CHRISTIANITY - A CULTURE, ORGANISATION, OR A RELATIONSHIP?

Last week we saw that scripturally, the church is to be built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. (Please note little 'a' and little 'p', for we are all one.) But instead we now have a church built upon Ministers' or 'Pastors". (capitals!) So how did this come about?

Today we will just give a brief timeline of church history, while next week we will answer the question above. The potted history is taken from my book EAGLES FLY HIGH which you can download at the live link, free of charge. (All our materials are free.)

THE EARLY CHURCH:

30AD April: Death of Jesus on the cross. (The day of the Feast of Passover)
April: Resurrection and appearance to Mary Magdalene. (The day of the Feast of Firstfruits)
May: Ascension to heaven. Believers reduced from 500 to 120 at Pentecost.
May: Pentecost. Holy Spirit arrival. 3,000 added to the Church. (The day of the Feast of Weeks, that is Pentecost) Symbolic restoration of the 3,000 killed for making the infamous golden calf while the law was being given to Moses on Mt Sinai, at Pentecost, approximately 1,500 years before. Chance? No way!
33AD Church still confined to Jerusalem. Many miracles occurred as they moved in the power of the Holy Spirit. However, contrary to popular belief, the very early church was not keen to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). They had a siege mentality. They did not want to see the Church taken over by gentiles as their nation had been by the Romans and others, in the past. Jesus preached to the Jews, so they also carried on in the same way, in the same tradition or ‘comfort zone’. They were disobedient to His new command, which may well have had important implications for all Church history, as we will see later. Conversions occurred and the Church spread, but mainly through people visiting Jerusalem and taking ‘the way’ home with them.
37AD The conversion of Paul, aged 29. After a period of seclusion, Paul started his ministry at age 30, the same age as Jesus. Significant, in that it was the age the Levites and priests started work in the Tabernacle, the accepted age of spiritual maturity. Paul, a Jew born in Tarsus in Greece, a Roman citizen, trained as a Pharisee from a young age in Jerusalem. An internationalist, he was called to do the work the Apostles and early church had neglected to do. Not God’s first choice but the ideal backup – right age, right birth, right training and fully committed to all he did, whether it was persecuting the Christians or leading them to Christ! Initially the churches were set up with unity of doctrine and church government but gradually, as Paul’s letters show, divisions began to appear.
48AD Paul and Barnabas go to Jerusalem to sort out a crucial problem within the early church that was causing a division between Jewish and gentile believers. The argument concerned the necessity for gentile believers to follow Jewish law and tradition, in particular the need for male circumcision. A ‘painful process’ for an adult male, but a requirement for entry into Judaism. After lengthy debate it was agreed that under ‘grace’, this previous legal requirement was no longer necessary. Much to the relief of gentile male converts, I’m sure! Tradition dies hard though! Legalism of a different sort didn’t take too long to return, particularly once the state got involved with the church. For the survival of the state effectively depends upon the rule of law.
68AD May or June: Paul executed in Rome. He had succeeded in establishing toehold churches throughout much of the known world, using his normal method of first preaching to the Jews in the local synagogue. When the Jews threw him out, which they invariably did, he turned to the local gentiles. The city authorities then usually ejected him, usually at the request of the Jews! The churches of this time were small, mostly house churches, initially at least. No giant cathedrals yet!
70AD 5th August: The burning of the temple, as prophesied by Jesus. Still hasn’t yet been physically replaced although there are Jews wishing to do so. As Christians, Jesus is our ‘spiritual temple’, so the rebuilding of a physical temple is unnecessary.
2nd September: The final destruction of the upper part of Jerusalem. Led to the Christians of the area being scattered throughout the known world, taking their faith and beliefs with them. Yes, a tragedy for the Jewish nation. But a positive step for the spreading of the gospel. God’s ways are certainly different to ours!
c.100 Death of the last of the Apostles, John. Authority and unity of ‘apostleship’ disappeared.

THE DECLINE OF THE CHURCH:

130 Laying on of hands becomes a formal ritual.
140 Ministry of the prophets vanishes.
150 Gifts of the Spirit are disappearing entirely.
160 Plurality of eldership fades away.
180 Local church autonomy diminishes as churches start to come under the control of Rome.
187 First infant baptism and sprinkling. Form over substance.
200 Ritual becoming the norm as the church had form but had lost its power. Water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ denied, largely through Pope Stephen.
210 Doctrine of the priesthood of all believers rejected as a class of clerics developed.
225 Church membership became based on a creed rather than salvation.
240 Holiness disappeared and worldliness infiltrated the church.
350 Roman Emperor Constantine made Christianity the state religion. Salvation by faith not required for membership, with many ‘heathen’ being forced to accept Christianity by the sword.
380 Rome became the final authority in church matters.

