Here at LRCC we are on about building Christ's church*, in the Ridge on the solid rock of Jesus Christ and his good news, gospel word.
[* Of course, building Christ’s church is his business before it is ours. We do our bit. But God brings the growth; Christ builds his church. And remember, when we talk about Christ’s ‘church’, we’re not speaking about the building, but us – Christ’s own saved, and set-apart people!]
So, let’s break it down.
What does building Christ’s church look like here at LRCC?
It begins with building up...
(or better, being built up) as we get to be and see God's mob growing more and more like Jesus together:
(or better, being built up) as we get to be and see God's mob growing more and more like Jesus together:
- as his powerful word is prayerfully spoken and shared by ordinary believers
- while his powerful Spirit does his own work of transforming hearts and whole communities like ours.
It continues with building in...
(again, being built in is more like it), for as Christ’s powerful word goes out with the prayers of his people, we long to see individuals, whole families, even whole communities being built into God's mob – receiving forgiveness and a fresh start through a new, heart-level reliance on Jesus as Lord.
(again, being built in is more like it), for as Christ’s powerful word goes out with the prayers of his people, we long to see individuals, whole families, even whole communities being built into God's mob – receiving forgiveness and a fresh start through a new, heart-level reliance on Jesus as Lord.
That’s what being built up and built in to the church of Jesus looks like:
'For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.' (Col. 1:13–14 NIV) But what about 'in the Ridge, on the Rock’? What’s that bit all about? |
'For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness...' (Col. 1:13) |
In the Ridge....
this means we are local, we have a context on country; we respect the unique physical and cultural landscape in which we live, and as a church that finds its unity in Jesus, we extend his welcome to folk of all ages and stages, tribes and cultures that long to receive Christ’s offer of rest for all souls.
this means we are local, we have a context on country; we respect the unique physical and cultural landscape in which we live, and as a church that finds its unity in Jesus, we extend his welcome to folk of all ages and stages, tribes and cultures that long to receive Christ’s offer of rest for all souls.
On the Rock...
this means that despite our local flavour, our fixed foundation (our ‘level’, if you like) is the solid Rock of Jesus Christ and his good news, gospel word – the one and only bedrock for a happy and healthy local church.
this means that despite our local flavour, our fixed foundation (our ‘level’, if you like) is the solid Rock of Jesus Christ and his good news, gospel word – the one and only bedrock for a happy and healthy local church.
This is what we mean by our vision:
BUILDING CHRIST'S CHURCH, IN THE RIDGE ON THE ROCK! We are a church with local features and gospel foundations; a Christ-shaped work-in-progress that believes our Jesus when he says: 'on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.' (Matt. 16:18 NIV) And when Jesus says ‘on this rock’, let’s be clear – he is speaking about himself and his gospel word! |
'on this rock I will build my church...' (Matt. 16:18 NIV) |
our core values
So, what does this vision look like on the ground in LRCC? How does the principle of ‘building Christ’s church’ translate into practice?
In short, the gospel vision we have (and the gospel message we preach) spills over into a gospel culture that is expressed in at least five ways. Call them five ‘core values’, five ‘marks’ of our gospel culture, whatever… this is the way things roll around here:
In short, the gospel vision we have (and the gospel message we preach) spills over into a gospel culture that is expressed in at least five ways. Call them five ‘core values’, five ‘marks’ of our gospel culture, whatever… this is the way things roll around here:
- Everyone’s welcome – the good news of Christ’s welcome to sinners like us means we welcome people from all ages and stages, races and places, including the many diverse tribes and cultures that are represented in our local community :: In our church, everyone is welcome.
- Everyone’s working together – the good news of Christ’s mob being made of all different parts means we believe in helping each one of our members to be more like Jesus day by day, and more willing and able to serve others in the way Christ has wired us. Some of us cook meals; others meet up with those who are sick or lonely; others serve on rosters, others pray. Most importantly, we work together in a deep, gospel-won unity which means we love and serve each other, in the Spirit’s power, even when it is impossibly hard work :: In our church, everyone has a part to play.
