Citywide Baptist Church
Going to the Outsiders
What does it mean to see beyond our comfort zone?
Locations & Times
Citywide Baptist Church (Mornington)
400 Cambridge Rd, Mornington TAS 7018, Australia
Sunday 10:00 AM
Lenah Valley Baptist church came about because Rev. Edward Roberts-Thomson saw a suburb of young families growing at the end of the tramline who weren't being served by the church.
Lenah Valley's first focus was on the emerging generation. Rather than focussing on serving people who were already comfortable in church, they focussed on children and their parents by running a Sunday school at the local RSL hall.
Like any church, there were times when the focus became smaller and even the plans for the first building were way too small.
The church though grew by taking risks to reach out beyond their comfort zone.
They bet their financial future by selling the manse to fund a full time pastor, Hans Bohm, for three years, hoping to reach the community and grow.
They welcomed a young Nepali speaking pastor who had planted a church in his garage to share fellowship with them, long before there was any thought that Hobart Nepali church might officially connect.
They have had a long and proud history of supporting mission and sponsoring children. Citywide has sponsor kids because of Lenah Valley.
They deliberately partnered with Eastern Shore Baptist church with a view to the whole city, which became reflected in their name.
They returned to their roots and partnered again with the RSL, this time to run ANZAC Day in the Park.
When Lenah Valley has been at its best it's eyes have not been on itself but on those who are outside the church.
Lenah Valley's first focus was on the emerging generation. Rather than focussing on serving people who were already comfortable in church, they focussed on children and their parents by running a Sunday school at the local RSL hall.
Like any church, there were times when the focus became smaller and even the plans for the first building were way too small.
The church though grew by taking risks to reach out beyond their comfort zone.
They bet their financial future by selling the manse to fund a full time pastor, Hans Bohm, for three years, hoping to reach the community and grow.
They welcomed a young Nepali speaking pastor who had planted a church in his garage to share fellowship with them, long before there was any thought that Hobart Nepali church might officially connect.
They have had a long and proud history of supporting mission and sponsoring children. Citywide has sponsor kids because of Lenah Valley.
They deliberately partnered with Eastern Shore Baptist church with a view to the whole city, which became reflected in their name.
They returned to their roots and partnered again with the RSL, this time to run ANZAC Day in the Park.
When Lenah Valley has been at its best it's eyes have not been on itself but on those who are outside the church.
Jesus withdrew from the Jewish area...
Jesus had largely finished his ministry to the Jewish people and now, after calling the Pharisees and teachers of the law hypocrites, he intentionally moves to the Gentiles.
God's covenant was for Israel, and Jesus was sent to them in order to fulfil that covenant, but he was also preparing his disciples for a post-Easter revolution.
God's covenant was for Israel, and Jesus was sent to them in order to fulfil that covenant, but he was also preparing his disciples for a post-Easter revolution.
In contrast to the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law, this woman knew who he was.
Often people who are outside the church will see the truth of who Jesus is much more clearly than people who are inside the church.
Often people who are outside the church will see the truth of who Jesus is much more clearly than people who are inside the church.
It’s not clear what Jesus was doing by not responding… my guess is he was saying to God what do I do here???
The Disciples just see and resent the interruption
I learned that the interruptions are the work… Henri Nouwen
The Disciples just see and resent the interruption
I learned that the interruptions are the work… Henri Nouwen
Most of Jesus' life would have been choosing not to do things, because as fully human he was limited and he had a very specific job to do…
In order to say yes to anything you must also say no to other things
In order to say yes to anything you must also say no to other things
The children here are Israel and Jesus was clear… He was to fulfill the Old Testament covenant so the new covenant of Easter could open God’s grace to everyone.
She knew Jesus was the only hope... and she didn't give up.
This is the only person who Jesus says has great faith… he has just told Peter he has little faith.
Faith is seeing the reality of the world and taking action in bringing it to Jesus, believing he can change it.
The Canaanite woman is an outsider, but she stands as a contrast to the insider Pharisees because she:
- Realises the significance of who Jesus is
- Brings her problems to him
- Submits to him as Lord
Faith is seeing the reality of the world and taking action in bringing it to Jesus, believing he can change it.
The Canaanite woman is an outsider, but she stands as a contrast to the insider Pharisees because she:
- Realises the significance of who Jesus is
- Brings her problems to him
- Submits to him as Lord
Lenah Valley was started by someone who saw something that was wrong, brought it to God and with God’s help did something about it… and time and time again the congregation has stepped forward in faith, seeing something that needed to be different and make the change…
THe next story of Jesus, the feeding of the 4000 is a reminder that Jesus cares about the practical needs of people and that he will always give you what you need in order to be generous… both things are are key parts of the Lenah Valley Story…
THe next story of Jesus, the feeding of the 4000 is a reminder that Jesus cares about the practical needs of people and that he will always give you what you need in order to be generous… both things are are key parts of the Lenah Valley Story…
Mark makes it clear that Jesus actually went to the Decapolis (ten towns), another Gentile area
Again the Gentiles understood what the Jewish people had been promised but didn't recognise.
Matthew wants all his readers to understand that Jesus is fulfilling the promises of the Old Testament.
Jesus cares about the practical needs of people, and he encourages his followers to do the same.
What are the practical needs of your neighbours, of your community?
The people of Lenah Valley Baptist church was always at its best when it was simply and relationally responding to practical needs.
The Nepalese congregation are responding to practical needs here and in Nepal.
What are the practical needs of your neighbours, of your community?
The people of Lenah Valley Baptist church was always at its best when it was simply and relationally responding to practical needs.
The Nepalese congregation are responding to practical needs here and in Nepal.
God will always give you what you need in order to be generous.
One of the features of the Lenah Valley congregation has been their generosity.
Whether it is generosity expressed when someone is in need, or through supporting missions and kids, or tithing to the church or even paying off all the debt of the Mornington congregation. Generosity has typified the ministry of Lenah Valley.
Generosity is always a choice and will often mean putting yourself in a place where God has to add to your loaves and fishes.
Whether it is generosity expressed when someone is in need, or through supporting missions and kids, or tithing to the church or even paying off all the debt of the Mornington congregation. Generosity has typified the ministry of Lenah Valley.
Generosity is always a choice and will often mean putting yourself in a place where God has to add to your loaves and fishes.
Small Group Questions:
1) What have you appreciated about what you have seen of the culture of the Lenah Valley congregation?
2) Have you experienced a time when someone from outside the church understood Jesus better than you? What did you learn?
3) The Canaanite woman submitted to Jesus as Lord. What areas of your life do you find the most challenging to submit to Jesus' leadership?
4) Where have you seen Jesus do a loaves and fishes with your generosity?
5) Are there any ways that Jesus is encouraging you to be more generous than you are currently being?
1) What have you appreciated about what you have seen of the culture of the Lenah Valley congregation?
2) Have you experienced a time when someone from outside the church understood Jesus better than you? What did you learn?
3) The Canaanite woman submitted to Jesus as Lord. What areas of your life do you find the most challenging to submit to Jesus' leadership?
4) Where have you seen Jesus do a loaves and fishes with your generosity?
5) Are there any ways that Jesus is encouraging you to be more generous than you are currently being?