Welcome to our community we know as Church. Our heart is to be a generational Church of the nations. Everything we do aims to share Jesus and become more like Jesus. You are welcome - all ages and stages of life, and especially in these times, to join with us in community.
Jesus said many things and much of His words are recorded in the Gospel's and the New Testament.
Jesus makes the difference in our lives. The below expresses who Jesus is, why He came and what He says about you!
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6)
“Can any one of you convict me of a single misleading word, a single sinful act? But if I'm telling the truth, why don't you believe me?”
(John 8:46, The Message).
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25).
“When Jesus saw their faith, He said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’” (Luke 5:20).
“Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up into Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again’” (Luke 18:31-33).
"So as the lightening comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man... At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory." (Matthew 24:27-30)
I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me--and I in him--bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing (John 15:1, 5).
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (Luke 19:10)
"The time is fulfilled; and the kingdom of God is at hand". (Mark 1:15). He said, "If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you" (Matthew 12:28)
"I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
(John 18:38)
"‘My food’, said Jesus,‘is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work’." (John 4:34)
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)
"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28)
But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you are saved (Ephesians 2:4-5)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female--for all of you are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).
For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2)
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7)
I no longer call you slaves, because the slave does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I heard from my Father (John 15:15)
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you (1 Corinthians 6:19)
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:1-3)
"You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." (Luke 12:40)
So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away--look, what is new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I no longer call you slaves, because the slave does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I heard from my Father (John 15:15)
Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
All our actions, engagements, deeds and words are characterised and motivated by love and faithfulness (Psalm 100) and expressed as:
Joy - Bring the joy of salvation to everyone we meet
Worship - Our entire lives are a living sacrifice of worship
Gathering - Encourage one another to worship, unity and service
Generous - Generous in caring, sharing, giving and time
Learning - Discipleship through practical biblical teaching and practice
Thankfulness - Express thankfulness and humility before the Lord and to each other
Generational - Every decision ensures the generations grow stronger
“What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.”
1. Faithfulness - When you understand where you have come from and how you arrived to this day, it can help you to stay faithful to the timeless truths of foundation. Remembering who we are helps us be faithful to where we have always been going in following Jesus.
2. Perspective - Having perspective of our history means that we understand we are but one generation, amongst many who have been, and more who are to come. We should never lose perspective but remember we are building on those who came before us, so that those who come after us can continue to grow stronger in serving the Lord.
3. Balance - Keeping a bigger picture in mind means we have a more balanced viewpoint. The understanding of issues in the past, and the need to prepare for the future, helps us make balanced decisions that see fruitfulness today, and longevity into the future, as we serve the call of Jesus to our community across the generations.
4. Humility - Knowing our past helps us to remember that it is not about our efforts, nor are our worries any greater than those who have gone before us. We are humbled when we know that we build on the sacrifice of others. We are humbled when we take account that our decisions today will affect those generations who are yet to come.
5. Hope - It can be easy for us to think our current times are the best or the worst that have ever transpired. Knowing our history means that we can see many times of hardship, trial and strife, and some great achievements, developments and growth. While every generation has experienced a tough moment, we keep the hope that our church remains on mission, and that we are still called to share the Gospel here in Burnside, and to all the nations.
Around 1855
A small group of Christians from Burnside Village began meeting in homes from around 1855, forming a congregation committed to New Testament teaching and forming a Church.
Original chapel opened in 1864
December 1864
On Christmas Day 1864, the original Chapel was dedicated to God and the Church continued to grow and reach the community.
Original church chapel after the 1899 additions
August 1939
On 20 August 1939, the new Church was dedicated to God and remains the current facility for Burnside Family Church at 88 Lockwood Road.
Completed 1939 church building
1939 church building foundations
Draft plans for 1939 church building
A number of local people from Burnside Village had been had been meeting for about 8 years in local homes, including that of Mrs Booth and Joseph Lockwood. This was the early beginning of our Church who had been encouraged by visits from Pastor Thomas Playford, who had set up a Christian Chapel in Bentham Street, Adelaide in 1848 and had an extensive itinerant preaching ministry in and around Adelaide, including Mitcham, Burnside, Norton Summit and Hindmarsh.
Jacob Abbott was co-pastor at Bentham Street for some years, until he left with William Finlayson in 1855 to set up and co-pastor Zion Christian Chapel in Pulteney Street. This was followed by several other Christian churches being established outside of the CBD, starting with Stepney in 1858, Burnside in 1864, Hindmarsh in 1867 and Stansbury in 1875. The Burnside congregation was assisted by the addition of some of the congregation from the Zion Christian Chapel, One of their pastors, William Finlayson, who came to lead this new congregation at Burnside, had arrived in the colony of South Australia in 1837 as a true early pioneer.
The Burnside congregation continues to adhere to strong New Testament teaching on the Second Coming, believer’s baptism by immersion and sharing in the Lord’s Supper. The Church actively supported missionary work from the beginning and remained determined to be known only as Christians rather than belonging to a denomination. As the fellowship in Burnside grew, it was Joseph Lockwood who owned the corner General Store (later Butcher shop , now Cafe at cnr High Street/Lockwood Road) who kindly donated the land for the 1864 stone Church, and some stone for the church. On Christmas Day 1864, congregation members met in their newly built Christian Chapel - now 88 Lockwood Road.
The Church grew steadily over the decades with it becoming necessary for a new building. With years of planning and saving, the vision for a new church was discussed in 1932 culminating in the commencement of building in 1938. By 1939, the building was completed in late 1939 inside and out as a result of the generosity of the community. Over 500 interested members, friends and people from the past gathered for the grand opening of the new church. The Mayor of Burnside (Colonel Waite) officially declared the building open “to the glory of God.” At the dedication service, a prayer was offered:
"Today we dedicate this new building to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, whom we love, worship and serve to His praise and glory and the Salvation of souls, the help and comfort of His people. May its doors ever be wide open to all who truly love the Lord Jesus Christ and the Word of God. May the Gospel of grace ever be preached in sincerity and power."
This Church stands today as a visible proof that GOD ANSWERS PRAYER, sustains us throughout the generations, and the ongoing mission of His Church to Burnside, Australia and the Nations. Over the years, the Church at Burnside continued to worship God without ever going into debt, was able to extend and add more buildings to accommodate the increasing congregation providing Sunday School, Kids’ Club and Youth Group.
“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”
