Emag 4 2017 final

#4 2017

EMAG

RESPONDING WITH LOVE TO THE MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

quarterly publication for acc leaders

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS: CHAPLAINCY IN ACTION SAY HELLO TO GEN Z TICKING THE BOXES IN 2018

LIGHT

THE PEOPLE WALKING IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN

A GREAT LIGHT ISAIAH 9:2

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SIDE

Cover: iStockphoto

LIGHT

IN

This edition of ACC EMAG takes a look at those who are committed to bringing the Light of the World – Jesus – to a world in darkness.

FROM VISION TO REALITY The dream of owning land comes to pass on the New South Wales Central Coast.

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HOLIDAY Q & A. The ACC National Executive share some of their plans for the holiday season and their vision for the new year.

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RESPONDING WITH LOVE TO THE MIDDLE EAST CRISIS. ACCIR’s partnership with Preemptive Love is providin aid for people in desperate circumstances.

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FAITH IN ACTION. Karyn Ey took up a position of chaplain in the ADF and shares her experience in teh first year.

SAY HELLO TO GEN Z. Claire Madden provides insights into the minds and motivation of the generation of post-millenials known as Gen Z.

Q & A WITH AARON WALLACE. Meet Aaron Wallace, one of the youngest ACC pastors to plant a church.

TICKING THE BOXES. How to stay on top of Church Admin and governance in 2018.

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NEWS NCLS DEMOGRAPHICS OF AUSTRALIAN CHURCHGOERS

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NEW RELEASES

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MINISTERING TO KIDS

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LEARN TO UNDERSTAND PEOPLE FIRST

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A CASE FOR PENTECOSTAL HIGHER EDUCATION

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2018 DIARY

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LIGHT

‘THE PEOPLE WALKING IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT’

BY WAYNE ALCORN

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f you have ever walked in the dark, you will know how easy it is to lose your way. There are no visible reference points so it can be confusing. You can find yourself overcome with fear, not knowing what surrounds you. The daily news presents rapid social change, governments in crisis and human tragedy resulting in chaos, uncertainty and pain. It can be a shadowy, dark world, and this is where so many people find themselves – desperately struggling to find their way in the dark.

The prophet Isaiah spoke of a world in darkness, prophesied these words hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2) That great light is Jesus, who came to us in human form; light pierced the darkness and everything changed. We bring that message of light to the world, that pushes the darkness aside to see Jesus in the spotlight. His presence turns the light on, bringing with it clarity, hope, joy and peace. Maybe this year you have been trying to navigate your journey through dark and shadowed places and spaces.

As we enter the new year, let’s focus our attention on Jesus who, in His own words, is ‘the Light of the World’; the One who can bring light into the darkness and heaviness of life. Allow Him to shine His light on you, so you discover His heart towards you, and then, allow Him to help you shine for Him and be a light to others.

Wayne Alcorn is the ACC National President. He pastors the multi-campus Hope Centre in Brisbane together with his wife, Lyn.

‘ALLOW HIM TO HELP YOU SHINE FOR HIM AND BE A LIGHT TO OTHERS’

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START THE YEAR WITH

PRAYER

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t the beginning of the new year, the vision of the ACC National Executive is to see a three week national prayer strategy implemented across the movement, launching on the Australia Day weekend. This will include the National Day of Prayer & Fasting being held on 10 February 2018, which is supported by the ACC National Executive.

Each of the three weeks will have a specific focus, with suggested prayer points as guidelines.

Week 1: Focus on Local [start date: Sunday 28 January] Prayer for your local church, community, city and region Week 2: Focus on the Nation [start date: Sunday 4 February] Prayer for the nation, government, leaders, future 10 February: National Day of Prayer & Fasting Week 3: Focus on Personal [start date: Sunday 11 February] Prayer for family, relationships, healing, personal ministry All ACC churches are encouraged to participate in some way over the three week period, with a wide range of options on how to include a focus on prayer in their local church programs. Suggestions include: • Doing a 21 day Daniel Fast over the three weeks • Hosting dedicated prayer services, either early morning or evening • Continuing to pray for the nation according to 2 Chronicles 7:14 by setting your alarm for 7:14 am or pm every day • Signing up for the National Day of Prayer & Fasting activities and 40 Day Prayer & Worship Relay (see right>) More details will be emailed to ACC Pastors in January 2018.

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SIGN UP YOUR CHURCH FOR THENATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER & FASTING

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he National Day of Prayer & Fasting will be held on Saturday 10th February 2018. It will be followed by a 40 Day Prayer & Worship Relay starting on Ash Wednesday, 14th February to Sunday 25th March 2018.

Our vision is to link the various events through webcast all over Australia. To do this we are standardising the National Day of Prayer & Fasting prayer and worship celebrations to go from 10AM – 4PM right across Australia in each states particular time zone. This will allow most of us to be together from all over Australia for most of the time. We encourage each state to stick to the 10AM – 4PM times for combined prayer meetings irrespective of your time Zone.

There is great power in unified prayer. Psalm 133 says “When brethren dwell together in unity… there the Lord commands a blessing even life for evermore.”

Our prayer focus is to see individuals, our churches and our nation experience an outpouring of the Holy Spirit as it says in Acts 2: 17,21. “I will pour out my Spirit on all people… And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”

Our prayer is that our friends and family members will find Jesus and all our churches will thrive and grow. We are also praying in particular for a new generation of young prayer warriors and young evangelists to arise.

We would love your help to organise regional interchurch collaborations of the National Day of Prayer & Fasting and 40 Day Prayer & Worship Relays in your area. Please confirm your interest to help when you register.

NEWS

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING ACROSS THE ACC MOVEMENT

MOTHER TERESA MEMORIAL AWARD FOR CHRISTINE CAINE MUMBAI– Nick and Christine Caine travelled to Mumbai India in December to receive a Mother Teresa Memorial Award. for their work against human trafficking.

“If you had of told me when we started @a21 that this would have happened, I would not have been able to imagine it,” said Chris. “I want to give a huge shout out to every A21 staff member, volunteer and partner, who has worked selflessly, tirelessly and relentlessly toward achieving our audacious goal to; abolish slavery everywhere , forever.”

“We are only ten years young and our greatest days of bringing justice and freedom to all are ahead of us. This I do know:- Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. [Ephesians 3:20-21]

KINDNESS IN THE DARKEST HOUR The Yellow Ribbon Project prepared 505 Christmas Gift Hampers wrapped and ready to send to the female prisoners in Wetsern Australia.

Yellow Ribbon Co-ordinator Jade Lewis said, “When asked why I do this, the answer is simple; when someone is kind to you in your darkest hour, you will always remember and do it for others in your brightest.

Being the light means bringing love this year to someone who needs it the most

GRAMMY NOMINATION FOR HILLSONG Hillsong Worship has been nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for their single, “What A Beautiful Name”.

The song that also received acclaim at the 48th annual Dove Awards has received over 100 million views on YouTube.

Hillsong Worship also received the great honour of being named Billboard’s Top Christian Artist of 2017 as well as its Top Christian Duo/Group.

POST YOUR ACC PICS

JOIN THE MANY ACC MINISTRIES WHO POST THEIR ACTIVITIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA @ ACCSNAPSHOT #ACCSNAPSHOT

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FROM VISION TO REALITY A DREAM FOR ADJOINING LAND FULFILLED AT HOPE UC

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Under their leadership, Hope UC has expanded and grown with three locations on the Central Coast – Charmhaven, Gosford and Peninsula – including a Creative Arts Academy and Hope UC College. A fourth campus in Newcastle will open in 2018.

The purchase of the five acres beside the Charmhaven building is the land the Pennicooks believed for many years before. ...“It is with great joy that we live to see the land become part of the church’s property in 2017,” said John. “We are overwhelmed with thankfulness that the Lord’s hand is on HopeUC and goes way beyond one person’s dream and one generation.”

Mark and Darlene recognise that they are stewarding a vision that goes well beyond themselves.

“It is a great honour to find ourselves part of fulfilling the vision that John and Joan had, and to continue building on what God started thirty years ago,” said Mark Zschech.

He believes their story can be an encouragement to other generations and churches who have long term visions and dreams.

“What you have a godly vision for never dies undone,” said Mark. “If it has not come to pass yet under your leadership, it just may be the next generation’s job to see this vision come to pass.

- so keep the vision alive.”

he purchase of five acres of land adjoining the existing Hope UC facilities has fulfilled the vision in the hearts of its founding pastors three decades ago.

