ACC EMAG #2 2022

#2 2022

EMAG

quarterly publication for acc leaders

RESTORING TRUST IN THE CHURCH DIGITAL CHURCH IN A LONELY WORLD DIGGING ONLINE WELLS

READY For Harvest

Insights for Post-Covid Church

Why Pastors Need Mentors

Celebrating 40 Years of Youth Alive 1

SIDE

IN

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Ready for Harvest “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” – Jesus (Luke 10:2)

EDITORIAL: Get Ready For Harvest

by Wayne Alcorn

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ACC SNAPSHOT: Celebrating ACC Church Life

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NEWS 21 Days of Prayer OAM For Cheryl ACC on Caring for the Environment Rising Persecution

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ACCI Reaching the Unreached Generous Response Helps Thousands Flood Response Humanitarian Crisis

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ALPHACRUCIS Australia’s 1st Pentecostal University College AC Students & Future Leaders

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LIVING THE ‘WITH GOD’ LIFE

by Ally Cawthorn

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CELEBRATING 40 YEARS WITH YOUTH ALIVE

by Marian King

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INSIGHTS FOR POST-COVID CHURCH

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DIGGING ONLINE WELLS

by Dave Adamson

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DIGITAL CHURCH IN A LONELY WORLD

by Benjamin Windle

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REMOVING BARRIERS: Restoring Trust in the Church

By Jacqueline Grey

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BEYOND THE RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION BILL Q&A with Mark Edwards

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WHY PASTORS NEED MENTORS Q& A with Paul & Annette Bartlett

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SPIRIT-LED DISCIPLESHIP

by Tania Harris

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INDIGENOUS: NAIDOC IDEAS

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CHAPLAINCY: PATIENT CARE Q&A with Chaplain Kym Cross

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NEW RELEASES

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RESEARCH

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CALENDAR

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Ready for Harvest Get ready, Church. It’s time to prepare for a great harvest. Even in the midst of natural disasters, wars, political upheavals and the ongoing effects of the pandemic, God is at work.

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” – Jesus (Luke 10:2) Let’s be praying for workers: for hearts to be reignited with the passion to see souls saved; to make disciples and to plant churches that impact generations for Jesus.

I’ve been hearing great reports from across our Movement. We have much to be thankful for and much to celebrate right now.

Alphacrucis was awarded University College status in January. This is a great achievement for our national Bible college, and we congratulate Prof Stephen Fogarty and his team on the many years of hard work to achieve this. See page 12 Youth Alive is celebrating their fortieth anniversary this year. We’re celebrating a youth movement that was birthed in the 1980s that has seen thousands of young people make decisions for Christ. God has used this ministry to shape leaders and the culture of the Australian Church; which in turn has had a profound effect upon the planet. The stories are inspirational as we position ourselves to reach the next generation for Jesus. See page 18 Post-Covid Church. We’ve come through two years of a global pandemic that shook us up a bit, but we’re landing in a new fresh season. We’ve all learned some interesting lessons and upskilled in areas we never thought possible. When restrictions hit, we had to innovate because the vast majority of churches didn't have an online presence. It’s now time to focus on future church life. See page 24 There are many great inspirational articles in this edition of the ACC EMAG. May we continue to keep our eyes on Jesus, with thankful hearts and a passion to make disciples and lift up His name in all we do.

WAYNE ALCORN is the National President of the ACC.

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Celebrating ACC Church Life Follow ACC Snapshot on Instagram: @accsnapshot #accsnapshot

Youth

Small Groups

Dedications

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@novachurchadl Flood Relief

@parkworxchurch Prayer

@churchunlimited.au Baptisms

@iseechurch Back to School

@kingdomcityperth Praise

@heritagechurch_nt Community

@calvarysc

@planetshakerschurch

@faithcc.melb

21 Days of Prayer for 2022 ACC churches across Australia launched into the new year with a commitment to pray for the year ahead. The ACC National 21 Days of Prayer was launched on Sunday, 23 January, with three weeks focusing on National, Local and Personal prayer points.

Churches were invited to either join the National prayer initiative, or adapt it for their own congregation.

“Over the years, many churches have had a time of consecrated prayer and fasting in January,” said Pastor Sean Stanton, who pastors LIFE UC in Canberra, and has started each year with a prayer campaign among his congregation.

Pastor Corey Turner launched Neuma Church’s Consecration campaign on 16 January, providing their congregation with devotions and prayer points for each day.

A feature this year was the focus on forgiveness at the start of the third week, that co-incided with i4give Sunday across the nation, supporting the initiative of Danny & Leila Abdallah. The inspiration to seek forgiveness and forgive others is a powerful part of the Lord’s prayer.

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OAM for Cheryl ACC Pastor Cheryl Blackwell was awarded the medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) this year, which recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement.

Cheryl has spent her life serving others, with 11 years teaching in primary schools across country NSW, before leaving to care for their three foster kids and pastor Hope Bathurst.

It was after seeing a news report on the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, that Cheryl and her husband Steve travelled to Rwanda two years later. They have subsequently built schools, a community centre, trained teachers, and pastors, as well as provided support for other churches and organisations. They are also a part of a pilot program supporting children with vision impairment in western Kenya.

Since Covid restrictions prevented international travel, Cheryl has been cooking meals in a soup kitchen, providing emergency food hampers, and assisting in the coordination and logistics to deliver food to 15 other charities in Central West NSW. She says, “It is never about the task it is about the connection with people and showing the kindness and compassion of God. It is amazing to me that while we are blessed to be a blessing, when being a blessing to others, we find ourselves blessed all over again."

“I am not big on events or big fanfares I just love connecting with people and meeting them where they are at, whether that be at home in Bathurst or overseas in Rwanda or Kenya.”

Cheryl is looking forward to reconnecting, in person, with all her friends in Rwanda and Kenya. She says, “These last couple of years have been very difficult for those in developing nations and the organisations that rely heavily on international teams to support their work.”

For Hope Bathurst and the work they do in the community, Cheryl sees new adventures on the horizon: opportunities to connect with people, form partnerships and relationships with existing agencies and government departments to build a strong community.

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ACC on Caring for the Environment The ACC believes it is thus imperative that the Christian Church play its part in helping to sustain a healthy environment for future generations. This will be achieved, first, by preaching and teaching about our responsibility as people created in God’s image to care for the environment that is loved by God, and second, by incorporating practical creation care activities into the mission of the Church.

Christian faith understands the earth and its natural ecosystem to be created by God and thus inherently

Australians’ Views on Climate Change The most comprehensive study to date of Australian Christians’ attitudes towards climate change has been released by Tearfund Australia.

The report reveals more than 3 in 5 young Christians are very or extremely concerned about climate change, and two thirds of young Christians calling on the local church to lead the way in taking action to address it.

The seven-part study, led by Tearfund and conducted

by NCLS Research in 2021, examined the views of Millennial and adult Gen Z Christians and church leaders in Australia towards climate change and the

valuable, even sacred. As such, care for the natural environment is not an incidental or merely practical issue, but an essentially spiritual issue as well.

The 21st century presents human society with environmental challenges the likes of which have never before been encountered. Extinction of species, destruction of habitats, pollution of land, air, and water, as well as the global threat of climate change, stand together as one of the central moral challenges of the present age.

role of the Church in taking action to address it. It also looked at how climate change - and creation care more broadly - fit within their understanding of the gospel, the mission of the Church and the living out of their Christian faith.

The report found that 35% of senior church leaders say they rarely preach on environmental matters, many citing the politicisation of the issue as a key challenge, however 85% of leaders are willing to encourage their church community to take action to tackle climate change.

The study’s findings provide both insight and hope for how the Church might grow and strengthen its response to this critical challenge.

Click here to receive a full copy of They Shall Inherit The Earth report.

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Rising Persecution VIOLENT PERSECUTION RISES A reported 4,761 believers were killed for their faith in the last year. 79% of those were in Nigeria.

1 IN 7 CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED FOR THEIR FAITH

AFGHANISTAN RANKED #1 DANGEROUS COUNTRY

Asia: 2 in 5 Africa: 1 in 5 Latin America: 1 in 15

Afghanistan has overtaken North Korea as the most dangerous country to be a Christian.