THE DARK AGES: An ongoing decline that lasted for over 1100 years until the Reformation.
1300’s Bible translated into easy English by John Wycliffe, and by others into the major European languages, enabling the spreading of the word amongst ordinary people, so setting the scene for the Reformation. Wycliffe’s theme was the interpretation of scripture, by scripture, not by man.

RESTORATION OF THE CHURCH:

Traditional Church
1517 Martin Luther started the Reformation with his revelation; “The just shall live by faith.”

Evangelical Church
1524 Water Baptism restored through the Anabaptists.
1559 John Calvin’s book “Institution of the Christian Religion” focused on “salvation by grace through faith.”
1600’s Emphasis on the restoration of spiritual life.
1738 Holiness emphasised by Wesley.
1792 William Carey founded the first missionary society, the BMS, to evangelise internationally.
1800’s Emphasis on social reform based on Christian principles e.g. Lord Shaftesbury in (factory and mining reform) and W E Gladstone (political reforms) in Britain and Charles Finney (abolition of slavery) in the USA.

Pentecostal Church
1901 The birth of the Pentecostal Movement in the USA saw the reintroduction of the gifts of the Spirit in a major way, to the church.
1904 The Welsh Revival was a practical example of the amazing affects that revival can have on society.
1920’s Introduced decades of the ministry of Evangelism to the church. e.g. D. L. Moody, Smith Wigglesworth, Billy Graham, Oral Roberts and many others majoring on the truths of water baptism and often, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The gifts that were restored as a result of this were primarily vocal - speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues and prophecy.

Charismatic Church
1948 First return of the prophetic ministry to the Pentecostal Church through the Latter Rain Movement.
1960’s The Charismatic Movement commenced, taking the gifts of the Spirit into many mainstream churches.
1970’s Prophets fully accepted in the church, bringing with them the truth of the laying on of hands. The revelation gifts that returned were word of knowledge, discernment of spirits and the word of wisdom.

What is apparent from this timeline is the parallel between the decline of the mainline church over the first 4 centuries and its ongoing restoration over the last 5, since the Reformation. The gospel truths and movement of the Holy Spirit however, were not entirely lost during the Dark Ages, being retained in Independent Church movements throughout the world. Considering the close parallels, it is not unreasonable to project into the future, the final restoration of the church, to its initial, early church position before decline occurred.

Next week we will look at the decline and restoration of the church, to see why it has developed the Ministerial, Pastoral, foundation of today.

FROM THE WORD

THE WORDS OF JESUS

May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.

Parable of the Son (Luke 15:11.32)

“Once there was a man who had two sons,” “The younger one told his father, ‘Father, give me my inheritance now.’ So the man divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son packed up what he had and left for a distant country. Here he wasted all his money living a reckless life. “After he’d spent everything, the country was hit by a severe famine and he was starving. So he went and took a job with one of the farmers there who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He was so hungry that he would have eaten even the pig food, but no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘All of my father’s workers have more than enough to eat—why am I dying from hunger here? I’m going home to my father! I’ll tell him, “Father, I’ve sinned against heaven and against you. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Please treat me as one of your hired workers.”’ So he left and went home to his father.
“Even though he was still far away in the distance, his father saw him coming, and his heart went out to his
son. The father ran to his son, hugging and kissing him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I’ve sinned against heaven and against you. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father told his servants, ‘Quick—bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the calf we’ve been fattening and kill it. Let’s have a feast to celebrate because this is my son who was dead, but who has returned alive; he was lost but now he’s found.’ So they started celebrating.
“Now the older son was working out in the fields. As he walked towards the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on.
“Your brother is back,” he replied, “and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he’s come home safe and sound.”
“The brother became angry. He refused to go in. So his father came out to plead with him.
“He told his father, ‘Look, all these years I’ve served you, and never disobeyed you, but you never once
gave me even a young goat so I could have a party with my friends. Now this son of yours comes back, having spent your money on prostitutes, and you kill the fattened calf for him!’
“‘Son,’ the father replied, ‘you are always here with me. Everything I have is yours. But we should be
happy and celebrate! This is your brother who was dead, but who has returned alive; he was lost but now he’s found!’”

(Continued next week.)

You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.

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'THE WORDS OF JESUS' NOW AVAILABLE FOR PDF DOWNLOAD

Join the many who have downloaded the 'The Words of Jesus'. I am sure you will be blessed by it, as I have been.

