Church Today Issue 2

church today [ Equipping Church leaders for effective ministry ]

Maintaining HIGH staff morale

7 ways

to REVITALISE your church

THE BREWERY & THE BIBLE

A new way to do church that is spreading across Australia

Financial roadmaps in church life

How to be financially wise in our current economic climate

Taking the church to market SHOULD WE MARKET GOD?

wonder Experience God

Experience the wonder of God...

Experience the wonder of God...

wonder Experience God

Experience the wonder of A beautiful CD with 10 wonderful new songs that are easy to follow in worship.

The melodies are haunting and there is a depth in the lyrics which conveys the mystery of God’s love for us.

Available at your local Christian bookstore, or online at www.ichristian.com.au

YOUR MESSAGE TO THE WORLD! 1. Make your sermons available for digital download right from your own site 2. Our service is absolutely FREE no set-up or maintenance fees whatsoever 3. It is so easy you can do it yourself or we can do it for you

Helping you major in ministry and minor in technology.

For more details and to get started visit www.ichristian.com.au/sermon

2 | CHURCH TODAY

..

CONTENTS FEATURES

rd

6

Archbishop Phillip Aspinall

10

The Place of the Church in Australia

23

44

23

40

having spent three days down at Victoria’s fire zones, the Anglican Primate of Australia shares about the scene that greeted him and what individuals and churches can do to help.

Mike Frost talks candidly about the evidence that supports a need for change in today’s churches.

The Brewery and the Bible

From seaside Uniting churches south of Adelaide to suburban Catholic churches in Brisbane, a new way of doing church is fast gaining ground. Charlotte Durutt examines the innovative concept of church-in-a-pub.

From Power to Influence

Dr Joel Edwards, director of Micah Challenge, takes up the issue of how the institutional power of the church can be transformed into grassroots influence.

REGULARS

of God...

6

4 9 16 20 26 31 34 37 44 48 51 54

Church Today, Letter from the editor What’s New? Fireproof the movie Leadership, Are you a learned or natural leader?

Revitalising churches, 7 ways to revitalise your church Resources Management and Administration, Maintaining church staff morale Marketing, Taking the church to market Finance, Financial roadmaps in church life Family, Tinned Ravioli isn’t always boring News, What the numbers are saying Spiritual Homes, Upon this rock Suppliers Directory

discipled solution hope hope debt hope solution hope pe solution hope through

 Do you want to engage with your community?  Does you church want to see people come into relationship with Christ?

Phone Sarah on 02 4914 0508 or email sarahgentle@capaust.org to find out how your church can provide a solution to debt and its associated problems.

AGAINST POVERTY

www.capaust.org

CHURCH TODAY | 3

letter from the editor

W

elcome dear friends, to the very first issue of Church Today. As editor I am so excited about the potential this new and innovative magazine has to aid, equip and support many of you who are leaders in ministries. No matter your title – Pastor, Priest, Reverend, Archbishop or Canon – there is no doubt that a position of leadership, can be one of great enjoyment but also of great challenge and responsibility. Every one expects you to have the right answers, and under no circumstances are you allowed to put a foot wrong. That’s all myth of course, but it doesn’t stop people from believing it. I came across this interesting quote a little while back, sent to me by a good friend.

“There is no riding to heaven in a chariot; the rough way must be trodden, mountains must be climbed, rivers must be forded, dragons must be fought, giants must be slain, difficulties must be overcome, and great trials must be borne.” – Anonymous No one knows who the author is, but they must have had great insight into the lives of God’s people – your lives and the lives of those you nurture, teach, lead and uphold everyday.

Church Today is privileged to support you in your role by offering information and advice about the latest and sometimes toughest issues you will come across and have to face. Talking of latest issues, when Archbishop Phillip Aspinall spent three days in Victoria’s fire zones, he was very much affected by the gravity of what he came face to face with. As one of the biggest disasters Australia has ever witnessed, it would be easy to get lost in the enormity of it all, but as the church we must help.

In one of our articles ‘Up Close and Personal,’ Archbishop Aspinall talks about what he experienced and what churches can do to make a difference. In another article entitled ‘Taking The Church To Market,’ Berni Dymet challenges us about the image your church portrays – I warn you, it will make you look at your church messaging in a whole different light. And Max Palmer, our New Zealand pastor gives us insight into how a devitalised church can be revitalised again. I love good counsel don’t you?

This first issue is literally bursting with great things, so take your time and browse through.

Remember, Church Today is a magazine primarily written by those in ministry for those in ministry. In other words you are all helping each other out, which is exactly how it is meant to be.

I envisage that the journey will be a great one, but with unavoidable stints of fording rivers, fighting dragons, slaying giants and overcoming difficulties.

P.S. Here is a sneak preview of what to look forward to in Issue 2: ‘Wolf in sheep’s clothing’ – what do you do if someone scary enters your church? ‘Six dangerous words,’ – ways to avoid moral failure as a leader, ‘Building bridges and breaking down walls’ – why it is important to cultivate a multicultural church, ‘Show me the money,’ – what does financial accountability mean these days? And ‘Green House of God’ – the response of the Australian church to climate change.

4 | CHURCH TODAY

Enjoy and God Bless You.

Choe Brereton

church today CEO: Matthew Danswan Editor: Choe Brereton Editor in Chief: Lynn Goldsmith Art Director: Nicole Danswan Graphic Designer: Sasha White Circulation: Belinda Dickinson Subscriptions: Nicolle Lucas enquiries@mediaincorp.com Advertising Australia & New Zealand Advertising Manager: Matthew Harvie mharvie@mediaincorp.com Phone: 02 9007 5373 Advertising Sales Australia: Ivars Osis iosis@mediaincorp.com 02 9007 5372 Advertising New Zealand: Ray Curle rcurle@mediaincorp.com 09 624 0007 Correspondence Australia PO Box 163 North Sydney NSW 2059 Tel: 02 8437 3541 | Fax: 02 9986 1431 Correspondence New Zealand PO Box 47212 Ponsonby Auckland 1144 Tel: 09 416 8400 | Fax 09 416 0444 Subscription rates (GST inc): Subscriptions are payable by credit card (Visa, Mastercard and American Express) or cheque or money order payable to Media Incorp. For security reasons, do not send cash. Allow at least 6 weeks for subscriptions, renewals and changes of address to be processed. Receipt of the magazine is proof that payment has been received.

Please advise promptly of any change of address by completing the box on the front of the address sheet and mailing the entire sheet to Fundraising Success. When writing to the office, quote the number located below your address on the address sheet.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in while or part, without prior written permission. Opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the staff. All attempts are made to verify advertising material, and no responsibility is taken for misleading or erroneous material.

Copyright © 2009.

Is your super invested ethically?

adding values to money

Join 17,500+ Christians investing using Biblical principles. www.christiansuper.com.au Call 1300 360 907 Winner of Sustainable Super Fund of the Year for embracing the principles of ethical investing more than any other super fund in Australia (from over 600 super funds).

Christian Super is available for workplace and church group seminars.

Call 1300 360 907 to book.

Christian Super is a not for profit industry super fund – all profits go to members. All investment options and details outlined in Product Disclosure Statement

CHURCH TODAY | 5

Up Close and Personal

ARCHBISHOP

Phillip Aspinall A

rchbishop Phillip Aspinall, the Anglican Primate of Australia, spent three days in Victoria’s fire zone assessing the enormity of the situation, encouraging the many workers on the scene and praying for those devastated by the fires. He tells Choe Brereton about what he encountered, the great work of the Anglican Church in this time of crisis and what individuals and other churches can do to help.

Plus, having been reelected for another six-year term as Primate of the church, he gives us a brief insight into how the Anglican Church has received Australia’s first ever women Bishops.

When did you first arrive in Victoria?

I arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday the 11th of February.

In the afternoon I was joined by eastern region Bishop Stephen Hale for a tour of the bushfire devastated areas.

We visited Kinglake, where we lost St Peter’s Church to the fires. Miraculously Church Warden Peter Crook managed to save his home, opposite the Church, with cans of soft drink after his generator, which was pumping water, burst into flames. Peter’s wife Wendy had breathing difficulties and was forced to lie on the ground because of the thick smoke in their house. That they survived at all is incredible. Around 12 people died within 500 metres of their home and while they now grieve for them their focus is on rebuilding the Church and the Anglican community in Kinglake. We also Visited Whittlesea, where the Reverend Stephen Holmes was hard at work helping people from all walks of life. The church and church hall had been turned into drop-off zones for household goods, from toilet paper and toothpaste to clothes and crockery.

Whittlesea is in the middle of Victoria’s fire zone and the local Anglican community mobilised to do whatever it could to assist community members caught in a disaster that swift and shocking. Reverend Holmes accepted the offer of shipping crates which he turned into mobile opshops so that the donated goods could be taken into the fire devastated communities to hand out to those in need. What I witnessed in Kinglake and Whittlesea was devastating but I also witnessed the best of human kindness and spirit as people reached out to those in genuine need. One example is the volunteers who wanted

6 | CHURCH TODAY

to help at the Whittlesea Church. No one was turned away and all offers of help were accepted. The corporate community responded too by sending donated goods and even food for the volunteers.

The following day I traveled to Wangaratta where Bishop John Parkes accompanied me on a tour of the area hit by bushfires. We traveled to Beechworth, Myrtleford and Dederang, meeting survivors and those who had lost loved ones. We prayed with them and offered our deepest sympathies. We also met some Country Fire Authority (CFA) firefighters at Stanley where we encouraged them and their efforts.

On Friday morning we traveled southwest to Alexandra where there is a recovery centre for the surrounding towns including Marysville. While there we met Graham Brown, the former Mayor of Marysville and a member of the Anglican Church. He had lost his home in the fires but what devastated him was the loss of so many of his neighbours and friends. After some time at Alexandra I traveled back to Melbourne.

What was the purpose of your visit?

The purpose was to offer whatever support I could to the Archbishop of Melbourne, Bishops and clergy in the affected areas and also to the many people I met. Sometimes all I did was listen and pray but I am glad that I had the opportunity to listen to and talk with as many people as I could. I was also there to gather information to promote the National Home Mission Fund (NHMF) appeal, which seeks to support devastated communities by providing ministry and pastoral care. I assured people that we would do whatever we could to support them over the next 12 18 months and beyond while they rebuild their lives.

Could you describe a little of the scene that met you whilst you were there?

I have never seen anything like it. House after house destroyed. But these were not just houses they were homes and the fires also damaged the lives of so many people who lived in those homes. Another sobering scene was the many cars abandoned on the road – sadly many drivers died in these cars as they attempted to flee from the fires in thick smoke. I also saw cars that had collided in

“

SOME PEOPLE I MET WERE IN SHOCK AND FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH THEIR GRIEF, WHICH WAS UNDERSTANDABLE. OTHERS WERE POSITIVE ABOUT THE FUTURE AND WERE KEEN TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES.

the last desperate moments. I can only imagine the horror that these people felt as they tried to drive to safety only to be blocked by other cars or trees across roads.

But other scenes left me filled with hope – the survivors looking forward to rebuilding, strangers helping strangers, often inviting those who had lost everything into their own homes to stay. And the emergency services did a great job, often volunteers, putting their hearts into helping others, putting others before themselves. In some cases CFA firefighters would fight fires in their own area knowing their own homes were at risk. These selfless actions were common and showed the true spirit that is alive and well in most people.

What did you find most challenging about the trip and what you encountered?

I suppose the enormity of the situation. As I said earlier I have never seen anything like that. It was so widespread, the damage so complete and so many lives lost. It can be hard to comprehend the loss until you see it first hand.

How were emergency services coping?

They were doing a fantastic job and coping as best as they could. Obviously exhaustion was a factor but in difficult times people rise to the challenge and from what I witnessed it was a tremendous team effort from all emergency services.

How were people coping?

Some people I met were in shock and finding it difficult to deal with their grief, which was understandable. Others were positive about the future and were keen to rebuild their lives. Different people had different reactions but in the broader community there was compassion, generosity, a sense of shared loss but a commitment to look to the future.

What do you deem to be their greatest need at this point in time?

Initially it was the necessities of life – food, clothing, accommodation. Sometimes you forget the little things like toothpaste and shampoo, but when you have lost everything you need to start from scratch. Now, the need

Archbishop Phillip Aspinall as he visits the areas in Victoria ravaged by the recent and devastating fires

CHURCH TODAY | 7

“

THE LOCAL ANGLICAN COMMUNITY MOBILISED TO DO WHATEVER IT COULD TO ASSIST COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAUGHT IN A DISASTER THAT SWIFT AND SHOCKING.”

is more financial, to assist these people to rebuild their own lives. It is also spiritual. Making meaning and sense out of what has happened, expressing and dealing with grief and loss and rekindling a sense of hope are going to be real needs in the weeks, months and years ahead.

How can individuals help?

There are many appeals and individuals are encouraged to do what they can to assist. As I stated earlier many people helped in many ways and they should all be congratulated.

How can the church help?

The Church can help in many ways. They have already helped on the ground in the fire zones with the basics of life. At Whittlesea the Anglican Church and church hall became drop-off points for community donations. They organized several mobile op-shops to be taken directly into the affected communities so the help was delivered virtually to their door. The Church can also help by being there, to listen, to talk with, and to pray with those affected directly and indirectly. Often it is times of disaster that the broader community seeks out God for comfort and for answers. The Church can also be a focal point for the rebuilding process. We lost two Anglican Churches in the fires, one at Kinglake and the other at Marysville. And while sadly many parishioners also lost their lives, I expect we will rebuild in those areas and hopefully become stronger because of the experience. Our own appeal throug NHMF will focus on ensuring there are people on the ground over the next few years to provide spiritual care to these communities and individuals as they rebuild.

I understand that you were recently elected by the Anglican Church at the end of 2008 to be the primate of the Church for another six-year term. How do you feel about that?

To hold this position is an honour and while it comes with a great deal of responsibility it is a challenge I am pleased to accept for the next six years.

There has also been a lot of coverage on the fact that the Anglican Church now has two women Bishops.

How was that received?

I welcomed the announcements. I believe women have always played an important part in God’s mission. I 8 | CHURCH TODAY

believe both will be wonderful bishops. It is true to say that this issue is a challenging one for the Church but the bishops worked hard to come together to agree on a set of protocols for those who in all good faith still cannot accept ministry from a bishop who is a woman.

How will you deal with the disputes that will surely come your way concerning this matter?

The Bishops meeting that discussed these issues last year showed a maturity and a collegiality that was very pleasing.

