One of the most famous sections of scripture in the Bible and yet it is one of the least studied.  As we pour through this primeval history we hope that God will help us to see past the debates concerning religion and science, creation and evolution, to the message that God longed for His people to hear when these words were first written.

As we start a new year at City North join us in the evening services as we look at the first 12 beautiful chapters of the Bible.  We will see what God was doing through the famous stories of creation, the fall, Cain & Abel, the flood, Babel and the call of Abraham.  Our prayer is that they would be more than nice stories you remember from Sunday School, that rather you will be impacted by the reality of God: His power, creative genius, justice, mercy, love and grace!

Please come along with open minds and hearts from January 29th through to the end of March!

This year as we open the Bible we will explore God’s Shameless Love that He has so extravagantly revealed, and will be spurred on to unashamedly share it in a hostile world. Women of all ages who love being taught and challenged from God’s Word are invited to share with us in a day of Bible teaching, singing, delicious food and fellowship. Further information and registration with online payment is available at register.citynorthbaptist.com

Event Details:

• 17th March 2012; 8:30am; City North Baptist Church; 52 Yiada St, Kedron; QLD
• Early Bird (Adult/Student): $30/$25 (ends 26th Feb)
• Add $5 for late registrations (close on 12th March) *we apologise for a misprint in the recent promotional email.*
• Morning Tea & Lunch Included
• Bookshop with cash and credit card facilities
• Promotional Brochure

In that light the internship was the core element of my time at Bible College. Theological study is fantastic (and important for those wanting to be ministers) but the practical outworking of the internship is what gave that study tangible meaning for everyday ministry opportunities.

To have come out of the I.T industry and start college was a huge change for me, but I was immediately seeing the worth of the study as the internship had me teaching R.E at Wavell High School, running senior cafes, building relationships with high school students, as well as expanding my music ministry from simply drumming to worship leading and singing. Jesus was able to reveal a teaching gift to me through the opportunities to lead lounge groups, lead communion and preach. In this past year (2011) I found that planning and running youth events, mentoring leaders and students, preaching the Gospel to them and finding practical illustrations to constantly be an example of Jesus to our fantastic group of youthies is what drove me to complete my academic studies.

By far the part of the internship I enjoyed the most and gained the most wisdom from were the weekly mentoring sessions with Pastor Murray. Each week we would spend about 90 minutes in his office, usually Murray would share stories and examples from his vast experience in different ministry areas – or we would discuss methods and articles that he had found particularly helpful. These times, as well as the interaction with Pastor Joe or Pastor Dave, are where the internship at City North really assists in finding a base for how I might do ministry in the future.

The internship may not look the same for everyone, different people have different gifts, but I found that the congregation at City North were always so supportive of every new element I tried, that whoever is the next intern and whatever they do, I am sure that they will feel as greatly blessed as I do now.

Thank You

Dean

What: City North Christmas Morning Service

Where: City North Baptist Church, 52 Yiada St, Kedron

When: Sunday 25th December, 2011

Time: 8am-9am

Jonny was born and raised in Sydney, the second of three boys, in a Christian family.  His parents were actively involved in the local evangelical Anglican church which Jonny attended till after his marriage.  Though he attended church and youth group, it wasn’t until he was 20 that he realized that he wasn’t a Christian and came into a personal relationship with Christ.

After leaving school he completed a two year aeronautics course and then trained as a pilot.  Because work was hard to get as a young pilot at that time, he commenced a carpentry apprenticeship and subsequently qualified in this trade.

In 1996 he met Liz and they were married the following year.  For 5 years they were actively involved together in ministry at their church……youth work, discipling teenagers, and leading music.  In 2003 they moved to Queensland.  Over that time they have grown their family to four children  -  Isabella, Sophia, Isaac and Samuel.

Over the past 6-7 years they have been attending City North where they have served in many different roles.  For Jonny this has meant heading up Chileramps for most of its existence, discipling young men, and helping in the music area.  For Liz it has been helping lead the Tuesday Womens Bible study, Women of Purpose, and teaching/discipling teenage girls and young women.  Together they enjoy a hospitality ministry.

Last year they moved to live on the campus of Crossway College where Jonny holds the position of Property and Construction Manager.  They are busily involved in the life of the college and the interaction they have with the students and staff there.

Jonny has a love for Christ and for the local church.  His gospel witness outside of church is clear and unambiguous.  His passions are discipling young men and helping/leading in music ministry.   Together with Liz we believe they will have a strong and positive influence through this new role.  If you don’t know Jonny and Liz make sure you get to know them and look for ways to support them as they take this next step in their journey as a family.

STIR is a ministry of QCCA (Queensland Christian Conventions Association) and exists to stir up young men and women to live radically for Jesus.  The convention will feature Tim Blencowe as the main speaker.  Tim is the pastor of Macquarie Baptist Church in Sydney and also lectures in preaching at Morling Baptist College.  He will be speaking on the theme of 1 Peter: Reborn Rewired, expounding what it means for Christians to be born again to a new and living hope!

In addition to Tim, Dr Patricia Weerakoon, a sexologist at the University of Sydney who has spent many years teaching a biblically informed understanding of healthy human sexuality, will also give a keynote address including a panel discussion.  Also there will be several electives on various practical and theological topics, including one from our own Murray Lean!

We would love to see as many City Northers there as possible as we seek to kick the year off in a big way!  Contact Pastor Joe if you are keen to find out more or you can visit the STIR Facebook or STIR Website to register online.

December 18 at Bradbury Park, Kedron

We will have:

• 3 x Christmas Ham for giveaway provided by the famous Annerley Meats butcher;
• Jumping castle;
• Face painting;
• Pony rides; and
• Glowsticks, candles and fairy floss for sale.

Starts: 4:30 pm, $2 sausage sizzle from 5:30pm

Carols: 7pm – 8:30pm
Check the website for up-to-date information if it rains.

More info

Promo Video:

I wish this was a topic we did not have to address, but the reality is we are sinners living in a sinful world and many Australians are sexually assaulted each year. Australian statistics indicate that as many as 1 in 5 women and 1 in 20 men are sexually assaulted from age 15. This is a shocking reality and therefore highlights the need for us as a church to address this topic, especially when we believe the Bible offers hope for those who have been victims of sexual assault.

I thought I would share, by way of this blog post, an excellent resource for working though what the Bible has to say on this topic. Justin and Lindsey Holcomb’s book Rid of my Disgrace expertly addresses the topic of sexual assault from a Biblical perspective. The book sets out to address what the gospel has to say to the victims of sexual assault and shows that “the gospel applies grace to disgrace and redeems what is destroyed,” that “one-way love heals and replaces the destruction caused by one-way violence.”

Here is a video you can watch with the authors: