GCC Newsletter

Dowload the full 2011 AGM report by clicking here:

2011 AGM PASTORS REPORT:

It gives me great pleasure to write my first AGM report for the Grace Community Church since our constitution as a particular church on the 12 September 2010 (prior to that we where a church plant).

It has been an encouraging year and my heartfelt thanks go to you my brothers and sisters in the Grace Community for the great encouragement you are to me, to my fellow leaders for your partnership in the Gospel but above all to God to whom “be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! (EPH 3:21)

God continues to build His church against which the gates of hell will not prevail, as the reports that follow bear testimony to. We must, however, not grow comfortable and complacent as can be the temptation. The Kingdom of God must be ever growing and we as it’s ambassadors and representatives, ever serving as we “wait for His Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead – Jesus, who recues us from the coming wrath” (1 Thess 1:1-10)

To this end may I propose for adoption the following 2 focus areas for the coming year?:

‘ONE ON ONE’ Discipleship

There is no better way to show Love for Gods People than with ‘one on one’ discipleship. I personally have benefited from reading and praying with others ‘one on one’ and I am convinced that you too will be blessed and encouraged by such weekly occasions. Times like this develop love for each other, accountability, friendships and trust as we help and encourage each other to ‘keep on track’ by reading together, praying together and helping each other through the challenges that we face as we seek to Love God.

Isn’t it time you started meeting ‘ONE ON ONE’ with another?

‘ONE BY ONE’ Evangelism

As Christians we should be passionate about the glory of God. God is glorified as we make disciples of Jesus Christ. We should therefore, strive to make personal evangelism our utmost priority.

A Christian seeks to love those who are still under God's wrath, who have not been forgiven their sins and do not know the wonderful news of Jesus Christ. The primary way by which we love the lost in God’s world is by telling them - those we know at work, friends, and family - the good news about Jesus. We should be praying that God by His grace would save them and be making every effort to win the lost of God’s World for Jesus “ONE BY ONE”

We don’t all have to be ‘up front’ evangelists but we can all be involved in personal evangelism even if it’s just an invitation to outreach events like men’s and ladies meetings, Christianity Explored or Sunday guest services.

Isn’t it time you started sharing the Gospel - so that the lost of God’s world may be won for Jesus “ONE BY ONE”?

And so, as we look ahead may I suggest out motto for the next year be: “One on One, One By One” as we seek to Love God; Love God’s people; and Love God’s world.

Please also pray that other new ministries would be born out of the Lord’s leading amongst our congregation. Some exciting opportunities for service that come to mind are:

The Pacific International Hotel Management School in Bell Block ministry to international students – God has brought the world to our door step!
Schools Ministry and chaplaincy – if they wont come to us lets go to them!
The children’s ministry – it would be great to have a Friday outreach group!
Prayer Ministry – we can never have enough prayer!

May the Lord’s message ring out from us as those around us tell how we turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, [10] and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. (1 Thess 1:8-10)

David Farr
(September 2011)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The below was delivered to the congregation at a meeting on the 16 August 2009

Dear Grace Congregation

It is my joy to see that you have chosen to make GCC your spiritual home and I am delighted by the spiritual growth and desire to serve in many of you. It is my pleasure to serve with you in this regard.

We have officially been meeting as a ‘church plant’ of GPCNZ under my oversight as the ‘church planter’ since 1 April 2008. As we now have a regular committed attendance of 45+ adults it is time to formally enter a new chapter of our congregational life, that of constituting ourselves as a church. This is merely a formalization of what has been happening informally and the ethos and practice of our congregation will not change.

In order to formally constitute ourselves as a church we have to have a group of people who commit themselves to ‘walk together’ as an organized GPCNZ church upholding its character and ethos. This commitment is known as membership. Those who desire to take this step in commitment to each other will be asked to make the following declarations by which they enter into a solemn covenant with God and His Church.

1. Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope save in His sovereign mercy?

2. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Saviour of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?

3. Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavour to live as becomes the followers of Christ?

4. Do you promise to support the Church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?

5. Do you submit yourselves to the government and discipline of the Church, and promise to study its purity and peace?

This simply formalizes what many of you are doing already informally.

This membership body will then be entitled to bring nominations for leadership to presbytery (our overseeing body of elders) and petition presbytery to constitute us as a church. Presbytery will then set a date to constitute us as a church, oversee the election of those nominated for eldership and install the elected elders to office. We will then be a ‘fully fledged’ formally constituted GPCNZ church.

Membership has suffered some ‘negative press’ in our day and age due to abuse, suspicion of institution and individualism but I must stress this is a very positive and wonderful step in the life of our community and a great cause for celebration for God has indeed done a wonderful thing amongst us!

If you would like to express your commitment to this congregation and can say ‘yes’ to the above five questions, then please make this known by signing a Membership Declaration Form.