CRACK DOWN ON TECHNOLOGY Crackdowns on social media and digital content in places like China put added pressure on churches and persecuted Christians.

Click here for the 2022 World Watch List of most dangerous places to be a Christian >

Reaching the unreached WOLFGANG AND DIANNE SUE minister to the Isan people in northeast Thailand – a region where less than 1% of people are Christians. They’ve been ACCI missionaries since 2014 and are based in the city of Khon Kaen but travel regularly to surrounding villages to share the Good News with people.

“We went because it is one of the most unreached parts for the Gospel in the world,” Wolfgang says. “We heard God say, ‘This is where I want you to be.’”

As former nurses, the couple often advocate on behalf of low income people at hospitals as their needs can otherwise be ignored. “God uses everything He has placed in our hands, no experience is ever wasted in His plans,” Dianne says.

“There’s a cultural gap between East and West, so it can take a long time to go to the next stage of discipleship,” Wolfgang says.

“Lots of our work is one-on-one; just helping the villagers that we see in our work,” Dianne says.

Generous Response Helps Thousands The generous response from churches to ACCI Appeals has provided emergency aid and relief to thousands of individuals and families in desperate situations across the globe.

AFGHANISTAN The Afghanistan Appeal launched in August 2021 raised over $370,000. All funds were designated to initiatives aimed at helping people fleeing this country, working through ACCI field workers and partners who have served faithfully in this region for many years.

Funding including provision of food parcels to refugee camps, medical treatment, and support for 130 families (about 500 people) to start life in a new country with rent, items to set up home, and food.

“We receive messages of thanks from many of the people we are helping. They are traumatised. In the earlier months, they were fleeing unknown reprisals, in fear of what might happen to them because of their faith or their association with the West. For the past few months, those arriving have experienced actual reprisals that include the disappearance and/or death of fathers, husbands and sons, and the rape of women and girls, plus subsequent pregnancies. We are grateful to everyone who has supported these people through ACCI’s appeal.”

– ACCI Field Worker

TONGA Love offerings by ACC churches in January, following the massive volcanic eruption that triggered the tsunami that devasted the island nation. As part of the disaster response, ACCI allocated funds to fill a 40-foot container, through their partnership with Convoy of Hope, with non-perishable food tins, bottled water, essential hygiene and general household items being distributed through 60 AOG churches.

Another $40,000 has been allocated to the AOG in Tonga to assist with the rebuilding process in local communities.

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Flood Response The record-breaking rainfall and flooding that devastated SE Queensland and New South Wales in March resulted in thousands evacuated from floodravaged homes and businesses. ACCI partnered with Chaplaincy Australia and local churches to respond to communities with emergency assistance, as ‘mud army’ teams from local churches helped with the massive clean-up process. Funds raised from the 2022 Flood Appeal will help with the long-term rebuilding of damaged communities.

Watch report from Lismore Donate Now: acci.org.au/flood

Humanitarian Crisis The Russian invasion of Ukraine at the end of February has created a massive humanitarian crisis as thousands of Ukrainians have fled for their lives. ACCI has sent funds to help church led responses within Ukraine and are working with ACCI Field workers and partners to effectively support Ukrainian refugees across the borders. The ACCI Ukraine Appeal remains open to this unfolding crisis.

Donate Now: acci.org.au/ukraine

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Amidst Insurance Turmoil ACS still has you covered The La Nina weather pattern that has been influencing Australia’s climate over the past 12 to 18 months has brought increased rainfall, cooler daytime temperatures, and a greater number of tropical cyclones. As such, there has been a significant increase in the number of severe storms and floods experienced in many parts of the country.

The impact of these weather events has placed substantial pressure on insurance markets nationally and globally.

The ability to place insurance for flood-cover has become increasingly difficult in many markets. Some regions in Australia are facing the possibility of drastically reduced flood-cover, while seeing the costs of insurance increasing significantly across the board.

ACS Financial has been working tirelessly with our providers and remain well positioned to ensure that our clients receive the best possible cover and value due to the global reach of our reinsurance arrangements. We are seeing a surge in increased property damage claims due to storms and flood, and are working closely with many clients who have been impacted by the significant natural disasters which have impacted our country. Our Members are benefiting from our strong alignment to Christian churches, our understanding of the unique needs of churches, and our global reach into insurance markets. One only truly understands the value of quality insurance when you need it the most.

For insight into what a church had to face when the Mary River was affected by La Nina weather visit: www.acsfinancial.com.au/la-nina-weather-strikes-again For help with insurance and protection for storm and flood cover visit our website or call 1300 397 616.

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T H A N K YO U A C C F O R YO U R S U P P O R T .

ALPHACRUCIS IS NOW A UNIVERSIT Y COLLEGE

Since 1948, we have grown from a small Bible college to over 4000 students, online and campuses in every state, and hundreds of partner churches, schools and community organisations. It’s thanks to your support and commitment that we have flourished. Glory be to God!

Check out our latest courses in Ministry, Theology, Chaplaincy, Counselling, Social Sciences, Teaching, Business and Entrepreneurship.

DISCOVER WHAT’S NEW

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AC.EDU.AU

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Australia’s 1st Pentecostal University College “It’s a fulfilment of a vision that began over 70 years ago,” says an elated Prof. Stephen Fogarty, following news that Alphacrucis was recognised by the tertiary accrediting body, TEQSA, as a University College under the new Provider Categories.

This decision makes Alphacrucis the first Pentecostal higher education institution of this level in Australia’s history and the only one in the university-affiliated categories in the Asia-Pacific region – it takes AC one step closer to its vision and mission.

“Alphacrucis started as a small Bible college in 1948 to serve the training of Pentecostal ministers,” says Stephen. “Since its inception as the national training college of our movement, AC has had a rich history of ministry training, having taught and trained thousands of Christian leaders in Australia, New Zealand, and throughout the world. Now a multidisciplinary college, AC graduates are making an impact across the global Church, businesses, humanities, not-for-profit organisations, NGOs, and classrooms. Since that time, we have developed into the largest Protestant tertiary provider in the country.”

Alphacrucis University College currently has around 4,000 students enrolled at onshore and offshore delivery sites. The main campus is in Parramatta NSW, with additional campuses in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Auckland. It is a dualsector provider that offers VET certificates, Bachelors, Masters and PhDs across Business, Education and Theology. Alphacrucis University College currently employs 200 staff, around 50 with doctorates and hosts six research centres “This new recognition as a University College not only provides opportunities for domestic partnerships in

schools, industry and vocational training but also opens the door internationally. There are 125 million Pentecostal/Charismatic Christians in the Asia-Pacific alone, with no Pentecostal Universities. We hope this new category will help Australian faith-based higher education institutions engage with new educational markets within our regional environment,” Stephen explained.

In announcing its decision, TEQSA congratulated AC on achieving registration as a University College and noted that this category was “granted only to institutions that deliver superior-quality higher education”.

Stephen adds, “I have pursued God’s call for AC since 1994 and have been actively seeking to progress towards university status since 1996. We are excited for our continued future to strengthen and grow in advancing the Kingdom of God.” > 13

Q. WHAT IS A UNIVERSITY COLLEGE? In Australia, there are 188 higher education providers registered with TEQSA, of which 43 are universities and only 4 are in the University College category.

For AC to be 1 of those 4 is an outstanding achievement.

University College status is official recognition that AC is offering superior-quality higher education, and we hope this gives you great pride in your college and confidence in the quality of the education we offer to you and your church family.

AC Students & Future Leaders Meet four graduates whose studies at Alphacrucis have given them greater confidence in their chosen fields.

MINISTRY

Katrina Yassi | Diploma of Theology & Masters of Arts

Q. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR STUDENTS AND GRADUATES? University College status also takes us one step closer towards our goal of full university status, when we will qualify for various funding across a range of courses, thus benefiting future generations of students. All graduates and students are part of building this legacy.

Finally, our new status opens up more opportunities for collaboration with new partners, such as universities, schools, employers and not-for-profit institutions. We will continue to pursue these opportunities to benefit you and to fulfil our vision to become “A global Christian university, transforming neighbourhoods and nations.”

Stay tuned for developments at ac.edu.au

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"Studying has enabled me to preach better, and to pastor more effectively during these last couple of difficult years."