When John and Joan Pennicook planted their. church on the NSW Central Coast in 1987, they had big dreams.

“Our vision, right from the beginning, was to plant and lead a church that had a passion for growth, health, expansion and influence,” said John.

In 1992, they purchased a five acre block on the Pacific Highway in Charmhaven. “With thankful hearts, we rejoiced and celebrated the opening of the building in June 2000,” recalled John. “As always, the completion of one vision opens the way for the next.”

When Pastor David Cartledge held a series of meetings on faith at the church in 2002, he prophesied: “This church has the favour of God upon it and you will own the land to the left and to the right. This building will not be big enough to contain you and it will be enlarged. In addition, there will be other buildings.”

So two years later, when the land on the south side was available for purchase, the Pennicooks considered buying it but felt the timing wasn’t right.

After John and Joan retired from church leadership, Mark and Darlene Zschech took on the role of Senior Pastors in 2010.

‘A GREAT HONOUR TO BUILD ON WHAT GOD STARTED 30 YEARS AGO.’

From left: Pastors Mark & Darlene Zschech with Joan & John Pennicook 6

TWO COLLEGES BECOME ONE Harvest Bible College (HBC) and Alphacrucis College (AC) are very pleased to announce that from the beginning of 2018 the two colleges are coming together to create a great Christian education institution.

This significant college will retain the name Alphacrucis College and will also continue the Harvest name and legacy in its educational offerings and through other means. Both colleges have strong histories of delivering quality higher education courses and share

complementary missions and visions. The coming together of the two will bring greater strength, resourcing and influence in the mission of Christian higher education.

HBC and AC believe that the great Christian college created through this agreement will be better able to serve the needs of ACC than either institution on their own. Having a single college associated with ACC for the purposes of higher education will greatly benefit the movement.

Offering Certificates, Diplomas, Bachelor and Masters Degrees, and Doctorates in Christian Ministry, Theology, Leadership, Business, Education, and Social Science, AC will serve over 4000 students attending campuses in all Australian states, New Zealand and online.

More information: www.ac.edu.au www.harvest.edu.au

PNG AWARD FOR KEVIN HOVEY On 30 November 2017, at the Independence Day Honours list investiture ceremony at Government House in Port Moresby, PNG, His Excellency, Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae, Governor General of Papua New Guinea, presented Rev Dr Kevin Hovey of Alphacrucis College the Member of the Order of Logohu medal. In that investiture ceremony, awards were presented to a total of forty five people who had been recognised in that Honours list. In Kevin’s case, his award was given “for service to the community and Assembly of God Church,” recognising aspects of the ministry that he and his wife Glenys had been involved in in their 31 years as Assemblies of God missionaries to Papua New Guinea.

At a luncheon with key Assemblies of God Papua New Guinea leaders the following day, Kevin explained how he saw the award. “First, it shows that Gospel works; lives had been transformed, churches planted, leaders trained and a church movement continues to develop. That is a potent expression of “service to the community. Second, the fact that Assemblies of God was recognised means that the PNG Government recognises the impact of that movement. Additionally, in a way, although the award was given to me, every member, every leader and every congregation within Assemblies of God of Papua New Guinea are represented in this medal.”

Rev Dr Kevin Hovey’s Member of the Order of Logohu Investiture Ceremony in Papua New Guinea.

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y a d i l Ho

Q&A

At the end of 2017, ACC EMAG asked the National Executive members what they had planned for the summer holiday season and their vision for the new year.

ALUN DAVIES: We usually spend time with the grandchildren, take a few weeks holiday and drive to a new places to pursue my photography interests.

Q: What will you be doing over the summer holiday season that recharges and energises you personally?

JOHN McMARTIN: Spending time with family, camping, fishing and watching cricket...very simple

DONNA CROUCH: We are having a ‘staycation’ this year.

Really happy to spend time and have room to catch up with friends and family, not having to be or go somewhere is a really great space to be in.

SEAN STANTON: Just having a little time with family – my son and his wife are coming down, and we will try and play a game of golf and watch as much cricket as much as possible, (as much as the lovely Lynda will allow).

SHANE BAXTER: I plan to drive to Albury, the town I grew up in and also catch up with family. There will be time to play golf and drive old cars. Georgie and I will hop on a plane to visit our daughter and son of choice and eat all things sushi.

JAMES MACPHERSON: Watching cricket, playing basketball with my sons, swimming in the pool, reading books and cycling.

JOHN HUNT: We always make sure we get away and take holidays at the end of a year. This year we are visiting our daughter in London.

Cricket

Driving

London

Q: What books do you recommend or plan to read over the summer holidays?

DONNA: I have ‘The Sacred Slow’ by Alicia Britt Chole ready to go – and will look for a novel that is not serious.

JAMES: For the holidays I’ve loaded up on books by Fulton Sheen and Theodore Dalrymple. Sheen is one of my favourite writers on Christ and Dalrymple one of my favourite commentators on Western culture.

JOHN H: On my list is ‘The Ideal Team Player’ by Patrick Lencioni and ‘The Righteous Mind’ by Jonathan Haidt.

SEAN: ‘The Day The Revolution Began’ by N T Wright (in small doses).

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ALUN: I read a wide variety of books, both Christian and secular. To relax, I will read a few detective novels.

SHANE: I don’t plan to read any books other than the Bible. However, I do plan on listening to a lot of leadership podcasts.

Q: How do you prepare yourself and your church for the new year ahead?

Q: Do you have any new year resolutions or goals you are setting for 2018?

SEAN: We encourage people to ask God to get a single word (e.g. leadership; patience; confidence; forgiveness etc) for the year ahead and a verse that supports and encourages it.

SHANE: My desire is to walk more closely to God, lean in to greater leaders, be a better pastor and leader and help more people to become who Christ has called them to be.

JOHN H: A year is a good measuring stick, so we should take some time to see how far the last year has brought us and thank those who were part of our journey; and then dream a little about the possiblities the next year will bring.

JOHN M: My personal resolutions are to enjoy God, family and people. Also a sharper edge for moving into new areas of ministry.

SEAN: I don’t do new year resolutions which means I can’t fail. I don’t believe in guilt!

ALUN: At ACCI we ask all our missionaries to give us their goals so we can have a big picture of what we can reasonably seek to achieve. We have meetings with our teams and boards to solidify our goals, and set faith goals for number of new missionaries, decisions, people we assist, churches planted, and finances. We are believing for more churches to join with us as we progress with our vision to reach the nations and transform lives.

JAMES: If you aim at nothing you hit it every time.

So yes, I’ve set a number of goals to guide us in 2018.

One of the most important goals we set each year is the number of people we are believing to lead to faith in Jesus. That goal becomes a focal point of prayer and action.

JAMES: Is watching cricket all summer a legitimate way of preparing for the year ahead? The truth is that we’ve been praying about, dreaming about, talking about and planning for 2018 for a while now.

JOHN H: My goal in 2018 will be to spend my time with emerging leaders.

ALUN: I usually don’t make new years resolutions yet I will use the new year as motivation to begin some changes as I review and refresh my life goals and set some specific goals for the next 12months.

SHANE: We begin to seek the Lord in July as for where He will be leading us in the following year. In October, we step into our Vision Offering and we continue to speak vision and more vision. So by the end of the year, the vision is clear.

DONNA: Maximising all the opportunities in my hand and trust that I have been given. Starting more education and writing. Being home and having room – time and emotionally – for my husband and our kids as they navigate uni, career decisions and our youngest daughter in her final year of school. Releasing the ‘new wineskin’ of talent and gifting in young men and women – in our church and in the ACC totally switches me on.

JOHN M: We celebrate the year that was, let the church rest and refresh, and then we present the year that will be.

DONNA: January is a great time to relax and recharge, to see what has been achieved and how I’ve grown – and get encouraged for what’s possible in the new year., and set some clear goals that I will focus and commit to.

JOHN M: I’ll be reading ‘God, Money & Me’ by Paul De Jong; ‘Kryptonite’

by John Bevere; and ‘The Daniel Dilemma’ by Chris Hodges

JEFF BARTLETT (ACC General Manager) will be reading the 17 volume Final Report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

RECOMMENDED HOLIDAY READING: MORE NEW RELEASES ON PAGES 23–25

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RESPONDING WITH

LOVE

TO THE MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

Photos courtesy of Preemptive Love Coalition

‘I WISH TO LIVE IN PEACE AND TO FEEL THE WARMTH AND SECURITY OF MY HOUSE’

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ACCIR began partnering with Preemptive Love Coalition in December 2016 to provide aid to people in desperate circumstances in the midst of the Middle Eastern conflict areas of Syria and Iraq.

