Life is a Story (ViNE Video)

Things are coming together for Vine Church. Last night we had our supporters evening with 71 people, some great food, drinks and live music. Al Stewart spoke on the need for new churches in Australia, Justin Moffatt on the scope for mission in the inner city, and I spoke on the mission, rhythm and identities of the Vine.

Check out our website and watch the following video on vimeo.

VINE CHURCH from jason perini on Vimeo.

Apatheism and The Weight of Glory

Over the past year a group of friends and I have been getting together each month to pray and begin a conversation about what it would look like to live creatively as a community in the story of Jesus. This Sunday we begin meeting weekly and are starting out with a series on Ephesians called “The Weight of Glory.”

Why this topic?

Well, last week I finished my leaving thesis for Moore College in which I looked at the issue of apatheism (apathy + theism or atheism). I reckon this is the biggest barrier to faith in Australia. Dorothy Sayers, refers to something similar under the name acedia (or sloth), and defines it as the condition

that believes in nothing, enjoys nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing, and remains alive because there is nothing for which it will die.

Yet, even in an apathetic and cynical age, people are desperate to believe in something bigger than themselves, to become part of a worthy cause, to be devoted to something weighty. In a situation where existence is felt to be unbearably light, those living in the story of Jesus speak about something of ultimate significance – the weight of glory. Hence this series.

The Weight of Glory IN the Church

1. The Weight of Glory in Redemption (Eph 1)	14 Nov
2. The Weight of Glory in Reconciliation (Eph 2)	21 Nov
3. The Weight of Glory in the Revelation (Eph 3)	28 Nov

The Weight of Glory THROUGH the Church

4. The Weight of Glory in Community (Eph 4)	5 Dec
5. The Weight of Glory in Cruciformity (Eph 5)	12 Dec
6. The Weight of Glory in Combat (Eph 6)	19 Dec