CP 265 Worship on the Wallaby – Camden, NSW, January 3 and 10

Hey, we are in the midst of pack and move so this week I’m sharing something from the last two Sundays. Today we were at Camden Baptist, “Introducing our community to Jesus as we care, learn and celebrate together.” Last Sunday we went to Camden Anglican, “Putting people on the right track.” The style of both services was identical, and in fact pretty much the same as any Penty church. Lutherans and others often get stick for being ‘liturgical’ but boy is there is a format by which all these services run: Opening praise songs (2 or 3), Offering ‘talk’ and receival, prayer time, mission sharing, song, the sermon or message, prayer and song. I’m not being critical. I enjoyed both services. Both had a gentler un-hyped singing, preaching and conversation.

Both churches had a genuine friendliness, though we were a bit taken aback as we approached the Baptist church front door by the press of bodies icinged with white or grey hair. T’was quite remarkable (intimidating?) how many elderly folk were rolling up at 9.25am… four of them with zimmer frames! Be that as it may, both churches had lots of younger folk and younger families, and were obviously engaging with their local community. There were some differences. The Anglicans sit on a hill overlooking Camden town as one would expect when the land was donated by the descendants of John Macarthur! The Baptists have their place in a dead-end side street. It is a very ordinary building, circa 1960, though with a lovely, wide contemporary set of stain glass windows high up, Quite a contrast to the Anglican church, circa 1850, with classic high pointed ceiling and covered in stained glass.

The messages were a contrast. The Anglican preacher focused on being thankful in all circumstances. The Baptist lay-preacher gave us an exposition of Matthew 14:1-14. His message was that Jesus wants us to keep the Law the way Jesus told the rich Pharisee to do. It was advice, and advice based on Law! I didn’t hear the gospel preached today.

In both churches they prayed for Helen! What could I possibly mean? Well, obviously Operation Christmas Child (Samaritan’s Purse) is seen as part of the mission of both churches. That Baptist congregation put together 568 Christmas boxes last year! The Anglican’s something similar. Both reported on members on mission trips and challenges in Cambodia and other places. Then in their prayers they prayed for those who organise and coordinate that work of gathering and distribution. And Helen Wirz, member of Good Shepherd Campbelltown, where I was Pastor for the last 5 years, is the volunteer warehouse coordinator for the entire NSW effort! It was humbling and encouraging to sit there in worship and rejoicing in the heart, because ‘they’re praying for Helen whom I know and cherish.

Some final comments. First, we are really missing Holy Communion… it just doesn’t figure much in the thinking / theology of lots of churches.

Secondly, since the beginning of November, I haven’t heard the word ‘repentance’ used even once in worship… which means…?

Thirdly, it’s amazing how often the shortcomings of the spoken word in worship are overcome by delightful, refreshing, edifying, singable Jesus Christ songs / hymns…

Fourthly, just so you know, I’m filing these worship experiences under the heading, “Worship on the Wallaby” because we’ll be on the road round Oz for the next 11 months. Camden is about 60km south-west of Sydney.