Building for Eternity
Archive for June, 2009
Where is our Treasure?
2 years ago
by Lyndall Bailey
in News
During this week the media have caught up with the Sydney Anglican Diocese’s poor share investment results. It is true that the Diocesan Endowment and the Archbishop’s Endowment have recorded at least a 50% loss over the last 12 months. It will affect the Diocese’s Regional Leadership, their major church organisation and the training colleges.
It does not affect the ministries of local churches and the building capital grants (as those funds had been withdrawn from the accounts that suffered the loss). Hence Dapto’s building grant is still available, if we commence building within the next 18 months.
The Diocesan is not responding by just cutting programs or jobs. The Archbishop is leading a process where a restructuring occurs that will enhance our mission and ministry effectiveness. It is a God given chance to change things that may never have changed, despite the need. Please pray for the Archbishop and his team as they negotiate these troubled waters and lead us to an even better place to connect with our community and proclaim Jesus.
Stephen Semenchuk,
Senior Minister
The Guarantee You Can Trust
2 years ago
by Lyndall Bailey
in News
Are you a person who pays extra for extended warranties on appliances? I am not! I don’t know if it stems from my optimism (if it lasts for 12 months then it will go for a decade) or my cynicism (there will probably be some exemption clause that will mean the warranty is not applicable). Generally guarantees are only as good as the integrity of the one who offers them.
In the book of Judges, following God’s leadership is the only guarantee of a future. Each time Israel gets in trouble and cries out to God he provides a judge who “saves” them. Our world seems to have become a very uncertain and insecure place. Trusting God is the only certain hope. As we gather we should celebrate the great, eternal guarantee from Jesus: no one is able to snatch any of those the Father has given me out of His hand. (John 10:30)
D.A.C. Building for Eternity
Stephen Semenchuk,
Senior Minister