You may however not be ready for this step – THAT IS FINE! You are still very welcome, as is everyone to continue worshipping God with us at GCC. You will not be considered second class or discriminated against in any way. I cannot stress this enough! Everyone is a valued part of our family regardless of their formal standing.

Let’s not however rush ahead without pausing to reflect on some of the highlights that have brought us to this exciting point in our church life:

o The regular committed Sunday congregation that averages 45 in the morning and 20 in the evenings even when a number are on holiday, overseas, sick or M.I.A.!
o Moving Premises to the Fred Tucker Memorial Hall to accommodate our children’s ministry
o Our Tuesday and Thursday Bible Study small groups that average 8-10 each
o The young peoples group that meets on a Friday night
o Schools Lunch Time ministry at Devon Intermediate, Merrilands and in the near future Spotswood
o ‘Living the life of faith’ ladies conference in May that attracted over 50 ladies
o The Men’s monthly breakfasts that has just started
o The Apprentice scheme gaining momentum and taking shape
o An expanding of local leadership and preaching from within the congregation
o Much individual personal spiritual growth amongst individual congregation members
o Increased financial giving.
o Our expanding website: www.gracenp.co.nz

As we look ahead may I suggest the following:
GOALS FOR THE FUTURE

o To have a formally constituted GPCNZ membership, leadership and church.
o To have a committed children’s ministry team that develops and grows our children’s ministry.
o To develop and formally present our apprentice training program for those exploring full time Gospel ministry to the congregation.
o To develop a correspondence / distance studies program for anybody wishing to do further biblical studies.
o To birth at least one new home group every six months.
o To put quality Gospel focused books and music into the hands of our congregation members.
o To have significant involvement in a community project as an outreach.
o To be supporting or initiating a GPCNZ church plant within NZ.
o To be significantly involved in an overseas mission project through prayer, finances and visitation.
o To grow consistent ladies & men’s ministries.
o To be financially self supporting and a supporter of others.
o To develop a vibrant and balanced God honoring gospel focused music ministry.
o To encourage a greater commitment to prayer as the driving force of GCC.

Please pray that other new ministries would be born out of the Lords leading amongst our congregation.

Lastly my thanks must go to many of you who have faithfully and tirelessly served over the months, your partnership in the Gospel, service to the Body and ministry to the Lord is greatly appreciated!

GAL 6: [9] Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. [10] Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Your partner in the Gospel.

