ACC EMAG #2 2020

#2 2020

EMAG

quarterly publication for acc leaders

T S O P D

I V CO CH

R U H C

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n o i t a i l i c n Reco are C d i v o C alth e H l a t n Me ic t s e m o D Violence

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Cover photo: iStock

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POST COVID CHURCH As the Church emerges from Covid restrictions, there are new pathways to consider. This edition gives focus to the pressing issues of Domestic Violence, Mental Health and reconciliation, as well as celebrating a return to gathering and loving our neighbours.

Well Done Church!

Wayne Alcorn applauds the Church for faithfully continuing to minister throughout the Covid restrictions.

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NEWS Thousands pray online at historic ACC Prayer meeting

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Virtual Events

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The Blessing Australia; Virtual Graduation; ‘Black Summer’ Bushfire Response; Cityhope Care Changing the world one coffee cup at a time – Adrian Chen COVID CARE

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Loving Our Neighbours by Matt Bird Beyond Our Borders - ACCI Interview: Josh & Belinda Groves RECONCILIATION Aware & Engage

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How Do We Begin This Journey Together?

by WIll & Sandra Dumas

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Black Lives Must Matter: A Historical Pentecostal Perspective by U-wen Low

POST COVID CHURCH Looking Around The Covid Corner: Q & A with Sean Stanton Is Your Vision For The Church Too Small? by Jacqueline Grey

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The Zoom Church Revolution by Ashley Evans

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Churches, Covid & the DV Crisis by Matt Boulton

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Mental Wealth by Dr Robi Sonderegger

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Wellbeing Matters by Ruth Limkin

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Mentoring: A 360o Health Check by Keith Farmer & Tim Hanna

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RESOURCES Watch and Read

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Well Done Church!

BY WAYNE ALCORN

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s restrictions change and we work around solutions to get back to holding regular services in our buildings, in accordance with our various State restrictions, I want to personally thank and applaud you for faithfully staying on course during this unusual Covid season.

always remember when they look back on the Covid season.

Thank you for making special occasions exceptional: celebrating Easter online that reminded people of the power of salvation and resurrection life of Jesus; finding innovative ways to commemorate Anzac Day, to honour women on Mother’s Day, to remember the Day of Pentecost, and to acknowledge Reconciliation Week.

Thank you for stepping up and embracing technology to keep communicating the Gospel and connecting people to Jesus. We have such a great appreciation for all our production and tech teams who have stepped up, and tirelessly gone so many extra miles, to make online church possible, week in and week out.

Thank you for committing to pray – for supporting the call to pray daily at 1900 hours, and for everyone who joined our historic ACC Pentecost Sunday Prayer Meeting online. Led by our National Executives and State Presidents, we touched heaven with heartfelt prayers for reconciliation, restoration and revival across the earth, together with the prayer of our Prime Minister for peace.

Thank you for setting aside midweek days and nights to Zoom, host Instagram-Lives, Facetime, Livestream or whatever other method you used, to connect face-to-face with people.

Thank you for exploring creative ways to reach out and love those struggling within our communities during the isolation period.

Thousands of families and individuals have been touched by the kindness and generosity of churches who took the time to demonstrate love in action to those who needed a helping hand.

Thank you, above all, for keeping the Name of Jesus alive, bringing hope and faith to everyone in the midst of this pandemic.

I feel extremely blessed to lead our wonderful ACC family in these times; to see the spirit of unity and strength in every one of you, rising to occasion to put the Kingdom first. As we all look forward to gathering again, I am believing our ACC family will be able to do so in April next year, when we meet on the Gold Coast for the National Conference. Save these dates in your calendar: 20-22 April 2021.

Thank you to our amazing kids and youth teams who enthusiastically kept engaging with the younger generations of our congregations who were confined to weeks at home. Wonderful seeds have been sown in this time that kids will

Wayne Alcorn is the ACC National President. He pastors the multi-campus Hope Centre in Brisbane together with his wife, Lyn.

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NEWS

THOUSANDS PRAY ONLINE AT HISTORIC ACC PRAYER MEETING

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t was an historic gathering as around 4,500 ACC pastors and leaders gathered online to pray together on Pentecost Sunday, 31 May 2020.

Hosted and led by ACC National President, Pastor Wayne Alcorn, the hour-long prayer meeting on a Zoom platform included prayers for all levels of government, physical health, spiritual revival, families, relationships, reconciliation, and financial and economic wellbeing.

