Toongabbie Anglican Church Blog

Weekly Blurb

Tough Churches

Sunday 20 April, 2008 · Posted by Garry Dibley

You may have wondered what goes on at other churches. You may not have even thought of it because you’re happy right here! Everyday there are ministers and their congregations serving faithfully to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the people where they live.

As a student of Moore College, I got an opportunity to go and see what’s happening in Mittagong for a week. I came away so encouraged that people are just as excited there as we are here at TAC about the gospel. I saw families serving side by side. I saw many people want to do a Christianity Explained course. We are hoping that these people will give their lives to Christ after completing the course.

The other students and I were looked after very well and as we encouraged the church at Mittagong, they in turn encouraged us.

But for every church that seems to be going well and has plenty of positive things happening, please spare a thought for the many churches that are in ‘tough’ areas. Some mission teams went to these tougher areas in Sydney. Here they were faced with the reality that ministry is just plain hard work. They spoke with people who had never had a church background and didn’t want to here about Jesus. Conversely, they met plenty of people who had church backgrounds but who were more concerned about the church buildings and traditions than a relationship with Jesus. They also met plenty who were social misfits, excluded from mainstream society, who had horrible stories of neglect or abuse. Yet there were some who believed and were saved!

As you read this, please praise God for what he is doing in many of these churches, but especially pray for those who today will be preaching in a church of 10 or 20 people and are finding it increasingly tough.

Garry Dibley

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