Emag#1, 2015

#1 2015

EMAG

quarterly publication for acc leaders

BENNY PEREZ GOD OF MORE

1,000+ CHURCHES 3,000+ PASTORS CHAPLAINS AT MARTIN PLACE WOMEN BRING CHANGE

SAM CHAND LEADERSHIP PAIN

CHURCH+ POLITICS LETTERS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

TOGETHER FOR

REBUILDING LIVES IN VANUATU ONE DAY MAKES A DIFFERENCE

NEWS REPORTS RESOURCES 1

THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME BECAUSE...

TOGETHER FOR It paints an incredibly powerful picture when you look at the hundreds of ACC snapshots posted over the past year altogether.

Each one on its own is a testimony of God at work locally, and put them together and you get an amazing, vibrant picture of God in action across our nation. I love the colour, life and diversity it represents - a pictorial image of the Body at Christ with each individual pastor and church doing their part that make a dynamic big picture of our movement This is what we will be celebrating when we gather together on 21st April for our ACC National Conference.

I am so honoured to lead this wonderful movement, with over 1,000 churches, over 3,000 pastors and more than 285,000 constituents - all of whom are committed to The Cause. The more I travel around our nation, it is obvious that the Lord is at work across the breadth of our nation and beyond.

Our 2014 Census report reveals we have grown in strength and health in so many areas, and I encourage you to join the ACC family gathering on the Gold Coast from 21-23 April. If you haven’t registered yet, jump online now: www.acc.org.au/conference.

This edition gives focus to our theme - The Cause - as we countdown towards Conference. Lyn and I hope you can join us and we look forward to seeing you there.

Warmest Regards,

wayne alcorn acc national president

Follow Wayne Alcorn on Twitter: @wayne_alcorn

1 MOVEMENT 1,000+ CHURCHES 3,000+ PASTORS 285,000+ CONSTITUENTS 2

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In the past months, we have heard the cries of heartbroken humanity: A siege in a Sydney café, eight innocent children slaughtered by a relative in far north Queensland, bushfires in South Australia, cyclone devastation, Christians martyred for their faith... the news carries these and other stories of tragedy and pain every day.

The Spirit of the Lord compels us to action, to remember The Cause we are anointed for, and bring the love of God to those in the midst of heartbreak.

HOPE

FOR THE FUTURE Easter is a special time for Christians, because it’s a celebration of the reason for our hope.

The day we call Good Friday is oh so necessary, because that’s when we remember the Son of God died for our sin.

But the Sunday morning is a real game changer. They discovered the grave could not hold Him...and that’s the thing that separates Jesus from other religious leaders.

Because Jesus is alive, I have hope for the future regardless of what comes my way.

So, maybe this is a good time of year to encourage people to find a Bible and read the story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection; have a conversation about faith with a Christian friend; or connect through prayer to our living and loving God. – wayne alcorn

LOVE

IN THE MIDST OF HEARTBREAK ACC Chaplains assisted in ministring to those who were traumatised by the siege of the Lindt Café in Sydney. Read Anne Iuliano’s report: page 5 ACC Pastor Adem Xhafer officiated the funeral service of the eight children killed in Cairns in December. The two older children attended the Living Waters young group.

Ongong love and support after the sudden death of ACCI fieldworker, Ashley Varga, in the Philllipines. Find out how you can help Paula through the ACCI fund: page 8

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HELP REBUILD LIVES RELIEF IN THE WAKE OF CYCLONE PAM The ACC has always stepped up to help those devastated by natural disasters and we are rallying to assist our neighbours in Vanuatu, following the Category 5 Cyclone Pam that wreaked havoc upon the island nation.

Initial reports from our local church contacts are of widespread damage to buildings and vegetable gardens, leaving people without shelter or adequate food.

ACC International has launched two separate appeals that give us opportunity to help those affected in Vanuatu: • ACCIR Vanuatu Humanitarian Relief Appeal (Tax Deductible) ACC International Relief has launched a Humanitarian Relief Appeal to provide immediate assistance and recovery assistance, that includes the provision of shelter materials, water, and cooking kits. These will be distributed through local church networks in partnership with Samaritans Purse. ACCI will also work through our Field Workers and the national church in Vanuatu to assist families and communities with rebuilding and recovery efforts.

• ACCIM Vanuatu Church Recovery Appeal (Non-Tax Deductible) ACC International Missions has launched a non-tax deductible appeal to raise funds to assist the Vanuatu national church in the aftermath of Cyclone Pam. Early reports from our local church contacts are reporting damage to churches and Bible College buildings. Funds will go to assist in the rebuilding and repairing of local churches. Support will also be provided to churches as they help the members of their churches recover and rebuild.

Let’s continue to pray for the nation of Vanuatu as they start to rebuild what has been destroyed. Please visit the ACCI website link for further information about donating to these appeals: www.accim.org.au/support/vanuatu 4

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COMFORT IN TRAGEDY CHAPLAINS ON THE FRONTLINE On Monday, 15 December 2014, the Martin Place Siege began in the Lindt café, when a lone gunman held 18 people hostage. It came to its tragic end in the early hours of the following morning. The response of the general public was overwhelming, with an outpouring of grief and an unprecedented sea of floral tributes springing up in Martin place.

On Tuesday morning, the NSW Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network was activated by the Government agency in charge of disaster response. There are over 140 Chaplains from all faiths in this network, including 21 Chaplaincy Australia Chaplains. Immediately, Pastor Anne Iuliano led a team of six chaplains at the Martin Place site. Over the next week, six CA chaplains ministered to the people (Anne Iuliano, Barb Carter, Norma & Ray Lemon, Cornelis Sondermeyer and Robert Paino) The Chaplains ministered to grieving people as they came to place their flowers. They also visited local businesses to see how the employees were coping after the trauma and were gratefully welcomed by staff trying to come to grips with the terrifying events. They helped administrate the growing floral tributes, provided a comforting presence amidst the outpouring of grief, and assisted other emergency response agencies as required. Overall, 290 hours of Chaplaincy was provided.

The Chaplaincy presence continued right through until the day when the flowers were removed. Chaplains were again asked to be present when all the cards/letters were filed by volunteers, to ensure that the emotions evoked were properly cared for.

The Chaplains were the combat agency with most direct contact with the public. Four Chaplains were invited, along with one hundred emergency personnel to a special morning tea at Government House, where we were thanked by the Governor General David Hurley and the NSW Premier Mike Baird for our involvement. This occasion commenced with a short reflection and a minute’s silence by the Senior Chaplain of the DRCN (NSW), Rev Dr Stephen Robinson.

“As a Chaplain, it was such an honour to be able to help the people of Sydney at this intense time of grief, and to quietly take the presence of Jesus into this tragic situation,” said Anne. “We represented the Church in action.”