IMAGINE THIS...

After years of struggling in refugee settlements or fleeing from one conflict zone to another, you finally get to go home.

But instead of the beautiful house you left behind, you find an empty shell; one with no windows or doors, no furniture and no way of keeping warm. You are likely have no access to electricity or water and your ability to earn an income has vanished. Welcome to life in Aleppo, Syria.

Next door, in Mosul, Iraq, you’ve either stayed in your home or found refuge in a temporary settlement while fighting raged around you. Conflict has now moved on but with ISIS having cut off all outside aid during its occupation, you and your children are on the brink of starvation. You have no idea where the next meal is coming from and can’t remember the last time you tasted fresh water.

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LOVE IN ACTION As we all know, recent conflicts in Syria and Iraq have killed hundreds of thousands of people and caused millions to flee to neighbouring countries, creating a largescale refugee crisis throughout Europe. Yet within these war-torn countries lies another issue – those left behind.

According to the UN, there are around 9.5 million people internally displaced within Iraq and Syria, with a total of 24.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Many of these people are in hard-to-reach places or areas that are still besieged. As well as losing loved ones and witnessing unspeakable horrors, most have lost their homes, businesses and the ability to provide for their families. Their needs are both about immediate survival and help to rebuild.

In response, ACCIR began partnering with Preemptive Love Coalition [PLC] in December 2016; an organisation known for its ability to get into hard-to-reach conflict areas and provide aid to neighbourhoods where nobody else will go. Together with PLC and ACC churches around the country, we’ve since been able to see life-saving supplies get through to desperate people in the cities of Mosul, Iraq and Aleppo, Syria. As a movement of concerned churches, we also provided additional funding to PLC to respond to the chemical attack which took place in Idlib, Syria, in April 2017.

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(with sleeping bags made by others who have been displaced); and repairs for 25 damaged homes, which can include restoring access to electricity and running water, and installing doors and windows where they have been lost or damaged. The goal, in most cases, is to make at least one room liveable in each house so that families have shelter while they undertake the longer work of rebuilding the rest of the house.

And in response to the chemical attack, our donations formed part of a broader rapid response, which provided the following assistance: 2,000 hygiene kits to allow families to clean their skin and decontaminate their homes; 2,000 cooking kits, containing pots, bowls and utensils, to replace items tainted by deadly chemicals; 2,000 food packs, with enough to feed a family for a month; and educational workshops which taught more than 3,000 people how to recognise another chemical attack, how to put together a makeshift gas mask and how to respond in the days and weeks following an attack.

• IRAQ Once the bombs stopped falling in Mosul, families were left with damaged homes and a lack of food, water, jobs and electricity.

With the support of ACC churches, we’ve provided the following: • 777 food packs with enough food staples to feed a family for a month; and • 13,229,000 litres of water which was brought in, via trucks, to families and public health centres (while other agencies complete work on repairing damaged infrastructure).

• In time, while we continue to ensure emergency needs are being met, ACCIR will also partner with PLC to provide small business grants, training and mentoring to help people rebuild livelihoods lost through conflict.

RESULTS THAT SPEAK • SYRIA The people of Aleppo have begun the long, hard work of rebuilding their city since its recapture by government troops in late 2016. With the support of ACC churches, we’ve provided the following support to help those affected: • 878 food packs with enough food staples to feed a family for a month; • hot meals, five days a week, for 1,123 displaced families (with meals prepared and served by 158 displaced people, who now have jobs to support their own families); • 1,096 sleeping bags to help keep people warm at night 11

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A HOPE AND A FUTURE: When fighting broke out in Aleppo in 2012, Lina’s worst fear was soon realised – losing one of her children. Her son Ahmed, who Lina describes as “the light of my house and my whole life” was killed in the fighting, aged just 25.

“When I came home and didn’t find Ahmed, I burst into tears and ran around in the streets, and I felt a great depression,” Lina says. “The most difficult thing is losing one’s child … I am a mess because of what happened with my son.”

In order to protect her three remaining children and one grandchild, Lina and her family fled to another part of Syria, where she worked tirelessly to provide for them.

When the Syrian army retook Aleppo in early 2017, Lina and her family were relieved to be able to return home. Only, it wasn’t the home they had left behind.

“It was a disaster,” Lina says. “My house has no windows or doors, no chair, no cup, no spoon—nothing at all.” Out of necessity, Lina’s family was forced to crowd into her sister’s house, where they could only afford one meal a day.

She yearned for the stability of her own home and a chance to get on with her life. “I wish to live in peace and to feel the warmth and security of my house,” she says.

Thanks to people like you, Lina’s home is one of 25 currently receiving home repairs to enable her to return home.

Additionally, the work on her home – and

‘MY HOUSE HAS NO WINDOWS OR DOORS, NO CHAIR, NO CUP, NO SPOON— NOTHING AT ALL.‘ LINA, Aleppo, Syria

others in the area – is being carried out by other displaced people, helping to provide work to those who need it most.

Thank you for creating hope for people like Lina.

To learn more about helping the people of Syria and Iraq, visit: https://accir-acci.nationbuilder.com/wr164

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‘i have found

a place where there is such little light that even my small spark is able to make a difference.’

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FAITH IN ACTION A CHAPLAIN IN THE FRONTLINE

BY KARYN EY

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ave you ever been convicted by your own message?

A few years ago I was speaking in a church about ‘being a light in the darkness’. It was the typical ‘we’re-called-to-bea-light...light-is-created-for-the-darkness...so-we-need-to-goout-into-the-darkness’ kind of message. It suddenly dawned on me that I was in full time ministry and spending six days a week in church surrounded with other ‘lights’ and wasn’t actually practicing the very thing I was preaching. My own message convicted me.

It prompted me to think about the potential areas that I could take my light into. Because I’ve always been slightly adventurous, I figured why not the Defence Force. It was the start of new journey for me.

Fast forward a couple of years and I left my full time church ministry position, stepped down from the South Australian State Executive and took on a full time position with the Royal Australian Air Force as a Chaplain. What an incredible ride it has been!

After completing 18 weeks of military Officer Training, I was posted to RAAF Base Richmond and made the move with my husband Stephen to New South Wales. I never imagined what amazing opportunities were awaiting me. No week is never the same but here is a snapshot of just some of the things I have had the privilege of being a part of in the past year.

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Developed a Female Only Self Defence Course for women on base

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I’ve been able to create a Resilience Program for RAAF Base Richmond – 5 different programs targeted at increasing members inner resilience/self esteem/ confidence etc. This includes a Female Engagement in Personal Training Program and a Targeted Adventure Training Program.

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I’ve had an opportunity to speak to the Australian Human Rights Commission about the programs that I have developed and how they assist with gender targets for women in the RAAF

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Because of my degree and background in Emergency Management I’ve been creating cultural briefings and

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developing training around Gender in Military Operations for units that deploy during disasters and are involved in humanitarian work.

Karyn Ey, ADF Chaplain

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I’ve been able to gain my qualifications in Outdoor Recreation enabling me to take Defence members rock climbing and abseiling.

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I’ve been asked to train a RAAF team to compete in the Ultra Trail Australia running event in 2018.

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I’ve been flying in a C17 through the Blue Mountains – back of the plane down skimming over tree tops

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Of course I still do the ‘normal’ thing a Chaplain is meant to do – but have found a thousand other ways of connecting with members and being involved in their lives during the good, not just the difficult times.

But most importantly I’ve been able to meet and work with some amazing people from incredibly diverse backgrounds. I spend my days surrounded by people that don’t know God, have no faith and in many instances, actually distrust or have had a bad experiences with the Church. I have genuinely found a place where there is such little light that even my small spark is able to make a difference.

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For me every day now starts at 05h30.

I’m a runner, so spend quite a bit of my spare time training for marathons. I’m running an Ultra Marathon at the end of 2017 so can quite often be found running around the RAAF Base airfield in my lunch break. I also love rock climbing. We have a climbing wall at the Base so enjoy getting on that every week and then getting out into the Blue Mountains as often as possible for some outdoor rock climbing and abseiling.

I still maintain my connection with the movement by sitting on the ACC International Relief Board and also the National Chaplaincy Board.

If you’re in ministry and looking for some adventure in life and a way of being a ‘light in the darkness’, why don’t you consider Defence Chaplaincy. At the moment there are over 80 Reserve Chaplaincy positions available in the Defence Force. This is an amazing way to connect, serve and to get out beyond the walls of our churches. I guarantee you will never be bored! .................................................................................

