Archive | March, 2010

Jesus not going to the Show…

March 31, 2010 by hayleyneal 0 Comments

We recently received communication that we were not able to secure  the Jesus. All about life stall at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show due to it being of a religious nature.

Whilst planning for the show we had arranged more than 220 volunteers along with purchasing thousands of resources to hand out to people who visited the stall.

With your help we can still get the message of Jesus out there so we hope you can help us by collecting the resources we have purchased to hand out over the Easter weekend.

More info here

Evangelism

What would it take you to believe…

March 31, 2010 by hayleyneal 0 Comments

What would it take you to believe that Robert Pattison and I once dated?

What would I need to do to prove it to you?

  • A photograph?
  • A testimony of my friend?
  • Robert Pattison himself standing before you saying “YEP – we dated”

And What would it take you to believe that Jesus is Alive.

It is almost as just as outrageous claim.
Robert and me once an item.
Jesus is Alive.
What is more believable?

Heaps of people think the death and resurrection of Jesus is a joke, that it’s just some fairytale. But its not! It is history and there is proof. He appeared to many and the accounts have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Do you doubt? Most of us do… even a guy named Thomas wanted proof before believing and it was only a week after the resurrection. Read his story in John’s Gospel (chapter 20).

Check out other resources.

Apologetics, Ideas, Jesus

Reasons to believe…

March 25, 2010 by hayleyneal 0 Comments

If the gap between Christianity & Science is a concern for you… perhaps this website will prove to be a good resource. It covers hot topics, current debates, latest media…

“Reason to Believe” – view on Creation

We believe that the physical universe, the realm of nature, is the visible creation of God. It declares God’s existence and gives a trustworthy revelation of God’s character and purpose. In Scripture, God declares that through His creation all humanity recognizes His existence, power, glory, and wisdom. An honest study of nature — its physical, biological, and social aspects — can prove useful in a person’s search for truth. Properly understood, God’s Word (Scripture) and God’s world (nature), as two revelations (one verbal, one physical) from the same God, will never contradict each other.

———-

Perhaps science isn’t a massive concern for you personally but you know that science apologetics is important and wish some of the literature out there is aim more at  you-an average person (by “average” I mean nonexpert in apologetics, and especially in science). Why not check out Reason to Believe‘s  Average Joe Blog

Apologetics, Evangelism, Resources

Don’t even have to leave the couch…

March 24, 2010 by hayleyneal 0 Comments

When you think of successful evangelists and missionaries, you think of godly men and women serving in Africa, or the gifted preacher announcing the gospel to the thousands… But as I read the scriptures and reflect on experience some of the best evangelism can happen in the comfort of your own home – you don’t even have to leave the couch.

The home was an important place for the early church – that is where people met for church, where Christians could show compassion and care for the needs of the saints and the stranger.

This is especially the case in our society where we have lost that sense of community. Family don’t live near each other, we work in a different place to where we live and play, we don’t know our neighbours… we have lost a sense of belonging that I think is important to our emotional health and general relational well-being.

As Christians Christ calls us to love our neigbours and this love cannot be content with words. This love is a call to It show real compassion, hospitality and generosity. It is a call for radical hopsitality in all its messiness; It is a call to welcome the stranger into our homes, to sit at our table, no matter what the barrier might be.

When you read Hebrews 13:2 you can’t but help think about the far-reaching implications for our willingness to extend hospitality.

Church, Community, Evangelism

The Christian Atheist

March 23, 2010 by hayleyneal 0 Comments

I haven’t read it but Pastor Craig Groeschel’s new book, The Christian Atheist looks a good read.

Here’s a brief excerpt:

“As if on cue, when I was twenty-three, God opened a door for me to work at a historic downtown church. My dream-come-true slowly turned into a spiritual nightmare. What started out as a good thing quickly became an obsession. My service was never enough. And as my love for ministry burned hotter, my passion for Christ cooled.

My mission had become a job. Instead of studying God’s Word out of personal devotion, I studied only to preach. Instead of preaching messages to bring glory to God, I preached to bring people to church. I promised hurting people I would pray for them, but I usually didn’t follow through.”

Uncategorized

How to steal mission ideas…

March 23, 2010 by hayleyneal 0 Comments

Each year the college I study at goes on mission.

All students get sent out in teams with faculty members and they share the good news of Jesus…

This year there college has put together a blog to keep updated on all the mission teams activities: Moore College Mission 2010

It is an exciting read with lots of opportunities and stories.

