NorthPoint - August, 2019

NAIDOC Week

By Lynelda Tippo - ATSIM Director

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples all over Australia celebrated this very special week in July with songs and dancing that is part and parcel of their culture. Songs were the medium through which their history was passed down and dancing also told of particular events that had happened.

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. This year’s theme ‘Voice Treaty Truth’ asked us all as Australians to acknowledge that our peoples, Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders, were the originals of this land. It’s a call to reconcile and to work towards a better Australia where a treaty is ‘signed’ by truth telling and a moving on for the sake of the generations that follow.

As Christians this rings true to our calling that God wants to reconcile us to Himself through Jesus Christ. We therefore must do as He commands and reconcile ourselves with those around us. We thank you all for celebrating with our people.

Hillview Church CHIP Program SoZo Health Retreat

One of the projects of the health department this year is to run a residential health and wellness pilot retreat. Many health missionaries in our conference have been waiting patiently for this project. The wait is now over!

On August 11-18, the SoZo Health Retreat, a pop-up residential health program, will be conducted with ten participants at Stuarts Point Convention Centre. Medical missionary training will be held the week prior, training health professionals how to manage and run an 8-day residential health program for people with chronic disease. The training applies an integrated approach using medical expertise, lifestyle and naturopathic medicine.

These training and pilot programs are a unique opportunity for our medical missionaries to upskill and use their abilities to meet the needs of those suffering with chronic disease. Visit sozohealth.com.au for more details.

By Merle Cozens

Hillview Seventh-day Adventist Church, Gimberts Road, Morisset has conducted successful CHIP (Complete Health Improvement Program) programs over the last five years, with the recent 2019 program being hailed as the biggest and best yet. Of the 72 participants who packed the Hillview Hall on opening night, 70 successfully completed and graduated from the 2½ month long course.

Participants ranged in age from 11 to 88, with many being referred by local GPs, including Dr Trevor Hurlow, who also helped lead the program. A range of health issues were represented including heart disease, diabetes, digestive problems, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels – all lifestyle diseases. One of the organisers reported that two or three were so unwell at registration that they could hardly walk in the door, but by the end of the course they were walking confidently and felt much improved. In fact, all who attended were pleased to experience a significant improvement in their health.

Photos by David Woolley

On graduation night five participants were asked to reflect on their personal health improvements during the program, and why they thought the program had been so successful.

One major measure of success mentioned by all the interviewees centred round improvements in the all-important health numbers, with reductions in weight, blood pressure levels, blood sugar levels, and/or cholesterol levels being experienced by all. For example, Stuart, a course participant who had had diabetes for more than fifteen years said that by completing the course, he was now virtually on no medications at all. His weight, cholesterol and blood pressure levels all showed such significant improvements that his very-impressed local doctor now plans to recommend that her patients attend the next CHIP program.

A related measure of success mentioned by many was their improvements in general physical and emotional wellbeing. One woman, who had lost 7.7 kg said that she now has more energy to play with her children. A male participant shared that, whereas previously he had no flexibility, he was now moving freely and feeling so much better emotionally. Another man, who had been a diabetic for 30 years said, “My life now has a future”, after his levels reduced from a reading of 23 to 4.9. Another stated simply that he had been “renewed and refreshed.”

In reflecting on the reasons for the successful outcomes, a number mentioned the wholistic nature of the program, along with its simplicity and affordability. One lady commented, “It is easier to stick to than fad diets. The food is easily available, affordable, tasty, and you can eat a lot and still lose weight.” Another lady emphasised that it was not just the food but the total lifestyle package of “diet, exercise and forgiveness.”

Program organisers David Woolley and Dr Trevor Hurlow, when asked to reflect on reasons for the success of the program, mentioned a number of contributing factors. One was the large team of dedicated church members, who volunteered each night in roles ranging

from setting up tables, to demonstrating food preparation, to being table hosts, and to entertaining small children. One of the primary roles, that of organising a roster of two people per night to do food demonstrations, was filled by Gia Kavanagh, herself a past participant who said she loves CHIP and loves sharing what it has done for her.

The pivotal importance of the table hosts was another factor emphasised. Table hosts are people who have participated in a past CHIP program and who have a passion for sharing the benefits with others. They each sit at a table with four new participants, and their role is to encourage, pray for, send cards, ring if absent, and generally support those in their group. In many cases long-lasting bonds and friendships are formed.

A third contributing factor involves the follow-up monthly Club CHIP program, which all past participants are encouraged to attend. This program is designed to keep participants on track through activities such as sharing recipes, discussing their journey, and continuing friendships. Participants are also invited to join other activities the church is running such as table tennis nights, ladies’ weekly exercise class, and the jigsaw and puzzle group. There is also a Sunday morning walking class offered. A number have accepted the invitation to attend these activities.