"I had previously studied at a secular university for my undergraduate degrees, so to prepare for ministry, I wanted a comprehensive education in biblical studies. I completed a Graduate Diploma of Theology and a few years ago, I decided to continue my education and enrolled in the Masters of Arts (Christian Studies) course. It’s important to grow in our development and understanding of the Bible, but it’s incredibly valuable to do so with a Pentecostal lens.

My time studying at AC has enabled me to preach better, to pastor more effectively during these last couple of difficult years and most of all, it has helped to cultivate an even greater love for the word of God."

BUSINESS Ethan Enz | Bachelor of Business & Theology

"Studying theology as well as business has given me confidence that I actually can do this."

"Business and theology can seem like unrelated worlds, but studying both at AC has shown me how deeply connected they really are. If you’re in business and you’re a Christian, you should be practising theology. There isn’t a separation between the two in the Bible and there’s no reason there should be in Christian life. Whether we’re advertising, planning, making contacts, or producing content, we’re practising theology and serving Christ through the way we behave and decisions we make. Studying at AC also equipped me to think critically about business, grow in proactiveness and boost my confidence to take those crucial steps to start something new, and I am now successfully running my own design / videography business."

SOCIAL SCIENCE Abigail Comfy | Bachelor of Applied Social Science

"I realised I needed to find a place to learn that aligns with my worldview."

"I am passionate about social work and keen to share my love for Jesus in that space. My journey to AC began when I was studying social work at one of Sydney’s biggest secular universities. My lecturer told the class: “Worldview affects everything we do, especially in this job.” At that moment I realised I had to find a university whose values aligned with my own. Since I switched my degree to AC, I found a place to integrate my work with my faith. I am looking forward to graduating this coming year and starting my career in social work."

EDUCATION Brittany Shapcott | Master of Teaching "I never thought I’d wind up as a secondary school teacher, let alone a secondary school maths teacher. Graduating from one of the big secular universities with a degree in commerce, I started in the corporate world, but soon realised this didn’t draw upon my love of people.

"As a teacher, it is my desire to encourage young people to rise up and fulfill their God-given potential."

I switched to AC and studied a Master of Teaching through AC’s Teaching School Alliance Sydney apprenticeship model, which combines a faith-focused teaching ethos with practical teaching experience inside schools, under the guidance of a mentor teacher, from day one of her course. AC was where I re-discovered my calling and gave me precious experience and confidence in the classroom."

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Living the ‘with God’ life

by ALLY CAWTHORN

The phrase “living the with-God life” will be familiar to you, if you have read any work by Dallas Willard*. That phrase is an apt reminder of the ongoing reality that in Christ, we are living eternal life – now.

Jesus tells us in the gospel of John chapter 17, that eternal life is living in union with God; it is an intimate knowing of God that can be experienced while we are still walking the earth. According to Jesus then, eternal life is more than a destination; it is a quality of life which demonstrates the Reality of the Kingdom that Christ died to make available to every soul.

This ‘with-God’ life invites each one of us to lean into a continuing and holistic transformation of spirit, soul and body that we might live the kind of life Jesus modelled.

His was a life of power, of spiritual depth, of influence, justice, legacy, fruitfulness and so much more. That process of leaning into the transformative reality of the Kingdom is what we mean when we consider the journey of Christian discipleship.

The biblical understanding of discipleship is to live under the tuition of a rabbi, and through that relationship to be continually immersed in the spiritual reality the rabbi teaches and offers the student. It was obvious in the first century who your rabbi was – through looking at the way you lived.

The good news is that our rabbi is more than a firstcentury historical figure we try to imitate from a distance; He is as present to you today as he was to the first disciples through His Spirit who dwells within.

The Spirit leads you into the truth Jesus taught and empowers you to have the same quality of ‘with-God’ life Jesus himself demonstrated.

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Our discipleship then, is about living in intimate communion with Christ so when the world looks at our lives, it is obvious who our rabbi is. He was the image of the invisible God, the one who came to show us what the Father is really like and then modelled a life that accessed all the treasures of the heavenly realm.

What is more, Jesus did that while living as a human being – thereby stripping every excuse we might have not to live as He did, because we too are human yet empowered by the very same Spirit.

So, while our world which is crying out for the sons and daughters of God to be revealed, let’s remind ourselves that we are living the ‘with-God’ life and have access to the power, spiritual depth, justice, fruitfulness and all the beauty of the heavenly realm which is eternally present to us. Allow the Spirit to empower, encourage and inspire you again as you become more aware that you are living the ‘with-God’ life and that our God is continually and intimately present to you in every moment and through every circumstance.

ALLY CAWTHORN is a member of the ACC National Executive and pastors Urban Church in Perth with her husband, Steve.

*Dallas Willard was a philosopher from the University of Southern California who wrote prolifically about Christian spiritual formation and the spiritual disciplines.

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Celebrating 40 Years of Youth Alive

It is a youth movement that

GENESIS OF A YOUTH PHENOMENON

defied explanation and couldn’t

For most Spirit-filled Christians who lived through the glorious fluro-injected 1980s, there was a bubbling sense of hunger to see God move and change a generation This desire was evident in what was starting to ignite in different pockets all over Australia – all independent of each other, yet with the same focus and cry: JESUS, have your way!

be ignored, and has impacted countless thousands of teenagers over a remarkable four decades.

Youth Alive was birthed in 1982 in the hearts of pioneer youth leaders who chipped away, then ploughed a field wide open, so that the fruit continues to benefit our contemporary church context right across Australia and the globe.

What started to gain momentum in 1981 was a cohort of AOG youth leaders who gathered together for events under the banner Christ’s Ambassadors. In the Easter of 1982, a youth camp held in Portsea, Victoria, under the leadership of Gary Watts, ignited sparks in various locations within youth groups that set Australia ablaze. This camp saw the miraculous unfold during worship and the through the ministry of Mal Fletcher’s Senior Pastor, Tim Hall.

The desire and hunger to see God move was so strong that come dinner time, the camp cooks wondered why no one had turned up to eat dinner! Their hunger for Divine visitation had superseded their desire to take a break to eat.

They were discovered praying and fasting, crying out to God to move in our land.

Sometime later in a quaint motel in Mitcham, outside of Melbourne, Mal Fletcher brought together 40 key youth leaders who had all been seeing these sparks pop up in their regions. In coming together, there was a deep sense that God was up to something. It couldn’t be easily explained or defined, as it grew out of what God was doing in like-minded hearts across the nation as YOUTH ALIVE was birthed and pioneered in a new way of working together.

Even the name was a declaration of a new era, that was so desperately needed. Teenage suicide was increasing at an alarming rate. To call out life and reflect the deep desire to see God was at the heart of forging a new way forward that was seeing thousands of teenagers lives completely transformed. >

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Unleashing Creative Gifts The Youth Alive Band and Creative teams have left a huge mark on how we embraced contemporary worship, even influencing the music industry itself.

The creativity and daring atmosphere that was unleashed during Youth Alive events set the platform for dreaming big dreams and using our gifts to serve our generation.

Many Aussie singers, musos, dancers and production specialists can point to Youth Alive as igniting their future careers. Being involved in such highly creative teams that championed the belief we could do greater things with our gifts provided opportunities that went far beyond wildest dreams.

Youth Alive is embedded in so many aspects of my personal story for which I will be eternally grateful. I was one of thousands of teenagers who at age 12 boarded a bus to attend my first Youth Alive Rally. I cannot overstate how this night changed my life and my own trajectory. I joined the production crew as soon as I could, and went on to help with sets, costumes, choir and backing vocals in the band.

Pioneering something new was a common thread in the early decades of Youth Alive. There was no precedent, no limits and no end to the creativity. Also no money or big budgets that meant simply trusting God and going for it.

In the 1990s, milestones included being the 1st Christian film clip on RAGE, the music video show on ABC tv, and full feature article in Rolling Stone magazine (‘Moshing for Jesus‘ September 1997).

Former Youth Alive band members who have lasting influence today include:

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DARLENE ZSCHECH When it comes to setting atmospheres of heaven and writing songs that point to Jesus, Darlene’s impact is undeniable. Her love for God and people encountering Him is just as contagious and effervescent today as it was when she graced the stages in the very earliest Youth Alive events.

