Author: nourishwomen

A Note From Ps. Dave

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Hi everyone,

Our God is and always has been a God of New things:

“For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
And in many cases leaving old things.”
(Isaiah 43:19 NLT)

As we start a new year, we think about new things. Many New Year’s resolutions are about what we don’t want to do, like: not eating so much, drinking less, not responding in certain ways and so on…

The greatest new thing we have is to belong to Christ!
“…anyone who belongs to Christ
has become a new person.
The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
(2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT)

The power of stepping into the new lies in understanding that we have been and are being made new! The old has gone, which means all that lies ahead is the new.

2016 is going to be an exciting ride as God continues to do new things among us. The old has gone the new has begun!

Let’s step into it, live and enjoy it, because He certainly is doing a New thing!

Can’t wait to see you in church on Sunday. I’m believing for salvations, for a new Holy Spirit-breathed fire inside us. I know it will be an exciting Sunday. Let’s come prayed up and really expecting the new.

Ps Dave

Pop-Up Church Project Will Change the Way You Think About Church

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If you’ve been around Energizer Church even a little bit this summer, you will have heard a new phrase being thrown around: “Pop-Up Church”. Pop-up bars, cafés, theatres, markets and shops have been around for a little while now, but this is the first time we’ve seen the church testing the waters of pop-up spaces. It’s exciting; we know, because we recently caught up with the service pastor for Energizer Church’s pop-up project to find out exactly what the deal is!

Why PopUp Church? How is it different to regular church?
January is one of my favourite months in Hobart; people are out and about and there are so many wonderful events to go to and so much good food and music. Hobart’s vibrant culture is alive and kicking and we see the Church as a core part of our culture here in Hobart, so we want to get amongst that! January is the month people often want to go out and about and see and try new things; we want to encourage people to step out and come to church with a difference… A PopUp church service!

It will be different for many reasons; we are collaborating with some of Tassie’s best musicians, artists and food vans to help make the nights a blast for anyone who wants to come and connect at one of the three Saturday nights of our Pop Up church.

2. Who is PopUp Church for?
It’s for everyone! But especially, those people who are not afraid to try something different and break some new ground. It’s for people who really have a heart for this incredible city of ours. Pop-Up Church is all about in a setting that is welcoming, vibrant and relevant for all.

3. What are you most excited about with Pop Up Church?
This might sound interesting… But I’m most excited about just being there! Standing amongst all those great people, listening to local musicians, soaking in the surroundings, enjoying people’s company and fine food; just soaking it all in.

4. What does Pop Up Church mean for Hobart?
It’s an opportunity: an opportunity to attend an event where people can come and see what the church of Hobart is all about and to make it their own.
Our team really hopes Hobart will take this opportunity over the month of January to come out and see what it’s all about.

5. What can people expect to see at Pop Up Church?
People can expect to see an exciting event which will breathe life into the relevance, impact, hope and joy being a Christian and part of the church can be.
Expect to see something that will lead you into 2016 with a new spring in your step; each night will be dynamic and will feature some top class communicators. If you don’t want your thinking challenged, this event is not for you!

6. When and where?
January 16th, 23rd and 30th at Macquarie wharf. Head down at around 6pm to make the most of the food and music!
Keep your eyes out for posters popping up around our city and for new information to be released on social media; check out Energizer Church on Facebook and Instagram!
And keep your ears open, because people will be talking about this!

Article by Jen Grubb

Christmas – Dividing History: Ten Thoughts for Advent

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The incarnation, when ‘God’ entered history was not an event meant to be remembered as just the birth of a particular baby, a tradition to be celebrated as a sentimental family time of good will. It was definitely not meant to be a time of self-indulgence and wishful thinking that everything will be okay in the end.

It was an event to remind us of a choice we are called to make because of the life and teaching of that baby. His claims and actions challenge us to be clear about the fundamentals of life, their implications and how they impact on our future. The choice is not about our success and pleasure, but about the peace and fulfilment of the community we live in and ultimately that of the world.

