I wonder what does it take to build a church?Choose a location: to reach the most people choose a large city full of trade and travellers passing through. Like Singapore or Dubai or if it’s 52AD you might choose Corinth. Corinth was one of the largest cities, very Roman, with a hugely popular athletic Games, and not one but two busy ports on either side of the city with boats being cleverly transported across from one side to the other.Choose the best team: not the best most charismatic speakers but rather people who listen to Jesus and follow God, can teach the Good News correctly, that know how to encourage, live and love others with integrity, are happy to pay their own way, can make friends and develop more team players and have resilience. For Corinth this was Paul, his fellow tent makers and business partners Priscilla and Aquilla alongside his long-travelled companions Silas and Timothy.Recognise God is at work: For Paul and his team they received a message from God when one night the Lord appeared to Paul in a vision “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” (Acts 18:9-10).Be committed and resilient: Paul and his companions constantly had a barrage of negative voices and rejection yet it didn’t seem to stop them. In fact, a few years later, once the church in Corinth was established Paul writes back to them explaining himself and his secret of resilience being integrity in how you live.2 Corinthians 6: 3 We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. 4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. 6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, [c] and by our sincere love. 7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defence. 8 We serve God whether people honour us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. 10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything. 11 Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. I wonder could these same principles apply to you as you are part of Gods mission wherever God has placed you: family, neighbourhood, workplace, school or university?This Sunday is Kettle Club Sunday. We have had nearly 40 kids over the week coming to the school holiday program learning about Paul and his friend's journey with Jesus growing the church! This includes the story of how the church was planted in Corinth (Acts 18). The journey is 3 chapters long in our bibles, barely 6 pages, yet covers 3 years and 4500km! Come along and support the kids this Sunday as they retell the story to us and share what God has been teaching us at Kettle club. Worship together as we raise children of God. Note that the ‘livestream’ (actually, a special pre-recorded message just for this Sunday) will still be available but will not be a live video of the service.

Paul was one of the great travellers in the bible. Across 3 journeys he travelled at least 4500ks by foot and by sea. Whilst his route looks like a modern-day Mediterranean cruise….it wasn’t. Paul faced constant danger on many fronts but maintained his laser-focussed goal to spread the gospel, to share Gods message of the risen Jesus for all. Through it all he remained focussed on and driven by the risen Jesus’ words in Acts 1: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”In Thessalonica Paul spent 3 sabbaths in the synagogue explaining and reasoning, and he did enjoy some success. But some Jews became jealous of this and when they couldn’t find Paul, they rented a mob in the marketplace to start a riot, and they arrested his host, Jason. Meanwhile Paul’s supporters spirited him off to Berea under cover of darkness.Again, in Berea Paul taught in the synagogue and many believed. But not just through great teaching. The Bereans employed a study habit to examining scriptures daily and deeply to see if what was taught was true. This searching, examination, deep questioning and open mindedness to finding the truth is sometimes called “The Berean Way”.But again, jealous Jews got wind of the new Berean converts and travelled a great distance to cause more trouble in Berea, and Paul was again rescued by his supporters and sent to the coast and shipped to Athens.What truths do we learn from Thessalonica and Berea? Fortunately, we learn that some will receive the risen Jesus as the Messiah. However, we also learn that people can be threatened by that message, they can become jealous, take part in ugly behaviour, seek out scapegoats. Responses range from being fearful to being openly antagonistic and violent, continuing a pattern we have seen all through Acts. In Acts 4 Peter was opposed. In Acts 7 it was Stephen’s turn. In Acts 12 James was opposed, and now in Acts 17 Paul is opposed.As we finish Acts 17 Paul is now in Athens, the greatest university town in the known world, and there is a change in how Luke records and how Paul preaches. It makes sense. In verse 21 we read, “All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking and listening to the latest ideas.” Here are a people who are at least more open to listening to new ideas, and they honour Paul by inviting him to speak at their highest council, the Areopagus. And now we hear orator Paul, the Paul we are more used to in his great letters to the Corinthians and the Ephesians. The Paul who can speak so beautifully and eloquently and intellectually and personally about God.Paul delivers Sunday’s reading, often called “the speech of the unknown God.” This is said to be a masterclass in communication, but it’s also a masterclass in the nature of God.As you prepare for next Sunday, I encourage you to read Acts 17.Blessings,Jenny Olver

