Emag 1 2017 final by ACCMag

#1 2017

EMAG

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK

quarterly publication for acc leaders

SPECIAL CONFERENCE ISSUE

WAYNE ALCORN BRIAN HOUSTON STEVE KELLY DARLENE ZSCHECH ACC NATIONAL EXECUTIVE

CELEBRATING 80 YEARS 1

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TAKE ANOTHER LOOK SPECIAL CONFERENCE EDITION This edition of EMAG celebrates the 80 year old movement, with current National Executive members and guest speakers, taking another look at many aspects of leadership and ministry. LEGACY... Wayne Alcorn takes another look at the legacy of the Australian Christian Churches, which started 80 years ago on 27 March 1937..

TAKING ANOTHER LOOK. Devotions by ACC17 Conference guest speakers, Brian Houston and Steve Kelly.

NEWS. From 20th anniversaries to 80th celebrations - check out the recent ACC instagram posts.

NEW RELEASES... New books and movies that have been released in 2017 include releases by Bobbie Houston and Andrew Evans.

LOOKING AT JESUS. ACC17 Speaker Darlene Zschech takes a look at the goal of our worship - Jesus..

CHURCHES & COPYRIGHT. Jeffrey Bartlett on why churches need to ensure they have legal copyright licenses..

FROM BIBLE COLLEGE TO UNIVERSITY. Denise Austin examines the history of Alphacrucis College and its position for the future..

STAY THE PATH. Exclusive extract from Bobbie Houston’s new book, ‘Stay The Path’.

Q&A. Interview with Paul Bartlett on important questions for pastors and leaders about community engagement.

LIVING GENEROUSLY. Tim Macready, the Chief Investment Officer of Christian Super, looks at Acts 30:35.

2017 DIARY

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OUR LEGACY BY WAYNE ALCORN

n 27th March in 1937, a small group of 18 men and women gathered in Sydney and agreed that a fellowship should be formed amongst pastors and churches, to further the cause of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with a strong expression on the person and power of the Holy Spirit. And so, the Assemblies of God in Australia (now ACC) was formed eight decades ago. I wonder if our forefathers could have imagined the size and reach of our movement today? Could they have in envisaged… …having over 1,000 churches? …the size of some of our churches, and corporate gatherings? …such a powerful global mission, and what has been achieved in places like PNG? …a state-of-the-art Bible College that is moving to university status? …the incredible local mission ventures through which our churches are making a difference in their communities? …the effect of the Australian Church across the planet? Perhaps some of the visionaries among them could see that. Most of them however, would have been people who just faithfully did what they could in their generation; laying foundations for another generation to build on. We serve the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, whose Kingdom is advancing on the shoulders of the generations that have gone before. As it says in Proverbs 13, good people lay up an inheritance for the generations to come. It was theologian Elton Trueblood who said, “A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit.” We salute our pioneers, and remember that having received a legacy, it is our duty to pass one on to the generations that will follow us. Let’s take another look back with gratitude… and forward with faith. TAKE ANOTHER LOOK... at our legacy 3

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK ACC NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2017

DATE: 2â&#x20AC;&#x201C;4 MAY 2017 LOCATION: GOLD COAST CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE INFO: WWW.ACC.ORG.AU/CONFERENCE

TAKING TAKINGANOTHER ANOTHERLOOK.... LOOK... For forty days in the lead up to the ACC National Conference, the National Executive and guest speakers shared daily devotions – taking a look at a broad spectrum of ministry issues and challenges. This edition of EMAG includes a selection of these. The complete selection of devotions are posted on Instagram: @acc.national .

YOUR CALLING BY BRIAN HOUSTON

Why am I here? What was I born to do? In the heart of every man and woman is the longing to know his or her purpose – it’s a question that even church leaders must continually ask themselves. Knowing and understanding your purpose – what you are called to do and what you are anointed for – is key to walking your leadership path with vision. A career is what you are paid to do but a calling is what you were made to do. That is the difference. “Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said: “Is it not because the Lord has anointed you commander over His inheritance?”” (1 Samuel 10:1). Jesus also accepted and understood His purpose as he declared the fulfilment of Isaiah 61:1-2, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me...” (Luke 4:18-19). Jesus and Saul were anointed for

WHAT’S YOUR ACCENT? BY STEVE KELLY

When I was eight years old, my family moved us from Queens, New York to Sydney, Australia. Being a young boy at the time, I can remember desperately wanting to belong and be known for me, not my accent. This resulted in losing my American accent to sound like everyone else around me. Ironically, when I returned to America some 25 years later, I received the same reaction from Americans as I had experienced as a boy in Australia. Everyone commented on my accent – however, now I had matured and was comfortable with my own voice. My Australian accent made me stand out, and it clearly demonstrated that I am from another culture, from another place. I believe the same principle is true when it comes to the Kingdom of heaven. It was said that Jesus sounded different

something specific. You and your ministry are also anointed for something specific. Sadly, many people and churches never work out what they are anointed to do. We must be who God called us to be – not copy someone else or some other church. The end of that path is frustration and disappointment. To seek out and build God’s purpose, calling and anointing in your life, it is essential that you stay planted, stay hungry for the Word of God and stay focused on the vision that originally called you to serve Christ and build the kingdom. Step up, refuse to be intimidated or shrink back from the unique call on your life. Allow God to do in you what He wants to do and don’t underestimate what amazing things He has in store. TAKE ANOTHER LOOK… at your unique calling, purpose and anointing

to other religious people. He spoke with such authority, grace, and life that it stopped people and caused them to listen. Even soldiers sent to arrest Jesus returned proclaiming, “Never has anyone spoken like this man!” As pastors and leaders, it’s important to ask ourselves, what is our accent? When people hear us, do they hear the accent of heaven? Words full of a good report? Words that cause people to stay ‘up’ in an upside-down world? Words that deliver hope and life to our churches and communities desperate for Good News. ‘Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.’ (Proverbs 18:21 MSG) TAKE ANOTHER LOOK… listen to your voice and examine its sound

NEWS

w CELEBRATIONS

PLANETSHAKERS CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY

CHECK OUT WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING ACROSS THE ACC WITH THE RECENT INSTAGRAM POSTS

Congratulations to Russell & Sam Evans on the 20th Anniversary of Planetshakers. “What started as a dream in the hearts of then youth pastors, Russell and Sam is now impacting nations around the world,” posted Wayne Alcorn. “Thank you for staying on course and true to your calling.”

w ACC 80 YEARS

w BIBLE SOCIETY 200 YEARS

w WOMEN

w YOUTH ALIVE

w SAFER CHURCHES

w BAPTISMS

POST YOUR ACC PICS JOIN THE MANY ACC MINISTRIES WHO POST THEIR ACTIVITIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA @ACCSNAPSHOT #ACCSNAPSHOT

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK...

