A Minute with Chris
Senior Pastor
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Thursday 4 September, 2025
As I write this, our fruit trees and our grass are bursting into flower. I will never lose my wonder at the beauty and exquisite sense of timing the plants in my back yard possess.
Every year like clockwork it happens. For me, each time I find myself connecting with the created order, I find it draws me nearer to the One who created it. Whether it is a pod of dolphins swimming up to me as I paddle on the bay, or the dazzling beauty of the night sky in the middle of Australia, or even the simple things like my plum trees bursting into flower.
There are little reminders everywhere if we look for them. Romans 1 tells us that
“… since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
I think one of the ploys of the evil one in our era has been to remove us as much as possible from the created order. From the breakdown of our natural circadian rhythms, to the move to indoor life. Many of us more enthusiastic about watching a nature documentary on tv, than actually venturing out to see it for ourselves.
When we do allow ourselves time in the garden or at the park or down at the beach, something changes within us. Perhaps our sense of wonder is renewed, and ever so slightly, our hearts, our bodies, and our minds incline themselves a little more towards the one who created us.
One of the great things our Creation Care team do each year is facilitate awareness about this good creation God has placed us in. There are a range of resources and activities you, your family, and friends can connect in with at https://sb.org.au/creationcare.
This spring don’t just take time to smell the roses, while you do it, give God the glory for inventing them.
Blessings,
Chris Danes
What's Coming Up?
Church at Prayer
We have our next Church at Prayer event coming up on Wednesday 10th September at 7.30pm in the West Auditorium.
On the night we will be praying through Scripture, spending time in worship and praying for others.
Our prayer team will also be available during the night for personal prayer.
We hope to see you there!
Season of Creation
Season of Creation has kicked off and there are some great opportunities to engage with God through his creation during September.
The Creation Care Team have scheduled 3 events running over the next few weeks, as well as compiled some helpful resources you might want to check out.
This all kicks off with an Art Show in the West Lobby this Sunday, where you can enjoy some of the artwork done by our Tribe kids, inspired by God's creation.
Find everything about Season of Creation via the button below.
Find Out More
You may remember that the past two years we have conducted a church-wide survey with the intention of getting a sense of how our community of believers is going in their walk with Jesus and their experiences at SBC.
The information we gathered has given us some great insights into areas of strength as well as areas which we need to grow in.
The plan has always been to gather new information every year to continue to better see where positive change is taking place, and where we can keep working to improve the care, support, resourcing, equipping and structural change to help people on their journeys with Jesus.
So we would love you to take 5-10 mins to complete the survey linked below.
It is completely anonymous and is primarily multiple choice and the information gathered will only be used to help inform and shape our mission and ministry at Syndal.
We need as many people as possible from SBC to complete the survey to give us the most accurate data, and we need all surveys submitted by Sunday 28th September.
Thanks so much for your help!
Complete Survey
Fuel Trivia Night
On the 19th of September, we will be having our annual Trivia Night Fundraiser where the youth run a night for their parents, siblings and other people from the church to come along to. The night will go from 7- 9:30 pm and cost $20 per adult, $10 for children in primary school and free for younger children (no cost for youth). Funds raised will go straight to reducing costs for youth and leaders for Fuel Camp 2026. You can book tickets per person or for a table of up to 10. If you have any questions, please contact Way at wlim@sb.org.au.
Silent AuctionThis year we would also like to try and run a silent auction as part of the fundraiser so if you have any new items (sport equipment, electronics, toys, household items, etc.) or experiences (a stay at a holiday house, a cleaning service, etc.) you could donate, please let Tom Postlethwaite know at tpostlethwaite@sb.org.au
Find Out More
Prayers and Squares
There will a prayer quilt in the foyer this Sunday. Please take the time to stop, pray and tie a knot for Denis if you are at church.
Please pray for Denis and tie a knot in his prayer quilt this Sunday. Denis has experienced much loss in his life and currently lacks a safe place to live. He would love prayer for his life to improve and to have a safe and simple home where he can have a TV, bathroom and keep his dog. Denis will be very encouraged to see that many people have prayed for him so please show your support visibly by tying a prayer knot.
If you won't be at church to tie a knot this Sunday, you can indicate you've prayed via the button below.
If you'd like to request a quilt, contact Rosie on rmerrigan@sb.org.au or via the church office on (03) 9803 9144.
I've prayed!
Scripture Reading Resources
As a church we are in the middle of working through a 4 week sermon series about the practice of reading Scripture. We'll also be exploring group material about this from the Practicing the Way ministry in our Life Groups.
If you find yourself wanting to grown in your Bible reading practice, and would like some options for what to read, how to read, and to help you better understand what you're reading, we have compiled a number of different resources at sb.org.au/bible (linked below).
You'll find helpful reading plans, Bible reading methods, websites and more.
Find Out More
Support Foodbank as they support others
Our Community Care Foodbank provides struggling locals with pantry items they need. Every month you are invited to purchase and donate certain items the Foodbank requires.