“Pentecost Sunday was a significant occasion for Spirit-filled believers to unite and pray, in celebration of what happened in Acts chapter 2,” said Wayne Alcorn. “We were praying not just against a virus but for revival – for the recovery, reawakening and restoration of people physically, mentally and spiritually.”

“This was possibly the largest prayer gathering of our movement’s history,” he said.

“It is estimated that we had over 4,500 joining us, not only across Australia but overseas, as we have field workers and missionaries in over 30 nations, who didn’t return home but stayed to serve their communities.”

“We were extremely honoured to be joined by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who shared with the leaders of our movement, and prayed for peace.”

ACC congregations all over Australia observed the Day of Pentecost through their online services throughout the day, in remembrance of the beginning of the early Church and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

THE HON. SCOTT MORRISON, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: I thank you and everyone for their prayers, from all around the country from the Australian Christian Churches and from so many different faiths. My prayer over our nation is that God will continue to bring His peace to our country. The peace of mind that only He can bring, that surpasses all understanding will calm us and keep us strong.

I pray for His peace that is internal and ever present, and absolutely overwhelming to show his love in these times of awful trial.

Above all, thank you for your peace that calms our souls. We pray for that peace on our nation.

‘WE WERE PRAYING NOT JUST AGAINST A VIRUS BUT FOR REVIVAL – FOR THE RECOVERY, REAWAKENING AND RESTORATION OF PEOPLE PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY AND SPIRITUALLY’ – WAYNE ALCORN

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SEAN & LYNDA STANTON: We pray for revival. First and foremost that you revive us, our faith and trust in you.

Breathe on us and give us boldness – a fresh creativity to reach the generations; an outpouring for souls, for dreams coming to life again. May Australia never ever be the same again. Amen.

JOHN & FRANCINE HUNT: We pray for the prosperity of our land; for an economic bounce back in our nation; that we can be a blessing to other nations.

We pray for business owners and those who have lost jobs, who have been in the battle amidst fires and pandemic, that there will be hope.

BRAD & ALISON BONHOMME: We pray for Government. We pray for our Prime Minister and his family; for every political leader and representative - Federal, State and Local councils, and Chief Health ministers at this time. May you strengthen them, encourage them and fill them afresh, with the Holy Spirit.

JOSH & SHARON BRETT: We pray for frontline workers; for those in healthcare and education. Thank you for their hearts to selflessly serve others. We pray blessing and protection over them and their families. We pray for their mental health in the midst of the daily struggles, and draw them to you. May your Spirit permeate every hospital, university and school across our nation.

JOEL & SHARON CHELLIAH: We pray for families and relationships: Father, we pray for the marriages, families, husbands and wives and children of this great nation. We ask you to pour out your Spirit over every single household,that we will see a restoration in relationships and human dignity restored. We pray for the prodigals, that children will return, and that you will restore households and families.

DAVE & ALIX MORSE: We pray for the health and wellbeing of people, for a healthy soul across our nation.

We pray for mental health challenges, and domestic violence in relationships; that spirits and souls will be revived for those who are anxious, alone and full of despair.

We pray for healthy hearts and healthy minds and declare that our nation will have a healthy soul.

SHANE & GEORGIE BAXTER: We pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We need you like never

MATT & FRANCA HEINS:

PAUL & ANNETTE BARTLETT:

before. Fill us with joy, with peace; let us be filled to overflowing like in the Day of Pentecost. Let it pour into our streets, communities and neighbourhoods. Pour out your spirit into every dry spirit. That every dry heart will be saturated and catch fire.

JOEL & JULIA A’BELL:

We pray for our nation, Australia. We seek your face as a unified people across this nation; praying for revitalisation and reconciliation to come to every part of

We pray for souls and an incredible harvest. We pray for a spiritual restoration in our nation – that people who have never heard your voice will hear you and experience your love, compassion and goodness over their lives.. We pray for revival and a great harvest, believing for miracles, that many will come to know you. this beautiful land.

Thank you for your plan and purpose for this melting pot of people that call Australia home. Lord, you are the desire of all nations and we lift this nation to you.

Thank you have called us to this nation for such a time as this.

We pray for the local church, that we are one together and that we are a light to the world. Thank you that you placed the local church in the midst of communities of individuals. We pray for a greater revelation of how the local church can impact our neighbourhoods and communities in our great nation.

missionaries: protect and keep them safe; increase their fruitfulness.; for churches to grow stronger in faith and influence in their nations.

