Tag Archive for: Moving to the Right

For more than seven years now I have had the privilege of being part of the Rosebank Union Church pastoral team and staff. Even more, being part of the body of Christ gathered here at the corner of William Nicol and St. Andrews Drive and scattered all over the city and beyond. As I reflect in my beautiful office, made available to me by God and His people, I again realise – Lord you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance! Psalm 16: 5-6. This place of prayer, worship, fellowship, good news – God gave! I cannot take it for granted! I daily receive God’s undeserved favour.

Rosebank Union Church is a Bible believing Church! The proof of the pudding is in the eating! Week after week the Word of God is preached from the Bible! I am blessed to hear the Good News in the sanctuary! I am blessed to hear – we preach Christ and Him crucified! Recently I have been blessed to closely follow the historical accounts of Jesus life and ministry through the gospel of John as the Bread of Life is broken to me.

Some time ago I was challenged by Dr. Willem Nicol in his book – “n Dieper Dors.” He gives a potent challenge from the gospel of John to followers of Jesus for a deeper thirst after Him. I believe for me it was not by chance that Leigh, our senior pastor, as he expounded the gospel of John, reaffirmed a challenge to me – moving to the right – moving closer and closer to Jesus my Lord! I need time with Jesus, I need change by Jesus, I need to die daily to become more like His follower! John 12:24 – “I tell you the truth, unless an ear of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Not that I have obtained it – but I need to press on towards that goal!

Lots of love

Your pastor and friend.
Dennis Beeselaar

That was the question God asked Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and it’s the question I believe he is asking us today—“Where are you on your spiritual journey? And, Rosebank Union Church, where are you?”

By now you are familiar with the MOVING TO THE RIGHT diagram. Each of us is somewhere on that spiritual continuum. “Where are you?”

In the second half of 2010 (almost three years ago) 656 of us at RUC completed an anonymous on-line survey called the REVEAL SURVEY. The purpose of the survey was:

  • To assess our individual growth toward spiritual maturity (our individual moving to the right)
  • To assess how we were doing as a church in facilitating the spiritual growth (the moving to the right) of our members

The survey revealed some interesting facts. We discovered that 7% of those who filled in the survey were, in terms of our MOVING TO THE RIGHT diagram, on the left side of the cross, but exploring or seeking Christ. On the right side of the cross, 40% considered themselves to be Growing in Christ, 28% Close to Christ, and 25% Christ Centred.

We discovered that

  • 39% of our people were growing moderately or rapidly
  • 43% were growing slowly . . . and
  • 14% felt that they had stalled in their spiritual growth. In other words, they were stuck instead of moving to the right.

What has happened as a result of that survey? God used that survey, along with other influences, to help us change in a number of significant ways:

  • We have become more intentional in helping people, from the moment they attend RUC for the first time, to move toward spiritual maturity
  • We have introduced the concept of MOVING TO THE RIGHT and continually emphasised the importance of moving to the right ourselves and actively moving others to the right by our life, love, and witness for Christ
  • We have focused on Gospel-Centred Discipleship with the five characteristics as depicted in the circle diagram that has adorned the wall of the sanctuary for the past months
    • Corporate Worship
    • Personal devotion
    • Effective community
    • Sacrificial service and
    • Redemptive influence
  • Now in 2013, almost three years on, we want to do another REVEAL SURVEY. We are doing this not because we want to change course and focus on something else. We remain committed to making disciples–to MOVING TO THE RIGHT ourselves and helping others to move to the right. In the light of the Great Commission, what other choice do we have? What other choice would we want?

    We want to do another REVEAL SURVEY . . .
    To assess how we are doing To once again answer the question, “Where are you?”. And together to seek God as to how we can, both individually and as a body, do what he has called us to do more effectively going forward.

    The REVEAL SURVEY is an anonymous on-line survey that will take you 30-40 minutes to complete. We will run the survey from Sunday 2 June to Sunday 16 June. From Sunday 2 June, in the Street Times and on the church website, you will be provided with the link that will give you access to the survey. It’s very easy. Even a technological Philistine like me was able to complete it last time!

    If you consider RUC to be your spiritual home, I urge you to participate. We need your involvement so we can answer the question, “Where are you?” and so that we can be more effective in MOVING TO THE RIGHT as individuals and as a body. REVEAL . . . Let’s do it!

    Your friend and pastor,
    Leigh