Dave said he'd been attending his church for years and still didn't know a soul – not really know. Kerri said she'd been to almost every service for 12 months and didn't feel any closer to God than when she first arrived. Grant and Tracey said they didn't even know why they went to church anymore – they got more personal growth from talking to people over the internet.

It was all too big. It was all too impersonal. What a tragic contrast to Acts 2:42-47:

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

-Acts 2:42-47

Five areas mentioned here in this passage are the basis for the Home Group ministry at Cairns Baptist Church :

·         bible study ( the apostles' teaching v 42)

·         fellowship (v 42)

·         communion ( breaking bread v 42)

·         prayer (v 42)

·         evangelism (v 47)

The aim is to see all five of these aspects operating in Home Groups. Wonders and miraculous signs are optional.

The Home Groups are designed to ensure everyone in the church is supported and challenged to grow in a way that is not possible in Sunday services. In these smaller groups, individuals are able to put Christianity into practice among other Christians who will love them, encourage them and keep them accountable. In that way, the body of Christ at Cairns Baptist Church will continue to grow spiritually and numerically as people are built up and encouraged to share Christ with others.

What do they look like?

Each Home Group has its own style: some meet around a meal; others rotate their activities weekly; one group meets once every two weeks. There are groups made up of parents with young children, late teens and early 20's, late 20's to early 30's and a mixture of them all (and more).

Groups also develop different emphases: there are those who are stronger in prayer and worship, while others have a large fellowship component. Still others have a heavier emphasis on studying the Bible. Each group is also encouraged to concentrate on any of the above five areas where they are not so strong.

Home Groups also reach out to serve the larger church. A group will take responsibility for running a Newcomers' Lunch, another will run/host courses for the church as a whole, and almost every group contributes in a practical way to the maintenance of the church.

What is the history of Home Groups at Cairns Baptist Church ?

Cairns Baptist Church has operated Home Groups for many years, but after doing the 40 Days of Purpose programme in 2004 the number of people involved in Home Groups increased dramatically. This is in line with the vision of the Church Leadership to make Home Groups a vital part of the pastoral and evangelistic work of the church. The continued vision is to increase numbers of people involved and increase the number of Home Groups available as each Home Group grows and then divides.

Who can join a Home Group?

Home Groups are primarily for those who attend Cairns Baptist Church , but they are open to all who wish to attend. In fact, due to Cairns ' large transient population, often Home Groups welcome people who can only stay for a few months, and even backpackers who can only stay a night.

When do they meet?

Home Groups meet at different times during the week. Most meet on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday night at various places around Cairns.

How do I join a Home Group?

Contact Pastor Gary through the church office. He will talk to the necessary people and find a group that suits you.

Who am I?

I am Keith McKinnon the school Chaplain at Cairns State High School. I am a dedicated Christian with a background in both teaching and the food processing industry management. I have been involved in a number of Christian denominations over the years and have been a Christian now for 20 years. I have assisted in a number of youth groups, youth conferences and concerts over the years. I see my job as helping students realise their full potential. I Believe that our greatest weaknesses as human beings are often the areas in life where we can have the greatest impact, I believe in the words of Jesus Christ...

What does a chaplain do?

The official role of Chaplain is to:

* Provide spiritual support and direction to the school community.
* Build positive relationships with students.
* Work closely with other staff and services to nurture and care for students.
* Assist at-risk students through specialised programs.
* Work with staff and families from the wider school community.
* Foster a supportive, caring school community.
* Serve in several ways including student groups and prayer groups.
* Run holiday activities, including camps and school based programs.

As well as a general involvement in the school and school activities, Cairns State High School Chaplaincy has specific areas that the Chaplain assists in the school:

* Pastoral Care, helping students through difficulties coming up in their lives.  This is the biggest part of my job.
* New student follow up, checking to see how new students are fitting into the school.
* Bullying, speaking at assemblies to be proactive and make bullying unacceptable in the school.  Helping students that are being bullied.
* Grief and loss, meeting with students suffering from the grief of death and the loss of family members due to divorce.
* Lunch programs, I run a number of lunch programs with the help of volunteers within the school, for both Christian students and non-Christian students.
* Working with 'at-risk' boys and girls.  I organise and run programs for students at risk of not finishing school.
* Human relationship education days. I run parts of the schools HRE Program.
* I am involved in a  number of camps and church activities around Cairns.  