The story of the incarnation of ‘Word’ becoming flesh makes it very clear that choosing a fulfilled life, that centres on true peace, is not easy but a narrow (unpopular) road. Certainly the typical understanding of success and a self-indulgent, easy life for those that choose to follow that baby is not a realistic expectation. Jesus himself said (Matt 10: 34) that he did not come to bring peace (as the world understands it) to the earth but a sword. The decision you make about his ‘advent’ will divide people and the cost in choosing him will be to be condemned by those who decided differently. You will have to take up that condemnation (the cross) daily but it will grant you true life.

Take a look at the features of the advent that indicate what you can expect. It is not what the ‘world’ would accept as successful or desirable but are indicators of the road we must take to achieve the fulfilment and peace we seek.

1. Joseph was disgraced. His betrothed was apparently not a virgin. She was pregnant and unmarried. The standard punishment was stoning to death (See John 8). To solve this embarrassment, he offered to divorce her.

2. Mary was an embarrassment. She was not honoured as her cousin Elizabeth, over whom everybody was rejoicing and making a fuss. Instead of a stable, Elizabeth had her baby at home amongst her husband’s community. Mary had her baby in an isolated foreign location, in a place reserved for animals devoid of her family support.

3. They became refugees seeking asylum in Egypt.

4. The King back home had tried to kill her and the baby. He slaughtered hundreds in his attempt to kill an alternate choice for king.

5. The new ‘King’ was not a powerful warrior or wealthy and influential. He was of humble origins, born in a stable, visited by shepherds who were considered riff raff and so godless and unclean that they were not allowed past the outer courts of the temple (with the women) when they went to worship. The other visitors were impure, ‘non elect’ gentile outsiders. They were wise men whose beliefs were certainly not conventional Jewish ones. They were foreign astrologers and scientists.

6. Jesus was a common name at the time and he came from Galilee which was derided as a place only for ignorant, unsophisticated country bumpkins.

7. He didn’t act like an aloof King but mixed with all the wrong sorts of people. He was approachable unlike ‘real’ kings or even God. The primary response to God when He was approached was fear.

8. The prophetic words said over his birth indicate clearly the future emphasis of his mission and teaching; the ‘Magnificat’ spoken by Mary says that:
a. He would scatter the proud,
b. bring down the arrogant rulers,
c. the humble would be lifted up,
d. the hungry would be filled with good things,
e. the rich would be sent away,
f. and he would be merciful to the faithful.
These prophetic words clearly indicate that His intentions were egalitarian with a heart for the oppressed and marginalised who had been ignored by those whose responsibility it was to meet their needs; see Luke 4: 18 & 19.

9. Simeon in the Temple at Jesus’ circumcision saw that he would challenge people to choose how they should respond to him, a choice that would cause conflict with this fallen world.

10. Jesus’ uncle, Zachariah, saw conflict too and prayed for ‘salvation from the enemies that hate us’.

All these indicate what the values oh Advent are and the direction that the life of a follower of this baby would take. It certainly is not a decision taken without ‘counting the cost’ and it would be counter-cultural and counter-intuitive, resulting in many points of conflict with the accepted norms.

Yet this baby Jesus brought us ‘Good News’: that God has returned and is now with us, Emmanuel; where before only the Prince of Darkness reigned. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, Satan is now defeated, condemned (Jn14:30) and will be driven out (Jn 12:30) and destroyed (1Cor 15:24 &25) for Jesus has overcome the world (Jn16:3) and is now King. The accuser, Satan has nothing to say to those who believe for Jesus has dealt with our sin. The ransom has already been paid. With his resurrection, he has established His Kingdom on earth through his victory, which is now advancing vigorously, so that even the defences of the Devil won’t be able to withstand it. His Kingdom advances through the loving work of his renewed people who now have the very Spirit of God within them until the consummation when Jesus our King will return on that last day.