Darlene reflects on those days of “doing whatever it took”– from selling tickets until the events started, then jumping up to lead worship, and then afterwards balancing the books, while [husband] Mark and the lads bumped out all the production.

When asked for her hopes or dreams for the Youth Alive of the next decade, it is evident Darlene’s passion for the next generation has not waned. She spoke enthusiastically of ‘authenticity’, ‘being relational’, ‘raw’, ‘no limits’ and ‘prophetic’ and hopes to see those there in the early days cheering the next generation on, encouraging them to dream bigger, go higher and trusting God that He can do it.

JAYNE DENHAM Jayne acknowledges that standing on the large scale stages, leading thousands of kids in worship, gave her the confidence to dream big dreams about having an impact in the music industry.

Today she is often described as the Country Rock Chick with killer creative shows, not seen anywhere else. A three-time Golden Guitar nominee, she is currently is one of Australia's most admired and sought-after country rock performers. She has achieved four #1 smash hits in Australia, six Top 10 songs in the National Country Charts and 12 videos that have reached the Top 30. Jayne happily points to the days leading the Youth Alive band that called out her destiny and creativity, being released to serve generations with her gifts.

ROMA WATERMAN Roma is a name synonymous with quality vocals and a true heart for worship. Countless vocalists count her as their mentor and her reach continues today. Considered one of the most influential singers in our nation, working with the highest calibre of performers, tv programs and music sessions all over the nation, Roma founded the Melbourne Gospel Choir who still back notable artists today.

GUY SEBASTIAN Winner of the first season of Australian Idol in 2003, Guy cut his teeth on stages of large Youth Alive events and the Planetshakers Band. He went on to have a massive career in music, including six number one singles.; including being a judge on national programs X-factor and The Voice, to representing Australia at Eurovision, countless tours and his charitable work.

HENRY & ALEX SEELEY Henry & Alex led the South Australian team for many years, writing incredible songs, leading the worship teams, and pastoring countless creative kids. They have since moved to the USA and birthed THE BELONGING CO, which has again changed the face of contemporary church and worship.

ZEEK POWER Singer-songwriter Zeek is well known to the current youth generation, with his involvement with Queensland Youth Alive and making it to the semi-finals of The Voice in 2019.

He believes “Youth Alive as a space for young people is so needed in this day and age because we have we have such a modernistic way of looking at things now, the culture that we are in everything is acceptable, everything is true, and when everything is true nothing is true.

Learning about God and Christianity is more needed and more relevant than ever." > 21

NATIONWIDE EXPLOSION By the mid 1980s, more supernatural encounters were happening at camps each year, and events moved beyond the youth group walls.

Youth Alive events went on to being held in almost every major large-scale venue in every state that was nothing short of revival. Held in concert halls, civic centres, football fields, theme parks and sports arenas, they saw literally thousands of teenagers respond to the gospel. Such large-scale drug- and alcohol-free events, extreme camps, school sessions and regional tours were held across the length and breadth of the nation. City and rural, large and small, traditional and non-denominational youth groups came together and saw remarkable things unfolding before their very eyes.

The very DNA of a Youth Alive event when distilled right down was to have contemporary experiential worship and to communicate the gospel with young people in a way that they could understand.

“There simply wasn’t anything else like it” recalled Mal Fletcher.

From the smallest country towns to youth groups in big capital city groups came together under one name, JESUS. The simple gospel message, and everything pointing to Jesus was the unifying thread. “We kept Jesus at the centre,” reflected Wayne Alcorn, “we didn’t complicate our message.”

There’s always been a healthy dose of interstate rivalry, but all with the same desire to point generations to Jesus. Cheering each other on and celebrating the wins in each state was also a key part of the culture of YA. “We always championed what was going on all over the nation,” said Wayne Alcorn.

GLOBAL INFLUENCE The formalisation of Youth Alive Australia saw the impetus of what was to come across all states in Australia, and then spread across the globe, when YA was officially established in eight capital cities across Europe, Canada, New Zealand and across Pan Asia.

Opportunities for teams to travel overseas took the energy and spirit of YA to the nations.

In the early 1990s, Wayne Alcorn and the Queensland team travelled to Zimbabwe and Thailand. Wayne vividly recalls how in Zimbabwe there was a supernatural provision of bibles to share with the soldiers in the military camps. “It was incredible seeing lives changed in a war-torn nation that desperately needed the good news,” he recalled.

In the late 1990s, Christine Caine led teams from NSW to several Scandinavian cities and Canada, seeing youth events held in the largest venues that had never previously held a Christian event before, such as the Globen Stockholm. Decades on, the seeds of this ground-breaking pioneering work are still bearing fruit.

Over the years Youth Alive has been led nationally

by Mal Fletcher, Wayne Alcorn, Russell Evans, Paul Geerling and current national leader, Cameron Bennett.

Today Youth Alive may look and sound different, as it should. But it’s core focus has not changed one bit: To reach people with the Gospel, raise up leaders, resource local churches to reach youth more effectively, and revive a generation through the things of God.

MARIAN KING is an ACC Pastor and former Youth Alive team member.

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Looking Forward Former YA National Directors share their hopes for the next decade of Youth Alive.

MAL FLETCHER Reaching young people with a gospel that they can understand, changing the iconography, but never changing the message to reach this next generation.

To have a hunger for God to move today. For a new generation that says what’s the biggest crisis facing our time, and what can we do together as a network of churches to address that? That Youth Alive to be equipping people to be real agents of change in their society in Christ’s name.

WAYNE ALCORN The next 10 years will be exciting! I see new strategies, fresh passion and energy, unlocking a new season of mission. Old patterns are being restored, where youth ministries and local churches work together to achieve something greater than they could achieve on their own. I believe God is about to do something incredible: the scale of which can’t be ignored.

RUSSELL EVANS YA has been a move of God that has changed the way we do church: pioneering worship albums, making disciples, raising next generation leaders. My hope is that YA continues to inspire a generation to change the world and play a significant role in changing the landscape of how church relates to culture.

PAUL GEERLING My hopes for Youth Alive for the next decade are to inspire and raise an army of passionate, on fire, Holy Spirit-filled youth leaders and pastors! And to see evangelistic events that fill stadiums, and see thousands of teenagers encounter Jesus Christ and make a decision to follow him with their whole life!!

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Insights for Post-Covid Church Brad Bonhomme, Mark Varughese, Paul Bartlett and David Hall reflect on church life after two years of Covid restrictions.

Brad Bonhomme Horizon Church; National Executive Member

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David Hall Lifepoint Church; State President: SA

Paul Bartlett Lighthouse Church; State President NSW + ACT

Mark Varughese Kingdomcity; National Executive Member

Q: LOOKING BACK OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS OF COVID, WHAT THINGS STAND OUT WHEN IT COMES TO CHURCH LIFE?

BRAD BONHOMME: As difficult as lockdowns were for the Church, they have helped to reframe the way we think about ‘coming together’ and ‘authentic connection’.

Will Zoom, YouTube or the Metaverse ever replace the coming together of the Body of Christ in a physical space? Not at all. Are these digital platforms a blessing and a great support to the ministry of the Church to the community? Absolutely!

MARK VARUGHESE: Three things stand out for me: 1.

The Church was only as strong as the relationships within it.

2.

The depth of each believer’s discipleship was revealed through this pandemic.

3.

While some isolated themselves into disconnection, many new people came searching for purpose and a community that had faith beyond this temporal life

PAUL BARTLETT: I think we were probably over focused on our Sunday gatherings, in a way that we hadn’t learnt how to maybe reach people beyond our walls. Many churches of course went online for the first time, and many churches have continued to do that, which is a good thing. We discovered new ways to reach people.

DAVID HALL: What stands out for me is that we serve a miracle working God. We have had the peaks and troughs that come with various restrictions, but the anointing has sustained us. At the start of the pandemic, I felt the Holy Spirit speak to my heart to “stay in faith”. We have done our best to stay in faith and have seen good things in tough days, including purchasing properties for future expansion in Adelaide.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE VALUABLE INSIGHTS YOU’VE GAINED ABOUT YOUR CONGREGATION IN THIS TIME?

