AND so, the planting concludes....

This week brings about the completion for us (Julie and I) the planting of Craigieburn Salvation Army Corps, commonly and affectionally known as salvos3064.

Today I had a call and phone interview with the local Hume Leader Newspaper, who phoned to discuss our last 12 years of work here in the local area. They are wanting to do a story on us as we move on.

Someone (thanks Val) had sent them information about all this and they asked me many questions, which I must confess made me catch my breath a bit as I reflected on the past 12 years of work and ministry.

These past 12 years have seen many achievements here in Craigieburn, and even if no one else really recognizes that or has noticed, I know in my heart what we have done and experienced and achieved is not all that bad. Apparently the newspaper has been told most of it and that was a little sobering to hear them tell me and ask me all about some of the things I have simply forgotten about.

When we were asked to plant Craigieburn we were wide eyed and idealistic and thought we could give it a crack, now after 12 years, there is a vibrant and thriving Army Corps here and it is making a difference, I firmly believe that. Not everyone in TSA agrees with its style or methods, but I believe God is pleased with it, for He continually brings people to us to be discipled and nurtured in faith here.

This blog is not a boast as much as it is a reflection.

I am feeling many mixed feelings right now....sad and satisfied, glad and scared, fulfilled and also aware that my biggest ministry challenge still awaits me.

 

The reporter asked me what was my main highlight, I was pleased to tell her that by far the biggest highlight for me is seeing peoples lives changed. Over and over again.... there is nothing better for the Christian leader than seeing Gods people get it together, and Gods people finding Him and settling into the Kingdom. It's the awesome bit about ministry that every leader longs to be a part of.

 

there are loads of highs, and stacks of lows as well.

funerals, dedications, enrollments, prayer ministry, weddings..... growth and decline and then growth again....

we celebrated 10 years together, moved into our own church home, purpose built for us...have seen 5 of our key leaders move into full time ministry and know there are at least 2 more waiting in the wings ready to go.

we have had 3 church worship homes....the school, the Rushwood factory and now our own fantastic facility where every week hundreds of people come through our doors in ministry and service.

 

What a journey this has been.

And now it ends here in Craigieburn. and restarts/resumes in Ringwood.

I want my life to be useful for God, to make a difference to the planet somehow, to affect change.... to assist in ushering in the Kingdom of God into people's lives.

I can honestly say, I have tried my hardest, given it my very best shot, and even though not perfect by a long shot, I can sincerely say today, even to myself and those around me, this is a good church ready to get even better.

She is not a "baby church" anymore.

She is a healthy adult church growing every week, closer to Jesus.

When God calls you to something, whether small or large..... it's not the "thing" that he calls you to do that matters as much as your obedience and willingness to partner with Him in whatever "it" is, that He has asked of you to do.

For me(us) for the past 12 years it was plant a Salvo church, that honours Him and reaches people in the Hume region.

That is now done.

It is also ready to move forwards and grow as He ordains it under the leadership of Pete and Jo Brookshaw.

Thankyou Lord for such a privilege as planting.

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Do you see what I see !?!?!

a few things I have noticed recently....

some people just see the bad in everything. It takes effort to see and look for the good in others.

some people find it easier to complain and criticize, rather than encourage and build others up.

some people seem to find it easier to hate, than to love.

some people can only see the wrong, and hardly ever recognize the right.

some people watch, and others participate.

 

I have watched and heard many complaints about our service delivery and attempts to support our community.... irate people who abuse and bully.... and others who shed tears over the provision of support and help.

 

who are we ? this Salvation Army ?

 

we are more than a food voucher provider, more than a musical entertainment group...... we are not just a cup of tea provider or glass of cold water giver.... we are not just a quaint, irrelevant group of military looking sub culture people....

 

NO...

 

we are the Army of Salvation... the people of God, on a mission for Him, we work for Him, we are meant to be salt and light... not just salt...and not just light....

dispensers of truth AND grace... not just grace, and not just truth...

 

we are supposed to be seeing people being saved every day around us... that is the fundamental basis of our ethos.

 

some people are so angry, so annoyed, so critical of everything and everyone..... and in amongst it, here we are, and hopefully we haven't forgotten our mission and mandate....our vision and purpose, our DNA and nature and command of God....

 

LOVE HIM with all we have and are.

Love others like we love ourselves

its hard when it seems like, everyone wants to tear you apart..... nevertheless though, its important.

KEY...actually....

 

Most likely, there will always be those who cant see the good in you or I... probably there will be those in your future and mine, who will fail to see the good, will find fault and a reason to complain... or reject or ignore or dismiss, or walk away, or whatever....

But You and I ... should do our level best to remain true to our calling, our mission and our God given mandate to BE....

do You see what I see ? maybe it's just me, but I see a world that needs Jesus more than it ever has ever before, but I also see a church that if not careful, will lose its influence in the world like never before.

As a Christian Leader.......will I fail ?

will you fail ?

 

probably...

 

But God looks way beyond our falling and failure and sees our motive and intent our inner desire to BE what we are not yet AM.

 

after all, if we had already arrived, we wouldn't be here would we.

 

stay focussed, on Jesus, His arrival at Christmas some 2000 years ago, is still critical to this worlds future.

 

I love Him.

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I Work for Jesus.

At most stages in our lives, we work for someone, or something.

I used to work for a newspaper, in the photo lab,.... a Customs agent....a shirt factory... a major retailer... and then I worked for a church youth department... but now, I work for Jesus.

I don't work for the Salvation Army, I work for Jesus.

I was reminded of this yesterday in my quiet time and I started feeling something bubble up within me, what a privilege I have.

My Boss, is the Saviour of the world.

My Leader is the one who died for human kind's redemption.

He provides for my every need and sets up the rules and conditions of my workplace.

He has positioned others around me to supervise me and guide and guard me, but He is still my boss.

But He is also my best friend, and Father, my counsellor and trusted confidant.

When I ask Him about things, He always leads me.

Getting up to go to work is no chore, it's not boring, or a dead end job, it's not meaningless...its life changing and life giving, and world changing...it always has had its ups and downs, but mostly...the "ups"....

when I get up and put my uniform on and head out the door, its not about the money I earn, or the perks of the "job" I seek, its about satisfying this urgent urge inside me to serve my King and lead His people to His throne, and to lead many others to a place where they meet Jesus for the very first time.

Now this may all sound pretty trite to some who may read it, but it's actually how I feel.

When God called me, all those years ago, I knew without a shadow of doubt that I had heard His voice and responded to His call. I have never once really wanted to turn my back on that, but just this week as God spoke into my heart again, I realized afresh that I am privileged hugely.

My calling was clear, he has always been with me, he has provided much for me along the way...angels to protect me, finance to resource me, health to help me, people around me to assist me...an exciting ministry to be a part of, and results for my labour. I have never questioned my calling ever. When He called my name, It was amazingly clear...and I have answered that call.

a few of my friends today will sign a covenant that says that they desire to serve Him supremely as their boss too... and over this coming weekend they will be ordained as "Priests" ( Officers ) what a privilege...what a job.... what a boss !!!!

No earthly boss will:

ask you to change the world...

provide for your every need...

see your failures and mistakes...and love you just the same...

heal your diseases and lead you to deep true peace...

forgive your sins...

be with you everywhere you go !!!!!

Only Jesus

its all about Jesus...He is all I need.

I work for Him, and I love going to work.

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