Hawera Baptist Church
  • Home
  • Update
    • Facebook
    • Calendar
    • Magazine
    • Pastor's Blog
  • About Us
    • Leadership
    • Vision & Purpose
    • Testimonies
    • Being part of HBC
    • History
    • The Meaning of Life
  • Groups
  • Global Mission
  • Community Work
  • Contact Us

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IN SOCIETY? 

23/2/2013

0 Comments

 
Some people would say that “the church” has had its day! They would argue that we are now a post-modern, post-Christian, secular society where the church simply has no rele-vance for the majority of people. 

Sadly, they have a point! We will be filling out census forms soon, and I’m sure, like in years gone by, many with no engagement in “church” will happily tick “Christian” for their reli-gion. I read a claim that there are now more people around who have left the church, than are left in the church. 

As a Pastor this is something that I often struggle with. I find myself pondering some kind of response. I have concluded that shouting, “NO, YOU’RE WRONG, THE CHURCH IS RELE-VANT” (with volume for effect), might not be the best response. 

And so we are left with this question: other than being the religious service department of “Births, deaths and marriages” (and who knows for how much longer given recent debate), what is the church’s role in our society? 

It’s good to look and see what Jesus might have said. In his famous “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus says this: “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavours of this earth...You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world.“ (The Message Translation) 

The role of God’s church is not to be the tradition keepers; the moral police; or a “nice” group of people who meet on a Sunday morning. The role of the church is to remind us all that God is God; to point the way to where God is at work in this world; and to encourage others to seek out and find God through his Son Jesus Christ. 

I’m not sure if this is “relevant” in the popular sense, but what I do know is that Jesus changes lives, and He calls on His church to be salt and light in the world. 

Blessings. Pastor David Auty. 

0 Comments

You turned my mourning into joyful dancing

7/2/2013

0 Comments

 
This past week has been one of considerable mourning for us as a Church community.  It was been particularly hard for a number of our members.  In particular our love and prayers are with the Davies, Wright, Gous and Bartlett families at this time!

The Psalmist always has an interesting way of looking at life.  Considering the losses that we have endured this past week I was starting to wonder how we might approach our Jubilee celebrations that are due to commence in a few short weeks (starting Sunday 24 February).  It was in this frame of mind that I found myself pondering Psalm 30, especially the last few verses.

It is super tough losing loved ones!  However as Christians, we do not mourn as those who have no hope.  Instead we are a people for whom our mourning is filled with the hope and peace of our Lord and God, a God who is able to turn our mourning into joyful dancing...and clothe us with joy.

And so our response to Him, even through pain and mourning, can be one of praise.  Even amid our sorrow and loss, still we can praise Him.  Let's ponder this as we prepare for our month of Jubilee coming up.
Psalm 30:10-12
Hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me.
Help me, O Lord.
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.   
You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
that I might sing praises to you
and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!
0 Comments

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    March 2014
    January 2014
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011

    Categories

    All
    Anniversary
    Baptism
    Baptist
    Camp
    Care & Inclusion
    Change
    Christmas
    Discipleship
    Discipleship & Training
    Easter
    Election
    Evangelism
    Life And Death
    Memories
    Mission
    Mothers Day
    Obedience
    Prayer
    Prayer & Self Denial
    Relationships
    Risk
    Short Story
    Sport
    Strategy
    Take Care
    Testimony
    Vision

Picture
Picture
Picture