A final factor contributing to “the stunning results”, according to Dr Hurlow, is that the program is based on research evidence showing that “the best weapon for doctors is lifestyle.” Leading health professionals have told Dr Hurlow, “You guys are miles ahead of everybody else.” Although CHIP does a wonderful job of turning around the health of older people who have already developed lifestyle diseases, Dr Hurlow has noticed a pleasing trend during recent years for more and more young people to undertake the program as a preventative measure “before they fall off the cliff.” Ideally, CHIP is for everyone.

Faith FM Update

By Michael Engelbrecht - Faith FM Radio Coordinator

Adventist radio station Faith FM has experienced significant growth in the past few months, with a steady roll-out of new stations in various locations across northern New South Wales and Queensland—including Port Macquarie, Lake Cathie, Wauchope, Armidale, Glenn Innes, Mackay and Eidsvold.

The growth can largely be attributed to strong support from local churches all the way up to the South Pacific Division. This support has enabled radio communication’s engineer Paul Holton to be employed in order to help meet local demand.

“When I look back on what God has accomplished with our small team of staff and volunteers in 2018, I am amazed,” said Faith FM coordinator Michael Engelbrecht.

More than 30 local Faith FM radio stations were launched from Seventh-day Adventist churches in 2018, largely due to campaigns designed to increase local pastors and church members’ awareness of the platform. Most recently, Paul Holton assisted Ballina Seventh-day Adventist Church to install a radio antenna on June 21, 2019.

“Local churches at times have first contact from listeners within weeks of launching their program,” says Faith FM listener support coordinator Yuli Tjokoro, who places strong emphasis on helping local churches connect with listeners. “Listeners who respond to a prize or a free offer are very strong contacts. Faith FM contacts local church pastors or elders to personally deliver prizes, and it’s giving us great results.”

Various improvements in content and branding also extended Faith FM’s reach

in 2018. “We’ve been seeing an increasing number of pastors and church members producing content for Faith FM, which gives the show a much more Australian feel,” said Australian Union Conference (AUC) Faith FM radio producer Brad Martin. “Another key initiative was to improve content selection and branding guidelines, moving away from third party sources.”

In the last 12 months, Faith FM has also expanded into outback territories by taking advantage of the Australian Government’s Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) digital platform to deliver radio services to over 350,000 homes via satellite. They are also working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ministries (ATSIM) to launch special programs for Indigenous Australians.

Despite this growth, Mr Engelbrecht says that sustainability is a big struggle for Faith FM.

“Volunteers put in countless hours, and there’s also the funding situation. I ask you to pray for us. If God puts a burden on your heart to support us, please contact us.”

Faith FM’s ministry has returned multiple requests for Bible studies and baptismal studies, with many individuals giving testimonies about how listening to Faith FM from the privacy of their homes inspired them to reach out to a local church community.

“So often I’ll visit a local church and people will say ‘I’m here because of Faith FM’ and it’s exciting!” says Australian Union Conference president Pastor Jorge Munoz. “We look forward to seeing what God will do in the years ahead.”

Upcoming Events

SoZo Health Retreat

August 11-18

Stuarts Point Convention Centre

sozohealth.com.au

Town Hall Meetings

July 29 - August 7

In preparation for the constituency meeting on September 15. See website for dates and locations.

Women’s Retreat

November 8-10

Stuarts Point Convention Centre

2019 Adventurer Camporee

Sept 27-30

Stuarts Point Convention Centre nnsw.adventist.org.au/news-and-events

Executive Report

CFO Report July 2019 - Russell Halliday

Reduced Sustainability in 2017 and 2018. The North NSW conference has invested heavily in mission in the last few years and under the blessing of God achieved some amazing results. For example, 309 baptisms last year being the highest in 39 years. We are currently however, going through a necessary period of cost adjustment following a loss of $702k for the church company in 2018. (See table right showing Surplus (Deficits) in recent years.)

In response, the conference executive committee approved a first round of cost adjustments in the 2019 budget, a second round in the first half of 2019 and further adjustments are planned for 2020. The objective is to maintain a sustainable surplus position while at the same time minimising disruption to front line mission. In addition to cost reduction strategies, the conference stewardship department is engaging with church members and local church leadership to develop comprehensive stewardship strategies to support and strengthen tithe income going forward.

Tithe Steady. Thanks to the ongoing faithfulness of thousands of church members, tithe trends for the last 12 months are steady. (See chart right showing monthly tithe received by the conference.) For the calendar year January to May 2019 tithe is 0.8% ($55K) below the same period last year and 6% or 423k below budget. The tithe budget this year has been estimated on the basis of prior year trends and anticipated impact of new revival and stewardship awareness strategies. God willing, these initiatives will result in an increase in the participation and awareness of biblical tithing and generous living principles.

