ACC Mag #4 of 2018

#4 2018

EMAG

quarterly publication for acc leaders

GATHERING TOGETHER

Q&A: RENEE RITCHIE

DARLENE ZSCHECH

JOHN HUNT

GENEROSITY IN THE DROUGHT

THE POWER OF THE TABLE

THE VALUE OF ASKING

HOW TO STAY ON TOP OF YOUR GAME IN 2019 1

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GATHERING TOGETHER This edition of ACC EMAG celebrates the blessing of unity and gathering together of faithful believers with one mind and one spirit in the name of Jesus.

GATHERING TOGETHER ACC National President Wayne Alcorn shares on the power of gathering together as one body.

NEWS Gathering together at State Conferences Paul Bartlett elected NSW State President Thousands gather for Awakening Australia

Cover image: Brooke Goldsbro

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GATHERING TO PRAY A call to prayer and fasting for ACC pastors and churches at the start of 2019.

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THE POWER OF THE TABLE In an exclusive extract from her new book, The Golden Thread, Darlene Zschech shares her insights on gathering around a table together.

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GENEROSITY IN THE DROUGHT ACC EMag interview with Renee Ritchie who is pastoring a church on the frontline of droughtstricken communities.

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CHRISTMAS IN VIETNAM In twenty years, Paul & Deb Hilton and their team in Vietnam have made their Christmas celebrations a regualr part of the local community.

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‘BUT THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT’ Lily Arasratnam-Smith examines the elusive gap between perceptions and intentions in communications.

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THE VALUE OF ASKING John Hunt shares insights into the difference between ‘telling’ and ‘asking’ and how senior leaders need to become better at asking.

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1 DAY... Because It Matters The ACCI 1Day Campaign continues to have a powerful impact both on both those who give and those who receive.

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INVEST IN YOURSELF Ralph Estherby shares the best ways to stay on top of your game in 2019.

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FREEDOM TO DISCRIMINATE As the religious freedom debate focuses on Christian schools, James Macpherson shares his thoughts on discrimination.

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NEW RELEASES New books by Darlene Zschech, Joseph Prince, Bill Johnson, Eugene H Peterson, and more.

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GATHERING

TOGETHER

BY WAYNE ALCORN

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here is nothing like believers gathering together as one body with one mind and one spirit, united in their love for Jesus. Looking back over the past year, I’ve been in the presence of God at amazing packed-to-the-rafters worship services, youth rallies and conferences; I’ve also experienced the incredible power of the Holy Spirit when we’ve come together to pray as the body of Christ; and I’ve sat around many tables with ministry friends and felt the warmth and strength of unity.

As we go forward into a new year, I’m grateful to everyone who is part of our ACC family. We were never meant to do this journey alone. Psalm 68:6 says that “God sets the solitary in families” and I’ve always thought of our movement as a very large family. Through the seasons of life, we weep with those who weep, and we rejoice with those who rejoice, and we stand alongside those who are weary and lift their arms up to see them through the tough times.

Our State Conferences had record breaking attendance figures, and it reminded me how we love to gather together as a family, to celebrate the wins and cheer each other on.

With this in mind, I am looking ahead with expectancy to our 2019 National Conference on the Gold Coast at the end of April. We will be celebrating our unity in Christ as those from the country join with those from the cities, from all across our wide sunburnt land and beyond. As we gather together in one accord, we plan to take Communion together as a family and remember the body of our Lord Jesus, broken for us. I’d love you to join us as we stop and remember our call and why we serve Him, and pray together: “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) I am believing the year ahead will be framed with the blessing of unity whenever and wherever we gather in Jesus’ name. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:2)

Wayne Alcorn is the ACC National President. He pastors the multicampus Hope Centre in Brisbane together with his wife, Lyn. 4

“FOR WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED TOGETHER IN MY NAME, I AM THERE IN THE MIDST OF THEM.” (MATTHEW 18:20 NKJV)

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NEWS

STATE CONFERENCE GATHERINGS FUN, FELLOWSHIP AND FAITH.

Throughout September and October 2018, the ACC State Conferences were times of celebration, ministry and reunions with old friends. Every State reported their best conference yet, with dynamic speakers and record attendances. Here are some of the highlights in pictures, captured on Instagram snapshots.

Western Australia

Queensland

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Tasmania

PAUL BARTLETT ELECTED NSW STATE PRESIDENT

Paul Bartlett

Victoria

All State Conferences held elections for their Executive teams. In New South Wales, John McMartin decided not to stand again for State President after ten years at the helm. Paul Bartlett, who has served on the State Executive for over 12 years, was elected as the new State President. Paul and Annette have been the senior pastors of Lighthouse in Wollongong for 18 years, and Paul also serves nationally as the the national director for ACC Community Engagement (See page 32).

We congratulate and thank all those who faithfully lead our movement on the State Executive boards.

NSW Paul Bartlett (President:) Darren Bonnell (Vice) Chris Smith (Sec) Brad Bonhomme Bruce Robertson Ken Fischer Roz Zaia QLD/NT John Hunt (President) Steve Kennedy (Vice) Chris Mulhare (Sec) Craig Tomkinson Ben Naitoko Ben Teefy SOUTH AUSTRALIA Josh Brett (President) Rob Santostefano (Vice) Darren Braund (Sec) Josh Greenwood David Hall Greg Johnston

South Australia

New South Wales

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TASMANIA David Morse (President) Mark von Blanckensee (Vice) Gus Yearsley (Sec) Matt Sharples VICTORIA Shane Baxter (President) John Spinella (Vice) Mark Bates (Sec) Tracy Shand Matt Heins Graham Shand Phil Linden Ian Kruithoff WESTERN AUSTRALIA Joel Chelliah (Presient) Ken Fletcher (Vice) Grahame Barlow (Sec) Patti Hardy Ally Cawthorn Julian Kirtsingham Nate Phor

NEWS

THOUSANDS GATHER FOR

AWAKENING AUSTRALIA

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hey came from every state of Australia and every continent to be at Awakening Australia at the Marvel stadium in Melbourne in November 2018.

With over 20,000 tickets purchased and more than 5,000 free tickets used, an estimated 25,000 people were in attendance. The event was also live streamed all around the world with over 500,000 views in four days.

“We believe this has been a catalytic event. God is pouring out His spirit,” said Daniel Hagen, associate director of Awakening Australia. “We believe this is just the beginning of a great Awakening in our nation.”

Speakers also included Nick Vujicic, Bill Johnson, Daniel Kolenda, Heidi Baker, Todd White, Darlene Zschech, Phil Pringle and Ben Fitzgerald.

