Mapping Oamaru Baptist Church’s Faith-Wisdom
Mapping the Apostle Paul’s Faith Wisdom
Read the details of this illustration by click on this link –> 3 Meaningful Life Lessons from a Boy Scout Orienteering Course
TEE Group Leaders’ Training – Why Do We Need It
The Group Leaders’ Training at Oamaru Baptist Church is a week away – 31 March (7:00 to 9:00 PM) and 1 April (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
Why does Oamaru Baptist Church need it?
One of the many challenges we faced in the past few years was fulfilling the growth vision that pastors and leaders had laid out in the last two decades.
The Baptist Church’s growth vision is clearly stated and elaborated in two documents, “Church Consultation and Self Study, February 2001” and “Oamaru Baptist Church a New Vision for 2008”.
Last June 2022, when I started my pastoral work with OBC, the first thing that I did was research the vision of the church.
As I delved into the church’s archives, I found the two valuable reports I mentioned above, which I am using as references in my pastoral leadership.
Conducting the Group Leaders’ Training is one of the steps in fulfilling the Baptist Church’s vision in the last 20 years. We have partnered with Theological Education by Extension Aotearoa (TEE Aotearoa) for this endeavour.
We need the Group Leaders’ Training because we want to grow.
Join us in our desire for growth. Pray about joining the Group Leaders’ Training on 31 March (7:00 to 9:00 PM) and 1 April (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Read the poster below for further information. Thank you!
Miracle at OBC, Why Group Leaders Training, Shared Lunch, Youth Ministry
BAPTIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER 18 MARCH 2023
Miracle at OBC!
An online encyclopedia and a popular dictionary define “miracle” as an unusual or extraordinary event believed to be caused by the power of God.
So, what is the miracle at OBC that has happened, you might ask?
Well, the fact that we are still gathered as a church today is a miracle.
Not only that. From ten to 15 people a year ago, our attendance has risen to almost 60, according to our 26 February count. This is miraculous indeed!
The uncertainties in the past years caused many members to leave the church. It’s understandable.
There are several who think that Oamaru Baptist Church will cease to exist. That didn’t happen.
Yeah, we are still here at 14 Sandringham Street!
We have re-started our Children’s Ministry. Our Youth Ministry resumed, meeting on Monday nights for Bible study and fun.
Look, even our parking space attests to OBC’s growing number. It is a miracle indeed!
Thank you, Lord God, for your faithfulness and goodness to OBC!
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).
Why OBC is hosting the Group Leaders’ Training
We desire to support and sustain the re-growth that OBC is experiencing, and under our commitment to the Great Commission, we are hosting the GLT.
We envision church leaders conducting discipleship sessions with members and other learners.
We are hosting the GLT because we want to empower the church in its discipleship ministry.
We are also sharing this training opportunity with other churches that want to strengthen their discipleship programs.
Shared Lunch on 26 March Sunday
It’s Nicola’s birthday, and she wanted to share her special day with the church.
Because we love birthdays and fellowship, let us have a potluck lunch to celebrate our March birthdays.
Weekly Reminders
- Youth Ministry – Monday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
- Prayer Meeting – Thursday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM
- Music Jam – Thursday from 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Giving
Thank you very much for your continued support for the ministries with which the Lord God has entrusted us. Your generosity means a lot for the development and progress of His work.
If you would like to set up an automatic payment for regular giving or to make a one-off donation via internet banking, the Oamaru Baptist Church account number is (ANZ) 06-0941-0015036-00.
May the Lord God bless you and keep you.
Untangle, Faith Matrix, Faith-Wisdom Series, TEE Group Leaders’ Training
BAPTIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER 11 MARCH 2023
Untangle – The Rose’s Story
I took the photo of the Rose blooms (left) at the church’s parking lot shed in February. After a month, I couldn’t see the Rose anymore. The Great Bindweed? has entangled and engulfed the Rose.
It is a beautiful illustration of how our lives can easily be entangled with sin and many things that will hinder us from living a real Christian life.
It’s not the end of Rose’s story. Somehow, the gardener or a group of gardeners will come and clear all the viny entanglements, maybe on a working bee day.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Faith-Assurance-Evidence Matrix
In my message last 26th February Sunday, on “Faith”, I came up with this matrix identifying the “assurance of things hope for” (Hope Assurance) and the “evidence of things unseen” (Unseen Evidence) of the faith definition examples in Hebrew 11.
In the last row of the table above, please provide your “Hope Assurance” and “Unseen Evidence” that you have experienced in your faith journey.
Sermon Series – Wisdom and Faith-Wisdom
Last 5th March Sunday, we started our series on “Wisdom”. Malcolm talked about “Wisdom, Faith, and Obeying God“. Continuing our wisdom sermon series, Tom will speak on 12th March Sunday.
On the following two Sundays (19th and 26th March), we will learn about “Faith-Wisdom” with Jonan preaching.
TEE “Abundant Life” Session – 12th March Sunday, 1:30 PM
We are going to tackle Lesson 3 of the “Abundant Life, the Life of Jesus In You” this Sunday afternoon at 1:30 PM at the OBC Dining area.
TEE Group Leaders’ Training – 31 March to 1 April
Our church is hosting the Group Leaders’ Training on 31 March (7:00-9:00 PM) to 1 April (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
A registration fee of $50.00 per participant covers materials (Student Workbook, Group Leader’s Manual), snacks, and lunch.
Please pray about joining the training to learn how to facilitate Bible study groups.
We desire to sustain the growth that OBC is experiencing. Training leaders to lead discipleship groups is essential.
Let us pray for participants.
Weekly Reminders
- Prayer Meeting – Thursday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM
- Music Jam – Thursday from 4:00 to 5:00 PM