- A special heart for the ‘little ones’ – the good news that Jesus said ‘let the little children come to me’ means we have a special place for the ‘little ones’ (e.g. the orphan, the widow, the stranger) in our hearts, but especially the children, youth and young families of Lightning Ridge, who represent the next generation of Jesus-lovers and leaders in our town :: In our church, we go out of our way to love the least, the last and the lost.
- Gospel-shaped gatherings – we believe that the gospel prayerfully spoken and applied is the only means (under God) by which Christ's church is built; in our church, everything we do in our groups and gatherings is shaped by the good news gospel we believe and preach. More than that, the gospel shapes our culture as a church :: In our church, the gospel shapes the way we gather and grow together.
- Gospel-driven partnerships – we thank God for the many rich gospel partnerships we enjoy, including our seven formal link church partnerships through Bush Church Aid (BCA), as well as the various local and overseas missionaries and mission agencies we support (Church Mission Society, BCA and Bible League are some of our favs) :: In our church, we recognise that we are part of something bigger.
Well, there you have it – our five core values or gospel culture markers, as part of Christ’s great, big church building project that we are privileged to be a part of.
We do hope you can join us at LRCC, as we each play our part (under God) of building Christ's church, in the Ridge on the Rock! |
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, |
Our Staff Team
Kurt Langmead
Minister / BCA Field Staff Kurt is an Anglican Minister by ordination and training, as well as Bush Church Aid (BCA) Field Staff along with his wife Rebecca, and growing family of five kids.
Kurt and Bec grew up in the Sutherland Shire (Sydney), but have spent their nine years of formal church ministry in north-western NSW (Armidale Diocese). Kurt and Bec moved to Lightning Ridge in 2020, and now have five children - June, Arthur, Lydia, Jeremiah and Timothy. Kurt and Bec love nothing more than sharing their lives and the gospel with people in places that others might miss. In his down time, other than enjoying a coffee, Kurt likes bike riding, reading and, oddly enough, running after dark! To contact Kurt (day off Thursday):
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Heather Robinson
Children's Ministry Team Leader Heather visited Lightning Ridge as part the Welcome Week team (from Sydney) in 2019, then moved to live here and be our Children's Ministry Team Leader in 2021.
Heather works closely with the church and the schools, and is passionate about seeing children and their wider family networks come to build their lives on the Rock of Christ. In addition to overseeing ROCKgarden (Sunday School) and SRE (Scripture), Heather runs a lunchtime 'SUPA Club', an afterschool group called DIG, visits the preschool for Bible Time, and walks her dog, Sasha. Heather also helps organise our local 'Welcome Week' kids' and youth mission, held annually together with NorthLight Anglican (Sydney). To contact Heather - part time (half day Sun & Mon, full day Wed & Fri) |
Our Parish Council
Our current parish councillors (2023-24):
Parish Council is the ‘lay’ (i.e. non-staff) leadership body of the local church in the Anglican denomination, and consists of the roles of Wardens and Councillors, either elected or appointed, at each year’s AGM. LRCC Parish Council meetings are ordinarily held on the first Sunday of each month. The requirements and responsibilities for councillors are set out in the current Parish Governance and Administration Ordinance of the Anglican Diocese of Armidale.
If you have any questions or comments about this update, or wish to discuss any broader matters related to the work of parish council (including Safe Ministry or OH&S matters), please feel free to chat with any of our councillors, or you can contact Kurt (minister) directly: 02 6829 0597 | [email protected].
- Annie Barclay - Warden
- Bob Barrett
- Maureen Murray
- Rhonda White
Parish Council is the ‘lay’ (i.e. non-staff) leadership body of the local church in the Anglican denomination, and consists of the roles of Wardens and Councillors, either elected or appointed, at each year’s AGM. LRCC Parish Council meetings are ordinarily held on the first Sunday of each month. The requirements and responsibilities for councillors are set out in the current Parish Governance and Administration Ordinance of the Anglican Diocese of Armidale.
If you have any questions or comments about this update, or wish to discuss any broader matters related to the work of parish council (including Safe Ministry or OH&S matters), please feel free to chat with any of our councillors, or you can contact Kurt (minister) directly: 02 6829 0597 | [email protected].