Raise up workers for ALUN & JOAN DAVIES: the ripe harvest fields of We’re praying for the nations of the the world. Move upon world. In the name of Jesus, we bring the nations of the world you the nations and ask for a mighty and bring every tribe move of the Spirit. We pray for the and nation to Christ.

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Virtual events With restrictions on travel and large gatherings, many annual conferences have had to be cancelled. ACC State Conferences have already adjusted their conference events, depending on their State Government restrictions for gathering. Three ACC ministry departments are forging ahead with innovative virtual events that will still connect, resource and equip delegates.

PANASIA 2020 Virtual PanAsia Conference 3 – 7 August 2020 Follow ACCI Facebook & Instagram for info KIDSHAPER 2020 Faith. Family. Future.

Thursday 20th August 2020 7.30pm - 9.30pm AEST $20 registration acckids.org.au UNITED WE STAND 2020 Friday 14 August 2020 8pm AEST This year Youth Alive’s UWS is bringing you Australia’s Biggest Watch Party More info: united-we-stand.co

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NEWS

OVER 300 MINISTRIES PART OF ‘THE BLESSING’ AUSTRALIA Over 300 churches and ministries took part in the unique The Blessing Australia project, to unite, celebrate and honour the many different denominations, groups and ministries within the Australian Church, and sing a blesisng over the nation.

The song ‘The Blessing’ by Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes and Elevation Worship, is based on the powerful priestly blessing from Numbers 6:22-27, spoken over people’s lives for thousands of years As ‘The Blessing’ projects have swept across the globe during the Covid pandemic, the heart behind the Australian project was to reveal the diversity of the body of Christ and the diversity of Australian landscapes and the people who live here.

The creative team behind the project wanted to show the multi-faceted and multicultural nature of the local church, encouraging singers and musicians to express their own local contexts.. They also sought the advice and counsel from multiple Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, who gave unified counsel on Indigenous matters.

“The amazing thing about this project is that we’ve received submissions from everyone,” said Creative Director Luke Munns. “We have Indigenous Christian communities involved, Catholics, Anglicans, ACC, Hillsong, Planetshakers, C3, CityLife, DaySpring and Riverview, just to name a few.”

‘The Blessing Australia’ project was released on Sunday, 7 June 2020 – an apt finale to Reconciliation Week WATCH on YouTube channel, ‘The Blessing Australia.’

More info, visit: theblessingaustralia.com

VIRTUAL STYLE GRADUATION Alphacrucis College celebrated their 2020 graduates in virtual style this year, via a live 15 minute video on YouTube and Facebook on Saturday, 13 June 2020.

This cohort of students graduated at a time that reminds us how important it is to have Christian education shaping our leaders.

The 804 graduates received their testamurs by mail prior to the event, with some testamurs being mailed as far as Colombia and the UK. All 2020 graduates will be invited to walk the stage at AC’s 2021 graduation ceremony, so we look forward to an extra large celebration in 2021!

We wish all graduating students every blessing as they begin their new adventures!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE 2020 GRADUATION VIDEO

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‘BLACK SUMMER’ ACC BUSHFIRE RESPONSE

n March, ACCI staff carried out field visits to assess how funds in NSW, SA and VIC had been used during the initial (emergency) stage of the bushfire response and to conduct a needs assessment to guide future (recovery phase) activities.Visits with the eight key churches involved in the response, which in VIC were done remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions, identified four common needs.

Funds are now being directed to activities which directly align with these needs, which include:

• Business vouchers Addressing the need of reduced incomes and loss of livelihood Churches are partnering with their local chambers of commerce to identify businesses in their areas which are struggling financially due to the bushfires.

Vouchers are then purchased from these businesses and distributed to families and individuals who have been impacted by the bushfires.

• Family financial support packages / acts of kindness Addressing the needs of vulnerable families who are struggling to access support Many churches have identified families in their communities who are struggling with significant needs. While some have received support from other organisations, many have fallen through the cracks and are unable to access support.

Under this program, churches and chaplains can apply to ACCI for funds to help individuals or families meet a variety of needs, including replacing tools, water tanks and pumps, as well as vouchers for groceries, clothing and fuel.

In four locations, Services NSW is also referring vulnerable people to ACC churches for help. Through this initiative, we’ve been able to provide items like chainsaws, fridges, lawn mowers, water tanks, portable toilets, furniture and various tools to help communities on the road to recovery.

areas have, or will, set up community distribution and support hubs to provide food, clothing and other services. These hubs also help churches identify people needing family financial support packages / acts of kindness and chaplaincy support.

