Hello Catalyst family,

 

I hope your week has been a sea of smooth sailing and not an ocean of turbulent waters. For those struggling with sickness and ill health, family or business issues; please know you are in our prayers as a leadership and pastoral care team, and we are believing for your restoration and renewed strength and for God's wisdom in your circumstances.

 

On Sunday we began a new three-week series called the "Normal Christian Birth". The thesis of the teaching series is that we are instructed by Jesus to be born again of "water" and the "Spirit" to enter the Kingdom of God. But what does that actually mean? To be born again of water means steps of Repentance, Belief in Jesus as our Saviour and a public profession of our conversion and regeneration, demonstrated by water immersion (Baptism). It symbolises that we identify with Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Those three steps prepare us to be born again of the Spirit, which means to receive the Holy Spirit and encounter His presence and power. This will manifest in our lives as a distinct event or experience. It is a very personal and significant encounter of infilling with the Holy presence of the "paraclete" or Spirit of Jesus. 

 

Unfortunately attending a Christian Church doesn't mean we all got the same consistent theological teaching. Sadly, quite the opposite is probably the case. The different Churches and denominations we have attended have hopefully embraced all four steps and explained and encouraged them well. More likely, is that they have embraced some of the steps, but not all. Some have perhaps over emphasised particular steps in their exuberance or even been at the other end of the spectrum and spoken out strongly against or intentionally refrained from some of these key scriptural patterns. We each come to this topic set against our differing theological backdrops of instruction and therefore experience. It is quite messy bringing everyone together onto the same page, but critically important.

 

I truly appreciate that this is a sensitive topic very likely to unsettle or challenge some peoples understanding of what is "normal" or the required series of steps for someone to be born again and enter the Kingdom of God. But no topic is more serious for us to tackle and process. At the end of the day the crucial thing is to hold up our experiences, previous teaching and current instruction against the word of God for accuracy and validity. Man in his zeal and good intentions get things wrong or incomplete. What did Jesus and the Apostles teach? What was the Biblical model and pattern? Ultimately God's Word is strictly our benchmark and standard.

 

I know from my own complicated journey that it takes time and a lot of soul searching and re-evaluation of beliefs to work through each step and ensure that I understood and received all that God intended for me as the proper foundation of my faith. I was frustrated that I didn't get taught adequately. Angry that I was in a way set up to struggle. But I had to come to terms with the fact that people had sought to teach me what they legitimately believed was truth. Regretfully it was lacking in the fullness of truth. 

 

As painful as the journey was to revisit and rediscover my theological framework, Scripture gave me all the answers. If this series does raise questions and challenges for you. Don't feel pressured or condemned. Take time to be well informed. Ask questions. Research and pray. Plough through the Scriptures yourself. Seek wise counsel. Be prepared to acknowledge the frustration and disappointment. But most importantly search out the truth. I wanted everything God had planned for me and eventually I got there. Hopefully your understanding and experience will bring you to the same fullness. Remember my door is always open if you want or need to chat.

 

Blessings Mark

See you at one of our 2 services at 8.30am and 10.15am, 142 Pine Mountain Road, Brassall or click below to join us online.

Catalyst Kids - held during 8.30am Sunday service

We have a heart to provide fun, bible based teaching for primary school aged kids so that they can explore who Jesus is and grow in their faith.

 

Catalyst Kids runs during our 8.30am service all year, except for during our family Christmas services in December.

 

During School holidays and on special occasions Kidzone kids (primary aged) start in main service with their families and head out part way through. Tinyland (walking to 4 years) start in their room all year round. 

Catalyst Youth - Friday Nights at 6:30pm-9pm (school terms) 

We believe that you are created with a purpose; that you weren't made to watch life from the side lines as a spectator, but to live it to the full & really mean it. We are here to have heaps of fun & support you through life while encouraging you to grow into your potential.

 

Come along & hang out with us all on Friday nights during school terms

 

Check out our Facebook page or contact our Youth Leader Loren Mavity via Facebook Messenger, Instagram DM, or by emailing lorenm@catalystchurch.com.au

Our Connect Groups are well under way for the year.  But you don't have to miss out!  It's such a great way to journey through life together, growing in Christ.

 

Feel free to make contact with a connect group leader to find out more details, or click on the button below

How do you see yourself?

 

Do you have a healthy view of yourself?

 

We all know the saying “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?”

 

In our world today, we have become accustomed to comparing ourselves to whoever the media displays. The unrealistic picture of what we should look like can set the benchmark of who we compare ourselves to. No wonder our perception of ourselves can be distorted.

However, value, acceptance and belonging reflect the deep desires of our hearts and if we can only achieve these through what we look like, then we are sadly misled. Value, acceptance and belonging must come from who we are, our character, our relationship with Jesus, our community.

 

If you struggle with feeling valued, accepting yourself and having the sense of belonging, then book a session with Catalyst Counselling.

 

Lynne Feldon – Catalyst Counsellor.

 

Contact details:

• 142 Pine Mountain Road, Brassall QLD 4305
• 07 3813 4999
• 0477 748 822
• counselling@catalystcare.com.au
• Website www.catalystcare.com.au/counselling

 

Some Feedback:

• I have gained so much insight, discovered my fears and can now do something about them.
• The notes Lynne provides after the session help me to keep working on my healing journey.
• Cannot believe I didn’t do this sooner

Do you need help keeping track of your personal finances?

 

• Are you living week to week?
• Is money ruling your life?
• Are you finances getting you down?

 

Need help? Christians against Poverty (CAP) have created an excellent program to help guide you through the process to better financial health.

 

Here at Catalyst church, there are two Money Mentors willing to walk beside you as you work through your situation.

 

Please contact Angela Coto or Russell Schloss via the church office (3813 4999) for more information.

You can give your tithes and offerings online by direct debit (preferred) to the following accounts (please consider making the gift recurring when setting this up):

Tithes and Offerings:
   Account Name: Catalyst Church Inc.
   (General A/c)
   BSB: 633 000
   Account Number: 132187154

Missions:
   Account Name: Catalyst Church Inc.
   (Missions A/c)
   BSB: 633 000
   Account Number: 134471697

 

Heart for Ipswich (Tax Deductible):

   Account Name: Catalyst Care Ltd.
   (Catalyst Care A/c)
   BSB: 633 000
   Account Number: 182951780

 

If it’s your first time giving, you should receive a confirmation from us. Please ensure bank details are correct where applicable.