Leadership Greenhouses - Bearing Fruit: 12 July 2026

Leadership Greenhouses - Bearing Fruit: 12 July 2026

Dear friends of BCUC,   What does it mean to be fruitful in having a leadership greenhouse? There's probably a lot about that statement that doesn't initially make sense. Let's break it down: Leadership. Whether we like it or not, the church - and before that, the nation of Israel—thrived or faltered depending on its leadership. At times I've wanted to be part of a utopian Christian community where everyone has equal power and influence, and we are all led by the Spirit rather than by people or governance structures. Everyone is blessed to be a blessing to others, we all live in peace, and the community grows. The more I see of life, however, the more I realise this is dreamland and not based in reality. In fact, the very first thing God said about humans after creating them was about leadership. Genesis 1:26 reads, ‘God said, “Now we will make humans, and they will be like us. We will let them rule the fish, the birds and all other living creature”’ (CEV). Let them rule—or govern, or have dominion. It's about humanity being entrusted with God's loving rule over creation. I realise now the question isn't whether a group of people like the church needs leadership, but whether its leadership is Christ-like (servant-hearted, humble and wise, like the Good Shepherd) or like the world's (selfish, prideful and foolish, like the thief). Churches will always need good, Christ-like leaders to be raised up generation after generation. Greenhouse. This is about a whole church providing the right kind of environment for good, Christ-like leadership to be nurtured and thrive—not simply for the sake of the church itself, but because it wants to see people grow in their discipleship and become a blessing to the wider world. Providing this environment is the work of the whole church community, not just a few people. Fruitful. A fruitful leader is one who exercises their gifts of servant-hearted leadership and sees communities thrive and grow. The image we are leaning into this Sunday is that of a great tree in the middle of the garden that becomes a home for many birds of the air - a kingdom that began with a mustard seed (Mark 4:30–34). Getting back to the original question: Do you want to see Christian communities that are thriving, growing, providing a home and shelter for the lost and wandering? Do you want to be part of a community that nurtures good, servant-hearted leaders to serve in many of our community spaces, such as hospitals, government, schools, families, law firms, businesses, and more?   If the answer is yes, then there's a good chance you're wanting the same thing as me - a church community that acts like a leadership greenhouse, producing fruitful leaders.   Hope to see you Sunday at worship. Benji

Leadership Greenhouses : Budding Leaders - 5 July 2026

This week, we're exploring the sapling stage of the greenhouse, or what we might call the "budding leader." Saplings are incredibly fragile. As they grow, they depend on water, sunlight and the right environment. Without the care they need, they struggle to thrive. In discipleship and leadership, this is the stage where intentional investment matters. As a church, how are we caring for the saplings, the budding leaders among us? Are we encouraging them, mentoring them and giving them opportunities to serve and use their gifts? When we think about budding leaders, we often picture children, teenagers and young adults. But the budding leader might be you too. Pastor Steven Furtick once said, "If you're not dead, God's not done." That quote has always stayed with me. How often do we think, "Someone else can do that," or, "I don't have anything valuable to offer"? The truth is, God is always inviting us into something. That may be stepping into a leadership role within the church, or it may be opening the door for someone else, encouraging them, investing in them and helping them grow in their relationship with Jesus. My hope is this series sparks fresh thinking about what leadership could look like for you and for us as a church. If you have questions about leadership or would like to discern whether God might be calling you into a leadership role, please reach out to Benji or me. We'd love to pray with you and discern that journey together. Kaitlyn Phillips

Leadership Greenhouses : Budding Leaders - 5 July 2026

This week, we're exploring the sapling stage of the greenhouse, or what we might call the "budding leader." Saplings are incredibly fragile. As they grow, they depend on water, sunlight and the right environment. Without the care they need, they struggle to thrive. In discipleship and leadership, this is the stage where intentional investment matters. As a church, how are we caring for the saplings, the budding leaders among us? Are we encouraging them, mentoring them and giving them opportunities to serve and use their gifts? When we think about budding leaders, we often picture children, teenagers and young adults. But the budding leader might be you too. Pastor Steven Furtick once said, "If you're not dead, God's not done." That quote has always stayed with me. How often do we think, "Someone else can do that," or, "I don't have anything valuable to offer"? The truth is, God is always inviting us into something. That may be stepping into a leadership role within the church, or it may be opening the door for someone else, encouraging them, investing in them and helping them grow in their relationship with Jesus. My hope is this series sparks fresh thinking about what leadership could look like for you and for us as a church. If you have questions about leadership or would like to discern whether God might be calling you into a leadership role, please reach out to Benji or me. We'd love to pray with you and discern that journey together. Kaitlyn Phillips

Leadership Greenhouses - 28 June 2026

This Sunday, we begin a new three-week sermon series called Leadership Greenhouses. While the title might sound like a series just for church leaders, it's actually a series about discipleship, growth, and raising children of God. Using three parables from Mark's Gospel, we'll explore how Jesus creates environments where faith can grow and flourish. Just as a greenhouse provides the right conditions for plants to thrive, healthy discipleship requires purposeful nurturing. Before fruit appears above the surface, important work is happening beneath it. The soil must be prepared, seeds must be planted, and growth must be nurtured. Together, we'll discover what it looks like to prepare the soil of our hearts, plant seeds of faith in the lives of others, and participate in God's work of growing disciples who grow disciples. Whether you've been following Jesus for decades or are simply exploring faith, this series will encourage you to consider how God wants to grow you and use you in His Kingdom. Kaitlyn Phillips

Christ First - 21 June 2026

This can be a confronting reading. Jesus is preparing his disciples for their mission and the opposition that they will face. They should expect what happened to their teacher to happen to them. However, he wants to stress loyalty and courage and emphasise that trust in God is greater than any fear of people. The Jews needed that message particularly when Jerusalem had been destroyed and they found themselves in exile.    We may be called to sacrifice for Christ but when Christianity costs we are closer to the Fellowship of Christ and their sufferings and therefore the power of the resurrection becomes greater for us. The consequences of being disobedient to God’s will are far worse than any punishment for mankind.   Then there is the controversial statement “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” For us at a time where there have been 2 major conflicts in the Ukraine and the Middle East with an appalling lack of respect for the value of individual human lives by leaders and World War three only just being  averted for now by the common sense of the non-combatants refusing to become involved in the fighting, this is confronting. But this was a language that the Christians and Jews of the time would understand. The Jews believed that on the Day of the Lord God would break into history and cause disruption and the most challenging example is where family members turn against each other because of choosing God. Jesus is saying that His coming is the Day of the Lord (not a single day but a time period) and probably the worst scenario is when we must choose between Him and our closest ties on earth. It is due to a merciful God than most people do not have to face such an extreme choice. Nor do people in our society have to risk their lives. However, the point is clear. If you try to hoard your life, to preserve it, you will lose it; if you spend your life in obeying Jesus’ commands and serving others, then your life will be enriched.   Ian Olver Matthew 10: 24-39