George Town George Town is a the oldest town in Australia. It has a population of roughly 5,000 people. There are some churches there, but there is no Reformed or Presbyterian church and the other churches are largely unsound. For several years, the Spirit has been at work in some of the folk there, slowly leading them to the Biblical rock of Reformed truth. The sovereignty of God in light of the depravity of man, has become a precious doctrine to many of them. The electing love of God in Christ is their shelter in their troubles. They also have begun reading the Puritans and finding their Biblical and practical emphasis a blessing. They often listen to sound Biblical and experiential sermons.
I have been holding a "Puritan Bible Study" in George Town, at the request of some of the folk there, since I arrived here in Tasmania. Together we have considered who the Puritans were, the doctrine of Scripture, the doctrine of God, the person and work of Christ, and the doctrine of the Church. As we have considered these doctrines, we saw some many points of application: the need for self-examination, the necessity of the new birth, Christ as our only source of hope, the purity of worship, the need for church membership, and many more.
After much thought and prayer the Session decided we should begin holding services twice a month in George Town. We will be holding services at 6:30pm on the 1st and 3rd Sabbaths of every month beginning in February. We chose these times and dates so we would not interfere with any other worship service in George Town, giving those who attend other churches a chance to come.
We would like to solicit prayer that God would attract His people to hear the Word that we will be bringing in George Town beginning this Sunday, the 1st of February. There are several factors in the situation of our Christian brethren there that may hinder them from enjoying the coming of sound preaching in their town. Some of these folks have been through painful church situations and they are afraid of being hurt again. In addition, they have not yet come to know and feel comfortable with the Southern Presbyterian Church. We are a small church and denomination and some may wonder why it is so or feel odd worshiping in small numbers. A small church and denomination also offer limited resources, and cannot offer some of the other "ministries" larger churches can. Exclusive Psalmnody and non-instumentality are aspects of our worship that are quite diffrent from what many are used to. Our commitment to the King James Version of the Bible is seen by some as not being evangelism friendly. Two years of once-a-month Bible study with them is not all that long when all is said and done, and they will need to learn to trust us over time.
It is the hope and prayer of the Session (and many of the folk from both SPC churches) that folk in George Town will come to hear the Word. We long to see the Lord's people strengthened and sinners converted. We are not concerned about "raising our numbers." We are concerned about people hearing the Word. With the help of some folk from the Launceston and Hobart congregations, about 975 invitations to the services have been placed in mail boxes throughout George Town. (Yes, it is legal in Australia to place flyers in mailboxes, just to reassure those from North America where it is not legal.) About another 900 or so have yet to go out.
Please remember the folk of George Town in prayer as the Word begins going out.
The Lord be with you,
terry
I have been holding a "Puritan Bible Study" in George Town, at the request of some of the folk there, since I arrived here in Tasmania. Together we have considered who the Puritans were, the doctrine of Scripture, the doctrine of God, the person and work of Christ, and the doctrine of the Church. As we have considered these doctrines, we saw some many points of application: the need for self-examination, the necessity of the new birth, Christ as our only source of hope, the purity of worship, the need for church membership, and many more.
After much thought and prayer the Session decided we should begin holding services twice a month in George Town. We will be holding services at 6:30pm on the 1st and 3rd Sabbaths of every month beginning in February. We chose these times and dates so we would not interfere with any other worship service in George Town, giving those who attend other churches a chance to come.
We would like to solicit prayer that God would attract His people to hear the Word that we will be bringing in George Town beginning this Sunday, the 1st of February. There are several factors in the situation of our Christian brethren there that may hinder them from enjoying the coming of sound preaching in their town. Some of these folks have been through painful church situations and they are afraid of being hurt again. In addition, they have not yet come to know and feel comfortable with the Southern Presbyterian Church. We are a small church and denomination and some may wonder why it is so or feel odd worshiping in small numbers. A small church and denomination also offer limited resources, and cannot offer some of the other "ministries" larger churches can. Exclusive Psalmnody and non-instumentality are aspects of our worship that are quite diffrent from what many are used to. Our commitment to the King James Version of the Bible is seen by some as not being evangelism friendly. Two years of once-a-month Bible study with them is not all that long when all is said and done, and they will need to learn to trust us over time.
It is the hope and prayer of the Session (and many of the folk from both SPC churches) that folk in George Town will come to hear the Word. We long to see the Lord's people strengthened and sinners converted. We are not concerned about "raising our numbers." We are concerned about people hearing the Word. With the help of some folk from the Launceston and Hobart congregations, about 975 invitations to the services have been placed in mail boxes throughout George Town. (Yes, it is legal in Australia to place flyers in mailboxes, just to reassure those from North America where it is not legal.) About another 900 or so have yet to go out.
Please remember the folk of George Town in prayer as the Word begins going out.
The Lord be with you,
terry
5 comments:
Wrong again...
It's not the oldest town in Australia (although the others have grown to cities - so I guess you could argue that if you wanted to be stupid).
Syndey and Hobart both pre-date George Town.
Sorry to pick faults - I hope the services go well.
A person in George Town told me this fact about their "town" and they did make the the argument about the others growing into cities.
I brought up the same point about some other places in Australia. It seemed a kind of important thing to the historic identity of George Town and how some of the people view where they live.
I think it is a little insensitive to call those feelings stupid. You may not think their claim is worth much in light of population expanse and history but their is no need to use the "word" because you do not value a fact the way they do.
Hey Pastor Terry;
Keep up the good work - we hope and pray your work will be blessed!
Take care, God bless
the Jansens
How did the services in Georgetown go?
According to official records, Georgetown is the third oldest settlement in australia and the Tasmania's oldest northern settlement established in 1804 and renamed as georgetown in 1811. It is older than Launceston but not older than Sullivan's cove (later Hobart). Perhaps settlement is the better term and it avoids the confusion that is evident in the other posts.The only older settlement that Hobart is Sydney for those that are unaware of our illustrious history. I too trust that the first service went well.
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