Ministers Desk 30th March 2014

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Hebrews 13:17).

Today, following last week’s election, we commission nine people to serve as leaders within our congregation. These people are Alison Anderson (Chair), Sonya Cornwell (Secretary), Barry Jardine (Treasurer) and Dom Chan, Rosemary Costello, Kristy Johnson, Nathan Robertson, Richard Robinson, Dennis Shanks (elders).  These people will serve on Church Council giving strategic, spiritual oversight to the future direction of our church.  They undertake these roles because we have discerned God’s call on them at this point in their lives.

However, they are not the only leaders we have in this congregation.  We are blessed with many individuals who offer leadership through our explore and engage groups, to our youth and children’s groups, in worship and in heading up significant areas of our church life.  The cost of leadership is not inconsiderable.  They give of their time, energies and finances.  They spend considerable time in prayer and preparation.  Their role requires them to make a commitment to attend at certain times that is often not replicated by members of the same group.  Yet, these people are essential for our church to function as it does.  Strong, servant hearted, Godly leadership facilitates us achieving the goals that we share together.

 

I therefore believe that we need to do all that we possibly can to honour and support our leaders.  Here are a few suggestions on what you could do to show your appreciation and support all of our leaders in their tasks.

 

1. Pray with them and pray for them

 

2. Be open, enthusiastic and willing to follow their leadership

 

3. Speak positively to others about them

 

4. Refuse to be drawn into negative conversations about them

 

5. Offer practical assistance such as baby-sitting, cooking meals, undertaking tasks

 

6. Thank them regularly and specifically

 

7. Affirm them with positive feedback

 

8. Stand by them in their decisions

 

9. Laugh with them in the good times

 

10. Cry with them in the bad times

 

Ministers Desk 16th March 2014

Our God is a God who welcomes all people into relationship with him.  A very visible expression of that welcome is when we as God’s church welcome people into the fellowship of our congregation.  The warmth of our welcome and the speed with which we include people proclaims the grace of God that is available to all.  We all want to welcome guests to our church, yet I know that for some of us we are uncomfortable knowing what to do.  Here are a few suggestions on what each of us could do to welcome guests in our worship service.
 

Remember that when a guest comes to our church, that they are venturing into unfamiliar territory.  As people who are comfortable in our surroundings, we should seek to help guests feel relaxed as possible.

 

If you see someone you don’t know, and they are by themselves, speak to them.  Most people coming to a church service appreciate, and even expect, to be greeted.  If all around them other people are talking and interacting, and they are being ignored, they will feel unwelcomed.  When speaking to someone, show through your facial expressions and words that you are pleased to meet them.

 

When speaking to someone new, find out their name.  My practice is simply to tell them my name and if they don’t tell me there’s I ask them.  Once you’ve been told their name, use it in the conversation a couple of times.  Saying it out loud will help you remember it.

Have a genuine conversation that shows interest in the other person.  You could ask them about their family, where they live, what they do for work and recreation and what they would like to do.  Do this in a natural way without appearing as though you are interrogating them.  If you find an area of common interest that’s great, pursue that conversation.

 

Introduce them to other members of the congregation.  By doing this you will increase the chances of them finding someone that they can relate to and the anonymous sea of faces is broken down and is replaced by individuals.  Also remember that there is more benefit in guests meeting members of the congregation, than in meeting members of the ministry team.  Most people will think that it is our job to be interested in them.  They are more likely to return if they meet and interact with other members of the congregation.

 

Invite guests and their families to our groups and activities.  The information desk has lots of information about the different engage and explore groups that we have.  Give them a copy and explain what we have on offer.  If they show interest in a group, introduce them to a leader or member, if they’re available.  If they’re not, make the offer that you will contact the leader and ask the leader to contact the guest.

 

Welcoming guests is an expression of the grace that God shows to us.  “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2).

Ministers Desk 9th March 2014

Last Sunday night was an exciting time as we started our new Community Dinners.  This is an initiative of some of our young adults who worship at the evening service.

 

The concept is that each Sunday night, at 5pm, we will host a dinner for members of the community.  Everyone is welcome to come and be part of it.  Good food and a welcoming atmosphere is essential to building a sense of community.  However, this is more than providing food.  We are seeking to build a community of love and trust where authentic and genuine relationships can thrive.  It is our prayer and hope that as we build these relationships that we can share the good news of the gospel and draw people into a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

We have also started hosting monthly picnics for our young families.  These picnics take place in a local park.  These picnics are about building relationships among the young families of Emmanuel.  In the busyness of life, finding the time to stop and relate to others who are equally busy can be very difficult.  But we know that strong healthy relationships are important for our life together as a congregation.