Taking the Gospel to the streets Over 5,000 people went out onto the streets to share the gospel, as part of the ‘Flood Melbourne’ outreach, with hundreds coming in to hear the gospel as direct result of the outreach. Thousands responded to the altar calls, and 700 first time decision cards were signed.

One lady was found on a bridge about to jump and commit suicide and members of the Flood team managed to talk her down. They shared the love of the gospel and sang ‘Reckless Love’ over her. She then attended the Saturday night meeting inside Marvel Stadium and gave her life to Jesus after hearing Todd White preach.

Mass Baptism The following Monday she was then baptised with hundreds of others in a massive spontaneous baptism. People kept coming to be baptised for hours.

Testimonies continue to roll in every day to the Awakening Australia team. God has really impacted people in such a profound way; for Melbourne and right around the world. www.awakeningaustralia.org

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WE BELIEVE THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF A GREAT AWAKENING IN OUR NATION - DANIEL HAGEN

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GATHERING

TO PRAY

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PRAYER FOR 2019

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any ACC churches start the new year on a foundation of prayer. As we step into 2019, in January we are once again calling on all our pastors to rally their congregations to pray and fast for the year ahead.

Our nation is in desperate need of a spiritual awakening. Let’s never forget the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

You can apply this prayer strategy to your services in whatever way suits your program, whether you want to follow a 21 Day Prayer & Fasting strategy, or dedicate certain days in your calendar to intercession. A number of churches opt to start the Australian Day weekend, when most of their congregation are back from summer holidays.

The theme of our National Conference is ‘Your Kingdom Come’ so why not consider embracing this as a theme for your prayer strategy, based on the words of the Lord’s prayer: “Your Kingdom come,Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 NIV).

The following is a sample of a 21 Day Prayer Focus that you can use, or even adapt as a condensed version over three days.

YOUR KINGDOM COME

ACC 21 Days Of Prayer: Daily Prayer Points WEEK 1 NATIONAL FOCUS Day 1: Our nation, government and leadership Day 2: Freedom of faith Day 3: Military, police & emergency services Day 4: Drought and natural disasters Day 5: Economic: business and agriculture Day 6: Media, Education, Health, Sport, Arts & Entertainment industries Day 7: Justice and righteousness that exalts a nation

Photo: Stephen WhItehead

WEEK 2 LOCAL FOCUS Day 1: Local churches and church leadership Day 2: Local community services personnel Day 3: Local schools, teachers and students Day 4: Local businesses and livelihood Day 5: Local needs and challenges Day 6: Local government officials Day 7: Our local impact in loving our neighbours WEEK 3 PERSONAL FOCUS Day 1: My growth and relationship with the Lord Day 2: My close family members Day 3: My relationships: marriage and friendships Day 4: Physical health and healing Day 5: Financial and provision Day 6: God’s purpose for my life Day 7: Opportunities to serve the Lord and lead people to Jesus

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IT’S TIME TO DECLUTTER THE SPACE, OPEN THE DOOR OF YOUR HOME AND THE DOOR OF YOUR HEART AND SIMPLY SAY, “THERE’S A PLACE FOR YOU AT MY TABLE.” – DARLENE ZSCHECH

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THE POWER OF

THE TABLE

BY DARLENE ZSCHECH

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ver the years, my kitchen table has been filled with sewing machines, painting projects, colouring books, pages filled with song lyrics, fresh flowers, cookie dough, and cookbooks, and women’s magazines—and more homework than you’d ever like to imagine!

But what I’ve loved the most as my family and friends have learned how to work together is that we’ve learned how to talk over the kitchen table.

Part of building a family is learning how to work together, how to be quiet together and how to be noisy together, depending on what is appropriate for the occasion.

Writing out party invitations, addressing hundreds of thank-you notes over the years, poring over kids’ birthday cake recipes, planning great meals and actually cooking terrible meals— throughout all of it, our kitchen table has been the backdrop to many learning opportunities.

Photo: Brooke Goldsbro

Brené Brown, a professor of social work whose major study has been conducted around vulnerability in society, had this to say about our deepest relationships: “Connection is the energy that is created between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued, when they can give and receive without judgment.”

With our kids and our friends and our spouses, it is so beneficial if we can create a space where there can be vulnerability, a sense of openness and honesty, without the pressure of having the perfect answer, and without the threat of experiencing an immediate rebuttal.

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Such is the beauty of the kitchen table, where we have permission to be ourselves with each other. A sweet friend sent me a saying that has become one of my favourites: Let’s build longer tables and not higher fences.

Oh, my heart.

Are people welcome at your table? Jesus taught profoundly around the topic of the Great Banquet: When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

“Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

“The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’

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SOME OF THE MOST VALUABLE TIMES OF FELLOWSHIP HAPPEN AS WE BREAK BREAD WITH OTHERS AT OUR WELL-WORN KITCHEN TABLES.

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Photo: Brooke Goldsbro

– DARLENE ZSCHECH

Photo: Brooke Goldsbro

“ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’

MAKE ROOM! May I encourage you today to make some room in your heart and in your mind, at your kitchen bench, in your church, in your lifegroup, or in your friendship circle—for others? Open yourself up to new possibilities in your life, new people to love, new people to learn from. We were meant to nourish other people and to be nourished by others. To nourish means so much more than just eating in the physical realm; it means to feed, to encourage, to nurture, to help something develop spiritually and emotionally and relationally.

“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ ” (Luke 14:15–24 NIV) We all have times where we feel we are simply too busy to come and sit at someone else’s table to share their lives and experiences with them—or to even think about making room for another at our own kitchen table. As pastors we find people in all walks of life who are simply lonely. Many have no “village” to turn to, no communal table to feel welcome at. This challenges me to the core. In the developing world, many have very little in the way of worldly possessions, but the village is strong. They share food, resources, parenting advice, and the table. Even if the table is a floor, they share life together there.

On such travels, I have always been welcomed to come and just be part of the family vibe. And when food is scarce and water is muddied, they always wait until the guests have eaten as a sign of honour, and then they eat what is left. Super humbling to say the least. And the lessons our family has learned through experiences like this are timeless and of eternal significance.

Theologian N. T. Wright said: “The church exists primarily for two closely correlated purposes: to worship God and to work for his kingdom in the world. The church also exists for a third purpose, which serves the other two: to encourage one another, to build one another up in faith, to pray with and for one another, to learn from one another and teach one another, and to set one another examples to follow, challenges to take up, and urgent tasks to perform. This is all part of what is known loosely as fellowship.”

Some of the most valuable times of fellowship happen as we break bread with others at our well-worn kitchen tables. It’s time to declutter the space, open the door of your home and the door of your heart and simply say, “There’s a place for you at my table.”

We learn this from the best. Jesus eats with everyone.

