Hi Village,
Well, I wonder how the events of Bondi have effected you this Christmas? Are you angry? Are you sad? Are you confused or anxious? Are you... indifferent.
Our personalities, context, levels of media engagement and of course our faith all changes how you will respond to Sunday's shooting. The question I want to lead us into is, how should we react?
I think we should be angry. Jesus shows us a righteous anger at sin and evil when he cleanses the temple in John 2. It's right to be angry when the hearts God gave us turn to hate and evil rather than love. Let's be angry at those who seek to deliberately harm others. Let's be angry at those who radicalise people towards these acts of hate.
I think we should be sad. Death is a terrible reality. God's plan for people was eternal life. It's awful that people are grieving loved ones today. Let's mourn with those who mourn.
I think we should be anxious. Not maybe in the way you think. If you trust in Jesus, then you have reason not to fear. However, there should be a Christian anxiety for unbelievers. Many of those who died this week, didn't know Jesus as their savior. A far more terrible reality is that there is a far darker place than this world. Let's be anxious for those who don't know Christ.
I think we should be in prayer. Jesus calls us to love and to pray. For those who are hurting, but even for our enemies. Let's pray for those who hate, that God would change their hearts and bring them to repentance. Let's pray for those who grieve, that God would bring them comfort and hope in Jesus. Let's pray for those who don't know Jesus, that they would find eternal life in him.
And most of all, let's pray that Jesus would come back soon. To bring justice and peace to the world. To make all things new. I encourage you to pray these things with me today.
If you are really struggling with Sunday's events, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. It would be my joy to talk and pray with you.
Here's a few other things to be mindful of this month.
Well, I wonder how the events of Bondi have effected you this Christmas? Are you angry? Are you sad? Are you confused or anxious? Are you... indifferent.
Our personalities, context, levels of media engagement and of course our faith all changes how you will respond to Sunday's shooting. The question I want to lead us into is, how should we react?
I think we should be angry. Jesus shows us a righteous anger at sin and evil when he cleanses the temple in John 2. It's right to be angry when the hearts God gave us turn to hate and evil rather than love. Let's be angry at those who seek to deliberately harm others. Let's be angry at those who radicalise people towards these acts of hate.
I think we should be sad. Death is a terrible reality. God's plan for people was eternal life. It's awful that people are grieving loved ones today. Let's mourn with those who mourn.
I think we should be anxious. Not maybe in the way you think. If you trust in Jesus, then you have reason not to fear. However, there should be a Christian anxiety for unbelievers. Many of those who died this week, didn't know Jesus as their savior. A far more terrible reality is that there is a far darker place than this world. Let's be anxious for those who don't know Christ.
I think we should be in prayer. Jesus calls us to love and to pray. For those who are hurting, but even for our enemies. Let's pray for those who hate, that God would change their hearts and bring them to repentance. Let's pray for those who grieve, that God would bring them comfort and hope in Jesus. Let's pray for those who don't know Jesus, that they would find eternal life in him.
And most of all, let's pray that Jesus would come back soon. To bring justice and peace to the world. To make all things new. I encourage you to pray these things with me today.
If you are really struggling with Sunday's events, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. It would be my joy to talk and pray with you.
Here's a few other things to be mindful of this month.
Village Christmas Events
The first week in December is always a big one for Village. Two Gingerbread events and then Carols on the Sunday. Our aim is to welcome new people into our spaces and encourage them to come and check out Church/Jesus over the following weeks and months.
Firstly, can I just thank all of you who contributed to these events. It was wonderful to serve with you and watch you use the gifts God's given you for the sake of his glory.
And praise God, through your invitations and various other means, a bunch of new people came. We had some great conversations with families and individuals who indicated that they would be keen to come and check out Village at sometime in the near future.
I encourage you to be in prayer for this also.
Firstly, can I just thank all of you who contributed to these events. It was wonderful to serve with you and watch you use the gifts God's given you for the sake of his glory.
And praise God, through your invitations and various other means, a bunch of new people came. We had some great conversations with families and individuals who indicated that they would be keen to come and check out Village at sometime in the near future.
I encourage you to be in prayer for this also.
Fin is starting MTS!
It's wonderful to watch young men and women grow in their faith and desire to serve Jesus with their life. Finley Hirst has for a few years now said he wanted to do MTS and we decided that 2026 was the year to start.
MTS is short for Ministry Training Strategy. This is a strategy that seeks to multiply gospel workers through Ministry Apprenticeships.
On January 1st, Fin will be working full-time at Village in various roles. He will be a ministry support for our Kids Ministry, Music Ministry, Comms and some other bits and pieces. He will also teach SRE Scripture and do some other evangelistic efforts as well as do some theological study.
We need to raise $15,000 for Fin's MTS Scholarship. Giving to MTS is tax-deductible and I encourage you if you, or someone you know might be in a position to give weekly/fortnightly/monthly or even just once-off, you can do so using the button below.
MTS is short for Ministry Training Strategy. This is a strategy that seeks to multiply gospel workers through Ministry Apprenticeships.
On January 1st, Fin will be working full-time at Village in various roles. He will be a ministry support for our Kids Ministry, Music Ministry, Comms and some other bits and pieces. He will also teach SRE Scripture and do some other evangelistic efforts as well as do some theological study.
We need to raise $15,000 for Fin's MTS Scholarship. Giving to MTS is tax-deductible and I encourage you if you, or someone you know might be in a position to give weekly/fortnightly/monthly or even just once-off, you can do so using the button below.
Summer at Village & Church Camp
Finally, over Summer, a reminder that we do takeaway dinner down at Bulli Beach. That will begin on the 4th of January.
Also, can I please ask you to put into your diary the dates for Church Camp (6-8th of March). It's coming early in 2026. We are back at Burrill Pines and we'll be looking at the book of Revelation. I'm looking forward to that.
Hope you have a great Christmas and remember that Christmas Day Gathering is at 9am.
Tim
Also, can I please ask you to put into your diary the dates for Church Camp (6-8th of March). It's coming early in 2026. We are back at Burrill Pines and we'll be looking at the book of Revelation. I'm looking forward to that.
Hope you have a great Christmas and remember that Christmas Day Gathering is at 9am.
Tim
