7To you who trust him, he's a Stone to be proud of, but to those who refuse to trust him,

The stone the workmen threw out
is now the chief foundation stone.
8For the untrusting it's
. . . a stone to trip over,
a boulder blocking the way.

They trip and fall because they refuse to obey, just as predicted.

9But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you-- 10from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. 11Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. 12Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.

Do the opposite:
night-and-day difference he made for you
- turn it on it’s head

Trust in Christ as the cornerstone, living stone (solid), foundation, centre
– It’s not about me. What’s at the Centre? What is it about?

Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it.
– not about things, take a step back, worry about your real home, the end goal, is it about comfort?

Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.
– Selfless life, servant, think others higher than yourself. It is a battle, remind yourself daily.

Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices.
– be an illustration, and so help prove their judgements wrong.

Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.

But if you're treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God.
– Its not about your rights.

Walk through life – step by step.

Conclusion
It’s not about having a mundane life, but a simple life. We live for a challenge. The human spirit loves to experience new things. God has given us the great commission. It is a challenge, adventure, a journey.

Christmas celebration

2004-12-19T01:51:00.000-08:00

Today the kids presented the Christmas story. They had worked on it for the last term. They had awesome costumes and did a great job.

At the end of their play they sang some carols and then gave all the adults gifts.

Then it was our chance (Tanya and I) to thank the team that has been working with us over the last year to nurture Waikato Vineyard into life.

When we look back over the last 9 months we count it a huge privilege to be involved and lead such a great group of people. We can't wait to see what next year holds.

After the service we went out to Ken & Lesley's farm and had a great BBQ. Lot's of food, heaps of fun, a great way to celebrate the last meeting for the year.

We are going to take a break for the next 3 weeks and kick off again on the 16th Jan 2005!!

Highlights

2004-12-14T02:17:00.000-08:00

We got together tonight for a catchup with the team. We spent some time praying.

Someone saw a picture of new roots growing in fresh soil, another person saw a picture of a painter painting being encouraged to use new tones of color, willing to experiment.

I believe God was encouraging us that we were still growing, to continue to try new things. Just as some color combinations will work, others won't and that's fine, but be prepared to try.

We spent some time talking about some of the highlights so far with being involved in the Waikato Church plant. Here are some:

- "Mucking In", The chance to help people out there as a group, no strings attached.

- "Planning nights", Working together as a team, a chance to contribute and participate.

- "Opportunities", everyone needs to contribute.

- "5 minute talks", every service we have a 5 minute slot where someone is asked to share.

- "Communion service", spending 20 minutes just celebrating what Jesus has done through taking communion.

- "15 minute coffee break", we have a long break in the middle of the Sunday meeting where we have coffee, great food and a chance to get to know each other.

Experience

2004-12-12T01:46:00.000-08:00

This Sunday we had the pleasure of hearing from 5 of our guys. Each spent around 5 minutes sharing where they were at.

I enjoyed hearing what was going on peoples lives, to be honest I felt privileged to be on the receiving end.

Some of the guys talked about their experiences of being involved in our church plant this year, the challenge to get involved and get "busy" doing the stuff. Others challenged us to become Hawks soaring high, rather than chickens with our heads in the dirt.

Others shared the journey they have been on over the last years and that perseverance is the key. That God can lead you through the deepest valley out the other side.

At the end of the meeting I felt God wanted everyone that had the privilege to receive what these guys had to say, that we should bless each one by praying for them. So we spent the last 20 minutes just praying for each other.

I think this style of Sunday will have to become a regular on our calendar.

Dare to ...

2004-11-22T01:52:00.000-08:00

Dare to dream

Dare to believe

Dare to pursue

Dare to fail

Dare to go on

Dare to succeed

Rest - be still

2004-11-21T01:23:00.000-08:00

It was an awesome weekend, great weather, I think summer has finally arrived.

After worship John felt that God wanted to give us rest. That he wanted to restore us.

