Wonders of Mission

It is truly amazing, the opportunities that you can have to talk to somebody in the city about Jesus! There is a certain freedom with knowing that people sitting in the square are actually sitting on property owned by the cathedral - it kind of makes them fair game! And so many are curious about the cathedral and about the idea of church, so they're willing to engage in conversation if you approach them!

Last night's City Night Church was lots of fun. Lots of people were sitting out on the square before church so we were able to invite a number to join us for church - and some took up the invitation! It was great to chat with some who were checking out the cathedral services for the first time, as well as some who had been around for a while.

Lunchtime today saw a similar response. People came to check out the talks that we've organised for lunchtime throughout the week - not many people but there were some who were curious about what Chris had to say and it was great to talk with a woman who works in a local nearby office about what she believes and how that influences her life.

The other fascinating aspect to wandering around the square is spotting famous faces. Today's top 2 were Joe Hockey and Lyn Collingwood (go on, Google them if you're not sure who they are).

Mission begins....

So I've managed to grab some time on a computer in the cathedral offices and thought I'd give a quick update on the first few hours of the Moore College Mission week at St Andrew's Cathedral.

I was right in thinking that mission at the cathedral would be very different to last year's experience at Albury Bible Fellowship!

Church this morning was a very different experience to the relaxed informality of an independent evangelical service held in a church hall - and I didn't even go to the traditional service this week!! However, it brought back memories of attending traditional services in my teenage years, which was quite nostalgic. It was a surprising delight to see my friend Jodie and her friend Jill arrive at this morning's service, after having run away together for a girls' weekend in the city.

It was interesting to hear Phillip Jensen speak of the particular peculiarities of inner city ministry, especially that in a cathedral. The challenges that are faced are quite uniquely different to those in a regular suburban parish, yet provide exciting opportunities to share the gospel on a regular basis to people who visit.

Please pray for us as we continue to share the gospel this week, that we will be bold in taking up opportunities, sensitive to the needs of those we are talking to and faithful in the words we speak. Please also pray for me as I finalise the details of my talk for Thursday morning.

Mission and Prayer

Another quick update and a prayer request.

Next week, students and faculty of Moore College will be dispersing to various areas around the Sydney Diocese for a week of Mission. We will be working alongside local parishes, with the distinct intention of sharing the gospel with people and helping the parishes connect with their local communities.

I am part of a team that will be heading to St Andrew's Cathedral in the Sydney CBD. Some may recall that last year I was working alongside a small, independent, evangelical church in Albury - needless to say, I expect the two missions to be quite different!

However, the gospel remains the same and people's need to hear it does not change. Apart from time with regular members and visitors to the Cathedral, I will be involved with some kids' ministry and will be giving a talk to a group of women next Thursday morning.

Praise God for the opportunities that we have to proclaim him throughout mission weeks. Please pray that we will be faithful to the gospel, sensitive in conversation and deeds, gracious with each other as a team and that I, and others who are giving talks, will prepare well and bring glory to God as we deliver them.