Right: (top) Ps Anne Iuliano and fellow Chaplain on Duty at Martin Place; (bottom left) Part of the sea of flowers at Martin Place; (bottom right) The four chaplains (including Anne Iuliano) at Government House 5

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REPENTANCE

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The ACC played an active role in the 5th National Day of Prayer & Fasting,

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held at Parliament House in Canberra on 15th February 2015.

Together with representatives of other denominations, Sean Stanton and Donna Crouch participated in the National Repentance Service where the main focus was on acknowledging and repenting from the vast number of cases of sexual abuse that have happened within the Church.

Donna Crouch was MC of the service, while Sean Stanton led the moments of silence and prayer for the victims and their families who have been betrayed by those in trusted positions in the Church. .

Church leaders praying for victims of sexual abuse

NATIONAL PRAYER SERVICE

REPENTANCE PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED IN SILENCE We stand in silent repentance remembering all survivors of child abuse who have been left to suffer in silence. We cannot fully imagine the horrors of being abused when just a child, helpless and innocent or how this abuse has haunted your life.

We recognise the humiliation you suffered, the assault on your dignity and self-esteem, the fear and anxiety, the isolation and abandonment you experienced. We can only imagine your anger at not being recognised, believed, cared for and left on your own with your nightmares, your frustrations and your longing for closure.

In this silence we ask for God’s grace and compassion so we can better listen to you.

We stand here in silence and ask forgiveness of God, as we ask for forgiveness from of all survivors of child abuse.

REPENTANCE FOR BEING SILENT We repent for being silent when we aught not to have been silent. For offering silence as a response. For being silent and not speaking up sooner for survivors of child abuse. For not asking for forgiveness sooner. We repent of our silence, a silence which has been a failure of both courage and truth.

Any authentic healing needs the truth to come out. The truth hurts. The truth confronts. The truth demands there be change. But today we claim with simple child-like faith the words of Jesus, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

In this silence let us determine before Almighty God not to silent again but to speak up on behalf of all survivors of child abuse.

SILENCE OF THE CROSS We stand silent before the Cross of Jesus.

The final moments before the death of Jesus were marked by darkness and silence. That silence was broken by the words of Jesus; “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.” Such forgiveness is not trite nor cheap.

The silence of Jesus on the cross was again interrupted by words well known to survivors of child abuse; “My God why have you forsaken me?”

Our hope and prayer today as we stand in silence at the foot of the Cross is that Jesus’ words of forgiveness would wash over all of us. As Jesus faced abandonment and handed Himself over to His Father’s eternal love so too do we.

In this silence we ask for Christ’s resurrection power to open the door to hope, grace, healing and reconciliation.

Inspiration for this prayer comes from the “Liturgy of Lament and Repentance for the sexual abuse of children by priests and religious in St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin.”

Act of humility: Washing the feet of victims as Jesus did to His disciples

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WOMEN BRING CHANGE COLOUR CONFERENCE 2015

SYDNEY – Thousands of women from across Australia gathered together for the annual Colour Women’s Conference, hosted by Bobbie Houston (ACW National Director. Nineteen years on, the conference is defined by the powerful stories and testimonies of women’s lives impacted, transformed and being the change in their local communities. < More: www.colourconference.com >

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ONE DAY

MAKES A DIFFERENCE MISSIONS CAMPAIGN The One Day Campaign is now in its fifth year and continues to make a difference with great momentum. Since launching on the 1st July 2010, $1.63 million has been raised and 305, 878 individuals have been assisted in 25 different countries.

The message of the One Day Campaign is simple: One Day to give = 365 days of change.

For 365 days a year our movement is making a difference in communities around the world through this collaboration between the Australian Church and ACCI field workers. We are outworking God’s plan to reconcile the social, spiritual, economic and emotional divides that are present and problematic around the world.

The projects supported through One Day are designed to create lasting impact in each location. Funds are directed to the following areas: Community Development - tax-deductible gifts are directed to support holistic and sustainable solutions that address the issues of poverty and injustice through community-led initiatives.

Ministry Initiatives – non-tax deductible gifts are directed to support church planting, Christian leadership training and evangelism activities as well as assisting ministry projects within Australian Indigenous communities.

More info: www.acci.org.au/oneday

LAOS One Day funds have enabled 9 new Clean Water Technicians to be recruited, trained and equipped to work in multiple villages throughout Lao PDR. Many rural families can now access safe, clean drinking water.

It is with great sadness that within the first week of the new year, I was informed of the passing of one of our ACCI field workers, Ashley Varga.

Ashley and his wife, Paula, are both ACC credentialed pastors, who have been based in the Philippines ministering to impoverished communities in Negros. At the end of 2014, Ashley fell ill and was diagnosed with pneumonia.

His condition deteriorated and on January 3rd, he was evacuated by helicopter from Negros and admitted into the ICU of a top hospital in Manila where he underwent further testing and treatment. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, the doctors were unable to save Ashley and he passed away on the morning of the January 6th.

This is a tragic and devastating loss for Paula, their children, and extended family, and we ask that you pray for God’s comfort and peace to be upon them.

In honour of Ashley and to provide practical support to Paula during this devastatingly difficult time, ACCI has established the Ashley Varga Memorial Fund. Initially donations will assist to cover any medical and repatriation expenses that are not covered by insurance, and also provide much needed support to Paula.

DONATIONS: If you wish to make a donation, please go to: www.accim.org.au/support/ashleyvarga Thank you for your prayers and support for Paula and her family at this time.

– Alun Davies, Director ACC International

MISSIONS FOR THE CAUSE: TOGETHER WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE! 8

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RANGERS CELEBRATE 50 YEARS

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RANGERS AUSTRALIA

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CELEBRATING 1965 -2015 From small beginnings in 1965 at Petersham Assembly of God, the Rangers ministry has had an amazing impact on the lives of children, young people and their families across every state and territory of the Australian continent.

Ranger leaders from Australia have also played an integral part of establishing the Rangers ministry in other countries such as Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Fiji and Kazakhstan.

Over the years, highly dedicated national directors have led with a passion for children and young people of Australia. With a desire to see churches use the Rangers ministry as a way to evangelise, equip and empower children, young people and their families. Will Thorne, Warren Billson and current national director, Liz Robinson, have all played a part in the continuing development of Rangers in Australia.

On Wednesday, 7th January 2015, 27 special guests arrived on site at Camporama to celebrate 50 years of ministry. A special birthday lunch was enjoyed by all followed by a Guard of Honour made up of all of those in camp who clapped in gratitude as our guests walked into the meeting room.

A large 50th Birthday cake was brought out and cut by two of our youngest Rangers at Camporama with help from past National Director Warren Billson. This was followed by afternoon tea where everyone could chat and view the historical display of photos and memorabilia.