In adopting the “Women in the Episcopate” protocol the bishops recognised “the good faith” of those in the church who support the new development of women bishops and of those who find that they cannot do so. They resolved to “nurture the highest possible level of collegiality as bishops” in the future and I believe that forms a good basis for dealing with differences in the future. CT

Prior to 2005 no fixed term was attached to the position of Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia. However in 2007, in recognising the increasing demands of the position, the General Synod decided to limit each appointment to six years with a possible three-year extension.

new?

WHAT’S

Fireproof the movie Available at Koorong for $29.95

At work, inside burning buildings, Capt. Caleb Holt lives by the old firefighter’s adage: Never leave your partner behind. At home, in the cooling embers of his marriage, he lives by his own rules.

Growing up, Catherine Holt always dreamed of marrying a loving, brave firefighter… just like her daddy. Now, after seven years of marriage, Catherine wonders when she stopped being “good enough” for her husband.

Regular arguments over jobs, finances, housework, and outside interests have readied them both to move on to something with more sparks.

As the couple prepares to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb’s father challenges his son to commit to a 40-day experiment: “The Love Dare.” Wondering if it’s even worth the effort, Caleb agrees – for his father’s sake more than for his marriage. When Caleb discovers the book’s daily challenges are tied into his parents’ newfound faith, his already limited interest is further dampened.

While trying to stay true to his promise, Caleb becomes frustrated time and again. He finally asks his father, “How am I supposed to show love to somebody who constantly rejects me?”

When his father explains that this is the love Christ shows to us, Caleb makes a life-changing commitment to love God. And with God’s help he begins to understand what it means to truly love his wife.

But is it too late to fireproof his marriage? His job is to rescue others. Now Caleb Holt is ready to face his toughest job ever... rescuing his wife’s heart.

An action packed love story Fireproof will have audiences laughing, crying and inching towards the edge of their seats as they are drawn into the world of a fire fighter his wife and a marriage worth rescuing.

For more information on how to use Fireproof to strengthen marriages and couples in your church and community please visit www.fireproofmymarriage.com or www.fireproofthemovie.com

CHURCH TODAY | 9

Touch of Frost

T Church the place of the

in Australia THE CHURCH HAS WAXED AND WANED IN POPULARITY AND ACCEPTANCE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, BUT WHERE DOES IT STAND TODAY? MICHAEL FROST TAKES A VERY DETAILED LOOK AT THE ISSUE AND EDUCATES US ON THE PLACE OF THE CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA TODAY.

10 | CHURCH TODAY

here have been some mixed signals in recent days about the position the church holds in Australian society. On the one hand, news about large Christian events, mainly in Sydney, would indicate the church occupies a significant place and has an enduring and robust witness. On the other hand, recent statistical analysis suggests the church is becoming more and more marginalised in Australia. How do we read these mixed messages?

The Good News and the Bad News Pope Benedict recently presided over a papal mass at Randwick Racecourse that was attended by between 235,000 and 350,000 people (depending on whose count you believe). Prior to that the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, George Pell, presided at the World Youth Day (WYD) opening mass at which over 120,000 people were in attendance. Indeed it is estimated that upwards of 10,000 people volunteered during WYD and that around 100,000 people visited Sydney for the event.

The Australian Christian Lobby recently described WYD08 as seeing an unprecedented public proclamation of the Gospel of Christ through the Australian media. All this might suggest the church is in pretty good shape in Australia.

But it wasn’t just the Catholics who attracted big numbers.

Sydney’s Hillsong Church was doing their bit too. They ran their annual conference at Homebush the week previous to WYD and attracted approximately 24,000 delegates from 21 denominations and 70 different countries.

Shortly after Hillsong ended and the Pope jetted out of Sydney, the Operation Mobilisation ship, Doulos berthed in Brisbane on its final voyage around the world. The numbers of visitors this year aren’t yet available, but when she last berthed on our shores in 1999, Doulos attracted over 200,000 people.

But should the record attendance at these events be taken as an indication that the church is having a greater impact on Australian society than in more recent years? While big Christian events demonstrate strength in numbers, recent research sends a different signal.

In an international survey comparing religious expression across 21 countries, Australia was revealed to be one of the least devout countries in the Western world.

“

IN AN INTERNATIONAL SURVEY COMPARING RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION ACROSS 21 COUNTRIES, AUSTRALIA WAS REVEALED TO BE ONE OF THE LEAST DEVOUT COUNTRIES IN THE WESTERN WORLD.

Religious faith didn’t play a central part in the lives of many Australians: • 48% said they did not partake in personal prayer • 52% rarely attend a place of worship for religious

reasons • 33% said they did not believe in a divine power

or in life after death • 50% ranked religion last on a list that included family, partners, work and career, leisure time

and politics The research, conducted by Germany’s Bertelsmann Foundation, found that levels of religious identity in Australia were on a par with that in Germany and Switzerland, significantly less than the US, but greater than in Britain.

Furthermore, the findings included 44 percent who considered themselves religious but said religion did not play a central role in their lives. In other words, “God’s okay, it’s just the religion bit we don’t like.” It would seem to me that this is one of the most significant findings in the research.

So, how are we to account for the falling levels of religious expression generally, but the growing numbers of attendance at the religious events mentioned above? One answer is to suggest that although the church is still declining in size across Australian society, its membership is increasingly activist. There might be less Christians, but perhaps they’re more devoted than ever. Another thing to bear in mind is that WYD and the Hillsong conference both attracted considerable interest from overseas visitors.

Less Devout than the USA? It is also interesting to note that according to the Bertelsmann research, Australia is far less devout than the USA. And yet recent research in the USA sounds alarm bells for the church in that country.

LifeWay Research recently found that unchurched adults in America are less likely to visit a church than ever before.

A survey of 1,684 adults who had not “attended a religious service in a church, synagogue or mosque, other than for a religious holiday or for a special event such as a wedding or funeral at any time in the past six months” found that only 49 percent would visit in person if they were looking for a church. Indeed 24 percent said they didn’t really see themselves attending a church at all. Ever!

Next year, many evangelicals are planning to celebrate

the fiftieth anniversary of the highly influential Billy Graham Crusades of 1959. Until WYD08, those meetings held the record for the largest single gathering on Australian soil.

Many non-Christians attended Graham’s meetings and found faith, but if this research is right those days might be well and truly behind us. While Christians enjoy gathering in large numbers, unbelievers are less likely to turn up.

Ed Stetzer, the director of LifeWay Research says, “For several decades we have focused on come and see, invest and invite, bring your friends to church by attracting them with a great program. We call that attractional ministry. Now we are facing the reality that fewer unchurched people are willing to visit a Christian church.”

By contrast, 83 percent of church switchers in an earlier survey said they made an in-person visit when they “actively searched for a new church.” Stetzer concludes, “So, if you build your outreach on recruiting and reaching church visitors you will often build a church on church switchers.”

I suspect that Australian church leaders have already come to this conclusion. Of the 40-50 percent of Australians who have no interest in religious gatherings or no faith in a divine or higher power, visiting a church is a highly unlikely option. In fact, in light of WYD it is interesting to note that even attendance at Catholic mass is continuing to fall – 14 percent in 2006 and 18 percent in 1996. And yet, what Stetzer calls “attractional ministry” – opening the doors of the church and advertising for people to come and visit – seems to still be the primary approach of many Australian churches.

A Ray of Hope There was a ray of hope in the Bertelsmann research however. It found that young people are more religious than reputed. In fact, worldwide, only 13 percent of young people have no appreciation for God or faith in general.

This would definitely account for the impact of global events like WYD. But even when looking at the Australian statistics there is reason for some encouragement. It found that: • 52% of young people thought of God as a loving,

kind-hearted being • 20% of young people said they were deeply religious CHURCH TODAY | 11

72% of young people believe in God or a divine power and/or life after death This last finding means that young adults are even more religious than those in the over-60 age group. It also casts an interesting light on the rise of the new-atheism championed by the likes of Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchins. It seems young people aren’t buying it. The Bertelsmann research leader, Martin Reiger says, “Almost half of those under 30 said that they partake in prayer on a more or less regular basis and the same proportion see God as a personal being. These figures clearly refute the assumption that religious belief is dwindling in Australia.”

But without wanting to rain on the parade, I should point out that these findings refer to religious belief in general, not just to Christian belief. While nearly three-quarters of all Australian young people believe in God, they include Muslims, Jews, New Agers and Oprah-style believers in a higher power. Nonetheless, commending Christian faith to theists is usually a lot more productive than to atheists.

•

The Way Forward World Youth Day and the Hillsong conference, as well as the regular large Bible-teaching conferences at Katoomba, Belgrave Heights and Mt Tambourine, all indicate that Christians like gathering in big numbers. But the research seems to suggest that church events are having less and less effect in reaching unbelievers or even seekers. Clearly, the Australian church needs to recognise that the “come-to-us” approach is limited in its capacity to reposition the church’s place in Australian society. We need to shift toward more incarnational and relational approaches than simply what LifeWay’s Ed Stetzer calls the attractional approach.

Speaking of how to reach unbelievers, Stetzer continues, “Believers must resolve to step into their world to share the Good News with them. If we are waiting for them to someday walk into our churches – that someday may never come. We have tried that approach for decades – many church buildings and services are looking great. They have

new looks, new music and new strategies. We have gone to great lengths to fix up the barn, but the wheat is still not harvesting itself. I believe we must move from attractional ‘come and see’ ministry to incarnational ‘go and tell’ and join Jesus in the harvest fields all around us.”

In 2003 I co-authored the book The Shaping of Things to Come with Alan Hirsch. In that book, we called on the church to rediscover itself as a missionary movement, rather than seeing itself as a religious institution. We were repeating Martin Robinson when he said, “It is necessary for the church to rethink its stance entirely and to become a missionary church within the West.”

We were highly critical of the church maintaining an exclusively attractional stance in relation to the society around it. Some readers thought we were suggesting there is no place for large-scale gatherings any longer, but that was a misreading. I think Christians enjoy and probably even need large events because of the visceral experience only they can deliver. My point is that our place in Australia today cannot be determined entirely on the size of our gatherings. For those unbelievers who aren’t much interested in attending them, they mean nothing at best and are viewed suspiciously at worst.

For those who won’t attend our worship service or conferences, the only gospel they will encounter is that gospel which is enfleshed in the lives of the hundreds of thousands of Australian Christians. As Lesslie Newbigin once said, “The only hermeneutic of the gospel is a congregation of men and women who believe it and live by it.” CT

Michael Frost is a lecturer at Morling College, a theological college in Sydney that offers courses in ministry, counselling, education and mission. For further details about oncampus or distance programs see:

www.morling.nsw.edu.au

Bequest Officers’ Workshop • Melbourne • 8 May 2009 This full day practical workshop is specifically tailored for bequest officers and fundraisers of charities and not-for-profit organisations.

Gain an understanding of the legal processes involved in estate administration, so you can ensure your organisation is not missing out on its bequest entitlements.

Receive practical tips from an experienced bequest officer, who is co-presenting this workshop with two of Makinson & d'Apice's partners who have extensive experience in estate law and charities law.

Secure your place now by completing the registration form available at www.makdap.com.au or call Angela Mak on 9233 9049 or email amak@makdap.com.au.

12 | CHURCH TODAY

KI Entertainment FPC

CHURCH TODAY | 13

the collaroy centre so you!

14 | CHURCH TODAY

CALL

02 9982 9800

The Collaroy Centre Homestead Avenue, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097 fax: 02 9971 1895 email: collaroy@collaroycentre.org.au on the web: www.collaroycentre.org.au CHURCH TODAY | 15

Leadership

Are You a LEARNED OR Natural LEADER? A CHURCH CANNOT GROW OR PROGRESS WITHOUT GOOD LEADERSHIP. DAN REILAND EXPLORES THE ISSUE OF LEARNED VERSUS INNATE LEADERSHIP AND GIVES SOME GREAT INSIGHT INTO THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO AND WHAT TO BE AWARE OF IF YOU ARE ONE OR THE OTHER.

16 | CHURCH TODAY

I

s all leadership innate and natural? Is leadership limited to a spiritual gift? Or is it possible that leadership can be learned? This is a controversial subject, but I am of the strong opinion that you can learn leadership.

I acknowledge that different levels of natural ability in things such as I.Q., discipline, charisma, drive and personal energy play a major role. Some leaders are greater than others. This is clear. But that’s not the question. The topic at hand is whether or not you are a learned or natural leader, and how to make the most of the profile that seems to fit you best.

THE LEARNED LEADER Characteristics • Learned leaders must think leadership before doing leadership Because leadership doesn’t come instinctively for a learned leader, you must intentionally think leadership to remain engaged and effective as a leader. It’s kind of like a golfer with a “natural swing” versus someone who needs to take lots of lessons to get his or her basic swing down.

At first trying to get all the parts of a golf swing to work together feels very awkward. But once you get it, and if you keep practicing, over the course of time your swing can become “natural.”

• Learned leaders are not inwardly compelled to lead This point will bring quick clarity to many of you. Here’s how it works. If you are a learned leader and you walk into a room where there is a leader who is engaged, in charge, and things are working well, you will feel no real need or compulsion to take over. You will help if needed. You will probably quickly see how you can be helpful, but you have no inner need or drive to take over.

If, however, you walk into a room where there is no leadership, (there may be a leader, but there is no leadership) and the environment is unproductive, unorganised, and the general “spirit” of the place is poor, you will rise up and do something about it. Depending on your personality, skill level, and the occasion, you may do something yourself, (take over) or you may leverage your influence to get the right people doing the right things. But you will do something to get things headed in the right direction.

• Learned leaders seek results more than influence This is subtle and can morph over time as you gain more experience as a leader. In the earlier stages you were probably more interested in getting the job done rather than developing your influence with people. This is natural for a learned leader. Natural leaders want to get things done too, in fact, they are driven about results, but they are more interested in increasing their influence with people and getting things done through people than merely accomplishing the task at hand. This is one of the key competencies for a learned leader to grow toward.

Strengths • Passion and discipline Passion and discipline are not exclusive to the learned leader but are always in the strength mix among leaders in this profile. Personal discipline is often the strength that enables a learned leader to keep up with natural leaders and, on occasion, surpass them. I don’t mean for this to sound like a competition, but merely to demonstrate the huge potential growth opportunity for learned leaders.

• Getting the job done Learned leaders are generally fantastic at getting things done. The slight orientation toward projects and measurable goals is typically the origin of this trait. As the learned leader continues to develop, and his or her people side begins to flourish, the combination of projects and people becomes powerful, and even more productive.

• Can mentor and teach leadership well The learned leader makes a great leadership coach for one simple reason; he or she had to learn leadership themselves. This enables them to be good mentors and teachers of leadership to both learned and natural leaders.

