Today at City South and City North

NORTH:

At our York Street Lunchtime Forum today, Bishop Ray Smith (Senior Associate at St Philip's) will be teaching on 'What Christ Thinks of the Church'. He will be opening up Revelation 2-3, with special reference to his recent trip to Turkey. Should be fascinating. Something to bring friends to, becasue it will have the historic component, as well as the challenge component.

• Today, 1:10-1:50pm
• St Philip's York St.
• 3 York St, Sydney (Corner Jamison)
  

SOUTH:

At the same time, I am serving my new friends at the City Bible Forum (South) today at 1:10PM. It will be a summary of the three messages I gave at the City Bible Forum (North) these last three weeks. A whirlwind tour of Habakkuk's reflections on suffering.

• Today, 1:10-1:50pm
• Upper Chapter House, St Andrew's Anglican Cathedral
• Corner George and Bathurst

Love for you to come to either.

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Pic of Ephesus on Flikr by GrafWilliam.

Our Thursday Lunchtime Forums> Ideas to reach the city

I just wrote a little about being a Sydney Cabbie and about ministering in the City of Sydney HERE. Which leads me to this:

We are growing our Lunchtime Forums, which I am excited about. Last Thursday, I lead a ten minute 'brainstorm' on how this little group (90 on our email list, 40 who regularly come, 30 each week) could create a space where Christ could be honoured and proclaimed, and the Kingdom grown. Here is the results of the brainstorm. Of course, it is a work in progress.

TIME:

• Have more options
• Perhaps breakfast time meetings

VISIBILITY:

• Make the venue more obvious and visible
• Make use of the church's noticeboard
  

FOOD:

• Catered lunch
• Breakfast

FEEL:

• Create a setting in which attendees feel anonymous
• Have more public forums and open discussions
• Create a name for meetings that help attendees to know that meetings are for them

OUTREACH:

• Hand out of invitations 30 minutes before meetings

TRAINING:

• Train for existing participants on how to connect with and invite others

TOPICS (Focus on issues that intended participants face):

• How do in my demanding schedules as city workers fulfill my roles and obligations to my spouse and children?
• How do I as a boss get the most and best out of my workers?
• How do our wives/ partners have their expectations met?
• The Credit Crunch
• Coping in the present climate

This is just a start. I'm looking forward to more discussion.

Want to add to the discussion? Comment away.

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Pic by Bill Ruhsam.

Lent on York>> The Lure of Distance (Thursday Lunchtime)

Today, at 1:10PM, we continue a simple and yet profound 6-week exploration into a story Jesus told: The Parable of the Prodigal Son. My intention is to make these meetings informative, interactive, and exploratory.

Today’s meeting>> The Lure of Distance (Luke 15:13-14) (1:10-1:45PM).

We explore why the human heart seeks (at times) to run. Many of us travel great distances (physically and emotionally) to avoid responsibility, God and relationships. We will explore why the ‘Lure of Distance’ is a mirage, and how to return to the life God desires for you. For Christ's sake.

We’ll also talk about why we take holidays, and what to expect in them. There will also be a short DVD from Alain De Botton The Art of Travel. In other words, there will be much to discuss.

Last Sunday’s Sermon is not yet on MP3, but the full-text can be downloaded as a document HERE.

Please feel free to invite whom you will. Just forward this email.

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