2006 in Review
Bessie’s Report to the Team and Partners December 2006
A shaking ahead?
Like ‘spontaneous combustion’ home churches are happening across the world in such huge numbers that one has to arrive at the conclusion that God is up to something in his church! There are some reasons that stand out as to why this is happening.
· It is the way ‘church’ was always meant to gather. Relationally and where we live and hang out. Not in purpose built buildings and worldly hierarchical structures.
· Christians have to learn to love one another. We have not had a good track record over the centuries. Not just wishy washy ‘fellowship’, but the sort of love that would lay down our lives for one another.
· We are being taught to be ‘corporate’ – to be the Body of Christ. It isn’t all about ‘me’ after all!
· The gifts that God gives are meant to be released from every Christian.
· The harvest can only be reached if the world has the opportunity to see Jesus with ‘skin on’ – and that means the light and saltiness of every Christian touching those around them. The world is hungry for Jesus. Not ‘church’ such as they know it.
There is also another reason I believe. I don’t want to sound alarmist – or whacky (!), but I am personally convinced that the world, and this nation, are heading into a shaky future. There is global ferment environmentally, politically and economically. The church, however, is being led into a safe place. The safest and most effective place for the church for such times is to be in the lives and relationships of the people as organisms operating under the protection and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the first century, the church was rapidly growing amidst multiculturism, rampant idolatry, political turmoil and hot persecution. In many parts of the world, the church is increasingly facing similar conditions today. A close study of chapters two and three of the book of Revelation gives us a picture of home churches in the first century. These churches were faced with many challenges and responded in all sorts of ways. We can learn from their experiences and especially from the pronouncements of the Lord over each church (yes, the Lord does watch over our gatherings as church, and is very interested in what goes on!). This account in Revelation can be in some instances an encouragement, in some a warning, and others, an inspiration.
We read of the loveless church of Ephesus, the persecuted church of Smyrna, the corrupt church of Thyatira, the dead church in Sardis, the faithful church in Philadelphia and the lukewarm church of Laodicea. By and large today’s church in the West identifies largely with that of Laodicea at least, if not that of Ephesus, while the Holy Spirit is moving in miraculous ways in countries like China, India, Nigeria and Mozambique.
We need to keep a prophetic eye on world and national events, as well as the condition of the church across both. We ought also, to look carefully at the challenge before us, to be authentic and active as church in this often confused and hurting world around us. We need to take note seriously, that God is not distant, but seeks to be involved through His people, to bring the imperatives of the Gospel to bear on every level of the human condition.
In view of this, I believe the challenge for home churches is to take their situation seriously. God has called them to be where they are and to grow in their relationship with the Lord, with one another, and to be effective outwardly into their world. They are home church where they are, and with those with whom they meet, by God’s call and appointment – and purpose.
I have a real sense that God is calling us to more intentional and deep prayer individually and as gatherings of church. We need to deal with God and have anointed ears to hear from Him, anointed eyes to perceive what He wants us to note, and anointed hearts that beat to His love and are totally obedient. Let us not be caught unawares by the events that may shake our nation, and the world, in the days ahead. The Lord of the Church is not only watching over the churches today as in the first century, but also has words for us to hear, things for us to be and do, and offers the Holy Spirit to match His purposes.
I have a sense of urgency that we move deeper into God if we are to flow with His purposes in the days ahead. We don’t want to lag behind, or run ahead, but to be in step with what the Lord of the Church is saying and doing in His Church in our day, and in the gatherings.
It is my hope that as home churches grow in this nation, that they become increasingly ‘hotspots’ of the life and power of the Lord Jesus Christ and beacons of hope – and if necessary, places of protection as well as power for the Kingdom’s purposes in this nation in the days ahead – however shaky they may be. May 2007 be a year of great growth in the Lord’s purposes in our lives and in our church gatherings.
The challenge for OIKOS Australia, as always in the past, is to continue to be a friend and encouragement to home churches. Rather than our role diminishing as home churches become more prevalent these days, I believe our role is going to be enlarged with more Regional Teams to keep pace with this ministry. Existing home churches will be the examples to follow as more Christians pursue this way of being church.
I close by saying how blessed I am, and how grateful, to have such a wonderful Team around me. This has been a year when we have ‘stepped up’ in the amount of commitment and activity necessary, and we have worked so well together. You were all magnificent in the preparations you carried out before the Dales’ events. I thank each of you, Bruce, Des, Sue, Carl, Joan and Ed, as well as the Regional Teams W.A- Peter and Phil, Qld – Bruce, Chris and Bruce, Tas – Sue, for all you have been and for all you have done in this past exciting year.
I must make mention of the terrific job Ed does with the accounts. This can be a ‘fiddly’ job, but Ed does it with expertise and grace.
Thank you also to Joan, for all you go through with me to get OIKOS collated and sorted for posting each time. Also, for the work you do in the office when things mount up. I am very grateful for your help.
And to each of you, thank you for the wisdom, encouragement and blessing you share with me. I cannot begin to say how grateful I am. “I give thanks for every remembrance of you”.
I also thank the Partners in OIKOS who, in all sorts of ways, so often contact via email or phone, who assist us so much financially and who often respond when ideas or feedback are sought, and who most importantly support this work in prayer. I sense that this prayer backing is going to be even more vital in the days ahead. Thank you all so much.
I want to make special mention of Nathan who has done wonders with our web page and set up the Blog magnificently for us. Thank you ever so much. And to John Sapsford who keeps me up to date with technology and hauls me out of difficulties with the computer on a fairly regular basis. I am so grateful for this support. I am grateful that John has made his digital projector available for OIKOS use.
Also grateful thanks to Joy Heaton who so expertly proof-reads each copy of OIKOS as well as any other major written work I have to do. Joy and I have been friends over many years and so she not only corrects my English which she is very qualified to do, but she is able to be very frank and honest about what I have written! I value that. Thank you for your valuable contribution.
I am also very grateful to all those in the home churches who have provided me with hospitality during my visits. This is such a blessing and I am very grateful. I could not manage without this assistance, but it also provides the means by which I make wonderful friends with you all. Thank you.
Let us look forward expectantly, hopefully and joyfully to the year ahead. I will look forward to sharing it with you all.
“You Crown the Year with Your Bounty” Psalm 65
Bessie Pereira, December 2006
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