This is what Christmas is all about and for those who have chosen to be followers of that baby we celebrate with wonderment and thanksgiving the hope for a redeemed world where the fall has been reversed and we will return to Eden.

Written by Sweis Meijers

A Note From Dave: Sunday December 13

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Hi everyone,
At probably the highest point of his time as King of Israel, God appeared and spoke to King Solomon. He had just completed the construction and dedicated the Temple. I’m sure he was feeling pretty good!

The first thing that God said to Solomon was that there will be times and seasons; times of drought, times of plenty, times of loss and times of prosperity. That is how life is: there are seasons. Seasons of work, seasons of celebration, seasons where no rain falls and seasons where we experience plenty.

What should our response be in and through the different seasons? How should we respond together as followers of Jesus? How do we respond as families and as a church?

This is what God said to Solomon:
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.
2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (NLT)

As Kingdom people we know we are called and called by the Name of Jesus.
We’re asked to do three things.
Humble ourselves
Pray
Seek His Face
Humility is seeing God and His purposes as bigger and above our priorities. Praying means speaking to God; the context here is to “Intercede” and stand in the gap for others. Seeking “His face” is all about where our attention is focused. I know God wants to do some exciting things among us and through us as a church. I know we’re going to see some seasons of amazing breakthrough.

Our assignment at this time is to:
Stay Humble
Intercede for our friends, family, City and Church
Keep our attention on Jesus. (Sometimes that’s holding your line or nerve)
Keeping our focus on Jesus means we walk, live and speak out of a faith environment and create a faith culture. In a faith culture things happen.

Let’s make pre-service prayer this Sunday a very high priority as we:
1. Stay Humble
2. Intercede for our friends, family, City and Church
3. Keep our attention on Jesus.

See you tomorrow,

Pastor Dave

A Note From Dave: Sunday November 22nd

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Hi everyone,

As we’ve watched and contemplated recent world events, it brings home again a clash of culture and values. It made me think about what it is that defines the Kingdom of God.

Something that is so powerful and has the potential to bring about more change than anything else we can possibly be part of. In many ways, the Kingdom is something that can feel a little intangible. Especially when you describe it to an unbeliever.

One of the most tangible aspects of the Kingdom is the culture of the Kingdom. Jesus was a cultural engineer. It’s not in what we wear, eat, or the style of music we listen to, but the way we think, the way speak and the way we engage with people.

Culture is the most powerful aspect of belonging. When people belong to our church they belong to a culture. It is that culture that helps people connect. As leaders at Energizer we carry and guard a culture that allows people to come and belong.

As we heat up, carry and guard our culture more and more porous will connect and belong and the Kingdom will continue to expand across our city and beyond.
“For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.”
1 Corinthians 4:20 NLT

It’s not just the words we say, but it’s what we carry, what we tolerate and what we don’t.

Looking forward to meeting this Sunday in Hobart and the Derwent Valley. Let’s continue to carry and guard a powerful culture!

Pastor Dave

Always There

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I’ve been to Energizer Church and seen this guy. He was at the sound desk mixing sound. I’ve seen him usher, put things on stage for others, pack up. I’ve seen him put up signs around the city for different events. I went to the state ACC Conference this year, and he was there service directing. I was at Church Together and he was in charge of security.

A while ago, I was the Impact Conferences at Moorilla and saw this guy help set up and pack up as well as look after other volunteers. I know he was in charge of security at the Youth Alive Events for three years. He has been a youth leader for six years under three different leaders. He served in the Derwent Valley for four years at the Youth Centre, for three days a week.

Brian moved over from Sydney to Hobart fourteen years ago. He joined Energizer Church and stayed, but Brian is no consumer. He contributes. He does what he can, when he can. He is always there at church in Bellerive or doing sound or organising and encouraging others to join teams. He puts in hours and hours of his time into any endeavour the church is undertaking. He does whatever it takes.
He is a volunteer.