DAVID HALL: The biggest blessing to me has been seeing people stay planted, helping us build and on fire for Jesus. There are those who have been very worried about the virus, and others who have been very worried about the handling of it.

Holding all sides together has been a challenge. For our church, staying full of the Holy Spirit and full of faith has been our priority.

MARK VARUGHESE: People are hungrier for God, for discipleship and community more than we thought. While many physical gatherings were cancelled or restricted, so many in our congregation around the world opened their homes so that the church could still meet. New people have joined the church, many have given their lives to Christ and we have been inundated with testimonies. They couldn’t come to church, but we became the Church like never before.

BRAD BONHOMME: The resilience of our church has blessed us, more than words can say. Generosity, community connection and care for the hurting has only increased. Providing digital accessibility to services and online life groups has shown us how much people WANT to participate and engage, despite their physical or logistical limitations!

PAUL BARTLETT: One of the things that many Pastors have realised is that the great myth that we had to face – the idea we were making disciples when we are gathering people in a crowd on Sundays. In fact, we have since learnt that maybe some of the things we were doing on Sundays was not building a deep discipleship process in people. What we are seeing now is some people have chosen not to come back yet or are missing, and so it made us realise that we need to deepen our processes around how we make disciples and how we grow people in faith. >

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Q: ARE THERE ANY NEW INNOVATIVE WAYS YOU ARE ADAPTING TO TAKE YOUR CHURCH INTO THE FUTURE?

MARK VARUGHESE: Like many others, we are utilising technology to creatively bring the gospel to our world. This has resulted in our online campus, and much of our creativity and content going online and no doubt, that will continue to develop.

While our vision remains the same, our emphasis will be to keep deepening our roots in the soil of discipleship. Through all the challenge and change, we believe God is renewing and refining His church back to the original mandate – to go into all the world and make disciples, followers of Jesus Christ from every nation, but in innovative ways that will have unprecedented reach and scale.

PAUL BARTLETT: One of the things we did was create a menu for 7 days of church.

There was something happening for somebody each day of the week. Creating a menu of connection and engagement in faith that spans across the whole week is something that all churches could continue, instead of reverting back to having just the gathering again on the weekends. It creates multiple ways that faith can be taught and engaged with across the full seven days of the week.

BRAD BONHOMME: We are blessed to be able to make the Hybrid Church model available to our communities through our Online Campus. We have found that this is less about the technology available to us and more about a mindset shift for our team. Resources such as RightNow Media and YouVersion have become more central to our week-to-week discipleship, and digital connection points continue to strengthen throughout our ministries. The pandemic has without a doubt pushed our teams to get the most out of platforms and technology that we’ve always had at our disposal. As leaders, we are more open and curious, and more willing to try new things and new functionality.

DAVID HALL: Maybe I’m being stubborn, but I believe the pattern of church hasn’t changed. What God called us to still works pre, during and post pandemic. Our vision is the same, our mission is the same and our message is the same. I believe the Church needs to be ready for the greatest revival we have ever seen.

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Digging Online Wells The following is an extract from DAVE ADAMSON’s new book MetaChurch: How To Use Digital Ministry to Reach People and Make Disciples.

I’ve been an online and social media pastor since 2008. In that time, I’ve heard every argument pushing back on the legitimacy of online church.

The conversations around online church remind me of the story of Isaac digging wells, which we find in the book of Genesis. In the story, Isaac, the son of Abraham—patriarch of the three largest montheistic world religions—is building his wealth as a landowner in a place called Gerar, which is located in what we know as south-central Israel today. In the story we read that Isaac “became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy” (Genesis 26:13).

And as his household and flocks grew, Isaac started accessing the wells he had inherited from his father Abraham. But the Philistines who lived in the land at the time became jealous of his wealth, so they “filled up all of Isaac’s wells with dirt.” (Genesis 26:15).

So what do ancient wells filled with dirt have to do with online ministry? Well, I think there’s a parallel between what Isaac was facing and what church leaders started experiencing in early 2020. Like Isaac, the Church had been doing okay for a few generations until 2020 filled up our wells with COVID, forcing us to close them down. This meant the well we had been going to every Sunday for generations—the well that 28

always provided for us without major issue— was no longer viable. So we had to close that well down. Many of us grew discouraged and even became resentful and angry. Some of us decided it was a sign that our specific well should stay closed, while others fought in vain to keep the well open. But some church leaders, like Isaac in the narrative, decided a closed well would not be the end of their story. It was time to dig a new well. So, they started streaming online services.

And just like Isaac, many of the church leaders who tried this new method discovered that these new wells became a source of debate (Genesis 26:20) and even anger (Genesis 26:21). Church leaders around the world wanted their old wells back and said the new well of church online wasn’t a “real” well and would never be as good as what had been handed down to them and proven so successful in the past. These church leaders publicly expressed their frustration at the dirt in the old well, wanting to go back and deal with the dirt in their own way.

But if you read the story in Genesis 26, it’s clear that Isaac didn’t focus on the closed wells. Instead, he focused on the source of water. When one well closed, he simply worked with his team to open up a new well so he could continue to tap into the source. Isaac understood there was a source that would provide for his community in the new season, and rather than waste energy on what had disrupted the way things had been, he got to work reimagining what might be.

He decided to dig another well to make sure he—and the people he was leading—could access that source.

was actually an invitation? Maybe, this well called “cyberspace” could/would allow the Church to prosper in a new season. Maybe it was more than just a way to cope until things got back to “normal”. Maybe this new “well” could actually serve as the catalyst for the Church of the future and do more for the Church than we could ever imagine.

Now, it’s very easy for me to just write that, but let’s be honest; change of any sort is hard. There’s a cost to rethinking—much less re-digging new wells or models of church—that we’ve invested so much in over a long time. Every church leader has a model or approach or way of doing church. Changing our model requires us working through issues of theology, rethinking definitions of community, reimagining our idea of discipleship and ministry, and rewriting our long-held liturgies.

It can be overwhelming. It will be frustrating.

DAVE ADAMSON is Orange Director for Australia and New Zealand, social media and digital ministry consultant, and author. ©2022 Dave Adamson. Extract from MetaChurch: How To Use Digital Ministry to Reach People and Make Disciples published with permission.

Eventually, Isaac liked the new well so much he named it, “open space”, because God “… created enough space for us to prosper in this land” (Genesis 26:22).

The events of 2020 and 2021 forced almost every church leader in the world to find another well.

At the same time, many of us debated the merits and validity of the new well. We got frustrated, discouraged, and maybe a little angry because of what was being asked of us in order to pivot in this new world. Yet, what if the thing we experienced as a disruption 29

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Digital Church in a Lonely World Benjamin Windle’s paper on 7 Ingredients of Church Community has been published by Barna Ideas. It provides discussion and excellent insights into the post pandemic local church facing the decision on how to embrace the benefits of online ministry.

For those of us who pastor within the local church, we have been presented with a swirling collision of societal trends, cultural upheaval and accelerated change. Technology has given us a new way of life, but it has also burned a hole in the fabric of our culture. It has amplified the deep need for real community and friendship. And, if the Church embraces it, we can be a unique part of meeting this need.

This new age presents pressing questions about how to “do church” in the 21st century: How can we build authentic community in the digital era? Is online church a viable biblical model? Will the future of the Church be online, in person or a hybrid of both? How do we turn the tide of Millennials and Gen Z walking away from the Church? Are online tools the answer to this generational exodus?

Digital church is about more than personal preference or convenience. It provides an opportunity for certain people who cannot attend in-person gatherings—for example, the elderly, single parents juggling multiple roles and people with vocations that force them to work weekends. For these people, digital church has enhanced their ability to grow in their faith and develop community.

Having said that, I want to speak to some of the very real issues that local church pastors are facing, specifically around trying to build both spiritual depth and relational depth in a world that is driven by convenience and preference. In some cases, digital church has exacerbated this.

Sometimes, when we talk about technology and innovation, we get caught up in grandiose concepts and sophisticated terms. But pastors at a grassroots level have seen another side of online church play out.