Challenges • Confidence Because, at least in the early stages, leadership is not an instinctive behaviour confidence is often a struggle for the learned leader. If you are a learned leader you may be unsure of yourself and will therefore second-guess your thoughts and direction in general. With experience, confidence can build over time and will enable you to lead with greater inner conviction as well as gain greater ability to inspire others.

• Decisiveness Difficulty in making tough decisions is largely an outcome of a lack in confidence. This is not about intelligence.

Learned leaders are typically very smart. It’s more about a lack of certainty about what you want and your relative lack of certainty of knowing the right thing to do. The opinion of others matters too much. Decisiveness, like confidence, comes with practice and experience.

• Casting a compelling vision The challenge is not about knowing and understanding the vision. The challenge for the learned leader is selling the vision. Because learned leaders are still gaining confidence in themselves they don’t yet have the leadership persona needed to win others to the vision. If that is also coupled with underdeveloped people skills, getting people to follow your vision is difficult.

Let me encourage you. All this is doable, just not overnight.

Focus on your own confidence first. Win self-leadership before leading others. Know what you want, why you want it, and at least partially how you will get there. Then lead.

You don’t have to have all the details, but you must believe in yourself and what you want to accomplish before others will follow.

CHURCH TODAY | 17

Application • Consistent leadership exposure Learned leaders must have continual input of leadership development. From good leadership books to good leadership conferences this is a must. Exposure to good leaders is essential. Serving in an environment that is proactive about leadership development goes a long way toward your success.

• Take the reigns of leadership Simply put – lead. Don’t hold back. Ask forgiveness, not permission. It’s good to make mistakes, lots of them and even big ones. Just don’t make the same mistake twice.

That indicates you are not paying attention and not learning.

Write your plan, pick up the phone, call a meeting... do what it takes to get things moving!

• Trust your intuition Your instincts, though not of a natural leader, are better than you think. They are probably not as fast as you would like them to be, nor are you as confident as you would like, but you must learn to read and trust your gut.

Don’t worry so much about what others think. Know what you think and go for it.

• Increase personal influence over personal productivity At first this will seem counterintuitive to a learned leader who wants to be effective. But over the long haul this will begin to make sense. No one ever leads a project – they lead people. If you gain personal leadership influence, people will follow and get the work done. Your work becomes about recruiting, inspiring, training, coaching and encouraging. The people are more talented than you may think. Trust yourself and trust them. You’ll be amazed at what can be accomplished.

THE NATURAL LEADER Characteristics • Natural leaders lead easily I won’t say it’s like riding a bicycle, but its close. Leading is so innate and instinctive that it’s almost automatic. The key is what you do with these natural instincts. Do you leverage them to get what you want or to help others?

Can you submit to other more seasoned leaders or are you prideful and insist on doing it all your way? Having followers and leading easily is only the beginning, its what you choose to do with that ability over the course of a lifetime that matters.

• Natural leaders possess undeniable vision Candidly, I’ve never found an exception to this characteristic.

Sometimes the vision isn’t completely clear, sometimes there is no written plan to achieve the vision, but the vision is present and there is passion to achieve it.

• Natural leaders have a strong ego This refers to the healthy ego strength that is necessary to accomplish any worthwhile vision. This is not about a selfabsorbed and narcissistic approach to life and leadership.

It’s important that you know yourself, love yourself, and enjoy being you. It’s important that you have a sense of your gifts being fruitful and productive. Yet at the same time, you fully grasp your utter dependence upon God in such a way that reminds you it was he that gave you all your gifts and abilities. On your own you can do nothing that lasts or matters.

18 | CHURCH TODAY

• Natural leaders need to lead In contrast to the learned leader who doesn’t “need” to lead, you do. Natural leaders just can’t help themselves.

They walk in and always see how they could do it better. It’s not necessarily arrogance. It’s more about wiring. Natural leaders naturally assess. If you as a natural leader assess yourself as a better leader than the one in the room it is difficult for you to remain in the room and do nothing. The irony is that the leader is often doing a good job. The issue is that you would do it differently. If this is you, take hope, it does get better with maturity. In time you begin to realize that God can actually run a few things well without you!

Strengths • Confidence Confidence comes with the territory for natural leaders.

There are times when fear creeps in, but overall you are confident in yourself and your abilities. It is also common that when you make a mistake that you get over it quickly, rebound and move on. People not only notice your confidence but draw from it personally.

• Communication This is not about “preaching” abilities, though you may be a gifted preacher. This is more about leading from the platform and interpersonal communication in one to one and in small groups settings. Natural leaders do not struggle with making their thoughts known and clear.

Words are easy for you and people not only understand you but seem to enjoy listening to what you have to say.

• Natural intuition Natural leaders have a natural sense of intuition. You may find it hard to explain to others but like a seasoned cop on the streets, you know stuff in your gut, just because you know. There are checks and balances here. You need to be right much more than wrong. Sorry, but intuition isn’t of value if you are wrong more times than you are right!

Challenges • Distractions You may be smart, creative and fast, but the inability to focus will cost you dearly as a leader. More importantly is the temptation to succumb to internal distractions. By internal distractions I mean the need to continually conquer new territory, when you haven’t yet fully conquered the territory God has given you. Speaking events, writing books, consulting, starting new ministry ventures, or launching your own conference are good things in and of themselves. But they can also be huge distractions to what you are called to do. Sometimes even networking can become a distraction. Meeting people just to meet people.

Yes, its fun, we love people. But stay on purpose.

• Cutting corners This can get the best of natural leaders. Because you are often the smartest and fastest “been there done that” kid on the block, you may be tempted to show up unprepared – simply because you can. You may be tempted to do less than your best. You can get away with this for a while, sometimes for a long while, but eventually it will catch up with you. Good leaders never quit digging in, learning, preparing and growing.

• Humility Pride is often the unwanted companion that comes with confidence. I said that a healthy ego is a good thing,

and it is. But left to its own path, it can get out of control.

More importantly, pride breaks fellowship with God. Conquering a zealous ego is tough, but it’s a must for your natural leadership to find its highest and most long-term effectiveness.

Application • Don’t get sloppy or lazy So think about it, if you are fast, smart, creative, confident, a good communicator and generally ahead of the pack, your temptation to get lazy or sloppy can be off the chart.

Discipline is essential. Dig in and stay tough. Know your disciplines and stick with them.

• Understand and appreciate the ideas and input of others Be careful of impatience, and be intentional about seeking the contribution of others. This can feel like it slows you down, but if you will give them a chance, your top leaders have more to offer than you might realize. Mining their potential requires you to invest in them, but its worth it.

This is especially true for your staff.

• Include implementers on the team We all need people on our teams who are happy to be top-notch sharpies that get the job done. You give them the ball and they gain yardage – every time. They don’t need or desire to be the top dog, but they can keep up with the top dog on their assignments. Point out the right direction and let them run! They aren’t wired to dream dreams and have visions. They aspire to purpose and meaningful ministry. Give them a shot at it.

• Stay focused I’ve given more than a hint to this under the topic of distractions. It’s strange how difficult this is for driven and passionate leaders, but it’s true. Find your focus and stick with it. I know its tough, but you don’t have a choice if you really want to achieve all God has in mind for you and your church. Listening for God to speak and seeking wise counsel from a small trusted group will help you land your guiding principles and overall direction.

So, what do you think? Are you a learned leader or a natural leader? What makes you think so? You may feel you are a sort of “blend and blur” of both. That is most likely true, but you are undoubtedly more one than the other.

Knowing which one you are most like is vital. This is a huge gateway to strengthening your leadership. CT Dan Reiland is best known as a leader with a pastor’s heart; he truly loves the local church, but is also described as one of the nations most innovative church thinkers. His passion is developing leaders for the local church so that the Great Commission is advanced. Each year Dan “coaches” many pastors and speaks to several thousand people, impacting lives and strengthening the local church. His semimonthly e-newsletter, The Pastor’s Coach is distributed to over 60,000 subscribers:

www.injoy.com

Only CraCkpOts

would attempt a difficult task without the right equipment.

You cannot afford to have your children’s, youth and family ministry teams struggling for ideas and strategies. The resources in the Scripture Union Ministry Tool Kit have proved themselves in countless changed lives through church and specialist ministries. Buy them today, and we will throw in free postage and handling, and include two additional ministry titles – absolutely free. And, for the first fifty orders, we will add in a sixteen-page Sunday School lesson sampler – just to get you started.

You receive each of the following resource titles: • Children and Spirituality • Strategy for Youth Leaders for the 21st Century • Come and Follow Jesus • All-Age Services Annual Vol. 2 • Cross Examination (Leaders Guide) • Family Glue Free post and handling Plus two additional ministry resource titles absolutely free Plus, a 16-page Sunday School Curriculum taster pack* All for $77.70

$77.70

FREE POSTAGE AND HANDLING PLUS at least two additional free titles.

Plus a free Sunday School lesson sampler *

• Bible

• fun and -based

hed every publis •p to-use • easyflexible

hs 3 mont

From Scripture Union – the name behind countless changed lives. * First fifty orders only

This is your chance to get equipped… take it!

Scripture Union - Resources for Ministry Call 1800 808 639 or Email sales@su.org.au CHURCH TODAY | 19

revitalising churches

7

Ways to revitalise

your Church

What happens when a church becomes devitalised and how, as a leader, do you gain that vitality back? Max Palmer offers some answers.

I

recently attended a very ambitious and unusually pitched gathering of church leaders from both sides of the Tasman. The packed Australasian Billion Soul Leadership Summit was organised by James Davis a wellknown mission leader from Orlando, Florida.

During the short but almost overfilled two days, we were encouraged by James as he cordially invited ministries to dream and strategise for revival throughout the global church. “We need a sweeping, reaping and weeping move of God to revitalise the church and to unleash a new call to mission, ministry and church planting,” he said.

“Those of God’s people who are longing for the work of God and a re-awakening of the church, are praying that the difficult economic conditions may lead to a re-assessment of value, a fresh stirring of love for the Lord and a fresh harvest amongst the unreached and unchurched.”

Before you are tempted to dismiss all of this as hype and emotion, please realise that I am as sensitive as the next man to the habitual tendency of saccharine coated statements and glitz to over promise and under deliver. But I believe the revitalisation of churches and ministries is not only possible but also critical and essential if we are to see a moral turning of the tide in nations.

As a pastoral and missionary leader, net worker and net builder, I have worked for over 35 years to encourage, strengthen and resource leaders and churches regardless of race, ethnicity, gender and class, to discover and express their God given diversity and to become part of the difference and solution.

Let us remember that despite the world’s ailing economy, the Kingdom of God is not in recession nor can we afford to be. We need to lean forward into hope and look up for a better tomorrow, confident of revitalisation. For all those who have put their hands to the plough let us ensure that the great commission is truly a co-mission and a mission possible.

Life cycles of a church Let me ask a simple question – how does a church or ministry get to the point of devitalisation? What happens to the dream and passion with which a church begins?

20 | CHURCH TODAY

As with life, churches and ministries have inevitable cycles – of newness, maturity, decline and then new seasons of growth.

A church in need of revitalisation will often exhibit no signs of being cyclical. It would have hit a plateau, be aging, lacking in fervour, be introspective and marginalised and mono cultural.

Ask yourself, what season and even what era is your church in? Has your church slipped in some area and become dated? Are you trying to reach a 21st century world with 20th century methods? Are your communication methods and values in touch with what is understood by the emerging generation, or are you speaking a different language and wonder why no one is listening. Are you too literal to the point of neglecting the visual and digital?

As futurist Len Sweet aptly puts it, “We must move from a Gutenberg world to a Google world.”

So as a leader, where do you begin a journey from the lassitude of devitalisation to the verve of revitalisation?

Seven Key Approaches irst be prayerfully and even brutally honest about where you are at personally and as a church community. Review personally and with those closest to you just how emotionally healthy you and your family are. Devitalisation will be working around you and even from you as well as in your church. We all need a Barnabus to help us make sense of life and ministry. We all need the support and benefit of pastoral supervision. econd consider the focus of your church – is it inward or outward in its stance toward the world? Much like the effect of fertiliser, churches and Christians work best when spread around as opposed to being heaped together in a corner. hird assess the health of your church as seen by its members and measure quality characteristics through a survey like the one offered by Natural Church Development (NCD). Check out www.ncd-newzealand.org.nz or www.ncd-australia.org.au for access to this user-friendly survey and the expertise of a trained NCD church health coach.

F S

T

Instal Life FPC

CHURCH TODAY | 21

revitalising churches

F

ourth consider courses like ALPHA – still one of the leading evangelism programs available to be offered and managed by any church to groups of any size. Alpha will put a friendly face on your church community and allow a relaxed non-threatening environment where, as they say, the big questions of life can be considered and hopefully answered.

Additionally, the Alpha marriage course also offers outstanding and helpful insights on marriage and relationships. ifth consider the health and vibrancy of your ministry and leadership team. There are some great informal leadership and team development tools available including those that focus on gift discovery and leading with your strengths and personality preferences. These can release the inherent qualities of your team members and help you place the right people in the right places of ministry. ixth review and strengthen your children and youth ministry focus by appointing part time or full time trained, passionate and relevant workers to these positions.

My home church in Christchurch has recently given over their Sunday evening service to a one hour MX format of music, dance, drama, visuals and the gospel, all intended to attract and reach an emerging generation. inally as we all live in very racially diverse communities, consider how friendly your church is to those from other ethnicities and cultures. The immigration wave is

F S F

rolling all over our towns and cities and people of all backgrounds are looking for places to belong. We must seek to accommodate instead of assimilate and always make room for them.

I personally have learnt and am still learning a great deal from writers and practitioners such as Mark Deymaz and his book Building Healthy Multi Cultural Churches and David Boyd and his book You don’t have to Cross the Ocean to Reach the Nations.

Acts 2 in the Word describes for us a vitalised attractive church to which people were naturally drawn – I am persuaded that we can also grow similar churches in our towns and cities and so do our part in fulfilling the great commission.

Moving from devitalised to vitalised is surely from the heart of our God and Father in the authority of his only son Jesus Christ and by the ever-renewing power of the Holy Spirit. CT Max Palmer Pastor, Mission Leader and Director Max Palmer is the international ministries pastor for Majestic Church in Christchurch New Zealand. He is also a mission leader and director, and the national administrator for New Life Churches in New Zealand. Australian born he has worked in church and mission in and out of New Zealand for over 35 years.

the Power of a

Simple Gift Be part of bringing hope and a smile to 300,000 children in 2009.

Operation Christmas Child is one way I can make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children around the world... and how you too can make a difference!

Each year, Operation Christmas Child sees churches and individuals fill shoe boxes with small gifts for distribution by Samaritan’s Purse to needy children. Giving a gift that requires nothing in return says much about our faith.