CAMPORAMA 2015 A Camporama is the gathering together of the smaller Ranger families into one big â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;family reunionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. They only happen every five years, and in January 2015, the tenth Camporama saw rangers travel from Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and other parts of New South Wales celebrate 50 years of the Rangers ministry in Australia. There were also 11 rangers from Malaysia and seven from Japan. Daytime activities were full of action - abseiling, billy carts, climbing challenges, bush walking - with night rallies filled with praise and worship.

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NEW FACILITIES It’s great news to hear when local churches put a stake in the ground with new buildings and expansion programs.

The National Executive were treated to a site inspection of the new Planetshakers premises in Melbourne in February.

“It’s amazing to see what God has done in just over a decade,” said Wayne Alcorn. “Congratulations to Russell and Sam Evans on this great achievement.”

HILLSONG MOVIE + UNITED ALBUM DUE FOR MAY RELEASE The Hillsong movie – ‘Let Hope Rise’ – is scheduled for release on 29 May 2015. The movie chronicles the spectacular rise to prominence of Hillsong UNITED, from humble beginnings to now routinely performing to sold-out stadiums.

Since they started, UNITED have sold over 16 million albums and their songs have been translated into 60 languages. The 11-member band, are due to release their latest studio album ‘Empires’ on 26 May. More info: www.hillsong.com/united.html

MEDIA & CULTURE Words can be powerful or empty, significant or worthless.

You can say anything about your ministry, organisation or church, but can you back up the words with action and substance?

How many times have we read an advertisement that sounds so inviting and draws us to a particular company, only to be let down by the experience.

The words were inconsistent with the company culture, rendering them meaningless.

Likewise, every organisation, school, ministry and church has a culture (either by design or default), and that culture is formed by the leadership and filters through the organisation.

There is a direct link between the attitude of the person who answers the phone and the culture created by the leadership.

Before you develop a public relations strategy, ask yourself if your culture reinforces or diminishes the words you are using. If it doesn’t, postpone the PR until you develop your culture.

LYALL MERCER is the Principal of Mercer PR, which works closely with faith-based organisations across Australia. www.mercerpr.com

http://hillsong.com/store/products/music/united/empires

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UPDATE

MARRIAGE RITES FOR PASTORS Since our movement has been renamed and rebranded as Australian Christian Churches, the Attorney General’s office is yet to officially recognise the change from Assemblies of God in Australia. The National Office has continued to pursue this change, and until the proclamation is made, ACC pastors still need to solemnize marriage using the name in the existing proclamation: Assemblies of God in Australia.

An official letter from the Attorney General’s office was received in February 2015, indicating that they are prioritising the amendment and we could expect this to be amended during the first half of the year. ACC pastors with a marriage license will be informed as soon as the change is made.

– Jeff Bartlett, ACC General Manager

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MORE: DISCOVERING THE GOD OF MORE WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LESS

BY BENNY PEREZ

By nature, I am a person who looks at any situation in the best light. Ask my wife Wendy.

Any time she brings a concern to me, I always say, “Let’s look at all the options. We always have options. We need to stay faith-filled and believe God for the best, no matter what happens.”

But facing the loss of our child, I really had no idea what to do. I couldn’t see any options.

I couldn’t see anything positive—unless, of course, God worked a miracle.

That may seem farfetched to you, but you need to understand something about me: I have seen miracles. I have prayed for people, and God has healed them. It may sound a little strange to some people, but to me it is natural.

Miracles are just a part of my life. I believe in a God who is more—more than enough.

When I started as a youth minister in southern California and then moved to the Northwest, God did incredible things. Both of the youth groups I led exploded until they exceeded the size of the adult congregations. In the Northwest we were in a small, mostly rural area north of Seattle, and our services exceeded 700 young people per week.

When we planted a church in south Las

Vegas in 2003, it experienced explosive growth almost overnight. By the end of the first year, we had grown from about twenty-seven to over 600. We saw hundreds changed by the grace of God. You might think the growth would’ve slowed down, but it kept going. We added another 600 people the next year. By the time the church was five years old, we had grown to 2,200 and were seeing thousands begin a relationship with Jesus Christ each year. In 2010, we occupied our own building with land to expand. We believed we were on the verge of another explosion. God continued to do miracles. It was more than we had ever dreamed would happen.

Then that season of miracles seemed to turn.

We sat and watched our baby’s heartbeat disappear that day, just a few days before Easter, right before we were going to celebrate Jesus being raised from the dead. It was the first thunderclap of a storm that was about to hit both our family and our church.

In hindsight, I realise that the clouds had already been gathering for some time. I would not have imagined how the story would unfold and the pain that would grip my heart

/conference speaker/

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU KEEP ASKING “WHY?” AND THERE IS NO ANSWER?

in light of those changes. In 2004, my fatherin-law, Wendell Smith, a great man of God and respected pastor in the Seattle area, had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and given three years to live. It is a cancer that literally eats away at your bone marrow, causing incredible pain. However, we were claiming victory as he had now gone five years without any significant symptoms. As 2010 dawned, however, the disease began to tighten its grip into a stranglehold.

That was the year I kept asking God the “Why?” questions. I questioned things I had never questioned before. You know what I’m talking about: the questions people say Christians are never supposed to ask—the questions to which we are supposed to already know the answers, because we believe everything that happens in the universe is supposed to make sense to our human minds. They are the questions that lurk in the dark recesses of our conscience, but we never allow to surface because they have the potential to erode our faith. But sometimes you can’t ignore them. They just jump out at you, get in your face, and refuse to be ignored. What do you do when that happens? What do you do when there seems to be nothing but horrible things happening

in every direction and heaven seems to have closed for business? What do you do when life has handed you less and the God of More is seemingly silent? What do you do when you keep asking “Why?” and there is no answer?

They are the questions that have the potential to erode our faith.

Little did we know what lay ahead. We were only in the first weeks of what I now look back on as the two most painful years of our lives.

All that I believed about God was going to be shaken to its foundations. It didn’t make sense. It wasn’t supposed to happen, at least according to my own finite understanding.

Something had to be terribly wrong. I was facing one of my life’s greatest trials—the “trial of less.” And I did the only thing I knew to do: I prayed and I went to the Bible.

Among many Scriptures I read in those months, I immersed myself in the book of Acts, especially regarding the journey Paul took to Rome as a prisoner (chapters 27 and 28). I began to see a picture of a God who does not keep us out of storms but will keep us in the midst of storms. I saw how God doesn’t desert us. I came to understand how the greatness of God is not always found in the absence of pain, but always in its presence. © Benny Perez. Extract from ‘More: Discovering the God of more when life gives you less.’

