What a week!

What does God want to say to us? Sam Chimbuya Joshua 1 & 3 Be bold and courageous Stay close to God and His Word Always follow God Tariku Fufa Holiness Becoming more and more like Jesus

9 Marks of a Healthy Church

What is wrong with Zimbabwe? Politics, economics, leadership? We lack Godly leaders The problem is the church! Our churches are unhealthy More than ever before we need to be God’s light and God’s salt in the darkness, for God’s glory so that people will see Jesus and Him lifted up.

How do we make the church healthy? We have very little impact on the Church in Zimbabwe But we can do something here at God’s church at Northside. How can we become a healthier church?

The 7 mountains of influence Business, health, law, engineering, finance, agriculture, education, religion, family, government, media, arts and entertainment and the market place. What would happen if all of us began to live and lead based on the principles and values of God?

Misunderstanding of church The building, the organisation, the church staff, the pastor? Fear, money, burden, rules and regulations, submission…? The stage, the pulpit?

Marginalised & Ignored More of the world in the church than the church in the world! Our definition and understanding of church needs to change. We desperately need to hear what God says about His church today, in this time. What does God value in His church?

The solution? New International Version This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.' New Living Translation This is what the LORD says: "Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, 'No, that's not the road we want!'

The Solution Distinct from the culture around us. Biblical faithfulness is seen as success. Faithfulness to God’s Word, Practising the 2 ordinances – baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Biblical discipline

2 main parts Preaching and teaching the Word of God rightly or faithfully. Leading disciples.

The Church Not a place or a building or an organisation More than what happens in the front of our Sunday services The church is us! The church is people Our mission statement is to know and glorify God. John Calvin called this world “the theatre of God’s splendour”.

The Church We are all called to be walking pictures of the moral nature and righteous character of God, reflecting it for the world to see. God is calling us to join together with Him and together in our congregations, not for our glory but for His glory. You are the church, wherever you go and whatever you do.