– Marina Prior, Samaritan’s Purse Goodwill Ambassador

Get your church involved in Operation Christmas Child. Call to order your FREE church resource pack.

Australia 1300 884 468 New Zealand 0800 726 274

22 | CHURCH TODAY

Innovative churches

The Brewery the

&

Bible “I have become all things to all men, so that by all possible means, I might save some,” 1 Corinthians 9:22 The stained glass windows and steeples which have symbolised traditional godly worship are now making way for a new concept – one that is as old as Christianity itself and has its roots in Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry. Churches are now being planted not in pew-filled buildings, but in pubs. And while the meeting of beer and Bibles may seem odd, the church-in-a-pub concept is rapidly spreading throughout Australia, throughout denominations and throughout the world.

From seaside Uniting churches south of Adelaide, to inner-city Anglican churches in Melbourne, to suburban Catholic churches in Brisbane, this concept is, unexpectedly, succeeding. Charlotte Durut examines this fascinating new face of Christianity.

Ministry reinvented “Cheers to a pub full of good worshipping,” and “Minister to draught congregation to Docklands,” announced headlines in major newspapers late last year when Guy Mason began his first service at a pub in Melbourne’s Docklands.

The puns and the curiosity may have been rife, but the Anglican minister remained unfazed by the publicity. He focused instead on his main reason behind what many saw as a bizarre and contradictory idea.

“I want to see Melbourne transformed by the gospel,” he says. “I have a passion in my heart to reach people with the news of Jesus Christ and to share him with this city.”

The decision to hold a church service in James Squire Brewhouse may have looked like an odd way to see this vision come to life. Yet Guy’s decision was based on the practical fact that there was no other place to hold a church service in the new harbour side residential area of the Docklands.

“My wife and I walked around the Docklands looking for a place to hold a service and we couldn’t find anywhere that was suitable,” he says. “We ended up having dinner at the Brewhouse and I thought it could be a great spot for a church service. It’s not a small and dingy pub, but quite big and open and friendly. Later, we met the owners and they offered to let us use the place – it was like God was going before us to help us.”

Almost a year later, Guy’s special church service has now tripled in size and he is now thinking of starting another

service in the evening.

“It’s been fantastic,” he says. “People who haven’t been to church for years are reconnecting back into it, while people who aren’t Christians at all have also come along.”

Guy adds that his Brewhouse service has also had an incredible effect on Christians.

“A lot of Christians have been ignited by what the service is doing,” he says. “It’s a great opportunity for them to explore their spiritual gifts and share them with others.”

Spreading the vision Two thousand kilometres north of the Docklands, the Catholic North East Deanery Youth Ministry in Brisbane is also organising very successful church-in-a-pub services.

Taking the name for its services from the Catalyst for Renewal network’s ‘Spirituality in the Pub’ (SIP) meetings held around Australia, the deanery began holding monthly gatherings at a popular north side suburban pub in August 2007. A typical SIP meeting involves two speakers talking on a particular topic which can include anything from sports to politics and all at “the common man’s home turf – aka, a pub.”

The deanery describes its gatherings as “people of all ages and from all walks of life [coming together] in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, hearing stimulating input from experienced speakers and engaging in conversation about meaningful issues.”

According to the deanery’s youth co-ordinator Gavin Duffy, CHURCH TODAY | 23

the SIP sessions now attract an average of 30 people, with another similar session being held on Brisbane’s south side.

“The intention of these meetings is to create [spiritual] conversation and to explore brave topics,” Gavin says. “The people at these sessions are usually churched Catholics who are looking for something a bit different, as the regular form of church isn’t answering all their questions. And for many other Catholics, church on a Sunday is where their spirituality ends. But we believe church should be a part of everyday life and the very least we want to do is increase and include its influence in this life.”

With a similar view in mind, a Uniting Church pastor and his service at a small seaside hotel in South Australia, is also making a difference in the community.

The church-in-a-pub service held at Seaford Hotel, south of Adelaide, is a second campus of Aberfoyle Uniting Church and is led by experienced church planter Pastor Brant Jones, who is keen to “reach out into the community and become involved in it.”

“There is no greater community hub in Australia than the pub,” the church’s website information proclaims. “We’re a congregation of down-to-earth, real people who want to get our hands dirty and do something meaningful for the Kingdom of God. We want to connect with the community in a way that creates hope and enthusiasm for life. We

godly stuff while at a pub, as they listen to and challenge one another.”

Sticking with God Despite the seemingly contradictory nature of church services being held in pubs, Guy says the attitudes to his services so far, both from his Docklands community and his Anglican denomination, have been very positive.

“The Brewhouse owners have also told me that it’s the most important thing that’s ever happened to them and I’ve received emails from pastors around Australia and overseas telling me they love what we’re doing here,” he maintains.

Gavin says his denomination has also been supportive of his SIP services.

“Sometimes this kind of thing can be too controversial, but I’ve had no sense from the Catholic Church that they believe it’s too left wing. I find Brisbane’s Archbishop, John Bathersby, to be generally quite open to people taking responsibility for their faith in this way.”

Perhaps the reason behind this denominational agreement is the fact that both Guy and Gavin stick to strong spiritual input in their church-in-a-pub gatherings. While Guy once told a Herald Sun reporter that he was quite happy for people to “have a beer with their Bible reading,” he also emphasised the importance of not losing sight of God

Pubs have alwa y s b e e n a gr e a t p l a c e f o r p e o p l e t o g e t t o g e t h e r a n d t a l k – t hey’r e an environment w h i c h i s c on d u c i v e t o f ri e n d l y a n d n a t u ra l d i a l o g u e , also want to become confident in our faith and ourselves and encourage others.”

The pub as a hub With the church-in-a-pub concept spreading steadily throughout Australia and across denominations, the answer to the big question of just why it is succeeding so well still remains. Guy believes one of the main reasons behind its growth is that it brings Christianity out into the community and doesn’t confine it to the four walls of a church.

“Pubs have always been a great place for people to get together and talk – they’re an environment which is conducive to friendly and natural dialogue,” he says. “And the idea of a Christian service held in a pub changes people’s perception of the church.”

Gavin is also a strong believer in the pub itself being central to the success of this new church concept, as pubs are renowned both for their ordinariness as well as their popularity as a casual, social setting.

“There’s a big tradition of meeting at the pub for social reasons,” he says.

“In Ireland for example, as well as so many other countries, the church and the pub are the two main hubs in a community. And without realising it, people engage in 24 | CHURCH TODAY

during church-in-a-pub services.

“Our Brewhouse service is quite contemporary – there are no robes, candles or pews, we just have some good music and a message from the Bible,” he explains. “However, while the service is contemporary, we still aim to make it as culturally and spiritually relevant as possible. We always want to keep close to God’s Word.”

Spirituality in the Pub facts

• The SIP concept first began 14 years ago in Paddington, Sydney • There are now 30 SIP venues situated around Australia • More than 1,200 SIP gatherings have been held since the concept began • SIP conversation topics have included euthanasia, Aboriginal reconciliation, chastity, the pursuit of happiness, finding meaning through suffering, faith and the media, social justice – refugees, Islam in the 21st century, and climate change

“

P E O P L E W H O H AV E N ’ T B E E N T O C H U R C H F O R Y E A R S A R E R E C O N N E C T I N G B A C K I N T O I T, W H I L E P E O P L E W H O A R E N ’ T C H R I S T I A N S AT A L L H AV E A L S O COME ALONG.

Following in Jesus’ footsteps With his Brewhouse service now quite full with as many people as it can hold, Guy is confident it will only continue to develop and grow.

“I want us to shine the light of God amongst the world in as many different ways as possible,” he states.

Guy believes reaching out to the community is vital for every Christian, basing this belief on the fact that Jesus Christ never shied away from associating with everyday, ordinary people.

“Christians have a tendency to hide themselves away in holy huddles, but Jesus never did this – he went to where people were at,” Guy points out.

With his services all based on the growth of the gospel, Guy is also certain Jesus would approve of what he is doing at the Brewhouse.

“Jesus was often accused of hanging out with sinners, but he did this because he had such a strong desire to share the Good News amongst his people,” he says. “The church is not a building, but a body of people gathered together.”

Gavin also believes Jesus would have thrived in such an ordinary social setting as a popular pub.

“God should be involved in the regular areas of our life, not shut away in a temple,” he says. “After all, it’s in the everyday ordinariness of life that God exists.” CT

The Docklands Church is part of St James Anglican Cathedral in West Melbourne. For more information, visit www.docklands.org.au For more information on Aberfoyle Uniting Church’s Seaford Hotel service, visit www. aberfoyle.org.au/aboutsef.html For more information on Catalyst for Renewal Spirituality in the Pub services, visit http://www. catalyst-for-renewal.com.au and select SIP from the left hand menu, or for the North East Deanery Youth Ministry’s SIP services in particular, phone

(07) 3268 7731 or email sip@nedym.net Charlotte Durut Freelance Writer

CHURCH TODAY | 25

RESOURCES books Reveal: Where Are You? The Answer Will Transform Your Church

Greg Hawkins, Cally Parkinson, Bill Hybels (Fwd).

RRP: $19.95 Learn more about what catalyzes and stunts spiritual growth.

And understand how the church needs to change in order to help people become more like Christ.

What you discover here may challenge you. Or confirm nagging suspicions you’ve had all along. Either way, the findings in Reveal will undoubtedly change the way you think about church and what it really takes to make a difference.

Gifted To Lead

Nancy Beach RRP: $19.95 In this practical and inspiring book, Willow Creek Executive vice-president and teaching pastor Nancy Beach speaks to women with God-given gifts of leading and teaching.

Sharing from her 30 year journey in a local church, Nancy offers guidance on such issues as: * Developing character * Earning respect * Finding your voice for leadership and teaching * Managing work and personal life

Developing The Leader Within You

BOOKS

that you may find USEFUL for your leadership JOURNEY.

Shoulder To Shoulder

Dan Reiland RRP: $15.95 Pastors can never have too much support. In Shoulder to Shoulder, Dan Reiland, Vice President of Leadership and Church Development at INJOY, helps laypeople understand the unique challenges a pastor faces, allowing them to make a positive difference in the pastor’s life as well as the congregation’s. John Maxwell, former senior pastor of Skyline Wesleyan Church, states the book’s impact best in his foreword: “Through this book, Dan is going to walk into your life and lift you to a higher level, just as he did for me.”

John C Maxwell RRP: $16.95 In this repackaged bestseller John Maxwell examines the differences between leadership styles, outlines principles for inspiring, motivating, and influencing others. These principles can be used in any organization to foster integrity and selfdiscipline and bring a positive change. “Developing the Leader Within You” also allows readers to examine how to be effective in the highest calling of leadership by understanding the five characteristics that set “leader managers” apart from “run-ofthe-mill managers.” In this John Maxwell classic, he shows readers how to develop the vision, value, influence, and motivation required of successful leaders.

26 | CHURCH TODAY

Just a few

Rickshaws For India Setting Families Free

In India, Rickshaws are a major mode of taxi transportation for people taking short journeys.

Owning a Rickshaw enables a poor Indian family to have a debt free, good income producing small business that permanently supports them.

Sponsoring a Rickshaw is truly a gift that keeps on giving, day after day, year after year.

CHURCH TODAY | 27

Set Free From Poverty Set a family free from poverty by sponsoring a Rickshaw today

Forever!

Venkataramana & Simhachalam Karri Appalakonda Krishna Sponsored by Ans & Ivy Whitmore.

Venkataramana was a third generation Rickshaw driver who rented a Rickshaw from Rickshaw landlords for 9 years. Both his poor father and grandfather rented Rickshaws for over 60 years. Because they paid almost half of their income in rental they could never make enough money to buy their own Rickshaws, or to properly take care of all their family’s needs.

The slum hut that Venkataramana and his family stayed in had an open sewer running alongside it that had a terrible stench and rampant mosquitoes.They mostly ate boiled rice and tiny fish from a polluted lake. They were all in poor health and life was a constant struggle for them. They had few clothes and little footwear. Due to the family’s poverty the children had hardly ever been to school as they worked at many odd jobs to help out.

However since receiving their sponsored Rickshaw life has improved substantially. The family now lives in a clean house with another Rickshaw recipient family. It is nearby to the school that the children are now attending. Their daughter Appalakonda is doing really well at school and is the top student in her class. She wants to become a doctor and help discover a cure for malaria. On Saturdays she enjoys playing hockey. Their son Krishna is doing well at english and science and wants to study to be a teacher.

The debt free income from the Rickshaw business has enabled this family to have enough money for good nutritional food, clothes, blankets, healthcare, education and many other good things. They now have joy, hope and a much better future and are extremely appreciative for the quality of life that they now experience.

Rickshaw sponsorship sets families like the Karri’s free from poverty – forever!

28 | CHURCH TODAY

Rickshaws For India

PeopleAid’s - Rickshaws For India program busts the shackles of poverty that keep poor Indian families bound, and gives them the means to self-sufficiency and dignity. It is a program that has outstanding results as thousands of families have now been set free by receiving sponsored Rickshaws.

In India, Rickshaws are a major mode of taxi transportation for people taking short journeys. Those going to and from work and school, shoppers and business people all ride on Rickshaws. They are also used for moving goods and courier jobs. The government promotes their use as they are non-polluting. According to official records over 7 million Rickshaws are in use in India today.

Therefore sponsoring a Rickshaw enables an Indian family to have a debt free, good income producing small business that permanently supports them. This provides food, housing, clothing, healthcare, and a proper education for their children.

These families are just so grateful for their new Rickshaws and the better life they provide. Things that we take for granted they are now able to obtain. When being given their new Rickshaws many cry with joy, praising God for His goodness. Hope floods into their lives as they are liberated.

For most of them it is the first time in their lives that they can eat every day. They can choose to live in a community with clean water and sanitation instead of in the squalid, disease-ridden slums. Rather than the children being forced to work in dangerous sweat shops, they can go to school. They are able to afford adequate clothing and buy necessities like soap and toothbrushes. For once they have the possibility of saving some money rather than merely surviving day to day.

When you sponsor a Rickshaw for an Indian family, you can request either a beautiful A4 Card Photo Folder or a Photo Frame. Both have two photos of your sponsored family with their new Rickshaw along with a plaque with all of their names, which is personally authenticated by the thumbprint of the husband.

If requested we also sign write the sponsors name and/or message on the back of the Rickshaw. This is a treasure that you can display in your home or office to remember your Indian family by. It also assists you to share with others about the Rickshaws For India program.

A Rickshaw provides a poor Indian family with a debt free business, enabling them to permanently earn a good income and be self-supporting.