I DID THE ONLY THING I KNEW TO DO: I PRAYED AND I WENT TO THE BIBLE.

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/conference speaker/

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LEADERSHIP PAIN THE CLASSROOM FOR GROWTH

A GENERATION OR TWO AGO, THE PASTOR’S ROLE WAS TO PREPARE SERMONS EACH WEEK, SHEPHERD THE FLOCK, AND KEEP THINGS RUNNING SMOOTHLY. THAT WASN’T TOO HARD WHEN THERE WERE ONLY A FEW COGS IN THE MACHINE

BY SAM CHAND THE COMPLEXITY OF THE JOB A major challenge for modern pastors is the sheer complexity of the job. A generation or two ago, the pastor’s role was to prepare sermons each week, shepherd the flock, and keep things running smoothly.

That wasn’t too hard when there were only a few cogs in the machine. Today, even in small churches, the machine is very complicated. Every magazine, every conference, and every blog has new, innovative ideas. It’s impossible to keep up. In an article called “Eight Reasons Why Pastors Fail,” Joseph Mattera’s first reason is that “churches are becoming complex enterprises which pastors are not equipped to lead.” Some of the responsibilities that have added to the complexity include:

• Keeping up with real estate zoning laws, bank financing for new buildings and expansion, and relating to business leaders in the community about facility needs. Location is a key to growth, so pastors have to stay on top of the demography of their communities.

• As churches grow, pastors have to hire the right architect, decide on complex building plans, and conduct the always popular capital campaign. During particular seasons, fund-raising can easily become the pastor’s obsession.

• Financial accounting becomes exponentially complex as the church grows and new staff and facilities are added.

• All of these skills aren’t taught in seminary or college, and they aren’t in the core competencies of most ministry leaders. Until they can hire an executive administrator, they have to juggle all these organisational balls themselves.

• In urban and some suburban communities, the needs of the poor quickly outstrip the church’s resources, so pastors need to spend time building relationships and coordinating resources with local service organizations.

• Leaders who are over forty years old need to learn a new language and culture: postmodernity. Oldstyle apologetics don’t connect with the minds and hearts of the younger audience. If these ministry leaders don’t learn how to speak their language, they’ll seem (or actually be) irrelevant. A part of this shift in culture resurfaces issues of gender identity, racism, ecology, and a host of other issues.

• With only a click or two, every person in the congregation can listen via the Internet to the best Bible teachers in the world. It was hard enough to be effective when pastors competed with the guy down the street at the other church, but now he competes with the very best anywhere. This puts added pressure on his ability to deliver outstanding sermons—and to use all his spare time to prepare.

• As churches grow, the selection of staff members becomes a critical element for the culture of the team, the effectiveness of each department, and the continued growth of the church. Good selections are crucial; poor ones will exact a heavy price.

• In addition, pastors also need to devote themselves to shepherding the flock, developing leaders, caring for the sick and grieving, and attending countless meetings.

DR SAM CHAND’S BRAND NEW BOOK ‘LEADERSHIP PAIN’ WILL BE RELEASED WORLDWIDE ON 7 APRIL 2015. A LIMITED NUMBER OF COPIES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE ACC NATIONAL CONFERENCE. ALTERNAVITELY. ORDER YOUR COPY FROM: www.samchand.org ‘Dr Chand has written possibly the most important book right now for pastors and leaders, All of us will go through pain as we lead our organisations.

Leadership Pain will help you do it well and come out stronger than before.’

– Benny Perez

© Samuel Chand. Extract from ‘Leadership Pain: The Classroom For Growth’ published with permssion.

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church + politics / part 3

LETTERS OF

ENCOURAGEMENT by mark edwards

In the last Emag, I wrote about what happens when you have your first meeting with your local political representative. Now that the face-to-face meeting is over, what’s next?

At this time the aim is to continue to build an ongoing relationship with the politician concerned.

My father was the Deputy Premier and Treasurer of the State of Queensland, so I have seen politics first hand and very ‘up close’. As a result, I not only learnt from watching him and the relationships he had in the community, but I also listened carefully to the stories he told me about politics generally.

One story illustrates vividly how you should proceed in building a relationship.

I can recall sitting with my dad over coffee and in a quite vulnerable moment, he told me that during the twelve years in politics, he never received one ‘letter’ from any church or any church leaders encouraging him. He certainly received plenty of critical letters, together with letters and requests for ‘things’ but nothing merely encouraging him.

This had a profound effect upon me. Imagine not one encouraging letter from any church or church leader – and he was a very good supporter of churches when he was in politics.

This is what I do for the local representatives of my city.

I acutely watch the local press for stories that involve my local politicians. When they take a stand - I write to them. When they are in trouble - I write to them. Throughout the year I write to them with no other motive than to encourage them. Over the years the number of comments I get from politicians as to how much they appreciate those letters has proved time and time again.

Did I say letters?

Surely I mean texts from my iPhone or emails?

No, I mean letters - handwritten letters that are posted - snail mail if you must call it that. A hand written note, card or letter means a great deal to these busy people. I can recall one politician showing me an old battered note that I sent them over a decade ago and they kept it in their wallet. They were going through an especially hard time and the only person who encouraged them was a letter from me. Now please hear me, I am sure that an email or text is good too but please think about the other option.

Much credibility is gained if you take the time to encourage your local politician and without doubt relationships are deepened and strengthened by a simple act of encouragement.

Let the politicians of our nation say that the ACC community has a culture of encouraging them.

DURING THE TWELVE YEARS IN POLITICS, HE (MY DAD) NEVER RECEIVED ONE ‘LETTER’ FROM ANY CHURCH OR CHURCH LEADER ENCOURAGING HIM.

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The ACC Ministries and Departments provide a wealth of resources for ACC local churches and leaders are available to help pastors and churches increase and step up in specific areas of ministry.

ACC FOR ACCI ACC’s International Missions & Relief arm. www.acci.org.au

ACS FINANCIAL Tailored financial services for the Church. www.acsfinancial.com.au

ALPHACRUCIS ACC’s official Bible College.

AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN WOMEN National women’s ministry www.australianchristianwomen.com

www.ac.edu.au

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Community care and engagement. www.acccommunityengagement.org.au

ACC KIDS ACC’s ministry for children’s leaders www.acckids.org.au

www.chaplaincyaustralia.com

INDIGENOUS INITIATIVE Promoting indigenous and crosscultural ministry.

Email: indigenous@acc.org.au

CHURCH LIFE Church health and church planting Email: maingame@acc.org.au

RANGERS AUSTRALIA Outdoor ministry programs for young people. www.rangers.net.au

PASTORS EMERITUS Network for ACC pastors over 65.