WHAT GOD REALLY WANTS BY SEAN STANTON

One thing that always stands out for me at our ACC National and State Conferences is seeing a room full of pastors with their eyes closed and hands raised in worship. The words of Jesus come to mind: “A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (John 4:23) Worship is an expression of the heart and it involves every aspect of our lives. Through the many psalms he penned, David expressed the transparency of his walk with God – his spirit of worship is evident in both the highs and lows of his life. The Lord called him “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22) - could that be the ultimate compliment? Worship is our response to what we value most. True worship, in other words, is defined by the priority we place on who God is in our lives and where He is on our list of priorities. A heart

THE GOODNESS OF GOD BY JOEL A’BELL

When the British convicts were sent to Australia in 1788, nobody would have guessed we would have such an amazing nation some 200 years later. For those who survived the sea voyage, I struggle to think what they would have thought about landing here to do time for their crime. Robert and Mary Abel had to serve seven years, and then what? Return back to England? Richard Johnson was the chaplain assigned to these early settlers, and his first sermon landing upon the shores of Australia was preached from Psalms 116, about the goodness of God. What a strange passage to preach to a bunch of prisoners who were actually also survivors of a long crazy journey. But was it really that strange? Don’t we find all our lives interact with this story? “What can I offer the LORD for all he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the LORD’s name for saving me.” (Psalms 116:12-13 NLT)

of worship is the greatest expression of love, because it also involves the mind and the body. There are times we can forget the importance of abandoning ourselves in worship and the presence of God. As leaders, we may find ourselves focusing more on our responsibilities in the service than Who the service is about. It’s always good to remind ourselves that worship isn’t a spectator sport – we need to be active participants. It is when we worship the Lord with body, mind and spirit attuned towards Him alone that we experience the presence of God and connect with the heart of God. Worship is the one thing we give God that He cannot give Himself. Let us become the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. TAKE ANOTHER LOOK… at what God really wants from you

Maybe I didn’t steal bread or speak against the king? Perhaps my banishment was of another kind? Regardless, our ships have landed us all on deserted islands in need of the message of life. Take a moment to thank God for His saving grace. This year we celebrate 200 years of the Bible Society in Australia, and may we never forget all the Lord has done for us. Our daily lives are a reminder of the goodness of God. TAKE ANOTHER LOOK… at what God has done for me

NEWS

CHURCH LEADERS CALL FOR MORE COMPASSIONATE FOREIGN POLICY

ORDER OF AUSTRALIA FOR ACC PASTOR

ongratulations to ACC Pastor Graham Whelan who was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to veterans and their families, and to the community of Coffs Habour. The 2017 Australia Day Honours list recognised a diverse range of contributions and service across all fields, including professional endeavours, community work, Australia’s Defence Force and Emergency Services. “Since 1975, these awards have helped to define, encourage and reinforce Australian goals and values,” said the GovernorGeneral, Sir Peter Cosgrove in his Australia Day speech. “Today we add a new group of names to those we should all admire. Graham Whelan has been an ACC credentialed pastor since 2006. He is a pastor at Lifehouse Church in Coffs Harbour, NSW, and an ADF Chaplain with Chaplaincy Australia. He serves Army, Navy and Air Force retired personnel and the seven nursing homes and two hospitals in the Coffs Harbour area, as well as Chaplain for the Navy Cadets.

hurch Leaders representing 12 major denominations have written to Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, calling for Australia to set a more compassionate direction for future foreign policy. The ‘Church Leaders’ Statement on Foreign Policy’ is endorsed by the ACC with signatories from the Adventist, Anglican, Apostolic, Baptist, Catholic, Chinese Methodist, Churches of Christ, Congregational, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Salvation Army and Uniting churches. It came as one of over 9,000 public submissions to the Government’s Foreign Policy White Paper coordinated by Micah Australia and its sister campaign, the Campaign for Australian Aid. The church leaders argued that “the purpose of Australia’s foreign policy should be to achieve the sustainable flourishing and wellbeing of all Australians and of our global neighbours.” “Jesus’ call to love our neighbours as ourselves remind us that a concern for the needs and rights of others must not be an afterthought nor the accidental by-product of a unilateral pursuit of self-interest. Rather, that we must apply the same concern for the rights and interests of others that we apply to our own.” Highlighting the fact that Australia is a wealthy nation in a region marked by extreme and unacceptable poverty, as well as vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change, the church leaders urged that Australia’s foreign policy address poverty, economic exclusion and inequality, violations of human rights, and climate change. They noted that, despite its wealth, Australia’s aid to tackle poverty in the region has fallen to its lowest ever level and called on the Government to take concrete steps to increase development assistance towards the internationally-agreed target of 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) – a benchmark which the United Kingdom, among other nations, has already met. The church leaders spoke about the particular threat climate change poses to island nations in the Pacific which are vulnerable to sea level rise, damage to crops, water supplies and fisheries, and increasingly severe extreme weather events such as flooding and cyclones. They called on the Government to match our diplomatic efforts on climate change with more urgent domestic action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also to change course on refugee policy. Micah Australia National Coordinator, Ben Thurley, said, “With national and international politics seemingly turning away from generosity, it is heartening to see Australia’s Christian leaders speaking up for a more just, generous and compassionate foreign policy. Australia’s Christians want Australia to be a nation that acts as a good neighbour in a region where too many are still forced to live in poverty and vulnerability. We want to live in a nation that increases aid to help our poorest neighbours tackle poverty, instead of cutting it. A nation that stands with vulnerable communities as they face up to climate change, instead of denying we have a problem.” Bishop Philip Huggins President, NCCA

Commissioner Floyd Tidd Na6onal Commander, Salva6on Army

Rev Keith Jobberns Na6onal Ministries Director, Australian Bap6st Ministries

Pastor Wayne Smith Na6onal Leader, Apostolic Church Australia

[26 Australia 2017] [Statement issued on 13 March 2017]

Bishop Greg O’Kelly Catholic Diocese of Port Pirie

Bishop John Henderson Lutheran Church of Australia

Pastor Wayne Alcorn President, Australian Chris6an Churches

Bishop Dr James Kwang Chinese Methodist Church in Australia

Pastor Stuart McMillan President, Uni6ng Church in Australia

Pastor Jorge Munoz Chair, Adven6st Development & Relief Agency

Rev Janet Woodlock Federal Coordinator, Churches of Christ

Dr Joe Goodall Moderator, Congrega6onal Federa6on of Australia & New Zealand

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK...