It is truly a gift that keeps on giving day after day, year after year.

Set a family free from poverty forever! – by sponsoring a Rickshaw today.

CHURCH TODAY | 29

PeopleAid

AUSTRALIA

PO Box 30370 LOWER HUTT 5040

NEW ZEALAND

SPONSOR ON LINE www.PeopleAid.org

Phone (08) 8325 2777 Fax (08) 8325 2999 emailaus@PeopleAid.org

✁

PeopleAid

SPONSOR BY MAIL Either use this form or the form on our website

PO Box 37 WOODCROFT SA 5162

Phone (04) 566 3777 Fax (04) 566 4777 emailnz@PeopleAid.org

SPONSOR BY PHONE FREE CALL 1800 677 337 (24/7) Australia 0800 74 25 74 (24/7) New Zealand

ABN 76 064 270 793

ABN 76 064 270 793

Sponsor A Rickshaw Yes I/we want to set families free from the bondage of poverty Rickshaw(s) at only: $700 Australian each. $750 New Zealand each. or ❑ This is a general donation for PeopleAid. Enclosed is $

❑ I/we would like to Sponsor Enclosed is $

Please make cheques payable to PeopleAid.

Thankyou. Kindly note that all gifts are receipted.

kindly debit my:

Name

Visa

BC/MC

Amex

Diners

Address

Cardholders name: Post Code Tel (

)

(

)

Expiry Date: $

Signature: One-time

$

Monthly

Email

For Rickshaw Sponsors Would you like your name and/or message to appear on the back of your Sponsored Rickshaw(s) / ❑ Yes / ❑ No Details Please send my/our Rickshaw Photos in a / ❑ Photo Folder - A4 Card / ❑ Photo Frame - 50cm x 30cm / ❑ No Photos 30 | CHURCH TODAY

management and administration

Maintaining

Church

up of people inistries are made All churches and m all people, no to make sure that nt rta po im is it d an Reverend well looked after. e ar le, ro eir th r issues matte es looks at six key oy M n do or G .

Dr the Hon. practical and orale and gives us m f af st ct fe af at th dress them. effective ways to ad

Staff Morale

I

t is one thing to minister in a church where it becomes possible to employ additional staff. It is another thing to maintain high staff morale once the number of paid people for each congregation increases. The first involves the skills of church growth; the second involves the skills of church management. Neither strategies are taught as a major item in most Bible colleges and seminararies, yet both are necessary skills for growing an effective ministry.

For fifty years I have been privileged to have always been part of a team ministry. From my first year as a student preacher when I added to my staff a paid secretary and then a paid youth worker, to the days when I had ten to fifteen staff in one church that rapidly grew to two hundred staff, finishing twenty seven years later with 4,600 paid employees in Australia’s largest ministry of any one church.

In each scenario I have faced the issue of maintaining staff morale.

Usually the best investment is to first appoint competent volunteers then a paid part-time secretary which releases the pastor to do more efficiently what he or she was trained to do. Then other staff can be added along with more unpaid volunteers.

In my experience six problems lower staff morale and their solutions are quite clear.

1. No clear job description: As good fences make for

good neighbours, so a good job delineation prevents many conflicts arising. One pastor I discussed this with recently told me he intended to tell the additional pastor exactly what he could and could not do. Wrong! Good motivation would involve the two pastors working together, discussing their strengths and weaknesses, the parameters the work entailed and the gifts of the Spirit they both had.

2. No sharing the glory: Every person called by God and equipped by training has a need to feel appreciated. One may be the team leader, but both need equal recognition.

See that it is done in the church bulletins and be aware of how they are both titled, what recognition they receive in public, who is given the credit for accomplishments and so on.

I have never used the term ‘Senior Pastor’ for myself.

That means my colleague must be junior in the eyes of others. Use terms to differentiate each other based upon each person’s major tasks. For the last decade of my active ministry I had a team of twenty-six ministers, pastors, youth leaders, and administrators. They were described by functional roles. To make sure they had maximum exposure before large crowds, they were involved in all major events and for my part, I never took the lead role in conducting celebrations, weddings, funerals and the like, even though I would attend these functions and was often asked by one of my colleagues to take part. Since retirement I have worked in a team of two as the junior partner with a colleague whose favourite adage is, “I share my glory with no man.”

3.

Lack of consensus thinking: Even in denominations that involve serried ranks of seniority with titles of command (for example Salvation Army, Anglican, Roman Catholic, Orthodox), it is now recognised that each member of staff has to be involved in the whole ministry of the church and this involves being part of the decision making process if ownership of the ministry is to be achieved. Leadership based upon military commands and rank, is just asking for trouble.

Weekly meetings, where each staff member reports, raises issues, accepts responsibilities, and decides on future direction are essential. I have also included key lay people in these meetings too who are valuable in giving insights, keeping the right balance and encouraging helpful directions. Leadership that depends upon the exercise of authority soon ceases to generate respect and positive response.

CHURCH TODAY | 31

4. Refusal to share responsibilities:

Once in doing research into church leadership styles in ministry, I visited over 300 churches in over 40 states of America. The most common complaint among staff was resentment against the senior minister by newer and usually younger pastors.

Typically, they complained that the leader insisted upon having the limelight and handed out all the difficult and often unpleasant jobs to the subordinates.

The way I handled this later with my colleagues was at a meeting to discuss the following year’s responsibilities.

We each placed on the table a card listing one of our major responsibilities from the past year. Soon there were several hundred cards, each listing one task that had to be done.

Then each colleague picked up a proportion of the tasks for the next year that they would like to undertake and for which they felt they had the skills and gifting. That left over some tasks that should be done but no one wanted. We then added to our bundles a number of these unwanted tasks – things that were necessary in the life of the church which no one wanted to do – on the understanding that those jobs would be yours for the next year only. A shared responsibility reduces criticism and raises morale.

5.

Not handling relationship issues: Every work situation involves positive handling of tensions otherwise they just ferment until they boil over. Problems openly tackled always have a solution. Only those left hidden

and simmering poison the system. If one colleague keeps spreading pessimism concerning the church, raise that issue. Handle the attitude, do not reject the person. If another lies, handle the issue, and do not avoid it.

6.

Lack of personal socialisation: The worst working environment for clergy, pastoral staff and administrators is to have everyone in a church office for a great deal of the time. The place for staff is usually in the field doing their work. Roster your days in the church office so at least someone is there for casual callers. Socialise at a set time round your set appointments. A weekly coffee time, a fortnightly barbecue, a night with a sports team becomes essential. A number of my staff preferred to work from home, but on a Tuesday morning we met weekly and some of our remote colleagues in church plants came in once a month for lunch.

Jesus worked in a team, some of whom were racially, ethnically and religiously different from the rest. Yet he was a leader who held them all (save one) and they served him faithfully, even after his death and departure from them.

Churches grow best whenever a team works efficiently and effectively. CT REV THE HON. DR GORDON MOYES, A.C., M.L.C.

print & post... quality clean fast. post.

short run. environment.

volume.

transactional.

Lane Print and Post is committed to the care and protection of the environment. Lane Print and Post has long been certified to world’s best practice standards through ISO9001:2000 and is in the process of conforming to ISO14001:2004 Environmental Management Systems Certification.

CALL 08 8179 9900 and speak to an Account manager about your next print project.

32 | CHURCH TODAY

Quality System

T FSC accredited paper products T CTP water saving technology T 55% less energy use through perfecting printing T vegetable based inks T varnish free print T 100% degradable food grade mailing plastic T full plant recycling T personal ownership and staff commitment to the environment South Australia’s largest privately owned dedicated Printing, Mailing and Distribution Company. www.laneprint.com.au Quality Endorsed Company AS/NZS 9002 Lic 6308 Standards Australia

THE CHANGING FACE OF COOMBA PARK RETREAT

He leads me beside the still waters and He restores my soul. Ps 23 THE HISTORY In the 80’s, Roz and Phil Baker saw a unique opportunity for Christian ministry. Inspired by the 23rd Psalm, they opened a boutique retreat for families and small groups to enjoy fellowship and restoration in a beautiful lakeside setting. Over the years the Bakers played host to thousands of Christians looking for a place of quiet reflection to study the Word of God and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.

THE TIME HAS COME FOR A NEW VISION. THE RETREAT IS NOW

FOR SALE

THE OPPORTUNITY For a church or individual to purchase this unique property.

An approved tourist facility on 10 acres with development and subdivision potential near Forster NSW. THE RETREAT CENTRE: 6 large ensuite rooms. Huge combined lounge/dining kitchen area, plus a demountable meeting room currently used as a gym.

THE HOMESTEAD: 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an office, modern country kitchen, breakfast room, lounge/dining and large rumpus room.

12 METRE SALT WATER POOL. HUGE SHED WITH WORKSHOP: Extensive lawns, wildlife, native and tropical gardens and fruit trees.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PROPERTY IN THE HANDS OF A CHRISTIAN GUARDIAN NB: The retreat is currently closed. Price is for real estate only.

$1,790,000 Enquiries: Roz Baker. 02 6554 2113 or 0400 629 768 Email: rozbaker@mail.com

THINK ON THIS: The Israelites wandered in the dessert for 40-years before entering the Promised CHURCH Land TODAY | 33

Marketing

TAKING YOUR

CHURCH TO MARKET W

e live in a world of product development, branding, marketing and advertising. People invent new things, they find creative ways of taking them to market and then those products, for better or for worse, change the way we live.

And in a world cluttered with options – each one clamouring for our attention and demanding our hard earned dollar – having a great product isn’t enough. To be successful, not only do you have to tell people about your product, but you also have to connect it into their lives in a meaningful way – in a way that convinces them to consume it.

But should we, God’s church, stoop to the level of this world? Should we become like those crass commercial marketers in peddling our message? Should we demean the Gospel in this way?

Those are good questions. So consider this.

When God engaged this world through his Son, not only did he become one of us, he told the world that he had arrived.

To the shepherds he sent angels. And to the magi – the astrologers, the soothsayers from the east; people whom, had I been God, would probably never even have been invited – what did he send? A prophet? A Scroll? No! He sent them…a star!

Think about it. What edgy marketing! He communicates with them on their terms.

Remember, God forbids astrology and divination in his Word. He hates the magi’s sin, but he loves them so much, that he sends them a star! A sign that they could relate to. One that they could understand. And without that stunning piece of creative marketing to draw them to his Son, they would never have known and never have come and never have worshipped!

Read the Bible afresh to see not only what God says through his prophets, his Son and his church, but how – and we discover that it’s full of contemporary models of engagement, intensely relevant to the people of the time, without once watering down the message.

34 | CHURCH TODAY

should we market God? There is a need for the church to be relevant in society, to be in the world but not of it. Berni Dymet looks at the issue of marketing your church and why it is important.

In spreading the Gospel through the first century church, God used things “of the world.” He used the Roman roads and transport infrastructure that crisscrossed the Roman Empire. He used the widely spoken Greek language.

These were the conduits through which the Gospel was propagated. Without them, it would never have been taken to market.

My hunch is that in the world in which we live – branding and marketing are no more secular or evil than those Roman roads and the Greek language. They are in fact the conduits of today through which the Gospel, in part, can be propagated.

Having a good product ain’t enough. We have to tell people about it.

The Building And like it or not, the most tangible and prominent representation of many a local church in the eyes of the people around it, is its building. Can I be blunt at this point? There are so many scrappy, poorly maintained, dowdy church buildings that litter our communities.

Any retailer will tell you that what you do at the point of sale has a huge impact on what and how much people buy.

I was sitting with a pastor one day and with great enthusiasm he was telling me about the plans and strategies he was developing for reaching the community outside the four walls of the church. So I grabbed him by the hand and walked him outside the front of his building and asked him what he saw.

It was a contemporary building, but with a hotchpotch of crooked, faded, multi-coloured, amateurish signs for Judo, Taekwondo, Pilates, childcare and coffee (to name just a few), plastered in the front window. Leaves blowing in the front door. Rubbish lying outside and in the corner of the sterile foyer with a stale smell, a half dead parlour palm.

You don’t have to be Einstein to figure it out do you? Is it any wonder that people aren’t knocking down our doors

to discover the truth?

The sense of place matters. Just wander down to your local shopping centre and have a look around with a fresh set of eyes. And sure, what works in the hedonistic eastern suburbs of Sydney or Melbourne is going to be quite different to what works in Oodnadatta, or what works for the Philippine community in Darwin.

But we get the drift right? So often the building is just the hand that we’ve been dealt. But imagine if we made the most of it? Imagine if we removed this simple roadblock to faith. Well?

The Brand The longer a church has been around, the more sacred its name becomes.

The Message As a communicator I have a rather bizarre hobby. I collect really, really bad forms of communication. Things that are conspicuously ineffective. Messages that set out to do one thing but achieve exactly the opposite. Eh – it’s a hobby.

And those corny signs that many a church puts up, like “Jesus accepts damaged goods” and “This church isn’t full of hypocrites, there’s always room for more.” I see those and I want to scream!

Not sure if you’ve noticed, but ‘church’ is a four letter word. To the average punter out on the street it’s at best irrelevant and at worst dangerous. Into that context, what message are we sending out?

I visited one church recently, where a young woman stood up during the service and through tears told of the

The purpose of a brand is to convey the essence of the product in a way that effectively engages hearts and minds in the contemporary context. It’s a vehicle that speaks meaning and trust in today’s language, and for the contemporary Church it is therefore a strategic tool in our hands for propagating the Gospel.

“But we’ve always been called St Smithereens!” Great!

But let me ask you this – does the brand have any value in your community? Is it relevant? Does it draw people to Jesus like that star?

Am I suggesting we should all race out and change the names of our churches? No. But my hunch is that a few of us should seriously ask the question.

What was once Trans Australian Airlines became TAA, which became Australian Airlines, which then merged with Qantas. A branding and corporate transition that didn’t come without its cost, effort and pain. But tell me – which works better as an iconic brand that connects deep into the psyche of every Australian? ‘TAA’ or the flying kangaroo that still calls Australia home?

On the other hand, the iconic brand of Vegemite has remained unchanged over its billion jar history. So it’s not about change for the sake of change. It’s a question of what actually works.

And the purpose of a brand is to convey the essence of the product in a way that effectively engages hearts and minds in the contemporary context. It’s a vehicle that speaks meaning and trust in today’s language, and for the contemporary Church it is therefore a strategic tool in our hands for propagating the Gospel.

As much as we may be emotionally attached to the tradition of our brand (and tradition is not a bad thing), the question is this: Does it work?

I know how tough a question that may be. But which matters more, tradition or mission? Our name or his? Our brand or his glory shining in the hearts of the lost?

