‘The Essential Marks of a Global Leader’ Facilitator: Rev David Coffey
We serve a God with a global vision and our ministry should reflect this global vision
We should always be extending the boundaries of our service and encouraging those we work with to possess this global heart. Think global and work local is the watchword
It is not sufficient to believe in God’s vision for the world-you have to have a burning conviction that God has a part for you play for the fulfilment lf this vision. As Chris Wright says- “We ask ‘where does God fit into the story of my life’ when the real question is ‘where does my little life fit into the great story of God’s mission’
‘Building a Just Community’ Facilitator: Nathan Hunter, Brunswick Baptist Church, Recently of Baptist World Aid Australia
Social justice is often a word that we don't know what to do with. As Christians, most of us are aware of our calling to look out for the poor and dispossessed and to speak up when we see injustice - but we are unsure where to start dealing with the enormity of the issues. We can be confronted by those in our congregations and communities who suggest that we should be 'doing more' but do not know where to channel such passion and enthusiasm.
Catalyst is a movement within Australian Baptist Churches that offers resources and encouragement for those who are passionate about God's justice for the global poor. With bible study resources, practical suggestions, accessible actions and support for establishing globally-minded groups within churches, Catalyst is a resource that can help your local church have a positive impact in our Global Community!
‘Life Beyond the Offering Plate..?’
Facilitator: Dr Andrew Curtis, General Manager Enterprise & Community Development, Baptcare.
Why limit a church’s opportunity to achieve its mission and ministry to one single source of income?
What if the focus for local church viability is not on the size or location of the church but the quality of its connectedness and relevance to the local community within which it is embedded?
What if connectedness and relevance to the local community is expressed through entrepreneurial initiatives that are mission aligned and provide a commercial outcome that financially sustains the worshipping community and its intersection with its local community?
Rather than being dependent upon weekly offerings for an income how might the local worshipping community find a creative mix of collocated commercial and community based activities to connect with the local community and diversity their income, achieve greater financial sustainability so that where two or three (or more) are gathered hundreds are ministered to?
‘Building Community in a Rural Setting’ Facilitator: Rev Geoff Leslie, incoming BUV President, Pastor of Koondrook/ Barham BC
Rural communities are separated and self-contained, providing excellent opportunities for community building. Barham Baptist has been driving a unique program called “Your Community Cares” designed to strengthen community cohesion during drought. This seminar will explore the rationale for this and other important ways to launch church folk into community-building mode: seeing your work as ministry, encouraging Christian involvement in community groups and being a church of ‘irresistible influence’ through programs and collaborations that benefit the district.
‘Community and Mental Health Issues’ Facilitator: John (Hans) Walz, Community Mental Health Chaplain of Healthcare Chaplaincy Council of Victoria Inc.
This is a professional standards accredited elective for pastors, but all are welcome.
‘Reaching Seniors through Seniors’ Facilitator: Rev Geoff Rowse, Associate Pastor of North Balwyn BC
One of the greatest opportunities for the church today is to affirm and mobilise seniors so they reach out to other seniors with the Good News. The number and influence of seniors in growing significantly yet as churches we have tended to provide programs for seniors that care for them or entertain them rather than help them see the great opportunities they have to live and speak the gospel with their friends and neighbours and in the community groups of which they are a part.
The workshop will explore the possibilities of a senior’s ministry that encourages and affirms them as people with gifts, skills, experience and a heart for God and releases them into significant gospel living and sharing in their everyday lives.
‘Me & You’ Facilitator: Meewon Yang (Multicultural Minister of BUV) & Wai Kwong Sun (Multicultural Ministry Group and Pastor of Chinese Congregation of Syndal Baptist Church)
Isn’t it amazing how many of our churches are made up of different cultures? This diversity brings beauty and life to our communities. The aim of this workshop is to explore our multi-hued reality.
You will hear personal stories from people who have made friends across cultures. These stories will be from varied walks of life; church leadership, local church and neighbourhoods, and connections made during a mission trip. We will learn how these friendships have developed over time to become deep and meaningful. We will also interact with Scripture on hospitality and engagement. All involved in this elective will then be given the opportunity to share stories with a person of a different culture. Questions will be given to help draw out some life history in these conversations.
Come and enjoy the beauty and life of this multicultural experience!
Expo Rooms:
Expo Rooms are designed to be about sharing and explaining resources. You will have the opportunity in the morning to sign up and explore 2 expo rooms run by:
Baptcare- Seeding Grants and eekos fair trade store Run by Gordon Wild and Tara Anderson
In*formation and 12 WATTS run by Camp Wilkin, BUV & Whitley
IN*FORMATION is an internship program designed to equip churches to train their people for leadership in Christian ministry through Bible College studies, practical ministry experience and theological reflection.
12 WATTS will be amazing, it will be challenging, rewarding, you will be pushed in body, mind and spirit with time for refection. Dean Lobbe our Program Manager is excited to have the opportunity to work with the interns. You will be trained in: outdoor activities, theological study, and live with our team at the Anglesea Camps. After 12 months, you will be skilled to take adventure activities and have confidence working with young people. We believe God will empower you, change you and give you more focus for the future.
Urban Summer run by Chris Danes, Deeper Youth Consultant
Urban Summer is about a group of people from your church doing a project in your local community to make it a better place, to serve others as a demonstration of the love of Jesus, for a week during January.
LIFT run by Sue Bluett BUV, LIFT Coordinator:
Looking at fun, interactive missional experiences for primary age and their families.
Global Interaction
Global Interaction is our own Baptist cross-cultural mission agency - working to empower communities in Africa, Asia and Outback Australia to develop their own distinctive ways of following Jesus. Come and hear stories from around the world, and find out how you can be involved in reaching out across the globe.
.....and more!
For 2008 Ordinand Profile
http://www.buv.com.au/Ministries/Witness/ExclusiveWebContent.aspx