Talks

We remember the life of the Queen, an incredible servant of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for over 70 years and pray for the new King.

Then, Matt re-focusses us towards our Ashwood Vision for 2022: “Climbing Higher, Seeing Beyond.”
He boldly declares “We haven’t stopped climbing!”

In the same way that God invited Moses to come up the mountain to meet with Him, we believe that God extends the same invitation to us.
Mountains in the bible were places of worship, sometimes sacrifice and encounter – we don’t have to climb a mountain to experience God. BUT we do have to make a choice to come into His presence actively.
The 4 pictures on our banners represent 4 different elements:

Picture 1) When we climb a mountain our natural perspective changes.  So, too our spiritual perspective when we move towards God.
Picture 2) This year we’ve explored some “Spiritual Practices”.  Jesus often “withdraw” to a quiet place we need to as well.  (See previous series) and also our focus to “Make Space” in September.
Picture 3) Don’t climb alone! God is more concerned with our Character Development than our comfort! When we walk/climb alongside others, we develop character and become more like Christ. God wants us to be planted and to grow! And his vehicle is …. Alongside other people! = Church!

Matt talks about 5 Culture Goals we’re always working towards:
We pray first
We welcome everybody
We speak well of one another
We grow and learn together
We welcome feedback (in the context of loving, kind and growing relationships)
Picture 4) There’s a new confidence for us! “He (God) makes me sure footed like a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain hights” - Psalm 18.33.

Steve Wendels talks to us about the five-fold ministry on the day we honour Dave and Esther Ransome after years of service in Ashwood Church.
His message is based on Ephesians 4:11-13 and to help us understand it better, Steve answers three questions about this text:
WHO?
- People (defined under WHAT), appointed by Christ himself. Now, these people are appointed by the church, as directed by Jesus’ Holy Spirit
WHAT?
- The Apostle who is a pioneer, sent to lay strong, Christlike foundations within the church
- The Prophet, to speak truth whether past, present or past and to encourage the gift of prophesy in the church. He speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort
- The Evangelist, called to create an evangelical spirit within the church.
- The Pastor who is called to lead the flock and
- The Teacher who is called to uncompromisingly teach biblical truth
WHY?
- To equip God’s people for works of service
- To encourage all to reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God
- To become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ

Did you know that the human eye only picks up 0.0035% of the electromagnetic spectrum? Perrianne encourages us to go into God’s presence and let Him show us the big picture, things the human eye can’t see, His realm. 
Paul focuses on climbing higher and tells us the story of an airplane that has rodents chew at the cables, which disables vital functions for landing. One solution to kill the rodents is to fly higher and deprive them of oxygen. Song of Salomon says (2:15) “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes  that ruin the vineyards”. There are “little foxes” in our lives that we can get rid of by going higher with God.

Matt explains the vision and mission statement of Ashwood church: To be a spiritually healthy and growing church and to help people find and follow Jesus.
Zoe introduces the 2022 Vision for Ashwood to us that is embedded in this : “Climbing Higher - Seeing Beyond”.
This year, we will be looking at mountain experiences in the bible, how we can meet God corporately and individually, how we can help each other grow and how we can carry the good news down the mountains to the people in need of receiving them.
To hear more about this great year ahead, please click the link below: