PASTORS E-NEWSLETTER

DECEMBER 2010

Hi fellow Pastors!

Welcome to the latest issue of MSD’s newsletters for pastors. I realize you have just recently received the November edition so this newsletter is quite short. I expect that most of you will take at least some time off during January. I trust that this will be a refreshing and renewing period for your relationship with God, your marriages and family life and that you’ll come back revitalized for the next season of ministry. The MSD Ministry team prays for those of you who will be commencing a new season of ministry in a different context.

The Baptist Ministry Centre will be closed between Christmas and New Year. During January the team members are staggering their holidays so that at least one or two of us will be around over this period if needed.

FJC OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIP

For younger pastors considering post-graduate study in the UK, details of an available scholarship can be found on the MSD Website. This is a substantial level of support for a period of three years commencing in either 2011 or 2012.

SENIOR CHAPLAINCY ROLE – SES

We realize that applications for this role are about to close. However, there may be one of you wanting to submit an application. This position is based in Wollongong, though involves some travel around the state. Details can also be found at www.msd.org.au/resources

NCLS SURVEY 2011

NCLS is conducting its five-yearly survey next year throughout Australia and has again asked whether our churches will be involved. The cost is estimated to be $200 per church plus $1 per survey form. However, there are some subsidies available for small churches. Seeing that most of our churches completed a special survey in 2009 as part of Directions 2012, we want to check how much interest there might be among churches backing up so soon.

MSD does see value in these surveys, both from a denominational perspective and for the local church, especially in regards to trends. It contributes to being able to develop ministry and missional strategies. If enough churches are interested, then MSD would be prepared to train a number of people to assist churches in how to best utilize the results and to develop ministry strategies. To assist us, could you please complete the survey www.msd.org.au/ncls/. As there is only one question, it won’t take long.

REVIVE 2011 – HOPE

Planning is well under way for Revive 2011 and beyond. The new venue at the Sydney Showground (Homebush) has been secured for the next four years that will meet our needs more than the State Sports Centre where we previously held Revive.

Next year’s dates are August 26-27 with the theme of HOPE. A dinner for pastors and spouses will again be held on the Thursday evening the 25^th. Secure these dates in your church’s diary. More details are to follow. A Pastors’ Launch Day is also being planned for March.

DIRECTIONS 2012

December 20 is the final day to submit further responses to the taskforce proposals as part of Directions 2012 deliberations. The MSD team encourages pastors to make a response even if it is only a short paragraph. This is an opportunity for the taskforce members to hear and consider what pastors are thinking.

The purpose of the taskforces is to consider, as a movement, ways we may better serve local churches and pastors in their ministry and to invest in combined missional initiatives such as church planting, etc. Your perspective is important as the outcomes will impact the potential of us serving you in more healthier and effective ways.

Continue to pray for the taskforce members. Above all else they need to discern what God may be saying to us as a movement. Next year will be decision time when, as a collective group, we will determine the way forward. May we be obedient to God’s call on our life and ministry.

PRAYER of TRANSFORMATION

A pastor recently passed on a prayer to add to our prayer room asking God to help us to be open to transformation in our lives. One verse that particularly struck me was:
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We pray for your gift of transformation.

Revive in us a spirit of community.

Mould our thoughts into ones of love.

Instill in us a sense of your peace and reconciliation.

The full prayer can be found at www.msd.org.au/resources

May you be richly blessed during this Christmas period as you bring God’s message of reconciliation to all who need to hear this message. May we be bold in our proclamation.

Ken Clendinning

Director of MSD

kclendinning@baptistnsw.asn.au