LeaDev - langham Developing World Leadership

Passionate Advocates for: Leadership Development International Influential Leadership Training - double the rate, half the cost!

langham partnership new zealand Equipping a New Generation of Bible Teachers

Humanitarian Development International Compassionate Action – Life Worth Living for the Poor & Oppressed

Tony Plews, Executive Director Ph: 09 - 376 5190 | Mob: 021 - 683 393 tony.plews@ldi.co.nz www.ldi.co.nz | www.langhampartnership.org.nz CHURCH TODAY | 35

mighty way that the people of this church had cared for her as a single mum when she was at rock bottom. It was through that love that she came to Christ – a testament to the power of the Gospel through the body of Christ. There was not one person in that service who wasn’t moved by the Spirit to think, “This is what ‘church’ is meant to be.”

But you visit that church’s website – the global billboard of this loving Christian community – and what you find is a list of service times, programs, activities, long and complex statements of faith and not one thing that tells the powerful story of the transformation wrought by the Word of God through the Spirit of God amidst the family of God in the life of this young woman.

It’s so sad. A two minute video of that young woman’s testimony on the homepage – isn’t that the message? Isn’t that the thing that’s going to engage people’s hearts to the power and grace of God’s community?

Creative Communicators I’m not here to offend or to suggest that anyone out there has all the answers. My aim is to challenge and to unsettle.

To prod and to poke and to ask some hard questions.

The thing that works against us so often is this sense that, well, it’s always been this way and the elders or the church council would never let us paint the front door a different colour. And anyhow, we don’t have the money to redevelop the website.

The list of excuses is as long as the average arm and

then some.

But lurking in the pews of a church near you is a bunch of creative communicators. The young graphic artist with a passion for mission – this subversive young communicator who can redesign the logo and the signage into ‘todayspeak.’ The young web developer who’s just had her second child and who’s sitting at home itching to use her gifts for the glory of God. The marketing executive who can help redefine our message in a way that truly engages the hearts of your community. The retired engineer, now a budding handyman, for whom there would be no greater delight than to wield a hammer, a broom and a paintbrush.

All they need is the opportunity. The call to use their creativity for the glory of God. And then just imagine.

Imagine the possibilities… CT Following almost two decades as a management and IT consultant working in over 250 organisations around the world, Berni Dymet is now the CEO of Christianityworks, an Australian based media ministry. His radio programs reach millions of people each week with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in over 120 countries around the world.

www.christianityworks.com

Stay in, climb a rock-face, toast marshmallows. Be served three hot meals a day and hot chocolate before bed. Explore the great outdoors on a bushwalk, horse ride along a rugged bush trail, curl up in a heated lodge, cook damper by a campfire.

Winter is alive with activity at Vision Valley. Check out our special offer for June, July and August and book now for your winter escape.

discover/grow/express/shine/nurture/unique/potential/hope/soul/vision/dream/Vision Valley Wesley Mission is a part of the Uniting Church in Australia.

36 | CHURCH TODAY

VV9633APR09

Ph. 1800 043 344 www.visionvalley.org.au

Finances

FINANCIAL ROAD MAPS IN CHURCH

LIFE

In today’s economically turbulent times, leading a church can be likened to taking a road trip into a new part of the country using a GPS or a road map. Using a straightforward comparison, here are some key pointers that will assist you to reach your financial destination in a refreshed and strong position… Graeme Kirkwood

Map out the trip by entering the destination Financial planning, management and strategic planning are essential. Financial budgets, staff budgets and capital expenditure budgets are key foundational pillars that become the road map for the church to guide it to its destination. Globally, many churches overlook the importance of budgeting for the church’s journey and discover en route that there are unforeseen difficulties.

leading the church. In unpredictable or uncertain times it is especially important to regularly look forward and project the future revenue and spending patterns and to make adjustments to suit conditions ahead of time.

Regularly check reference points along the way The voice that we ‘love to hate’ on our GPS gives us updates as we progress along the journey. When we deviate from the required route it screeches at us ‘recalculating.’ As we advance through the financial year we must regularly check our progress against the planned budgets. The facts of the financial reports should not be ignored but rather combined with the wisdom of the eldership or board. There are times we must ‘recalculate’ income and spending to avoid early termination of the church’s journey. At a minimum, smaller church boards should meet quarterly, larger churches monthly.

Check for blind spots Recently we have observed an increasing number of churches that have built trading revenue into their operations as a means to support daily church costs such as wages and programs. While the entrepreneurial approach is to be applauded, this approach does contain significant risk. In our reviews we often find that church staff do not have the expertise to run a business – for example a coffee shop or design business – and in time the church begins to subsidise the business, not the other way around. It is important that the true costs of running these businesses are well researched and provided for before ploughing funds into them in a bid to support regular church costs. Strategically, it is better to commit these intended surpluses to discretionary projects as opposed to fixed committed expenditures such as wages.

Don’t drive by the rear view mirror Many church boards spend time focusing only on the past financial results. While this is important, past results only disclose where the church has already been. In driving our cars we spend more time looking forward than looking out the rear view mirror and the same principle applies in

Know the road regulations In the eyes of many state and federal authorities, churches and charities are viewed as another industry segment. In much the same way, we have regulations over employment, health and safety, taxation and building or facility management. It is important that we know what CHURCH TODAY | 37

be inspired and refreshed

“

IN OUR REVIEWS WE OFTEN FIND THAT CHURCH STAFF DO NOT HAVE THE EXPERTISE TO RUN A BUSINESS – FOR EXAMPLE A COFFEE SHOP OR DESIGN BUSINESS – AND IN TIME THE CHURCH BEGINS TO SUBSIDISE THE BUSINESS, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

these regulations are. Recently we have encountered churches that overlooked regulations over superannuation remittances, building permits, facility use and fire regulations, that resulted in significant financial penalties or a restriction on use. The road trip of life is always more secure if we know the ‘rules of the road’.

Stop and ask for directions Yes, there are times when even the GPS doesn’t make sense! Recently, while in Brisbane, it instructed me to do a U-turn on a main road with a solid concrete barrier. As church leaders, we are privileged to be surrounded by other churches, denominational and movement offices and independent specialists who can assist us when we enter unknown or unfamiliar territory. Don’t be too proud or scared to ask for help.

Whilst we are currently in uncertain economic times that leave us vulnerable to additional risk, the faithfulness of God on one side and the consistent vision, good governance and due diligence on the other, puts the local Church in a distinct position to emerge secure and strong. CT

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

God is disappearing from New Zealand NEW ZEALAND

WITHOUT

GOD?

God is gradually but surely disappearing from the New Zealand social scene in favour of secular, neo-pagan beliefs and practices.

If we project present statistical trends Christianity will be only a small rump by the middle of the 21st century.

Yet New Zealand society has been influenced considerably throughout its history.

by Christian values

What would happen to our society if Christian values were wiped out? How would we live? Would secular atheism rule, or Buddhism or Islam or what?

In this unique book George Bryant makes a plea for a renewed, better society based on a set of six core values, values with which all social groups and religions could agree. They provide the key to developing a “good society”.

What we need is the collective will to implement them.

Is the way forward, however, to try and save true Christianity from itself?

For the sake of our future every Kiwi should read this book.

What would happen if Christian values were wiped out? A unique book which makes a plea for a renewed society based on six core values.

Every Kiwi and Aussie should read it!

God is gradually but surely disappearing from the New Zealand social scene in favour of secular, neo-pagan beliefs and practices.

ORDER FROM:

GEORGE BRYANT

www. christianwoman. com.au

www.globalchurchsolutions.com

NEW ZEALAND WITHOU T GOD?

For more info visit

Graeme Kirkwood, through Global Church Solutions provides financial, management, taxation and strategic planning advice to churches and ministries in nine different countries. Contact details, free download resources and information can be obtained at

GEORGE BRYAN T

“A landmark book”….”An insightful and unflinching examination.”

Whau Publications, Box 7031, Tauranga, NZ$27.95 plus p & p 38 | CHURCH TODAY

You wouldn’t let your church look this way...

So your online & marketing presence is no different.

At BBD Agency we specialise in design & web.

Visit us at www.bbdagency.com or call 1300 726 625 CHURCH TODAY | 39

Influence

from POWER to Influence DR JOEL EDWARDS, DIRECTOR OF MICAH CHALLENGE, ASKS CHURCHES TO WORK TO A NEW MANDATE; TO REMEMBER THE POOR AND TAKE THE SIDE OF THE OPPRESSED JUST AS GOD DOES. THAT’S WHEN INSTITUTIONAL POWER BECOMES GRASSROOTS INFLUENCE. PETER HALLETT REPORTS.

40 | CHURCH TODAY

“

GOD HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON THE SIDE OF THE OPPRESSED, FROM THE VERY DAWN OF HIS WORK WITH ISRAEL. GOD, WHO REDEEMED THE ISRAELITES FROM SLAVERY.”

P

revailing churches in the 21st century are those that comprehend Christianity’s shift from institutional power to grassroots influence, according to International Director of Micah Challenge, Reverend Dr Joel Edwards.

During his recent visit to Australia, Dr Edwards said the church had to come to terms with living in an almost ‘pre-Constantine’ era which required it to “demonstrate the power of the gospel not just in the pulpit but on the pavement.”

He went on to say, “The church has to move away from having a faith based on a defensive posture. Since

“We no longer have the institutional power the church once had, but we still have influence. And as cultures implode, the church is well placed to be influential as it is one of the few bodies that are present in communities 24/7.” the1960s we feel like we’re losing the moral battle; with the rise of multiculturalism we feel like we are losing our power base in society.

“For many Christians it feels like they have been locked into a time-space capsule and sent back to the 1st century where the church is on the same level as everyone else.

“We may no longer have the institutional power the church once had, but we still have influence. And as cultures implode, the church is well placed to be influential as it is one of the few bodies that are present in communities 24/7.”

He cited his meetings with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith as examples of grassroots influence rather than institutional power.

“I was able to meet Kevin Rudd and senior ministers, in the midst of a global economic crisis, because I am part of a group [Micah Challenge] that is seen to be doing something on the ground.

“We need to be prepared to swap power for influence,” he said.

Micah Challenge is an international evangelical organisation founded by the World Evangelical Alliance, which networks with hundreds of Christian relief and development bodies to formulate a global Christian response to the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals. At the top of the list is halving world poverty by 2015.

Dr Edwards was in Australia to speak at Micah Challenge’s ‘Voices for Justice’ national gathering in Canberra and it was during his stay there that he met with the Prime

Minister. At the same time, young conference delegates lobbied 102 Members of Parliament about social justice issues.

Speaking about the future of the church in Australia, he said the greatest single challenge was the same for churches in other developed nations – how to position ourselves as the people of God in the public square.

Growing up in a Pentecostal church, first in the Caribbean and then in London, Dr Edwards described his own ministry journey from the single focus of personal discipleship to include an understanding of Christian citizenship in the world, particularly in realigning the church with God’s concern for the poor and oppressed.

“This isn’t a director of Micah Challenge trying to be novel for the sake of political credit or to authenticate some kind of left-wing agenda, it’s actually radically Biblical,” Dr Edwards said.

“God has always been on the side of the oppressed, from the very dawn of his work with Israel. God, who redeemed the Israelites from slavery. And equally, Paul in Galatians 2 spoke of the Apostles in Jerusalem saying they would lay no further burdens on him, except that he should remember the poor. And he said, ‘I do that anyway.’

Imagine a church that holds at the centre of its mission precisely that paradigm, ‘remember the poor.’

“I think these things speak of the heart of the agenda of God’s mission. If there was no rescuing to be done, there would be no church. That rescue package begins with encountering Christ through the forgiveness of our sins and a right relationship with God. That is foundational, that is non-negotiable; that is the starting point of any work of Biblical transformation.

“But I’m also convinced that this rescue is also to be expressed corporately through our citizenship and the way in which God has called us to live and worship.

“I am just as Pentecostal and Evangelical as ever, but with a few added appendices,” he said. “I encourage people in churches to take this journey. It’s a painful but necessary one.”

Evangelicals often only had three social issues they would comment on – sex, marriage and homosexuality, Dr Edwards said. “We need the courage to not always talk about these issues only, but see there is a much broader role for the church encompassing God’s heart for the poor.”

A defining experience for Dr Edwards has been his 14 years working in the Probation Service in the United Kingdom. “[It was] discovering that God really cared about the prisoner. And that the suffering, the pain of injustice, the weight of the criminal justice system and the reality of sin CHURCH TODAY | 41

You wouldn’t drink it... ... why

should they?

You and your church can help Samaritan’s Purse achieve the goal of bringing hope to 30,000 people this year through the gift of safe water.

Discover how: www.turnonthetap.org.au

and human failure was palpable.

“And so to stand in the pulpit and preach pietism when the following day I was going to go out and see young men in prison, older women in prison and people dysfunctional in the courts, wasn’t possible. I could not disassociate those two things. I began to realise just how much God was involved within these parts of life.”

Perhaps the greatest ‘challenge’ for Micah Challenge, is convincing Evangelical churches (including Charismatic and Pentecostal churches) to take up social action as part of their identity, when often there is a fear this will minimise the clarity of the gospel message.

In response, Dr Edwards says, “We have to stop running away from shadows. I think there’s a big shadow over Evangelical and Pentecostal faith and it’s the shadow of the social gospel that sprang up in the 1930s, which suggested, wrongly, that social action – social and political engagement – was sufficient in God’s eyes for mission.

“That has never been true from the Bible of authentic Christian faith and the social imperatives of the gospel do not equal social gospel theology.”

Dr Edwards tackles this issue in his recent book, An Agenda for Change (Zondervan 2008). In it he includes comments from acclaimed theologian, Alistair McGrath.

“Alistair said that the social gospel got one thing right and everything else wrong. ‘What God has put together, let no man put asunder.’ And God has put together social care and care of the soul and we should never be afraid of that.

And I think we run from shadows if we tell ourselves that social action is the social gospel. It is not.”

The mandate of Micah Challenge is to equip and enable the Christian Church to respond to its mission to the poor in a coordinated way, with specific reference to the Millennium Goals.

“We have two aims. [The first is] to deepen our [Evangelical] commitment to the poor around the world; within that we produce Bible and prayer resources to help the church fulfil its Biblical obligation; to awaken the consciousness of the church to its spiritual and biblical responsibilities. To that extent, we are seeking to deepen people’s spirituality, in a Christian worship context.

“And our second aim is to advocate with and for the poor, holding governments accountable to, we think, their godly covenant with the poor.”