Karyn Ey is an ACC credentialed minister who serves as a Chaplain in the Australian Defence Force.

More info: wwwchaplaincyaustralia.com

A L P H AC R U C I S C O L L E G E 7 0

Y E A R S

MADE FOR CHAPLAINCY ENROL NOW TO SECURE YOUR SPOT IN 2018 www.ac.edu.au/chaplaincy/

CHAPLAINCY.AC

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DEMOGRAPHICS OF AUSTRALIAN CHURCHGOERS

MULTICULTURAL & FEMALE The National Church Life Survey (NCLS) has released results from the 2016 data that reveal that Australian churchgoers are likely to be a first- or second-generation migrant, female and tertiary-educated.

More than a third of Australian church attenders (36%) were born overseas, according to the latest National Church Life Survey results. Of those born overseas, some 27% of churchgoers were born in a non-English speaking country, which is higher than in the general Australian population (22%).

These latest figures demonstrate that Australian churches are culturally diverse and can be a significant place of welcome and social inclusion for migrants.

NCLS Research Director, Dr Ruth Powell said this multicultural mix in Australian churches has increased over time, despite churches with a non-English speaking background being under-represented in the national survey.

“The proportion of attenders born overseas was 28% in 2006, and ten years later it was up to 36% in 2016” she said. “Compared to other nations, we have a very high proportion of multicultural churches.”

More women than men attend local churches: six in ten church attenders are female. As in previous waves of the NCLS, this is higher than in Australian society, where females represent 51% of the population.

“The fact that women continue to be more religious than men confirms a long-term pattern, which has been found in all religions and across the world,” explained Dr Powell.

“There are a lot of theories about why this is the case.

While there are lots of factors involved, the evidence points to social and cultural factors having an important role.”

Those in the pews are more educated than ever before.

Some 37 % of churchgoers aged 15+ held a university degree in 2016, up from 27% in 2006. The proportion of tertiary educated churchgoers continued to be higher than the Australian population where 22% of those aged 15+ held a university degree in 2016. Ministry implications include the challenge of catering for highly educated younger Christians, as well as older attenders with lower levels of formal schooling.

FAST FACTS • 36% were born overseas, 27% were born in a non-English speaking country • 22% speak English plus other language(s) at home, 3% speak other language(s) only at home • 60% were female, 40% were male • 13% were aged 15-29, 24% aged 30-49, 34% aged 50-69, and 29% aged 70 and over • 37% held a university degree, 25% had a trade certificate/diploma/ associate diploma, 38% had primary or high schooling • 49% were employed, 8% had full time home duties, and 36% were retired

Countr y of birth of Australian church att enders.

Source: 2016 NCLSAttender Survey (n=189,751).

NCLS Research www.ncls.org.au

[Source: http://2016ncls.org.au] Note: The ABS percentage showing 22% of Australians with a tertiary qualification is based on total persons aged 15+. If the ABS percentage is calculated excluding people who did not complete the Census question, then 25% of Australian population have a tertiary qualification. This allows better comparison with NCLS data.

Countr y of birth of Australian church att edners vs Australian population.

Sources: 2016 NCLSAttender Survey (n=189,751), 2016 ABSCensus.

Comparison based on the population aged 15+.

NCLS Research www.ncls.org.au

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AN INVITATION. To make the world A BETTER PLACE

Colour is a global movement of everyday women, with hope in their heart and “change” in their step. A twenty-two year journey has seen this diverse and fabulous host of women help multitudes of others. If making the world a better place resonates with you, you belong within this miracle story. Now in its twentysecond year, Colour Conference has embraced and mobilised women of all ages, background and culture to find their voice and become the change they desire to be. With renown and a ripple effect that has gone out around the world - the conference is currently hosted in four continents and seven major cities, and bears fruit that when women unite in friendship and cause, they can bring a felt difference to their own personal worlds, and also the local and global communities they share.

Our Colour Twenty-18 guests and speakers are fabulous - BOB GOFF, CHARLOTTE GAMBILL, AMANDA COOK, JEREMY AND JESSICA COURTNEY (Preemptive Love Coalition), plus our own Hillsong worship, creative and teaching teams will bring their distinctive finest to the table. So visit the online experience for all conference details and to register.

SYDNEY The Theatre at ICC, Sydney Our three day “flagship” conference where it all began Conference One: 15-17 March 2018 & Conference Two: 19-21 March 2018

WIND IN HER SAILS

COLOUR IS THE ACC NATIONALLY ENDORSED WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

COLOURCONFERENCE.COM #allwelcome #comeasyouare 19

SAY HELLO TO

GEN Z

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Discover how to engage the generation of PostMillenials (born 1995 and 2009). CLAIRE MADDEN’S new release ‘Hello Gen Z’ provides insights into the minds and motivation of this generation of hyperconnected, agile and adaptive digital savents.

Gen Z Defined hen asking Generation Z (born 1995-2009) to describe what has defined and what has shaped their generation, the overwhelming response was technology. It is not only the number of devices and how frequently they interact with digital technologies, but how technology has shaped their thinking, facilitated communication, redefined community, become core to their learning and become almost like a companion to them, which is extraordinary.

“How regularly? Everyday. EVERYDAY! Hours. When I’m not with my friends, I’m talking to my friends online – it’s as if we’re never apart or alone.” Grace, b.1999 As a generation raised in an instant society, they are conditioned to providing and receiving immediate updates on the lives of people in their network, even if the news or update seems somewhat inconsequential.

For Gen Zs it seems social media use is driven more by the desire to stay constantly in touch than it is about the announcement of a significant life event.

For Gen Z, the frequency of communication over digital platforms plays a key role in building friendships and forming friendship groups. In the past, conversation or social interaction would largely cease when physically separated. Being in the same location is no longer a prerequisite for socialising. Gen Zs use social media platforms to connect with multiple people at once, investing in relationships even when apart.

W

Wellbeing in a Wired World Yet Gen Z drew some links between their extensive use of social media and digital technologies, and their overall wellbeing.

“When we were younger it was definitely better… back then our parents would trust us to go outside and ride our bikes with our friends.” Lucas, b.2001 As much as Gen Zs may use social media for entertainment and fun, many long for the more carefree life they felt they had before they were consumed by devices and enmeshed into the relentless world of social media. As Layla (b.2000) expressed, “When we were younger it was so much better. Now we’re so addicted to it [social media], we can’t give it up.” Some older Gen Zs expressed a sense of grief and loss over their childhood, as with Lucas above. A number of young people expressed that life was better before they were exposed to the technologies they now use every day. Others wished they could be a part of an older generation who learned how to develop relationships offline. As Lauren (b.2000) stated, “I wish I was in 21

another generation, but not a younger generation.”

Sophie (b.2000) explained that older generations “get to experience the world. They know how and when to stop and actually look up and see what is happening around them.” Lauren went on to say about older generations, “They actually meet up and go places with each other.”

Perhaps it is surprising to hear that some Gen Zs are longing for the social experiences of older generations and yearning for the authentic and meaningful relationships that are formed offline. When I asked Gen Zs if they would disconnect from the online space and interact in the ways they saw older generations engaging, the response was “we can’t, because then we would be excluded” –that is, excluded from being on the ‘inside’ of what is happening in the fast moving, fluid and demanding online communities which spill over into offline interactions.

Sophie (b.2000) also pointed out that “from ages 0-10 we played outside, but when we were teenagers social media came into play.” The older Gen Zs were often glad to have at least been able to play outside until they were about 10 years of age. Taya (b.2001) said “I think we’re in the best part of that generation, because we actually did get outside time”, with Lauren (b.2000) adding that “when we were kids we actually were outside because we didn’t have technology ‘til we were 10 or 11.”

Whilst Gen Zs are the most entertained and empowered generations the world has ever known, a number of Gen Zs expressed that they would prefer to be in another generation. Screen addiction, the feeling of being constantly wired, high levels of stress and an insatiable longing for acceptance, identity and belonging were frequently mentioned in interviews with today’s generation of young people. In addition, they feel a significant pressure to succeed at school and in their future careers, and even from a young age are concerned about how they will have a secure financial outlook and be able to provide for their families in the future.

HOW TO SPEAK GEN Z: 10 WORDS THAT ARE LIT RN!

Claire Madden is a social researcher, media commentator and keynote presenter. She is the founder of the research based strategy and communications agency, Hello Clarity. She completed her Master of Arts through Alphacrucis College and is on the board for ACS Financial and on the Advisory Board for UTS Business School. www. helloclarity.com.au

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HOW TO SPEAK GEN Z 10 WORDS THAT ARE LIT RN!

