Mission Continues Through Pandemic
We praise God that government regulations now allow churches to meet again, all-be-it with limitations. Over the past months, we have witnessed the readiness of our churches to adapt to the current circumstances. Churches throughout our conference and across Australia were quick to implement online services and interactive Sabbath school classes via Zoom. Even though Big Camp and Grey Nomads were cancelled this year, the Young Adults department held Big Camp Online and church members across the South Pacific Division joined together for “We R the Church”, a live-streamed, SPD-wide Sabbath.
There have also been online evangelism initiatives launched, providing a fitting message to people anxious about the times in
which we are living.
“Predictions of Hope” was launched across the nation on the weekend of May 8-11 with hundreds of thousands of online views and hundreds of signups for the Beyond series and “Hope Awakens”, (the second part of the Hope Online campaign). The series was organised by a team of church staff and pastors from around Australia and New Zealand. Digital Bible workers were trained to take part in the three-part campaign, which included Zoom master classes at the conference level to connect attendees with local churches.
“The End” online evangelism campaign was an initiative of the NNSW Conference evangelism department featuring Charissa Torossian and Lyle Southwell. The
24 part series ran from May 10 to June 19 and was interspersed with live discussions. Organisers say that they have received baptism and Bible study request from online viewers. We praise God for reaching people for His kingdom through this medium.
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, our members have continued to be the hands and feet of Jesus with 29 Adventist Community Services and ADRA services providing essential support to local communities. Even during this global pandemic, people are still giving their lives to Christ.
We praise God that the mission of the church is advancing and we pray for those who have been affected by COVID-19.
July 2020
North New South Wales Conference News
President’s Message
Pr Adrian Raethel Conference PresidentCelebrating 100 years of age for any person, entity or organisation is a huge achievement and milestone. Happy birthday and our very best wishes to all church members who turn 100 this year. And did you know that the NNSW Conference also turns 100 years old in October 2020? A constituency meeting of the New South Wales Conference held at Gore Hill, Sydney voted to organize the North New South Wales Conference whose territory comprised of everything north of the Hawkesbury and Capertee rivers (the remainder of the state was called South New South Wales Conference and included Sydney). At the time of organization, there were 19 churches with 818 members. Pastor John M Cole was appointed the first president. Rooms at the Hamilton Church (24 Lindsay Street) were used temporarily as the first Conference office.
With most major events in 2020 including Big Camp and Grey Nomads cancelled due to COVID-19, there is one opportunity to celebrate the centenary. Subject to the further easing of restrictions, a combined Family Camp/Pathfinder Camporee is planned for the Labour Day long weekend, 2-5 October at the Stuarts Point Convention Centre. All members, all ages are invited to join us for combined, inspirational worship programs, faith building workshops, fun children’s activities, historic displays and more. Commencing Friday evening, the program will run through to Monday lunchtime. Better Books & Foods will set up their store on site. Detailed information will be sent out shortly. We look forward to seeing you there.
AUC Statement on Racism
Pr Jorge Munoz - President Seventh-day Adventist Church in Australia
The recent events in the USA where a man, George Floyd, was killed by a police officer have caused many to feel angered, saddened, and frustrated at the injustice of this death. Many are heavyhearted after watching such an atrocious act on their screens. A man pleading for air who just wanted to breathe. The sense of powerlessness is indeed real. We feel for those who are mourning and especially for his family. We also pray for the entire country. May God’s Spirit impress the minds and hearts of all to be more like Christ.
In Australia, we too are not exempt from similar issues, and as followers of Jesus
we speak against a spirit of racism and of hate. As followers of Jesus we are called to create spaces where people can breathe freely in every way and feel free from prejudice, burdens and sin.
As followers of Jesus we are called to create environments where others may feel loved, wanted and reconciled in a spirit of unity. May our hearts be tender and ready to be agents of change in our community and in our country. The need to be more like Christ is needed in our midst as never before.
Big Camp Appeal Raises over $350,000
We want to thank you for your Godinspired generosity. Even without a Big Camp, and with no churches meeting on Sabbath to collect the appeal offering, more than $350,000 was still donated to the NNSW Big Camp Appeal. We praise God for the opportunity to work together with Him and we are already investing your gifts into front-line, cutting edge activities including sponsorship of Bible workers in unreached areas, the Faith FM Breakfast Show, Adventist Community Services projects, centres of influence, Kids Reach rallies and resources, Adventist Student Associations on university campuses and Summer Camp sponsorships, primarily for young people who do not attend an Adventist Church. Thank you again! For more information on these projects visit nnsw.adventist.org. au/bigcampappeal.
Wanted: NNSW Conference Historical Material
We are looking for photos and interest stories to do with the early days of the NNSW Conference that people would be willing to share with us and allow us to take copies of to go on display at the Family Camp Oct 2-5. Please contact: Lyn Price Email: lynprice@adventist.org.au Phone: 02 4944 3217
Health Department Annoucement
You can now access our sponsored health programs at nnsw.adventist.org.au/our-programs. For questions regarding running any health program in the churches or communities please contact Health Director Camila Skaf at CamilaSkaf@ adventist.org.au.
Executive
Pr Abel Iorgulescu General SecretaryA New Normal
Report
Experts say that “the long-term effects of COVID-19 are largely unknown, but what we do know is that this is massively going to change the way we live our lives.” In other words, we will never be able to go back to the ‘old normal’ but rather as we move out of the pandemic, we need to create a “new normal”.
