PASTORS’ NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2008
Hi everyone
I have just finished reading “The Hidden Lives of Congregations” by Israel Calindo (Alban institute).
He applies what he has gleaned from Family Systems Theory to congregational life and provides helpful insights into how size, lifespan and “spirituality style” of a congregation shape congregational relationships’
One of the things he says:
“The hidden lives of congregations has to do with the reality that a congregation is an organism- despite our best efforts to unwittingly organize the life out of a living thing, or to program the messiness out of a very human enterprise. Until our thinking about being the Church changes from an institutional organization that we grow and manage, to a relationship system we need to nurture and develop, we will fail to appreciate the power of the unseen dynamics at work in the congregation.” P18
I found some of his insights to be extremely helpful.
Winter Gathering Feedback
We were greatly encouraged by the attendances at our Winter Gathering and the feedback we received.
The Delegates Dinner had a few things that will need to be reviewed but we were greatly encouraged by the level of participation and the enthusiasm of all involved.
Nourish was once again oversubscribed and Tim Dyer’s input was greatly appreciated.
The Saturday conference was a highlight of the weekend for me. Once again Tim Dyer was excellent, the ordinands were inspiring and people responded well to our expanded elective streams.
We are looking forward to seeing even more of you in October when David Coffey from Great Britain will be our guest speaker. David is the President of the Baptist World Alliance and is a great communicator.
Regional Minister for the Eastern Region
Grant Stewart Will commence with us next week on the 24th June. His email address will be grant.stewart@buv.com.au
Candidates for Ordination
We have twelve pastors being ordained this year. There will be two Ordination Services, the first during the Gathering Conference weekend on 12 October at Mill Park Baptist Church and the second on Sunday 26 October at Heathmont Baptist Church.
Please remember these colleagues in their Year of Ordination:
|
Elmer Batres |
David Paterson |
|
Des Moyle |
Japheth Lian |
|
Litha Heshusius |
David Underhill |
|
Glynis Dickins |
John Izvernariu |
|
Geoff Shepherd |
Matt Glover |
|
John Billingham |
Geoff Pegler |
Updates & Information…
2008 School of Ministry
This year's Whitley School of Ministry is being run from August 4-5. As the School is during the University Semester the College will not be able to offer residential accommodation.
Please contact David Enticott denticott@whitley.unimelb.edu.au if you would be willing to billet a regional pastor during the School. If you have not received a registration form as yet for the School of Ministry, copies can be obtained from www.theol.whitley.unimelb.edu.au.
A copy of the Program is also available from this site. The speaker will be Rikk Watts on the theme of: The Bible for Today's Church."
Semester Two at Whitley
In Semester Two Whitley are running a number of units that may be of special interest to you or people in your churches. Three in particular are –
- Ministry with Children
- Spirit of the Living God
- Table Spirituality
Ministry with Children is being taught by Jude Waldron (former Children's Pastor at Syndal Baptist and Kilvington.) This subject looks at the social, developmental and spiritual world of the child and how these factors impact upon ministry with and for children and their families. Spirit of the Living God is taught by John Robinson (Pastor Discipleship and Training- Syndal Baptist) and looks at a Christian understanding of God as Holy Spirit. Simon Holt (author of God Next Door) is teaching the unit Table Spirituality, which aims to discover the nature of Christian community.
For further information see the Whitley website www.whitley.unimelb.edu.au or call Rosemary Dillon on 9340 8017 to make an appointment with a member of Faculty.
Multicultural Youth Conference & Concert
Theme: Conflict in your world
Date: Saturday 26 July
Time: 10 am – 6 pm,
Venue: Mitcham Baptist Church
8-12 Simla St, Mitcham (Melway 48 K 9)
More information available from Meewon@buv.com.au
Rev Up
30 July
9.30am – 1.00pm
Jim Wallis @ Melbourne Town Hall
“Seven Ways to Save the World”
(Joint event with World Vision)
13 August
9.30am – 12.30pm
Clive Hamilton
“Freedom Paradox – Towards a Post-Secular Ethics”
For further information on Rev Up please contact Gary Heard – gary@theeighthday.org.au
Rural Ministers’ Fellowship (RMF)
Tuesday 19th August – Bendigo Baptist Church
10.00 am for morning Tea and finishing with Dinner
Mark it in your diaries as a not to be missed event.
Geoff Leslie will be sharing from his experience as a rural pastor and from some of his research for his DMin.
There will be lots of opportunities for fellowship, sharing and great hospitality with a bit of input regarding some of the BUV resources available to your churches.
Intentional Interim Ministry Training
Interim Ministry for Today’s Church
A Two-Day Introductory Seminar
Dr. Lionel Berthelsen
Interim Ministry has a proven record as an effective strategy for helping churches facing transition for reasons such as the leaving of a long-term minister, a period of plateau or conflict.
The Mission and Ministry Team are keen to have a group of trained Interim Ministers who can be called upon to help churches facing these sorts of transitions.
We have negotiated for Dr. Lionel Berthelsen from the Transitional Ministries Association of Australia to run the introductory seminar, ‘Interim Ministry for Today’s Church’.
Speaker: Dr. Lionel Berthelsen
Dates: 9th-10th September
Venue: Church of Christ Conference Centre, Fairfield
Cost: $170
If you would be interested in attending this seminar to discover more about Interim Ministry, please contact Mark Dainton on mdainton@churchesofchrist.org.au or on 0427 418 480