Joining the Fam

How do you become a child  in a family? Well you are either born into it or adoptend into it!  When Jesus talks with Nicodeamus in John 3 he tells him that he needs to be born again. This was to one who knew himself to be an apoted son of God - through the promise made to Abraham and the nation of Israel. Jesus says a that just being part of the family of Israel was not enough - he need to be spiritually born again. Born of the spirit of God that comes through a faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and savior.

Are you part of Christs family?  Have a read of John 3 to find out how
Read vs 16 in particular......


This week at WCCC we will witness people become members of the family, some by professing their faith others by signing the partnership covenant why not join us in this celebration.

Family of Families

The Bible calls the Church - the household of God (Eph 2:19, 1 Tim 3:15 Gal 6:10 Heb 3:6) and much of our understanding of our relationships in this household are family terms, Father, Son, Brothers, Sisters, Children. We must then consider how to live in such relationships.

What confronts me in 1 Tim 3 :15 - is that it discribes this house as being the 'foundation and pillar of truth' and elswhere the Bible talks about the church as abuilding whose architec and builder is God and even more this house is the dwelling place of the living God. So if we are to to be the expression of God to the world, if we are to be proclaimers and protectors of the truth then I would like to be the Church Family that God wants us to be.

This family is to be one where there are relationships of love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, gentleness, paitence, self control, joy, service - imagine a family where these things were lived out every day. Imagine people having a supernatural experiance of these attributes in our family at Wantirna?

Let us work hard at being the household of God - His dwelling place.
How will you do that this week???

God Life

A couple of weeks ago we asked the question of whether our lives reflected the enorimity of what has happened to us through Jesus Christ?  Have you had time to reflect and consider your salvation?  that once you were dead - and dow you have life, once you were lost but now are found, once blind but now can see.
If you haven't yet take some time this week to think about when you were saved - what was it about it that made you want to follow Jesus -     can you recollect the change of life style?

The God Life:

Be clear minded so you can pray
Love each other deeply
Offer Hospitality
Use your gifts
Speak as if you were speaking God words
Serve - In God's strength

Why? so that your God life may bring glory to your savior 

-  Have a read of 1 Peter 4:1-11 again

Test of Leadership

In Nehemiah 7 Hananiah is appointed to govern Jerusalem. The quality that set him apart was his proven character; "he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do."
By revealing the reason for his choice Nehemiah reveals the qualities of a godly leader. These qualities are still essential for us as a church as we think about the people we chose as leaders, and the leaders into which we ourselves are developing.

Hananiah's appointment was based on more than skill (although he had proven ability as a "commander of the citadel.") Hananiah was chosen mainly for his outstanding spiritual qualities. No matter how qualified or gifted a person is in their chosen field, their spiritual capacity should be seen as paramount to their leadership in the body. The abilities evident in Spiritual gifts may be related to natural talents, but the way they are applied for the good of the body sets them apart from worldly talents. Leaders need Spiritual discernment and spiritual principles to govern their leadership, such as leading by serving, rather than leading by dominating (Matt.20:25-28).

It was clear that he was more than a novice, because he had proven faithfulness (integrity.) Sometimes we choose leaders who are unproven, or untested. It is a strange thing to consider people for leadership because 'they are not doing much,' or 'haven't yet had a go' and to disqualify capable men because they are already busy and already leading. Leaders in the church ought to be those who are engaged, active and have a proven track record of leadership.

Finally, his spiritual qualities stood out, 'more than most men.' The church ought to choose its best men as leaders.
I don't believe these qualities came about by accident. They are God's grace and can be developed through consistent and dedicated spiritual disciplines, mutual accountability and faithful service over time.
May God grant many such leaders to his church today and in the future.