LifeCity Church Canberra - Making It Real

ThePoint* Sunday night service venue change

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:48:00 GMT

Hey all,

just a note to inform everyone that ThePoint* the Sunday night gathering of LifeCity Church has now moved into TheLoft, our new City venue at 35 East Row Civic.

Join us at ThePoint* at 5:57pm this Sunday night!!!

4Life,

Josh, Ange and ThePoint* Crew

ThePoint* - Sunday night church service

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 06:15:00 GMT

Hey all,

just a note to say ThePoint*, our Sunday night gathering is presently in team mode preparing for a re-launch in our new venue at the beginning of August.

There are going to be alot of new initiatives for ThePoint* so if you are interested in getting involved drop us a note.

4Life,

Josh

LifeCity South Team Meeting

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:53:00 GMT

Hey, things have moved a bit slower than we would've liked in regards to Southside/Tuggeranong but on Sunday the 27th of June at 5pm at our place (message us for details) we will be having our first team meeting.

We will initially be chatting some of the vision for the plant, the specific challenges and opportunities that exist and our next steps in starting pre-launch gatherings Southside.

Maybe you can just help out with the pre launch gatherings once per month, maybe you are interested in being on board for southside/QBN or maybe you are interested in being part of the SWAT team (Short term willing and temporary). Whatever the possibility come for the beginning of a dream staking itself in the ground.

We would really love to see you there! There will also be supervision for the kids and dinner as well.

4Life,

Josh

GlobalGeneration 20TEN

Wed, 19 May 2010 21:46:00 GMT

GlobalGeneration 20TEN is going to be a weekend to change the way you see the world and the way you are positioned in it. You ARE on mission, however, the impact we have can depend on the clarity of the gospel communicated and the conviction with which it is lived.

From biblical foundations of mission, understanding culture, the global plan of God and positioning to reach a world without a saviour, GlobalGen will challenge your understanding, your motivations and the way we go about mission both locally and globally.

Key Speakers Kevin and Glenys Hovey are experienced missionaries and scholars, motivated by a desire to see people effective in global reach. They have spent over 30 years in Papua New Guinea working amongst the tribes of the remote Sepik River and later in national and international leadership and leadership development roles.

They now run Global Training Ministries equipping churches and missionaries through initiatives such as World Harvest Institute and STINT. Kevin also heads the Missions faculty at Alphacrucis, Sydney.

GlobalGeneration20TEN

Sat 29th – Intensive – starting 10:15am – 4:30pm
Sunday 30th – LifeCity Church 10:27am

Cost
$10 – For full time Students
$15 – Full time workers

ThePoint* Sunday night church at the Holy Grail

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:52:00 GMT

Hey,

ThePoint* has started to settle and find its place at the Holy Grail (Cnr of Akuna and Bunda) so if your wanting to connect on Sunday night get down there at 5:57pm. We will be continuing our new series "His Kingdom Come"

We are back there again on the 21st of March before cruising down to Tuggeranong for the first time on the 28th of March.

April venue locations TBA

4Life,

Josh

Accommodation Available / Wanted - Christian

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:29:00 GMT

Hey, we will soon be putting an accommodation section on our website soon but for the moment we are posting accommodation options available here. Feel free to respond to the offer or post other accommodation wanted/available

"Hi, I was wondering if you had a classifieds or similar where I could place the following ad? "Accommodation Available 2 Christian male students looking for a third housemate in Cook. Rent is $135 p.w. (negotiable) + utilities. Available right now. If interested, email Matt at u4396139 AT anu.edu.au or ring on 0401 831 486." Thanks, Matt"

There is also other AVAILABLE and WANTED in the comments just below - check them or post new AVAILABLE AND WANTED

4Life,

Josh

University O Week coming up

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 04:56:00 GMT

Hey,

coming up on the 4th of Feb is market day at the University of Canberra and at Australian National University market day is on the 17th of Feb.

