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The day of Pentecost is much more than an event in church history, or a liturgical day on the calendar. Pentecost Sunday is a reminder to engage again with the wonder of the person of the Holy Spirit, and to participate in the fulness of power that is daily available through faith in Jesus Christ. Here’s five reasons why Pentecost is an invitation to more.

1. More faith

The day of Pentecost is stunning proof that God keeps His promises. Encountering God the promise keeper brings an electric charge to our spirit because it’s a fresh connection to Divine power and provides proof positive that He is who He says He is.

This increases faith!

The historical event we call Pentecost is magnificently foretold in scripture by the prophets.

Some promises have a very long shelf life, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t going to deliver on them.

Joel for example, recorded a promise from God regarding Pentecost over 800 years before it was fulfilled.

But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on my menservants and on my maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.

Acts 2:16-18

What’s the point? If history in regard to the Pentecost story proves that God keeps His promises, then we can expect Him to do all that He’s promised. That means there’s MORE to come from our promise keeping God.

That’s who He is: the penultimate Promise Keeper.

2. More power

Boldness and power were the hallmarks of the early church, and ordinary men and women were transformed into radical fearless agents for the spread of the Gospel.

There are some who believe that this level of power was limited to this period of time and does not apply to believers like you and I today. You have to make up your own mind about that, and search the Bible accordingly.

My view is that the prophecy of Joel for example, nor Peter’s use of it in Acts 2:16-18, does not talk about a limited period after which the promise will cease or be voided.

Nor does the verse below indicate a temporary strength that would later be removed.

that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man

Ephesians 3:16 NKJV

Strength and power are graces that form part of our inheritance through faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ. A seeming lack of these or a desire that you would grow in them does not disprove their existence.

It simply means there’s more to receive and appropriate.

3. More relationship

At a heart level, this is the richest fruit from Pentecost.

This is about God being with us in the person of the Holy Spirit.

This is about His presence.

This is about intimacy: the Spirit WITH us and IN us.

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He will abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither receives Him nor knows Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you”

John 14:16-18 NKJV

Some people struggle with the tension between the promised presence of God, and the felt presence of God. If He promises to never leave me or forsake me, then why do I need to desire more of His presence?

Allow me to liken this to human relationship. You see it’s possible to be in the same room as someone, yet be distant emotionally.

This is presence without intimacy.

If you understand this to be true, then could it be that there is more intimacy to be experienced with the Holy Spirit. Remember, He is the member of the trinity who is with you right now.

Why not ask Him for a deeper relationship?

4. More understanding

Someone has wisely made the claim that there are facts and there’s truth.

Truth is a person and His name is Jesus.

Understanding takes place when Truth (Jesus the Word) indwells us and embodies us. This is the work of the Spirit.

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; For He will not speak on His own authority. but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come

John 16:13 NKJV

Can you join with me and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into ALL truth according to this scripture?

5. More profit

Understanding is not an end in itself.

This is knowledge and if that’s all it is then it is unprofitable.

Profitable knowledge is accompanied by an increase in maturity and fruitfulness.

Every scripture is written by the Holy Spirit, the breath of God. It will empower you by it’s instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of Godliness. Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you.

2 Timothy 3:16,17 TPT

Do you desire a greater measure of maturity in your faith?

Are you eager to please your heavenly Father and faithfully complete the good works He has prepared for you in advance (Ephesians 2:10).

Let’s praise God for the sending of the Holy Spirit, and let’s press in for more.

Because God by His very nature is without measure, then there’s always more.

What do you think? Please feel free to share your comments and questions by email to info@thehivechurch.com.au

A conversation about giving

What are your thoughts and values around the subject of giving?

Recently at one of our Sunday gatherings, the chairperson of the Hive Church board shared our perspective on giving with particular reference to financially enabling the work of ministry.