Micah Challenge takes its name and its mandate from the prophet Micah, who wrote, ‘What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God,’ Micah 6:8. CT

For more information about Micah Challenge and its resources for local churches, visit www.micahchallenge.org. au, email info@micahchallenge.org.au or call 02 9453 1586.

Peter Hallett was a full-time journalist and editor and is now the pastor of Eternity Christian Church.

FOR SAFE ACCESSIBLE WATER

IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD

42 | CHURCH TODAY

Arkhouse FPC

CHURCH TODAY | 43

44 | CHURCH TODAY

Family

tinned ravioli Isn’t Always BORING

W

e sat around the rickety old table eating canned ravioli in the old Italian villa that was now a youth hostel somewhere along the Italian Riviera. Conversation had centred for some time now around what day it was because none of us could remember. We laughed as we counted back each experience we had had, trying to figure out if it was Wednesday or Thursday. Finally we concluded that whatever day it was, this was definitely the sign of a good holiday. What’s more, the name of the day didn’t really matter. It was the people sitting around the table who mattered.

Before we had children, Graeme and I wrote down a vision for our family. One of the dreams we were both definite about was to take our children on a European experience.

We wanted them to experience history as they never had before, to see what a mountain really looked like and to understand why authors through the ages are enamoured with the seasons, with pine forests and glistening oceans.

It took us fifteen years to fulfil that vision, sacrificing certain things along the way. And here we were. The delightful thing was that we were totally satisfied in each other’s company. As we sat around the table that night I realised the amazing blessing God had given us – we were best friends.

Being best friends doesn’t mean it was always perfect.

We had plenty of sibling rivalry along the back seat and lost a few tempers trying to keep up with all the school work.

But there was a contentment that was part of that vision we first drew up fifteen years ago. They had been fifteen busy years, growing a Christian school that almost every year was launching into a new building program, ministering in a growing Church and raising three boys and a little girl. How do you achieve balance with all the demands of work and ministry and have a balanced family life?

The fulcrum principle All of us have read a myriad of articles and heard a long list of speakers talking about balance – but balance isn’t that easy to achieve, especially when you have a list of things in your life and you have to prioritise them one to 10. Once

Bringing up children and balancing family with ministry can be a huge challenge for many parents.

Sue Irwin shares some of the wisdom God has taught her on raising children and has discovered that his principles are always true and that his love never fails. you get it all worked out, life suddenly tips the balance and you throw that last piece of paper in the bin. Wayne Cordeiro, Senior Pastor of New Hope Community Church, Hawaii, talks about the principle of the fulcrum. A fulcrum is a support on which a lever pivots. He says that when the balance tips one way heavily, move the fulcrum. In simple terms, if the Church is placing heavy demands on me this week, explain this to your family, gain their support and next week intentionally put time aside for your spouse and children. Plan to do certain special things together. Other things will go on hold.

The fulcrum principle only works however if it is built on a much more solid foundation. There is something that has to take place in the heart of a parent that ensures that you will find success in raising children and having a balanced family life.

Growing solid roots Proverbs 14:26 says, “He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress and for his children it will be a refuge.” The bottom line of most relationship problems is fear. We fear rejection, failure, loneliness, lack of control and all these factors drive us to act in ways that ultimately ruin relationships.

The same can happen to the parent/child relationship. We fear being bad parents. We fear they will rebel or that we will not be good enough or that they will get into the wrong company. Fear drives us to be too strict or too soft, or nagging or smothering or distant. Sometimes we are still trying to recover from our own childhood, let alone trying to develop someone else’s. I believe without a shadow of a doubt, that it is God’s ultimate desire for us to succeed as parents. I also believe that because of his amazing grace, our success as parents does not depend on how good we are, but on how faithful he is. When we have the proper reverential fear of God then that is the answer to all our fears.

When you set the vision for your family, see your children as he sees them. See the potential he has placed in each one. Speak to them words that reveal what they will become. Proverbs 18:21, “The tongue has the power of life CHURCH TODAY | 45

and death and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Speak life into your children. People will speak so many negatives into your children. Your role is to balance them out. So many times I had people say in front of my children, “Well they may be good now, but wait until their teens. They’ll be dreadful then. They always are.”

As soon as we moved away I would say, “What a shame they don’t know you as I do. I couldn’t ask for better children and I know that will never change.” And it never did.

“Your impact on your children’s lives is proportional to the depth of relationship you have fostered with them,” – George Barna. In his research of parents who have raised ‘spiritual champions’ Barna discovered that these parents spend a significant amount of time each day simply talking.

In fact, most of these parents say that they talk with their children between 90 and 120 minutes a day. This means dinner around the table, less television, more stories, engaging in homework and a good bedtime chat and prayer.

Spiritual nurture of children can be a part of all this.

Make it a habit to talk to God together at any time. Praise him for a win at sport. Pray for another person when you hear about their problem. Let Jesus be a natural part of your life. Delight in him together. Deuteronomy 6: 5-9 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” In other words let your natural life be spiritual and your spiritual life be natural.

It’s a family affair Many years ago I read that every family has a ministry.

This profoundly affected the raising of our children. We never saw ministry as mine and his. Ministry became “ours” and that “ours” has always included our children.

As the ministries have grown, so we have grown into them as a family. The children pray with us, share ideas with us, encourage us and they have always known that as they grow they have gifts and talents to use as well. We know as a family, that the kingdom of God is what we are all about. It is not a trial that we have to endure but a privilege. Now that three of my children are adults, each is still passionate about ministry and each has been able to find how to use his unique gifts to build the Kingdom of God. When I held my firstborn child in my arms I was overwhelmed with the knowledge that this child was a gift from Heaven. This child was God’s child and he had entrusted him to me. What a privilege and a responsibility. “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him,” (Psa 27:3). Of all the missions we are given, we have a mission from God to prepare each child with whom he entrusts us, for life. During parenting years, they need to be our main earthly focus. This is how God builds his Kingdom.

We need to gather people around us with the same vision. We need to encourage each other with this awesome 46 | CHURCH TODAY

responsibility and privilege. There is an African proverb that says, “It takes a whole village to raise a child.” Your church needs to be that village. It needs to be a village that walks with you celebrating your victories and comforting you in times of difficulties, not condemning but always reminding you of your Father’s love. CT Sue Irwin is the senior pastor of the Grainery Christian Network married to Graeme who is executive principal of St Philip’s Christian Colleges. She has three sons: Josh, Sam and Caleb, a daughter, Phoebe and a daughter-inlaw, Eva.

“Your impact on your children’s lives is proportional to the depth of relationship you have fostered with them.” (George Barna) We know as a family that the kingdom of God is what we are all about. It is not a trial that we have to endure but a privilege.

When you set the vision for your family, see your children as he sees them. See the potential he has placed in each one.

church today

subscribe to

chu rch today [ Equipping Chu rch

leaders for effe

ctive ministry

Maintaining HIGH staff morale ys 7 wa REVITA LISE to you r chu rch

THE BREWERY LE & THEtoBIB do church that

SUBSCRIPTION OFFER

]

roadmaps Financial chu rch life in

Church Today for only $19.95.

cially wise in our How to be finaneconomic climate current

Or for $29.95 receive:

Taking the rket chu rch to maGOD ?

KET

SHOULD WE MAR

A new way s Australia is spreading acros

DayStarchu rch today Vol 9 No 3 April/May 2009 GST) RRP $4.95 (incl

chu

ay rch tod ders for

urch lea ping Ch

e effectiv

ing with the World [ Equipping Christi ans Engag

7 wREayVsITALISE

e7lism REVITALISE vang to ways

wis ncially mic climate no be fina How to current eco

Y EWER E that THE BR E BIdoBL church alia &neTH to str w way oss Au

art

he “My

the Taking ket mar D? GO urch to

ch

LD WE

SHOU

E s for

sfire

Cros

maps ial road life Financ in churche in our

to church your

for effective minist

chu rc

ry ]

Maintaining HIGH staff morale

] ministry

[ Equip

ining Maintastaff HIGH le mora

Church leaders

t just

for

er in

pray

ral,

gene

but

for

will

out

g ab

brin

ping

g.”

your church

pray

THE BREWERY & THE BIBLE

A new way to do church that is spreading across Australia

Financial roadmap in church lifes

How to be financia lly wise in our current econom ic climate

T GOD?

rs for

h toda

ef fec

y Story

tive mi ni

str y

]

y

Financ ial road m in ch to be urch aps life currefinancia

THE & TH BREWERY E BIBLE

How

nt ec lly wise onom in ou ic clim r ate

A new is spreaway to do ch ding acros urch that s Austr alia

vampire myth

CONTEMPLATING

leade

7w to R ays your EVITA LISE church

Taking the church to market

SHOULD WE MARKE

The Pat Buckle

A ding acr is sprea

Chur ch

Ma HIGintaining moraH staff le

enin

awak

a sp

is no

Twilight and the

ET

MARK

at er th

al iritu

[ Equip

church Taking th to mar e LD WE ket MARK

SHOU

MATHEMATICS

ET GO

D?

d f New Zealan ion Network o n with the Vis In associatio

Church Today & Christian Woman

OR

Church Today & DayStar (NZ only)

OR

Church Today (4 issues) Christian Woman (6 issues) Alive (6 issues) Daystar (6 issues)

Church Today & Alive

Don’t miss out! Offer ends 30/06/2009. Fax to 1300 72 66 06 to subscribe today or return the coupon below.     

Please subscribe me to: Church Today for $19.95 (4 issues) Church Today & Christian Woman for $29.95 Church Today & DayStar for $29.95 (NZ only) Church Today & Alive for $29.95

PAYMENT DETAILS

 I enclose my cheque/money order payable to Alive

SUBSCRIPTION 1 Ms/Miss/Mrs/Mr _______________________________________ Church _______________________________________ Address _______________________________________ _______________________________________ Postcode ___________ Telephone___________________ Email _______________________________________ SUBSCRIPTION 2 Ms/Miss/Mrs/Mr _______________________________________ Church _______________________________________ Address _______________________________________ _______________________________________ Postcode ___________ Telephone___________________ Email _______________________________________ Subscribing to:

_______________________________________

OUR GUARANTEE |

Please allow 6-8 weeks for your magazine.

Tax Invoice ABN 58 090 450 285

Or please debit my 

Visa



MasterCard



AMEX

Card No. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Expiry date | | | | |

Amount _________________________

Cardholder’s name _____________________________________ Signature_____________________________________________

AUSTRALIA Fax now to subscribe: 1300 72 66 06 Call now to subscribe: 1300 360 802 Detach and post to: PO BOX 163 North Sydney, NSW 2059 NEW ZEALAND Fax now to subscribe: 09 416 0444 Call now to subscribe: 0800 477 774 Detach and Post to: PO Box 47212 Ponsonby, Auckland 1144

CTL00409 If you are not completely satisifed with your subscription to CHURCH TODAY | 47 Church Today, we will give you a FULL REFUND no questions asked!

News

WHAT THE

ARE SAYING

[

[

NUMBERS

So me int erest ing st at ist ics a b out church and relig io n fro m New Zealand, Aust r alia and Amer i c a

NEW ZEALAND The religious affiliation question in the 2006 Census shows some interesting results about how New Zealanders view religion.

Christian religions In the 2006 Census, just over 2 million people, or 55.6 % of those answering the religious affiliation question, affiliated with a Christian religion (including Māori Christian). This compares with the 2001 Census, when 60.6 % of people affiliated with a Christian religion.

Despite an overall decrease in people affiliating with Christian religions, some Christian denominations increased and some decreased. The five largest Christian denominations in 2001 remained the largest in 2006. There were increases in the number of people affiliating with Catholic denominations, a 4.7% increase from 485,637 to 508,437, and Methodist denominations, a 1% increase from120,546 to 121,806. But there were notable decreases in the number of people affiliating with the Anglican denomination, the Presbyterian, Congregation and Reformed denomination, and with Christian not further defined (Christian, with no denomination stated).

There were, however, larger increases in affiliations with other Christian denominations between 2001 and 2006. The number of people affiliating with Orthodox Christian religions increased by 37.8 %, affiliation with Evangelical, Born Again and Fundamentalist religions increased by 25.6 %, and affiliation with Pentecostal religions increased by 17.8 %.

Just over 8 in 10 Pacific peoples (80.2 % or 199,983 people) who answered the religious affiliation question identified with Christian religions.

Of the people of Māori ethnicity who answered the religious affiliation question, 11.1 % identified with a Māori Christian religion, such as Ratana and Ringatū.

48 | CHURCH TODAY

Other religions In contrast with the small decrease in people affiliating with Christian religions between 2001 and 2006, there was an increase in people affiliating with non-Christian religions.

The number of people indicating an affiliation with the Sikh religion increased from 5,196 to 9,507 (up 83.0 %) between 2001 and 2006, while people affiliated with either Hinduism (up from 39,798 to 64,392) or Islam (up from 23,631 to 36,072) also increased by more than 50 % (61.8 % and 52.6 %, respectively).

The increases in affiliation with these non-Christian religions is mainly attributed to migrants, particularly from Asia. Almost 8 in 10 people (78.8 %) affiliated with the Hindu religion were born overseas, particularly in Southern Asia and the Pacific Islands. A similar proportion of people affiliating with Islam (77.0 %) were born overseas, mainly in Southern Asia, but also in the Middle East. The majority of people born overseas affiliating with Buddhism (37,590 people) were born in Asia (34,422 people).

Of the people born overseas affiliating with Hindu and Muslim religions, almost half (49.8 % and 48.0 %, respectively) had arrived in New Zealand less than five years ago. More than one-third (36.1 %) of overseas-born Buddhists arrived in New Zealand less than five years ago.

No religion The number and proportion of people indicating that they had no religion continued to increase in the 2006 Census.

In 2006, 1,297,104 people (34.7 %) stated that they had no religion, compared with 1,028,052 people (29.6 %) in the 2001 Census.

Younger people were more likely to be recorded as having no religion. Over 4 in 10 (43.0 %) children (aged 0 to 14 years) were recorded as having no religion, compared with over 1 in 10 (11.8 %) people aged 65 years and over.

The European and New Zealander ethnic groups had the highest proportions of people stating that they had no religion, at 37.7 % (955,260 people) and 37.6 % (155,268

people), respectively. People in the Middle Eastern, Latin American and African ethnic grouping were least likely to state that they had no religion, with 11.0 % or 3,651 people in this group giving this response in the 2006 Census.

You can find these statistics at http://www.stats.govt. nz/census/2006-census-data/quickstats-about-cultureidentity/quickstats-about-culture-and-identity.htm

AUSTRALIA Who is going to church these days? The 2001 Nationall Church Life Survey provides a glimpse of Australian church attendees, their age, gender, education, marital and employment status, together with other demographic information.