David Farr

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	GCC Newsletter Dowload the full 2011 AGM report by clicking here: 2011 AGM PASTORS REPORT: It gives me great pleasure to write my first AGM report for the Grace Community Church since our constitution as a particular church on the 12 September 2010 (prior to that we where a church plant). It has been an encouraging year and my heartfelt thanks go to you my brothers and sisters in the Grace Community for the great encouragement you are to me, to my fellow leaders for your partnership in the Gospel but above all to God to whom “be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! (EPH 3:21) God continues to build His church against which the gates of hell will not prevail, as the reports that follow bear testimony to. We must, however, not grow comfortable and complacent as can be the temptation. The Kingdom of God must be ever growing and we as it’s ambassadors and representatives, ever serving as we “wait for His Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead – Jesus, who recues us from the coming wrath” (1 Thess 1:1-10) To this end may I propose for adoption the following 2 focus areas for the coming year?: ‘ONE ON ONE’ Discipleship There is no better way to show Love for Gods People than with ‘one on one’ discipleship. I personally have benefited from reading and praying with others ‘one on one’ and I am convinced that you too will be blessed and encouraged by such weekly occasions. Times like this develop love for each other, accountability, friendships and trust as we help and encourage each other to ‘keep on track’ by reading together, praying together and helping each other through the challenges that we face as we seek to Love God. Isn’t it time you started meeting ‘ONE ON ONE’ with another? ‘ONE BY ONE’ Evangelism As Christians we should be passionate about the glory of God. God is glorified as we make disciples of Jesus Christ. We should therefore, strive to make personal evangelism our utmost priority. A Christian seeks to love those who are still under God's wrath, who have not been forgiven their sins and do not know the wonderful news of Jesus Christ. The primary way by which we love the lost in God’s world is by telling them - those we know at work, friends, and family - the good news about Jesus. We should be praying that God by His grace would save them and be making every effort to win the lost of God’s World for Jesus “ONE BY ONE” We don’t all have to be ‘up front’ evangelists but we can all be involved in personal evangelism even if it’s just an invitation to outreach events like men’s and ladies meetings, Christianity Explored or Sunday guest services. Isn’t it time you started sharing the Gospel - so that the lost of God’s world may be won for Jesus “ONE BY ONE”? And so, as we look ahead may I suggest out motto for the next year be: “One on One, One By One” as we seek to Love God; Love God’s people; and Love God’s world. Please also pray that other new ministries would be born out of the Lord’s leading amongst our congregation. Some exciting opportunities for service that come to mind are: The Pacific International Hotel Management School in Bell Block ministry to international students – God has brought the world to our door step! Schools Ministry and chaplaincy – if they wont come to us lets go to them! The children’s ministry – it would be great to have a Friday outreach group! Prayer Ministry – we can never have enough prayer! May the Lord’s message ring out from us as those around us tell how we turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, [10] and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. (1 Thess 1:8-10) David Farr (September 2011) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The below was delivered to the congregation at a meeting on the 16 August 2009 Dear Grace Congregation It is my joy to see that you have chosen to make GCC your spiritual home and I am delighted by the spiritual growth and desire to serve in many of you. It is my pleasure to serve with you in this regard. We have officially been meeting as a ‘church plant’ of GPCNZ under my oversight as the ‘church planter’ since 1 April 2008. As we now have a regular committed attendance of 45+ adults it is time to formally enter a new chapter of our congregational life, that of constituting ourselves as a church. This is merely a formalization of what has been happening informally and the ethos and practice of our congregation will not change. In order to formally constitute ourselves as a church we have to have a group of people who commit themselves to ‘walk together’ as an organized GPCNZ church upholding its character and ethos. This commitment is known as membership. Those who desire to take this step in commitment to each other will be asked to make the following declarations by which they enter into a solemn covenant with God and His Church. 1. Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope save in His sovereign mercy? 2. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Saviour of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel? 3. Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavour to live as becomes the followers of Christ? 4. Do you promise to support the Church in its worship and work to the best of your ability? 5. Do you submit yourselves to the government and discipline of the Church, and promise to study its purity and peace? This simply formalizes what many of you are doing already informally. This membership body will then be entitled to bring nominations for leadership to presbytery (our overseeing body of elders) and petition presbytery to constitute us as a church. Presbytery will then set a date to constitute us as a church, oversee the election of those nominated for eldership and install the elected elders to office. We will then be a ‘fully fledged’ formally constituted GPCNZ church. Membership has suffered some ‘negative press’ in our day and age due to abuse, suspicion of institution and individualism but I must stress this is a very positive and wonderful step in the life of our community and a great cause for celebration for God has indeed done a wonderful thing amongst us! If you would like to express your commitment to this congregation and can say ‘yes’ to the above five questions, then please make this known by signing a Membership Declaration Form. You may however not be ready for this step – THAT IS FINE! You are still very welcome, as is everyone to continue worshipping God with us at GCC. You will not be considered second class or discriminated against in any way. I cannot stress this enough! Everyone is a valued part of our family regardless of their formal standing. Let’s not however rush ahead without pausing to reflect on some of the highlights that have brought us to this exciting point in our church life: o The regular committed Sunday congregation that averages 45 in the morning and 20 in the evenings even when a number are on holiday, overseas, sick or M.I.A.! o Moving Premises to the Fred Tucker Memorial Hall to accommodate our children’s ministry o Our Tuesday and Thursday Bible Study small groups that average 8-10 each o The young peoples group that meets on a Friday night o Schools Lunch Time ministry at Devon Intermediate, Merrilands and in the near future Spotswood o ‘Living the life of faith’ ladies conference in May that attracted over 50 ladies o The Men’s monthly breakfasts that has just started o The Apprentice scheme gaining momentum and taking shape o An expanding of local leadership and preaching from within the congregation o Much individual personal spiritual growth amongst individual congregation members o Increased financial giving. o Our expanding website: www.gracenp.co.nz As we look ahead may I suggest the following: GOALS FOR THE FUTURE o To have a formally constituted GPCNZ membership, leadership and church. o To have a committed children’s ministry team that develops and grows our children’s ministry. o To develop and formally present our apprentice training program for those exploring full time Gospel ministry to the congregation. o To develop a correspondence / distance studies program for anybody wishing to do further biblical studies. o To birth at least one new home group every six months. o To put quality Gospel focused books and music into the hands of our congregation members. o To have significant involvement in a community project as an outreach. o To be supporting or initiating a GPCNZ church plant within NZ. o To be significantly involved in an overseas mission project through prayer, finances and visitation. o To grow consistent ladies & men’s ministries. o To be financially self supporting and a supporter of others. o To develop a vibrant and balanced God honoring gospel focused music ministry. o To encourage a greater commitment to prayer as the driving force of GCC. Please pray that other new ministries would be born out of the Lords leading amongst our congregation. Lastly my thanks must go to many of you who have faithfully and tirelessly served over the months, your partnership in the Gospel, service to the Body and ministry to the Lord is greatly appreciated! GAL 6: [9] Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. [10] Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Your partner in the Gospel. David Farr