PASTORS E-NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY 2011

Hi fellow Pastors!

I trust that you have had a bright start to the year. If you are like me there are so many demands that it is a real challenge to discern what one’s priorities ought to be and what things (even though they may be good in themselves) we need to pass on at this time. At times this means others are disappointed in us but in the long term it is essential we remain focused on where we believe God is taking us.

This newsletter refers to a number of resources and ministry and learning opportunities. While not every item will be relevant to you, I encourage you to give prayerful consideration of those things which may make a positive contribution to your life and ministry.

A MOVEMENT OF PRAYER

We at MSD believe that God has us (the denomination) on a journey in regards to prayer. We recognise that God is on the move, even though we aren’t exactly sure what that will look like when He has finished with us.  This started to become apparent at the 24 Hour Prayer Vigil just prior to the 2012 Consultation Day in July 2010. This has become an embryonic start to something that God is keeping alive and we can think of few things that will contribute to the health of our churches as much as a deepened dependence on God.  To that end, there is now a dedicated Prayer Space at the Baptist Ministry Centre at Epping. So we want you to be aware of the MSD Ministry Team’s commitment to this move of God.  We would welcome requests to add to our prayer board that we will pray for regularly each day as we ‘drop into’ the Prayer Room.

We have also released Pete Davies to devote time and energy to help lead us forward in this vital area. One outworking of that is that Pete has just been appointed as the Prayer Coordinator for Revive 2011. Expect to see an increase in information coming from Pete inviting your churches, and your own, involvement in various prayer events and initiatives. If you would like to encourage Pete in this, or would like to share stories of what God is doing in regard to prayer in your church, why not contact Pete at pdavies@baptistnsw.asn.au . In fact this week Pete and a few others are spending a day visiting numerous churches in the Illawarra area to pray for those churches and their ministries.

COACHING AND MENTORING TRAINING

On Feb 26^th the third “Foundations for Coaching & Mentoring Day” is being run. This has proved to be a very popular event with over 80 people having completed this training. It is aimed at helping yourselves and your ministry leaders to help others reach the goals that God has placed on their agendas. If being an empowering leader is at the heart of your ministry this is a great opportunity and resource. It is also the first stepping stone to becoming an accredited Coach (for the very committed).  Details can be found at www.msd.com.au/resouces/.

SCHOOL of WORSHIP, ARTS and THEOLOGY

One Worship has launched a new School of Worship, Arts and Theology that aims to equip and empower creative leaders in our churches to develop a culture of worship. Combining small classes with high interactive participation that is fun, engaging and interesting, they aim to develop the worship, music and creative leaders to be more effective in their church ministry.

Their one-year program consists of four 2-day intensives, guided reading and online learning and mentoring relationships with peers and experienced leaders. MSD commends this initiative and encourages you to bring this to the notice of your worship, music and creative ministry teams. Your church could benefit greatly by using this resource to equip and train your leaders.

Applications for 2011 close on March 1. More information can be found on www.oneworship.org.au or email either info@oneworship.com.au or Ryan Day on ryan@oneworship.com.au.

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS to SUPPORT MINISTRY – SEMINAR

If your church is considering developing or ‘reinventing’ the church property then this seminar may be one that is worth you or some of your leaders attending. Building projects can be full of challenges and possible pitfalls. This seminar, entitled, Gregarious 2011, is being held at Willoughby Uniting Church, 10 Clanwilliam St, Willoughby on March 29, 9.00am – 1.00pm.

The seminar is the outcome of a team of experts who have collaborated to provide practical tools for church buildings, to guide them through the process of planning and building new facilities, especially to be more mission-centred and community-centred. The speakers include Mark McCrindle (Social Researcher and a graduate of Morling), Tim Sims (Financial Strategist), Greg Cooper (Music), Andrew Duffin (Architect), Robert Stass (Expert Heritage Advisor), James Ward (Marketing) and Michael Thomas (Senior Minister of Willoughby Uniting).

The cost is $30 per person, including morning tea. Interested persons can book online at www.trybooking.com/7856.  Further details are also available from James Ward on 9922 2344 or james.ward@nbrsap.com.au.

MINISTRY RISK FACTORS

We all know that ministry carries with it numerous risks that impact our spiritual, emotional, physical, relational and intellectual well-being. However, while there are pastors who barely survive and others finish prematurely, why do some pastors continue to thrive in ministry. The reasons are complex and there are no simple solutions. While there is no guarantee there are some steps we can take to minimize the risk of not thriving in ministry. Tony Stoltzfus identifies some of these risk factors and suggests some strategies that we could put into practice to reduce the impact of these factors. See www.msd.com.au/resources/ .

DIRECTIONS 2012: TASKFORCE 1 – MISSION

MSD understands that the purpose of a Baptist Denomination, unlike many other denominational organizations, is primarily about being a para-church organisation that exists to minister to and with our local churches. Historically and globally, the Baptist movement has been a movement of local churches and the ‘Union’ is to assist the local churches in their endeavours. Based on this assumption, MSD is committed to establishing and facilitating the development of healthy, sustainable, missional ministries within and through the Baptist Churches of NSW and ACT. The MSD Ministry Team undertakes the role of resourcing, serving, supporting and partnering the churches and pastors of the Denomination in this endeavour.

While much of the discussion around Directions 2012 has been focused around Taskforce 3’s (Denominational Governance) recommendations, this is really secondary to regaining our focus for mission. Taskforce 3’s considerations are primarily about establishing a structure that enables us to be more effective in supporting pastors and churches in their local context. In other words, any recommendations need to be considered in light of whether they will enhance or hinder the ministry support the denomination can offer to local churches. This is something that does impact all local churches and therefore warrants our careful attention, especially as the time for decision-making approaches.

MSD is very committed to the focus of Taskforce 1 of Directions 2012 which is about empowering congregations for effective mission. The last few NCLS surveys have highlighted the need for our churches to refocus our commitment to and practice of effective mission. This taskforce’s priority was to identify and implement strategies to further empower our movement and its congregations in effective mission. MSD has already implemented numerous new strategies to assist local churches in their mission. The Directions 2012 decisions will impact our capacity to provide this ongoing support to churches.

MSD TEAM UPDATE

Sally Smith (Children and Families Ministries Coordinator) and Ros Allibone (Ken’s PA) have fully recovered from cancer surgery and subsequent treatments. They are both back at work and fully engaged in ministry with MSD.

Andrew Palmer will continue as Director of Youth and Young Adults for 2011 before commencing with Global Interaction in 2012. However, Andrew will only be part-time in 2011 as he will also be on the pastoral team at Seaforth Baptist. John Lewis will be taking up a part-time role based in the Hunter Region and MSD is also looking at possibly adding another person for one day a week. In the mid-year MSD will review the staff structure for 2012 and beyond.

Steve Bartlett will commence in a part-time role as Director of Church Planting in late July after completing his role at the Tinsley Centre, Morling College. He will continue as the Lead Pastor at Bayside.

Despite the fact that at Christmas I shaved off my beard after 40 years and have lost lots of weight (see photo), the rumour that I’m having a mid-life crisis is unfounded.

Ken Clendinning

Director of MSD

kclendinning@baptistnsw.asn.au