Back when we were a family of four, I remember thinking, There’s still room at our table for more! We tried to adopt a little boy. Our hearts broke when just before we were to take him home, government policy changed, and we had to yield to a decision taken out of our hands. Then we lost a long-awaited baby through miscarriage.

Darlene Zschech and her husband Mark are the senior pastors of Hope UC on the NSW Central Coast.

Published with permission. Extract taken from The Golden Thread by Darlene Zschech Copyright © 2018 by Thomas Nelson Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

Our hopes were dashed again. But after a long wait, the day came when we finally welcomed Zoe Jewel into the world.

There was such a sense of completion in knowing the chair that had been empty at our table for so long would now be filled.

But we weren’t done. I ended up buying more chairs. And then more chairs. There’s still room at our table!

THE TABLE

The Table: A Christmas Worship Gathering is the 2018 Christmas album from Darlene Zschech & HopeUC, released by Integrity Music, featuring Christmas classics and new original songs.

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GENEROSITY IN THE DROUGHT

MEET RENEE RITCHIE, THE SENIOR PASTOR OF THE ACC CHURCH IN THE NORTH-WEST OF NEW SOUTH WALES. DESPITE THE DEVASTATING DROUGHT CONDITIONS FACING HER COMMUNITY, SHE HAS PRESSED IN WITH DETERMINATION TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING. ACC E-MAG INTERVIEWED RENEE AS SHE DOUBLED AS ‘MRS CLAUS’ BRINGING CHRISTMAS CHEER TO HER COMMUNITY, THANKS TO THE GENEROUS DONATIONS TO THE ON-GOING DROUGHT APPEAL.. >

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Renee Ritchie with donated toys for the community 17

DEFYING THE

DROUGHT RENEE RITCHIE is leading her church in a drought-stricken area of north-west New South Wales with courage and tenacity. As some pack up and leave the once-thriving farming communities, the Ritchie family and the NCF congregations are standing firm and seeing God’s grace and favour continue to bless those in great need.

Q: What were some events that impacted your ministry?

RENEE: I had such a strong sense of calling and mission from the moment I was saved. From leading ISCF at school and taking on Christian leadership roles in at Uni, to always being involved in service and leadership in whatever church I was a part of. I thought I was going to be a missionary and use my qualifications to access countries where the Gospel couldn’t be publicly proclaimed.

In my second year, Rod organised our Uni group to go to China with Open Doors as Bible smugglers! I guess even now as a pastor it explains my evangelism-bent and the sense of adventure I apply to new ministry opportunities. At that time, it never occurred to me that I would one day pastor or plant churches as I did not know of any woman who did this, as I had no point of reference – except for Jacqui Pullinger in Hong Kong.

In 2007 I went to Uganda to Watoto with a group from Cootamundra/Wagga. It was also this year that I started working part-time as the Kid’s Pastor. In 2009, I felt a strong call to go into full-time ministry which coincided with a full-time job offer at Kings Christian Church (now Inspire) in Wagga Wagga.

I worked dual roles over the seven years I was on staff as Children’s Pastor, Finance Manager, Business Manager and then Lead Pastor.

In the last two years I have been partnering with The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. After checking out a similar event in Alice Springs with Will Graham, I was involved in the Leadership of an outreach called ‘Come Together Namoi’. I love evangelism - not just the events, but helping people see that we are all called and able to do the work of an evangelist.

Q: How did you become the senior pastor of Narrabri Christian Fellowshp?

RENEE: In May 2014, we made a decision as a family that I would accept the full-time ministry position to pastor NCF, succeeding Ps Peter & Gaye Westman who had led the church for 25 years.

So we moved to Narrabri in mid- August of the same year and God confirmed that this was His calling in so many ways.

We bought a home in Narrabri and sold ours in Wagga, with both properties settled on the same day. We wanted to send a message to the community that we were setting down roots.

Q: Share a bit of your background and call to ministry.

RENEE: I was 15 when I became a Christian after a friend gave me her Good News Bible to read. Jesus revealed himself to me in those pages with no one else there. As I read of the disciples choosing to follow Him, I said aloud, “I want to follow you too.”

I went to Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga and it was there that I completed a degree in Religion and History, with a minor in English: and a Dip Ed. I also met my husband, Rod Ritchie, who was the leader of the Charismatic Bible Study on the campus.

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Q: How has your family supported your call to ministry?

RENEE: These past four years have brought lots of change for us as a family. It was a move of over 700km to a place we had never visited, until that year. We moved from a town of 70,000 people to a town of 8,000 in a shire of 20,000, and from a church of 300-500 people to a church of less than one hundred.

My daughter Ella was amazed and mortified that Narrabri didn’t have a mall! My husband, Rod, had taught at the same Christian K-12 school for 22 years, and Narrabri has only one high school. Amazingly a position came up after we moved.

God is a great provider and has carried us in our leap of faith. Perhaps it is unorthodox that the husband works in the community and the wife is the pastor, but NCF has been very welcoming and open-minded. Rod is a muso and great speaker, so is very involved in church life on Sundays.

Above: The Ritchie family: Rod & Renee with Connor, Ella and Ashlyn.

Q: How has the drought affected you and the community in recent times?

RENEE: This year saw a significant drop in both congregations’ numbers. This was drought related for sure, but I am learning that this is the natural ebb and flow of country towns as people leave for work, educational and family reasons. It has been a year of great challenge and the sense of exodus was exacerbated by our first child leaving home to go to University in Newcastle.

Drought has not only devastated the farmer sector, but the knock-on effect to business and other livelihoods in the Namoi has been massive. Without winter harvests, big employers of our locals have down-sized, or even closed down. Recently Cargill (a big seed-processing plant) shut it’s doors as there was nothing to process! With at least 60 jobs gone, the long term supporting contractors, like cleaners, transport and sparkies’, have evaporated too.

All of our core Wee Waa families that we started the church with and for, moved out of Wee Waa this year! To top it off we also experienced a bit of resistance from more ‘religious’ people in town, but Jesus has not sent us to them, so I try to shake it off as best I can.

I sometimes feel like we are the remnant left! We may be fewer, but our community engagement is increasing. I am hopeful that as we hold our ground and keep the structure steady, that when change comes we will be ready to run with it. A bit like God breathing on dry bones and bringing them to life in Ezekiel, but you gotta keep the bones there for that to happen. I feel strongly about this. Either way, the Church needs to be present in communities that are hurting or even dwindling, regardless.

Q: How have you made inroads in the local community?

RENEE: In a small town there are lots of opportunities to engage with the community. Our local ministers’ fellowship is rostered on to pray at council meetings. This year I had the privilege of being invited to speak at the Dawn and Day services in Narrabri on Anzac Day, with permission to share the Gospel in that context.