Gen Z (born 1995–2009) have had their formative years heavily shaped by digital devices, social networks and global platforms. As the most global youth culture the world has ever seen, they have adapted and evolved the use of social media platforms, created a host of unwritten rules about how to use them, and are creating a global Gen Z lexicon faster than we can keep up with.

While Millennials thought they were savvy writing words like ‘l8r’ and ‘gr8’ to save on characters when texting on their Nokia 3310s, the global Gen Zs are creating a new youth language at a rapid pace.

Based on a series of in-depth interviews with Gen Z, here are ten Gen Z words that are ‘lit rn’: Lit – current word used to describe things that are “really awesome, really cool”.

Rn – used in texting and on social media to say “right now”.

All g – common phrase used to communicate something is “all good”.

Salty – used to describe when someone is moody.

Tbh – to be honest – originally used on Facebook in 2011, this has now become spoken vocabulary.

Dab – a dance move where you put your head down to the left while you point both arms up towards the right.

Shipping – when you think two people would make a great couple you “ship” them and make a “shipping name” which is their names merged in some way. For example, if you were shipping Jack and Emily their shipping name could be “Jackily”.

Lol – stands for ‘laugh out loud’ (not ‘lots of love’ as some Baby Boomers may have interpreted) – and yet many Gen Zs will now say it rather than actually laughing out loud.

Throwing shade – when you’re speaking negatively about someone, you are “throwing shade”.

Fam – not only your ‘family’ but used to describe your close friends.

So in summary, this means tbh, rn you want to be lit but not salty – all g?

A point to note, like in any language, culture and communication, there are nuances, subtext and context which affects how and when words are used. Authenticity matters, and this language which has been created in their shared community doesn’t gain traction when used out of context. © 2017 Claire Madden 22

NEW RELEASES

HELLO GEN Z: Engaging the Generation of Post-Millennials

By Claire Madden ‘HELLO GEN Z’ is a comprehensive and intriguing guide into the m inds and motivations of Generation Z. by Claire Madden, Australia’s foremost social researcher on generational engagement.

Youth Alive National Directors, Cameron & Renee Bennett recommend the book as a valuable resource to those in youth ministry.

“Clare Madden’s book is so good because finally we are getting some research to back what our guts have been telling us all along – that technology, while it has loads of benefits, is progressively controlling our young people.

“For some reason, a lot of parents stop parenting when it comes to technology, especially social media.

The good news is we, as youth pastors and leaders, can have a great deal of positive influence when it comes to this whole subject.”

THE CHAT For Fathers With Sons

By Joel Chelliah & Wayne Marlow In a world where there is so much confusion about marriage, sex and gender, “THE CHAT” brings a biblical perspective to help fathers start a conversation with their sons on the all important ‘sex chat’. This beautifully illustrated book also discusses the issue of pornography and offers an action plan so simple, that every young boy can personally outwork.

“I decided to write the book because my own sons were getting to an age where they were curious and had many questions,” said ACC pastor, Joel Chelliah.

“At first I searched for a Christian resource to help with the conversation but I couldn’t find any written specifically for boys. With a lot of encouragement from my family, I decided to have a go at providing a resource that might help other dads like me.”

The book is split into two sections; the first portion helping fathers to prepare themselves for the conversation, whilst section 2 (dedicated for both fathers and sons) is brilliantly illustrated to engage young boys. The Chat discusses the pertinent issues of sex, puberty, pornography and gender.

Andy Kirk, ACCkids National Director, said, “In all my years of Children’s Ministry, I have not come across a resource as good as this to help families approach the subject of sex. I love how Joel has both helped deal with the parent’s potential challenges in themselves around this subject before equipping them to speak to the kids. I can’t wait to share this with the wider church and highly recommend to parents, pastors and children’s ministries who are looking to help families, whether their own or others through this delicate conversation.”

The book retails for $14.99 and can be purchased online at:: www.thechatkidsbook.com

To purchase the book, visit www.clairemadden.com

Joel Chelliah is the Senior Pastor of Centrepoint Church in Perth, WA, and the ACC State President of Western Australia. He is on radio as a talkback host. Joel is married to Sharon and they have three sons.

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NEW RELEASES READING FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

OWN THE MOMENT

By Carl Lentz

As lead pastor of the first United States campus of Hillsong Church, the former college basketball player is on a mission to make Christianity accessible in the 21st century. In Own The Moment, he shares the unlikely and inspiring story of how he went from being an average teenager who couldn’t care less about church to leading one of the country’s fastest-growing congregations—how one day he is trying to convince a Virginia Beach 7-Eleven clerk to attend his service, and just a few years later he is baptizing a global music icon in an NBA player’s Manhattan bathtub.

Amid such candid personal tales, Lentz also offers illuminating readings of Bible passages and practical tips on how to live as a person of faith in an increasingly materialistic world. How do you maintain your values—and pass them onto your children—in a society that worships money and sex and fame? How do you embrace your flaws in this Instagram era that exalts the appearance of perfection? How do you forget about “living the dream” and learn to embrace the beauty of your reality? These are just a few of the many important questions Lentz answers in Own The Moment.

THE DANIEL DILEMMA

YOUR NEXT 24 HOURS

How To Stand Firm and Love Well In A Culture Of Compromise

By Chris Hodges

One Day Of Kindness Can Change Everything

By Hal Donaldson with Kirk Noonan

Christians today face a dilemma: in a world that seems to reject everything we believe, how do we walk closely with God without caving to pressure or alienating those we hope to reach?

If asked, who among us wouldn’t say we were kind people? But kindness is often manifested in feelings of pity or sympathy--especially when others are watching--rather than in deeds. And when it comes down to it, what good does mere feeling do for the world?

Chris Hodges provides a solution by examining the life of the prophet Daniel, who persevered in a corrupt culture that closely resembles our own—and emerged as an influential force in God’s redemptive plan.

Full of scripture and seasoned with Hodges’ candid personal insights, The Daniel Dilemma shows us that we can hold firmly to biblical beliefs without becoming obnoxious, insulting, or mad.

We can stand strong while loving others well. Because standing for truth isn’t about winning the argument; it’s about winning hearts.

When we learn the secret of connecting before correcting, we discover that we can respond to today’s hard questions without compromising grace or truth. www.koorong.com.au

Your Next 24 Hours is about something much bigger--a lifestyle of kindness, without thought of reciprocation, extended toward every person in our lives, both friend and foe. Through powerful true stories of kindness lived out, this book shows readers the enormous difference they can make through small, doable acts of kindness in their families, communities, workplaces, schools, and churches. It shows how every encounter with another person is an opportunity to be kind--and a chance to change our world.

Readers of Your Next 24 Hours will find deep satisfaction and joy as they discover how they can be part of a revolution of kindness that starts with them and reaches out through every person their lives touch.

www.koorong.com.au

www.hillsongstore.com.au

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KILLING KRYPONITE Destroy What Steals Your Strength

By John Bevere

What’s your kryptonite? For so many Christians, frustration and fatigue set in as they try time and again to get free from what holds them back. God never intended for it to be this way. He destined you to be victorious in every area of your life, and more than that, He gives you the power to overcome whatever comes against you.

In his new book Killing Kryptonite, best-selling author John Bevere opens up about his own story, revealing key biblical truths that moved him from a life of struggle to a life of breakthrough.

You can enjoy a life of intimacy and connection with God. You can have a vibrant, powerful faith that impacts the world around you. But first, you have to face off with spiritual kryptonite.

This book is not for the faint of heart.

But if you’re ready to embrace a journey of radical transformation, this message is for you. Includes discussion questions for group study.

GOD CONVERSATIONS

MARTIN LUTHER

Stories Of How God Speaks and What Happens When We Listen

By Tania Harris

The Man Who Rediscovered GOd and Changed The World.

By Eric Metaxas

What does God sound like? How do we know it’s Him? Stories of God talking to his people abound throughout the Bible, but we usually only get the highlights. We read; “God said; ‘Go to Egypt’”, and then; “Mary and Joseph left for Egypt.” We’re not told how God spoke, how they knew it was him or how they decided to act on what they’d heard.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Eric Metaxas comes a brilliant and inspiring biography of the most influential man in modern history, Martin Luther, for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation

In God Conversations, ACC pastor Tania Harris invites you into her own journey learning to hear God’s voice. Share the doubts, fears, and wonder as she navigates her conversations with God in light of his communication with the ancients.