On the one hand, it has helped us to reach beyond the four walls of our church. On the other hand, for some Christians already within the Church, it has only

amplified the sense of convenience, that church is an event or a transaction. Our digital strategies account for the dad watering his front lawn while the Sunday live stream plays inside or the twenty-something who enjoys a late breakfast and catches up with a few minutes of the recorded service during the week.

We pastors have a nagging concern that there is an aspect to online church that is fodder to a culture that is already strongly driven by convenience and personal preference. When we chart this over a long enough timeline, it poses the question, where will this take us?

TO MISREAD IS TO MISDIAGNOSE A misreading about younger generations is that they are shallow, lack substance and want everything faster and easier. Out of this misreading, pastors can easily buy into the idea that church services need to be more entertaining, stages and production sleeker, sermons shorter, everything more excellent.

It leads to what I call “cool church fatigue.” Personally, I love excellence—who wants average or substandard?

But even excellence needs to be situated within a broader ideal of what a biblical community in the 21st century looks like.

I’m not just describing our programs, facilities and weekend services. I am talking about how the very ethos and culture of our church reflects our beliefs and assumptions.

BENJAMIN WINDLE is passionate about helping churches develop Generational Intelligence in reaching Millennials and Gen Z. www.benjaminwindle.com

Read the full report of the Barna Ideas publication by Benjamin Windle ‘Digital Church in a Lonely World’

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Removing Barriers

Restoring trust in the Church

by REV PROF JACQUELINE GREY It may not come as a surprise to you that Australians, in general, are suspicious of organised religion. In fact, they have lost faith in the Church. The reason?

Scandals, the failings of churches to protect children, church abuse – these are some of the examples provided in the McCrindle Report on ‘The Future of the Church in Australia.’ Yet, it’s not just the traditional churches that have a reputational problem. This distrust of religious institutions effects our churches as well.

The McCrindle Report was the result of interviews of over 30 national church leaders, over a third of whom were Pentecostal, including several ACC key leaders. The good news is that while Australians may distrust the “church”, they are more open to the message of Jesus than ever. So how do we re-build trust in our churches? How can we restore confidence in our institutions so the community can hear our core message, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ? To remove some of these impediments to people coming to church, we need to demonstrate humility and authenticity.

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HUMILITY To begin, humility is not weakness. According to John Dickson, humility “is the noble choice to forgo your status, deploy your resources or use your influence for the good of others before yourself.” Humility is a key virtue that God seeks in His followers (Isa 57:15; 66:12; Matt 5:3-12), and modelled by Jesus in the giving of his life for others (John 3:16). So many of our churches give generously of our resources to serve our local communities. This is a good news story that needs to be broadcast to our society.

However, status and power can be very alluring for leaders. Power can quickly go to our heads. It can cause us to use our influence for our own benefit, instead of using it for others. We see this in the example of David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). The powerful king used his position for self-advantage. David took someone else’s wife for himself, and then covered up a pregnancy scandal by arranging the husband’s death. Rather than following God’s way in leading out of humility, David acted like any other ancient king in “taking” what he wanted for himself (2 Samuel 8: 6-18).

While David initially covered up his scandal, the Bible tells us that God was displeased (2 Samuel 11:27). God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David (2 Samuel 11). Christians in the prophetic tradition are truth-tellers, not just when it’s convenient. How did David respond?

He could have responded in anger at the prophet.

Instead, he repented. David’s response demonstrated humility. This leads to the need of authenticity.

AUTHENTIC Our community wants to see leaders that “walk the talk” and not “take”. That is, the want to see that our lives match our message. We can build trust in our community by consistently being authentic. This requires us to discern how to follow God’s ways, being faithful to the Bible, but applying it to our world today that is so very different from the Bible times. This means being solid in our understanding of the Bible and communicating it in a relevant way.

This means being transparent in our finances and governance, albeit wisely. In essence, it means being like Jesus. Our world desperately wants to see people living and operating our institutions with humility and authenticity. This is part of our witness to Jesus Christ in our communities and a way we can restore trust in churches.

REV PROF JACQUILINE GREY is the Dean of Theology and Professor of Biblical Studies at Alphacrucis College.

See https://mccrindle.com.au/insights/publications/reports-andsummaries/ to download a copy of the report.

McCrindle Report, ‘The Future of the Church in Australia,’ 2020, p.16.

John Dickson, Humilitas (Zondervan, 2011), p.24.

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Beyond the Religious Discrimination Bill Q&A reflections with MARK EDWARDS

THE OUTCOME OF THE RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION BILL WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING AFTER YEARS OF HARD WORK BEHIND THE SCENES. WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS WHEN YOU HEARD THE NEWS? MARK: I remember receiving a brief text message when I was awaiting news of the impending passage of the Religious Discrimination Bill through the Senate. It said, ‘RDB will not go before the Senate.’ With that one-line text, five years of hard work as the religious freedom representative for ACC was over. My reply, ‘Lost for words’, said it all. I didn’t know what to think. The unrelenting momentum of the previous 72 hours came to a sudden halt. It was apparent the Bill was finished, at least in terms of before the 2022 Federal election.

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WHY IS WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES MORE EFFECTIVE THAN DEBATE IN THE PUBLIC ARENA? MARK: Debate is often divisive and unfortunately tends to be not reported either accurately or in full by certain sections of the press. Behind the scenes work is often hidden but it is absolutely necessary. Someone has to do the research, write the submissions, have the meetings with political leaders and be very well prepared. This is always unseen work, but what it does is gains you incredible credibility which often is far greater influence than have your opinion in a public arena. There is a place for a voice in the public arena; however, I have discovered that working behind the scenes is more effective long term.

YOU INVESTED SO MUCH OF YOUR TIME, ENERGY AND EXPERTISE (ALONG WITH OTHERS) TO ENSURE A SOLID PIECE OF LEGISLATION WAS CRAFTED. HOW DID YOU PERSONALLY PROCESS THINGS AFTER IT WAS ALL OVER? MARK: When the Bill was pulled from the Senate, I felt numb and bitterly disappointed. I thought of the scores of political rooms I had been in over those past years, the promises made in those rooms, the rhetoric blithely uttered, and the commitments pronounced with such certainly. Then that word ‘why’ appeared, and a long list of ‘why’ questions. (It’s quite amazing that both blame and ‘why’ never involve the person asking the questions?) I ended up activating the silent mode of my phone to find refuge in a quiet moment, and found myself asking the question: Could the problem be me?

HOW DID YOU PROCESS THE OUTCOME? MARK: It was the perception about people of faith by sections of society and the media that shocked me.

There were many uncorrected and unchallenged false statements made about this Bill that appeared in so many press outlets by passionate well-meaning individuals. When was the point reached that sections of the Australian society view people of faith as being so intolerant, judgemental and dare I say, bigoted against LGBTIQ+ individuals? I supported this piece of legislation and for the past five years at absolutely no time did I ever want to cause any pain or embarrassment or anguish to any other human being.

I sincerely believe in every individual’s right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, so why did sections of society feel this Bill would destroy their rights purely to secure some form of religious discrimination laws?

WHAT CAN WE TAKE AWAY FROM THE WHOLE PROCESS? MARK: It’s time that faith groups think about the basics of their faith and how it is being perceived in the public arena. The basis, and in fact, the mandate, of my faith is to love my neighbour as myself. That is indeed a most dangerous command. It is one that should be exercised with extravagance as opposed to restraint. It is motivated by a conviction of heart that grace speaks

louder than words, love and forgiveness override judgemental behaviour, kindness, patience, goodness and gentleness have the potential to sooth the wounds of past unacceptable behaviour and humility is a strength more powerful than arrogance of speech and manner. None of these things betrays my right to convictions without which I am nothing. However, the tone of the expression of those convictions becomes the most powerful megaphone I have at my disposal. Did faith leaders in the public space during this debate get the tone right?

I’m not saying that the failure of the Bill to proceed lies at the feet of the people of faith. However, I am saying that before debate resumes, people of faith should have a quick glance into the mirror of their own heart and soul and examine if love, as Jesus displayed towards all people, is truly the evidence of identification of our discipleship.

DO YOU THINK THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ISSUE SHOULD BE A FOCUS POINT FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION? MARK: I’m in two minds because I still passionately believe religious activities should be protected in Australia and this has to be achieved by legislation at a Federal level. However, there is no way that Australia is made ‘better’ by a contentious discussion of religion, especially during an election. It cannot be a balanced debate in this context.