NCF has a great reputation in our community, and even other churches and local bodies acknowledge that things like our music, kids and youth ministries are great! As a former NCF board member who recently moved away, observed, “We do a lot with what we have!” He was actually referencing our financial management but I think it is also true of how we do church.

I think many churches in rural Australia are punching way out of their weight division. Even with a tight budget we are creating an attractive church environment and experience that draws people to encounter God. Q: How did doors open for you to impact the community of Wee Waa? RENEE: Not long after arriving, God prompted me that I was to “settle in, but not settle back”. We believe that even a smaller church from a rural area can have a significant community footprint and partner with what God is doing across this land and overseas.

We felt stirred to reach out to the nearby town of Wee Waa which is 25 minutes west of Narrabri and has a population of around 2,000. Wee Waa was once known as the ‘Cotton Capital of Australia’ and has a heritage of Christian cotton growers emigrating to the area in the 1950s..

At that time we had several members and families in our congregation who drove in for church each Sunday morning.

I felt convicted that every town should have access to a dynamic church expression. We proceeded the church plant with community engagement through a music/play pre-school program, which we now call ‘The Beehive’ which was very well received.

In March 2017, I led a fantastic plant team with a few families that lived in Wee Waa who launched our first 4pm service at Wee Waa Public School Hall. I did a week-long church planting course at Alphacrucis late 2014 that helped me to strategise.

We chose the 4pm time so as not to compete with the three main-line churches that met in the morning, and we launched with 108 people on a stinking hot day!

We are now known as Namoi Christian Fellowships (not just Narrabri) but most just know us as ‘NCF Church’ which covers both.

Q: How are you standing strong in the midst of this challenging season?

RENEE: Our theme for the year from our Vision Sunday onwards was ‘#staythepath’. I didn’t fully realise the prophetic edge of this word or that it would be what we used to sustain

THE CHURCH NEEDS TO BE PRESENT IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE HURTING OR EVEN DWINDLING, REGARDLESS. – RENEE RITCHIE

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ourselves and encourage each other in what has been a tough year. Even as I am responding to these questions, I am rejoicing in Baptism Sunday coming this weekend but also mourning the fact that we say goodbye to a beloved family who are moving back to Brisbane because their farm has had two years of failed crops.

We are careful not to get a drought mentality on the inside even though it dominates our landscape. We know that God has called us to live large, even in tight times. Please pray for rain.. anyone can help by doing this.

WE KNOW THE GOD HAS CALLED US TO LIVE LARGE, EVEN IN TIGHT TIMES. – RENEE RITCHIE

Q: What are you grateful for in this season?

RENEE: In all of this I have experienced an almost tangible sense of God’s grace and favour on many occasions.

Just before Christmas I found myself trusted with thousands of dollars worth of toys that the East Cessnock Bowling Club brought up and handed to me to distribute. The bowling team and mascot are called The Comets, and decided to give NCF $5000 worth of Essentials vouchers to use in whatever way we needed and insisted it be used to keep our church doors open and not just to give away. The CEO said that she wanted “to help us help others”. I can only explain this unexpected opportunity, as the favour of God and man..with a great dose of kindness mixed in.

I have got to be ‘Mrs Claus’ to hundreds of kids from out west, receiving gifts. It amazes me that even in lack, there is pressed down, shaken together and running over blessing.

us, bringing food hampers, personal packs and water for NCF to distribute. We delivered a school pack for every child in Wee Waa Public, Rowena, Burren Junction, Gwabegar and Pilliga!

If you think that it is dry in Narrabri and Wee Waa, just head even half hour west or north of here. It’s unbelievable!

The 20 strong team from Maitland’s ACC church who gave up their time to come, were able to grasp first hand the Big Dry in north-west NSW. Those who stayed for the Sunday morning service, cooked us a barbie and gave a bit of respite to our stretched Hospo teams. They bought presents for the community, but also gave us the gift of their presence. This is powerful stuff.

At the 2018 State conference, a lady contacted a couple of our Board members with a $1000 gift. She was impressed by the passion of our leaders for the vision of NCF and wanted to contribute in this time of drought.

I plucked up the courage and rang the State Office after the ACC call to action for the drought. Pastor Chris Smith asked me to put together a submission for State and National Exec and the next thing I knew, Pastor Alun Davies was on the phone providing feedback and follow-up with some much needed practical assistance for ACC churches on the frontline. To know that Pastor Wayne Alcorn and the National Executive were carefully considering my thoughts and strategies, was a humbling and honouring experience.

When others know that they have been heard, and are given a voice,it is such a powerful way to communicate to them that they are not isolated in what is going on for them.

Q: What kind of support have you experienced?

RENEE: It could have been easy at times to allow myself to feel isolated, but through maintaining relationships with so many from our wonderful ACC family, this has been remedied.

My regional leader, Bron Bonnell (and previously Darren) are fantastic leaders. Living in Tamworth and with a couple of church plants in our area, they know what it’s like to be on the frontline of drought. Plus, we have a great time, the banter flies and we laugh when we catch up…Sometimes that is all that I need to feel ready to keep on keeping on.

I also hang out with @weareyouthnarrabri every second Friday night too,which is always good for a laugh and strangely, is actually a great stress relief. I go away knowing that I have done something totally worthwhile.

Narrabri was previously in the Hunter Region zone, and Lotty has still kept in touch even now I am in New England/NorthWest district. He comes to preach every year, like the Bonnells, but this year he sent the care team from his church instead.

They paid the price in finance and manpower to partner with

You can support Renee and NCF, as well as other churhes on the frontline of drought-affected areas through the ACCI Drought Relief Appeal. www.accimissions.org.au/mdisaster

Renee being presented with her OMC by Pastor Michael Lotty

The The Beehive Beehive Playgroup Playgroup receiving receiving gifts gifts from from East East Cessnock Cessnock Bowling Bowling club. club.

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CHRISTMAS IN

VIETNAM

When PAUL & DEB HILTON celebrated their first Christmas in Vietnam in 1998, no one but the small Christian community in their city had any idea of the day’s significance.

Fast forward twenty years on to 2018 and they’ve just been part of their church’s seventh Christmas outreach to the city of Da Nang. Here, they share the joy of celebrating and sharing Christmas with the city God has called them to. found Christmas. What made this helpful promotion-wise, and heightened people’s awareness, was that the latest Grinch movie had just been released and it was in the theatres here too. So, people were familiar with the story, although this was actually a coincidence.

DEB: We always weave the Christmas story right through with songs and Scripture reading. This year I think was the most prominent of all the years we’ve done it and everyone loved it.

It really touched a lot of people’s hearts in the city.

Q: What is Christmas like in Vietnam? Does the average person celebrate it?