LIFTING HEADS

Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai … “Take a census of all the congregation of the child of Israel …” (Numbers 1: 1-2)

BY JAMES MACPHERSON

When God instructed Moses to count the Israelites, He also warned Moses that counting people was risky. One of the risks was that, when made part of a large crowd, people can start to feel insignificant. We all know what it’s like to look at the masses of people and lament: “What possible difference could I make? I am but one of millions; a mere speck on the earth!” What’s interesting in the verse we are considering today is the Hebrew translation of “take a census”. The Hebrew word literally means to “shake or to lift one’s head”. There are plenty of other words in Hebrew that mean “to count” but when commanding Moses to number the people, God uses this more complicated word. Why? God instructs Moses to count the people by having them lift their heads, signifying each person’s worth and value. As each person lifted their head to be counted, they were reminding themselves (and the crowd around them) that they had a unique

www.acckids.org.au/nationaltour/ www.acckids.org.au/nationaltour/

contribution to make, even as part of a larger group. As a church, we must honour individuality whilst resisting individualism. To honor individuality is to recognise that each person is created uniquely by God and so offers something no-one else can. The team is enriched for having me as part of it. But I must never confuse individuality with its insidious perversion, individualism, which refuses to recognise the team at all. The art of leading a group is helping individuals within that group to believe they have a unique contribution to make. This gives people dignity and worth. When people are encouraged to walk with their head held high, they will gladly be numbered in the crowd. TAKE ANOTHER LOOK… at whose head you can lift

NEW RELEASES READ

READ

WATCH

STAY THE PATH

JESUS FIRST: The life and leadership of Andrew Evans

THE CASE FOR CHRIST 2017 movie release

EXCLUSIVE EXTRACT PAGE 21

By Bobbie Houston

Readers of Qureshi’s first book, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, will appreciate his careful and respectful comparison of Islam and Christianity. Both religions teach that there is No God But One, but who deserves to be worshiped, Allah or Jesus? In No God But One, New York Times bestselling author Nabeel Qureshi takes readers on a global, historical, yet deeply personal journey to the heart of the world’s two largest religions. He explores the claims that each faith makes upon believers’ intellects and lives, critically examining the evidence in support of their distinctive beliefs. Many don’t see how tremendously deep the divides between them really are, and fewer still have considered the evidence for each faith. How is Jihad different from the Crusades? Can we know the life of Jesus as well as the life of Muhammad? What reason is there to believe in one faith over the other, and what difference can the Gospel really make? Fleshed out with stories from the annals of both religions, No God But One unveils the fundamental, enduring conflict between Islam and Christianitydirectly addressing controversial topics. www.hillsongstore.com.au

By Denise A Austin Andrew Evans is renowned as a prominent Australian Pentecostal church planter, missionary, denominational superintendent and politician. Under his 30-year leadership, Paradise Assembly of God in Adelaide became one of the first and largest megachurches in Australia. As General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Australia for an unrivalled 20 years, Evans instigated one of the most successful church planting drives in history and opened the way for global movements, such as Hillsong and PlanetShakers. Defying traditional church-state demarcations, he then founded the Family First political party and served as a Legislative Councillor, holding the balance of power in the South Australian parliament. This book ‘Jesus First: The life and leadership of Andrew Evans’ provides a detailed biography of this humble Christian statesman and the timeless principles that guided his leadership.

Email: info@ac.edu.au www.amazon.com (from May 2017) 10

The Case For Christ, based on Lee Strobel’s best-selling book about his own journey as an award-winning investigative journalist and resolute atheist who sets out to disprove Christianity, comes to life in its big screen debut in Australia and New Zealand from May 4th. “The book The Case for Christ lays out the overwhelming foundation of evidence from which personal faith can rise,” Strobel said. “The film gives the dramatic story behind the story of a man with personal animosity for Christianity who used journalistic and legal techniques to evaluate its claims. The film which stars Mike Vogel, Erika Christensen and Academy Award® winner, Faye Dunaway, draws on the true story of Lee and Leslie Strobel, whose marriage struggled mightily as her growing faith collided with his determined atheism. The dramatic retelling of their journey offers heart and a human touch on the in-depth research Lee Strobel conducted. The Case for Christ takes audiences on an exciting journey from skepticism to belief.” It is a moving story that will inspire everyone who sees it: believers, those who are searching for answers, and even those who are where Lee Strobel once was. www.facebook.com/caseforchrist/

LOGOS 7 logos.com/acc

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Attend the Logos workshop & visit our space for an exclusive ACC discount. www.logos.com/acc 11

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK...