 

These are exciting new initiatives being introduced to our congregation.  They speak of the vitality and health of our congregation.  Thriving congregations display characteristics of growth.  Their members have an optimistic view of the future.  They are making plans and moving toward the future that God has for them.  In thriving congregations, members are willing to risk new ways of doing things and try new initiatives.  At the same time members are willing to discontinue past activities that are no longer viable in the present.  By all these criteria Emmanuel is a thriving congregation.  I think it’s great to be part of such a congregation, I hope you feel like that too.

Ministers Desk 2nd March 2014

The Church Council met on Monday 17 February.  At this meeting we made some significant decisions that affect the future of our congregation.

 

We appointed Matt Baunach to the vacant position of Youth Pastor.  Being a lay employment rather than a placement, the Uniting Church processes allow for the Church Council to make this appointment.  Matt is a young man who is currently in formation as a Minister of the Word.  Matt will be employed by our congregation for 20 hours a week, working in our youth area.  He will primarily be responsible for ensuring that our congregation is providing opportunities and is committed to growing faith amongst youth.  This includes those whose parents worship at Emmanuel and others from the community.  This will also include developing transitions between our groups to help youth as they grow older.  Matt will be involved in the Friday night youth groups and the evening worship service.  He will be available to assist the leadership of the Brigades and the youth and young adults explore groups.  Please take the time to make Matt feel welcome.

 

The Church Council also started a process to consider the future needs and uses of the church building.  Our building is one of the tools that we use to achieve our purpose.  For almost 20 years we have used it for worship, study, service, fellowship and play.  But now it is starting to show signs of its age.  Carpet and pews are stained, tired and worn.  The inside needs painting.  The décor is dated.

 

A task group has been formed to look at what we do with the church into the future.  Since the building was built the way we do church has changed and the needs that we have for the church building are consequently different.  This group will be engaging an architect to come up with an overall development plan.  This will be guided by some initial parameters that the building needs to multi-purpose, contemporary and highly durable.  At important stages in the process the group will consult with the congregation in general and with specific groups.

 

We are looking toward 2016 when our building will be 20 years old.  To honour the foresight of those who have led us to this point in our journey, we are going to stand on their shoulders and look further into the future.

 

The Church Council also approved the congregation’s budget for 2014.  It is exciting to see that based on pledge information provided last year, our level of giving allows us to maintain a balanced budget that generously meets all our expected expenditure.  This budget will be presented at our congregational meeting on Sunday 30 March.

 

There have been 31 people nominated for Church Council.  Those who received at least 2 nominations have now been contacted.  Please pray for their reflection of the call of God on their life.  names of those who have accepted nomination will be presented on Sunday 9 March.

 

Ministers Desk 9th February 2014

On Monday night the Elders spent time identifying the major issues that are facing our congregation into the immediate future.  At this time when we’re discerning and nominating people to stand for election as Elders, I thought it was worthwhile to share these so that they can inform your prayerful discernment.  The Church Council that we elect in the coming months will have to give consideration to these issues and how they affect our congregation.

 

Future orientated mindset – when thinking about our people, resources, building, infrastructure, systems and leadership, how are they setting us up to move into the future.  This will involve consideration of future growth and needs, rather than reacting to changes that are forced upon us.

Koinonia – this is a Greek word that encompasses concepts such as community, fellowship, joint participation, sharing and intimacy.  It describes the type of church fellowship that existed in the early church in Acts 2.  Koinonia encompasses our pastoral care, group fellowship, social connections and a sense that we are the one Body of Christ moving and growing in the one direction.  Koinonia is the work of the Holy Spirit.

 

Community outreach that brings people to faith – in and through our outreach activities we want to continually build relationships with people so that we can serve them, meet their needs and love them with the love of God, with the intention that in return they will come to faith in Jesus Christ.    

 

Ensuring that we have a contemporary church culture that reflects the culture (including demographics and ethnicity) of the community around us – we have to be careful that we do not become isolated from our community, but that we continue to be relevant to speak the word of faith into our society.

 

All ages valuing spiritual growth – a disciple forming community places ongoing spiritual growth as its number one priority for all ages, from the youngest to the oldest. 

Please prayerfully consider these issues and the impact they may have on our congregation, both if we face them and if we ignore them. 