Allen then spent 5 minutes illustrating that for us to effectively follow Jesus we need to spend time exercising. Spiritual exercise! Just like a lot of us work hard to become physically fit, it takes discipline and hard work to stay spiritually fit. But Allen challenged us to find the exercise routine that suits us, we are all different.

Tanya then spoke on rest, not just about relaxing but resting. To rest is to stop and be still. When we rest, in particular "rest in God" he then restores our soul. Tarn spoke about the scripture that talks about the yoke of the lord being easy.

Matthew 11:29 - Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.

She told the story of someone travelling in asia and observing a large bull and small bull being used to plough a field, the traveller was struck at how unfair this looked. He asked the farmer why they were yoked together. The farmer said if you look closer the smaller animal is not taking any weight, he is there to learn from the bigger bull.

The traveller finally understood this scripture which talks of the yoke of the lord to be easy and his burden light. Unlike the yoke of other masters such as greed, money, status, christs yoke is light. We stand beside christ and learn to work as he does.

Matthew 11:30 - For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."

After this Tarn suggested we spend the next 10 minutes resting in his presence and taking communion. We played a couple of songs and just rested.

I played Fall face down from matt redman's latest album, great song, will have to start putting into some worship sets.

Real People

2004-11-07T01:20:00.000-08:00

Today we had a chance to talk through our church "one liner" - "Real people, real church, real life".

The one thing that hit me when I became involved in Vineyard 8 years ago was the value that was placed on being real. I encountered a level of honesty which I hadn't seen before. If someone was strugling then they talked about it they didn't plaster on a smile and say its all good.

"Real People":
- Honest, Fallible, Willing to admit weaknesses, No masks, No pretence
- To quote todays generation they were "keepin it real".

Some people we new wanted some rules, some patterns that they could follow that would make them a good christian. Just being themselves was to unnerving. For me this environment challenged my assumptions regarding what made a good follower of christ looked like. It highlighted that without God we are weak, we needed help, what is the matter with being vulnerable to the people around us?

"Real Church":
- Real harmony and unity
1 Cor 1 vs 10
"Now, dear brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so there won't be divisions in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose."
We are called to be of One mind, United in thought and purpose.

- Walk in love
Practice Acceptance - tolerance
The challenge is how we can avoid the militant mindset against other believers, and embrace others with differing views?
"Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you.." (Romans 15:7). The church is called to a loving and accepting attitude.
Jesus died while we were still sinners. We need to accept each other warts and all, differing views, argumentative attitudes.

- Unconditional
Not about eligibility, Jesus accepted you at a time when you weren’t ready to be accepted
1 John 3 vs 16:
We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters.
It's about Community. It is not about a programme, a time and a building. Its about the people, the relationships and the pursuit of real relationship with Jesus.

"Real Life":
- Eyes on the kingdom. When we start following Jesus we are part of a new kingdom, but we still live in this kingdom.
Colossians 3:
"1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. 2 Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. 3 For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory."

We can see every day life can drown out our new life.

"Real life"
- More than food and things
Luke 12
15 Then he said, "Beware! Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we own."
Deut 8
2 Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would really obey his commands. 3 Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people need more than bread for their life; real life comes by feeding on every word of the LORD.

"Real Life":
- Dry Bones, Without the word of the Lord we become dry and dead

Ezekiel 37
3 Then he asked me, "Son of man, can these bones become living people again?" "O Sovereign LORD," I replied, "you alone know the answer to that." 4 Then he said to me, "Speak to these bones and say, `Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD!

"Real Life":
- What is the Word of the Lord?
* Spending time with him
* Knowing and seeking his voice
* Obeying his word
* Building relationship
* Reading his word
Luke 12
21"Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."

It boils down to having a rich relationship with God.

Moving House

2004-11-05T21:16:00.000-08:00

This Saturday we mucked in and helped someone move house. Around 11 people helped a friend of a friend move house. It kicked off 10:00 and was all done by about 1pm.