Remember both major parties have committed to a Religious Discrimination Bill as a matter of policy for the next term of Parliament. They must be held accountable to that promise. What happened in the last week of Parliament can never be allowed to occur again.

Therefore, apart from holding the parties accountable, the most important role all of us can play in the forthcoming debate, as people of faith, is not merely through articulate arguments and reasonable debate, but through our speech and actions being seasoned by a healthy dose of unconditional love of my neighbour.

MARK EDWARDS is the Senior Pastor of CityHope Church in Ipswich, QLD. He is the representative for the ACC on the Freedom For Faith Board.

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Why Pastors Need Mentors PASTOR ALUN DAVIES spoke to PAUL & ANNETTE BARTLETT, about their personal experiences with being mentored and mentoring others.

TELL US WHAT YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT HAVING A MENTOR? ANNETTE: Paul and I were youth leaders together, so we’ve been in leadership for a long time. Everything that we faced, we kind of gritted our teeth and got through it the best we could. I couldn’t believe the first time that we sat down with our mentor and how amazing it was to just be listened to and supported.

Really, it’s been life changing for us. I can’t recommend it enough.

PAUL: Did you know I’m embarrassed to say that I was 40 years of age when I ever went to a counsellor for the first time. I downloaded to that poor counsellor for two hours. I had 25 years stored up. We’ve been getting mentored now for 14 years. I’d say that mentoring for us is why we have longevity. It’s why we’re still here. The first 20 years of my ministry I’d work flat out for three years, and then hit a wall. I’d get help, then go flat out for three more years, and hit a wall. Well, I’ve changed the way I do ministry now because of my mentors who taught me how to lead differently. What I’ve learned is, you don’t burn out because of how much you work. You burn out because of how you work.

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ANNETTE: I can attest not only as his wife, but actually leading with him, that he’s very different to who he was before he had mentoring. It helps us right through our life with our own relationship, with leadership, and with family, by having more energy and time. I think that’s just the healthy thing to do.

YOU’VE TALKED ABOUT THE VALUE OF BEING MENTORED. ANNETTE, CAN YOU SHARE ON WHAT IT IS TO BE A MENTOR? ANNETTE: Firstly, we need to really look at our motivation for wanting to be a mentor.

Mentoring is a style of ministry that could be quite different to what you have been doing.

I love people, but to mentor someone, you really have to like people. You have to want to come alongside, develop and help another person, and then make space, time, energy and margin to actually do that.

If you’re working long hours, and have multiple roles, I wouldn’t suggest that mentoring would be for you, unless you decide to pull back and make margin for mentoring. It sounds simple, but people need a safe space to be themselves, and talk about those things that are on their heart and mind. If you want to be a mentor, there also has to be a shift in the model of ministry. Instead of a top down approach, where we’re telling people what to do, you would have the skill of listening.

I am really learning how to be a great mentor and supervisor. To use Paul’s language, I had to unlearn how I do ministry. Actually, I’m still actually learning that to dismantle some of the ways in which I have led and being successful in that. But really, mentoring is that shifting model, in that we’re coming alongside people, instead of directing people.

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER SOMEBODY THAT’S TOO DEMANDING AS A MENTOREE? ANNETTE: I think you can choose who you mentor and want invest in. I don’t mentor everyone in the church. I simply refer them to who I think would be better to help them. We definitely should be able to say yes or no to who we mentor. Depending on your skill base, your energy, your time available, you should also be careful on how many people you mentor.

YOU HAVE BROUGHT MENTORING TO THE FORE AS NSW STATE PRESIDENT. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR INITIATIVES? PAUL: I found that when I would preach at different churches on a Sunday morning, I would typically have dinner with the pastors on the Saturday night. In a space of three years, eight out of 10 couples would tell me over dinner that they can’t handle things anymore and were going to quit. We had to do something about this, so began to make changes.

In NSW/ACT, we’re now three years into a journey where we have 25 couples who are retired or semiretired. They take a [ministry] couple out to dinner (paid for by NSW) that just need somebody to talk to and so start the informal mentoring relationship.

We have 30 individual mentors that can be activated at any time for any person and we’re committed to training another 10 mentors every year.

At the end of 2021, we launched the very first ever in ACC pastor hotline where you as a pastor can call a designated, experienced retired pastor on a hotline when you’re feeling in a really dire situation

SO HOW WOULD A PASTOR FIND A MENTOR IF THEY NEED ONE? PAUL: It’s my goal that every single ACC New South Wales pastor has a mentor. If you’re an ACC pastor, I’d suggest contacting your State Office to help you.

ANNETTE: I’ve actually come on board with Chaplaincy Australia as a mentor. There is the Australian Christian Mentoring Network that I’m a part of so you could go on their website and their mentors. This past year I have seen right across the church, not just ACC, many people being trained up as mentors and supervisors really to meet the need. So I think it’s a growing and exciting space that is happening at the moment.

PAUL AND ANNETTE BARTLETT have been the Senior Leaders of Lighthouse in Wollongong, since 2000. Paul is the ACC State President for NSW/ACT, and Annette leads and consults with Lighthouse Executive and ACC NSW/ACT in matters of discipleship, mentoring and spiritual formation.

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Spirit-Led Discipleship What is God saying to you?

by TANIA HARRIS What happens when we hear God’s voice? One man dreamed of an unknown building that later became the location for a new church. Another woman saw a vision of God’s hand reaching into her heart and woke up healed from the wounds of a painful divorce.

A young Christian dreamed of a group of veiled women with a sign saying, “prepare to go.” Ten years of fruitful missionary work in Far East Asia was the outcome.

These are just some of the stories I heard as part of my recent PhD in the theology and practice of hearing God’s voice. In interview after interview, people told of how they heard the Spirit speak to them and then were healed and transformed, released into their giftings and spurred into mission. As I listened in awe to their testimonies, one thought stood out: the Spirit was doing the work!

As someone who has pastored a local church, I know how much work it can be – all the service organisation, follow up and sermon preparation week after week.

And yet, here, in our churches, people have shared how one genuine Spirit-inspired experience provided them the motivation, resource and grace to fulfil God’s purposes. Better still, it was tailored to each individual and perfectly timed to set them free.

When God speaks, people grow in faith, the world is reached, and God’s Kingdom comes. The Spirit leads the process. This truth clarifies our role as pastors. It also positions the Spirit at the centre of discipleship.

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WHAT IS DISCIPLESHIP? Jesus summed up discipleship in the call to “follow me.”

Disciples hear and obey God’s voice (John 10:27). After leaving the earth, Jesus sent the Spirit so that we could all hear God for ourselves (John 14:26; 16:13, Acts 2:17).

Our role as disciplers then, is to help people recognise the Spirit as the continuing voice of Jesus and then encourage them to respond. The question becomes, what is the Spirit saying, and am I following?

THE CHURCH WHO HEARS GOD’S VOICE Sounds simple, but it can be difficult to put into practice. History tells of the damage done in the name of “God told me.” The proliferation of weird beliefs, heinous abuses of power and even mass murder have all been justified by claims to direct revelation.

Sociologists tell us that the response of most church leaders is to actively discourage people from hearing the Spirit for themselves. But as Pentecostals, we know this denies the power of God and the essence of the New Covenant. The answer lies in building churches that facilitate Spirit-led discipleship in ways that are theologically orthodox and pastorally safe.

Lockdown has provided the perfect opportunity to meet in small groups via Zoom to discuss strategies and learn from one another. Not only has it benefited our churches, but has enabled us to disciple each other as we’ve listened to and discerned the Spirit’s voice together.

We can neither make God speak nor make people listen, but we can create cultures where people are equipped to hear, recognise and respond to God’s voice. And as always, it starts with us, what is the Spirit saying to me and am I following it?

TANIA HARRIS is an ACC pastor, speaker, author, practical theologian and Founding Director of God Conversations. godconversations.com/50days

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NAIDOC Ideas There are many ways to celebrate NAIDOC Week (3 – 10 July 2022) in your local church community. Two ACC churches found new ways to acknowledge and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait culture with their congregations in 2021.

