Church at Grand Central in Brisbane
Stewart and Susan Harris, members of the Forge missional training network in Brisbane, are starting a missional church in the context of Brisbane’s Central Railway Station. Here’s the text from an article recently printed in the Queensland Baptist Magazine…
What is Central?
Central will be a group of Christian ‘City Dwellers’ (people who work in or live in or near the City) forming a church community that will be intentionally shaped by the mission of Jesus. Central will meet on Tuesdays @ 5:30pm in the Dining Car of the Grand Central Hotel (Ann St, opposite the Shrine of Remembrance).
Why meet at Central Railway Station?
Simple answer: because there are lots of people there! It’s going to be great doing church right there in the flow of city life! Our long term goal is to make Jesus and His church more accessible to the average person. Initially a core group will meet to renew their commitment to Christ’s mission. In time, our interested non Christian friends will be able to continue their search by coming along to Central with us.
What will happen at Central?
We will restructure our lives for mission by using Lifestyle – pray, standout, socialize, include, companion*, 5 clues to living mission. So a night might include investigating from the Bible how to live an attractive, distinctive Christian life, discussing a topic dominating culture, planning how to create meaningful social opportunities, praying for friends, learning how to engage people in conversations, discussing ways we can share the gospel in word and action. Most of the evangelism will happen through relationships in the flow of life, not in a building. (* Lifestyle developed by City North Baptist.)
Why meet on Tuesday’s?
First, it’s a good time for ‘City Dwellers’ to meet. People who work in the city can easily come to Central on their way home. Second, it will make some Sunday’s more available for meaningful socializing with non Christian friends. Third, it will be easier for curious ‘City Dwellers’ to access a church community.
If someone joins Central will they have to leave their church?
Yes and No. Central would become the core group’s church. But because we won’t meet on Sundays, people could continue their association with their local church. Central’s aim is to work in partnership with other churches that would release people who share Central’s focus.
Interested? Need more info? Contact Stewart & Susan Harris ssharris at tpg.com.au / 0401 762 121 and come along to an info night on Tuesday October 16, 23, 30.
