Editorial

This week we began interviewing students for a range of leadership positions. As we spoke with them, I noticed a recurring theme: students keen to serve the College because they genuinely believed in who we are as a community. As someone who shares that same passion for this community, I can tell you that this encouraged me greatly.

We are a community the Lord has formed through his faithfulness, power and gracious provision over many years.

Recently we have seen some wonderful expressions of that community life: the colour, laughter and shared purpose of our Secondary Cross Country, Primary’s Old-Fashioned Day and Year 1 Bundoora Farm excursion, Leon Lu bringing students together through the Sustainability Action Group and this week, the blessing of meeting with our Parent Prayer group, who faithfully gather to uphold our college community in prayer. This Tuesday’s Community Worship Night provides yet another opportunity to gather, as our students lead us in worship together.

But why does community matter so much?

Romans 12 offers a beautiful picture of Christian community. Paul writes:

“In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:5)

Here we see Paul celebrating our differences and the unique gifts God has given each of us. Yet because we belong to Christ, we are also called into relationship with one another: honouring each other, practising hospitality, rejoicing together, mourning together and carrying life’s joys and challenges together.

This reflects what Jesus himself did. He did not simply gather a collection of individual followers; he formed a family on mission – people who learned, served, celebrated and participated together in God’s work of restoration.

This is especially important during seasons of change. Such seasons can sometimes draw us into our own concerns. God’s invitation may instead be to move towards one another: to notice each other, appreciate the gifts around us, offer encouragement, share a laugh and carry one another’s burdens. One of God’s great provisions for us is, quite simply, each other.

So perhaps we can ask: how might we build up our community this week? How can we continue becoming the community God is forming us to be – a people who belong to Christ, belong to one another, and participate together in his work in the world?

I’m thankful for each of you who make up this wonderful community at PVCC, and thankful to the One who holds us together in his power and love.

Craig Ogden

Director of Christian Formation