• Community distribution and support hub Addressing the needs of families who are struggling to meet basic needs, including purchasing food In many areas, families are struggling to make ends meet and are likely to remain under financial stress for some time. Several churches in the affected

DONATIONS to ACCI’s bushfire appeal are still welcome and will continue to make a difference for the families and individuals impacted by these fires.

• Chaplaincy Addressing mental health concerns Chaplains continue to provide care to those affected by the bushfires. Chaplains are being employed for 1-2 days a week for 3-6 months, working with families and individuals who need their support.

SENATOR ‘EXTRAORDINARILY IMPRESSED’ WITH CITYHOPE CARE Following a visit to CityHope Care Ripley campus in Qld, Senator Paul Scarr spoke about their work to the Senate in June. He remarked how he saw “an extradordinarily impressive wall of hampers” and gave them a shout-out for delivering over 100 hampers per week, valued at between $7000 and $15000 worth of goods.

“This amazing organisation provides hampers of hope to families in need during Covid,” he said. “Each hamper is individually tailored for the family or group who receives it.”

He made special mention of the emergency Cityhope Care packs for those leaving Domestic & Family Violence situations. In partnership with the Qld Police, these are now a staple in every frontline police vehicle .

Cityhope Care partners with over 110 agencies in the Ipswich community and beyond. Since March 2020 (and the start of Covid19), the need for these emergency hampers has significantly increased (by roughly 500%),

Pastor Mark Edwards shows Senator Paul Scarr the CityHope Care stocks at the Ripley Campus 8

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

BUSINESS COURSES:

HELPING THE BUSINESS OF CHURCHES

Diploma of Business Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Ministry Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Theology

Sam Tomko Diploma of Business Graduate

“I’m working at two small business now, and my time in the Diploma of Business has helped shape me into someone who can add value above and beyond my job description. The teaching from AC on integrity and the importance of personal character have seen me find favour with both bosses and my co-workers.”

As businesses and churches begin to re-open in a post-COVID world, AC can help pastors and ministry leaders develop their business skills for church and ministry in our new normal.

You will learn about marketing, building sustainable organisations, understanding the legal environment today and how to be a good financial steward.

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Sydney, Brisbane and Online Semester 2 starts August 2020 1300 228 355 STUDY.AC.EDU.AU/ACC/BUSINESS

CHANGING THE WORLD...

One Cup Of Coffee

AT A TIME

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eet ADRIAN CHEN, Alphacrucis graduate and co-founder of Huskee Cup, a reusable coffee cup business making waves around the world.

While reusable designs are a huge improvement on single-use takeaway coffee cups – one billion of which end up in landfill every year in Australia alone – what makes Huskee different?

They’re not just another plastic cup. Huskee cups are made from discarded coffee husk, that’s the layer of cells that coat a coffee bean. The coffee industry generates around 1.7 million tons of coffee husk waste each year. So Huskee is tackling not one but two waste problems simultaneously.

Adrian is responsible for manufacturing and legals at Huskee, and he has always regarded the workplace and industry to be just as important a mission field as any other. He brings this passion and belief to his role at Huskee.

“Alphacrucis has provided me with a solid grounding in my faith, providing insight and inspiration on what it means to apply my faith in business.”

Not only has Huskee revolutionised reusable cups, they also realised that there are even more benefits. When they met with engineers and designers, they discovered that the husk keeps coffee hotter for longer. Now that’s something we can all appreciate.

And it could benefit your church, too. Huskee has recently launched their HuskeeSwap program – rolled out in areas such as Sydney’s Barangaroo precinct as well as famous cafes like Think Coffee in New York – where you don’t have to remember your own reusable cup every time, you can simply swap it out for Huskee Cups owned and washed by your local café or church.

Genius!

This is just one of the many ways AC students and graduates are using their gifts and training for good. Adrian says, “There are plenty of ways to make a difference in business. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if more people understood that having a successful business and finding solutions to real-world problems, especially environmental and social ones, aren’t mutually exclusive?”

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For more info on the AC Business courses, visit: study.ac.edu.au/acc/business

WOULDN’T IT BE WONDERFUL IF MORE PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD THAT HAVING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS AND FINDING SOLUTIONS TO REALWORLD PROBLEMS, ESPECIALLY ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ONES, AREN’T MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE? – ADRIAN CHEN

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COVID CARE Kindness ruled in the midst of Covid 19 as local churches found innovative ways of helping those in need. From meals to masks, from hampers to helping hands, thousands of people have experienced the love of God during isolation restrictions.