LOOKING AT JESUS BY DARLENE ZSCHECH

‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne.’ (Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT) As we enter this new season as a movement, as we take another look at the why we do what we do, Hebrews 12 outlines again the reality of keeping our gaze firmly fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. The vehicle of true worship will always cause you to take another look. Maybe you tend to get distracted or overwhelmed by many things, whether they be public expectations, personal challenges, emotional tipping points, weariness, family issues, yes the lists go on… Yet the promise and beauty of truthful worship is that as we invite the nearness of God into the immediacy

www.hopeuc.com/conference

of our concerns. His presence has the ability to calm even the greatest of storms, internal or external. To behold the face of Jesus will always be the goal of our worship. Worship in and of itself doesn’t necessarily change a situation, but the Holy Spirit changes us in the process of leaning into the living word, and reveals Jesus continually as the cornerstone and rock of our salvation. We each can run with endurance, as we rest in the knowledge that we are seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. Taking another look will require your time, your desire, your honest heart before God, but on the other side of your drawing near, you’ll find He has been beholding you the entire time. What a beautiful thought today. Take the time, dig the well, enjoy the fellowship with the One who is wild about you. Take another look, family, I promise you’ll enjoy the view. TAKE ANOTHER LOOK… at Jesus

NEW SOUNDS LISTEN

HERE AM I SEND ME Darlene Zschech

LISTEN

YOUTH REVIVAL ACOUSTIC Hillsong Young + Free

Here I Am/Send Me is Darlene Zschech’s new live worship album, and it has a few firsts. It is her first album since her life changing cancer diagnosis in 2014 and features 11 new songs penned by her along with guest writers like Martin Smith, Paul Baloche, Jenn Johnson and Leeland Mooring. It is also her first recording at Hope Unlimited Church where she and her husband Mark are pastors. Featuring new songs written by Darlene with established writers Martin Smith, Paul Baloche, Leeland and Jenn Johnson, her album also features songs co-written with writers from their church. Rooted in the local church, all the songs of Here I Am Send Me are used in worship times at Darlene’s home church and are relatable and powerful for local churches around the world to use in congregational worship settings. The song ’Here I Am Send Me’ was written following the revelation Darlene received from Genesis 22, which is when Abraham responds to God in worship by saying ‘Hineni,’ meaning, ‘Here I am Lord, whatever you ask, before you ask, my answer is yes’.

www.koorong.com.au

Following their first Grammy® nomination in 2017, Hillsong Young & Free released the digital version of Youth Revival Acoustic - the all acoustic re-recording of their chart-topping album Youth Revival that saw two No. 1’s. The album features eight acoustic tracks and eight visual tracks, along with studio versions of number one hits ‘Real Love’ and ‘Falling Into You’, plus bonus music videos. The EDM/pop group that was born from the youth ministry of Hillsong Church continues to redefine Christian music to the masses, and recently celebrated their first Grammy® award nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for their album, Youth Revival. “The heart of this project is to capture the true potency of the songs in their rawest form and to draw us closer to Jesus yet again”,” said Young and Free’s Laura Toggs about Youth Revival Acoustic. The stripped down collection of songs further tells the story of the inspiration behind the original album— that human hearts intrinsically desire something more.

www.hillsong.com/store

LISTEN

WE THE PEOPLE Youth Alive EP

The young people of Australia start off every year with our incredible Youth Alive Conference. In January, ‘We the People’ was rolled out in Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania, with a focus on teaching our young people how the power of God is at work in their every day, walking around lives. Victoria and South Australia will follow through with their conference later this year. In conjunction with the 2017 conference was the release of a new Youth Alive single, ‘We the People’, followed by the release of an EP. “This blew all our expectations, hitting #1 on Inspirational and creeping into the top 100 nationally, all genres,” said Youth Alive National Director, Cameron Bennett. The EP lyrics pack is available for free for youth ministries at: www.youthaliveqld.com/resource/

Download from itunes

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT COPYRIGHT

CHURCHES &

OPYRIGHT BY JEFFREY BARTLETT

hurches around the world have become the subject of demands and, in some cases, litigation, with a number of high profile churches having to settle out of court, or with judgments being awarded against them.

Seeking the permission from copyright owners for each individual work (audio recordings, songs, lyrics, movies etc.) would be an extensive process. Fortunately, to simplify this process, permission for many uses can be granted through established copyright licensing agencies who already have agreements with many copyright owners. It is important to know what these licences do and don’t cover, so you ensure you are always appropriately licensed for the intended use.

I have heard of one instance where a clip from YouTube used as a sermon illustration that included copyright material. Subsequently, the copyright owner found out about this and (rightfully) sought compensation for this use. Another example is where a church in the USA used music they had licensed for a different purpose than was granted, and they were also pursued by the copyright owner. These are just two examples of many that occur throughout the world each year that result in organisations having to pay tens and sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars.

To connect with common copyright agencies:

Let’s be honest, copyright can easily fall into the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ category. Bottom line is, if it is someone else’s property we should not be using it without their permission – this is theft. Surely as Christians, the measure of whether we need permission to use copyright material should not be based upon the likelihood that the copyright owner may find out, rather on our moral and legal obligations.

See www.acc.org.au/conference for more details.

CHRISTIAN COPYRIGHT LICENSING INTERNATIONAL (CCLI) Speak with a CCLI representative at the ACC 2017 National Conference, 2-4 May 2017. Website: www.ccli.com Phone: 1300 225 400 Email: asiapacific@ccli.com BIG STUDIO MOVIE LICENCE (BSML) Website: www.bsml.com.au/

Some of the common uses of copyright material which require licensing include, to:

For a quick compliance survey from BSML to ascertain if a licence is required, go to: https://www.getfeedback.com/r/eEXtx2KP/

• store and project song lyrics, • print lyrics on paper (song sheets, bulletins or booklets),

http://www.copyright.org.au/acc_prod/ACC/Information_Sheets/

For more an information sheet on Churches & Copyright, Churches___Copyright.aspx?WebsiteKey=8a471e74-3f78-4994-9023click here: www.copyright.org.au 316f0ecef4ef

• record live worship services to CD/DVD, • make customised arrangements of music, • play movies in crèche/kids/youth programs,

Jeffrey Bartlett is the General Manager of Australian Christian Churches

• use illustrative movie clips in sermons, • run movie nights for church ministries (e.g. family movie night).

IF IT IS SOMEONE ELSE’S PROPERTY WE SHOULD NOT BE USING IT WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION – THIS IS THEFT.

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK...