Email: emeritus@acc.org.au

YOUTH ALIVE Dynamic youth ministry. www.youthalive.com.au

CHAPLAINCY AUSTRALIA Training and moblising chaplains across Australia

CHURCH LIFE

AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN WOMEN

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RAISING FUTURE GENERATIONS ANDY KIRK (ACC KIDS National Director)

CAMERON BENNETT (Youth Alive National Director)

ACC KIDS is about empowering Children’s Pastors, Leaders and Local Church teams. The Kidshaper National Tour is the opportunity to bring your whole team to a Kidshaper event in your own State.

The 2015 Kidshaper Conference from 18-20 August in Melbourne is our great national gathering. More info: www.acckids.org.au

Youth Alive is intentionally reaching young people by focussing on strategic regional outreaches throughout each state. These outreaches include Groundswells, as well as a new national approach called United We Stand.

This initiative, on July 31 and through August, has the potential to reach 40,000 young people.

More info: www.youthalive.com.au

NATIONAL TOUR 30TH MAY–6TH JUNE

MAY 30 - JUNE 6

KIDSHAPER

THE KIDSHAPER NATIONAL TOUR

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KIDSHAPER

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30th May - Melbourne (9am-1pm) 2nd June- Brisbane (7-9pm) 3rd June- Sydney (7-9pm) 4th June- Adelaide (7-9pm) 6th June- Perth (9am-1pm)

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YOUTH ALIVE FOR THE CAUSE We asked the question, “What are you doing for the Cause?” to some of our Youth Alive State Directors.

Here are their responses.

COREY TURNER YOUTH ALIVE VIC STATE DIRECTOR Through the vehicle of preaching, training and discipleship, I am partnering with Jesus and his followers to build into the future generations of the church. Specifically, Youth Alive Victoria is raising 500 leaders annually through Equip Training Days and regional youth ministries. We are also engaging with 50 high schools annually through a tour across Victoria and host a conference for 1000 young people to encounter God’s presence each year. In 2015, we are facilitating 20 United We Stand rallies across Victoria where we present the Gospel in a compelling way to many thousands of young people.

TIM KREIS YOUTH ALIVE SA STATE DIRECTOR I believe that through encouraging and supporting local youth ministries we are empowering people to see the cause have a generational impact. We raise leaders to reach their generation and resource local churches. As the South Australian Youth Alive Director it will be through initiatives like United We Stand youth rally that we will see the cause become practical in reaching this generation. Releasing regional leaders to host events and create unity across Australia is so important.

MARK LASSEY YOUTH ALIVE WA STATE DIRECTOR Youth Alive WA is passionate about the cause of Jesus and getting the next generation to live for a purpose that is bigger than themselves. We do this through amazing events such as Youth Alive Conference, where we promote the ability for an individual to make a difference in their environment. We also do this through leadership training and developing people to hone their gifts and skills to equip them for the cause of Jesus Christ.

SCOTT “SANGA” SAMWAYS YOUTH ALIVE NSW STATE DIRECTOR Youth Alive has always had one cause, and that is to reach the youth generation with the message of Jesus Christ. Young people are so susceptible to their environment, and with influences like social media growing, peer pressure, and the strain of a good education, now more than ever we need to present the Gospel in a relevant way that young people are attracted to and can build their lives on. Youth Alive has a network of Youth Ministries and Churches that are committed to this cause, and we want to continue to help champion the cause of raising leaders, resourcing Youth Ministries, and reviving a generation to live for a cause greater than themselves.

Youth Alive United We Stand www.youthalive.com.au

Support Youth Alive’s new national outreach event called United We Stand on July 31 and through August, delivered regionally. It has the potential to reach 40,000 young people.

United We Stand was piloted in Queensland in 2014. On one night, in 22 regional locations, Queensland Youth Alive reached 9,250 young people, had 915 salvations and follow up discipleship was done via the incredible new Alpha online materials. Through United We Stand, Youth Alive focusses on empowering the students to take initiatives in reaching the peers in their local high school.

More info how you can be involved: www.youthalive.com.au

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THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME BECAUSE...

EQUIPPING LEADERS FOR THE CAUSE Good leadership is fundamental to the growth of any church, and Alphacrucis College (AC) seeks to equip leaders of influence in our growing movement for the cause of Christ.

Dr Ian Jagelman, the Program Director for AC’s Master of Leadership, began his research on leadership over thirty years ago. His research into leadership originated with his own experience as a church planter, struggling to see his church numbers grow.

“We planted a church that grew to 30 in its first year, 130 in the second year and 230 by the third year, and then it just stopped growing,” says Ian. “We prayed more, fasted more. Our ministry was getting better but what I really needed to learn was how to be a more effective leader.”

While researching leadership, he found that the literature on leadership mostly looked at the character of the leader but did not offer any practical tools or models on how to be an effective leader.

“I had to go outside of Christian literature and look at effective, respected methods, tools and models in the marketplace,” explains Ian. “Some of them were completely inappropriate for Church but, in many cases, the issues faced by marketplace and the Church were much the same.”

“It began to confront me with my weaknesses. There were certain skills I just didn’t have – certain processes I didn’t understand.

I was trained at Bible College and I could preach, but I knew I was lacking something, but I didn’t know what it was.”

Ian’s research resulted in him making the vital distinction between ministry and leadership, coming to the conclusion that “Leadership builds churches, ministry builds people.” The exploration between these distinct roles and their purpose has formed the basis of Ian’s books on leadership and the Master of Leadership program at AC.

“LEADERSHIP BUILDS CHURCHES, MINISTRY BUILDS PEOPLE.”

AC’s Master of Leadership provides both the theoretical and practical framework for leaders at different levels. The course focuses on identifying leaders, exploring the person of the leader, as well as looking at the strategic, visionary nature of the role of the leader. The course then looks at the tools and training needed for the student where there are five levels of leadership – from leading cell groups to being a senior pastor.

Ian says, “I love the verse from Psalm 78:72 where it says, ‘David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skilful hands he led them.’(NIV) It can’t just be skills, nor is it just the spiritual journey – you need both. The design of the course is to bring everything together. Our goal from the very first class is that students will take home something that will help and change their church.”

IAN’S TOP 3 TIPS FOR LEADERS: 1. WITHOUT A PLAN, A VISION WILL PERISH Invest at least 10 minutes every week to take time out and consider, “How can I move from a vision to its fulfilment?” Devote time to envision what you want to see happen at church, or in your area of ministry, and think of what you need to do and how you are going to do it.

2. RECORD WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING Every month, ask yourself, “What have I learned about becoming an effective leader?” Collect this information in a journal and keep adding to it. If you’re not growing – the people you lead are not growing.

3. DEVELOP LEADERSHIP TEAMS, NOT JUST MINISTRY TEAMS As your church and ministry grows focus on building leadership teams, as distinct from ministry teams, and this will prove to be a powerful way to grow your church or ministry.