We are building key teams for these events so if you are interested give us a buzz.

In addition at ANU (atleast) we are registering "ThePoint ANU*" as a Student Group so if you are at ANU sign up as a member. We will also need the key positions of President, Secretary and Treasurer filled by current students.

More info will be coming soon.

New Series 'One' Kicking off this coming Sun day

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:47:00 GMT

Hey, our new series "ONE" will be kicking off this Sunday. So often we in pray ask Jesus to answer our prayers but imagine being in the position to be answering his prayer (weird thought really)

20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." John 17:20 – 26

From being One with God through to being ONE as a community. We will cover ONE of the most powerful realities in the heart of God. ONE which brings him glory and draws people to him.

Join us as we take a journey into the nature and heart of God and the implications in our relationship with God, our relationships with others and even our personal unity.

4 Life,

Josh

LifeCity Church Canberra

No Church Service on the 27th

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:44:00 GMT

Hey all,

there will be no Church service on the 27th however there will be a lunch still on. It is a great chance for those here over the Christmas period to connect as community and enjoy and celebrate the year and look forward to 2010.

Contact Josh or Ange for more details.

Ps. We will be back to normal services the week after - 3rd of Jan 2010.

Sunday Night Church Canberra kicking off

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:44:00 GMT

Hey, just a note to all ''The Point" - our new Sunday evening gathering will be launching in Feb 2010. Our official launch will be at the Holy Grail in Civic. A new website and promo stuff will be coming soon.

Sermon Podcasts and Vodcasts go online

Tue, 26 May 2009 01:28:00 GMT

Hey, just a note to say our sermons are becoming more easily available online with sermons being uploaded usually in both Podcast and Video formats

LifeCity Video Cast and subscribe to our Podcasts on our podcast page

If you have any problems give us and email as there are still some things to be sorted.

4 Life,

Josh

LifeCity Church Canberra on Twitter

Mon, 18 May 2009 22:23:00 GMT

Hey,

just a note to say we are now on Twitter (for better or worse) so if you want to follow us check out our LifeCity Church twitter

or you could follow Josh's twitter

LifeCity is MOVING AGAIN!!!

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:12:00 GMT

That's right LifeCity is moving venue again but don't worry too much. It is just over the road. 35 East Row, Civic. It is going to give LifeCity a chance to
have a more semi permanent venue (yes that's right FAR LESS setting up) More time for God and people.

We do want to thank our present host Angie Ross for he generous use of 'The Space' which has been a fantastic venue. I love the feel of the 'underground' church but our new opportunity is going to free us for a new period in our journey as a church. We will be moving into the Alliance Church City Campus facility. They are a great crew and I believe it is a fantastic example of the church in Canberra working together for the extension of his kingdom.

4 Life,

Josh

LifeCity Church Canberra

UniLife Canberra Bowling

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:37:00 GMT

Hey, on the 26th of March (thursday) at 8pm we are going bowling at the Belco AMF Bowling Centre.
Please contact Amy - listed below for details and to RSVP

Things I wish Jesus never said Wk 1

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:52:00 GMT

Before we kick in I have to say I am sorry I have not finished the 'Practical' Blog series. I will get around to it but for the time being lets blog
life and what we are discussing in Church.

Things I wish Jesus never said (Wk 1)

(and the power and significance of them)

34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’[a] 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Matt 10:34 – 39

Now of course if you just read that first verse someone might think that Jesus was calling for warfare which would seem rightly a little
unusual and as we read on we note that it certainly is not a military conflict Jesus is calling for but IT IS CONFLICT he is
saying will come relationally.

I am consistently amazed at the continual challenges that Christ gives us. For me this passage asks a number of questions.

In this blog I just want to zone in one verse 35 and the challenge it brings.