HEART OF A MINISTER BY ALUN DAVIES

Have you heard people ask, “What’s on your heart?” It is a strange question, not to be taken literally! This question asks us about what we are feeling and what we are concerned about. If we were to have asked Aaron, the brother in law of Moses, we would have had an unexpected response. “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the LORD.” (Exodus 28:29 NIV) Aaron, the high priest, carried the people of God on his heart. It is significant that the Lord commanded Moses to dress Aaron in a breastplate that carried the names of God’s people when he ministered in the holy place. It speaks to us about what God expects from those who are His ministers today. It tells us that those who minister should have the people of God upon their heart. It reminds us that our ministry should be for the benefit of others and not for ourselves. It speaks of what is on our hearts in ministry. Are we genuinely

www.accimissions.org.au/panasia2017

carrying the needs of the people? Is our heart motivated by real concern for the people of God? Each tribe was represented by a precious stone revealing to Aaron that the people of God are to be valued and cherished. May we in all we do in ministry always keep the people of God in our hearts. May our motives be shaped by our value for God, people and our desire to bless them. May our main motive in ministry be what is best for the people of God. TAKE ANOTHER LOOK… at what is in your heart

www.accimissions.org.au/oneday

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT ALPHACRUCIS

FROM BIBLE COLLEGE TO UNIVERSITY BY DENISE A. AUSTIN

acqueline Grey’s popular book, Them, Us and Me, reveals the importance of viewing biblical history from different perspectives, in order to gain fresh insights and a deeper appreciation of contexts. In a similar way, you may think you know all about the history of Alphacrucis College (AC), as the national training college of Australian Christian Churches (ACC). But maybe it’s time to take another look.

movement grow to around 117,000 adherents, with some 1800 ministers and 830 churches. Under the guidance of yet another CBC graduate, David Cartledge, the renamed Southern Cross College (SCC) saw the realisation of the ‘Chester Hill Miracles’, acquiring the expansive former RAAF base in Sydney. You may recall sports days, international guest lecturers and renewal meetings. As wonderful as these times were, the college has changed greatly since then, so it may be time to take another look.

Made for Them A handful of people might remember eight decades ago when ACC (originally Assemblies of God in Australia – AOG) was formed, in 1937, with the goal of a national college written into Article 21 of the United Constitution. At this time, there were only around 1,000 people in 38 assemblies.

Made for Me Today the national college’s programs are custom-designed for students who proclaim, “AC is made for me!” You may be enrolled in a certificate, diploma bachelor, masters or doctorate course, across one of the faculties of Arts, Business, Education, Social Sciences or Theology. You may be on a campus in Auckland, Brisbane, Hobart Perth or Sydney. Indeed, Assemblies of God in New Zealand National President, Iliafi Esera, aptly describes his AC experience, “like you’ve found where you hang your hat and coat – things start to make sense.”

The post-World War II founding of Commonwealth Bible College (CBC), in 1948, was hailed as the “greatest event in Australian Assemblies of God history!” CBC was opened for zealous young Pentecostals, such as Merle Nugent, who was rejected from every other Bible College in Australia because she spoke in tongues. There were others, like Evelyn Westbrook, who responded to the altar call at the Beulah Heights Camp and ran down the sawdust aisle of the tent to dedicate her life to overseas mission. She ultimately spent over 40 years in Papua New Guinea. Then of course there was Alec Alcorn, who was radically converted at a street outreach and became a mighty evangelist, church planter and father of our current National President. Or perhaps you’ll recall Australian indigenous pastor, Nicey Sambo, who made a tremendous impact in communities across rural Australia. CBC was definitely made for those legendary trail blazers. But, if that’s all you remember about our national college, perhaps it’s time to take another look.

Perhaps you’re one of the thousands of students in AC courses being delivered in Finland, the Netherlands, England, Northern Ireland or global online. Some may have already taken advantage of ACs articulation agreements with Southeastern University in Florida, Evangel University in Missouri or Northwest University in Washington. No doubt others are keen to join in the student-staff exchange agreement with Norwegian School of Leadership and Theology. Or you may be part of one of the many generous local churches supporting the vision of a global Christian university.

Made for Us A much larger number of people will recall the vigorous church planting drive that arose out of CBC. In fact, for many years a new AOG church was opening every nine days, led mostly by CBC alumni and students – the longest sustained church planting effort of any denomination in Australian history. This included more than 11 churches in Brisbane alone, notably Garden City Christian Church (later Hillsong Brisbane Campus).

As ACC National President Wayne Alcorn states, “Alphacrucis College, in partnership with Australian Christian Churches, has great potential to influence our nation and world by becoming a Christian university.” No matter what your experience of AC is or has been, it’s time to take another look! Over 80 years ago, early founders envisioned CBC as a national college which would unify the AOG movement. As the decades rolled by, SCC was integral in training church planters and leaders who saw Pentecostals become the second largest population of church attenders in Australia, largely from within the AAC. Now, well on the way to becoming a global Christian university, AC is meeting the needs of 21st century society. Why? Because ‘we were made for this!’

You may know the story of a two-week CBC tent campaign in the pouring rain, where the only convert was a tough bikie nicknamed ‘The Maniac’. That man, Ross Winchester, enrolled at CBC and later became a leading AOG statesman. After CBC moved to New South Wales in 1975, the number of AOG churches in Sydney multiplied from three to 18 within a few years. During his 20 years (1977-1997) as AOG General Superintendent, CBC alumnus Andrew Evans saw the

Denise A. Austin is Associate Professor of History, Alphacrucis College 18

COLLEGE HISTORY IN PICTURES

1949 Graduation

1953 CBC outreach

1980s team

1960 New Farm Campus

1997 chapel service

2012 New Zealand Campus

2001 Chester Hill Campus

2012 students

2015 AC Central Parramatta

MA DE F O R T HIS For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

EPH 2:10

DIPLOMAS • BACHELORS • MASTERS • DOC TORATES

THEOLOGY L E A D E RS H I P

BUSINESS S OCI AL S CIE NC E S

TEACHING MINISTRY

A L P H AC R U C I S C O L L E G E

CHAPLAINCY MUSIC

www.ac.edu.au AC.EDU.AU

STAY THE PATH EXTRACT FROM BOBBIE HOUSTON’S NEW RELEASE ‘STAY THE PATH’

