Ashburton Baptist Church (Australia)

13/06/2026

13/06/2026

Continuing with our Sermon Series on Parables this Sunday, we are thrilled to welcome back Reverend Alan Marr to speak to us about stories that ‘refuse to behave’!

For those newer to our community or who aren’t in ‘ the know’, Alan, is a seasoned Baptist leader and mediator based in Melbourne, recognised for his significant contributions to denominational strategy and community-focused ministry. He notably served as the Director of Ministries for the Baptist Union of Victoria, providing high-level leadership and oversight for churches across the state, and has held key pastoral roles at St Kilda Baptist since 2011 and was recently an Interim Senior Pastor here, at Ashburton Baptist Church. Beyond the pulpit, he is a specialist in conflict resolution and organisational health, bringing his expertise to not-for-profits and the global stage as the former chair of the Baptist World Alliance Peace Commission. His ministry is characterised by a commitment to social justice, restorative justice, and the cultivation of inclusive, resilient faith communities.

05/06/2026

Jesus told stories that wouldn't stay put. He talked about farmers who wasted seed and managers who cooked the books, about fathers who ran undignified down roads and workers who got paid the same whether they showed up at dawn or happy hour. The people listening knew he wasn't just talking about agriculture or labour relations. They knew he was talking about God, which made the stories even harder to pin down.

Two thousand years later, these parables still won't behave. They don't resolve into tidy moral lessons. They don't comfort us the way we want to be comforted. They keep asking questions we'd rather not answer and showing us things about ourselves we'd rather not see.

Starting this Sunday, 7 June we’ll commence a sermon series that takes eight of Jesus' most unsettling parables and lets them do what they've always done, which is mess with our certainties and wake us up. Each week a different preacher will wrestle with a different story. While Katrina’s away we will welcome a wonderful mix of ABC and guest preachers.

03/06/2026

Prayer doesn't end when we say 'amen'.

We can carry it into the small, mundane moments of life.

This week, let this question guide you:
How can this be an act of love?

Prayer, in action.

30/05/2026

Over the past year, Ashburton Baptist Church has been building relationships, sharing meals, and earning trust with residents and service providers in our neighbourhood. Now we're ready for the next chapter, and we're looking for someone to help write it, but not alone.

The relationships we've formed are inviting us to consider, what could grow here if we built it together?

This role exists to help answer that question. Not by arriving with a program, but by showing up consistently, listening carefully, and working alongside people who are already leading in their own community.

For further information about the role, please view the job description on our website; https://www.ashburtonbaptist.org.au/news/community-engagement-project-coordinator

Applications are welcome on or before Friday 19 June 2026.

27/05/2026

Much of prayer today can feel like a 'neck up' practice, leaving the rest of the body behind.

This week we invite you to explore breath prayers, remembering that the Jesus Prayer was traditionally prayed in rhythm with the breath.

In the busyness of your week, try repeating this prayer, and notice what begins to shift.

25/05/2026

At ABC, we love celebrating the faith, stories, and contributions of our LGBTIQA+ community. We also recognise that not everyone has found a space where both their faith and identity are fully welcomed together. Because of this, the [+]Faith Group will be hosting a special evening of worship, connection, and listening.

If you, or someone you know, would value a safe and welcoming space to explore faith, celebrate diversity, or reconnect with community, we would love to invite you to come along or extend the invitation to others who may appreciate it.

Followed by a simple dinner of soup and rolls.

For more information please check out the following link:
https://ashburton-baptist-church-518556.churchcenter.com/calendar/event/222586873

20/05/2026

It is tempting to chase feelings in prayer, using them to avoid doubt or manufacture a sense of certainty.

This week, we invite you to sit in the silence. Not because feelings are wrong, but because we often miss what is offered in the quiet.

When the silence comes, trust that you aren't alone. Let the beauty of creation gently remind you.