Imagination...

I have an absolute conviction that the unseen realm dominates the seen realm & that our lives are to be evidences of the invisible! For this area to be activated God has given us an imagination. As we grow into adulthood we have often put aside our imagination or our dreaming component. Jesus commented on having childlike faith...isn't it true that a child believes so easily and imagines so keenly! If you have seen the movie (C.S.Lewis) "Prince Caspian" what an amazing imagination C.S.Lewis had; and for that matter the movie makers! Allow God to INSPIRE you, in other words, to ignite and breathe life into your being through an imagination awakened by God! We often state that "God can do anything!...the big question is; will you allow Him to do anything in and through you?" Eph 3:20: "God is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all we ask, think or imagine". For our INSPIRE Conference 24th-27th July; Can I ask you to pray, or even fast a few meals, for I do believe God wants to impact & impart into people’s lives. Imagine that!!!!

So What Is The Church Anyway?

I had a truly great time on Friday night with the 25-35's. We had a 4 course meal on the Waipa Delta. Mmmmm. Oh the things I do for Jesus : )

I'm starting to think about some series topics for 09. Topics like 'The Bible and its authority'; 'How to be worshipers'; 'How to judge others'. What are some topics that you feel we really need to cover as a church?

I have been listening to a really great pod cast (no, not my own one... oh shucks you guys). Its one by Mark Driscoll, the lead pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Its called, 'Putting preachers in their place.' You can grab it off iTunes, its well worth the listen!

Anyway with all the talk in our post modern society about House Churches, Missional Churches that meet in pubs or on nature walks and bike rides... it leaves us with the question... well what exactly is the church? Is it just 2 people getting together over a beer? Is it a gathering on the internet?

This is Mark Driscoll's definition of the church:
"The local church is a community of confessing believers in Jesus Christ who obey Scripture by organizing under qualified leadership, gather regularly for preaching and worship and scatter to evangelize and care for people everywhere. The observe the Biblical sacraments of baptism and communion, are unified by the Spirit for mission in the world and are disciplined to live out the great commandment and the great commission to the glory of God."

A bit of a mouthful, but lets look at the 5 main points in there:

1. The head of the Church is Jesus Christ.
2. The church is organized under Qualified leaders.
3. The Bible is rightly preached.
4. The sacraments are rightly administered.
5. Church discipline is rightly administered.

Using these 5 points a lot of what is promoted as the way church 'should be' by the House Church people and some of the Missional models really fall short!

What are your thoughts about the above?

Till next time...
Godspeed & Kaizan
Clive

How growth / transformation happens.

I have always wondered how change & growth takes place in our lives. Having thought about this often, I have actually come to what I believe is a revelation on how growth takes place in our lives. It’s when you receive information & then meditate on it, in other words go over it & over it in your mind & heart. Then revelation begins to happen, and then transformation in our life takes place. But it starts or begins with information! Sometimes of course revelation takes place in our life first, but often God gives us information about a truth or principle or scripture, then we need to meditate on that truth…then revelation comes & then transformation…life change, or let me say it another way; it becomes flesh in our flesh! That’s exciting when that happens…quite powerful really…

A Cure For Discouragment

So we finally have the iTunes links to the Eastside podcasts for you. If you haven't seen them and you want to get them then click HERE.
Isn't it great how technology has allowed us to get the Word out?

I have been spending some time on a site that has a lot of irreligious people. I've just been trying to build a relationship with some of the people and hearing their misgivings of the faith. Its great cause I have been able to share my thoughts with them.
With technology... we have so many opportunities before us. There is some platform for everyone's tastes... from podcasts, facebook, blogs, 2ndlife, etc. ... you name it, its out there and waiting for Christians to use as a tool to share their faith.

Another passion I have is reading great blogs... and i believe I have found a delicious post for you.
Ps Steven Furtick writes one of my favorite blogs, and in this post he offers a cure for discouragement:
"One of the best things I can do when I feel my attitude drifting toward discouragement is to switch from defense to offense."
So click HERE to catch the rest of this great post.

Till Next time...

Godspeed & Kaizan
Clive

When Numbers Matter

What an exciting announcement that we had over the weekend! God really has some exciting times in store for us! (If you have no idea what I'm talking about then check then click HERE.)

One of the things we have been wanting to work on in our youth department is Metrics... the measuring of those things that matter to us. Some people find it quite odd that we would be interested in 'numbers'. But to us, every 'number' represents a person, an individual whom Christ died for.

I was reading the Catalyst blog and they had an interesting article on metrics with a little different spin. Why not click HERE, read the article and let us know which ones really spoke to you.

One of the metrics that we as the management team have set for ourselves is ensuring that each week we invest time with those who don't share our faith.
Its amazing how, with the hustle and bustle of life its so easy for the important things to get pushed out of the way. I think that it is a really healthy practice to keep one another accountable to what really matters.
I want to encourage you that if you don't have a core group of people that you can be accountable to... then prayerfully consider joining one of the many life groups here at Eastside, or speak to someone who you respect and trust and ask them to keep you accountable.

As I sign off, I trust that you have been enjoying the podcasts that are available on the new church website. If you haven't checked it out yet then I suggest you click HERE.

Godspeed & Kaizan
Clive

A Video speaks 10 000 words!

This video is one that I used in the 6pm service awhile back now... it is such an inspirational story that I just wanted to share it with you. This video just goes to show that: A) God loves to use ordinary everyday folks and B) that even in our weakness and brokenness... God's strength can be revealed.
Enjoy...



A great ministry group who helps get media into the hand of churches is Sermon Spice. We have used them heaps here at Eastside. The great thing is that you can preview any of the movies that you would like to buy... and when you are ready all you have to do is download an MPEG1 / WMV version of it.
Anyways there are over 9000 videos so click HERE to go and check them out.
If you haven't read the post by mark Batterson on Stained Glass Windows (And why we should be using media, then click HERE.

Till next time...

Godspeed & Kaizan
Clive

Have You Seen The New Website?!!

Hey gang, thanks for catching up with us on the blog once again. Our desire for this blog is to create another platform where you can get to know our hearts as a management team and really get to know us a bit better.

We have such great preaching at our church and many people have been approaching us asking when we are going to join the podcatsing revolution. Well with the introduction of our new website you can easily download the messages from each of our 4 weekly services. Simply click on the resources tab, choose the podcasting option and then choose your service.
There are heaps of other great features on the website so why not click HERE to go and check it out.
Go ahead and give it a squizz and let me know what you think.

I have personally really noticed over the last 4 months that my reading of books has decreased while my listening to podcasts has really increased. Its just so convenient! And through itunes you can hear great preaching from all around our global village!

Some of my favorite podcats to listen to include: Craig Groeschelle of Lifechurch.tv;
Andy Stanley of North Point Community Church;
Erwin McManus of Mosaic;
Brian Houston of Hillsong;
the Catalyst podcast;
TD Jakes of the Potters House;
Rob Bell of Mars Hill Bible Church and
Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church Seattle.
Who are some of your favorites?

What are some other ways that you 'feed' your spiritual growth? I'd love to hear your comments.

Till next time...

Godspeed & Kaizan
Clive