have a friend. Her name is Margaret. She’s possibly one of the most stoic and adorable people you will ever meet. I met her in Scotland—she was telling her testimony with a giant cigarette as a prop, which was both hilarious and (obviously) memorable. Her story is one of abuse and disappointment, yet somewhere in the mix of life she encountered truth that set her free. She’s a tad older than me and she’s the face you want to see in the crowd when you are speaking, because she’s always sitting upright, with a smile on her dial and a stance that makes you think you are saying the most profound things ever spoken. She has recently retired as part of our Hillsong College faculty, where much of her role was to pastor (and mother) many of our students. She’s a bright, intelligent, overcoming woman. One day I heard her say, “You know . . . everyone goes to heaven . . . but sadly, not everyone gets to stay.” I will never forget those words: “Not everyone gets to stay.” They’re not exactly lightweight in the punch they carry, yet, if you ponder them in light of the Word of God, they’re true. All of humankind will one day stand before the Creator and God of the universe. Where and what that looks like is a mystery yet to be experienced, but the Bible makes abundantly clear that we will each give an account of our lives . . . with consequences that will follow. Hopefully beautiful consequences, where we will hear words like “Well done, good and faithful servant... Enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:23 ESV), or words of love and embrace that welcome us home and usher us into a world beyond our wildest imagination. Hopefully we will hear shouts of joy and encouragement from those who have gone before, from those who have watched our progress and been part of the great host cheering us onward—yet Christ did not hide the fact that there will also be those who are tragically turned away. Turned away not because God is mean or unkind, but because life is a journey toward an eternity that has two destinations. Jesus came to create a divide in a road that was headed one way to destruction—a fork where salvation, rescue, and everlasting life is offered, and where humanity gets to make a choice in favor of life over death (see Deut. 30:19). The reason I choose to ‘stay the path’ is because, unashamedly, I want to make it to heaven. I’m homesick for this eternal and celestial city that has captivated mankind’s imagination since the beginning of time. I love the Lord Jesus Christ, I recognise the great price He paid for my personal salvation, and I don’t want to make His sacrifice null and void by failing to lean into all He has done. And I choose to stay the path because I honestly

angst at the thought of people being turned away— of people forfeiting their beautifully “prepared place” in heaven (see John 14) because they lost sight of the prize, got weary of it all, or failed to appropriate His divine enablement for the journey. I am aware that I have a part to play in His great salvation plan, as do you, dear friend. The Great Commission (belonging to all of us) is to stand in that fork and be willing to point the correct way to those willing to be directed. The Great Commission is about our lives being a clear signpost home. The human story involves us all. It’s a pilgrimage of a million interwoven stories. In fact, if this planet currently boasts over seven billion inhabitants, that means there are over seven billion stories in play: Seven billion pathways leading somewhere; seven billion pathways converging where people can either engage or disengage with truth; seven billion beautiful souls within this generation alone who are going to hear “Welcome home, beloved” or “Beloved, I’m sorry but I never knew you” (see Matthew 7:21–23). This may sound intense, but friend, our lives are not merely our own. We belong to a much greater eternal landscape that is in motion whether we fully understand it or not. I chose this path when I was fifteen, clueless of all it represented. All I knew was that Jesus was suddenly more real than life itself, and I wanted this God who had arrested my attention and heart. Forty-five years later, at age sixty, I still choose this path, because the conviction hasn’t changed. In fact, it’s more compelling than ever. ©2017 Bobbie Houston. ‘Stay The Path’ extract published with permission. Available from www.hillsongstore.com

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COLOUR TWENTY-18

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TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT COMMUNITY

Q&A

ACC EMAG INTERVIEWED THE ACC COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR, PAUL BARTLETT, ON IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR PASTORS AND LEADERS ABOUT COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.

Q: How do you transition your church to be more community focused? Paul: The first thing you need to do to make your church more community focused is to help the people understand what the Bible says is truly a spiritual life. Many times in church life we make the experiences inside the walls of the church the most spiritual or most important factor. Unknowingly we can create a kind of Christian club, whereby most of the services provided by the church are for those who would call themselves Christians and are a part of that club. I think the way to transition your church is to teach biblically what the spiritual is. The Bible teaches in Matthew 28 through Jesus’s last command for us to, “Go into all the world and make disciples.” When we look at that, we see that the most spiritual thing Jesus is asking us to do is to go and make disciples. To make disciples, we have to create things that we do outside the walls of the church. Most of our church culture is about getting people to come to us. There’s no problem when they’re doing that, but we must add to that thinking the sending and the going of our people into community.

11 churches across the state of NSW to establish a practical food program called Community FoodCare. This program now supports thousands of people each week while opening the door for churches to build a relevant connection to the people in their local community. Bay City’s work within the community has seen Andrew form strong relationships with members of Bayside Council (formerly Rockdale City Council) where he has served as a Chaplain for over eight years, regularly opening council meetings in prayer. Life Unlimited Church through Canberra City Care have constructed a Harvest Garden and Kitchen. This new development has allowed them to grow healthy produce for the families they support, and offer opportunities for training in hospitality and cooking skills. The meals are made using rescued food and locally grown produce, and leftovers go back into the community to help those in need. Glenroy Hope Centre in Victoria opened the best playground in the community on their church grounds, which is open to the public. David Nair, Senior Pastor said, “We are trying to build a culture that there’s no catch in this — we are just trying to make our community a better place to live in. I have been here four years as the pastor of the church and I am trying to turn this place into a community hub, rather than just on Sunday morning.”

Q: In what way do pastors need to ‘Take Another Look’ at Community Engagement? Paul: The best thing that pastors can do firstly is for themselves to go and volunteer or work in a community organisation, maybe not even a church related one; or even just to presence themselves in their city. Sometimes that is simply going down the local mall, which is what I have done many, many times over the years – notice and look at people. Begin to talk to people. Begin to get to know people. Build a friendship group or a connection group outside of the Christian people that you know. If every pastor could give one hour, serving in a place in community, in some way, shape or form – maybe as a Chaplain, or on the Board of an organisation, or as a volunteer in their local sporting club – then they would begin to get a sense for what it is to be in the community. From there, pastors should actually think about how is it that they could get specific training around certain areas. Chaplaincy is a growing area – community people love to have Chaplains in all sorts of areas. In the ACC, we offer many training opportunities for people to do Chaplaincy.

Q: What are some of the struggles? Paul: The struggle for many churches as they do community work is the feeling or being ill-equipped or unresourced to do what they do. Many churches focus first on needs based community engagement, which essentially puts them right in front of a whole series of problems and challenges that are often overwhelming and that our churches cannot overcome. My suggestion is that when we start in community work, as a church, start in strength-based or asset-based community development - work with the positive things that are happening in the community, or in other words, work with what our communities love. At Lighthouse, we love our community’s fitness event, the Australia Day Aquathon at Wollongong Harbour. Our team is always out in force supporting, competing and participating in this iconic local event which involves everyone from Olympic professionals to first timers - they are all champions to us! It’s a great community gathering.