Dear friends of BCUCA common question when having polite conversation with strangers is “what do you do?”  I will often use this as a chance to share the gospel: “I’m a molecular biologist who has since become a Minister in the Uniting Church.” That usually gets people intrigued and asking questions. I realised that in my seven and half years of being at Burnside City Uniting Church I have not spoken much about my own call to ministry. The reading this Sunday gives me that opportunity. I am reminded of my own call to ministry when I read the first part of Acts 16. A young man called Timothy is noticed by the congregation at Lystra and the apostle Paul takes him under his wing to learn the ropes of mission and ministry. Being at Malvern Uniting Church and then at Elm Hall Drive Methodist in the United Kingdom, I was noticed by their church communities and then returning to Malvern Uniting I was blessed to be shown the ropes of ministry and mission by the Rev. Dr. Phil Carr and Rev. Dr. Jonathan Davies. When I needed to seek the endorsement of my application to ministry by the Church Council, I remember distinctly one of the elders reading a devotion from 1 Timothy about the character of a church leader. Ancient instruction from Paul to Timothy about how to lead in his new placement in Ephesus. What a standard to live up to!I hope that you might find something encouraging and helpful in my story and call, and that maybe you can consider or affirm your own call to ministry and mission for the Kingdom of God, wherever and whatever that may be.Your brother in Christ,Benji

Dear friends of BCUC,WARNING: Controversy and conflict within the church! Does that sentence make you want to run away and hide? How can a church that is meant to be all about loving God and each other have controversy and conflict? A simple answer is that God chose to make the church out of passionate, opinionated, thinking humans and not ants. It is why Jesus laboured so long in teaching his disciples how to forgive one another. The early church has had many, many, many controversies and indeed conflicts in its 2000 year history, and I am certain it will have more in the future. Yet unlike many other institutions, businesses, or even civilisations, it remains a strong force for Jesus today. I think that is testament to the very real power of the Holy Spirit. Both controversy and conflict are seen in this week’s chapter of Acts 15. We examined a few years ago the Peacemaker series (remember Barry the Bird) where we learnt to view conflict as an opportunity for discipleship and putting into practice the teachings of Jesus. Paul and Barnabas sadly split up after a very heated argument at the end of this chapter. Controversy has often been used as tool to help grow the churches understanding about the Christian faith. Acts 15 introduces a controversy about how much do new Christians need to follow the Old Testament Jewish law to be really saved? Other historical controversies have included: whether to accept back Christians who deserted their faith in times of persecution, are we saved by works or faith alone, what’s our position on divorce, do we keep a strict Sunday rest, women in ministry, the use of instruments in church, and more recently same gender marriage. It’s hard, it’s emotional, it can be hurtful, and we want to avoid it. Yet it can be incredibly important and often sharpens our focus on what it really means to live under the grace and truth of God. We need to walk into it with the love of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let us see what lessons we can learn from chapter 15 for the church today. I’m sure it will lead to some very interesting lunchtime conversations to share over our Hospitality Sunday.A note for those wanting the translation for the service. Over the three week trial period the use of this has been small. If you have an opinion or want to see it continue into the future, please let us know.Thanks and God bless,Benji

Dear friends of BCUCI wonder—do you have someone in your life that you would say has been a partner in the gospel? I mean, if you consider something you do now or have done, that you would see as your 'ministry', whether in the church or outside it, a calling from the Holy Spirit that you have acted upon, is there someone who has joined you on that journey? That person may have changed along the way. It could be a partner or a family member, a friend or a colleague.The latter half of the book of Acts largely follows three missionary journeys of Paul and his companions. On the first journey, we read that the Holy Spirit sent Barnabas and Paul. Jesus had a habit of sending disciples out in pairs into villages to minister and to spread the Good news about Jesus and the Kingdom of God. The whole story of the formation of the early church rarely involves a person acting alone. Christianity was never meant to be done solo. The work of the Holy Spirit is communal, shared, and not intended for lone rangers in ministry.Yet, for many years in Australian society, there has been a sense that religion is a 'private thing'. This was partly an attitude to avoid unnecessary sectarian conflict and an attempt to 'respect religious freedom'. Yet to hide and keep private that which is foundational is both suppressive and out of step with the work of the Holy Spirit.Like it or not, God calls Christians, new and old, to work out their God-given calling and to do their 'good works' in partnership with others, as part of the family of God. Like the song they sing at Manchester United football matches: “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” The people may change depending on the destination. Paul journeyed with many different people. Who might you have with you now? Who might God be calling you to join tomorrow? As they did at the beginning of Acts chapter 13, why not pray and fast about it?I look forward to unpacking some of Acts chapter 13 with you this Sunday.Your brother in ChristBenji

Dear friends of BCUCI wonder—do you have someone in your life that you would say has been a partner in the gospel? I mean, if you consider something you do now or have done, that you would see as your 'ministry', whether in the church or outside it, a calling from the Holy Spirit that you have acted upon, is there someone who has joined you on that journey? That person may have changed along the way. It could be a partner or a family member, a friend or a colleague.The latter half of the book of Acts largely follows three missionary journeys of Paul and his companions. On the first journey, we read that the Holy Spirit sent Barnabas and Paul. Jesus had a habit of sending disciples out in pairs into villages to minister and to spread the Good news about Jesus and the Kingdom of God. The whole story of the formation of the early church rarely involves a person acting alone. Christianity was never meant to be done solo. The work of the Holy Spirit is communal, shared, and not intended for lone rangers in ministry.Yet, for many years in Australian society, there has been a sense that religion is a 'private thing'. This was partly an attitude to avoid unnecessary sectarian conflict and an attempt to 'respect religious freedom'. Yet to hide and keep private that which is foundational is both suppressive and out of step with the work of the Holy Spirit.Like it or not, God calls Christians, new and old, to work out their God-given calling and to do their 'good works' in partnership with others, as part of the family of God. Like the song they sing at Manchester United football matches: “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” The people may change depending on the destination. Paul journeyed with many different people. Who might you have with you now? Who might God be calling you to join tomorrow? As they did at the beginning of Acts chapter 13, why not pray and fast about it?I look forward to unpacking some of Acts chapter 13 with you this Sunday.Your brother in ChristBenji