DEB: When we arrived in 1998, there was nothing that said to you, ‘this is Christmas’. It was just a normal day – kids would go to school, people would go to work. Christians would usually take the day off but for everyone else, it was just like any other day. The only sign that it was Christmas was inside the four walls of the local Christian church and also just outside it, as the church would put speakers near the front of the building so you could hear Christmas carols on the street. That was it…

Q: Tell us about the Christmas production that you, and other members of the Vietnam team, are involved in.

PAUL: It’s what we call Merry Christmas Da Nang. It’s a production that our church, Da Nang International Fellowship – which we’re a part of – puts on in the main theatre of our city.

We began doing this seven years ago and it’s our Christmas gift to the city of Da Nang. This year we had 2,800 people attend over three performances.

We’re all involved. This year, our son Josh played the role of the Grinch, Kelvin was technical director and Bek did all the set design, as well as graphics and print media. I was involved in set construction and assembly; Deb was involved in ticketing, welcoming and making props; and Rachel was the props coordinator. Our lead pastor wrote, produced and directed the production and the cast was made up of our church and also people from the local Vietnamese church.

Q: How do people respond to the production and to the message you’re bringing?

PAUL: This year’s show was The Grinch – how the Grinch

SOME 2,800 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE MERRY CHRISTMAS DA NANG PRODUCTION

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The Vietnam team in costume

That first year, Christmas for us was stripped back. All of a sudden you had to make it Christmas and think about what it meant for you. We felt that it was the best Christmas we’ve ever had because there was no commercialism, no pressure to get presents; nothing but the real message of Christmas.

Q: How has Christmas in Vietnam changed over time?

PAUL: Fast forward to 2018 and to the average Vietnamese, Christmas has become

23

another very commercial celebration. You see lots of guys dressed up in Santa suits, racing around on motorbikes; music in the shopping centres; Carols in restaurants and cafes ... It’s become a bigger event and with that, people are starting to get the message of what Christmas is about.

Merry Christmas Da Nang – that’s our opportunity, as part of Da Nang International Fellowship – to bring awareness to our city of the true meaning of Christmas.

Q: Lastly, how do you – and the members of your team – celebrate Christmas?

DEB: In the lead up to Christmas, we always celebrate with our team by having a special lunch and exchanging gifts. On Christmas Day, we get together as a family for Christmas breakfast and also have Christmas lunch together. This year, we will have our Christmas lunch celebration with our family, along with Kelvin and Bek and their kids, and a few ex pats who are in the church and don’t have family here. This year, there are 32 of us coming together for that. Our church service here will be on Christmas Eve.

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‘BUT THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT’

BY LILY ARASRATNAM-SMITH

Have you ever been in a conversation that went something like this?

I

Other Person: I can’t believe you said that! It really hurt my feelings.

You: I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.

Other Person (agitated): How could you not know that would hurt me?

You (perplexed): I really didn’t mean to hurt you. I was just trying to say what I thought about the situation.

Other Person (scoffs): But you should’ve known how I would take it. I mean, please – it was obvious!

You (now desperate to be understood): Really, I only meant to be helpful. I honestly didn’t mean to hurt you.

Graphic: iStock

could go on, but I think you get the idea. I imagine many of us have had variations of the aforementioned conversation with a spouse, friend, colleague, or acquaintance. This vein of conversation illustrates a disparity between the intention behind what someone says and the perception of what is said.

Perception is the process by which we understand the world around us . This process is influenced by our past experiences, our cultural upbringing, personality, social context, and even our mood at the time when something is being perceived. For example, we are usually better at coping with bad news when we are in a physically and emotionally healthy place (“Oh well, I’m sure everything happens for a reason”) than when we are already discouraged or feeling unwell (“Why does everything go wrong for me?!”).

Our culture influences how we perceive things too. A simple example is how we perceive polite and rude behaviour. Bold eye-contact during communication may be perceived as an indicator of confidence in one cultural context whereas the same behaviour may be perceived as disrespectful in another.

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OUR WELLINTENDED MESSAGE IS FILTERED THROUGH THE SOCIO-CULTURAL, EXPERIENTIAL AND CONTEXTUAL LENSES. – LILY ARATSARATNAMSMITH

The role of perception in communication cannot be overstated. Those of us who are thoughtful communicators may often spend considerable time thinking through how to phrase something – particularly when we are about to have a tricky conversation in a pastoral care situation or a conflict situation with a friend, for example. We may choose our words carefully, pick a time that is appropriate for the conversation, and present our message in the least offensive way we could imagine.

And yet – you may have had experiences where your wellintended message resulted in great (perceived) offense. You may even had experiences where you thought everything went well, only to find out later that the person with whom you spoke was deeply hurt or offended and had thereafter chosen to avoid you.

The challenge with interpersonal communication is that we have an illusion of message-control. In other words, we often put great emphasis on the intention of the message, carefully crafting it to best convey what is intended. But of equal (or arguably greater) importance is the perception of the message.

In other words, no matter how well-intended our message, the only message to which the other person has access is how s/he perceives what we said (or did). Our well-intended message is filtered through the socio-cultural, experiential, and contextual lenses of the other person before s/he hears it. And this gap between intention and perception has the potential to cause great frustration and hurt to both sender and receiver of the message.

What then can we do to bridge this gap between intention and perception in communication? Here is a suggested S.T.E.P. towards bridging this gap:

2. Thoughtful clarification – when someone says something that is hurtful or offensive, our first response might not be to give them the benefit of the doubt – especially if we ourselves have not often been given the benefit of the doubt.

Nevertheless, a healthy recognition of the gap between perception and intention facilitates giving one another the benefit of the doubt when, at first glance, a message seems hurtful or offensive. A measured attempt at seeking clarification can potentially prevent further misunderstanding: “When you said (…) it sounded to me as if you were implying (….). Is that what you meant?”

3. Empathetic understanding – despite all your careful preparation, despite many well-intended attempts at clarification and dialogue, there are instances where the gap between intention and perception simply cannot be bridged. This is partly because we are imperfect humans, and partly because it is impossible to tailor our messages to suit multiple perceptual lenses (such as when you are speaking or preaching to a group of people, for example). In such instances, it is healthy to recognise that the listener does not have direct access to your well-intended message; s/he only has access to the message s/ he perceives. Therefore, respond to any perceived offense with empathetic understanding, putting yourself in the other person’s position as best as you can and recognising that there may be instances where you may have to agree to disagree.

4. Prayerful preparation – if you have a relationship with God then you have the facility to pray for supernatural help with overcoming the perceptual gap, particularly when you are about to have a difficult or sensitive conversation. Personally, I consider this, the supernatural discernment from the Holy Spirit the most significant S.T.E.P. toward bridging the gap between intention and perception in my own communication.