Q: Which churches are doing this? Paul: Pastor Andrew Harper and Bay City Church are passionate about building community and seeing their local area transformed through loving God and loving people. Andrew’s passion to see a local church influence its community has seen Bay City Church now partner with

Q: What are some theological issues that you think are especially important for Christians to get right in this time and place? Paul: We hear a lot of talk around the idea of praying for 22

MOST OF OUR CHURCH CULTURE IS ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE TO COME TO US. THERE’S NO PROBLEM WHEN THEY’RE DOING THAT, BUT WE MUST ADD TO THAT THINKING THE SENDING AND THE GOING OF OUR PEOPLE INTO COMMUNITY.

Q: What are some of the most important ideas and practices that you think cultivate health in a local church? Paul: In Acts 2:42 it talks about the disciples devoting themselves to prayer, to the Word, to loving one another, to breaking bread and that sense of community. This is the predominant principle that we have to promote in church life. What it’s really saying is this: We all need to take responsibility for our own personal growth. Many times people have nothing to do with God during the week, and then turn up to a service on Sunday and expect a buffet where they can gorge themselves, so they won’t need to eat from the Word themselves for the rest of the week. I truly believe that every Christian should mature into becoming a self-feeder. What we do on Sunday’s is just adding to what God has already been saying during the week. Growth happens in context of community and discipleship. You don’t grow when you’re an island. You don’t grow when you don’t like a place so you move, and then you find that the next place you don’t like either, and on and on it goes. You grow by, in the difficult times, staying in amongst community, and learning what that person that you don’t like or don’t get along with brings out in you is actually God’s process for maturity.

revival, which is a nice ideal. Matthew 9:37-38 tells us that we actually don’t need to pray for revival or harvest. The harvest is already there. If we’re going to pray for anything, we should pray for more Christians to see the harvest and take up the work that they’re given to do. We need to theologically teach that every Christian’s workplace is their mission field. We see a picture in John 4 of Jesus strategically sitting around the well, the centre of His community. Jesus’s travels were not haphazard. They were meticulously orchestrated so as to enhance the greatest advantage for the success of His coming kingdom. If every Christian saw themselves as a well-digger, they would deeply believe that people will come to them for something natural, but leave with something supernatural. Theologically, we need to picture Jesus, who spent less time in the temple and more time in amongst people. He really sat down and got to know people. He empathized, He had mercy, He had grace, He took time, He loved children. Everything about Jesus was about people. We’ve got to get the people picture back into our theology. We’ve got lots of temple theology, but we have to add people and engagement theology to that. Q: What is a pastor’s primary responsibility? What are the next priorities after that? Paul: The Senior Pastor’s primary responsibility is to model who Christ is and what He was here to do. I don’t think we should be perfect; us Senior Pastors are not perfect! But we need to firstly model love, grace, understanding and empathy to the people we are leading. Beyond that, we need to teach them that they have a role, a purpose, a mission: that their life was meant for something great, something significant; that they have a unique stamp, a God stamp on their life, over their gifting, talent, energy and opportunity - that only they have. It’s their responsibility to do whatever they can to use those gifts for the good of the kingdom.

Q: How do you cultivate a sense of biblical godly community in the local church? Paul: There has to be a strong sense of discipleship, a strong sense of purpose, and a strong sense that we are not here for ourselves. When I first started as Senior Leader at Lighthouse, I taught for nearly a year the thought: “What if it’s not about you?” What if now that you’re born again your life is no longer just about what you want, how you want and when you want it in church culture? It’s about getting uncomfortable yourself, so that the people that you surround yourself with might come to know Jesus, through your personal life.

www.acccommunityengagement.org.au www.ganggalah.com

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK...

REACHING YOUR COMMUNITY BY DONNA CROUCH

“If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light-stand – shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 15-16 MSG) When people in the community look at the local church, what do they see? Are they thinking, ‘What do they do to help people?’ or ‘What do they do all day?’ Some would think we have church services and sing hymns all the time. It’s our job and our responsibility to communicate clearly and exactly what we do to help people. You are probably doing better than you think you are. If you were to remove all the departments, systems and names of ministries and programs, and write a simple summary of everything you actually do as a church to help people – the list would be enormous, no matter the size of your church. If you have a youth group that provides a faith-based drug & alcohol free environment for young people, or a children’s ministry or playgroups, you are adding something to the community. If you provide support in people’s worst

NEW LEADERS: AARON & MALINDA WALLACE Congratulations to Aaron Wallace who has been nominated as the District Leader for the Australian Christian Churches Country North West District and the Country North Regional Executive in Victoria, and also will represent the state of Victoria on the National Indigenous Initiative team. This is a huge honour for this young Indigenous man originally from the Mt Druitt area of Western Sydney. Aaron and Malinda are the senior Pastors of Lifesource Church in Eucha Victoria, and are doing an incredible work in that region. The ACC National Indigenous Initiative Team congratulate and celebrate with them both, as we are so proud of them. Aaron is not only paving a way for our next generation of Indigenous leaders in our movement, he is setting an example of what God can do when we are obedient and hear His voice.

moments like illness, crisis, relationship issues or even death (what we call pastoral care), you’re helping people. If you run training courses or a Bible college, that provides ongoing adult education, or host Sunday services where people form cross-cultural, generational relationships, you are contributing to the community. If you give people volunteering opportunities, from creative arts to running a venue and everything in between; or even bus people to church – which helps break the cycle of isolation and loneliness – well, you are doing plenty for the community! Everything we do in church is for the community. People who attend our churches are part of the broader community – they don’t live in planet church – they live in a suburb near your church. They are the community. Making sense of what we actually do for people, in a language that the community understands, is our responsibility. Don’t put a bucket over your church, but help your community understand what you really do – that helps people! Let’s become better communicators about what church is really all about. TAKE ANOTHER LOOK… at how we communicate to our community

