Opawa Baptist Church :: a resting place

Steve writes:

Mission collectives were birthed over last weekend. The aim of the colectives is to collect - focus, prayer, resource, energy, inspiration, input - around Opawa's mission life.

We trialled three different collectives on three different days in three different locations. Each came with a distinct and unique vibe.

The living collective met in a workplace and focussed on the challenges of being a Christian neighbour and work colleague. Struggles and obstacles were shared. A video of how it feels to be "evangelised" was played.

The creating collective met on couches under the Pentecost art display. A range of quotes were used to spark an excellent discussion around art, theology, participation and spiritual growth.

The loving collective met over soup in the foyer. Our sixteen local community ministries had opportunity to share their unique flavour. People then walked prayerfully around the Waltham community.

In total 47 people turned up. The first time is always a trial. Each could have been better. More people could have come. But by and large, people left energised and challenged.

We are aiming for four a year. So put a ring around the weekend of August 16 - 18: Living collective on Friday 16; Creating on Saturday 17; Loving on Sunday 18.

(Ed: I'm sorry this posting is late - this happens when you have a computer crash!)

Debbie Jaeger writes:

Today is our chance to share with you a small portion of what happens at Girls Brigade each Tuesday night. It's a privilege to be able to work with these girls and to watch them grow and mature each year.

We value those people who support us with their time, skills, prayers and money. We are always on the lookout out for extra hands to help on a Tuesday (especially when we do crafts!) or for someone who has a different practical skill or interest they can teach the girls.

Please continue to pray for us. We do have some girls who like to "push the limits" and please continue to pray for the leaders, that they will have good energy, fresh ideas and be able to show God's love to the girls each Tuesday.

The Christchurch web site mentioned in church today: www.fluinfo.org.nz

Tony of ICONZ writes:

Dear Friends,

I want to tell you about the exciting journey that ICONZ has been on over the last six months. As many of you will know, the resignation of three leaders at the end of last year brought with it a number of challenges. The largest of these was the reality that ICONZ may no longer be able to continue.

Over the Christmas holiday period and into the New Year I had a number of people praying and seeking God in relation to 'where to now?'. The boys' ministry needed at least two more leaders that are adult, more financial support and more boys. As the term progressed, my concerns remained the same.

However, half way through term one God answered our prayers. Four adults volunteered to help lead, financial gifts were given directly to the ministry and four new boys began to attend.

God had truly come to the party and WOW what an amazing answer He had given us.

Thank you for your prayers and support in the past and over the term. We have been visiting a number of congregational members' workplaces in recent weeks and the boys have loved it. For me personally, it is such a blessing to be involved in a church that is embracing a ministry that I feel passionate about. God has again proved His faithfulness to us. What a neat Father we have!

Take Care
Tony Palmer

Steve writes:

A number of services over this week allow us to reflect on God as Spirit. The church has been busy all week with numbers of people, putting time and talent into making possible what will be for us a highly memorable Pentecost. All the activity emerges from a simple prayer "Come Holy Spirit, surprise us with Your Life."

Evangelicals and Protestants have at times been accused of forgetting God's Spirit. In contrast, listen to some words from the Nicene Creed (381), a widely accepted and well-used brief statement of the Christian Faith:

"I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified; and has spoken through the prophets."

These words remind us that as Christians we worship one God, made known to
us in the three Persons (Father, Son and Spirit), of the Tri-unity of God.

While we at Opawa have historically put emphasis and energy into our celebrations of Christmas and Easter, Pentecost gives us an opportunity to reflect on God as Holy Spirit.

How might God, the Spirit, the Giver of Life, become real to us this Pentecost? How does this God, this Giver of life, speak to us this year? What do the prophets of God tell us about this Giver of life?

The Editor writes:

This is an "unauthorised" posting! The Church's Bible Days for the rest of the year are (highly recommended) for us ordinary people. Do try to get to them if at all possible. Teaching is by people who have a passion for the book they introduce. There is a $5.00 charge for non-Opawa-ites:

July 25: Acts
Aug 15: 2 Samuel
Sept 19: Ecclesiastes
Oct 3: Mark

3.30 pm - 5.30 pm on a Saturday afternoon. Just bring a Bible and a pen.

Steve writes:

Mission Collectives:
Resourcing us outwards.
Coming in June (19-21)

Steve writes:

Thanks to those who made the effort to attend the church meeting on a freezing cold Wednesday evening. Despite the weather, the turnout was excellent and the vibe cheerful.

Key moments included:

update and prayer for our church life
excitement over what is happening regarding the Waltham Gathering, held at the Cottage around soup, Scripture and life application
news of a “welcome home” special offering for Judy More on Sunday June 7
while recognising the independence of the existing Waltham Youth Trust, the church expressed the desire to reseat the Trust more closely among us as a church as the Waltham Youth and Community Trust. Four Trustees - Alastair McGowan, Clare Palmer, Trevor Kerr, Paul McMahon - were recommended as Trustees.
respectful debate on the implications - Biblical, ethical, practical - of the sources from which a Trust might accept monies.
welcome and prayer for our new church manager, Robyn Peterson
celebrating the role of “bridge builders” in our midst, people including Annette McGowan, Hugh Dimock, Jenn Sands, who are giving time on a regular basis to minister in our community
There is a rusty stereotype of church meetings as boring places where people argue and yell at each other.  I have never seen this stereotype at Opawa and I’m grateful for every little effort made by each of you (practical and prayerful), before, during and after a church meeting, that leads people toi describe Opawa Baptist church meetings as “exciting”, “mission-focused”, “harmonious.” 

Steve writes:

For us as a church, “It’s all about the story of Jesus”, and every day this week, you as Opawa people have had the opportunity to be part of this story - living and loving and creating - in our local community and in our work and leisure places.

Thank you. Thank you for your willingness to live and love and create.

More particularly for us as a church over the week the following has happened:

On Tuesday the Board met with the Church Manager interview panel and a decision was made with regard to the new Church Manager. The person will be “unveiled” and commissioned at our upcoming church meeting/forum (Wednesday 20th May, 7:30 pm)

By Friday four Opawa people had confirmed their willingness to be nominated as Trustees in relation to re-seating The Waltham Youth Trust.

It so encouraging to see people express their willingness to serve the community in this way. (These nominations need to be confirmed also at our upcoming church meeting/forum.)

By Friday it was difficult to move through the church foyer without tripping over a box of books. The response has been fantastic and thanks to the Book Club for taking this fundraising initiative for the building project.
 

Steve writes:

Last Sunday included our Newcomers' lunch. These are held every 3-4 months. They are advertised in the newsletter and by personal invitation (when we have contact details).

They provide a way for people new to Opawa to gather, to meet others new to Opawa and some of the church Board and pastoral staff. We eat lunch together. We get to know each other a bit. And we get some feedback on people’s first impressions of Opawa.

So among those new to Opawa, what do they see?

a really friendly, warm welcome
the richness of our Sunday services, including depth of Bible teaching and the sense of something exciting going on
a church that eats lots of lunches together, and the importance of food and relationships
an outstanding sense of community ministry and community engagement
diversity and the richness of congregations and how much is on offer
Opawa as friendly, rich in diversity, relational and outwardly focused.

Encouraging isn’t it?