On Sunday we launched a new church for the Northern Beaches with a bang! It was awesome to see so many people gather for the beginning of this new community. It was great to see old friends, and meet new faces.
One of the things you hope for in leading a new church is that the right ingredients will be there for the Gospel to be proclaimed and lived out. On Sunday it was great to see a community worshipping, together, welcoming one another and eating together. The good news of Jesus was preached and people responded for prayer ministry. We saw the Spirit move in those gathered. In other words our hopes and prayers were answered!
I was reminded of the power of the Gospel once again. The sermon was on Luke 4:18-21 and Jesus mission of bringing freedom, healing and forgiveness into the world. In Jesus we don’t just meet ideas about God and his plan for his creation, but we meet God and see his plan for the world in action. I was struck by this being a story that invites us, to not only come for forgiveness and a new start, but also to find purpose as we join in with Jesus mission. It really is good news.
There is now some exciting times ahead as our new church community begins to do life together. We will form our unique identity over time as we worship, pray, share and grow together. While we have a great culture already developing, it is as we walk this journey together that our true shape and mission will emerge.
Finally, a big thank you to everyone in the core team for making this adventure so enjoyable. We are all blessed as we all play our role in seeing this church get established and see God’s kingdom come to our area. We are deeply hopeful, mainly because we follow a Christ who is deeply faithful and powerful today!
manlylife.org 