How did you go preparing for 2024?
Well, how are you going preparing for 2024?
Have you visited the 2024 webpage at www.christchurch.com.au/2024?
When you go there you will be reminded that during November, we spent time thinking together about some key foundational principles to help you keep growing as a wholehearted disciple of Jesus. God does not want us to stagnate or sit still as Christians, rather God makes us grow as we engage with each other around his Word. So Paul says in Ephesians 4:16, From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does it work.
In Week 1, I encouraged you to support the work - to check in on your giving as an expression of your striving towards wholehearted discipleship. We noted that we are on budget for this year due to the generosity of some large gifts but that we need to increase our regular giving from now in preparation for next year will help us plan well and be good stewards of the gospel. Your action item was to check in on giving relative to your circumstances and make changes as necessary so we can all keep supporting the work.
In Week 2, I encouraged you to grow in the work - to join a Growth Group in 2024 and find a circle of Care and Belonging. At our church, being in a growth group means you are a part of what is happening and you have people around you to provide consistent care, encouragement and community. Your action item was to fill in the Growth Group form whether you are in a group already or not, so we know your intention for 2024.
In Week 3 I encouraged you to join the work - to consider using the gifts God has given you to see the world transformed through Jesus. No matter who you are and no matter how God has made you, there are opportunities for you to serve here. Your action item for week 3 was to talk to your team leaders about your ministry plans for 2024 or fill in the serve form for the first time so you can get going.
Here at Christ Church St Ives, we want you to Finish 2023 Well and Start 2024 Well. We together are God’s temple, the place God dwells and we want to honour him in what we do here and make sure we are loving and encouraging each other. We want you to become more and more the visible picture of the Gospel God desires us to be - we are praying you will be an engaged and committed contributor to all that happens here for God’s glory and your growth. Let’s do this.
Amen
