We have this short-term yet intense experience of living in competing experiences. It is a competition for the health of our soul, for the health of our church.

Our part of the world here is so rich, so full, and yet so unsatisfied, so hungry. Yet, Christian is someone who can be full of contentment.

A church’s health will be shaped by her leadership health. This is one of the largest human influences in our church. We recognize this is a reality, and especially in a Presbyterian church where the name of the denomination is biblical leadership, defined.

There are many vulnerable people in our society, some seen and some unseen.

From the unborn, to the underprivileged…

From defenseless little children, to teenagers, all ages can be bullied…

From the homeless and poor, to those with far less opportunities than most of us…

The vulnerable can become victims of abuse, and in our society, this surely could be almost anybody.

Can we see the vulnerable?

What are you devoted to? What do you immerse yourself in? What does your daily life see you practice? This last week, the AFL Swans scandal has shown again that the gods of football will always let you down. They will disappoint you. And if you immerse yourself in them, you will be ultimately devastated. But Jesus, Christ, he will never let you down.

In gym culture, they call it "never skip leg day." It’s an accepted cultural religious rule, a trustworthy saying of fitness.

So that when Paul writes to Timothy, he reaches for a truth just as foundational, introducing it with a familiar refrain to us: "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance…”

Only a Christian who actually believes the cross has settled the question of God's generosity can enjoy God’s goodness in life, without turning it into a basis on their own righteousness. Because the giving of God is for your joy, and his goodness ultimately given for your joy in Jesus.

Here is what we need, what we can pray for, what our vision is for a culture of Christ here at Reforming. It is the shared experience of grace for the undeserving, worked out in our congregation's relationships, tone, honesty and humility.

This is the gospel grounded service of a Deacon, this is the power behind it. A power that is missing from care for others without the gospel.

“Presbyterianism” is leadership defined, that is we are led by Elders - and a church will only ever be as healthy as her leaders.