1. Self-reflection – just as others’ perception of our messages are influenced by their culture, personality, and experiences, then we too filter others’ messages through our own set of socio-cultural lenses. As such, we need to reflect on the lenses through which we perceive our own world. How has your past influenced the way you see things? Have you considered how different the world looks to someone who does not share your cultural background or upbringing? Who can give you an honest evaluation of your own prejudices of which you may be unaware? Are you willing to listen to such an honest evaluation, even if you don’t like what you hear?

About the Author: Lily Arasaratnam-Smith is a Professor of Communication at Alphacrucis College. This article is published by Crucis. Click here for more..

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THE VALUE OF

ASKING

BY JOHN HUNT

T

hink back to the last party or family gathering you attended (that’s not hard this time of year): What was the quality of the talk? Were you engaged and energised, or were you wondering to yourself how much longer before it’s polite for you to leave? I wonder how many others there felt the same.

This can happen in church life too. To lift a gathering and add value to a party we need to learn the art of ‘ask’ over ‘tell.’ We tend to have a culture of tell: to ask is to reveal ignorance and weakness. Knowing things is highly valued and telling people what we know is almost automatic. It feels good to tell when we have the required knowledge or are in a position of power. We can feel we have failed if we have to ask a subordinate what we are supposed to know what to do or at least appear to know.

Telling feels good, there are few things more satisfying then giving advice and looking knowledgeable. ( I feel good knowing you are reading my article right now).

We still live in the culture that British author Stephen Potter described as “gamesmanship” or “one upmanship.” Our culture values competition unfortunately even in conversation: we compete on who’s got the most interesting story, the most outrageous adventure, the best joke, the smartest put down.

Deep down inside we live with the assumption that life is a competition, we feel if we are not winning then we’re losing. If you don’t tell first then someone else will tell and they will get all the brownie points.

When we listen we want to feel it was worth while, it’s frustrating to listen to someone else tell us something that is either boring or we already knew. Yet we seldom think of this before we get the opportunity to tell. We tend to define our conversations more by what we told then what we asked.

What builds relationships?

What solves problems?

What moves things forward?

Asking the right questions!

We need to become better at asking, and the more senior we are, the more important this is. The issue of asking versus telling is fundamental to human relationships. What we choose to ask and our underlining attitude as we ask are the key to communication, relationships and performance.

The right questions comes from a heart of humility, of genuine interest in others, and the belief that what I know is dwarfed by what I can learn .

Is it any wonder Solomon said, “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.” (Proverbs 12:15 NLT).

John Hunt is the senior pastor of Centro Church

Photo: iStock

in Ipswich, and serves as Qld State President and member of the ACC National Executive.

27

Now in its ninth year, ACCI’s 1Day campaign continues to have a powerful impact, both on those who sacrificially give and those whose lives are forever changed because of it.

1DAY GIVING IN NORTH ASIA Long-term North Asia missionaries Ross and Donna have personally seen the difference that 1Day giving makes for people in need.

1Day funds have helped their team establish and run a community centre to support children and families in an impoverished part of their city. It’s paved the way for more than 30,000 young people to attend Christian concerts throughout the country. And it’s enabled the team to operate a ministry training centre – as well as conduct mobile training in other cities – to equip emerging leaders.

“The funds we have received from our Australian partners through 1Day giving have had a huge impact on what we are able to achieve here,” Ross says.

But Ross and Donna, and their team, don’t just receive support through 1Day; they give it too.

Every year, for the past five years, the team has taken up a 1Day offering at its annual retreat in order to bless other people and projects like theirs.

“We feel that we need to give beyond ourselves and our own needs. We want to sow seeds throughout the nations that make an impact through other field workers.” Ross says.

“It is always a very moving and exciting time for our team.

We feel it connects us with what is happening throughout the nations.”

We are grateful to Ross and Donna, and all those who give so generously to the annual 1Day offering!

Hani and Thari are now growing up in a family, thanks to your support.

1DAY FUNDING RESTORING FAMILIES IN MYANMAR

When their parents’ marriage broke down and their mother walked out on their alcoholic father, sisters Hani and Thari were left without a family to care for them.

The girls were aged just three and five when they were sent to live in an orphanage.

Some seven years later, with the support of generous 1Day funding, social workers from our Kinnected program began working with the orphanage to help children like Hani and Thari reintegrate into their families.

Hani and Thari were excited about the idea of returning home and our workers soon learned they had an aunt and uncle who would have taken them in, if not for their own financial situation.

While linking their aunt and uncle with another charity which helped them expand their farming business to increase financial stability, Kinnected social workers organised family visits and assessments to determine the couple’s suitability as caregivers.

It wasn’t long before Hani and Thari were able to move in with their aunt and uncle.

Your 1Day funding went to work again to help the girls settle into their new school – providing books, uniforms, writing materials and extra tuition for Thari to help her sit her grade eight exams.

The girls are now thriving and have a family to call their own – all thanks to you! See more of Hani and Thari’s story at vimeo. com/279207294 1Day is a simple idea, with a powerful impact: give one day’s salary to change the lives of children, families and communities around the world. Visit accimissions.org.au/oneday to find out more or to register your church.

Ross and Donna (centre), and their team, with their 1Day giving.

28

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30

HOW TO STAY ON TOP OF YOUR GAME IN 2019

INVEST IN YOURSELF

BY RALPH ESTHERBY

I

recently had to visit to the dentist as I had broken one of my front teeth. The truth is that if you lose a limb, people are supportive and even impressed by your determination to overcome and soldier on – but if you loose a tooth, you are considered to have lost at least 40 IQ points!

While I sat in the waiting room of my new dentist who, I was told, was an expert in dental implants and orthodontics, I saw the plaque on the wall. Actually there was more than one; in fact, the wall was filled with them. Firstly, there was her Bachelor of Science; then her Bachelor of Dentistry with Honours; then there were dozens of others which showed that she had been doing ongoing further study in all aspects of modern dentistry: implants; orthodontics; periodontitis; osteoporosis; pain management and cosmetic dentistry. Every year for the last ten years she had been constantly up skilling to ensure that she was at the ‘top of her game’ and the outcome of her waiting room wall was that she gave me great levels of confidence. I found it easy to trust her recommendations and to follow the treatment plan she suggested.

As pastors, we are engaged not only in the ‘calling’ of ministry but also in the ‘profession’ of ministry. It is therefore imperative that we continue to develop both of these skills in order to maintain a healthy and effective pattern in all that we do.

Our spiritual lives need to be alive and dynamic, our sense of ‘call’ must be clear and unambiguous and, our spiritual habits need to be bringing us life. If we neglect the building up of this vital aspect then we are eventually ‘hollowed out’ as we continue to draw from resources which are not being replenished.