Age Percentage of members between 15 and 29 attending church: Pentecostals 30%, Baptists 23% Churches of Christ 22%, Catholic 12%, Anglican 11%, Uniting Churches 8% Gender Percentage of Males and Females attending church: Males – 39% Males are highly underrepresented in churches, Female – 61% Education Church attendees tend to be well educated, with more than twice as many university graduates compared to the general population (23% versus 10%). Anglican and Baptist attendees have the highest levels of university-educated attendees (28%), while the Salvation Army at 12% is the closest to the general population.

Employment Status Around half of all church attendees are employed with full time employment (28%), part-time work (14%), and CHURCH TODAY | 49

a small sample are self-employed (9%). Some 30% of church attendees are retired, reflecting the older age profiles of attendees in many denominations. Around 15% indicated they are performing full-time home duties or family responsibilities and 9% are students. Around 3% are unemployed.

Marital Status Some 62% of attendees are in their first marriage.

However, significantly higher levels of separated or divorced attendees are to be found in the Salvation Army and Pentecostal denominations.

What do people attending church believe?

We believe in one God the Father, the Almighty…

The majority of attendees (85%) say that that there is One God: Father Son and Holy Spirit. There are some areas of difference between the denominations with Catholics indicating the lowest acceptance of a Trinitarian understanding of God at 72%, ranging through Uniting Church attendees at 84%, Anglicans at 88%, and Pentecostal attendees at the highest level 98%.

Some 74% of those surveyed in the Australian Community Survey (ACS) believe that there is a God. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God… When Australian church attendees make this statement of belief, the vast majority, greater than 84%, across all denominations believe that Christ was fully God and fully human and that he physically rose from the dead.

A significant portion of the wider Australian community also holds these viewpoints. According to the ACS, 42% believe in the divinity of Jesus, and 43% believe in his resurrection.

While 57% of those aged over 60 in the general community believe that Jesus was God in the full sense, this figure falls to just 33% for those under the age of 40.

Other beliefs The nature of the Devil Half of those surveyed believed that the devil is a personal being active in the world today. Some 42% however indicated that the devil was not a personal being but rather a symbol of evil forces in the world today.

The view of miracles Anglican and Protestant attendees were asked, ‘what do you believe about stories of Jesus doing normally impossible things, for example turning water into wine?’ More than three quarters consider the miracles of the Bible as having happened as recorded. A fifth of those surveyed consider these miracles to be symbolic or explainable in other ways.

50 | CHURCH TODAY

The Catholic question asked respondents to choose a statement which best expressed their view of miracles in the Bible. Only 41% of Catholic attendees said all of the miracles occurred just as they are described in the Bible, but another 51% said that either ‘many’ or ‘a few’ occurred as described, with the others being stories designed to teach a truth about God. A further 8% said they didn’t know, and only 1% said they didn’t believe any of the miracles actually happened.

View of the Bible The vast majority of attendees (91%) believe the Bible is the Word of God. The ‘Literalist’ group, those believing that the Bible is to be taken literally word for word comprised 24%. The ‘Contextualist’ group, those believing that the Bible has to be interpreted in the light of its historical and cultural context accounted for 32%. The ‘Traditionalist’ group, those believing that interpretation must take place in light of the churches teachings and traditions made up 35%.

Belief and society More Australians believe in God (74%), the divinity of Jesus (42%), his resurrection (43%), life after death (45%), heaven (53%), hell (32%), and the devil (33%) than attend church monthly or more often (20%).

Data obtained from http://ncls.org.au/

A SNEAK PEAK AT AMERICA Why the Young Leave Church At the current pace, only 4% of America’s teens will end up as Bible-believers, a sharp contrast to 35% of Boomers and 65% of Builders.

Why? The Washington Times religion editor, Julia Duin, cites these facts: Many regard their church teachings as “irrelevant” to their daily lives. Going to church is perceived as a “time-waster.” Sermons are “bland” and uninspiring, especially to the highly educated. They do not address the most pressing concerns of congregants. Issues such as chastity, pornography, pre-marital sex, marital struggles, divorce and workplace challenges aren’t discussed in detail. In seeking to be inoffensive or entertaining, church leaders do not provide enough spiritual nourishment to sustain their most ardent believers. Many contemporary churches fail to foster deep communities of believers. Disconnected congregants are turning to more intimate house churches. Others, tired of poor Bible teachers, seek indepth faith explorations by their own efforts or with kindred spirits. Congregants yearn for the miraculous but are only fed the pedantic and innocuous. An increasing number of believers are unmarried, yet many churches are so familycentric they fail to address concerns of those from different walks of life. (The Washington Times 9/21/08) CT

Finding a place of permanence for the body of Christ is important. Sydney pastors Ward Lucas and Tom Inglis share their personal experiences and insight into the battles they had to fight in order to claim the promises of God reports Amanda Gelsi.

FINDING A PERMANENT HOME FOR YOUR CHURCH

Upon this ROCK: S

omeone once said, “Finding a church building is possibly the second most important thing for a pastor after finding a wife. You have to hear from God on both accounts or it will turn out costly.” This is wise advice; securing a permanent church building will likely become a priority at some point within your ministry and can be one of the most frustrating and exhilarating times in your life.

From beer fumes to blessings: Christian City Church, Balmain For Ward and Nicole Lucas, Sydney’s Inner West has been their ministerial stomping ground for the past nine years.

No more waiting to exhale as they now have a space they can call their own, but in the embryonic days, church started out as a meeting in a formal function centre. After three years of steady growth it became evident that it was time to find another venue.

Within a few weeks of looking, the Lucas’ quickly realised the enormity of the task. “We couldn’t find any decent halls or rooms,” Ward recalls. “We resorted to hiring the auditorium of the local Leagues Club as a stopgap, but as is often the case, stopgaps simply become stops. Having to walk past the poker machines to get to the auditorium was not ideal, but at the time we had no other options.”

The couple tried to lease a building, but had the book thrown at them by the council which argued that places of worship were only permitted in residential zones. “But

CHURCH TODAY | 51

Spiritual homes

even if we found a suitable building, we would have been knocked back because of parking and noise restrictions in the densely populated area,” Ward says. His protests barely made a dent and sidling close to defeat, he wrote a letter to the council, suggesting changes to their Local Government Act (LGA) to allow places of worship in the industrial zone.

Frustrated and discouraged, Ward discarded the idea of leasing a building in the area. Instead, he decided to make the most of what they had and worked hard at making the Leagues Club auditorium look warm and inviting. “We also tried hard to dampen the smell of stale beer,” he reflects, “But after three years and a slowly diminishing congregation, we were at our wits end.

“On the day I heard God encourage me to start looking again for a building to lease, my attitude was, ‘Why? What’s the point? The Council won’t let us do it!’ But oddly enough I felt prompted to check the council website for any changes to the LGA. After skimming through an enormous document, I came across a heading called ‘Amendments to the LGA’. I nearly fell off my chair when I saw the words, ‘Council has agreed to change the zoning for places of worship to allow them to operate in the industrial zone.’

God had worked a miracle!”

The playing field had been leveled and it was time to hitch up his sleeves and start again. Ward began driving around the few streets of industrial warehouses, praying that the Lord would make one of them available.

“Twelve months later, I was still driving,” he shares.

“Nervous excitement had given way to desperation. One Saturday night, as I meandered down a particular street for the 51st time that year, I saw a ‘For Lease’ sign next to a warehouse. I quickly pulled up opposite the site, closed my eyes and heard the voice of God as clear as a moonlit night say, ‘This is your building.’ They were some of the sweetest words I had ever heard, with lucidity I would later be grateful for, because the journey to seeing them fulfilled was terrifying.”

In prime ‘good news bad news’ fashion, Ward’s conversation with the leasing agent the next day went something like this: “What do you want the building for?”

“A church,” Ward replied.

Silence!

“What did you say?”

“I said for a church.”

“No I don’t think so,” said the agent, “I don’t think the owner would want a church in there.”

For four weeks Ward persistently called; the sign still read ‘For Lease,’ the building was still vacant. In the fourth 52 | CHURCH TODAY

week, the agent’s response suddenly changed. “Come and see me,” he said. Breakthrough at last!

Apparently the owners had changed their minds. Ward took a look inside the building, saw the potential and settled on a price. He then informed the agent that he would need to get council approval, which could take six to eight months. “I understand,” said the agent. “But I can’t hold the building for that long; if another person is willing to sign the lease in the meantime, I’ll have to give it to them.”

Ward went back to God’s voice telling him the building was his and agreed.

The church engaged a consulting firm to take them through the six-month process. In the days that followed, the agent rang no less than five times with the news that someone else was about to lease the building. “The first couple of times I nearly went into cardiac arrest and called the church to pray for God’s intervention,” says Ward.

“Each time, the agent would ring back a couple of days later to say, ‘You’re not going to believe this, they have pulled out.’”

That was another miracle. The next would be to raise $250,000 for outfitting the building – a large sum for a modest congregation of one hundred adults and fifty kids.

Through multiple miracles, divine intervention and the incredible commitment and sacrifice of their determined congregation, the church now resides in a beautiful building that makes a tremendous statement to the community.

“While we were slowly diminishing in the Leagues club, we are now growing steadily,” Ward beams. “In eighteen months we have added fifty new people to the church and new people are turning up every Sunday.”

Sure of the Call: Sydney Life Church, Mosman God called pastor Tom Inglis and his family all the way from Southern California to pioneer a church in Mosman, Sydney – one of the most expensive areas in Australia, where property is outrageously costly and hard to find.

They held their first service in a bowling club and then moved to Taronga Zoo. For years Tom scoured the area for a place of permanence for his church without any success.

“I was, however, encouraged to know that God knew our every need before we came to Mosman,” he reflects. “I had found the right place. I knew God would find the right building.

“I took a lot of comfort in Phil 1:6, ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ Before God starts something he finishes it first, then hits rewind and allows us to walk it through in real time.”

Tom exhorts us to cling to God’s words of direction when

Through multiple miracles, divine intervention and the incredible commitment and sacrifice of their determined congregation, the church now resides in a beautiful building that makes a tremendous statement to the community

times are tough. “One strategy of the enemy is for you to forget the ‘Genesis’ of your calling,” he says. “When we forget how it began, or how clearly the call was, we might doubt our calling.”

In the same way Pastor Ward treasured the lucidity of God’s voice in confirming the warehouse would be his future church, Pastor Tom’s fortification came from what God had spoken during the primitive days of his calling to Mosman.

“This is why it is important to understand and record the ‘Genesis’ of the call because everything is a consequence of it. The beginning or Genesis of how something comes about is important,” Tom maintains. “It’s important to know you are in the right geographical place. God was always specific in calling men and women to a particular place because the provision they needed awaited them there.

“As a pastor I was doing all I could to build a spiritual house and I knew that God would do all he could to build me a natural house.”

“Some in ministry actually discouraged me from starting a church in Mosman because others had failed. The history of the town confirmed that there had never been a Charismatic or Pentecostal church that had prospered or even lasted any length of time, but this didn’t bother me because I knew God had called me to this place. The place God has ordained for you is the place he has prepared for you. He has organised the people resources, financial resources and the building you need to fulfil the call.”

Tom believes that it is vitally important to remember that

you have been planted within your particular community for a purpose. “God has prepared a harvest of people all around you ready to be reaped for the Kingdom – John 4:35,” he says. “There are unsaved people waiting to be invited to church, sick people waiting for you to pray for healing, drug addicts waiting to be set free and lonely people desperate for your friendship.”

The church, he believes, becomes a place where God is enthroned in the midst of his people, to reach the community through his people. “Living temples are more valuable than stone ones; however we cannot underestimate the value of good church facilities to house the work of God in the community. A place of prayer and worship, of teaching and training, fellowship and outreach, where God is honoured and people are valued.

“Although we were renting five different buildings a week at one stage, we refused to be discouraged,” he recalls.

“The building wasn’t the measure of our success. It was the spiritual growth of the people that was important. As a pastor I was doing all I could to build a spiritual house and I knew that God would do all he could to build me a natural house.

“God honoured the foundations we laid over a period of six years and soon we will move into a beautiful church building that seemed impossible for us to secure.

Interestingly enough, it is the former Christian Science building,” he says cordially. “It’s no coincidence that this spiritual stronghold over Mosman since 1940 will soon house the presence of the living God in all his glory.” CT Amanda Gelsi Freelance writer

CHURCH TODAY | 53

church today Supplier Directory

COMMUNICATIONS

MULTIMEDIA

Everyone enjoys a good story, especially men.

Author, journalist, peace keeper Phil Smith has ‘been there, done that’ – and he’s keen to inspire with his stories of action and adventure.

He also enjoys helping men, young and old, through the rollercoaster ride that is a bloke’s life.

With his unique combination of tall tales and honest words, your church will want you to book this speaker.

T: 0414 823 125 spunyarn@bigpond.net.au | www.philsmith.com.au

‘We help YOU Reach More People’

Dan Steinhauer MD @ Burnalive

phone 1300 652 734

www.burnalive.com

Spun Yarns Can you tell your church’s story? From local TV to the sign out the front, Spun Yarns equips Christian organisations to tell their stories. Communications planning and skills training for church leadership teams.

T: 0414 823 125 E: spunyarn@bigpond.net.au W: www.philsmith.com.au

DUPLICATION “You’re always such a pleasure to work with and your service and the product you deliver is outstanding!!

TD @ GITC

‘We help YOU Reach More People’

Dan Steinhauer MD @ Burnalive

phone 1300 652 734

54 | CHURCH TODAY

www.burnalive.com

SOFTWARE Microworx P/L – software for churches Microworx is an IT Retailer specializing in discount software for Charities & Churches. Through our direct negotiations with Vendors, we are able to offer you “charity” pricing on a huge range of software. Our job is to help you do your job - faster, easier, cheaper!

T: (03) 9857 3800 E: sales@microworx.com.au W: www.microworx.com.au

Help your congregation connect

with Christian businesses

With the Family Business Directory and New Zealand’s Christian Directory

For 9 years in Australia (formerly known as the Christian Business Directory) and more than 13 years in NZ (formerly known as Christian Contact) our directories have brought Christians together.

With your help we can create a vibrant Christian community, with Christians helping each other.

The directories are published by Media Inc, publishers of Church Today , Alive , Daystar and Christian Woman magazines – a non-denominational Christian publishing house committed to building the Kingdom of God through media.

Copies are distributed to churches in metropolitan areas of Australian cities and to every church in New Zealand.

For more information visit:

www.familydirectory.com.au or www.christiandirectory.co.nz CHURCH TODAY | 55

Christian BLind Mission OBC

56 | CHURCH TODAY