Tithe Strengthens Mission. In 2019, spending of tithe is in line with budget forecasts with 58% of tithe being spent on frontline ministers, bible workers and evangelism. (See chart right for how we are spending the tithe dollar in 2019.) We have exceeded our goal of spending a minimum of 55% of tithe on frontline mission and believe that this is the highest and best use of tithe.

Big Camp Appeal Remains Strong. God has been touching the hearts of hundreds of generous church members with the missional impact of the Big Camp Appeal. This year we received another significant contribution of $509k. (See chart right for a history of Big Camp Appeal since its inception in 2016.) This year projects being funded include church planting, church evangelism, health evangelism training, urban centres of influence and lay training discipleship.

Finally. “… remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35.

Annual Surplus ($M)

Tithe: By Month ($M)

Use of Tithe

Big Camp Appeal

NCD Pathway

By Gillian Knight - NNSW NCD Coordinator

Welcome to the Natural Church Development (NCD) column. In this new segment we plan to share insights and discoveries about the NCD process and provide ideas on building a strong and healthy church.

So, what to talk about first? What is it that keeps coming up over and over, we keep talking about but nothing seems to change?... Loving Relationships.

How do we address something that is so personal and hinges on the conversion of the individual? This has been the focus of my prayers for as long as I have been looking at these surveys. It’s the nagging extra weight that I carry around but just can’t get rid of.

Literally thousands of books have been written on the subject of love so there is no excuse for us not being informed about what it is. So why is it so hard for us to do it? Of all the gifts the Spirit can give us… the greatest gift is love. We can all probably recite 2 Corinthians 13 by heart and we really believe that this is the key thing missing in this world, yet, it is still somewhat elusive to us.

Recently at a church debrief in which Loving Relationships was the lowest score (this is not unusual), I opened the floor for questions and was stunned by the question that came next – What is the definition of Loving Relationships? At first I was stunned and not sure how to respond, thinking to myself, “Are you serious? Do I really need to tell you how to be loving to another person?” Since that day this question has played on my mind and I have thought about it a lot.

Here are two points from NCD on the subject:

1. All the questions in the survey on loving relationships address the degree to which the relationships in the church reflect what Christian Schwarz calls the scriptural “ingredients of love”. At the highest level, these are relationships which reflect justice, truth and grace. The higher a question’s result, the greater its contribution to the church community being biblically loving.

2. The questions are included in the survey because it has been shown to a high degree of accuracy in international statistical terms, that they distinguish healthy growing churches from those in decline. In effect, churches with higher scores in loving relationships are more likely to be growing, and vice versa.

Questions on Loving Relationships in the survey can be split into four groups:

“We appreciate each other’s contributions.”

Do people feel their contributions are undervalued or go unnoticed, or even feel taken for granted? How many of us have felt a lift in our spirits just by someone taking the time to say an encouraging word? Healthy churches have encouragement embedded in their culture.

“What is the mood here?”

It is amazing how quickly people will pick up the vibe or feeling in a church. It plays a significant role in whether a person will stay or go. Focusing on growing people and addressing tensions and conflict quickly creates a joyful atmosphere without criticism or avoidance.

“Are we friends?”

Trick question. If you can’t rely on your friends at church, are they really friends? This is about trust. What would be the consequences of being in a church full of dependable, reliable friendships?

“The relational onion.”

Christian psychologist Dr Larry Crabb spoke about a growing relationship being like peeling away the layers of an onion – the layers getting softer as you get toward the centre.

Relationships should grow to the point where people can share personal problems without the fear of being looked down on, judged or deemed unworthy believers. We need to be able to walk the journey of faith together openly and honestly. How many times have you heard people say, “We don’t talk about such things at our church”; “Our faith is private”; “Our church preaches victory in Jesus so I can’t tell others when I’m having a difficult time”; “There are lots of people here but I always feel alone and isolated”; “Our church is more about running programs than helping people grow relationships”; “I’d never tell anyone in this church what I was feeling, it leaks like a sieve”?

So, if we can’t even peel the skin off the onion, how do we get to the heart? A healthy church begins with genuine, loving relationships. It is only as I know, believe and experience His love that I can even begin to think about loving others. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1). Praise God for His great love for us. God’s love for me is the only foundation on which I can build a life of love for others.

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The NorthPoint Bulletin is printed 10 times per year by the Adventist Church (North New South Wales Conference).

Editor Maddy Voinea

Phone (02) 4951 8088

Email northpoint@adventist.org.au Website nnsw.adventist.org.au

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Disclaimer: Articles express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.