Brian

“When the world caves in, still my hope will cling to Your promise
When my courage ends, let my heart find strength in Your presence.”

If I’m being honest, I feel like I’ve sat down one too many times in the last number of years to pen a blog about tragedy.  This life can be so unpredictable; there is devastation and sadness wherever we turn.  Yet, what this new song “Glorious Ruins” declares is that out of the devastation, out of the heartache and pain – that when we are at the end of ourselves, we can cling to the promise of God, and find courage in His presence.

The scenes out of Oklahoma this week have been haunting.  Its heart wrenching to watch as people walk - very literally - out of the ruins, out of the ashes and the devastation left behind by a destructive tornado.  Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of the United States, dealing with the aftermath of this natural disaster.

It is at Easter, a time most sacred and central to our Christianity, that we often watch or hear of the re-enacted story of Jesus crucified.  We listen intently as that day in Jerusalem plays out; characters such as the Roman soldiers, Pontius Pilate, Mary Magdalene and Jesus himself very much taking centre stage.

Yet this year, I stopped for a moment to wonder of another character who only briefly makes an appearance in written history - yet changes this story completely.

A man named Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was coming from the fields to the city. The soldiers forced Simon to carry the cross for Jesus.”
(Mark 15:21)

Simon the Cyrene.

A man who by all accounts was simply entering Jerusalem for other business, but was caught up in the crowds watching as criminals passed by on their way to condemnation. 

Oh what an exhilarating ride momentum can be! Just like the adrenaline of an amusement park ride, the ebb and flow of a giant roller coaster – when you are riding momentum it seems like 'anything could happen and it probably will!'

Momentum speeds up progress and propels you forward in a way best described in the Amplified Bible's definition of the word 'blessed': "Blessed, happy, fortunate, and to be envied!"

Momentum is a friend to every leader who is consumed with the cause of Christ and His Church. Conversely, a lack of momentum is the catalyst of great frustration and duress, and often produces striving or disillusionment - neither of which will ever lead to momentum. It is at times like these that the frustration we feel over lack of momentum is only exacerbated by acquaintances or peers who make it all look so easy as they ride on the wings of the momentum we so desperately crave.

It was in 1999 when Bobbie and I were given the opportunity to do something - which for us at that time was a bold and innovative step. We were asked to take on the leadership of my parents’ inner-city church in ADDITION to the church we were already pastoring in the Northwest of Sydney - Hillsong Church.

Bold and innovative because although today in 2013 there are countless models of incredible multi-site churches, back in 1999 it was totally new territory in which we knew of few, if any, role models to look to for guidance.

“Silent Night, Holy Night, All was calm, All was bright.”

Everyone knows the words to this famous Christmas carol.  During the holiday season you could hear this beautiful hymn sung over and over again in shopping malls, church services, park concerts – there is something so comforting, so beautifully seasonal about familiar Christmas songs.

Yet the words of this one carol have played repeatedly on my mind this particular year.  SILENT night. HOLY night. All was CALM.  It paints a picture, doesn’t it? A simple birth, in the most common of environments, under a starry sky….PEACEFUL.  And I don’t know about you, but when I think of this holiday season for me and my family I would probably use words more like ‘busy’, ‘hectic’, ‘tiring’… to describe the schedule we keep during the month of December.

Bobbie and I are excited to be hosting church pastors and church leaders for a special gathering in Honolulu, Hawaii where we will be taking a few hours each day and talking through some of the issues and challenges of church life.

Bobbie and I have led Hillsong Church for 29 years and by God's grace, they have been 29 years of sustained blessing and growth.

Also joining us will be Christine Caine and Hillsong London Pastor, Gary Clarke, who both will make a strong contribution to what we are believing will be a memorable gathering.  We want to be able to share with you some of the principles that have helped us in the ongoing growth, life and health of Hillsong Church.

So we all know there is nothing funny about being in gaol ('jail' for all my North American friends), or the crimes that people commit to land themselves
there. But the following story is pretty funny...

Each week, I receive hundreds of letters from people all over the world.  My team and I are diligent in ensuring we respond to every 'reasonable' request.  As a response to a letter I had recently received, our team was preparing a list of song and chord charts to send to a young man who was IN GAOL, but had made a decision for Christ and was preparing to direct a choir...making the most out of his current situation.

What a week!

Overwhelming is a good word for it. Hillsong Conference 2011 exceeded all expectations and the great name of Jesus was lifted high over our city. Thousands of people from hundreds of churches, from a whole host of nations came and were 'fed' and inspired to return and do likewise - feed and inspire those in their world. I left last week more passionate about souls, more in love with Christ and more convinced than ever that the local church is His solution for the Earth.

There are some Hillsong Conference 2011 moments I will never forget...

As I think about the ANZACS this year I think about the pillars on which our country was founded.  The bravery and valor, the strength and sacrifice, the national pride of those men and women who fought and died while defending our freedom.

One generation shall praise Your works to another,
 And shall declare Your mighty acts.
 Psalm 145:4

I love Easter and I deliberately spend time thinking about what this significant holiday means for me, for my children, my grandchildren, my friends and neighbours... my world.

Our faith is a risk, our beliefs are outrageous and bold and Easter brings all of that to the forefront. At Easter time, we're celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Think about it - we celebrate that a man came to earth and died for us all, He took our sin and shame and reconciled us to God. And we believe that this life-giving God burst from death into life and is still alive today... living in us. Outrageous, right?

These bold beliefs cannot be separated from who Jesus is and the message of hope that Easter brings. The mistake that we can make as believers is trying to persuade with reason the 'proof' that Jesus was actually raised from the dead, rather than introducing people to Jesus Himself.