Ancient creeds like the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed have been used to define orthodoxy since the 4th century CE. When I say that I am a Christian who holds orthodox beliefs, it is against these statements that I measure my theology.

Today we had Chevelle Hibberd sharing with us!

"It’s humbling to remember that people who’ve spent their lives pondering the mysteries of God, whose minds and thoughts can go a million miles faster and higher and deeper than most, whose faith in God is unshakeable and profound, could still fall into the trap of shoehorning — and even augmenting — Scripture in order have it fit their finite understanding and limited worldview.

None of us is immune to this."

The Parable of the Ten Minas is not what it seems. In our western culture we are accustomed to glorifying the rich noble and demonising the 'lazy servant'. But what if that isn't the point of this story at all?

Despite his fear, the third servant lays the offense of the master at his feet. “You take what you don’t deserve, and you reap a harvest from other people’s labour.” This servant is the true hero of the story. Jesus’ audience are not rooting for the despot or his minions, they are rooting for the servant who refused to be complicit with the corrupt economic system of the wealthy and powerful. This is not a parable that sanctifies capitalism or materialism, it is a parable that highlights the evil of exploiting people for economic gain.

Jesus' message was scandalous to the religious, treasonous to the empire, and utterly captivating to the poor, disenfranchised, forgotten, broken, and ignored.

The message of Jesus was, and is, beautiful. So beautiful that it’s guaranteed to threaten the status-quo and make all who believe a target for the world’s scorn.

Each year around this time we ask people to prayerfully consider their financial commitment to the Whitehouse Church. We are a pretty small community and we do our best to keep our overhead costs to a bare minimum, so our budget is very modest at about $5000 a month. 

During the next couple weeks we are hoping you will fill out our online pledge form indicating how much you expect to give during the next year. It isn’t a contract and it doesn’t have your name on it. It is simply a way for us to make a responsible budget and plan for the future. Nobody likes a long guilt ridden offering speech every week and this annual pledge is our best attempt to avoid that.

You can find the pledge form here - http://www.whitehousechurch.com.au/pledge

If you are a part of the Whitehouse Church community we’d really appreciate your financial support. Even a small consistent gift can make a significant difference to our budget.

And finally, a huge thank you to those that contribute so generously of their lives, skills and finances into the Whitehouse church! Without your faithfulness we couldn’t keep hanging out and blessing people the way we are now.

Hey friends, I'm still having some audio issues when recording. So if you notice it is a bit choppy please accept my apology. I'm pretty sure I have figured out the problem now so hopefully it'll be all fixed for next week.

"To be connected to the vine is to be connected to one another. And we must do that with love and grace, forgiveness and compassion, and we must bear with one another as we work through the things that need to be pruned off. We have got to do it together. That’s part of the deal. Part of the deal of being connected to Jesus is that we are part of a family, and in that family, we deeply love and serve one another."

Hey there! Sadly there was an issue with the recording today and the sound isn't as good as normal. Sorry about that. :(

He came so that we who were poor might become rich. How does that happen? Most of you are familiar with the term guilt-by-association. That means if I hang around with someone who has committed a crime, I may be considered guilty as well because of my close relationship with them. Turn that concept around and you’ve got the gospel. It is grace-by-association. All the grace of God is available to me by virtue of my relationship with Jesus Christ. That is the Christmas gift we have received from God.

What does being a good neighbour look like to Jesus?

Washing feet, serving widows and orphans, standing in front of those who accuse and disarming them, befriending the isolated, touching the untouchable, dismantling structures that dehumanise people, promoting the welfare and societal value and equality of disenfranchised people groups including women and minorities, weeping with those who mourn, welcoming children, turning over the tables of injustice, making wrong things right and seeking forgiveness for his enemies even whilst they are nailing him to a cross.

Today we had our very own wonderful Chevelle Hibberd share with us.

"A  faith community that doesn’t embrace doubt with understanding and trust  in God’s wisdom isn’t interested in growth but in control. I can’t  emphasise enough how important it is that we continue to extend grace  and tenacious love to one another. This is the primary reason I decided   to put my roots down with you. Because you have questioned deeply and   doubted honestly. And yet you still trust."