I’ve seen Brian be a barista, service manager, a fellow who meets and greets others. He has set up many a room for many events. Brian has set up gear, packed up, and cleaned up. He has helped people moving house, getting rid of rubbish, mowed lawns. He has picked up speakers from the airport, driven others to and from when they needed a lift. He has risen early and stayed up late, serving others by doing anything he can.

I asked him why does he do it? Why give so much time and energy? His answer was simple.
“Jesus gave all He could for me. I’m asked to be a follower of his example. He gave freely. He gave everything for me. I have a calling to serve. I love to support and assist in any way I can.”

This guy has done most of what he has done quietly, secretly and not in the limelight. He leaves that for others.

He went on to say “Its all about the Kingdom. Doing what I can when I can is what we are called to do isn’t it?”

Wow. I know this guy is going to get a “Well done my good and faithful servant,” from the big fella upstairs.
Do you have a heart to do what you can? Why not chat to Brian; he will point you to where you can serve. He also points you to the One who served us all. This guy has the heart of a servant. I know the one he follows said “But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader must be a servant…”

Written by Peter Swift

A Note From Dave: Sunday November 15th

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Hi everyone,

It’s easy to feel like there are so many obstacles and restrictions in our way. In fact, sometimes we feel like we’re caught in a system that we have no control over and we’re just being dragged along – “so we might as well just go with it”?

Paul in writing to the Romans is convinced that this is not the case.

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.
Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[p] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(Romans 8:38-39NLT)

We need revelation to see our state and liberation to be freed from it. It is that revelation that we are part of a state or a system that we are powerless to free ourselves from, that allows us to call on a higher power that actually transcends all other powers and gives us the liberation to live above and beyond a system.

No power in the act of freeing us from another power can deliver you from its self. But Jesus, who is not just “another power“ but “the higher power”, who is above and outside the system, gives us true liberation to really live.

To live free, to live big and engage in that wide open spacious life.

Those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life.
(Romans 8:5-6 MSG)

See you Sunday. I’m expecting great things!

Ps Dave

Foundations of Faith: Claire’s Take on Pastoring the Next Generation

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As a high school teacher, I certainly never imagined myself as part of the EKids team at Energizer; if they haven’t hit puberty yet, I am thoroughly out of my comfort zone! However, somehow, I have managed to find myself serving down there every now and again. This is a development in my life which can largely be attributed to the powers of persuasion of our new Kids Pastor, Claire Morse, who, oddly enough, until recently felt very similarly to me about Kids’ Church!

“It is constantly surprising me. It’s a role I have never imagined myself in and I am really enjoying building relationships with the kids and their parents. I’m enjoying the surprises that working with children brings and am really loving the way their hearts are so open to hearing about God and learning about faith. I also love watching shy or nervous children come down for the first time and slowly relax and unfold as they learn to trust us. It is a huge learning curve taking on a ministry area, but it is a really fun one.”

Claire is a long-time member of Energizer Church; she’s been on the journey with us for 21 years and has grown in many ways through being part of the Energizer family.
“Over years of serving in a variety of areas, I’ve developed so many skills that I have used in my professional life as a teacher; I have learned confidence and hopefully some good people skills!”

Although these things have been useful and important for Claire, they are not the lessons which she regards as the most important. Honing our skills is one thing, but revelation is a deeper level of learning: “We serve God because he loves us and he asks us to. It is not about us, our egos, our ambitions, our self-esteem – anything; we are called to be servant hearted because our Jesus was a servant king, who taught us to not to want to be served but to serve.”

It’s no wonder Claire has recently turned her attention to the more miniature members of our congregation, having recently acquired (given birth to, that is) one of her own, the delightful Ellie! Having some time out of the classroom to be with family and friends has given Claire the breathing room to reflect on her role within the church and rise to the challenge of leading an important ministry area. Her perspective on building the church for future generations both inspires her team and reassures the parents of the children in EKids.
“Obviously for those of us who grew up in Sunday School, we have memories which are foundational to our faith. Some of the songs and the stories we learned 20-30 years ago are still impacting our belief systems and have helped shape our view of God. This is a huge responsibility and privilege to be able to help introduce children to the foundations of our faith.”