Far from ‘running over’ (ref: Psalm 23) our cup begins to run dry and while it is possible to run for a while on empty, the outcome is injury to ourselves and to others.

In the professional aspect of our ministry, we need to look at the level of our skill and whether it is equal to the task at hand. Gone are the days where you can graduate from Bible College and never do any formal study ever again. None of us would go to a dentist who was not up to date with the latest information and methodology; neither should we offer anything less than current, effective and well thought out ministry to our communities who are in desperate need of assistance.

As we enter into another year of ministry it is good to consider what we are doing to ensure that we are at the ‘top of our game’. Now is a good time to explore some possibilities and make some decisions which will determine where we will be at the end of 2019 and what impact we will be able to make on others during that time.

Here are three questions for you to consider: 1. What are you going to build?

Can you articulate what the Lord has placed within your heart?

Is it fresh and alive or is it recycled and frayed around the edges?

What aspect of your spiritual life needs to be focussed upon?

Engage with what the Holy Spirit is saying and remember that “unless the Lord builds” (Psalm 127:1) we labour in vain.

2. Where are you going to grow?

Each one of us should be able to identify an area of study or professional development which would improve our skills and sharpen our focus. Perhaps it is time to do some more formal study; maybe a short course is what we need. Maybe we can build on a core skill like Pastoral Care or Chaplaincy or maybe our need falls more in the area of Leadership and Management.

Take the opportunity to grow yourself – every investment into yourself will be multiplied in the lives of those we minister to.

3. What are you going to do to look after yourself?

The last question to consider is regarding self-care. Too often we hear about Pastors, Leaders and Chaplains stepping out of ministry because of tiredness, burnout and stress.

What is your self-care regime? I am not talking about time off; I am talking about a thought out approach to ensure your capacity for longevity.

Self-care is not selfish – it is an investment insuring your ability to minister effectively into the future. If you are not practicing self-care then you are reducing your potential for joy, for fulfilment and satisfaction at the deepest level. I would encourage you to explore Professional Supervision, mentoring and practical restorative measures that lead to increased capacity for ongoing ministry. Look after yourself because you are the best asset you possess!

I am well on the way to getting my dental issues sorted out because I found the right person to go to and together we are working towards an achievable goal. Imagine the level of help you can bring to others if you are alive spiritually, equipped professionally and constantly refreshed by intentional self-care.

Ralph Estherby is the National Director and CEO Chaplaincy Australia

For details of ongoing Professional Development and Formal Study options visit www.chaplaincyaustralia.com or www.ac.edu.au For details of Professional Supervision and mentoring options contact Chaplaincy Australia at www.chaplaincyaustralia.com/supervision/

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CHALLENGE YOUR THINKING AND TRANSFORM YOUR COMMUNITY

T

he new NSW State President, PAUL BARTLETT, is passionate about community. Paul is the national director for ACC’s Community Engagement. and senior pastor of Lighthouse in Wollongong, which has a number of innovative community strategies including a youth housing initiative and community kitchen. He believes that challenging our thinking will result in transforming our communities.

“The Diploma of Community Services, offered at Alphacrucis College, will build your understanding, capacity and credibility.

Whether you are experienced, or looking for a career change or just starting fresh. Alphacrucis College have a range of study options that allow you to gain a Nationally Accredited Qualification while you work.

As a senior pastor who is passionate about engaging with the community I fully endorse this course.

Underpinned by a Christian worldview and presented in a dynamic learning environment the Diploma of Community Services will assist you to: • Gain skills, strategies and confidence, • Understand the uniqueness of your community, • Build credibility through networking and engagement, • Enrich the lives of others through practical program development, • AND be qualified to work in the community services sector with a nationally recognised qualification.

Maybe you’re starting fresh. If Community Services is a new focus for you, the full Diploma is offered as a series of six x three day face-to-face intensives over 18 months – you can still work and gain more experience even while you study. Intensives are presented in a dynamic learning environment by community leaders, each with a diverse range of Community Service experience.

The Diploma of Community Services will equip you with the skills to work effectively with individuals and communities in a range of services - case management, mental health, youth, families and so much more - in ways that bring positive transformation and change.

My encouragement to you is to check out the website - your community will thank you.

– PAUL BARTLETT More information: www.communityservices.ac 32

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS FROM PREVIOUS RPL COURSES “Completing the Diploma has enabled me to have more confidence working in this field and developing programs to be effective and of a high standard. It has also brought increased credibility when attending community gatherings and interagencies as I am now seen by others working in these fields to be qualified for the work. “ – Jill Whalan (Director: Citylife Community Initiatives , Wollongong NSW) “I really enjoyed the process and revisiting a lot of the subject matter. I will definitely recommend this course to others. Thank you for all your support from my initial interest all the way through, it has been a fantastic experience. “ – Wes Stubbings (Indigenous Pastor, Townsville QLD) “I really enjoyed the week with you and the team - simply brilliant. So glad I got to meet Ps. Paul, amazingly inspirational.”

– Jon-Paul Tyrer (Lead Pastor Unity Chapel, Gosnells WA) “I really enjoyed this course. It was an opportunity to connect with others doing a similar thing in the community and it helped me to get all our policies and procedures up to date. Also it was great to have our thinking on community service stretched as there is so much more we can do!! I thoroughly enjoyed the course with its challenge to get out more into the community!”

– Margaret Baguley (Senior Minister, Diamond Valley Church VIC)

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33

AS THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DEBATE FOCUSES ON CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS, JAMES MACPHERSON SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL’S CALL FOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS TO EMPLOY NON-CHRISTIAN TEACHERS.

FREEDOM TO DISCRIMINATE?

By James Macpherson

A

MNESTY International insists that Christian schools should be stripped of their right to prefer staff who practice Christianity because this is discrimination, and discrimination is not fair.

At present, religious schools are allowed to preference job applicants who subscribe to their religious values. But Amnesty argues that this is not fair to applicants with different values.

If people with values contrary to Christianity are unable to work at Christian schools then they will be left with no alternative but to seek work at one of several thousand public schools where their views are uncontroversial, and this would not be fair.

The bigger problem, though, is that if Christian schools only employ staff who agree with Christian values, then they will be easily able to retain their Christian character.

This means Christian parents may enroll their children at Christian schools while non-Christian parents will typically choose to enroll their children elsewhere. And this, for reasons unknown, is not fair.

In order to create fairness, Amnesty insists that the Government should force Christian schools to employ people who don’t agree AT PRESENT, with their Christian ethos. In this way, the school’s entire rationale for RELIGIOUS existence is undermined and parents won’t see any point enrolling their SCHOOLS ARE children at all.

