Jubilee

 50 years at Manukau New Life Church!! Well actually for me and Anneke only 44 years but what a great journey. Tonight we have our celebration dinner, and the McCrackens are coming. It will be fabulous to see so many people who have been part of our lives. I'm incredulous when I hear a Christian say they don't need a local church. We can become a Christian alone but you can’t live as a Christian without being a part of a local church. That is like saying I can be a rugby player without a team.

I love the local church! It is the genius of God and the dwelling place of God. To believe you can worship the Trinity and reject relationships in a local church, is to misunderstand the nature and the heart of God. He dwells within the corporate gathering of His people. The Church is the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Our brothers and sisters carry the “Transcendent One” within. Apostle John said that we love God as much as we love His people.

Jesus invited me to “His banqueting table” when I encountered Christ all alone in a pup tent at Orere Point beach but from that moment it was God’s people who prayed for me, helped me, encouraged me and visited me. His church discipled me, befriended me, fellowshipped with me, taught me and led me.  They then believed in me, trained me, prophesied over me and released me into ministry.  Eventually, they listened to me, honoured me followed me, supported me and my family and enabled me to my destiny. Yet all they were doing was being Christ’s mouth, heart and hands.

Friend, I love Jesus and I love the Church. I’m so glad He invited me to sit at His table and to “feast” on Him but do I want Church with that?  Yes, please!