LIVING GENEROUSLY BY TIM MACREADY

e often hear the verse “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Yet the culture in which we live usually causes us to interpret this verse in one of two ways; we give to become more blessed (give to get) or in our desire to be a source of blessing, we find it difficult to receive. However both are mere shadows of God’s true intention for us. By human default we start and end with ourselves, but truly living generously isn’t about us at all. Of course it includes us, but it starts and ends with God. We give because He gave. Generosity is a response to receiving. Through accepting God’s free gift of grace, we discover that we are the ‘more blessed’ people on the earth, and so we give. Not to become blessed, not to be seen as generous, but because we are the more blessed. It’s something God made us to be in Christ Jesus and it’s it not from ourselves. (Ephesians 2:8) Giving benefits the giver more than the receiver. (Acts 20:35) God’s plan for us to live generously is that He would be generous first, towards us. The key to living generously, is to receive generously from God, and then give from what He gives to us. We truly are more blessed to give out of the abundance of God, than we are to receive from the abundance of man. Giving increases your intimacy with Christ as it directs our

heart towards Him. Matthew 6:21 tells us “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Giving also develops your character. Our heavenly Father wants our character to be transformed to look like Christ. Jesus was unselfish. Someone once said that “giving is not God’s way of raising money, it’s God’s way of raising people in the likeness of his Son.” Sharing leads to life. “Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” (1 Timothy 6:18-19) So how much should we give? Submit yourself to God and earnestly seek His will for you in this area. However the Bible does teach us to give in proportion to the material blessing we have received, and it especially commends sacrificial giving. To whom do we give? There are three categories of people outlined in the Bible: 1) our family and relatives; 2) the local church, Christian workers and ministries; and 3) the poor. Tim Macready is the Chief Investment Officer at Christian Super.

www.christiansuper.com.au

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK...

GIVING BY JOHN HUNT

These days it’s so easy to organise your giving. Internet banking makes last minute trips to the ATM or remembering my credit card giving redundant. I just set things up on a monthly auto deduction and forget about it. Simple. Yes, it may be simple but maybe not as beneficial as it could be. I have been challenged by the process behind the way giving was required for the nation of Israel. It wasn’t just the gift that was required but a statement that went along with it. God was drilling something deep in the soul of His people with every gift they gave. I think my soul could do with that same medicine. “Then you shall declare before the LORD your God: “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt with a few people and lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous. But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, subjecting us to harsh labor. Then we cried out to the LORD, the God of our ancestors,

www.titusgovernance.com

and the LORD heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression. So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders. He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, LORD, have given me.” Place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before him.” (Deut 26:5-10 NIV) God made them see the link between their gift and their salvation – not just once but each time they gave. In a world where the attitude of entitlement is increasing, a poignant reminder that my giving isn’t something I do in the hope to get more blessed rather it is something I get to do because I have been so blessed. TAKE ANOTHER LOOK… at your giving

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK...

ENDURING OR ENJOYING? BY SHANE BAXTER

Cruising down the road in a 1970s muscle car, my wife Georgie by my side, and Barnsie blasting through the stereo, I need nothing more to send me to my happy place! Now I know for some this wouldn’t be considered appropriate, but I think if we had more pastors and leaders who knew how to find their (righteous) happy places, maybe we’d have less falling along the way to burnout, breakdowns, adultery and behaviour unbecoming of a minister. My purpose in taking a look at this is in no way to condemn anyone, but rather to highlight the fact that we are body, soul and spirit, and wisdom would tell us that we need to care for all three realms of our life. ‘So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.’ (Ecc 8:15)

So if the Lord is commending ‘the enjoyment of life’, as you live your life in Christ, ask yourself what is it that fuels you and makes you happy. I know there is fullness of joy in the presence of the Lord, (don’t go getting all religious on me now), but when you rise up from prayer, when you step away from a glorious Sunday where all went well, or from a Sunday where everything went wrong, where do you go? What do you do? Plan every week to step into your happy place – play golf, ride a bike, paint a masterpiece, cook a culinary delight – find what it is. What did you love to do before you got ‘too busy’? TAKE ANOTHER LOOK… find and enjoy your happy place

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DISRUPTION BY JOHN MCMARTIN

I recall as a 10 year old child standing on the front steps of my dad’s church. I had a vision of myself speaking to a large crowd of multi-coloured faced people. Looking back, that was the time of God’s calling coming upon my life. As time went on, I remember so clearly when God impressed on me to officially prepare myself for the ministry. Up until that moment, I was in love with the idea of ministry, but now I had to do something that totally disrupted my life’s pattern. I had to resign from my wellpaying position and career and go to Bible college. The reality is when God gives you a call to a particular endeavour, it will always bring disruption to your way of life. When God spoke to Noah and told him to build an ark, Noah’s life changed forever. When Jesus spoke to His disciples, their lives, including their vocation, changed. When God spoke to Paul (Saul) on the road to Damascus, it radically changed

him and the direction of his life. Whenever God speaks, and we respond, it brings change. Things cannot remain the same, but many want to have their cake and eat it too. Many struggle with the discomfort that embracing change brings. For some, Jesus calls us to follow Him, but we want to follow our old way of life. For some, Jesus calls us to be His ministers, but we don’t want to pay the price of preparation. For some, Jesus calls us out of our problems, but we like the attention people give us in our problems. When Jesus calls, He made it clear that you cannot hold on to the old – He has something new in store for u s. It is a matter of taking the Lord at His word and trusting Him completely. Let’s be prepared to lay everything down and give Him the unrestricted permission to out-work His Word within our lives. Yes, it will disrupt everything you are familiar with, yet it will eventually bring joy, peace, fulfilment and blessing. TAKE ANOTHER LOOK…at embracing change

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2017 DIARY JUNE ACC KIDSHAPER NATIONAL TOUR 2 – 10 June 2017 Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth www.acckids.org.au/nationaltour/ http://acckids.org.au/nationaltour/ www.acckids.org.au/nationaltour/

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MARCH 2018 WIND IN SAILS

COLOUR WOMENS CONFERENCE 1: 15–17 March 2: 19–21 March 2018 The Theatre at ICC, Darling Harbour Sydney www.colourconference.com/sydney

- BE FOUND

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COLOUR TWENTY-18

Sydney

Our three day “flagship” conference where it all began

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Conf One: 15-17 March 2018 Conf Two: 19-21 March 2018

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