People are usually afraid of changes, but of all people, Christians should be the first to embrace change. God declared in Is 43:19 CEV “I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? …”
And we can all testify that in the midst of pain, death, tears and chaos - God is creating something new, … do you see it?
• During the pandemic- churches have continued their mission without being tied down to a building.
• The lockdown has ‘encouraged’ all churches to have some form of online presence, and this has led to many people joining the on-line prayer meetings, Bible classes, worship times and even communion services.
• This pandemic has created the space for both pastors and church members to use their creativity in sharing the love of God while practicing social distancing.
• The online Evangelistic meetings ‘The End’ reached a significantly large number of people.
• Churches & Adventist schools have offered tangible support to families in need.
• The Adventist Aged Care not only was protected from the impacts of COVID-19, but it was praised for the care offered to the most vulnerable group of people.
• In a nutshell- through our churches, schools, and aged care ministries- the mission of Jesus continued.
Now is the perfect time for churches to reflect on the following questions- what will the new normal look like? What are the things that we need to let go of in order to focus on the most important aspects of the mission? How can we continue to follow the example of Jesus in…
• Growing Spiritually
• Serving Humanity
• Proclaiming the Gospel
• Making Disciples
The answers may differ from one church to another, but that’s ok because God is not looking for uniformity but rather for unity in diversity. We need to learn to present the never-changing gospel of Jesus Christ in an ever-changing world. Adaptability is necessary, not in changing
the message, but in the way the message is communicated. As we try to create the new normal, please be reminded, encouraged and comforted by the very words of God- “I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? …”
Serving you - Abel IorgulescuNCD Pathway
Effective Structures 2
By Gillian Knight - NNSW NCD CoordinatorWhere are we going?
As a Conference-wide movement, Effective Structures currently scores the lowest.
The questions in the survey related to Effective Structures are defined as “the degree to which the organisational structure of the church actively contributes to the healthy growth of the church”. The higher the question’s result, the greater its contribution to the effectiveness of the structures.
As we look at the questions related to Effective Structures in the survey, the questions can be grouped into four main themes, and we will pick up from the previous article and look at the last two themes.
1. Effectiveness of existing organisational structure
2. Planning
3. “Are we heading somewhere?”
4. Empowering individuals to play their part
1. “Are we heading somewhere?”
Q 23 – Our leaders actively support church development
Q 67 – I know the goals we are working towards as a church
Q63 – In our church we often try new things
Some leaders will define success as things running smoothly. They will give the impression that as long as the church is basically “ticking over” from week to week, year to year, without any major incidents, then they are satisfied that all is going well. This would suggest that we believe that future healthy growth will come from more of the same.
Most people, however, need a strong sense that the church is going somewhere and that its leaders are committed to determining where that is and taking them on that journey. It affects the sense of hope and the commitment of energy to church life. A static view of church structure ends up producing entirely static people. We will flesh that statement out more when we get to Empowering Leadership, as Leadership and Structures work hand in hand.
2. Empowering individuals to play their part
Q 40 – The volunteers of our church are trained frequently
Q 64 – The small group and ministry leaders in our church each mentor at least one other person
Q 24 – My contributions to church life are reviewed regularly
These questions speak to a fundamental dynamic of church structures – the equipping and empowering of the lay people to do the works of service in the life of the church.
The basic elements are there: training to do tasks well, the value of mentoring, the multiplication of ministry, and reviewing how people are going regularly so that they can be encouraged and equipped further where necessary. That requires planning!
A word that we don’t seem to hear often in church circles, especially when it comes to volunteers is “accountability”. Because we are afraid of being or expecting accountability for the things we do at church, nothing ever seems to get done. There is nothing wrong with setting out some boundaries or giving a volunteer a job description so that they at least understand what the expectation of the role is. Often we blindly accept a ministry role in the church, never knowing exactly what the expected outcome should be and all too often a year goes by, and you have achieved nothing.
If you are a church leader, I would like to encourage you to spend time with your ministry team and give them a clear vision of where you would like to see your church in a year and their part in getting it there. Ask for their input, don’t just tell them how to do it, encourage new ways and ideas. Change or do away with things that are proven not to be effective, help the body grow and adapt to a changing environment.
“From Him the whole body is fitted and held together by every supporting ligament. And as each individual part does its work, the body grows and builds itself up in love.”
- Ephesians 4:16Coming Up
SoZo Health Retreat
August (Date to be confirmed) sozohealth.com.au
Conference-Wide Family Camp
Celebrating the Centenary
October 2-5 Stuarts Point Convention Centre
Don’t miss out on the excitement. Get the conference news straight to your inbox! nnsw.adventist.org.au/ northpoint-bulletin
Listen to the latest NNSW Conference Newscast on our news and events page. nnsw.adventist.org.au/newsand-events
Enquiries
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
Contributions
We would love to share local news with the conference in print or online. Please send through relevant contributions to the above contact address.
Disclaimer: Articles express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
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CENTENARY Celebrating the
2020 FAMILY CAMP
Did you know that the NNSW Conference is 100 years old in October this year? No Big Camp, no Grey Nomads in 2020 BUT subject to the continued easing of restrictions, a combined Family Camp/Pathfinder Camporee will be held at Stuarts Point 2-5 October this year. Plan now to join us for the Conference centenary celebration including combined inspirational worship programs, faith building workshops, fun children’s activities, historic displays and more.
BYOaccommodationandfood.
Labour Day Long Weekend 2-5 OCTOBER
SAVE THE DATE