Here’s what was said:

Hello everyone,
I have the privilege of working with a wonderful group of people who form the Hive Church Board.
The Board fulfils a legal requirement required by legislation, but has a much more important role in supporting the Hive Pastors and monitoring the business, compliance and ministry functions of the Church.
Today I want to bring you up to date with the church finances.
We have been blessed by those who have given freely to the work of the Hive.
This year we have set a budget with a 20% increase in giving over last year.
Our finances support the operation of the Church, covering things such as music royalties, technical operation, support of missions, usage of facilities and payment for two days per week for our pastor, David.
We understand that circumstances are different for everyone and our giving is something we should decide on based on our financial circumstances and how God is calling each of us to use our money.
Although there are many differing views on what the Bible has to say about giving, it is clear that there is a strong Biblical basis regarding generosity; the call to support those in ministry; and the financial enabling of church life.
Despite references to 10% and the first fruits of our labour etc, the amount is not mandated in the New Testament. We believe this is a personal decision and responsibility that each of us carries.
We want to keep you up to date on our giving and expenditure so that are all aware of how we are progressing throughout the year.
Please remember the purpose of our giving as an act of worship is to see God’s kingdom grow and to support the church to reach those in our community and beyond.
Can I encourage you to consider your ability to support the Hive and commit an amount each week or month. One way of giving is to set up a recurring electronic payment for the year. This way your giving can be systematic and regular. Some may also wish to make one-off offerings of larger amounts from time to time.
In no way should our giving ever be seen as burden for us.
Giving should always be from a posture of generosity and not out of duty or guilt. Please be prayerful in considering the part you play in the life of the church, and your giving as part of your worship.
Please pray for the Board as we seek to support the ministry of the Hive.
Thank you, The Hive Church Board, Sunday March 21st 2021

We hope this meaningfully helps you to clarify your personal views on this important topic. You can share your feedback by emailing info@thehivechurch.com

We made a very big decision.

Moving to Sydney in 2012 to plant a church was a massive deal. And honestly, the years that have followed have had extremes of everything from exhilaration to devastation and everything in between.

There are many times we’ve asked WHY?

It’s a good question.

In the year that we’re all having, just about everything has been challenged and tested. Church life looks very different now, and the way things used to be is a very distant memory.

We need to be reminded WHY we started in the first place. Because if the original WHY is still valid now, then all we need to do is settle on how we can achieve the WHY.

So here goes.

The WHY of the Hive Church was (and still is) to be a disciple-making church.

Disciple-making is our one thing.

As we look towards the future, our success will be measured according to how this looks.

So what exactly does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? I’m interested in how you would set about defining this. There’s many different verses and thoughts that we could pepper into this conversation, but if it really is a commandment of Jesus, then as my wife Yve would say: “we need to put arms and legs on it.”

How true.

Can I suggest there are actually two definitions to grapple with: defining both discipleship and disciple making, because that’s the language that Jesus uses in Matthew 28:19 and I propose they are linked but different.

Now go in My authority and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And teach them to faithfully follow all that I have commanded you. And never forget that I am with you every day, even to the completion of this age

Matthew 28:18-20 TPT

So here’s some thoughts.

It’s by no means the last word on the subject, but if you’ve been around our community for a while then you may have heard us talk about some of our core values we call ‘The 3 R’s”.

In fact, our Sunday gatherings on November 22 & 29, and December 6th will focus on these values (click here to have a look at this content as and when it’s uploaded).

Here’s the 3 R’s:

• Relationship
• Revelation
• Restoration

Here’s a way to relate some of our core values to the subject of discipleship.

