As Bartholomew writes; “Australian sociologist John Carroll, who does not profess to be a Christian, believes that the reason that the church in the West is in trouble is because it has forgotten its story. In his view the “waning of Christianity as practised in the West is easy to explain. The Christian churches have comprehensively failed in their one central task—to retell their foundation story in a way that might speak to the times.”
About this series
This series came out of the ministry from the recent CRC National Conference, and the importance of our Christian Heritage and Testimony. As New Creation, we have a testimony to share and live, but we are not the only character of the story of our testimony - infact, we are not even the main character. Jesus is making all things new and we have a testimony to share about what Jesus has done. Sharing our testimony is easy and hard - meaning to know our testimony with assurance, and be able to practice our testimony with confidence, helps us to prayerfully be New Creation.
This page is a resource page. This page contains:
an outline of the series.
a range of video material from conference, and from the video series
written material for individuals and life groups
The aim of the series is for us to explore testimony together, be grateful for the christian heritage that we have in Australia, continue the testimony of Jesus working in and through us.
OUR APRIL SERIES PLAN
Our morning service (AM) themes will contain preaching that aims to consider the below ideas. The evening sessions (PM) are designed more like workshops as we practically explore subject further.
Our morning services are held Sunday 10.00-11.30a and the evening workshops are held Sunday 7.00-8.00p.
An overview of the series can be found below.
April 14 - Story (AM)
Our story is not so much told from what we believe, rather through our convictions as led by Holy Spirit in communion with community. This could be the starting point.
The below booklets are designed to assist with both embracing and sharing our testimony, and the transformation process of our journey that began with the story of Jesus making all things new - New Creation.
April 21 - TESTIMONY (AM)
The scriptures speak much on testimony. Could we be thinking about how our testimony is seen and heard. Are we simply people who follow a clean moral code? If we are, what makes us different? This is where we see though the eyes of faith, hope and love.
APRIL 14 - SENSE & ACTION (PM)
A workshop session where people come together to speak of how they have sensed the move of God in their lives towards others. It might be an act, an attitude, prayer, personal integrity and so on. The idea is that morality is not our code of conduct, neither is doing good. Our conduct is born out of faith, hope and Love, which by default create moral characters.
April 28 – Revelation and Realisation (AM)
Like Peter on the roof of his house and then with Cornelius, Peter had a revelation that all God has made is good, then with Cornelius he realizes that even the gentile is worthy of God’s goodness by baptising them in water and Spirit. It is from these we see transformation. Like Peter, who had his mind renewed, we too are renewed when we hear God’s voice over our own voices and the voices of life. This is the time when we consider the possibility of surrendering our own versions of Christ. When this happens we repent, change our hearts and minds making way for God’s grace to be received. We put self, the ego down, and go to Him with empty hands. When we receive God’s grace we are humbled, and in humility we receive God’s mercy, the wrath of God is dissolved in His Love.
APRIL 21 - NEW CREATION WRITTEN AND SPOKEN (PM)
A worskshop session where we consider writing and speaking the new creation testimony in our own lives which looks like:
Repentance opens the path for God’s grace. Humility opens the path for God’s mercy. The two are smashed together giving birth to the new creation. And communion seals this as the new covenant. How have these played out in life?
CRC National Conference Sessions - Christian Heritage
These were the keynote sessions shared at the conference in 2023. You cannot help but pickup a sense of confidence in being a follower of Jesus, as you hear how other followers of Jesus lived. By living for Jesus, those before us have left a heritage of the goodness of God, much which we continue to enjoy today. So while we have this heritage to enjoy, we also have a call to continue to build and do likewise. These sessions are very encouraging but note that these sessions are designed for an audience who know Jesus.
Faith Runs deep video series
Faith Runs Deep seeks to demonstrate the depth of influence of the Gospel message on Australia. The series is a 12-part documentary covering a different theme or time in Australia’s history. In each episode, you’ll hear from historians and academics; remarkable Australians of faith; and Karl and Jane Faase about their own journey of faith. The aim of this series is to share the stories of faith that have made our history and will define the future of faith in Australia.
Episode 1: Faith Runs Deep
Episode 2: Ends of the Earth (The Good News Arrives)
Episode 3: Second Chance (Early Years)
Episode 4: Eternity in our Hearts (Firsts Nations People)
Episode 5: Melting Pot (Immigration)
Episode 6: That Other Religion (Sport)
Episode 7: My Brother’s Keeper (Charity)
Episode 8: For Love of Country (Armed Services)
Episode 9: Grassroots (Politics)
Episode 10: For the Glory of God (The Arts)
Episode 11: Changed Lives (Revivals)
Episode 12: Off the Sheep’s Back (Business)
The videos can be watched individually, or together at Life Group.
There is a link to the Study Booklet which contains discussion questions and further information.
01 Faith runs deep
05 Melting pot
09 Grassroots
02 To the ends of the earth
06 That other religion
10 For the glory of God
Faith Runs Deep Series Intro
Download a PDF of the discussion booklet here. This booklet contains discussion information that link to the video series below.
03 Second chance
07 My brother's keeper
11 Changed lives
04 Eternity in our hearts
08 For love of country
12 Off the sheep's back