Nehemiah 4 (Andre Van Eymeren )

I’ve been searching for a way to describe, or a story to tell that would help illustrate my growing understanding of what Transforming Melbourne is calling the church to. Essentially it is prayer and holistic mission, but what does this actually look like? As a church worker and mission practitioner for over 15 years, I’ve been struggling with how intercession and mission come together. However, when I read Nehemiah 4, some things seem to drop into place for me.

The scene is a defeated Israel, looking at their destroyed walls, remembering the former glory of their city. Nehemiah heard of their distress from Babylon, and got not only permission, but active support from the king to go and rebuild the walls, and effectively the city. Interestingly in terms of engagement with the world (Babylon), Nehemiah was part of the establishment, so to speak. He was responsible for the king’s wellbeing and many of his affairs. From that position, through relationship Nehemiah took the risk of appearing sad in the King’s presence and won his favour for this project.

As we get to Chapter 4, Nehemiah has rallied the remnant and they have started working on the walls. At the start all is cruisey and, I can imagine the sense of excitement and togetherness building. The sense of destiny returning. Then the enemy gets word of what is going on… and they are not happy. Sanballat, Tobiah and the others have enjoyed control of the once great Jerusalem and its people. That control is now being threatened.

Firstly there are insults about the workers and the quality of the work. (vs1-3) Nehemiah prays a prayer of desperation that turns into a mighty warfare prayer, calling on God as protector and vindicator. The work progressed quickly, because the people had a heart for it. (Their motivation was close to the surface.) (vs6) In terms of prayer and mission this is where it gets interesting, the two come together quite starkly over the next few verses. (I want to say here that I’m not using the story as a metaphor for something else, I want to use this story to illustrate a point.)

Sanballat, Tobiah and the others became furious, they vowed to fight against Jerusalem and create as much trouble as possible. Nehemiah got the people to pray and he set a round the clock guard on the wall. Drama builds as the workers begin to flag with the enormity of their task, and the threats continue. Nehemiah becomes more strategic, stationing guards at the most vulnerable places along the wall and assigning families with swords, lances and bows. As the task of building continues, prayer comes to the forefront again. Nehemiah calls the people to put their minds on their Master and then fight for their brothers, sons, daughters, wives, and homes. (vs13-14)

Seems a great combination, to be mindful of God and the reasons why we want to make a difference in the world. And then to actually do it!!

So the Israelites went back to work, half of them stood guard, while the other half worked on the wall. The half working on the wall had a tool in one hand and weapon in the other. (vs 15-18) What a wonderful picture… I think it was Oliver Cromwell (Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland 1653-1658 – and yes, I know he didn’t get it all right) who said, ‘Pray as if everything depends on God, work as if everything depends on us.’

So can you see the connections and the links between prayer and mission? Transforming Melbourne is calling the church to a holistic expression of Kingdom life. One that includes prayer as the engine room of mission. That sees the pray-ers in the thick of it, not secluded in a back room or as a marginalised part of the church. The call is to see prayer and mission as complementary, as part of the same whole. The builders must know how to fight, to be both excellent at their task and committed to warfare in prayer. Those standing guard need to engage fully in the work of prayer and be intimately aware of the mission and all that is involved.

Perhaps the last thing to mention is the trumpeter. Nehemiah kept him close to sound the alarm. Should the battle begin, all the men would run to the call of the trumpeter and would fight together. Pretty wonderful illustration of the body, don’t you think? Likewise, Transforming Melbourne from time to time sounds the alarm for the church to come together in prayer and action.

Be great to hear what you think.

The Melbourne Indigenous Church: A Story of Hope (Anne Green)

With eyes of faith one can see that the Indigenous Community of Melbourne is beginning to emerge out of a time of spiritual barrenness.

A quick glance across the 15,000-strong Indigenous community of Melbourne reveals only 2 small Indigenous fellowships regularly meeting together, although there are several other ministries happening and Indigenous churches in some regional centres outside Melbourne. As in the Non-Indigenous Church, these ministries that do exist, though aware of one another, are mostly like puzzle pieces not yet linked together into the Body of Christ.

However, a deeper look into the Melbourne Indigenous Community, with some understanding of the spiritual history of this region, uncovers a story of hope:

Seeds……
Seeds of the gospel have been faithfully sown across the Indigenous community of Melbourne for generations. Indigenous Australians are reportedly the most evangelised people group on the planet. Many of those seeds, sown initially by missionaries and Indigenous leaders of the past, have sprung up to revival in former generations. Other seeds lie dormant. Where in this barren place are the wells of life-giving water to bring growth to these seeds?

Wells…..
Spirit-filled Indigenous Christian leaders, past and present have left their legacy in the Indigenous community of Melbourne. Deep ancient wells of God’s Spirit remain, waiting to be re-dug.

Prayer…
God has raised up an Indigenous prayer network to support, encourage and link together Melbourne Indigenous ministries. Through the commitment and intercession of a growing group of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Christians across the city, the needs of the Indigenous Church are being heard and prayers answered. Old wells are being re-dug and seeds watered.

Wheat and Tares…
Along with the seeds of ‘wheat’ the evil one has planted seeds of destruction in the Indigenous community of Melbourne. We must never forget that we and our ancestors have been partner to this along with bringing the words of eternal life in Jesus. Indigenous people in this city still today are crushed by the ongoing harvest of evil sown into their lives and the lives of their forebears. It is the role of the people of God in this city to unravel and reveal the sins of the past and plead the forgiveness and blood of Jesus over the destruction done sometimes even in the name of Christ. The destroyer must also be identified and rebuked.

A flourishing Indigenous Church will emerge in this City and healing will begin in the Name of Jesus.

Inviting You To 40 Days United Prayer

Lent has arrived. It's a season that leads to our commemoration of the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus. Transforming Melbourne organises 40 days of Prayer Calendar every year. We invite you to join us in united prayer from 17th Feb to 28th March.

This year the focus is "Abiding in Jesus for Fruit That Transforms Cities - Fruit of God's Spirit to transform us and through us our cities across Australia."

You can go to the following link and download the 40 days prayer and fasting guide.

http://www.transformingmelbourne.org.au/

Please feel free to share your reflection here.

Transformation, Purpose, Love, Healing, Provision (Kitty Cheng)

On the last day of 2009, I woke at 6am, the house was quiet. I started reflecting on the year past and became restless.

I spent time looking back at photos, journals and blogs from the last year - special moments, times with friends and family from various parts of the world, holidays, happy times, sad times, ministry, connections and interactions etc.

I thought back to the last New Year. Some of the emotions that I had about how the year ahead would pan out, the dreams I have dreamt, the goals I have set. Some of the goals I set were achieved and the dreams I believed in came true. The obstacles I didn't know I would have to face, yet these unexpected challenges were ok somehow. I know WHOSE I am :)

I was thinking about the new year ahead, vision, mission, dreams, goals and hopes. I have many dreams, I have many personal challenges, yet I feel strong and ready for an exciting New Year.

Five words came to mind as I reflected & prayed:

Transformation

Purpose

Love

Healing

Provision

Out of the five words, TRANSFORMATION is one that I have the strongest emotions to. One of my life goals is to experience the ongoing process of transformation, and help others do the same. It's my heart's desire to be an agent of transformation.

I believe "transformation" is something we allow to be done to us, not something we do by our own power. I pray that we can submit to God's power and by His grace, "change into another form" from "caterpillars" to "butterflies", hence becoming a "new creation." (2 Cor 5:17).

What are your words for 2010?