Whether you're a long-time member, or just checking us out, this is where you'll get a good picture of what's going on at our church and what's going on in our Pastor's heads.
Feel free to comment on anything we've written. You can also check out certain categories, like "Events" and "Resources" if you're interested in a certain topic.
Enjoy!
Today all three Hunter Bible Church congregations met at Lambton for a Big Sunday. And it was a very special Big Sunday, and it was great!
We heard from God’s Word how Christian work and Christian love is never in vain - it makes life worth living. Then we spent time perusing over 25 tables and stalls, all showing ways you can start serving God’s people at Hunter Bible Church.
There were stalls about youth ministry, welcoming, music, mission events, hospitality, social justice, up-front jobs, behind-the-scenes jobs, everything! They’re all different parts of the HBC body that work together to serve Jesus.
Make a comment, and tell us how you found the Big Sunday Ministry Expo.
Renew Newcastlewas founded to help solve the problem of Newcastle’s empty CBD. Renewal of the city is what this organisation is all about. This is a good thing for our city. It will be great to have the centre of Newcastle resurrected and brought back to life. However, it is only temporary and superficial (not that it claims to be anything more than that).
As i was thinking about Mission I realised that this is what we ought to be praying for - renewal. Titus 3:5 says
he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
Beofre or after each of our meetings, this is what we will be praying for - renewal in the city of Newcastle that can only take through the active work of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Come along and join us as we ask God to renew Newcastle.
One of the best student camps “in the world” is coming up again this July. Every year, our friends at Newcastle Christian Students run a week long conference for students called WinterCon! This year, they’re going to be diving into the depths of God word about the Resurrection. Its a great week that will challange and encourage your faith. You can register online at:
Starting June 7, I’ll be preaching a series of 5 talks from the great book of Leviticus at HBC:City and HBC:Lambton. It would be great to start reading though it in your own time, and get the ideas mulling over in your head. Leviticus is a wonderful book that gives us a glimpse into the character of our God who draws near to his corupt creation in the most amazing ways, with the most unexpected results. Leviticus shows us just what it takes for God and sinful man to come together.
On Friday May 22, Sam Hilton will explore the idea of Social Justice and Christianity.
This is a topic that many Christians either have very strong views on, or are not sure what to think about it. So, RSVP to Sam via email, or on the feedback form at church.
Our society regularly argues abortion is an issue of freedom. Human beings are free creatures. So women should have the right to control their own life and destiny. Having a baby involves major life changes. A pregnant woman should have the freedom to choose if she wants to experience these. No one else should be able to force her to have an unwanted baby. Women should be free to choose for themselves.
So the Victorian government has recently passed legislation to enforce this freedom. This law compels doctors to give an abortion or send patients to get an abortion, regardless of the doctor’s beliefs or the age of the foetus. The government has softened this law recently. But the right to abortion is seen as more important than a person’s freedom to disagree.
But why is abortion important? Of course, babies impose upon their mothers (and fathers) and affect their lives in big ways. Babies by nature need their parents. But why is a baby’s death (an extreme restriction of his or her freedom) better than the various non-fatal inconveniences to a parent?
Abortion, as an issue, involves limiting someone’s freedom. The argument then revolves around whose freedom is more important. But this a wrong way to view life, let alone abortion.
Life is about the obligation to love others. These aren’t our bodies to do with as we please. God has given us our bodies to use them in service of others. We freely and willingly make sacrifices for the sake of others.
God designed life so we are bound to each other; dependent upon each other for affection, appreciation, support and help in earning our daily bread. We aren’t autonomous islands. We need others for life. We are mutually obliged to love and care for each other, and especially the helpless.
As Christians, we follow Jesus who willingly sacrificed himself for us. He commands us to be like him; to love. We are united in love and therefore in obligation; a continuing obligation to love others as he loves.
We are obliged to love the woman who has had an abortion; to grieve with her and comfort her and point her to God’s forgiveness. We are obliged to love the woman who feels like she has no option but to have an abortion; to support her, provide for her through the pregnancy, find a couple to adopt the child…
We are obliged to love children and babies, including (perhaps especially) unborn babies. This would be good this week to show this love. Pray for our governments as they consider legislation. Or send money to support pregnant women under stress.
And it would be good to download this letter and send it off to the Attorney-General asking him to over-rule this Victorian legislation.sample-letter-abortion
People at Hunter Bible Church love seeing people trained in Ministry and going on to part or full time Word / Gospel Ministry. The Ministry Training Strategy (MTS) has always played a part in this. MTS is a program where people join HBC for 2 years to do a Ministry Apprenticeship. They get training and experience in various aspects of Christian Ministry. In 2009, HBC (in partnership with NCS) has 5 trainees: Geoff, Fiona, Ben, Steve and James. They’re doing really well, and chances are you’ve benefited from their ministry already.
You can find out more about MTS by checking out mts.com.au or speaking with one of our senior staff or trainees. The 2010 Spur conference in October is also an excellent conference to go on.
What’s more, the senior staff are keen to talk with people in our church interested in doing MTS - especially during the months of May and June. Is that you? Please let us know!
Starting June 7, I’ll be preaching a series of 5 talks from the great book of Leviticus at HBC:City and HBC:Lambton. It would be great to start reading though it in your own time, and get the ideas mulling over in your head. Leviticus is a wonderful book that gives us a glimpse into the character of our God who draws near to his corupt creation in the most amazing ways, with the most unexpected results. Leviticus shows us just what it takes for God and sinful man to come together.