Defining a Disciple

1) A disciple is someone who is in relationship with Jesus AND in relationship with at least one other person who is teaching and supporting them in their faith journey 

2) A disciple is someone who know’s the voice of Jesus because they are actively receiving revelation truth from God’s Word the Bible AND learning to discern & receive the revelation truth in the voice of another more mature disciple who is guiding and teaching them “My sheep know My voice” [John 10:27]

3) A disciple who is someone who becomes inspired by hearing the testimonies of how Jesus has changed and brought restoration in the lives of other disciples whom they are in relationship with. A disciple beings to carry their own testimony of how following Jesus has brought change and restoration to their life eg “once I was blind but now I see” [John 9:25] 

Defining a Disciple-maker

1) A disciple-maker is someone who is in relationship with Jesus; and second in active and intentional relationship with someone who is not yet in relationship with Jesus or is already in relationship with Jesus; the ultimate aim being to impart and  support them in their faith journey  

2) A disciple-maker is someone who is actively receiving revelation truth from God’s Word, and is able to “handle the Word of truth” [2 Timothy 2:15] to the extent that they can impart revelation truth to another person    

3) A disciple-maker is someone who is growing in their capacity to minister restoration to another. This ministering of restoration is “by My Spirit” [Zechariah 4:6] and will be shaped by spiritual gifting, experience and training.   

How do you respond to this perspective?

What is your personal WHY?

You can interact and comment by emailing info@thehivechurch.com

Rob & Cathy Chandler who are connected to our Hive Community, are advocates and supporters of the Early Education Centre (Lovu, Fiji).

In association with PCF (Pentecostal Church of Fiji), gift packs are being assembled which will go to the poor community near the dump, and also to isolated communities in the interior.

In addition, gift packs will be distributed to a community on Beqa Island on the east coast of Fiji.

How can I make a difference?

Help to fill a shipping container with items that are needed to complete the Gift packs.

Time is of the essence, as the container leaves Ingleside (Sydney) at the end of this week November 27th 2020.

What can I donate?

• any devices, mobile phones, tablets cleared to factory settings 
• iPads, lap tops (note: televisions not wanted) 
• any unopened or tagged items that can be wrapped by the Fijian church women as Christmas presents to the really poor in the interior. 
• good tools (there is a large tool box to fill)
• any perfumes, toiletries etc (must be unused) 
• bean bags, easy seating (they can make Removable covers and they are good fillers in the container
• children toys but no awkward shapes
• boxed games/puzzles/craft
• handbags & bras
• small toys like  little animals etc. boxed lego. 
• shoes any size/age

What is the deadline?

All donations must be received at the shipping container by 11:00 AM Thursday November 26th.

What are my delivery options?

• small items can be express posted to R&C Chandler PO Box 132 North Narrabeen 2101 (note delivery must occur by Wednesday November 25th)
• alternatively there is a one-off drop off time on Wednesday November 25th 5:00PM – 7:00PM to 18 Hampden Ave Wahroonga. Yve & Aileen will be ready for you.

Who can I contact if I have any questions?

Please direct your enquiries to Yve on 0412 455925.

Your help, support and contribution is heart warming and appreciated.

VINAKA with love.

What is your Mt Everest?

In this pandemic time, the ultimate summit climb seems to be the frantic race to market with a proven vaccine.

However for many others, its probably a lot more basic: ‘I just want to survive and make it to tomorrow’.

How about you?

Can we suggest that the challenges we face in life tend to fall into three broad categories: relationships, finances, and health.

At any given time, you, or someone you know is probably trying to make sense of one or maybe more of these things.

Some people say you shouldn’t question God, however if relationship with God is at the heart of the Christian walk, then why not?

Asking ‘why’ is totally ok, and asking God why is even better.

Crying out to God could be your next step up your personal summit.

Why? Help me! I don’t know what to do

Here’s two principles we are learning about translating God:

(1) He overwhelms my overwhelm
Gut level raw honest communication with God is relationship at it’s finest, and this opens up the way for Him to overwhelm your overwhelm with His generous grace.

And if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and He will give it! He won’t see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but He will overwhelm your failures with His generous grace. Just make sure you ask empowered by confident faith without doubting that you will receive.

James 1:5-6 TPT

(2) He groans for my groaning
And remember: if the only sound you can get out is a groan, then that’s ok too. The deep places in your heart call to the deep places in His heart (Psalm 42:7) and Jesus hears your groan and begins groaning for you to His Father.

How wonderful!