This month's items are:
Dry biscuits – (savoury or sweet)
Sanitary pads – (a variety of liners, regular and extra absorbency pads are needed)
Toothbrushes
Soap (pack of 5)
You can drop donations off in the shopping trolley near the High Street Road entrance to the West Auditorium lobby or in the tub in the East Fellowship Area.
Thanks so much for your support!
Next English Sermon Series
This four-week series will explore the beauty and depth of Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. This letter has long been a source of wisdom, encouragement and challenge for followers of Jesus, so we hope you will join us as we learn why – and how it can still speak into life today.
Series starts in English congregations Sunday 21st September.
Parent Seminar
An event with Karinya Counselling Centre, with guests from Syndal Baptist Youth ministry and Headspace Youth Mental Health services.
Feeling overwhelmed by the digital world’s influence on your family? Struggling to navigate boundaries with your teen? You’re not alone. Join us to build your confidence and gain practical tools for healthy device use at home.
Cost:
$15pp online registration
$20pp pay at the door
Find Out More
Join the team
We would love to have more people join our teams at syndal to help the ministiries run effectively. The great news is that our groups are growing - Youth has doubled in size in the past 5 years, but this means we need more leaders.
There are needs in Tribe, Fuel, Playgroup, Communion serving and Connect teams in the English services. If you would like to find out how you could get involved, please contact Larissa via lwanstall@sb.org.au.
Sign up to serve
Membership Applications
When someone applies to become an official member at Syndal Baptist Church, we communicate this to the church for two weeks. If there is any reason the membership should not be approved please contact Chris Danes via cdanes@sb.org.au with any concerns.
The following people have applied for membership:
Ashleigh Cormack
Kai-Lin Chen
Apply for Membership
Member in Service Spotlight
Freyja Saunderson
People Services Manager, OM Australia
Freyja overees the selection, training, and sending of missionary candidates, as well the ongoing care and well-being of Australian OMers around the world. She also serves on the leadership teams of OM Australia, TeenStreet QLD, and Activate Mission Conference.
WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN YOUR MINISTRY RECENTLY?In April, we held another successful TeenStreet in QLD. We give thanks to God for all that happened during that week, especially as we were at a new venue and at a different time of year. We continue to hear stories of teens impacted for Christ, including another baptism at the end of August. In June, we ran our bi-annual Pre-Field Training, which had the most new missionary recruits since 2015! This was a great encouragement to our team. They are currently raising financial support and should be starting on their fields in the next 6 months. At the end of August, Activate Mission Conference was a great day full of encouragement and exhortation to take seriously God's call to the nations. We were also at a new venue and are thankful for a new partnership with Full Gospel Assembly church.
WHAT'S COMING UP IN YOUR MINISTRY?
We will be holding our second Pre-Field Training for 2025 in October. We are currently expecting 6-8 people, but possibly more. This includes 3 families with children, which we have been praying for for quite a while! It does mean we need to put on a kids program, so if you'd be interested in serving in that way, please let me know! We are in the midst of several recruitment processes for our Australian team, which require wisdom and discernment. Meetings for TeenStreet QLD 2026 have commenced, and we will shortly reconvene to pray and dream for Activate 2026.
HOW HAVE YOU SEEN GOD AT WORK?As I mentioned, Activate has formed a new partnership with Full Gospel Assembly. Our main speaker from Activate stayed on to preach at all of their services the following day. I went along to the final service to support the speaker and then drive them to the airport. I came away so encouraged to hear that FGA has sent around 100 people on short-term mission trips last year and again this year, and they are exploring what pathways to future long-term service might look like. They are seeking our input into further developing their global mission strategy. It is clear that the Lord is doing something really special among this community and we are humbled to be along for the ride!
WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST NEEDS AT THE MOMENT?We are continuing to pray for increased capacity at OM, both in finances and staff. There is much work to be done and the team is feeling stretched at the moment. My greatest need actually sits slightly outside my formal ministry, in my theological studies. My masters research project is due 1st November. I have been chipping away at this degree for the last 8.5 years and the finish line is in sight! Please join me in praying for a clear head, no distractions, and good times of writing! I also sense I am entering into a season of discernment around what might be ahead beyond graduation.
PRAY
Please pray for wisdom in my various leadership roles, and for the final stretch to the thesis due date!
GIVE
New financial supporters are always welcomed and appreciated! It's a great way to be connected with what God is doing around the world. If you would like to prayerfully consider this opportunity, I'd be very grateful and would love to chat further with you. Giving details can be found at: https://om.org.au/team/freyja-saunderson.
CONNECT
Stories from OM's ministry around the world can be found at om.org.au. Otherwise, I'd love to chat over a coffee or meal!
Want to get to know our other Members in Service?
Visit our missions page via the link below.
What's been happening?
Man Alive Breakfast
Over 40 men enjoyed a cooked breakfast and coffee in the Salt Cafe as guys connected with one another including new friendships made.
We were grateful to have our guest speaker, Simon Pounder, come and share a little of his life story along with speaking into the topic of how REAL men should be seeking to live. Simon will be speaking further on this topic at the Man Alive camp in November (7th-9th, further details for the camp to come).
Women's Retreat
On the weekend of the 8th-9th August, we held the Lounge Room Women's Retreat onsite at Syndal.
