can we see yet?
During 2003, we have adopted the theme of “Can you see yet?” and have attempted to let this question of Jesus speak into our experience.
A Two-Stage Healing
Then they came to Bethsaida. They brought Jesus a blind man and asked him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and brought him outside of the village. Then he spit on his eyes, placed his hands on his eyes and asked, “Do you see anything?” Regaining his sight28 he said, “I see people, but they look like trees walking.” Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again; then he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, “Do not even go into the village.”
We have found it re-assuring that Jesus went to the trouble of healing the guy twice. The need for Jesus touch our eyes over and over again has been felt very deeply. Back in 2000, when Northern began we set a vision of
To be the hands and feet of Jesus in the Northern suburbs of Melbourne, responding to diverse needs and transforming society through many congregations and ministries in multiple locations across our region.
When we crafted our vision we recognised that we were only seeing with cloudy eyes – the people seemed undefined – like walking trees. So, we developed some signposts to guide us, so that we could fill in the details as our sight became clearer.
| Signposts | Cloudy Eyes | Clearer eyes |
| Our Core Values | Developing community, deepening spirituality and demonstrating compassion. | We are discovering what this means as we have explored each one each year |
| Multi-Congregational | Having many congregations responding to the different subgroups and cultures in the northern suburbs. | We now have seven congregations |
| Post-Modern Context | Discovering new ways to do church that are true to our post-modern context. | Different styles. Different places. Fludity emphasised. |
| Expanding Leadership | Needing an expanding pool of leaders | The intern program and now Kaleo Team. New governance system. |
| Strategic Partnerships | Entering partnerships with other churches and community groups | Alphabet City Café, Foodbank Australia ,LiNC Northcote and Darebin ministers networks and the Darebin Council. |
| Local Ministry Centres | Ministering in many locations across Darebin and Banyule, using shop-fronts, homes or other centres throughout the region. | We have two congregations in a café in westgarth. Two congregation in home (Northcote and Preston). Craft group and Foodbank in reserviour – Tennis club in Ivanhoe. |
| Compassionate Ministries | Desiring the church to develop more compassionate ministries | Food Bank enhanced. Development of CareWorks connect congregations and planned op shop |
Seeing clearly is a metaphor for true discipleship in Mark’s gospel. Being a true disciple means having your eyes open. The people which were like walking trees are now becoming clearer for us. I hope we will continue to stand in front of Jesus, and have our eyes healed again and again.
November 27th, 2003 at 9:38 am
well done mate! Its great to see a church re-inventing itself in a postive and healhty way
November 28th, 2003 at 5:58 am
Interesting to others ‘define’ their sense of identity and call. Thanks for putting it up. Enjoy time with R & R. Wish we could have been there too.
November 28th, 2003 at 9:06 am
Yeah, it is a pity that you cant make it Paul. Did you know that we are having a Alan RoXburgh conference for three days in Feb over here? Hint hint