ONE CHURCH expressing the fullness of Christ IN THE CITY

There is a growing movement away from an unreflective and restrictive use of the language of "church" that is limited to local congregations and denominations. Overwhelmingly, the New Testament speaks of the church (singular) in a particular city (Acts 8:1; 11:22; 13:1; 20:17; Romans 16:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; Revelation 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14).

Because the church is defined solely by Christ's relationship to it, and not by variations of belief, race, class, age and so on (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11), the only abiding distinction between churches in the New Testament is on the basis of location. Christians in the same city (or town) belong to the one church in that city.

As believers appropriate this truth, and begin to live and act as one, the presence of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3) will become more intense in a city, revealing that the favour of God is on his people (Psalm 133; Acts 4:33). The result will be an increasing number of its inhabitants to turn to Jesus as the one sent by the Father as the Saviour of the world (John 17:21).

Where unity is truly Christ-centred and expressed in corporate prayer for the progress of the kingdom of God, the Holy Spirit will consistently lead and empower the church in every location. He sends it forth into constantly new initiatives, local and global, so that all people might have the opportunity to hear the gospel and turn to Jesus as Saviour and Lord (Acts 4:23-33; 13:1-3).

Transformation Principles

“What will it take to achieve the vision for transformation?”

Spiritual Vitality
- Laying the foundation for ministry through corporate spiritual growth
Relational Priority
- Fueling momentum for ministry through loving relationships
Compelling Vision
- Aligning transformational efforts by maintaining vision for the completed task
Empowering Leadership
- Identifying leaders and initiating a process for community transformation
Thorough Research
- Increasing understanding of the current realities of one’s community
Loving Service
- Enacting high leverage opportunities to minister to the community
Intentional Learning
- Making a fresh commitment to individual and corporate learning around needed skills and effective ministry models.

Challenge To The Church

"I LOOKED FOR A MAN TO STAND IN THE GAP" by Harvey Porter

Ezekiel was not a popular prophet. He never sought to be. He was like Jeremiah, a bearer of bad news to Judah and especially to Jerusalem.

The people of God had sinned grievously. They had turned away from God and the Law and turned to their own ways. The land was filled with rebellion and sin. God had warned Judah what would happen if they did not return to Him. He had foretold that they would be taken into captivity in Babylon. They should have listened, for their brethren to the north, Israel, the ten tribes, had already been taken into Assyrian captivity for their sin.

In Chapter 22 of his book of prophecy, Ezekiel portrayed a dramatic scene. He spoke of the impending doom of Jerusalem, but said that it might be averted if just a few would be faithful and stand with God. Here are his great words: "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none" (Ezekiel 22:30 NIV).

What language! Just one to "stand in the gap!" To plug the leak. To fill the hole and spare the land. This would be the man or woman of the hour-the one most needed for the right moment. Life has always been that way.

There come times in our lives that demand precise action for that very moment. Much of the human family never realizes this truth. We delay, put off, procrastinate. We feel that everything is going along as it always has. It takes real wisdom to recognize what is really worthwhile and what demands first place-priority.

The church of our Lord is as the people of Judah in the time of Ezekiel. There is much to be done. A world needs to be taught the saving gospel. The need to stand in and be counted upon is personal in nature. Every congregation has many needs that must be served. For example, when you do not show up to [serve] at worship, or sit in the nursery, or teach a class, and on and on goes the list, the work suffers. Often the gap is not filled. Sometimes someone else has to fill the gap unprepared.

The business world will not put up with this kind of service. The truth is that the Lord does not put up with it either. He wants dependable servants. He wants us to be on time, to serve with diligence and enthusiasm. It ought to be counted a privilege to serve the Lord in any capacity. It should never be taken lightly. Our Lord said, "I must be about my Father's business." We must too. We never retire from the Lord's work. There is always a need for one to "stand in the gap." You are needed no matter if you are young or old, busy or not, talented or less talented, rich or poor, educated or uneducated, working or retired.

Everyone who is a devoted Christian can find something to do, encouragement to give, worship to enjoy, sacrifices to make and the Lord to love. Remember, the Lord still needs us "to stand in the gap." In Ezekiel's time He said, "but I found none." Will it be true of our time?

Revival In Melbourne

Did you know there was a revival in Melbourne 100 YEARS AGO?

In 1898 a petition with 15,300 signatures was sent to D.L.Moody in USA asking him to come and lead a crusade. He died before he could come, but in 1902, R.A. Torrey came and led a crusade.

10,000 A night crammed the Royal Exhibition Buildings every night for months 3000 men met in the Melbourne Town Hall every day for Bible studies and then the same number of women!

Other meetings were held in marquees in Fitzroy, Collingwood, South Melbourne and other suburbs.

With the population of Melbourne then 500,000, over 250,000 people came every week! Over 8,500 people came to Christ!

The sermons were printed on the front page of “The Age” and “The Argus” each day. The city was deeply impacted.

THE SECRET:
All the evangelical churches in Melbourne were working together.
They held 1700 weekly prayer groups across Melbourne!
They appointed 45 evangelists to preach in every area of the city.

“THE VITAL ELEMENTS: UNITY and PRAYER”

From: “Evangelical Christianity in Australia” Stuart Piggin (Oxford)