For example, at times we don’t even know how to pray, or know the best things to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words.

Romans 8:26 TPT

So … may you sense His presence with you right now wherever you are and no matter your groan (or the groan of someone you may be supporting). And may the Holy Spirit not only super-intercede for you, but also super-translate God directly into your situation.

You might like to share your comments and experiences with translating God by emailing info@thehivechurch.com

So here’s a question for you … what’s your reaction to domestic violence?

This was the question that confronted us when a close friend got in touch yesterday who has been on the receiving end of an abusive situation.

This is a big conversation, and there’s no quick fixes. Nevertheless it’s real and it’s in our world; in our communities and right here in our suburbs.

Perhaps domestic violence is near to you and afflicting those you care about?

Here’s our response to our friend, and what came tumbling out of us in the moment. Maybe this is timely for you; maybe not. Our heart is to provide some thoughts you can process and consider integrating into the context of your understanding of this critical subject.

Is a greater pandemic than COVID-19 coming? It has been suggested that whilst working from home has caused a huge increase in productivity, it is leading to what is called ‘cocooning’, ie isolation and shallow relationships.

In a word: Loneliness.

On a grand scale.

Let’s be honest.

Think about life B.C. (before Covid).

Social distancing was yet to be invented and we didn’t have the language or the need to differentiate between ‘in-person’ and ‘on-line’.

It might feel like a lifetime ago, but you remember don’t you? It was possible to be in a noisy room full of actual (not virtual) people and still feel desperately lonely.

Red-raw chronically screaming on the inside lonely.

More than ever before I suggest this is a time we all need friendship.

Enduring friendships require face to face time once every fifteen (15) days. So if you’re reading this and you have access to social networks like connect groups, then how about re-framing these spaces as opportunities to give and receive relationally.

To offer the gift of friendship.

In the context of true community this is what the Bible calls ‘fellowship’ and it’s still hands down the best antidote to isolation.

This is who we are as a people belonging to God, and it’s an essential activity of being the Church.

And in the context of evangelism and reaching out to others around us, it’s been well said that facts don’t change minds as much as friendships.

People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care

Theodore Roosevelt

I think Job (in the Bible) would agree with this statement.

If indeed Covid accelerates loneliness, then for God’s sake may this pandemic most of all be an accelerant of the love of God in and around our families, our communities, and our work-places.

The methods may be different, and the tools of technology feel strange, but today whether you feel lonely or alternatively feel convicted to reach out to someone who needs a friend, by the grace of God just do it!

Stretch out your hand 🙂

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Ephesians 1:3

In a virus impacted world where we travel less and click more, how does a relationship that may begin as an on-line connection develop into an in-person disciple-maker? In answering this question, our starting point must surely be to believe that Jesus hasn’t put the great commission on hold during COVID-19 (ref Matthew 28:19). Uncertainty may still be here, and talk may still persist of a second wave of infection. But we still have a mission, and we must pivot to find ways to be effective within our current environment.

SURVEY RESULTS PART 2

This blog post is the second in a series that unpacks some key findings from our recent Hive church survey, and discusses how we believe this feeds into our future.

Conducted earlier this month, we wanted to learn how our community felt about on-line and in-person church experiences; listen to what was working and not working so well; and also to gauge the appetite for change as we prepare for life after pandemic.

FEEDBACK REGARDING CONNECT GROUPS

According to the survey, we can do better with connect groups:

• Less than half of people (42%) have joined every Connect Group, 29% had never tried.
• Although most people who participated in online Connect Groups say they feel as connected (53%) and as comfortable (60%) online as in person, most people (76%) would often or always recommend in-person Connect Groups (even among people who’ve attended every online group, everybody was at least neutral), but many people (42%) had mixed feelings about recommending online Connect Groups.