Over 140 women gathered over those two days, and enjoyed some great sessions with our guest speaker Christine Wanstall, as well as beautiful times of worship and the sharing of testimonies from other women. We also had a lot of fun laughing togethr through various activities and grew in various electives such as listening to God, practical ways to respond to fear and anxiety, spiritual gifts and visual art.
The Friday night was really special as we combined with the Fuel Youth girls. This was a real highlight for many and something we hope to be able to do again in the future. It was great having women from 12 years old to women in their 90's all in the one room together.
We loves seeing women connecting with one another and with God over the weekend and are so thankful to all those who served in various ways to make it possible.
Fathers Day Playgroup
On Saturday 30th August over 80 people attended our Father's Day Playgroup event. This event was for Playgroup families to include their dads, siblings, grandparents or other role models in a special way. The event included crafts, sausage sizzle, gym play and little bunnies. It was a great morning with lots of fun connecting with over 20 of our Playgroup families.
The Bible Course
The Bible Course finished up on September 2nd after 8 weeks of engaging with the Bible.
The course has had over 20 people consistently involved and has been a great expererience for many involved.
Ministry Spotlight
Young Adults
With Micah Evans (Pastor for YA)
Syndal's Young Adult Ministry aims to equip and empower young adults aged 18-30 to mature into passionate and resilient disciples of Jesus. Our goal is to make disciples of Jesus, who in turn make disciples of Jesus.
What's been happening in the YA ministry recently?This year, our ministry has been exploring the Sermon on the Mount and walking through the Practicing the Way series. This year, our exploration of the scriptures and the ancient practices of the Church has led our community to take steps of faith in embracing times of rest, postures of prayer, and serving the wider community.
Where have you seen God at work?We have seen an increase in the number of young adults seeking to be baptised. As they have shared their story, it is evident that God is moving in each of their lives. Watching their desire to follow Jesus, the choices they are making, and how they are engaging in community is inspiring.
What challenges have you been facing, or what needs do you have?There is a constant need for elders to invest in the lives of young adults. Our ministry and community reap the benefits when men and women from the older generations share their lives, wisdom, and experiences with the young adults.
What's coming up in the YA ministry?Coming in 2026, the ministry will welcome one of its largest Year 12 cohorts in recent history. This is an exciting time for the young adult ministry, and we look forward to seeing how God will move amongst us.
PRAY
Pray that our ministry will be united under Christ. That our young adults will bend towards each other and seek to build a community that honours Jesus.
SERVE
We are always looking for individuals or life groups to serve as part of the dinner service team at our once-a-month gathering called Central. We are also in need of Life Group leaders to shepherd and accompany young adults as they take spiritual steps.
CONNECT
If you would like to connect with the ministry or explore serving opportunities, email Micah Evans at mevans@sb.or.au
Green Tip of the Month
This month's Green Tip comes from SBC member, May Chen.
"If you're using a plastic chopping board, every time you use that [and] you can see it's deforming and degrading as you're using it, there are small pieces of plastic that are going to be coming off that board and end up in the food you're eating." The same goes with plastic ladles and the like. So if possible, try to use wooden chopping boards and metal or wood utensils.
Dr Cassandra Rauert, researcher at Uni university of Queensland (sourced from ABC news/science, 19/8/2025) On the topic of microplastics in food.
Giving Last Month
GIVING SUMMARY
Week ending: 1/9/2025
New weekly target: $55,000(Figure revised to catch up the shortfall in the first half of 2025)
This week actual: $53,349 (97% of budget)
Year to date actual: $1,564,655 (92% of budget)
Sunday Service Information
This Sunday
Series: Scripture - Practicing the Way
Sermon: Why read the Bible
Preacher: Chris Danes
If the idea of this series is to make reading the Bible a regular practice rather than an occasional thing, why bother? What difference would it make to a person and their lives? This week, Chris will help explore the question many ask – why read the Bible?
Coming Up
Sunday 14th September
Series: Scripture - Practicing the Way
Sermon: How to Read the Bible?
Preacher: Mandy Stark
Is there a right way to read the Bible? Is it a matter of reading a section, ticking it off our list and moving on with our day or is there more to it?
In this final week of our Scripture series, Mandy Stark will challenge us to think about the way we go about reading the Bible, and consider how we might best let it shape us.
Sunday 21st September
Series: Philippians
Sermon: Worthy
Preacher: Chris Danes
In the first chapter of Philippians, we find Paul writing from prison to a group of believers in Philippi – to encourage and guide them as they face their own challenges.
What advice does he have for them? How does his faith remain strong even in his own difficult circumstances? What can we learn from him and his words?
Join us as Chris Danes kicks off our series in Philippians and helps us better understand this beautiful and powerful letter.
Sunday 28th September
Series: Philippians
Sermon: Humble
Preacher: Bill Brown
One of the most important parts of life is how we interact with those around us. It can be a beautiful thing, but also a really challenging thing.
Paul shared some words of wisdom with the church in Philippi about how to live together well, especially as they sought to follow Jesus in community.
Join us as Bill Brown explores what advice Paul had for them, and what we can still learn from it today.
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