This message looks to the New Testament and the early church as our model for those who 'shepherd', care for and oversee the flock.

This year two interns have volunteered their time for Life Church whilst undertaking Commission's Theology for Life and Intern training. This week they each bring a message shaped by what God has been revealing more to them over the past year.

In Acts 8 we see the good news about Jesus being shared and salvation coming to the Ethiopian official who immediately believes and is baptised in the name of Jesus. The message of salvation in Jesus is a truly global message for all.

Since the early church began there has been persecution against those who proclaim the gospel, and persecution remains commonplace in much of the world today. But, God is building His church and the message continues to spread. What should our response be like?

Race, gender, class, and many other social categories intersect to shape our experiences of both privilege and oppression. As we consider this Intersectionality and it’s effect on us and those around us, we look to Jesus who has ultimate privilege and power, yet chose to serve and sacrifice.

Authentic church is a people who have witnessed Jesus, and who share that witness with others. We are not alone in this as the Spirit also witnesses. The witness of the church and the Spirit cannot be stopped.

The holiness and purity of God must be taken seriously. The church is a place of acceptance and grace, where dishonesty and hypocrisy have no place. Confession and forgiveness lead to authentic fellowship. In this message Chris helps us see how to avoid offending God and harming the church.

This Sunday we gave to our Life Church Gift Day. Reading from Acts 4, Si Munsie addressed the relationship we have both with God and with the 'stuff' around us. The early church had been so radically effected by the grace they had received in Christ that it had wonderfully changed their relationship with their belongings. By grace, the same can be true for us.

It is the presence of Jesus in our lives that leads us to live extraordinary lives with extraordinary moments of breakthrough through the power of the Holy Spirit and prayer.

In this message Jon helps us what an authentic church looks like when engaging with those in poverty, be it economic, relational, aspirational or spiritual poverty. In Christ, we are empowered by the Spirit to bring good news to the poor.