Part memoir, part teaching, this unique and creative collection of stories will help you to recognise God’s voice when He speaks and to see what happens when we listen.

www.koorong.com.au

On All Hallow’s Eve in 1517, a young monk named Martin Luther posted a document he hoped would spark an academic debate, but that instead ignited a conflagration that would forever destroy the world he knew. Five hundred years after Luther’s now famous Ninetyfive Theses appeared, Eric Metaxas, acclaimed biographer of the bestselling Bonhoeffer and Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce, paints a startling portrait of the wild figure whose adamantine faith cracked the edifice of Western Christendom and dragged medieval Europe into the future.

Written in riveting prose and impeccably researched, Martin Luther tells the searing tale of a humble man who, by bringing ugly truths to the highest seats of power, caused the explosion whose sound is still ringing in our ears.

www.koorong.com.au www.koorong.com.au

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Q&A

AARON WALLACE MEET AARON WALLACE, ONE OF THE YOUNGEST ACC PASTORS TO PLANT A CHURCH, WHO CURRENTLY PASTORS LIFESOURCE CHURCH IN VICTORIA.

Q: Let’s start with an interesting fact – that is you, at the age of 17 are one of the youngest pastors to plant an ACC church. Can you tell me how this came to be?

AARON: Well, it was my Grandmother Thelma who took me to church and where I became a Christian. From the age of 6 to 13years we attended Emmanuel Christian Family Church in Plumpton in Sydney.

At the age of 13, until 17 years of age, I attended the Hillsong campus at Mt. Druitt. When the church moved location, and I did not have a car, I found myself looking around, seeing brokenness and all I could think was, ‘What can I do to help some of these kids?’ I wasn’t thinking ‘I am going to plant a church and be a pastor’. All I wanted to do is help serve some of the lowest socioeconomic kids in the country in the Wilmot/Mt Druitt area through sport, worship and song. So R3 Church was about doing ministry together with the local kids in the area that do it super tough.

WHEN YOU TRULY LOVE SERVING PEOPLE, YOU SERVE WITH YOUR HEART UNBOUND TO TITLES OR TIMEFRAMES – ALL YOU SEE IS THEIR POTENTIAL, NOT THE OBSTACLES. WHEN YOU LOVE, UNSELFISHLY, THAT IS WHEN YOU SEE THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT HEAL, DELIVER AND EMPOWER PEOPLE TO LIVE FOR JESUS.

Q: You talk about your Grandmother and becoming a Christian. What about your immediate family, can you share a little about your background and culture.

AARON: I was born in Penrith in NSW, and I am a Wiradjuri man. My great grandfather was Scottish. My family weren’t Christians, but in 2011, at R3 Church, they were saved. So all my family, cousins, aunts and uncles started out helping me at R3. Helping with the 10 year old kids who had no shoes. Together we worked out of the local Catholic Church hall playing basketball and rugby. My family would come down to help out – we had about 20 kids at the time.

Then 12 months down the track we grew – kids where helping out with worship services, adults began to come down and we were also serving food.

And lives were being saved, including my families.

Q: So besides the youngest ACC pastor to plant a church, you are also an Indigenous ACC Pastor.

That is pretty significant. Can you tell me if you

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deliberately set out to begin an indigenous ministry.

AARON: No. I am proud of my cultural heritage, and it helps me to connect. At school, I did not accept that because I was indigenous that I had to be a ‘statistic’.

But first and foremost, I am a pastor, who happens to be an Indigenous man who has a great connection to the land.

Q: What advice do you have for pastors of youth or young adults?

AARON: People, regardless of their age need to find good mentors – not Facebook. Find real human beings.

But, don’t just go about making everyone your mentor.

Find someone who will be honest with you and will make you accountable. A mentor is not your best friend. Mentors are there to challenge and stir you up, ignite the fire.

At the age of 21, Aaron & Malinda Wallace became the senior pastors of LifeSource Church in Victoria. Since arriving in Echuca five years ago, they have seen their church grow. The community benefits as they enjoy a strong Indigenous, Australian and multi-cultural membership that is living for Jesus.

Aaron has been able to lead many people to Jesus and has a large influence through mentoring young people from all around Australia and countries such as India, America,Vanuatu, South Africa, Malaysia and Singapore.

Q: If we are to better understand what it is like for first Australians, what is it that we can do?

AARON: Find out who in your congregation are First Nation’s People, because we don’t all have dark skin.

Then really get to know them, have a coffee with them – after all, we are human beings who want to be loved and we want to belong.

The best question you could ask them is ‘who is your Mob, and where is your family from?’ Just those two simple questions are all it takes.

More info: www.lifesourceechuca.com

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HOW TO STAY ON TOP OF CHURCH ADMIN AND GOVERNANCE IN 2018

3 q 3 q 3 q 3 q P

artnerships and planning will help you to fulfil God’s calling on your ministry in 2018.

Church Pastors, board members and leadership groups are continually faced with administrative challenges that can take them away from their calling.

Knowing your purpose is important, finding the right partner is equally vital. You need to find a partner who will advise you on how your ministry goals will be achieved in the financial services realm.

Knowing and understanding the pressures that church pastors and their leadership teams face positions ACS Financial (ACSF) as an ideal partner to help grow your ministry in the year ahead.

According to ASCF, one of the biggest challenges that they see from clients is a failure to engage the right advisor who will listen and understand their calling, yet can work together in partnership to help plan for success of their ministry.

TICKING THE BOXES q

GOVERNANCE & COMPLIANCE:

Governance and compliance requirements continue to grow and consume our clients’ time and challenge their resources.

ACS Financial is proud to partner with Alphacrucis College and the ACC to deliver the ‘Governance Essentials’ course.

This affordable, online, certificated training program is designed specifically for board members, leadership teams and administration staff.

We believe that this training is essential, which is why when students complete this certificated program, ACSF will provide free access for 30 days to Titus Governance.

You can contact Steven Meredith, Senior Manager Sales & Marketing on how Titus and the Governance Essentials course will ease the pressures that face your church.

More info: https://titusgovernance.com/

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CHURCH PROPERTY OWNERSHIP:

One of the biggest concerns is how expensive property is becoming nationwide. Unfortunately, this overwhelming fact is causing some churches to miss out on ownership because they put it in the ‘too hard’ basket. Therefore, it is more important than ever to start planning early.

For over 25 years, the ACSF commercial lending team have helped pastors strengthen and expand their church, ministry or school footprint through property acquisition, extension or refurbishment.

The ACSF team will work with you to ascertain how much the church can borrow, the deposit required, property types to consider and documentation required. As there is quite a lot involved it pays to gather documentation early as everything can move quite quickly once a property is found.

Planning is important, so sit down with your church leadership early in the new calendar year and make sure that owning a property is high on the church agenda.

The areas that are critical for the continued growth of ACC churches across the nation, and the world, is planning in the areas that ACSF can provide advice, tailored produce solutions, technology and resources that are specific to the individual needs of each church and their calling.

Call the ACSF commercial lending team today to help crystallise and work with you to realise your property ownership plans.

These areas are: • Governance and compliance • Church property ownership • Insurance and risk management • Investment Here are some areas that we encourage you to plan with your team and contact us to help you with your plans for 2018.

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YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR AND HAVE A DUTY OF CARE TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORKPLACE.

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TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel, whether it be intrastate, interstate or on an international basis, moving out into communities is how churches impact lives and spread the Gospel.

When planning for the annual travel requirements of the church and associated members, ACSF’s dedicated team of insurance specialists know exactly how to help. They will sit with you and your team to tailor an annual travel insurance program that encompasses all areas of our nation and the globe.

Forward planning, again, is the key.

The domestic and international annual travel packages on offer all come with a travel card. This emergency travel card has vital 24/7 travel loss protection contact numbers to help in an emergency, regardless of where the church members are travelling to.

More info: http://www.acsfinancial.com. au/our-services/lending-for-churchesschools/

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INSURANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT

q INVESTMENT

Insurance is not, unfortunately a simple ‘set and forget’ process. There are conditions and obligations a church must acknowledge and implement so that they comply with the specifications of their insurance and protection policy. The result of such breaches can result in the denial of a claim.

A good investment can advance capital gains for your ministry. When you invest in ACCumulator you help enable ACS to assist churches with purchasing, building or expanding their property. Achieve your financial goals sooner while supporting the ACC movement.