It is actually a great place to steal ideas:

  1. Read the stories and be inspired by the many ways people are trying to share and show the love of Jesus with their local communities.
  2. Steal some ideas that the mission teams alongside the churches are doing.
  3. Appropriate them to your context…. what changes or alternatives would you need to come up with to ensure it suits your areas demographic.
(And why not pray for them as you read about their efforts.)
Church, Community, Evangelism, Ideas

6 tips to read the bible with an unbeliever…

March 22, 2010 by hayleyneal 0 Comments

  1. Be brave and ask them to read the bible with you.
  2. Start with a gospel and get them a copy.
  3. Make sure they understand they aren’t signing their life away. Give them a time frame… “Let’s do coffee for the next five weeks on Wednesday”.
  4. Understand you are in for a good chance for being stood up. This is much lower on the priority list for them than perhaps you.
  5. Don’t turn it into a lecture. Keep it short and sweet! (45mins?)
  6. Invite others along… don’t limit it to just one person.
Conversion, Evangelism, Ideas, Jesus, People, Tips

Back to the Bible…

March 21, 2010 by hayleyneal 0 Comments

I‘d heard through the grapevine that two coworkers, Martha and Maria Claudia, had expressed some interest in spiritual things. So I dropped by their office one day and said, “Hi! I’ve been meaning to ask you both: Would you be interested in reading the Bible with me?” They looked at each other, then back at me, and said yes.

I was surprised by their enthusiasm. When I didn’t get back to them as soon as they expected, they called me to find out when we could start!

It’s an easier enough question. “Would you be interested in reading the Bible with me?” but why do so many of us fear asking it to our unbelieving friends? In this article on Kyria.com the conviction that scripture is powerful and personal is evident in Laura T. De Gomez writing.

Reading together also exposes people directly to the power of Scripture. The God who encourages, convicts, corrects, and sometimes bowls you over with his Word can do the same in an unbeliever’s life. Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord said, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud … My word that goes out from my mouth … will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).

I don’t know what all my friends go through, or what they think—but God does. And I’ve seen him use Scripture to meet their needs, quell their fears, and dispel their misconceptions.

Agree? Start praying for God to open up the doors of opportunity to you and for the people at your church.

Read the full article

Conversion, Evangelism, Ideas, Jesus

18 Confessions… Running the Race | 3

March 20, 2010 by hayleyneal 1 Comment 


My hope is that this series of posts "18 Confessions" will deepen the believers empathy 
for those seeking out the faith and bring insight into the internal wrestles of a new 
Christian or perhaps if you relate to the thoughts or struggles in  these posts that 
you would consider the lasting satisfaction and joy that can  only be found in Jesus.
Conversion, Jesus

I Heart Kirribilli 2010 | Call for Entries

March 19, 2010 by hayleyneal 0 Comments

Church by the Bridge
Call for Entries | 2010
Painting | Photography | Wearable Art | Youth | Drawing/Sketch

Dear Friends,

We are excited to announce the call for entries for I Heart Kirribilli Art Exhibition and Prize, 2010.

Entries are now open!

THEME | This year, artworks will incorporate the theme of ‘stories of Kirribilli‘. Perhaps it’s the overarching narrative of community life, or the tale behind a local identity or interesting character. What story do you find yourself apart of?

CATEGORIES | Painting, Photography, Sketch/Drawing, Wearable Art* and Youth.
*New in 2010

PURPOSE | I Heart Kirribilli is an initiative of Church by the Bridge, Kirribilli, to support artists and unite local community. Launched in 2009, 65 artworks were entered, and more than 1,000 people attended the week-long exhibition. We invite you to share your story.

THE EXHIBITION | Entries will be displayed in a free exhibition at Church by the Bridge from 30 August to 4 September 2010. Members of the public are most welcome to attend and vote in the Peoples Choice Prize. The winners will be announced at an evening presentation with the judges.

ENTRIES CLOSE: 7th August, 2010.

To Enter and for Conditions of Entry visit: www.iheartkirribilli.com

winner of peoples choice chris winner of painting prize | 'brothers of kirribilli' John Phillips

more photos from 2009 available on the website.

Feel free to forward this invite on to friends, family, and/or colleagues who may be interested in participating.
Facebook Twitter Digg

___________________________________________________
for more information please see the website or contact:
Hayley Neal | community pastor
Church by the Bridge
PO BOX 131 Milsons Point 1565
0402 205 330 | hayley.neal@cbtb.org.au | www.cbtb.org.au

Arts, Church, Community, Creativity, Culture, Media
Older Entries

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 377 other followers