One key element here is the setting out in chronological order (as far as it is possible to do so) our Lord's words drawn from all the Gospels, and the elimination of repetition between Gospels.

You may be surprised by the different perspective this presentation gives you both in understanding of His life and ministry, and in achieving a closer relationship with Him.

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DAVID'S DOODLINGS

HOPE

497. I am so glad that my hope is in you Lord. For I so often let myself down.

498. Hope in self is not at all comforting on ones deathbed.

499. Our hope in Jesus is retained in the mind, even when our body tells us that there is none other left.

500. Hope for the best? Be assured of it in Jesus!

501. Hope enables us to wake up in the morning, confidently prepared to share the uncertainty of the day ahead with a friend.

502. Hope builds faith, which is to be reflected in love. Without hope, there is no love.

503. Hope overcomes hopelessness.

504. ‘Hoping for the best’ is at best a gamble, hope in the salvation of Jesus, a certainty.

505. Hope expands horizons.

506. God’s hope gives life, but human hopelessness brings death. The choice is ours.

507. The hope of tomorrow helps us deal with the realities of today.

Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. There are now over 1300 David sayings for you to view at ...

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CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER

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TUESDAY TEACHINGS

THIS WEEK:SERMON ON THE MOUNT continues.....

..... as we look at the vital subject of prayer.

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LAUGHING AT OURSELVES

***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***

*** Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others. ***

266. LOCH NESS MONSTER AND THE ATHIEST
An atheist was spending a quiet day fishing when suddenly his boat was attacked by the Loch Ness Monster. In one easy flip, the beast tossed him and his boat at least a hundred feet into the air. It then opened it's mouth waiting below to swallow them both.
As the man sailed head over heels and started to fall towards the open jaws of the ferocious beast he cried out, "Oh, my God! Help me!"

Suddenly, the scene froze in place and as the atheist hung in midair a booming voice came out of the clouds and said, "I thought you didn't believe in Me!"

"God, come on, give me a break!" the man pleaded, "Just seconds ago I didn't believe in the Loch Ness Monster either!"

"Well," said God, "now that you are a believer, you must understand that I won't work miracles to snatch you from certain death in the jaws of the monster, but I can change hearts. What would you have me do?"

The atheist thinks for a minute then says, "God, please have the Loch Ness Monster believe in You also.

"God replies, "So be it."

The scene starts in motion again with the atheist falling towards the ravenous jaws of the monster. The Loch Ness Monster folds his claws together and says, "Lord, bless this food You have so graciously provided . . ."

265. NO EXCUSE SUNDAY
To make it possible for everyone to attend church this Sunday, we are going to have a special "No Excuse Sunday":

!!! Cots will be placed in the foyer for those who say, "Sunday is my only day to sleep in."
!!! There will be a special section with lounge chairs for those who feel that our pews are too hard.
!!! Eye drops will be available for those with tired eyes from watching TV late Saturday night.
!!! We will have steel helmets for those who say, "The roof would cave in if I ever came to church."
!!! Blankets will be furnished for those who think the church is too cold, and fans for those who say it is too hot.
!!! Scorecards will be available for those who wish to list the hypocrites present.
!!! Relatives and friends will be in attendance for those who can't go to church and cook dinner, too.
!!! We will distribute "Stamp Out Stewardship" buttons for those that feel the church is always asking for money.
!!! One section will be devoted to trees and grass for those who like to seek God in nature.
!!! Doctors and nurses will be in attendance for those who plan to be sick on Sunday.
!!! The sanctuary will be decorated with both Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies for those who never have seen the church without them.
!!!We will provide hearing aids for those who can't hear the preacher and cotton balls for those who think he's too loud.

Hope to see you there!

"FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES One of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 800 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Where did the expression ‘red herring’ originate?

ANSWER: A ‘red herring’ is a diversionary tactic - something that draws attention away from the central issue. The term originated from the use of smoked herring (which is reddish brown and extremely strong-smelling) to distract hunting dogs from following a trail. In the seventeenth century, smoked herring was also used as a lure to train dogs to follow a scent. And, of course, it was also used by criminals to divert bloodhounds from the trail. (Still is!)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What creature has infrared receptors to help it catch prey in total darkness?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

461. HOW LONG?
Early systems of measurement used body parts to calculate length. A cubit ran from elbow to middle fingertip. The distance from fingertip to fingertip of outstretched arms was a fathom. (Used a small or tall person, depending on the length that best suited your requirements!)