ALLOWED TO Religious schools will close down leaving only non-religious schools.

PREFERENCE JOB And then things will be fair.

APPLICANTS WHO But Amnesty has yet other ways of enforcing ‘fairness’. Advocacy SUBSCRIBE TO program manager Ms Emma Bull said public funding from a secular THEIR RELIGIOUS government should not be used to “contribute to discrimination”, VALUES because discrimination is not fair.

– JAMES MACPHERSON To eliminate discrimination, which is not fair, Ms Bull called on the Government to actively discriminate against religious schools so that funding could be distributed fairly.

If Christian schools insisted on employing only Christian staff - which is not fair because it is discrimination - then parents at those schools should receive nothing in return for their taxes. And this will make things fair.

Advocates of religious freedom, such as Professor of Law at Sydney University, Patrick Parkinson, insist that what Amnesty disparage as “freedom to discriminate” is really the “freedom to select”.

He argues that religious groups should have the freedom to select the staff they want, rather than being dictated to by Government.

This would create a situation in which religious schools could maintain their religious charter and live or die based on how many people wanted their services.

While this idea seems to have merit, it robs unelected, unrepresentative Left-leaning groups like Amnesty of the chance to dictate how free people conduct themselves.

In order to stop Christian schools discriminating in the name of Christian values, Amnesty propose to discriminate in the name of secular values. And this, apparently, is fair.

James Macpherson is a former News Ltd journalist who now leads Calvary Christian Church in Queensland.

This article was published in The Australian in August 2018.

34

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Almost every day for 35 years, Arthur Stace spent hours writing a single word – Eternity – on and around the streets of Sydney. Sometimes his mission took him much further afield, to country New South Wales and even to Melbourne.

Stace’s identity was a mystery for more than two decades. Then, after his ‘unmasking’ in 1956, he became a reluctant folk hero.

By the time he died, in 1967, his was a household name and the word Eternity was ingrained in the soul of Sydney. It still is.

In this long-awaited biography, the full story of Arthur Stace’s life is told for the first time in vivid and often surprising detail.

Drawing upon many original sources, some never before made public, this book will engross Christians and non-believers alike – anyone who loves a great Australian story.

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LIVE THE LET GO LIFE

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Are you overwhelmed by stress, worry, and anxiety?

Following God has always been an adventure. Renowned worship leader, Darlene Zschech has known this truth for most of her life. But just when she thought she had it all under control - a successful career, a thriving church, happy children - the winds of change began to blow.

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Unending daily to-do lists. The frantic pace of modern living. The race to stay relevant in the face of disruption. The very real threat of superbugs and terror in our everyday lives… It’s not hard to see why so many people today are experiencing stress, worry, and anxiety attacks.

Unfortunately, these aren’t simply innocent states of emotion-they can insidiously develop into chronic depression and psychosomatic illnesses, and lead to destructive behaviors. But here’s the good news: While stress is depleting and debilitating, it can be defeated and driven from your life.

In Live the Let-go Life, Joseph Prince shows you how to beat stress and anxieties that come with the everyday demands and pressures of modern living. Discover how you were not designed by God to live under stress, but called to live the life of rest. You will learn how to let go of stress and see His grace flow unabated in the worry-free areas of your life.

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“Imagine my surprise when one morning, coffee in hand, Mark simply asked, “Would you like to have another adventure?”

The Golden Thread is a passionate book from a passionate leader willing to follow the Holy Spirit wherever He leads. Join Darlene as she traces God’s goodness through her recent transitions—moving to a new city, starting a church, and as she faced the battle for her life – cancer.

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READ THE EXTRACT FROM THE GOLDEN THREAD ON PAGE 12

• Excerpts from personal communications with Arthur Stace • Extensive notes from a wide range of source material • Well written, with an engaging style of narrative www.koorong.com

Experiencing God’s Presence in every season of life

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36

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RAISING GIANT-KILLERS

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THE MESSAGE DEVOTIONAL BIBLE

By Eugene H Peterson

Scripture is another world. One we find our way into, and one that finds its way into us. Steeped in Scripture, Eugene Peterson’s faith-filled reflections open the door.

The pastor who translated the entire Bible into contemporary language, passed away in October 2018. The Message has sold more than 20 million copies and the newly released The Message Devotional Bible sets you on the right path–devoted not just to the Bible but to God, who, in Jesus, became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.

The Message Devotional Bible invites you on a journey–call it practicing resurrection, call it eating this book, or call it simply a long obedience in the same direction.

TRUE YOU Finding Beauty in Authenticity

By Susan Sohn

Your story matters.

After hundreds of honest conversations with women from around the world, Susan Sohn has come to understand the pressure women feel to maintain false, glamorised portrayals of themselves.

Shame, guilt, and the burden of keeping up with the Jones is blinding women from seeing themselves as God does.

With the foreword by Darlene Zschech, Susan dares to begin a dialogue that matters—one that addresses the unique challenges twenty-first-century women face. True You applies her insight and encourages you to: • Reject the harmful lies society tells you and the lies you’ve told yourself.

In this Bible are . . .

• Connect and celebrate with women on the same journey to authenticity.

• Over 600 scriptural insights from Eugene

• Embrace pain and vulnerability as you learn to walk in truth.

• 52 contemplative readings

• Get out of your own way and allow freedom to become reality.

• Introductions to the books and genres of the Bible • More than 400 reflection questions • 9 neighborhood-themed articles

www.word.com.au

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• Know who you are in Christ.

Once we allow ourselves to be seen, known, and loved—just as we are—we become free to be who God created us to be. Find the true you and lead a life of authenticity.

www.koorong.com

CALENDAR MARCH COLOUR WOMEN’S CONFERENCE 14 - 16 March 2019 / 21-23 March 2019 Sydney, NSW www.colourconference.com

www.colourconference.com

APRIL ACC NATIONAL CONFERENCE 30 April - 2 May 2019 Gold Coast, Queensland www.acc.org.au/conference

www.acc.org.au/conference

JULY PANASIA MISSIONS CONFERENCE 29 July - 1 August 2019 Novotel Phuket Resort, Thailand www.accimissions.org.au/panasia2019

AUGUST KIDSHAPER CONFERENCE 13 – 15 August 2019 Gold Coast, Queensland www.acckids.org.au/kidshaper19

www.acckids.org.au/kidshaper19

AUGUST UNITED WE STAND YOUTH ALIVE 16 August 2019 Nationwide youth meetings www.youthalive.com.au

SEPTEMBER CHAPLAINCY CONFERENCE 5-6 September 2019 Terrigal, New South Wales www.chaplaincyaustralia.com https://www.chaplaincyaustralia.com/2019-nsw-state-chaplaincy-conference/

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