1) How Distinct is my life? V 35

Whilst the gospel brings connection and peace with God , the operation of the gospel and the changing values, beliefs and identity in our loves will and should cause 'distinction'. So often Christian struggle to 'be the same' or relevant but our greatest struggle is not really relevance but distinction. Am I different? Am I ready for that distinction to cause relational distinction? The potential for a life to make a difference is found not in its relevance (that should be assumed) but in its distinction.

If you read Micah 7 you will see that Jesus was quoting Micah 7:6. In effect we see in Micah 7 the potential feelings of a person of God and the isolation that can bring but don't worry keep on reading past verse 6.

Verse 7 says

"Therefore I will look to the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me" Micah 7:7 NKJV

Note three things in here

a) "I will look to the Lord" Where is your focus?

b) I will wait for the God of my salvation" - Who/What am I waiting for? What do I practically consider my salvation or deliverance from my circumstances?

c) "My God will hear me" - Do you still trust in his ability and faithfulness to hear you? Circumstances can crush our hopes but he is faithful and will hear.

The results of a distinct Life

a) People will not 'understand' a distinct life (it shows your different values)

In Luke 2:41-49 Jesus as a 12 year stays at the temple - after the confusion in finding him and asking him why he was there. Jesus said that he was about his fathers business but they 'did not understand'. There should be things in our life that are confusing to the understanding of people and offensive to their perspective on life.

b) People will be 'incovenienced' by distinct life (it shows your different priorities)

When was the last time your kingdom priorities inconvenienced the normal plans that people have? It might be as simpleas going to church on sunday instead of the footy. Not watching certain movies etc. which might pull you out of activities with friends? I think you can easily say the call of Christ inconvenienced even his family.

c) People will be 'confronted' by a distinct life (It shows different rulership)

John 3:17 – 21

It is not our place to 'condemn' the world but we need to realise that it is condemning itself and your life should confront that position.

Stand up and you will stand out – stand out and people will ask you to stand down

4 Life,

Josh

LifeCity Church Canberra

Ignite my life (fasting)

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 07:06:00 GMT

As we continue to grow in many areas @ LifeCity it is always most important to establish our fervour for God as the core of who we are. To help us in that, scripture has given disciplines that focus our lives on who God is and what he wants. Fasting (and the accompanying prayer and focus on God and his word) is a critical element of creating a life that is focused on and dependant on the Holy Spirit. Fasting establishes an intentional sense of order in our lives with the spiritual needs above the natural.

In Matthew 4:2 Jesus set a great example for us when He fasted for forty days and nights (Matthew 4:2) and reminded His followers to fast when he said "when you fast," not if you fast. The Apostles and early Church also fasted (Acts 13:2, 2 Cor. 6:4, 5 )2 Cor. 11:27

Fasting helps in a number of key ways

a) Focuses us back on the ‘first love’ of God that can be lost so easily through distraction and familiarity.

b) It helps to bring humility in our lives before God. King David said, "I humble myself through fasting." (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21).

c) In that place of humility God is able to reveal and convict us of our sin focus us on the transformed life he has called us to.

d) Helps in bringing divine guidance (Judg.20:26–28)

e) Victory over temptation Matt. 4:1–11

f) Brings Courage when stepping out in faith (Esther 4:16)

g) When our lives are lit by God we become far more effective in our impact on others.

h) It is key in seeing our City, Nation and World Changed for Christ

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chron 7:14

Fasting in scripture is primarily centred around fasting food and drink but there is no‘formula’ for fasting. The Greek word for fasting is nesteia -- a compound of ne (a negative prefix) and esthio which means "to eat." So the basic root meaning of the word simply means "not to eat."

So take a first step in not eating for a meal, then a day, then a couple days and increase your fast and focus but go in with open eyes.

Things to do and be aware of

Realise that whilst Fasting is spiritual in its goal and focus it is obviously connected to our physical nature. It is often important to ‘ease’ into fasting.Many tend to FEAST – FAST – FEAST. Doing so obviously misses the point of fasting but also is not good for you physically. (I have some funny but bad stories of people who have feasted after fasting for a long periods – lets just say DON’T DO IT) If you have any questions on going into a longer fast and breaking the fast just ask.