– DR IAN JAGELMAN

> cont on page 19 18

AC LEADERSHIP GRADUATE For Alphacrucis graduate, John Rewald, the realisation that he needed to develop his leadership skills in order to allow the church to grow led him to study at AC. John began his studies with AC studying the previous Master of Arts (Leadership) course which followed through to the completion of the Master of Arts (Christian Studies).

John is the Senior Pastor of Oasis New Life Centre, a congregation of over 500 people in Rockhampton, Queensland, which also provides community care with training, consulting, work experience, as well as operating businesses with a private music school and a public café with a play centre.

“Leadership study has definitely helped me grow and continue to lead our organisations,” John says. With the church employing 25 staff over two campuses,John’s leadership training has proved a vital part of successfully managing the ministries of the church.

“My leadership style has developed as I now am able to lead larger teams,” he says. “I particularly enjoyed the Human Resources subject which enabled me to improve our compliance with the many state and federal laws for employment.

Dr Ian (Jagelman)’s insights into leadership help me distinguish the difference between leadership and ministry. To develop your effectiveness as a leader you need to keep being teachable on the journey. With an attitude to growth and a willingness to learn you will maximize your potential in reaching your goals.”

NEED TO GROW AS A LEADER? STUDY LEADERSHIP AT ALPHACRUCIS COLLEGE

You’re already a leader. Develop your leadership potential. Lead with integrity & skill.

AC has a history of educating effective leaders who lead in churches, businesses & not-for-profit organisations. Be equipped with advanced critical thinking, problem solving & communication skills that will enhance how you lead. Release the potential of your team, or your effectiveness as a team member, so visions and plans are achieved.

MASTER OF LEADERSHIP G R A D U AT E C E R T I F I C AT E I N L E A D E R S H I P 1 0 0 1 7 N AT D I P L O M A O F L E A D E R S H I P

s

“With an attitude to growth and a willingness to learn you will maximize your potential in reaching your goals.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcS7mvghLbI

place leadership video in this space

AC . E D U. AU / L E A D E R S H I P A L P H AC R U C I S C O L L E G E

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THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME BECAUSE...

ACC WOMEN

PARTNERING FOR THE CAUSE… Each year at our ACC nationally endorsed women’s conference (Colour), we seek to inspire women to ‘be the change’ not only in their own cities and plantings, but also in the need that is ever present in our world. Orphans and children to rescue has been more than a ‘catch-cry’– it has been the very heartbeat of the sisterhood movement.

One of our great partnerships, alongside ACCI, is that of Vision Rescue, seeking to educate and feed the street children in Mumbai and Calcutta, India. This is the story of Yasmin and Simone.

Mumbai, India –Yasmin is a beautiful five year old. She lives with her mother, grandmother, three sisters and brother in Mumbai, India. Her father sadly abandoned them all when she was a baby, which left the women of the house with no choice but to work to survive. They work as housemaids, while the older sister watches over little Yasmin.

Simone is a school teacher with Vision Rescue. She loves serving the children and is especially devoted to children with learning disabilities. When Yasmin started school at three, she was behind in her development. She couldn’t talk and was in need of extra attention. Much of this, we are told, was caused by a failed attempt on her life when her mother was seven months pregnant.

Simone felt limited in what she could offer the little girl, but she never lost hope nor gave up believing for the miraculous. Simone gathered a few teacher friends together and they started praying. They asked God to help them to help this little girl. Their prayers made a way, and through the support of many around the world, the Vision Rescue ministry was further equipped so that Simone could give Yasmin the attention she needed.

Today Yasmin’s speech is clearer and she can construct sentences. Those who live or work closely with her can understand her clearly. Her eyesight is still challenged but the teachers have the means to enlarge the pictures and alphabet letters so that she can continue to learn. She is now making progress in her reading. Yasmin loves to help in the classroom and dreams of becoming a teacher like Simone when she grows up.

‘Master, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me - you did it to me”. Matthew 25:37-40 (The Message - paraphrased) Vision Rescue seeks to engage, embrace, rescue and empower the ‘street children’ in India through meals, non-formal education, medical assistance and other programs. The Sisterhood supports the many endeavours of Vision Rescue in partnership with ACCI through the 500 Projects, which create pathways of response for people to care and respond.

From driving our elderly neighbour to her doctor’s appointment to taking time to talk to the mum at school who is suffering from Post Natal Depression through to providing funds and support to kids in India, the Sisterhood is all about the CAUSE, being the hands and feet of Jesus in our world. *As a part of ACW, the Colour Sisterhood has donated $56,500 to projects run through the ACCIR between January – September 2014, with 5% of all those funds going towards ACCIR for administration and the rest of all donations going directly into the projects.

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THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME BECAUSE...

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT A MONDAY TO SATURDAY CULTURE

Lets face it, this generation is increasingly not waking up Sunday morning thinking, “What’s a great church I can go to today?”

Part of the problem is that we’ve unintentionally made church mostly about Christians doing spiritual stuff on Sundays. Perhaps some people have also adopted the idea that our work is not important to God, that it’s unspiritual, and that Christians don’t always fit into secular workplaces.

Our pastors have built a culture that says we need to build better churches so that people are attracted from the community to come into our four walls on a Sunday. Pastors think, “If only I could just get my people to get more people to come to church on Sunday...”. If you’re a church pastor, that’s been your livelihood really.

I don’t in any way diminish the value and place of the House – I believe we have got to gather together and celebrate and honour God, but I think often we’ve made our Christian experience about us, when in fact it really should be about God and those who don’t yet know Him. We’ve become too comfortable about our Sunday Christianity. We’ve also been affected by a ‘revival culture’ in which we’re praying and waiting for people to come to our church services.

Rather than a ‘revival culture’, I think we need more of a ‘community engagement culture’ in our churches.

We need to build churches that inspire and empower Christians to go out from Mondays to Saturdays, rather than only trying to attract non-Christians to come to us on Sundays. People in our community may never cross our church door, but they will cross the path of Christians from Monday to Saturday. People who may never darken the door of our church on Sunday will approach Christians during the week seeking help with something.

Jesus changed people through serving them out of genuine love and compassion. And He set the pattern for us to follow. It’s our love for others that should

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WON’T FILL YOUR CHURCH OVERNIGHT, BUT IT WILL FILL YOUR COMMUNITY WITH CHRIST.

– paul bartlett

drive our community engagement initiatives. I know we want to see everyone come to know Christ and coming to our church services as soon as possible. But that’s almost a by-product of our community engagement. Some of those people we engage with in the community will end up following Christ as a result of us first loving and serving them.