Its amazing how much you can get done with plenty of hands and a furniture trailer. Some of the guys were busy cleaning others were loading the trailers and moving stuff. The kids were cleaning and helping move what they can.

For us getting together and helping people is a big part of church life. It doesn't matter if the people we help go to other churches, go to no church we just enjoy spending time together providing practical help where we can.

For some photo's of other "Mucking in's" check our web site.

Dry Bones

2004-10-31T17:44:00.000-08:00

Today was great. New faces again, we used a song from the Planetshakers DVD on the new projector.

Tarn had a picture during the worship of a dry pot plant. The soil was cracked and dried, any water that you poured on it would jyst flow through the cracks and no water would get to the plant. The only way of getting the water to the plant was plunging it into a bucket of water. The pot would bubble as the water floods into every dry gap in the soil. Tarn felt that God was saying for some people here today that God wanted to plunge you into his living water and bring life.

This amazingly lead into our guest speakers (Brenton) word, that was focussed around the passage in Ezekiel 37 that speaks about the Dry Bones.
2He led me around among the old, dry bones that covered the valley floor.
They were scattered everywhere across the ground.
3Then he asked me, "Son of man, can these bones become living people again?"
"O Sovereign LORD," I replied, "you alone know the answer to that."
4Then he said to me, "Speak to these bones and say, `Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD!
5This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to breathe into you and make you live again!

In our modern day lives we so easily burn out, we become dry and die to hopes and dreams. We can become disillusioned with our lives, our faith etc.

Brenton described that in our modern culture people are now not only suffering mid life crisis but a quarterlife crisis. 20 somethings hitting a stage where they have got all the toys they can and earning good dollars, and are asking where is the meaning?

We need to let God speak into our lives and then he will breath life into our dry bones and plunge us into his living water, then we will experience REAL LIFE!

A time to think

2004-10-24T20:59:00.000-07:00

Today we had some new faces. We are still meeting in the hall, we set it up with Tables and chairs and have found some soft lounge chairs which we use to give that lounge feel.

We now have a sound system that someone has loaned us, which is great. We have bought the extra gear we need, mic's, cables and stands.

The worship is comming together more and more every Sunday.

This week we did a communion service. Tarn spoke on the Passion, and how the women who represented the devil in the Movie was portrayed. She thought that she had won, Jesus was to be crucified, God had turned his back on him. But in the ultimate twist, Jesus's death was the plan, without this event done in this way, the freedom we know today could not be ours.

After sharing this we encouraged everyone to spend some time (15 to 20 minutes) just quietly thinking on what Jesus had done. We had a picture of the cross showing and drawing materials available for those who wanted to draw. We played some Vineyard Worship songs and just spent sometime focussing on God. During this time you can go and get some bread and grape juice from the back of the hall.

It was great just to spend some time listening to God. In our modern day western life just stopping and being still does not fit in. We plan on doing a communion service like this once every 4 to 6 weeks. So we will let you know how it goes.

The Big Launch

2004-10-10T20:40:00.000-07:00

Well we launched today, it was hard work with a whole lot of last minute problems but we made it. 70 to 80 people turned up to celebrate it was great!

I was in Sydney on Thursday night and I had it confirmed the Worhsip team we had organised couldn't make it, so that meant no sound gear. Hit NZ at 2am on Friday. Got up Friday and prayed that God would sort everything, well he did. By 1pm we had hired some sound gear for $50 and borrowed a video projector from a friend (thanks Dave). We just ran with our worhsip team.

On the day, we had some extra curve balls thrown at us, but it came together. Tarn and the guys put together a great "feed". Awsome food and lots of it. We made it through the worhsip, talked about why we were planting a Vineyard church in Hamilton.

Kids were running everywhere, people talking and relaxing.

Waikato Vineyard had officially kicked off, huge effort, huge day. Well done guys.