 

Please also take the opportunity to nominate people to stand for election as an elder on the church council.  It is the responsibility of each one of us to participate in this process, because the Holy Spirit whispers through us as he reveals his plans.

Ministers Desk 2nd February 2014

From last week’s sermon.  A statement made by the first Assembly in 1977.

 

We, who are members of the first Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia, address the people of Australia in this historic moment.  The path to unity has been long and at times difficult, but we believe this unity is a sign of the reconciliation we seek for the whole human race.

 

We acknowledge with gratitude that the churches from which we have come have contributed in various ways to the life and development of this nation.  A Christian responsibility to society has always been regarded as fundamental to the mission of the Church.  In the Uniting Church our response to the Christian gospel will continue to involve us in social and national affairs.

 

We are conscious of our responsibilities within and beyond this country.  We particularly acknowledge our responsibilities as one branch of the Christian church within the region of South-East Asia and the Pacific.  In these contexts we make certain affirmations at the time of our inauguration. 

 

We affirm our eagerness to uphold basic Christian values and principles, such as the importance of every human being, the need for integrity in public life, the proclamation of truth and justice, the rights for each citizen to participate in decision-making in the community, religious liberty and personal dignity and a concern for the welfare of the whole human race.

 

We pledge ourselves to seek the correction of injustices wherever they occur.  We will work for the eradication of poverty and racism within our society and beyond.  We affirm the rights of all people to equal educational opportunities, adequate health care, freedom of speech, and employment or dignity in unemployment if work is not available.  We will oppose all forms of discrimination which infringe basic rights and freedoms.

 

We will challenge values which emphasise acquisitiveness and greed in disregard of the needs of others and which encourage a higher standard of living for the privileged in the face of the daily widening gap between the rich and poor.

 

We are concerned with the basic human rights of future generations and will urge the wise use of energy, the protection of the environment and the replenishment of the earth’s resources for their use and enjoyment.

 

Finally, we affirm that the first allegiance of Christians is God, under whose judgement the policies and actions of all nations must pass.  We realise that sometimes this allegiance may bring us into conflict with the rulers of our day.  But our Uniting Church, as an institution within the nation, must constantly stress the universal values which must find expression in national policies if humanity is to survive. 

 

We pledge ourselves to hope and work for a nation whose goals are not guided by self-interest alone, but by concern for the welfare of all persons everywhere – the family of the One God – the God made known in Jesus of Nazareth the One who gave his life for others.

 

In the spirit of his self-giving love we seek to go forward.

Ministers Desk 26th January 2014

Hello and welcome to a new year.  Already 2014 is shaping up to be a great year of discipleship and spiritual growth. 

 

At the end of last year many people reflected on the spiritual growth they had experienced during the year.  They named specific ways in which they had deepened their love for God, been stretched in their faith and grown in their understanding of their Christian life.  This growth has set us up well to continue this growth into 2014.

 

During the opening weeks of January youth from our congregation have attended three different camps.  We have heard some reports in our worship services, and will hear more, about the impact these camps have had.  Young people who have been touched by the grace of God, some for the very first time and been overwhelmed by the love that God has for them that is unconditional.  These have not just been mountain top experiences that will wear off now that they’re back to normal life.  These young people have been helped to continue their journey of discipleship and make their commitment to Jesus a priority in their life.  Please pray for all our youth and their leaders and their journeys of faith.

 

We have been blessed to share together in worship during January.  In a very tangible way we have demonstrated the unity of our congregation.  I want to thank Nathan, Barry and Dennis for leading our services during this time.  Thanks also to the musicians and other talented people who contributed in their own ways to our services.  I’m looking forward to the exciting ways that we offer worship throughout the rest of the year.

 

I’m also encouraged by the number of people who are returning from holidays and preparing again to serve God by serving other people.  They are returning with fresh ideas for existing activities and new ideas for new activities.  There are also people who are taking up new roles of service and others who are ceasing to serve after having served for many years.  To all these people I say thank you for hearing the whisper of the Spirit and responding to serve as he calls you.

 

As I say, 2014 is going to be a great year for our congregation.  Please make it great for yourself.  Ensure that this year you commit to growing in your faith.  Make attendance at worship a priority, be active in an Explore Group, have an area of service that stretches you to a God only space and share your faith with a pre-Christian friend.

 

On a more mundane note, you may have noticed that the church décor (pews, carpets, walls) is looking more tired and worn.  The Church Council has started a process of considering what needs to be done, how it will be done and how it will be paid for.  It is intended to start doing something this year.

 

Grace and peace

 

David Fender