Dear friends of BCUC“In the last days, God says,    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy,    your young men will see visions,    your old men will dream dreams.Even on my servants, both men and women,    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,    and they will prophesy.”    Acts 2:17-18It’s Pentecost Sunday. A wonderful celebration known to be the birth of the church. I love the inclusive nature of the work of the Holy Spirit as declared in this quote from the prophet Joel. Prophesy, vision, dreams will be gifted to all, no matter their gender, social status or age. As a scientist I appreciate just how alike all humans are from a genetic point of view. We share roughly 90 percent of our DNA with mice, dogs, cattle, and elephants. Whereas any two human beings are 99.9 percent identical in their DNA. Craig Venter who was nearing the completion of the human genome project in 2001 commented that with regard to DNA “we are all essentially identical twins.” It’s wonderful to have so much variation between individuals, their stories, character, gifts and graces. It’s also  nice to know we’re all basically the same. So, when it comes to the Holy Spirit coming to the whole room of 120 people and the gifts of the spirit being for everyone, I love it!Some reading this passage will be really familiar with the passages of Acts 2. This Sunday we’re going to explore further one of the consequences of the Holy Spirit mentioned in this prophecy… “they will prophesy”. What does prophesy mean, and does it happen still today?I’m also really looking forward to testing out some new technology this Sunday, it’s a church translation program called “OneAccord”. Some of us will be trialling whether the service (and particularly the sermon) can be translated live into both Korean and Mandarin. I hope it works well. If it does, we have the option of including multiple other languages. Please speak with us if there is a language you wish us to consider. It’s quite poetic that the message of Acts will be proclaimed in at least 3 languages at Pentecost. If you are not sure what I mean and want to find out, read Acts 2.Look forward to seeing you soon.Benji

Megan, Bryan and Benji talk about BCUC for the second exciting instalment of BCUC Talks! Jokes, faith, heavenly slices and more... Enjoy our podcast.

God is doing a new thing.  Sing to the Lord a new song.These are themes consistent throughout the whole biblical story. It’s wonderful news if you’re in desperate need for change and it’s very disturbing for those who find change hard, no matter if it’s good or better. Maybe your like me and invest yourself deeply into wherever, whoever and whatever God plants you in. I don’t think it’s that bad a quality to have. It’s when God does something new and changes things without you realising that life becomes unsettling. As we work through the Book of Acts I want us to dwell on the end of chapter 11. It’s the moment when the church in Antioch began to blossom. It became a very significant church community. Sending missionaries throughout the Roman Empire, assisting other churches and was even the place where the name “Christian” was first used. The centre of God's work through the Holy Spirit had shifted from Jerusalem to Antioch. It was the third largest Roman city and now its ruins are buried under the modern city of Antakya on the border of Turkey and Syria. From the story of Antioch we learn that God’s work in the world was on the move. Things were changing fast. For the rest of the Book of Acts we now hear less about the disciples that followed Jesus around in Judea, less about Peter and less about the church in Jerusalem. We learn more about this new church, the missionaries they send out and their journeys. God is on the move. Are we excited about the movement of God today or do we long for the old days? Can we sing a new song to the Lord or perhaps we might be inclined to feel like a disciple who longs for the songs we use to sing when Jesus was still walking the earth? A favourite saying that Rev. Ashley Davis is from a minister who would finish his services with the words: “Let the Peace of God Disturb You Today”. Your brother in Christ, Benji

Dear friends of BCUC,Yesterday the Christian world celebrated Ascension Day, the day we remember when Jesus went back into heaven, having completed his assignment here on earth.It would be interesting to watch that group of believers as, with hearts thudding in their chest, they slowly climbed the Mount of Olives, knowing that they would have Jesus’ physical presence with them for just a little while longer.  What would be their thoughts, their longings, their regrets, as they came to the end of three unimaginable years with the Saviour of the world?  What would be their grief as they clung to each other in mutual need?Yet there was victory in that moment, because Jesus had done what he came to do – to destroy the devil’s work.  (1 John 3:8)And there was hope, too, as they awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit with constant prayer.We have interrupted a series on the Acts of the Apostles to look more closely at the ascension of Jesus.  Yet not really, because there is a definite link between Jesus’ ascension, and the things that the apostles were able to do, through the Holy Spirit, as recorded in the Book of Acts.