allsaint's church blog 2008

Christian Community

June 22, 2008 - Ian

As many of you know, my daughter Beth has been in hospital over the last week with Dengue Fever and Typhoid. It has not been easier for her nor Narelle nor me. But Beth is now out of hospital and recovering well. One thing that has stood out to this grateful Hadfield family over this week has been the Christian community support that we have received.

We are asked by God to weep with those who weep, mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). This is what I have discovered is real and true of the Christian community here in All Saints Jakarta. And this is not only a discovery for this week but all my Christian life (some 30 years now) I have found this to be true that where ever I go, God has his Christ-like community.

God places his people around the globe to be there for one another... Read the rest of the Article. Post a Comment

2008 church blogs

Christian Community

22 June 2008

Do you belong to All Saints?

13 April 2008

Thanks and belonging

9 March 2008

Do you belong to All Saints?

April 13, 2008 - Dale

A difficult question. Belong in what sense? Am I on the list of registered members? Am I a regular attender? Is this my church home? Am I part of the fellowship? Are my Christian friends and encouragers and supporters in this church? Am I connected with strong bonds to those who are working to strengthen and build up this church? Have I invested myself in its life?

So many possible answers. All Saints is an unusual church because people can be part of it in different ways. Some people are both registered members and part of the “engine room” that helps the church grow. Others are not registered members but are part of the core strength. Some attend regularly and share to some extent in the life of All Saints. Some are visitors.

The structure of this church allows all these three groups (registered members, regular attenders and visitors) to be part of All Saints in different ways. So it can be confusing for those of us who are from churches where membership is defined more narrowly.

But belonging is more than whether we are members in some official sense. Do you feel you belong? ... Read the rest of the Article. Post a Comment.

Thanks and belonging

March 9, 2008 - Ian

This Monday night, the current Church Council meets for the last time. This Church Council has employed me and so my family and I wish to say thank you to this Council and all who were involved in interviewing, arranging, hosting etc. But the Council has done more; it has expanded Dale’s contract as Vicar and spent time planning for the next 5 years. There are some exciting possibilities ahead including starting a new church Service, employing a Youth and Children’s worker, being involved in mission and developing the Menteng property.

There have been some challenges and struggles, some joys and gains. Our Councillors have served us and our Saviour. Thank you Kayee, Robert, Ruth, Pek Swan, Shelley, Peter, Steve, Walter, Dave, Frandy, Danny, Alistair, Paul and Richard. A big thank you to Dave who has served us and the Council for about 10 years but who is not standing this year.

All Saints is an amazing church with people from all sorts of cultural and church backgrounds. We are God’s family and worship our God together on Sundays and as smaller groups and individuals our worship continues throughout the week. Belonging though is more than simply attending: it is also about taking responsibility for All Saints and its ministries and being interested in its leadership. ... Read the rest of the Article. Post a Comment