1. MANY TRENDS THREATEN OUR CITY: (BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO CONTINUE)
60,000 Australian children affected by abuse and neglect (Fed. Gov. report May08)
9,860 Vic. youth (10-14yrs) arrests for violence, rape, shoplifting (up 18% 2006-07)
48% households single person occupancy by 2030 (“Melbourne 2030” Report)
33% 18 to 24yrs classify themselves as binge drinkers (37% of young women)
Assaults in Melbourne CBD increased by 17.5% in 2007
100,000 homeless in Australia; Continuing increase of Poverty in Australia
Record gambling losses in Vic. in last 6mths – over $1.3bn on pokies (up $55 million)
500 people took their own lives in Vic (2007).
Young girls self-harming up 45% in 10 years
Decline in personal morality impacting business ($2bn losses by Shoplifting 2007)
Child obesity 30% (20-25% in ’90s),
100,000 new cases of Diabetes pa nationally,
ALL THESE ARISE FROM SPIRITUAL NEEDS WHICH JESUS CAME TO ADDRESS,
He calls us to believe God can reverse them by His Spirit and a faithful Church
2. POWERFUL MOVEMENTS ARE INTENTIONAL ON SHAPING OUR FUTURE
Secular humanism, the homosexual lobby and extremist religions
Multiculturalism claiming all faiths (incl witchcraft) accepted as equal to Christianity
These are seeing increasing restrictions of church freedom & Christian values
(Pushing for legislation to legalise all abortion, euthanasia, to remove tax exemptions for Church work)
3. THE CHURCH AS A WHOLE IS NOT INTENTIONAL ON SHAPING OUR FUTURE
(What if the whole Church did become intentional in seeing God’s Kingdom established here!)
These trends ARE reversible! God Could do this in our city!
He has transformed cities and nations before – eg social transformation of Wales 1904
And in Melbourne in the mid 1800s and in the great revival in 1902.
Will we – the Church – Claim the Future? Or just continue as we are?
He will not renew our city unless we let Him renew us.
IT IS URGENT!
“Something is happening among God’s people
In these cities of ours
It’s happening right now
Two kingdoms are wrestling for the city’s soul
It isn’t too late to win
If we will rise up early
Our cities deserve a tomorrow
Unable to possess their tomorrows on their own
All Children of Joshua arise!”
Jack Hayford
ENCOURAGING SIGNS OF THE RENEWING OF THE CHURCH
a. Growing prayer movement: 24/7, prayer networks
b. House Church Movement gathering momentum
c. Developing Marketplace ministries
d. Many Young Christians – dedicated, radical, praying disciples
e. A new concern for justice
f. Restlessness amongst God’s people for something better
What can we do NOW? PRAY!
JOIN WITH OTHERS IN UNITED PRAYER for the Church and the City
“There has never been a spiritual awakening in any time or place that has not been preceded by Sustained United Prayer”
The Great Revival in Melbourne in 1902 was preceded by small groups of believers joining to cry out for God to visit and renew our city. Over years it grew to a movement of 1700 groups from many denominations praying together. The call to UNITED PRAYER has been the core focus of all transformation movements, including Transforming Melbourne.
God will be known in our city as WE are transformed be His love and presence!