The 'prayer station' has been set up only three times so far – with over 100 responses. Read more.
Alphabet City Cafe becomes Church
Alphabet City Cafe is a bustling commercial cafe on High Street, Northcote (an inner northern suburb of Melbourne, Australia). There are four or five large crowded rooms – walls decorated with the works of local artists – where friends meet for coffee or a meal to talk, read, catch up. The rooms are open to each other –… Continue reading
Local church plants 8!
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
Soup Kitchen Popular
“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, with Connections, runs The Dining Room – a soup kitchen – where the number coming for food has almost doubled since December 2007 to 90… Continue reading
24/7 Discipleship
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)
New Plant in Melbourne
“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… Continue reading
Strawberry Choir – church to kids!
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… Continue reading
Church is the Question
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)
Ministry in a postmodern world
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.
B.L.L.E.S.M. – practical discipleship!
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… Continue reading