Also if you have any particular physical obstacles eg. Pregnancy, diabetes, hyperglycemia, heart disease etc. or you are at all unsure talk to your doctor and/or us.

Getting Hungry is normal – that’s part of the point. When you are hungry, have something to drink and allow that hunger to force you to God.

- Pray

- Meditateon God’s word

- Activate– Do something for God and people

When you don’t eat you will be amazed by the time in your life used for food preparation and consumption. Use this time to focus on God.

As you become weaker through fasting, your mood can be affected. Be aware of this, do not allow it to control your mood or the way you treat others. Some times this can be a bad witness in trying to grow spiritually.

Know your motivations

Jesus warned us about having wrong motivations in fasting (to look spiritual. (Matthew 6:1, 16-18) People will sometimes ask, for non-Christianfriends, it might help to tell them you have other plans. Tell Christians if needed (but don’t focus on it). The point is this is not about gaining the praise of man but clearly focus and connection with God.

Fasting is also not simply a physical disciple(or a weight loss answer) Whilst weight loss and physical disciple can be important fasting is not either.

Not a way to manipulate God – it is easy to treat fasting like a hunger strike until God does what we want him to . (He won’t - see Acts23:12,1)

Building a Culture of prayer and fasting @ LifeCity

Our heart at LifeCity Church Canberra is to see a culture of prayer and worship emerge. A culture that is above a programmatic style, one that is centred in the hearts and lives of each person. A culture that is sunk into our community. Our goal is to have specific fasting and prayer covering each day of the week by our second birthday. Join those who have started to do so in seeing lives both personally, corporately and in our City and world changed by the power of God.

If you have any questions or want to even start to cover a day in prayer and fasting drop us a line. Lets stand together to see our world changed for Christ.

PS – Practical Atheist will be posted soon

4 Life,

Josh

LifeCity Church Canberra

http://lifecitychurch.com

LifeCity Podcast

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

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Im:practical

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:47:00 GMT

Im:practical

Stop being so natural

Im:practical – Introduction

It has struck me for some time both as a personal conviction about my own life and as a wider observation of the Church in general that we have increasingly become so practical, so contemporary, so excellent, so planned, so organized, so educated, so equipped, so missional that if God showed up in our meetings we might call him a disruption to our ‘order’, to the way we do things, no matter what that way looks like.

If God showed up in our contemporary church we would freak because it might kill our sound and set, it might blow out our time. If he showed up in the midst of that thorough exegesis on Leviticus that the academically trained teacher has prepared we would ask God to step aside as 'this is not the time nor the place for that emotional clap trap'. If he showed up in miraculous power while we were attempting to be missional, loving the poor, getting out there serving the least in a relative ‘no strings attached’ moment we would accuse him of trying some attractional form of outreach which is so ‘nineties’.

In the attempt to be ‘relevant’, ‘missional’, ‘community focussed’, whatever the tag. Have we forgot that whilst we need to be relevant, we need to connect with the culture, we are also a peculiar people, a spiritual people, we are a different people. If we are just the same with a cool band and cool relevant edgy speaker than why not just go to the pub band down the road and watch a video of Anthony Robbins.

I am not claiming that we have it at LifeCity Church in Canberra, to the contradiction it is a concern because this is a huge area of weakness. When Jesus came he was proclaimed as emmanuel, God with us. When he left physically, he left the Holy Spirit, the comforter. Why is it that whilst we know the Holy Spirit is with us, are we practically not with him?

In the next couple weeks I want to cover different practical people, of which I have been guilty of more than one. It is time to be a little impractical and more spiritual.

Coming soon – Practical Atheist – Practical Deist – Practical Gnostic – Practical Spiritual Socialist – Practical Spiritual Capitalist.

4 Life,

Josh

Co-labourer in one corner of the church in Canberra

LifeCity Church Canberra