Spring Blossoms

That 15°C morning last Thursday in Timaru convinced me that Spring had come. Days are warming up, the bulbs are blooming, and so are the fruiting and decorative trees.

For as the soil makes the sprout come up
    and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
    and praise spring up before all nations.
Isaiah 61:11

As people in New Zealand prepare for their spring break itinerary, may they not forget that Spring’s absolute and eternal bloom is our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.

He is our hope that never fades despite the changing seasons.

To read more, CLICK this link → The Great Blossom of Spring.

We are firming up our membership roll

This month’s theme is on church membership. We want you to be a member of OBC.

Any person who confesses faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who has been Baptised as a believer, who shows evidence of following Christ in the newness of life and who is willing to uphold the commitments outlined in the Members’ Pledge may apply to become a Church member.

Why formal church membership is God’s?

1. The local church, the body of Christ, needs to know its “parts” (Romans 12:4-5) to fulfil the following overarching NZ Baptist Union vision thrusts: growing disciples, robust leadership, authentic worship, healthy resources, and effective mission.
   
   
2. The local church needs to shepherd God’s flock under its care (1 Peter 5:2-3). Knowing the flock (members) facilitates good shepherding.
   
   
3. The local church is exhorted to continue meeting together (Hebrews 10:25).
   
   
4. Belongingness to the family of believers (Galatians 6:10).

Please let me know or Bevan if you are interested. Thank you!

“Abundant Life” Dynamic Discipleship at 1:00 PM

We will continue with Lesson 6 in our “Abundant Life” study session at 1:00 PM, 10 September Sunday. Please come with your workbook filled up and be ready to participate in our learning session.

OBC is building a dynamic discipleship culture. Everyone is invited to join.

Fellowship Lunch on 1st October Sunday

On 1 October 2023, let us have a fellowship lunch to celebrate all our September birthdays, anniversaries, and guests.

As usual, let’s bring some food to share.

The fellowship lunch is also an opportunity to develop team work and friendship.

Highly recommended lecture – “The Radical Ones.”

What does it mean to be the church?

What could it look like to be a community of disciples who are radically committed to Jesus and one another?

Come and be inspired as we explore the Baptist vision of the church and how it might shape our lives and witness today.

The resource persons are:

• John Tucker
  Principal, Carey Baptist College
  
  
• Chris Chamberlain
  Regional Leader, Upper South Baptist Association

Please refer to the poster for more information. Thank you!

Otago & Southland Baptist Association (OSBA) Forum and AGM

OSBA Forum and AGM – Saturday, 14 October, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Invercargill Central Baptist Church (11 Deveron St, Invercargill) 

Please RSVP to Rachel by Wed 4 October 

Speaker: Chris Chamberlain

Chris is the Regional Leader for the Upper South Island (Canterbury and North) and transitioning-out senior pastor of Oxford Terrace Baptist Church.

He’ll share some OTBC stories in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes and the church’s community service and justice ministry.

NB: Yes, we know that 14 October is the national election day. We encourage you to vote in advance and hang out with us! It is all very doable and has been done before.

Baptist National Hui 2023

Thursday 2 – Saturday 4 November
(optional events on 1 November)

Manukau City Baptist Church, Auckland
This annual national event is an opportunity to gather with Baptist whanau from all over the country: to network, do some business, discuss some chunky matters and be part of a wider whole.

Registrations are open through the Hui website – Registrations close on 10 October to allow for planning.

This event is for anyone from our churches not just pastors. Could you invest in more than the pastor to be present for this national hui? Can we take top billing for highest representation from a region?

Make early decisions, get flights, accommodation, cars booked early to get better prices. If you’re usually preaching, try and get someone else to do Sunday 5th and take the pressure off. Go to an Auckland church and have a new experience!

Source: The Regional Leader Roundup September 2023 by Rachel Murray

Oamaru Men’s Breakfast

OBC men are encouraged to join the Oamaru Men’s Breakfast on 7th October at 8:30 AM at the Oamaru Salvation Army. The poster below gives more details.