FEEDBACK REGARDING CONNECTION TO THE BROADER HIVE COMMUNITY

The survey also asked church on-line participants to describe how connected they felt to the broader Hive community. There’s room for improvement here too:

• Many people (43%) said they had little opportunity to interact with the broader Hive community during services, but some people (19%) said they had very much opportunity
• Most people (56%) said they felt much or very much a part of the broader Hive community
• Some people (24%) said they felt not much or only minimally part of the broader Hive community

FEEDBACK REGARDING ON-LINE OR IN-PERSON PREFERENCES FOR CONNECT GROUPS

When asked about on-line or in-person preferences for connect groups this is what the survey revealed:

• Most people (56%) say they’re likely or very likely to attend an in-person Connect Group, and the majority (71%) say the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine wouldn’t affect their decision.
• Many people (42%) say they’d attend a mixture of online and in-person Connect Groups; only 14% were in-person-only, and nobody was online-only.

HOW WE PROPOSE TO RESPOND AND GO FORWARD

1. On-line or in-person connect groups? Rather than an either/or choice, we see this as both/and. We plan to experiment with both options. This week we will re-introduce in-person groups, and we’re keen for your feedback. Let’s see how it goes.
2. Re-focus on discipleship. Regardless of how, or even where we meet, the bigger question for connect groups is WHY meet in the first place? A disciple of Jesus is a multiplier: one who reproduces followers of Jesus. Do you think of yourself as a disciple? Can you identify a person in your life who is prompting and helping you in obedience of Jesus commandments (Matthew 28:19)? And do you have someone who you are helping and encouraging? This is a good reason to belong to a connect group. Be a giver, not just a taker.
3. Love deeply. At the heart of every effective discipling relationship is a love that compels (2 Corinthians 5:14). This is the love with which Jesus first loved us. This is the agape love that is so unique, the New Testament Greek language had to invent a new word for it.

agape (love) denotes an undefeatable benevolence and unconquerable goodwill that always seeks the highest good of the other person, no matter what they do. It is the self-giving love that gives freely without asking anything in return, and does not consider the worth of its object. Agape describes the unconditional love that God has for the world.

Study notes; NKJV, Word Wealth

This is what it means to engage relationally.

This is how we are called to live as a community of faith.

We have been loved like this (Romans 5:5).

And this is how a relationship that may begin as an on-line connection develops into an in-person disciple-maker.

LOVE.

This is the first of a series of blog-posts that unpacks some key findings from our recent Hive church survey, and discusses how this feeds into our future.

Conducted earlier this month, we wanted to learn how our community felt about on-line and in-person church experiences; listen to what was working and not working so well; and also to gauge the appetite for change as we prepare for life after the pandemic.

FEEDBACK REGARDING ON-LINE CHURCH

We’re doing Sunday services pretty well:

• Most people (81%) have watched the Sunday service every week
• Everybody watched at least two services
• Most people (56%) enjoyed or really enjoyed worship
• Most people (71%) said the worship helped them feel much or very much closer to God
• Most people (80%) said the content of the services was relevant or very relevant to their needs
• Somebody said the service “feels and sounds genuine”

FEEDBACK REGARDING IN-PERSON CHURCH

Very obviously, we’re not doing in-person Sunday services.

• Most people (52%) say they’re very likely to attend an in-person service, and the majority (71%) say the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine wouldn’t affect their decision
• Many people (42%) say they’d attend a mixture of online and in-person services; only 14% were in-person-only, and nobody was online-only

So clearly, whilst our sudden transition to an on-line format has been moderately successful, the survey confirms that there’s still an appetite for in-person options.

HOW WE PROPOSE TO RESPOND AND GO FORWARD

COVID-19 restrictions forced us to rapidly find on-line alternatives for activities which once upon a time we personally assumed only worked within in-person environments.

We (Yve & I) were wrong.

Whilst in-person may still be preferable to some extent, we now have a new paradigm from which to consider our future.