Under WHS laws, you are responsible for and have a duty of care to provide a safe and healthy workplace. Put simply, a church is responsible to prove that an annual property inspection and maintenance program is in place before a significant event triggers a claim.

http://www.acsfinancial.com.au/ourservices/investment-accumulator/

Property claims can be denied due to the failure of an effective inspection and maintenance program – even after a significant weather event strikes.

Planning, communication and implementation of an inspection and maintenance program is paramount.

To get started, contact the ACSF insurance team on 1800 646 777.

ACS Financial can provide resources or training in the areas of risk management.

To book a seminar:. http://www.acsfinancial.com.au/riskmanagement/

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Speak to Lyndal Cowan the ACSF Investment Officer on 1800 646 777 or to find out more, visit:

MINISTERING TO

KIDS

I

By Jason Van Vuuren

recently came across a kids ministry lesson planning book called ‘Arnold’s Practical Sabbath-School Commentary on the International Lessons’ written in 1907. More than a century ago someone was writing curriculum for kids church.

Surprisingly enough, the elements it used were not much different from the ones we employ in kids services today. It even included ideas for blackboard art, in the same way we’d design screen graphics.

What impacted me the most was the first page, where it said under the heading ‘The Teacher’s Privilege’: “Thousands of teachers in charge of Sunday School classes today look upon their work as drudgery. This is because they fail to appreciate that they are called to be ‘workers together with God.’ He has entrusted the welfare of immortal souls to their care.”

There are a few things I noticed in this passage, and in others through the book that I think are vitally important to kids pastors and leaders as we look to next year.

1. IT’S A PRIVILEGE TO PASTOR KIDS. God has given us the most impressionable, teachable and mouldable hearts and minds. He’s entrusted us with the opportunity and responsibility to ‘raise kids in the way that they should go…’. We should never look at it as drudgery, but rather as an incredible honour.

2. KIDS MINISTRY MEANS WORK There’s no quick fix or fast solution to working with kids. It’s the diligent routine of the kids pastor or leader, following up families, writing creative sermons and object lessons, researching kids trends, finding new and useful resources, calling, texting, emailing and again calling our teams to be on time on Sunday, all for one reason. We are workers together with God. We do what we do, spending countless hours in our ministry so that kids can have a real encounter with a gracious and loving Jesus. When kids get to meet Jesus, every minute, every hour, every late night cutting up carboard and sorting glitter becomes so worthwhile.

3. WE HAVE TO BE CREATIVE Whether it’s blackboard illustrations in 1907 or screens and projectors now, it is imperative that we make the most of what we have, to creatively present the Gospel to kids. While I am certainly not advocating for huge big budgets and the latest and greatest tech, I am saying we need to think differently and creatively.

We need to be zany and a little left of field. We need to surprise and engage kids. Our job is to plant seeds, and we do this by creating memories that stick. I’m not just talking about service elements, but about events and programs we plan into our calendars that engage families.

One of the most creative and impactful parts of Hope Kids is Camp Colossal, a three day school holiday camp for primary schoolers. It doesn’t cost us a lot of money, and isn’t a drain on leaders.

It is however one of our best tools for creatively engaging families from both in the church and outside of it.

Not much has changed in a century, and at it’s core, kids ministry won’t change for the next hundred years. Our job has always and will always be to train up a child in the way that they should go, so that when they are old they will not depart from it. Let’s embrace the privilege and the work as we creatively lead kids toward Jesus.

Jason Van Vuuren is Kids Pastor at Hope Centre.

‘WE NEED TO BE ZANY AND A LITTLE LEFT OF FIELD’

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LEARN TO UNDERSTAND

PEOPLE FIRST

By Paul Bartlett

I

n his bestselling book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey made a great point about communication.

He said this: “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” He said we spend years learning to read, write, and speak, but we don’t spend nearly enough time learning the skill of listening. It’s only in listening that we can begin to see the other person’s perspective. And once we understand them, we can begin to try to get them to understand us.

Some churches put all their energy, budget, and skill into trying to get people to understand the message but I don’t think we can keep doing that. I don’t think we can continue to tell people what we think. Our message has to be more than just “We’re right, you’re wrong!”

Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, and let us reason together...” (NKJV). Once we have taken the time to listen and understand others, then they will be more inclined to listen to us.

I think it’s really helpful for us to learn to listen to people in our community.

One way is to ask a lot of questions. We at Lighthouse conducted a survey in our community to try to understand what people in the community thought of us.

Jesus asked lots of questions while He was on this earth. In the New Testament we see that He asked people over a hundred questions. He was genuinely interested in how people felt and what they thought. And they responded.

Did you know that God served the success of sinners? God partnered with Egyptian leaders through Joseph. God partnered with Babylon when Daniel was trained and equipped to advise King Nebuchadnezzar. God is not fearful of partnering with secular people and organisations. And neither should we be.

I would love to see more churches linking arms with community organisations (Christian or otherwise) in a greater way and loving and engaging with people of all walks of life - even if they never step foot inside our churches. Many times we as churches and leaders get involved in helping people’s needs only if it benefits 31

us in some way. But most of the time we’re better off partnering with the organisation to help them do what they do well already.

Every year Lighthouse supports the Australia Day Aquathon, Australia’s largest swim and run event that takes place annually in Wollongong. This event makes sense to us because our community is coastal and people here love the beach and the outdoors. We didn’t initiate this event, nor do we benefit from it financially. The event organiser doesn’t attend our church services. This event doesn’t bring people to our church, but it builds credibility and integrity because non-Christians talk to other non-Christians about us in a different light.

We decided that we should be an integral part of the event’s volunteer team because we love what our community loves. Every year we send lots of volunteers to the event to help with participant registration, handing out water, setting up before dawn, and

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NEW DIPLOMA OF COMMUNITY SERVICES

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lphacrucis College in partnership with ACC Community Engagement is pleased to announce the new Diploma of Community Services will be available in 2018 in Wollongong. This unique programme is designed to equip the church to think and act differently when engaging with their local communities.

‘TEACH OUR CONGREATIONS TO BE THE CHURCH, NOT JUST ATTEND IT.’

Additionally, those who have had 5+ years of community experience are able to obtain a qualification through RPL (recognition of prior learning). Intensives will be held in Perth and Brisbane in 2018.

Over the past four months, two RPL diplomas intensives were held at the Parramatta Campus. The engagement by the attendees demonstrated a wealth and richness of experience contained not only in the class room but in the ACC movement as a whole. New friendships were formed, life stories shared, connections made and a fresh enthusiasm was imparted regarding community transformation. Some of the diverse examples and testimonies of community engagement were truly inspirational and demonstrated a paradigm shift in this strengths based approach.

packing up when the event is finished. We are facilitators for the community to do what they love - being fit and achieving goals. We want to assist a community initiative that boosts local tourism and makes Wollongong a better place to live in.

I think it’s beneficial for church leaders to spend more time outside the church. Can I would encourage you as church leader while you’re planning next years calendar and budget to reorder your schedule around activities in the community that take you outside your church. That may include becoming the local soccer coach or becoming a member of the local chamber of commerce or a board member of an influential business.

Alphacrucis College is a fully accredited registered training organisation that offers specialised teaching and training from recognised lecturers and speakers such as Ps Paul Bartlett, ACC Community Engagement Leader and author of “Thank God it’s Monday”.

Maybe as a leader you’re feeling as I did just a few short years ago, where I got tired of trying to change my community from the stage inside my church. I believe the greatest way to change our communities is to teach our congregations to be the church, not just to attend it! Australia has a chance if we send every Christian into their Monday’s knowing two simple things: (1) Who they are (sons and daughters of God), and (2) that their work place is their unique calling. If we begin to implement that kind of model, crime can be reduced.

Homelessness can be reduced. Drug addiction can be reduced.

Violence can be reduced. Loneliness can be reduced. Not only that, but local businesses can grow. Employment can increase.

More community facilities can be built. Literacy rates can improve. More families can stay together. Hope can rise up.

And more people will come to know and accept Christ as a result of your church.

The Diploma of Community Services will assist you in: • Engaging your community • Supporting, empowering and building strong relationships in your local community • Developing and leading community engagement • Enriching and transforming lives through practical programme development You and your church can have a huge influence in your community, across our town or city, and throughout the nation and it starts soon!!

If you would like to know more or apply for 2018: Website: www.ac.edu.au Email: info@ac.edu.au

I want to be a part of that kind of church. I want to be a part of that kind of change. Don’t you?

Tel: 1300 225 355.

Lee Cameron (Community Services Programme Director) CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services

Paul Bartlett is the national director of ACC Community Services, and Senior Pastor of Lighthouse Church, Wollongong.

