PASTORS E-NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2011
Hi fellow Pastors!
I believe that we are living in exciting times in which God is actively bringing about His purposes in a world that desperately needs to hear the good news of Jesus. I’m also encouraged that there are many who are part of our Baptist movement in NSW and ACT who together want to be part of what God is doing in our small part of the Kingdom and are therefore seeking after God’s mind and heart about how they might serve.
I’m pleased to be part of a movement that is seeking to better support the churches and their pastoral leaders to impact and transform lives in their local and regional areas. Following the Directions 2012 decisions, a Constitutional Committee has already been formed to commence work on detailing the new governance directions and a Vision Committee has also been formed to commence clarifying the vision and direction for the denomination. It has been encouraging to have so many people willing to step up and be part of serving our wider family of churches beyond just their own church. Commitments to the financial needs to resource this vision has also been coming in.
Could you please continue to pray for those who have the responsibility to implementing the Directions decisions? Some of our first steps will be appointing a number of Regional Ministers and also a communications/IT manager to provide better and quicker resources for pastors and churches. We will be advertising these positions in the near future. Another area of priority will be ways of helping churches identify and develop missional leaders.
REVIVE 2011 – HOPE
Revive is our state event which endeavours to provide us and our congregational members with a further opportunity to inspire and be inspired, encourage and be encouraged, equip and be equipped for the ministries to which God has called us. Please join with us to spur each other on to be the Kingdom people that God has called us to be.
I was recently chatting with Mark Wilson who is our keynote speaker this year. As he shared with me the message God was leading him to bring, I was struck by how much it builds really well on the Directions Decisions. There is no doubt that this will be an appropriate message for the season we are in. Revive is on Friday the 26th and Saturday the 27th August. Revive is about inspiring the church in building Kingdom Communities. You can now find out heaps of info and register online at www.revive.org.au.
The Annual Dinner for Pastors and Spouses is being held at the Bel Parco Restaurant, Bicentennial Park, on the Friday evening of the 26th. Register now while there are a few seats still available. Part of the purpose of these dinners, besides sharing as pastors and spouses around fine food in pleasant surroundings and great company, is to express value and appreciation to those who have responded to God’s call to serve in Christian ministry. Often our calling comes at great cost and sacrifice not only for ourselves but for those we love the most. These dinners are intended to affirm you and your spouse and to say thanks for all you do. Even if your spouse is unable to accompany you or you live on your own, we are very keen for you to attend.
This year’s speaker will be Dr Graham Henderson (from Carlingford Baptist) who is a leading layman of our denomination and who has a heart for championing pastors and pastor’s families and our guest artist will be Russell Ixer. We do recognize that it isn’t a cheap evening but we do want it to be a special night out. Therefore, Christian Super has again agreed to sponsor the dinner enabling us to offer discounts for rural and regional pastors and those pastors who are only paid part-time or are doing it tough financially. We don’t want finance to inhibit anyone, so if you need assistance, just let Ros or myself know and we will arrange a substantial discount for the evening. You must register to attend as we will need to give final numbers to the restaurant in advance. Registration Forms are available on www.msd.org.au/resources.
FINANCIAL BOOTCAMP for PASTORS
Due to the success of this seminar last year, MSD and Christian Super will be holding a similar seminar on August 25th. This has intentionally been arranged on the day before Revive so that rural and regional pastors may more easily attend. Details are available on www.msd.org.au/resources.
DIRECTOR of YOUTH and YOUNG ADULTS
MSD is looking to appoint a new Director of Youth and Young Adults to replace Andrew Palmer as he moves on to the role as State Director for Global Interaction. Having consulted with the Baptist Youth Ministry taskforce and met with a focus group of youth and young adult pastors, the role has been re-evaluated and a new Ministry Description developed. After considering a number of options, our preference is to appoint a fulltime person to integrate both youth and young adult ministries. However, we would be open to consider 2 part-time persons if a suitable person wasn’t available for a fulltime position. The advert for the position can be found on www.msd.org.au/resouces. Please contact me if you are interested in the position or have any suggestions of appropriate persons to approach. Alternatively, you may pass on details of the position to anyone you might encourage to consider the role. Please be in prayer as we seek God’s person for this ministry.
RETREAT for PASTORS and for PASTOR’S SPOUSES
Planning is well under way for a retreat for pastors and for pastor’s spouses to be held at Collaroy Plateau on October 16-18. Our keynote speakers for the few days will be Murray and Marj Robertson from New Zealand. There will also be elective options for pastors, for spouses and for couples. This is part of MSD’s endeavours to support and provide input into the lives and ministry of pastors and also Pastoral couples.
FOUNDATIONS for COACHING and MENTORING SEMINAR
Due to the popularity of these coaching seminars, another seminar day will be held at the Baptist Ministry Centre Epping on Saturday 17th September. This is not only open to pastors but also to others in your congregation who you think would value such training. It is also an introduction to more advanced training. This is a good way to invest in leadership development. See more details at www.msd.org.au/resources.
If you also have an article or link that you would like to share with your colleagues in ministry, please pass it on so that I can include it in further newsletters.
Ken Clendinning
Director of MSD
kclendinning@baptistnsw.asn.au
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