Get the Kids Involved iSee Church NAIDOC Week is a great opportunity to get everyone involved, particularly the younger generations.

In 2021, iSee Church celebrated the First Nations people and prayed for healing of the land.

Blessing of the Land Ceremony Glow Church The idea of hosting a traditional Blessing of the Land ceremony in 2021 began with a conversation with Pastor Will Dumas, ACC National Indigenous leader.

The purpose behind the ceremony was significant to acknowledge the history of the newly purchased land next door, to speak into the God-purpose of the land and to acknowledge God as sovereign over all.

“Our beautiful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people led the service from the preaching of the word, leading worship and teaching our jarjums (kids) the meaning of NAIDOC Week and why we celebrate and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of the land that we gather on.”

“Aunty Erica introduced the ceremony with a Welcome to Country and explanation of how we are all connected to God and country. Luther Cora (Traditional Owner) and his family performed the traditional Ceremony, where they used traditional symbols, such as smoke, to symbolise a fresh start and honour the God-breathed purpose of the land. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, Aboriginal elders and members of the general public attended the ceremony, to all take part in dedicating the land to God and His vision.”

“During our services across all our locations in Australia, we set aside time for our leaders and pastors to share about the meaning of NAIDOC Week and to give honour to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who call Glow Home. In each service, Glow’s Acknowledgement of Country film, which was respectfully created by our media team in collaboration with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, was shown.”

For more ideas for NAIDOC Week in your church, visit naidoc.org.au 40

Awareness & Engagement Indigenous state reps share helpful insights WHAT ARE SOME HELPFUL WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES? DARRYL: Go to the elders first. When you come onto someone’s country, first make contact with the elders.

Within Australia, we are on different countries and we need to acknowledge that and begin the relationship.

EDWINA: Find out who the elders are, then email or telephone them and let them know you who you are and why you are there, Then listen to understand the issues that the community face and step into the gap.

It is the same process as overseas ACCI Missions. The first thing you do is find out about the people and their nation.

WHAT DOES ‘HEALING THE LAND’ LOOK LIKE? KIM: Land and country are more than just a place.

It is inherent to the identity of indigenous people and it sustains their life in every aspect; spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially and culturally. Country to indigenous people is family, kin, ceremony, traditions and language.

Healing the land means: • Hearing the pleas of indigenous people to provide greater management, involvement and empowerment.

• Embracing the first nation’s cultural knowledge and understanding country as a part of Australia’s natural heritage.

• Respect the culture and values of indigenous people equally to all Australians.

DARRYL & EDWINA LINGWOODOCK are the SE Queensland Reps for the ACC Indigenous Initiative

• Although we can’t change what happened in the past, we can work towards healing and reconciliation together.

Rather than coming in with all your ideas, listen to indigenous people and their stories so that we can come together and work together to move forward, heal the land and bring reconciliation.

GRANT & KIM HAY are the South Australian Reps for the ACC Indigenous Initiative

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Patient Care EMAG spoke to KYM CROSS, a healthcare chaplain at Sydney Adventist Hospital, on her passion to help people facing critical health situations.

TELL US ABOUT A DAY IN YOUR LIFE AS A HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN.

KYM: I work in the Spiritual Care Service department alongside wonderful chaplains. We start our morning with worship; from there my days are fluid and cannot easily be quantified. I head to my wards – Oncology, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Emergency Care – to check in with staff and follow up of previous patient visits. My day included discussions around end of life, grief and loss, funeral arrangements, bereavement care, prayer, blessings, and a lot of privileged listing.

As a healthcare chaplain, I can assist people facing difficult diagnosis, trauma and dying. I communicate with patients who are in pain, shock, lonely and reflecting. There is not a day without complexities of family relationships that are often highlighted in cases of serious illness and or a stay in hospital.

WHAT HAS BEEN A MEMORABLE MOMENT AS A HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN?

KYM: Entering a room in the maternity ward, I saw three nurses wiping away tears from their eyes, a woman in bed, and a man with

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERTAKE TO BECOME A HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN?

KYM: As a healthcare chaplain, ongoing training and upskilling is a must. Along with a ‘Certificate IV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care’ with Alphacrucis, I have completed ‘Clinical Pastoral Care’ (CPE) accreditation through Westmead Hospital. I have undergone additional training, such as ‘Trauma-Informed Care’ that relate to the wards I work in.

his back to me. At this stage I was uncertain why a chaplain had been called. The man turned and in his arms held a small baby with a full head of black hair. I looked at the baby and the man smiled at me saying, “Please would you pray a blessing over our daughter and thank. God for her safe arrival, before we take her home.” The staff had journeyed with this couple through multiple losses.

Interested in becoming a chaplain? Call 0418 118 049 42

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HOW TO PRAY:

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This down-to-earth introduction to prayer will guide you deeper in your relationship with God - making you more centred, more aware of God's voice, more likely to see breakthroughs and more able to make sense of your unanswered prayers, too. It's full of honest, hardwon wisdom interspersed with reallife stories - some humorous, others moving - to equip and inspire your prayer life.

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METACHURCH:

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by Dave Adamson Digital ministry is complicated. You know there’s more to it than just streaming services and posting on social media … but where do you start?

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RESEARCH

We would love to hear your views. Here’s a chance to have your say in a survey. All Pastors working in ACC churches are invited to participate in the following research projects endorsed by the ACC.

Would the ACC benefit from more women in senior and executive leadership roles?

Research project by Ps Vicki Delport.

Contact: vicki.delport@hdr.ac.edu.au

•

Why are there so few women?

•

Is it even a problem?

•

What are the opportunities and obstacles?

•

Do our processes work for women?

•

Does our theology play a part?

•

What’s the role of the Spirit?

•

Might quotas be a way forward?

Your responses are anonymous and confidential. It only takes around 20 minutes. The ‘agree-disagree’ scale is quick and easy. If you want to say more, comment boxes are available.

A generalised results summary will be provided to the ACC National Executive and any of you who request it.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE SURVEY

Burnout research in Australian Christian clergy Research project by Sarah Stanford.

Contact: sms064@student.usc.edu.au

You are invited to participate in an anonymous online survey to examine the factors that precede burnout in Christian Clergy.

Clergy provide essential pastoral care to members of the community, with this care becoming increasingly important following events that create significant widespread social stress, such as disasters (e.g., bushfires, floods) as well as the ongoing COVID pandemic.

The survey will examine how you have experienced COVID lockdowns, the nature of the organisation you work in, your current work situation, how well you are coping, your level of support, and feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression. The research team will use this information to map factors that contribute to the experience of burnout in Christian Clergy.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE SURVEY

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CALENDAR

PANASIA 1-4 AUGUST, 2022

PANASIA 1-4 August, 2022 Phuket, Thailand REGISTER

Novo t e l P h u k e t R e s o rt Regi s t r a t i o n : a c c i . org.au/panasia

KIDSHAPER 9-11 August, 2022 Gold Coast REGISTER

ACC NATIONAL CONFERENCE 18-20 April, 2023 Gold Coast REGOS OPEN IN MAY

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ACC EMAG #2 2022 Created by Australian Christian Churches.

Editor: Daryl-Anne Le Roux editor@acc.org.au Graphic Design & Editorial Assistant: Amelia Dales Photography by: p. 1-2 iStock (Stefs Sight of the World) p. 5 Neuma Church p. 6 Cheryl Blackwell p. 7 Unsplash p. 8 Open Doors / ACCI p. 9 Open Doors / Convey of Hope p. 10 The New York Times (Jason O'Brien) / Hope Centre / Convoy of Hope / Associated Press p. 13-15 Alphacrucis p. 18-23 Youth Alive p. 26 The House p. 28 Dave Adamson p. 30 Unsplash p. 34 Calvary p. 36 Unsplash (Priscilla Du Preez) p. 40 Glow Church / iSee Church p. 43 Amelia Dales for 1800Chaplain p. 46 Unsplash ACC EMAG is published four times a year.

Visit www.acc.org.au/emag to read more editions.

ACC National PO Box 8093 Norwest NSW 2153 No part of this magazine may be reproduced with the written permission of the publisher.

All rights reserved. ©2022 Australian Christian Churches.

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