Although Claire claims that she “still doesn’t know how to work with primary school aged kids” and allegedly lacks patience at times (I’m yet to see evidence), she does admit that EKids is providing opportunities to use and develop her spiritual gifts, in particular teaching, discernment and encouragement. Anyone who has seen Claire in action downstairs on a Sunday morning would have to agree wholeheartedly, and probably add a few gifts they have observed to that list!

If you love the idea of helping to create those memories which will become foundational to the faith of the next generation, why not jump in and join Claire and her team! Everyone is welcome to give it a go and you definitely don’t need to know what you’re doing to get started (trust me!).

Claire’s advice to new team members: “Be prepared to be surprised. On the surface, Kids’ Ministry can seem like a bit of a thankless task, but it only takes a few weeks to build relationships with the kids and to make friends with the other leaders and you will feel part of a really significant, colourful and never boring ministry. Plus, Terrence makes us really nice coffees. Also, learning to whip and nae nae with five year olds is a memory you will laugh at for a really long time.”

If you need a dance lesson or two from our kinder-aged EKids, have a chat to the Connect Desk on Sunday about joining the team!

Written by Jen Grubb

It’s Never Too Late: Four Lessons About Hope

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At our recent Nourish Retreat we looked at the Book of Joel. I was reminded that, with our God, it’s never too late – there is hope.

Prior to coming into relationship with Jesus, I was broken! A painful, sometimes violent childhood had taken its toll, and had left me with trust issues; I would never allow myself to appear weak, I would never show vulnerability and I put walls up. This made it very hard for people around me to love me. I just wouldn’t really let anybody get too close. At times, although I was surrounded by family and friends, I felt alone, and misunderstood.

Instantly, after entering into a relationship with Jesus, I started to heal. My heart started to feel whole, little by little the walls came down, and I felt “safe” enough to show the real me.

Through His teachings, I have learnt to trust, that it is ok to be vulnerable – for when I am weak, He is strong. I feel protected, safe, understood and never alone. Most importantly I have Hope. Hope that I can break the cycle and bring light into the dark areas around my family.

I can’t speak for all of you, but my relationship with God has felt like a rubber band.

On one end is God, around which the band is securely fastened. On the other end is me. At times, I stretch the band to its limits, but it never comes unfastened from God. This is where I feel tension, stress, anxiety, overwhelmed, and I feel a lot of fear. Other times, it is so close to God that there is no tension in it at all. This is where I feel the most fearless. It seems as though I go back and forth a lot.

But no matter how far I stretch, it is the “tension” that is created by not listening to God, or being disobedient, or not surrendering my burdens that reminds me that I need to “let go” of my ways and turn back to God.

We’ve all had days (and maybe even years) when life just doesn’t seem to be going our way! You can feel like you take hit after hit. Struggles in life are inevitable, but destruction is optional. Remembering the following can make all the difference.

1. Remember that your Character should always be stronger than your Circumstances.
We can’t always control what happens to us, but we can always control how we choose to respond. In those moments when I choose to stop complaining and instead give thanks to God for the good in my life, the parts that seem bad start to seem much less significant. Choose to keep a positive attitude and thankful heart regardless of what you’re going through.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

2. Remember that your Struggles always lead to Strength.
Every difficulty in your life, whether big or small, is something God will use to produce more strengthand faith in you if you let Him! All your pain has a purpose.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

3. Remember that God’s timing is always perfect.
God’s plans are almost always different from our plans, but His plans are always perfect! Have the patience to wait on His timing instead of forcing your own.

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

4. Remember that God will never leave your side.
You may feel like you’re going through this struggle all alone, but from the moment you ask Jesus to bring you into God’s family, He will be by your side to the end so never lose hope!

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

To finish, I just wanted to encourage you that, It’s never too late to turn to God, and it’s never too late to build your faith. He doesn’t destine us to be dammed. God created us for glory, for greatness.

Tash Ellis