462. SLOWS YOU UP
According to Newton's Law of Motion, if a car going 60 miles per hour in one direction gets hit by a mosquito going one mile per hour in the opposite direction, it will slow the car down one-millionth of a mile per hour. (The consequences for the mosquito however, are considerably more significant!)

463. WHY TO LIE?
Studies shown by the Psychology Department of DePaul University show that the principal reason to lie is to avoid punishment. (Will be later even if you avoid it now.)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

VECTOR

Answer at the end of A David Musing

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WHICH BOOK?

In which Gospel is this account found?

16: The Unjust Steward?

a. Matthew
b. Mark
c. Luke
d. John

Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk

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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!

"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""

!!!!!!! Energizer Bunny arrested -- charged with battery.

!!!!!! A man's home is his castle, in a manor of speaking.

!!!!! A pessimist's blood type is always b-negative.

!!!! My wife really likes to make pottery, but to me it's just kiln time

!!! Dijon vu -- the same mustard as before.

!! Marriage is the mourning after the knot before.

! corduroy pillows are making headlines.

100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/thought.php

TIL DEATH DO US PART

93. GOOD ADVICE
Want to have your husband remember your anniversary? Get married on his birthday.

94. WHO'S THERE?
A woman was at home with her children. The telephone rang. In going to answer it, she tripped on a rug. She grabbed for something to hold on to and seized the telephone table. It fell over, with a crash, jarring the receiver off the hook.

As the telephone table fell, it hit the family dog - who leaped up, howling and barking. The woman's three-year-old son, startled by the noise, broke into loud screams. The woman mumbled some colorful words. She, finally, managed to pick up the receiver and lift it to her ear.

On the other end was her husband's voice. "Nobody has said hello, yet; but, I'm positive I have the right number."

95. NO OPINION
An important and very well publicized trial was soon to begin. In preparation for the trial, the tiresome jury selection process took place.

One prospective juror, Douglas was called for his question session. He was asked, "Property holder?" Douglas replied, "Yes, I am, Your Honor."

Then he was asked, "Married or single?" Douglas responded, "Married for twenty years, Your Honor."

Then the judge asked, "Formed or expressed an opinion?" Douglas stated with certainty, "Not in twenty years, Your Honor."

96. COOKING!
When our second child was on the way, my wife and I attended a pre-birth class aimed at couples who had already had at least one child. The instructor raised the issue of breaking the news to the older child. It went like this:

"Some parents," she said, "tell the older child, 'We love you so much we decided to bring another child into this family.' But think about that. Ladies, what if your husband came home one day and said, 'Honey, I love you so much I decided to bring home another wife.'

One of the women spoke up immediately. "Does she cook???"

97. THE NEW EARS
A man lost both ears in an accident. No plastic surgeon could offer him a solution.

He hears of a very good one in England, and goes to see him. The surgeon examines him, thought a while, and says, "yes, I can help you."

After the operation, bandages off, stitches out, he goes to his hotel. The morning after, in a rage, he calls his surgeon, and yells, "You swine, you gave me a woman's ears!"

"Well, an ear is an ear. It makes no difference whether it is a man's or a woman's." "Are you having problems hearing with your new ears?" asks the Doc.

"No, Doc... I can hear just fine... but I don't understand a thing!"

Lots more family laughs here.....

http://www.wwj.org.nz/tddup.php

Of Course Muslims and Christians Don't Worship the Same God

BY MICHAEL BROWN

It is true that the three primary monotheistic faiths, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, all believe in an eternal, uncreated Creator God to whom all human beings must one day give account. But it is self-evident that Muslims and Christians do not worship the same God.

First, God is the heavenly Father of Christians, but Allah is not the Father of Muslims.

This is one of the most fundamental revelations of the Bible, which is why Jesus taught His followers to pray the "Our Father" prayer on a daily basis (Matthew 6:9-13). The New Testament even goes as far as saying that God has put the spirit of sonship into our hearts so that we can call God "Abba," just as Jesus called His Father "Abba" (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6).

But Allah is not seen as the heavenly Father in Islam, let alone as Abba, an even more endearing term. That's why, "Father" is not one of the 99 Names of Allah in Islamic theology.

Second, through Jesus, we can have intimate fellowship — even friendship — with God.

Already in the Old Testament, God referred to Abraham as His friend (Isaiah 41:8), but in the New Testament, Jesus takes this even further, saying to His disciples, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you" (John 15:13-14).

A Muslim could not possibly think of Allah in such terms.