Community engagement won’t fill your church overnight, but it will fill your community with Christ! So let’s open up our church doors Mondays to Saturdays and get out there. Let’s tell the world that our church is much more than just about Sunday services.

If we can change the way the people in our churches view what they do Mondays to Saturdays, they will transform our communities. I believe it’s that simple! In other words, if we can just get every person in our churches believing they can introduce Christ into their workplace or their home or their university or their sports team from Monday to Saturday, that they are called by Christ to be missionaries where they are during the working week, we can change our towns, our cities and our nation!

COMMUNITY CONFERENCE 8TH & 9TH SEPTEMBER 2015 GUEST SPEAKERS INCLUDE TIM COSTELLO, WAYNE ALCORN

PAUL BARTLETT, AND MORE

THE CONVERSATIONS

YOU WANT TO HAVE ABOUT COMMUNITY

ENGAGEMENT LOCATION: LIGHTHOUSE WOLLONGONG, NSW FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 02 4229 9744 | EMAIL COMMUNITY.ENGAGEMENT@ACC.ORG.AU WEB ACCCOMMUNITYENGAGEMENT.ORG.AU REMEMBER TO #ACCSNAPSHOT, #ACCCOMMUNITYENGAGEMENT

HOT OFF THE PRESS PAUL BARTLETT is the acc national leader for community engagement. his new

“thank god it’s monday” is due for release in april 2015. book

Visit the brand new ACC Community Engagement website, with inspiring news, stories and resources for local church leaders.

www.acccommunityengagement.org.au 21

THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME BECAUSE...

CHAPLAINCY

Chaplaincy Australia Supporting The Cause Serving ACC Churches as they seek to fulfill The Cause by discovering, developing and deploying chaplains in their community.

Communicating the love of Christ in compassionate and practical ways.

‘I THINK I MAY HAVE A CHAPLAIN IN MY CHURCH BUT I’M NOT SURE…’ Often when pastors look at their congregations, they see people who are clearly ‘built’ for ministry within the Church and it is relatively easy to identify, train and release them to effectiveness – but this is not always the case.

Sometimes when you look your church, you see others who don’t quite ‘fit the mold’. You recognise that they are skilled, compassionate and wise but they are always looking ‘outside’ the main focus of Church life and ministry.

Sometimes this can be interpreted as a ‘bad attitude’ or a ‘rebellious spirit’ but another possibility presents itself… it is possible that you have a chaplain hiding in your church.

Chaplaincy is different from other forms of ministry in that its focus is reaching those who would normally not have anything to do with your church. It is not evangelism but it is about connecting people with the compassion and presence of Christ. A chaplain needs to be willing to be made uncomfortable in order to bring comfort to others – this often means going outside the norms and reaching into a totally different culture.

Chaplains can minister wherever there is a group of people – it is not just about disasters it

is about life. Christ can make a difference and will if He has the workers in place.

So if you think you may have a Chaplain hiding in your church here is what you can do:

Some areas CA chaplains serve...

Hospitals Industry Juvenile Justice Emergency Services Schools Australian Defence Force Disasters Rural Chaplains Sports Local Churches Correctional Services Aged Care If you would like to become a Chaplain or support the Chaplaincy Australia Network in your State visit the chaplaincy Australia Website for details and/or visit the Chaplaincy Australia in the Conference Lounge at National Conference

• Call Chaplaincy Australia to discuss options and have your questions answered, • Encourage your potential candidate to connect with other chaplains, • Point them to the Chaplaincy Australia Website - wwwchaplaincyaustralia.com • Encourage them to enroll in the Chaplaincy Essentials Course at Alphacrucis • Encourage them to attend the Chaplaincy Conference/Seminar being held in your state.

The benefit to you and your Church is immense, not only will more of your people be released into ministry but they will become an even greater resource for effective Pastoral Care within your church.

– Ralph Estherby (national director, acc

chaplaincy australia)

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THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME BECAUSE...

CHURCH PLANTING The ACC has always been a church planting movement, starting with the pioneers in the early 1900s who went and planted pentecostal churches around Australia.

Following the success of the inaugural Ignite Church Planting course in November 2014, the 2015 Ignite intensive will be held at Alphacrucis in Sydney from 26-30 October. < More info: www.ac.edu.au/churchplanting >

INDIGENOUS MINSTRY

The ACC Indigenous Initative will be hosting their National Indigenous Conference ‘Momentum’ in Cairns - 10-12 September.

< More: www.ganggalah.com >

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THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME BECAUSE...

ACS FINANCIAL THE FINANCIAL ENGINE ROOM OF THE CAUSE

ACS Financial is your financial services organisation. Driving the heart of our mission is to continue to resource the growth of the Movement We provide complete insurance packages to our churches, ministries and schools. Many in our movement continue to obtain our help to finance new projects, find competitive funding for existing loans and securely deposit surplus funds with strong returns. We also assist though our active involvement in structured training, seminars, conferences, fund-raising and business management consulting.

Over the conference period we have provided annual financial contributions to ACC to help the growth of the Kingdom.

Our mission heart is to further the growth of ‘The Cause’.

As a partner we are willing to invest our time and expertise to work with you as you expand and build your church, ministries and schools. We have developed a range of competitive products and advisory services to ensure you have solutions to manage your financial and risk challenges.

ACS Financial is honoured to partner and work closely with ACCI Missions & Relief, ACC Indigenous Forum, ACC Emerging Leaders, State ACC programs and sponsoring the 2014 ACC Ignite Church Planting Course.

LIMITED TIME ONLY!

ACCumulator

3.85% P.A.*

BOOST RETURNS ON YOUR

FIXED TERM FOR 4 MONTHS

• CHURCH BUILDING FUND • SELF-MANAGED SUPER FUND • CHARITY GIFT ACCOUNT

•

Here is what some ACC Churches have said about our service: The ACS team helps us to tailor our investment to cash flows which ensures a great return without restricting our flexibility.

We’ve had funds on deposit for several years with ACS and used it to help our ‘cause’, whether that be a new or extended building or using our ‘extra interest’ to grow our outreach or youth activities.

INVEST TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Contact our Investment Officer, Lyndal Cowan to discover how ACCumulator can integrate your personal values and investment objectives whilst also supporting the ACC. T. 1800 646 777 E. investmentmanagement@acsfinancial.com.au W. www.acsfinancial.com.au

ACS Financial is wholly owned by the ACC (the Movement).

At the ACC National Conference at the Gold Coast, we will be launching new innovative product offerings in the personal insurance space.

Through our new offerings like home insurance, we are focusing on helping you, the pastor.

– Jon Holloway, Managing Director, ACS Financial

*WHEN YOU OPEN A NEW INVESTMENT WITH $10,000 OR MORE. Terms and conditions apply. This promotion is subject to change without notice. This promotional fixed rate is applicable only for the period specified. Interest is paid at the end of the term. Refer to the ACC ACCumulator Investor Guide for details. Download a copy from the ACS Financial website www.acsfinancial.com.au or call 1800 646 777.

