The heat-laden air was humming with anticipation in Kellyville Anglican's spacious building yesterday morning " but no one was making a sound.
Stifling their previously animated conversations, Kellyville's two morning congregations waited in silence for the live program to begin as the clock quietly struck 10.
As the temperature crept into the mid-thirties throughout the Big Day In program, several reached below their seats for the bottles of water that had been provided by the Connect09 team.
Just before the event kicked off, Kellyville member Peter Sutton commented that Connect09 is "the start of a new era".
While time will tell if he is right, conversations around a barbeque lunch at Kellyville after yesterday’s Big Day In program give a strong indication that Connect09 is spurring Sydney Anglicans to take courageous steps out of their front gates and into the unknown of their streets and neighbourhoods.
"I think Big Day In was professional in every way and you could tell that there had been a lot of organisation behind it," said young mum Kirsty Miller.
"I liked it that people from our congregation were involved in the prayers " it wasn't just using our building but it was involving our congregations as well."
Musician Diana Blythe particularly enjoyed Garage Hymnal's performance and the Archbishop's address, which called Sydney Anglicans to courage and trust in the face of our greatest fears.
"It challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and love my neighbours better than I have been," she said.
"I'm looking forward to building better friendships with our neighbours in our street, and being conscious that every interaction I have is an opportunity to love them."
Drew Williams, who is coordinating Connect09 at Kellyville with his wife Jodie, says the Archbishop's focus on overcoming fear weaved in with their Connect09 plans.
"We're really wanting to encourage the congregations to overcome their fears by equipping them," he says.
"We also want them to declutter their lives and clear their diaries so they can make room for connections with those around them."
"It was a surprise and a privilege to be asked (to host Big Day In)," reflected senior minister, the Rev Ross Hathway.
"It's been good for our congregation to see that they're involved in something much bigger than this church, as has probably been the case with other churches as well."
Mr Hathway used Big Day In as an opportunity to launch a Connect09 calendar outlining some of Kellyville's initiatives for the year, which include a parenting course, movie night and a Saturday booking for the Red Cross blood donor van in the church carpark.
"(The van) is a way of getting our place geographically on the map because we're not on a main road, and it's also a way of serving the community."
Refresher: what we saw and heard
The Big Day In, a live web and digital TV broadcast which naturally ran to a tight schedule, began with a welcome from experienced media professionals Glenn Daniel and Samantha Boog.
Letters from world famous evangelist Billy Graham and prime minister Kevin Rudd indicated support for the Connect09 campaign extends beyond Sydney.
"In these times of uncertainty and financial difficulty, we can be prompted to stop and reflect on our lives, our purpose and our priorities," Mr Rudd wrote.
"In this context, Connect09 is well-timed to help people across Sydney and surrounding areas in re-assessing these fundamental questions."
Dr Graham wrote of his delight to hear about Connect09 and to inform Sydney Anglicans of his prayers for "the Lord's blessing on this great venture".
Tied into the launch was the introduction of the Good News Parcel Company DVDs by popular children's entertainer Colin Buchanan, who crossed live to the program from Engadine Anglican Church.
“Dodecadillions" of the DVDs " which contain a gospel presentation for children " will be available to give away to schools, preschools and neighbouring families this Easter.
Another live cross saw Campsie Anglican profiling their Easy English congregation, which attracts a high number of non-Christians who come along to improve their English, and broadcasting a prayer and Chinese New Year message in Mandarin.
Archbishop Jensen's address on Jonah 3 and 4 expounded on the findings of a survey conducted among Sydney Anglicans that highlighted the two fears which most hold us back from talking to others about Jesus: rejection, and not knowing what to say.
While Jonah had the same fears, the Archbishop encouraged his listeners: "You conquer fear as a Christian by your faith in a sovereign God who is in charge of all things" We can trust him to be at work before we arrive."
Calling Sydney Anglicans to confidence in the power of the gospel, Archbishop Jensen urged us to take the opportunity Connect09 presents to reach our communities.
"Our obedience to God leads to blessing for other people," he asserted.
Archbishop Jensen added his own personal feelings about this challenge, which also indicated he is leading the charge.
"I'm a bit nervous myself," he said. "But I'm bringing my fears, sins and overbusyness to the Lord."
Sydney Anglicans needn't worry about how much God would be willing to do either, Archbishop Jensen said.
"How much will God sacrifice in order to save human beings? The death of Jesus settled that question forever."
Big Day In brings tech boost to church
The technological innovations required for the Connect09 campaign's ambitious launch event will have long-lasting implications for ministry.
Sydney Anglicans are set to be leaders in 21st century-style evangelism thanks to the dramatic boost in church IT and video capabilities delivered by The Big Day In.
Many churches have been busy upgrading broadband internet and digital TV connections to their church buildings in order to participate.
It is estimated that half of parishes involved used the webcast, while the other half viewed via the Australian Christian Channel's digital TV broadcast.
"Around 25 percent of churches have used the project to upgrade IT infrastructure in some way," says Anglican Media's Russell Powell, who organised the event.
With so many churches improving their digital video capabilities, the opportunity will now exist to deliver quality video-based evangelistic resources directly to the church pew.
"I have found that churches really understand the need to improve our act technologically. Many have mentioned the possibility of doing this again " perhaps even an evangelistic video webcast," Mr Powell says.
Indeed Anglican Media will be further building on these improved capabilities by launching a new video-based platform called SX Digital, delivered to every church as a DVD and via the internet.
“SX Digital is really a whole new platform,” says New Media manager Mark
Hadley.
“Churches have been embracing video in services for a number of years, but up until now ministry workers have had to scratch around for good content or generate it in-house.”
From March, SX Digital will be delivering an expanding range of video news, apologetics, illustrations, notices and other biblical content.
“Church workers will be able to pick from a wide variety of material specifically designed for use in church services,” Mr Hadley says.
Photos courtesy of David Sheerman (Sheer Image Photography)