To the Muslim, God (Allah) is too transcendent and "other" to be our friend. He to is worshiped and adored and obeyed, just as our heavenly Father is to be worshiped and adored and obeyed, but Muslims do not have "fellowship" with God as Christians do (see 2 Corinthians 13:14).

In Islam, a human being cannot enjoy that kind of personal intimacy with the Creator.

This difference between the Christian conception of God and the Muslim conception of God is seen clearly when we consider the aspect of prayer. And so, the depth of communion we enjoy with the Lord is expressed in the words of a famous hymn by Fanny Crosby, who wrote,

O the pure delight of a single hour

That before Thy throne I spend,

When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God

I commune as friend with friend!

In Islam, Muslims must follow prescribed prayers in Arabic, even if they don't understand Arabic. So much for friendship with the deity.

This alone underscores the deep contrast between these two faiths in terms of how God is viewed.

Third, Christians believe that Jesus is the full manifestation of God whereas Muslims see Jesus as only a human prophet, not as the unique representation of the image of God.

Jesus told His disciples that if they He had seen Him, they had seen the Father, that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him, and that He and the Father are one (John 14:9-11; 10:30).

The New Testament also states that Jesus is the very image of invisible God and "the exact imprint of [God's] nature" (Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3).

All of these concepts are totally foreign to Islam.

For Muslims, Jesus is simply another creation of Allah. For Christians, Jesus is the one through whom the Father made the universe.

Fourth, what for Christians is the "blessed Trinity" is for Muslims a cursed blasphemy.

For 200 years, Christians have sung the classic hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy" which speaks of "God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity," articulating truths taught by the Church for centuries.

The words of that hymn are terribly offensive to Muslims, as emphasized in a chapter in the Quran which Muslims recite in prayer 5 times a day, Sura 112, which states that Allah "begets not, nor was He begotten; And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him."

This Sura was originally spoken with reference to Muhammad's polytheistic hearers but was then applied to Christian beliefs as well. This means that 5 times a day, Muslims denounce some of the most fundamental tenets of the Christian faith.

Fifth, true Christians would rather die than deny Jesus as Lord; true Muslims would rather die than confess Him as Lord.

This is as basic as it gets, and I can't imagine that a devoted Christian or Muslim would argue with this premise.

The New Testament tells us that an essential element of salvation is confessing Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10). In stark contrast, the Quran says of those who believe that Jesus is God's Son, "Allah's curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth" (Sura 9:30).

Can there really be any serious debate as to whether Muslims and Christians worship the same God?

Someone could argue that both faiths represent human attempts to please and obey the Creator, but what those faiths say explicitly about that Creator is mutually exclusive.

We do not worship the same God, which is why Muslims seek to convert Christians to Islam and Christians seek to convert Muslims to faith in Jesus.

The good news is that Jesus really is Lord and that one day, willingly or unwillingly, every knee will bow to Him and every tongue will make that very confession — "Jesus the Messiah is Lord" — to glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).

SOURCE: http://www.christianpost.com

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THE POWER OF THE CALL

Understanding the call of God upon your life and that of the church.

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WAXING LYRICAL

Written over several weeks, this poem was the culmination of several months of looking and looking, and looking, for premises for another recycled clothing shop in our sister city, 20km away. Everything happened in the Lord's timing!

THE BUILDING

Look, look, look,
It's all it took,
Not by the book,
Nor how to cook.

Look at one,
Yes, its done!
Too much mon,
It's no fun.

But this week?
More to seek.
Find no leak,
Must be meek.

Offer Tuesday,
Answer Friday.
Delayed Monday!
Relaxed today.

More delay,
Here stay.
Only pray.
One day!

Met landlord,
Seeming accord.
All aboard?
Monday Lord!

Contract signed!
Grateful mind.
God's kind,
We dined!

All's well,
Ring bell.
Clothes sell?
Months tell!

Thanks Lord.
Bon-accord.
Praises afford,
Welcome aboard!

More of David's poetry here.....

http://wwj.org.nz/waxing.php

A DAVID MUSING

2016

A new year is here.
But will we hear?
Desire to be in one accord,
With our master and Lord.

To be in His rest,
Is often a test.
May the Lord take you there,
Be an end all your despair.

JESUS IS LORD!

So until next week.....

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: COVERT

TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' C. Luke 16:1-18

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ABOUT US

WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God’s people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ’s return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord’s direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our website
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.

Walking With Jesus Ministries
7 Bull Street
Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand

Phone: (06) 835 0567 International (+64) 6 835 0567

Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz

Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "… so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole – and have a smile while doing it!

For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
david@wwj.org.nz