ACC ACCumulator is managed by ACS Financial Pty Ltd ACN 062 448 122 ABN 91 460 778 961 AFSL 247388 on behalf of the issuer: Assemblies of God in Australia ABN 65 004 617 467. This information is general in nature and has been prepared without taking your objectives, financial situation and needs into account. You should read the ACC ACCumulator Investor Guide and consider whether the product is appropriate for you, before you make a decision.

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THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME BECAUSE...

RANGERS AUSTRALIA The Rangers ministry is one of the many ACC ministries that are committed to the cause of Christ. The Rangers ministry is where teams of committed leaders in local churches bring about change through evangelizing, equipping and empowering children, young people and their families to become active disciples of Jesus Christ. Each local church Rangers ministry operates in their own unique way, in order to fulfill the mission statement of their church for the cause of Christ in their community.

In January this year, Rangers Australia held their tenth national Camporama at Stanwell Tops in NSW, with the theme Xperience. This event brought kids and youth and leaders together for a week of outdoor activity and ministry. There were many parents that also attended, as well as Rangers and leaders from Japan and Malaysia.

The ministry from God’s Word was targeted effectively at all ages present. Some of the Rangers responded to the call of personal relationship with Jesus while others responded to the desire of experiencing God in their lives in a deeper way.

TESTIMONIES During the 50th celebration rally, some amazing testimonies were heard. One teenage boy told how a friend at school talked to him about Jesus, invited him to Rangers and after just six weeks he asked Jesus into his life.

Two leaders from two different decades attributed training in Rangers that assisted in preparing them to be pastors.

There was also a parent’s testimony of how having their daughters in Rangers was the reason why they as adults chose to seek relationship with God and save their marriage from ending in divorce.

After 50 years of ministry, Rangers Australia continues to look to the future on how we need to continually change how we do ministry, for the cause of Christ.

– Liz Robinson, National Director

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R E S O U R C E S

NEW BOOKS LIFE IS__________

Judah Smith

COMING SOON FOR RELEASE

APRIL 2015

Life is ______ . How would you finish that sentence?

God’s Illogical Love will change your existence In his follow-up to his New York Times and USA Today bestseller Jesus Is _______, Judah Smith completes the new sentence again and again, revealing how • Life is to be loved and to love • Life is to trust God in every moment • Life is to be at peace with God and yourself • Life is to enjoy God Judah writes as a friend, welcoming new believers, lifelong followers of Jesus and even the merely curious. He shows us the love of God that defies human logic and the life that God intends for us to have in the here and now. With excitement and humour, Judah looks at the stories in the Bible, ultimately answering the question of the ages, “what is life?” by unpacking Biblical stories with humour and relevance, demonstrating that love is ultimately about loving God and loving others.

“Australians are increasingly not waking up on sunday morning thinking ‘Whats a great church I can go to today?’

Thank God It’s Monday.

“Thank God It’s Monday is a breath of fresh air that every Christian needs to hear…”

Ps Matthew Barnett, Co-founder The Dream Centre

AVAILABLE: www.koorong.com

KILLING CHRISTIANS

Tom Doyle

Forty Egyptian churches burned to the ground. House church leaders sentenced to Iran’s infamous Evin prison. Eighty Christians murdered in North Korea for merely owning a Bible. Believers nailed to crosses in Syria. And that was the news for just one month in 2014.

Widespread persecution can’t stop the faithful who spread Jesus’ love in the face of grave danger. Check out the news, and note the places where war, poverty, racism, seething religious violence, and killing seem to own the day. Right in the middle of it all, Jesus’ church is thriving.

In Killing Christians, Middle East director for e3 Partners Tom Doyle shares the personal stories of persecuted Christians, many of whom pay the ultimate price for their faith. From secret meetings to torture rooms, Doyle brings readers eight unique stories from the front lines of today’s religious persecution with never-before-heard testimony of those Christians being targeted.

"A must read for Pastors & their teams, intent on moving beyond the four walls of the church into the all too often unchartered waters where people live, work & play.”

Michael Murphy, CEO of Leaderscape, President of Alphacrusis College, ACC Executive

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGISTER YOUR INTEREST AT www.paulebartlett.com

AVAILABLE APRIL 7 WWW.AMAZON.COM

AVAILABLE: www.koorong.com.au

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E V E

AUGUST

ACC NATIONAL CONFERENCE 21-23 APRIL 2015 WWW.ACC.ORG.AU/CONFERENCE

SEPTEMBER

PANASIA CONFERENCE 3–6 AUGUST 2015 WWW.ACCIM.ORG.AU

INDIGENOUS CONFERENCE 10-12 SEPTEMBER 2015 CAIRNS

20 15

T

APRIL KIDSHAPER

N

2015 ACC DIARY

S ACCI Pan Asia Conference www.accim.org.au

THE KIDSHAPER NATIONAL TOUR 30TH MAY – 6TH JUNE 2015 WWW.ACCKIDS.ORG.AU

KIDSHAPER CONFERENCE 18–20 AUGUST 2015 WWW.ACCKIDS.ORG.AU

OCTOBER

20 15

30 MAY - MELBOURNE 2 JUNE- BRISBANE 3 JUNE- SYDNEY 4 JUNE- ADELAIDE 6 JUNE- PERTH 1PM)

National Indigenous Conference www.ganggalah.com IGNITE CHURCH PLANTING 26 OCTOBER 2015 AC, SYDNEY NSW

KIDSHAPER

MAY

www.acc.org.au/conference

THE KIDSHAPER NATIONAL TOUR

MAY 30 - JUNE 6 YOUTH ALIVE UNITED WE STAND JULY

31 JULY 20155 WWW.YOUTHALIVE.COM.AU

Kidshaper Conference www.acckids.org.au/kidshaper

SEPTEMBER

20 15 COMMUNITY CONFERENCE 8–9 SEPTEMBER 2015 WOLLONGONG NSW KIDSHAPER

MAY 30 - JUNE 6

KIDSHAPER

THE KIDSHAPER NATIONAL TOUR

20 15

Church Planting Course www.ac.edu.au/churchplanting

2016 MARCH

COLOUR WOMEN 4 CONFERENCES IN MARCH SYDNEY NSW

COMMUNITY CONFERENCE 8TH & 9TH SEPTEMBER 2015 GUEST SPEAKERS INCLUDE Youth Alive United We Stand www.youthalive.com.au

TIM COSTELLO, WAYNE ALCORN

PAUL BARTLETT, AND MORE

THE CONVERSATIONS

YOU WANT TO HAVE

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