My prayer needs:

Praise:

• Thanks for being able to be in this position full time.

• Thanks for chaplains in high schools.

• Thanks for the support from teachers, administration, P&C Association and the school students.

Prayer:

• Pray for more Christian teachers at Cairns State High School.
• Pray for the students that come and see me and that I can give God inspired advice.
• Pray that I can be a light to the school.
• Pray for the programs that I run in the school.
• Prayer for more volunteers in the school.
• Pray for the leadership in the school, Principal, deputies, heads of departments, and year level coordinators.  Pray that they are working towards God's plan in the school.
• Pray for the teachers that they can uphold positive relationships with the students and that positive values are taught to the students.
• Pray that students will have positive relationships with their parents and the teachers.

Personal prayer:

• Pray for the busy nature of the chaplaincy position, that I have the time to continually give the position to God.
• Pray for blessing when dealing with the difficult situations in the school.
• Pray that I can continue to bring a positive view of Christianity into the school and change the culture within the school.
• Pray against the spiritual aspects that are in the school that shouldn't be there.
• Pray for more energy for me to accomplish all I have to in the job.

If you would like to sponsor or support Keith, there are a number of ways to do that.  Chaplains are funded partially from the federal government and the rest through fundraising.  If you would like to financially support chaplaincy you can now donate online at:    http://donate.to.suqld.org.au/

Also we have a partner program where at any time we can sign over our compulsory third party insurance (the one we have to pay with our vehicle registration) to a large Queensland insurer and they will make a donation to the chaplaincy service each year.  It won't cost you anything.  http://www.partnerprogram.com.au/

If you have a great idea for a fundraiser, or want to be involved in chaplaincy, or have any questions about the job, you can email me at:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

- KEITH

The Bible School is held each Monday evening from 7.00pm to 8.30pm. The same lesson is repeated each Thursday morning from 9.30am to 11.00am.

Although we use the term BIBLE SCHOOL, because of its lecture type format, in which students are encouraged to ask questions and make comments at any time, it is not in anyway academic. There are no assignments. Books of notes are supplied; cost $10 each, which are simple and self explanatory. Each book lasts approximately 2 to 3 months. Should a student miss any number of weeks they can easily catch up by reading the notes.

The purpose of the C.B.C. Bible School is expressed in 1 Timothy 1:5 N.L.T. The purpose of my instruction is that all the Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere faith.

The School is not intended to simply fill one’s head with knowledge, but to challenge each one to purity of life, love for God, His Church and one’s fellow man, to maintain a clear conscience and to develop a strong and sincere faith in God and His written word the Bible.

The School commenced in February 2008. Since that time we have studied

Book 1 An Introduction to the Scriptures.

Book 2 The Doctrine of God and Creation.

Book 3 The Doctrine of Salvation.

Book 4 (a) The Doctrine of the Church. This book covers the subjects of ‘The definition of the Church,’ ‘The Foundation of the Church,’ ‘The Ruler of the Church,’ ‘The Ministers of the Church,’ and ‘Discipline in the Church.’

Book 5 (b) ‘The Doctrine of the Church’ covering subjects ‘The beginning and empowering of the Church,’ ‘The Priesthood of the believer and prayer,’ ‘Christian worship,’ ‘The privilege of local church membership,’ ‘The ordinances of the Church,’ ‘The purpose of the Church in the world,’ and ‘When will the Church end.’

Book 6 ‘Future Things’ which looks at God’s future agenda for the Church and God’s future agenda for Israel.

Book 7 'Marriage and Divorce'

All of these study books are still available through the church office, and our next book, commencing in late April 2010 will be on the 10 Commandments.

All notes are written and taught by John Kelly an elder at C.B.C.

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