The controversial decision to replace St Andrew’s traditional Evensong service with one geared towards graduates is gradually paying dividends.
It has been three months since The Bible Talks was relaunched at St Andrew's
Cathedral. Phillip Jensen, the Dean of the Cathedral, is currently doing a series working through the six boxes of 2 Ways 2 Live, which people have invited friends and workmates to.
The 2 Ways to Live talk series is being promoted in cooperation with Matthias Media who plan to record and package the talks for distribution worldwide.
The first talk (Sunday October 17) entitled "God Made or Self Made' will examine the question of just who is in control of our world. The next 5 talks will continue to work methodically through the key points of the Christian gospel, explaining God's rescue plan for his world.
The Bible Talks (TBT) was established as a congregation in 1995 to teach the Bible to young graduates and workers in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. The church most recently met in the Great Hall of Sydney Boys High School before moving to the Cathedral in August.
The move to the heart of the city gives the TBT congregation the opportunity to join the wider Cathedral community in reaching Sydney with the gospel.
TBT pastor Andrew Nixon says the talks have been going well in the new location and have been well received by the Cathedral community. "There are quite a few from Evensong who have been coming along, some very regularly," he says. "Those who have come along and kept coming are really enjoying it and there are no difficulties at all."
The central city location of TBT above Town Hall station has been advantageous in attracting new people to the ministry. "We've had a quite a few visitors coming in every Sunday night, so there's lots of new faces. People are filling out our visitors' slips, letting us know they've been, so there are lots of people to follow up," Mr Nixon says.
John Pascoe who was attending Evensong has welcomed the change and now attends TBT regularly. "I had been going to Evensong for about 12 months. There were maybe 12 regular members who weren't part of a choir family. Judging by the number of people there, that type of service wasn't reaching out to the community," he says.
"Change has been a great thing and I welcomed it whole-heartedly. It's been exciting to become part of TBT congregation. There are 100-150 people there each week with 20 or so walking off the street each Sunday night. It's very exciting," he says.
In comparing the teaching between Evensong and TBT, Mr Pascoe does not see a lot of difference. "The same sort of teaching is happening. There were good and faithful sermons being given at the Evensong service, so it's really just a more contemporary format of service, with modern songs being used instead of a choir and an organ. There is also a more laid back atmosphere, with a break half way through so you can chat to people."
Courtesy Southern Cross
