Often the first question people will ask you when they come to know that you are a Christian is, what is the name of your church or denomination. They do this of course to quickly identify where you fit in to the broad spectrum of Christian Churches. Well, the name of our assembly doesn’t give much away apart from the obvious fact that we gather in Baulkham Hills, a suburb of Sydney. This is just like we read in the New Testament of the church at Ephesus, or the church at Philippi etc.
We are a small but growing company of believers who love their Lord and saviour Jesus Christ; who desire to honour him and glorify him in all that we do. As such, we believe him with childlike faith when he says: “Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away.”(Mat.24:35) So then we believe that the bible is the inspired word of God from beginning to end; that it is inerrant, authorative, and sufficient. Moreover the Lord promises us that his Holy Spirit “will guide us into all truth.”(John 16:13)
Our loyalty is not to any earthly organisation but to our Lord Jesus Christ who is “head over all things to the church.”(Eph.1:22) The church (wordwide and any particular local assembly) should exist only for the purpose of glorifying Christ and shining forth his light to a world that is dying. So we take no denominational name and have no earthly membership. Yet we rejoice to fellowship with any of his dear blood bought saints whose names are written in heaven.
Individually, we have been born again of his Spirit, filled with his Spirit, baptized by his Spirit, and sealed with his Spirit in one glorious transaction when God the Spirit indwelt us the moment
we believed on God’s Son, Jesus Christ. But we have not arrived at where we are with the Lord in some sort of vacuum, but are deeply indebted to God’s movings in previous times like the brethren movement in the 1800’s and in more recent times by God’s chosen vessels like Austin-Sparks in England, Bakht Singh in India, and Watchman Nee in China. As such we enjoy sweet fellowship with like minded assemblies in and around Sydney, and overseas.
Currently we are gathering at Thompson Community Hall for worship and breaking of bread each Lord’s day like we read of the early church in Acts 2:46 and a little later on in the homes of believers like Aquilla and Priscilla (Romans 16:15). Mid week bible studies and times of prayer are held in alternate believers’ homes, which also allows the different families to show hospitality towards the saints.
But we are on a journey just like Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress. So, with our eyes fixed firmly on the prize, we continue to gather as the Lord leads. We have no pet doctrine, no fixed format, no membership, no clergy, and no one overriding focus apart from Christ himself. This does not mean that we are ‘free and easy,’ but rather seek to be under the control and guidance of the Holy Spirit. He leads; we follow. There are certain foundational principals and truths in the bible which can never be compromised. Like Paul, we are also, “set for the defence of the gospel.”(Philippians 1:17)
The church is to be the family of God, and just like any properly functioning family, we desire to fellowship outside of normal meeting times as well. In fact this was one of the stirrings in our hearts to gather locally. To travel long distances to attend meetings might be necessary at times, but it is far from ideal. Where we can gather locally we should do so because we can then enjoy the fellowship of the saints at different times throughout the week.
We can be on hand to help out a family to move furniture, or mind a baby or child, or simply to get up early and go for a walk in a nearby park together. We very much enjoy having lunch together after our Lord’s day worship meeting (where, incidentally, all brothers and sisters have the liberty to openly worship their Lord as part of their priestly ministry). We are family.
The church is to be the kingdom of God, and as such to be governed from the throne in heaven. No earthly headquarters. So, whilst we certainly enjoy moving together socially, the church is not a mere social club. Nor is it a democracy. It is a place where Christ is king, where his glory is revealed, and a place where he can find rest amongst his people. As David said: “The palace is not for man, but for the Lord God.”(1Chr.29:1)
In the New Testament we find the Lord raising up men in the different local churches to be pastors, or shepherds, or overseers, or elders, or bishops (all the same calling). Men who do not want to lord it over the flock but who have a servant heart; who do not love money or position but are willing to “labour in word and doctrine.”(1Tim.5:17) So the church gathering here in North Oatlands prays for the Lord to raise up such men in his time.
The church is to show forth the light of the glorious gospel of Christ to a world that lies in the darkness of sin. A world that is dying. So each of the believers here are encouraged to be a personal witness for Christ, and those of us in the church who are able go into the shopping centres as the Lord leads to evangelise. We have some good gospel tracts written here that we can send to you, if you wish, for your own personal witness.
Finally, the church is to be the bride of Christ, and so then our ministry is to make disciples (Mat.28:19,20), and to help prepare his people for his soon coming. (A book has been written in the church here called “Behold the Bridegroom”which can be sent on request). The church does not belong to any nationality or group. The church is from heaven, and as we let the cross of Christ have its way in our lives, all the barriers of race, colour, gender, social position, and age are broken down. By his grace, the assembly here reflects just that. It is a marvellous and wonderful work of God that, whilst we remain unique individuals with different gifts and callings, we are all, bit by bit, being changed into the image of God’s dear Son.
So the church is not some afterthought of God after the day of Pentecost, but rather his eternal purpose. (Eph.3:11) God certainly has his plan and pattern for his church, but he is not stamping out churches like McDonalds franchises just as he does not make us all exactly the same. And this is also wonderful in our eyes. No set formula or pattern will ensure a church does not fall into staleness, or deadness, or mere ritual or formalism, but holding the Head will. As David spoke in Psalm 133: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head....that went down to the skirts of his garments.”
So enough said. Two of John’s disciples that turned to follow Jesus asked him where he lived, and Jesus answered them: “Come and see.” (John 1:39) We invite you then also to come and see. But if you cannot, then please pray for us.
“The God of peace be with you all. Amen.”(Rom.15:33)