We don’t have all the answers, nor do we have complete freedom from the point of view of the easing of restrictions. That said, here’s our leadership response for the immediate future:

RE-OPENING BUILDINGS FOR SUNDAY GATHERINGS

Here are some of the issues we are processing:

• to be frank, it was challenging enough getting people to come to church buildings before lock down
• and in our previous set-up / pack-down scenario at PCYC, it was a lot of work – by a few – for a few
• the problem is that now, as churches re-open across the globe, attendances are reported to be 10-40% of what they were pre-pandemic
• and that’s not just in the USA
• an established church in our area re-opened last weekend and had 9 people came in the doors (with just 4 the week before that)
• whilst a maximum of 50 people can now attend a religious service at a place of worship, a Government ban on communal singing is still in place
• attendance limits are also in force community venues such as PCYC
• so if we chose to go back now, it would be to a triple negative: even less people, experiencing less, and therefore a yet lower return for the effort and cost involved

If we chose to go back to a building now, it would be to a triple negative: even less people, experiencing less, and therefore a yet lower return for the effort and the cost. To re-open in a building under these circumstances would be demoralising, un-satisfying, and poor stewardship.

Whether these are temporary trends or something more permanent remains to be seen. The reality is, we have to make plans for the immediate future and keep an open mind for what’s to come.

WHAT’S THE GOOD NEWS?

Here’s some of the things we’ve learnt in our short history as an on-line community.

On-line church by some measures provides a way we can reach more people for less effort. The R.O.I. (return on investment) when compared to our previous in-person scenario is trending in the right direction.

Our Hive experience during this on-line season, is an increase in attendances by an average of 60%.

on-line church is more accessible and therefore more people can be reached

Here’s some reasons why:

• not limited by geographical location
• less limited by time-zone
• on-line church is less threatening to 1st time attenders who are new to a church environment
• your own lounge room will always be the most comfortable place to experience the unfamiliar, and this is also true for someone from a different church culture or denominational background
• on-line church also obviously asks less of attendees in terms of travel, time, cost and navigating traffic

THE HIVE STUDIO

We thank God for His provision of our current Hive Studio. It ticks lots of boxes for us in that:

• it’s in Hornsby
• it’s very generously provided at no cost
• we leave it set up from Sunday to Sunday, so our team is released from the set up / pack down load
• we can likely keep using it till October 2020
• it provides a ‘real-time’ location to mix with team, one-off contributors, and guests
• all of this is an enormous blessing

WHAT OF THE FUTURE?

Again we must say, it’s too early to predict with certainty the future of church in a global environment that is still so volatile.

That said, we offer the following thoughts & observations:

• on-line church is here to stay
• the majority of the people we want to reach are already on line, so why would we not want to be there too?
• the future of church is not a binary choice of either in-person OR on-line
• it will be both / and
• the future church will therefore be both a mix of physical and digital expressions

IS THERE STILL A PLACE FOR IN-PERSON CHURCH?

Yes.

I’ve just had a text from a young disabled man we’ve got to know pre-pandemic, asking me when we are opening up again at PCYC.

My heart goes out to him and to others like him in our community who are needy and looking for support and relationship.

There has to be a way to provide in-person connection for people like this young man – in fact for all of us! It’s just a question of what this looks like and where.

We’ve given our lives, and so have many in our Hive Community, to the vision of doing all that it takes to reach needy people with the message of the love of Jesus.

THREE STRATEGIC IMPERATIVES

Whilst the vision doesn’t change, our methods must be flexible. For reasons already outlined above, we don’t believe it makes any sense to ‘re-open’ at PCYC right now.

So here’s what it looks like:

we will continue for the next few months to gather on-line from our studio, and we will wait on God for what it looks like after that. Meanwhile, let’s be the church in our families, in our workplaces, and in our communities

The Holy Spirit is at work, empowering the Church to strive with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in us (Colossians 1:29).

Whether on-line or in-person, here are three strategic goals we believe to go after:

1. Engaging
2. Equipping
3. Evangelising

In coming weeks we will unpack what this means and how we propose to focus on these three strategies as a church community.

You can share your thoughts and comments by emailing info@thehivechurch.com