Alphacrucis College Ltd 30 Cowper St Parramatta NSW 2150 CRICOS Provider: 00958A / RTO (National Code) 90525

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A CASE FOR PENTECOSTAL HIGHER EDUCATION ARMED WITH KNOWLEDGE & EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT

BY LILY ARASARATNAM-SMITH

F

inding a church in a new city is hard – especially for an introvert like me – so it was when searching for a church I could call home, I found myself confronted by the words of a pastor “That’s the beautiful thing about the Holy Spirit,” he said. “He gives us wisdom when we need it. I mean, you can spend years getting all the academic knowledge you want, but if you don’t have the Spirit of God, what’s the point?”

I stop listening to what he was saying because my mind began to whirl with thoughts: ‘Why can’t I be intellectual and spiritual?’ Why is knowledge mutually exclusive to spirituality? Have I not served God through my academic pursuits?

Have I not honoured Him in my studies? Is it not He who has given me this passion to study? Where is my place in the Pentecostal Church?

Spirit Empowered Intellect I was a student for 25 years of my life, and after that I started teaching at a university. It seems, I have never left ‘school’. I read, think, research, teach, and learn: these are my vocational acts of worship to God. I rely on the Spirit in all of these acts. My spirituality and my intellect are intricately intertwined in the whole person who has been redeemed by Christ.

Therefore, when I hear someone implying that my intellect is irrelevant in the presence of the Spirit, I cannot help but feel taken aback and wonder whether there is a place for someone like me, an ‘academic’ by profession and by personality, in a Pentecostal church.

And so I did what I knew to do: I took to the books – the Book, to be precise! I looked for someone – anyone – who loved God and served Him with the skills of their mind. No doubt there are more examples than these, but two characters stand out: Daniel and Paul.

Daniel and his friends, exiles to Babylon, were indoctrinated in Babylonian language and literature. For a devout believer like Daniel, the language and literature of Babylon were no doubt irrelevant to his pursuit of God. I don’t think he would have seen this as preparation for the service of God. Nevertheless, the scriptures say, “To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning” (Daniel 1:17). In fact, they far exceeded the academic expertise of all the men in the king’s service that they were well-positioned to be in the highest place of governance. What is comforting to me about Daniel’s story is the words, “God gave…”. It is God who gave Daniel and his friends knowledge and understanding of Babylonian language and all kinds of literature. God empowered Daniel to learn and understand pagan bodies of knowledge such that he exceeded the expertise of local scholars. > 33

I find it comforting that my ability to study, like Daniel’s, is a gift from God. When I use my intellect to the best of my ability, as Daniel did, I honour God. I may have had to study a whole bunch of secular theories and models to earn my degrees.

But through that education God is at work because he has given me the language and credibility to speak with people of influence to whom I would not have had access without my academic credentials.

The second Spirit-empowered ‘academic’ who has had a phenomenal ministry is the Apostle Paul. Paul was able to speak to the most educated, most elite groups of people because he spoke their language. He had the same thinking tools that they did, to be able to craft arguments that they would find compelling. He had the credibility of being one of the most educated elite himself. While he took no pleasure in any worldly accolades or prestige that his education and heritage could give him (Phil 3:5-8), he no doubt used his intellect for the service of God. In fact, his compelling letters are logically laid out like well-reasoned essay!

I see Daniel and Paul as illustrations of highly educated people who God used not despite of their intellect, but because of it. By the same token, it is also clear that it is God who gives knowledge and understanding. That is an important piece of information to counter the fallacy that one has to be ‘smart’ to take on formal study.

see is the trunk…and so on. Each person is convinced s/he is seeing clearly. But none of them see the big picture because they only have one perspective. If they speak with one another, then they might begin to understand different perspectives.

But without that intentional and disciplined enquiry, their view is limited and they may never know they’re looking at an elephant.

An enterprising Pentecostal might say, “I’ll just ask the Holy Spirit and He’ll tell me I’m looking at an elephant.” Perhaps.

But what if you needed to convince someone who does not know God that the thing in front of you is, in fact, an elephant.

They would ask you how you know that. You could say, “God told me,” but they may not understand what you mean if they don’t have a frame of reference for a personal relationship with God. If you have the tools to describe the process of coming to a consensus based on multiple perspectives, then that is something they could understand.

For a Pentecostal Christian who does not want to be an ‘academic,’ formal study still serves the following specific purposes: 1. Providing language and tools with which to communicate with people who do not have Christian frames of reference.

2. Cultivating disciplined and systematic thinking skills to understand complex social issues.

3. Expanding your frame of reference, knowledge and understanding.

4. Providing structures and rationale for things you do intuitively without knowing why.

5. Equipping you with skills to be able to identify and develop others.

6. Opening opportunities for interacting with a variety of different people, each of whom see a different part of the ‘elephant’ more clearly than you.

7. Providing you with credibility and confidence to speak the language of the ‘educated elite’ who influence society.

The Fallacy of the ‘Smart Person’ Sometimes when I lecture in class, students’ eyes will widen in awe and someone will say something like, “Woah, no wonder you’ve a doctorate – you’re so smart!” This sort of observation is based on the fallacy that you have to be ‘smart’ in order to study.

To be sure, it is true that certain kinds of intelligences are necessary to engage with certain kinds of tasks and ideas.

What my students observe as ‘so smart’ is the product of years of reading, writing essays, reading some more, and writing more. It is the product of years of learning and being taught skills I didn’t have before. While my love for learning and ability to think in certain ways are, I believe, by (God’s) design, my skills and knowledge as an academic have been taught to me by others who had in turn spent time studying those skills and knowledge.

Therefore, when it comes to a decision of whether one should pursue formal studies or not, the pertinent question is not ‘Am I smart enough?’ but rather, ‘Do I want to learn more than I know now?’

Conclusion From all the years I have spent as a student and a lecturer, one thing is clear: education is influence. If we want to change the world for God, we must be influencers. The knowledge, discipline, and confidence that comes from formal education equips us to be better influencers. Education equips us to not just be consumers, but creators. Someone is going to write the textbooks used in tomorrow’s universities. Why shouldn’t those writers be Christian academics? Are we encouraging the formation of these thinkers in our churches? Looking at Daniel and Paul, I think a Spirit-filled ‘academic’ is a formidable warrior in the kingdom of God.

The Role of Formal Study Many people, especially people in church-related ministry, have years of experience doing what they believe God has called them to do. They have learned the ropes on the job, and they have runs on the board. If you are already doing what you feel is your calling and if you are reasonably confident that you are doing it well, then what is the purpose of further (formal) education?

There’s a picture that illustrates the answer to this question.

Imagine an elephant. Standing around it are small people, looking at the element up-close. One person thinks what he is seeing is a rope, because all he can see is the tail; another person thinks what he is seeing is a snake because all she can

Associate Professor Lily Arasaratnam-Smith is the Director of Research at Alphacrucis College and a Fellow of the International Academy for Intercultural Research. Her area of expertise is intercultural communication.

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A L P H AC R U C I S C O L L E G E 7 0

Y E A R S

Apply now to secure your spot for 2018 www.study.ac.edu.au

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2018 DIARY

Colour is the ACC nationally endorsed women’s conference

WIND IN SAILS

MARCH COLOUR WOMENS CONFERENCE 1: 15–17 March 2: 19–21 March The Theatre at ICC, Darling Harbour, Sydney www.colourconference.com/sydney

- BE FOUND

Sydney

The Theatre at ICC Sydney Conf One: 15-17 March 2018 Conf Two: 19-21 March 2018

JULY

Joining Bobbie and the Hillsong Global Teams, our international guests include: Bob Goff .

Charlotte Gambill . Amanda Cook

PANASIA MISSIONS CONFERENCE 30 July - 2 August 2018 Novotel Phuket Resort, Thailand www.accimissions.org.au/panasia2018

COLOURCONFERENCE.COM

To register and find information for locations, guest insights, Colour Kids and all other details.

www.accimissions.org.au/panasia2018

AUGUST KIDSHAPER CONFERENCE 14 – 16 August 2018 Gold Coast www.acckids.org.au/kidshaper18 www.acckids.org.au/kidshaper17 UNITED WE STAND - YOUTH ALIVE 17 August 2018 Australiawide www.youthalive.com.au

SEPTEMBER COMMUNITY CONFERENCE 4 – 5 September 2018 Venue to be announced www.acc.communityengagement.org.au

INDIGENOUS EMERGING LEADERS CONFERENCE 7 – 9 September 2018 Tweed Heads NSW www.ganggalah.com

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