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Loving

our neighbours T

he Church may have been unable to meet physically on Sundays or do many of the things it has normally done but it found new ways to love God and love neighbours.

As the leader of a global movement (Cinnamon Network), I have the privilege of seeing what churches around the world are doing in these extraordinary times. Allow me to tell you a little of what I have seen the Holy Spirit and COVID-19 cause the Church to do.

Loving our neighbour is also seeing many innovations • South Africa: A local church began making protective face masks for key workers in care homes and community clinics.

At last count they had made 3,504 protective face masks, and now with the support of Cinnamon Network ,other churches are replicating that project (to save reinventing the wheel).

• Netherlands: A church launched a listening ear service for the community. Anyone who is experiencing anxiety could arrange to speak with a volunteer from the church who would simply be a listening ear for their current situation. At the end of the telephone call, the volunteer would ask if they could pray or them.

In my own neighbourhood my wife and I wrote letters to everyone in our street inviting them to become part of a community support group. We had over 50 responses and set up a messaging group through which people can offer help and ask for help. The residents on our street have always said hello but now there is an incredible level of neighbourliness.

The devil may have thought that COVID-19 would close the Church. In reality the pandemic has scattered the church to the corners of communities it has never been. The Holy Spirit has powered the Church to reimagine how it fulfils its mission in our new socially distanced way of life.

What I am seeing is that every follower of Jesus has become a leader, every house hold has become a house church and every street has become a parish.

Loving God has taken many new forms The most popular has of course been ‘Online Church’ with churches live streaming or playing pre-recorded broadcasts.

Church leaders globally have been reporting they are drawing larger crowds to their online meetings than they could ever fit in their buildings.

A recent survey said 24% of the population have watched or listened to a religious service since lockdown began compared to around 5% of the population who would have previously visited a church twice or more a month.

I recently preached on a ‘Radio Church’. The presenter at a community radio station explained to the station manager that churches could no longer meet physically. He cheekily asked the station manager if they could launch a ‘Radio Church’ programme every Sunday morning - they agreed.

• Denmark: A church that was recently planted felt they couldn’t stop connecting with the congregation during lockdown. They rented a car park and a flatbed lorry, then launched the world’s first ‘Drive-In Church’ with members turning up in their cars every Sunday.

• United Kingdom: There is a rural community with very poor Internet connectivity so a church leader has launched ‘Telephone Church’. People were invited to dial-in on a free conference call number every Sunday.

Matt Bird is the founder of Cinnamon Network Australia www.cinnamonnetwork. org.au and CEO of Cinnamon Network International www.cinnamonnetwork.com

READ the ACC digital report on Covid19 Community Care, with inspiring community outreach initiatives, snapshots and reports from local churches.

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ACCI COVID19 INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

Beyond our borders A

s a global missions and development organisation, with people ministering in more than 40 countries, the COVID19 pandemic has presented one of the biggest challenges we’ve ever faced in the history of our mission.

While we are doing everything we can to support the many missionaries and field workers who have returned home, as well as those who have decided to remain on the field, we know that these are unprecedented times.

Like many other organisations around the world, we do not know what the future holds or what this global outbreak will mean for our work – and for our people – long term.

We need to have more faith than ever for our present needs and for the challenges ahead, and to continue trusting in God who is always working on our behalf.

We also know that a crisis like this disproportionately affects those living in poverty. We are working with our field workers and partners as they provide emergency support to families in crisis and carry out activities aimed at preventing the spread of the disease.

To donate to any of these projects, please head online to our COVID-19 or Kinnected appeal pages.

Thank you!

Ps Alun Davies ACCI Director

MOTHER’S HEART, CAMBODIA: Mother’s Heart works with women who face a crisis pregnancy.

Already, 12 of their mothers have lost their jobs due to COVID-19 restrictions and are struggling to provide for their families. Mother’s Heart is providing packages of essential items for these women, as well as a small stipend to cover rental and utility costs.  Your support will provide essential items and financial support for unemployed mothers in need.

AOG WORLD RELIEF, VIETNAM: AOGWR works with people in rural communities, empowering them to change their lives through communitybased development. Many of these families cannot afford to buy soap or other basic sanitary items.  Your gift of $20 will supply soap to 10 households  Your gift of $45 will supply hand sanitiser to 10 households THE RIVER TEAM, THAILAND: The River Team works with local leaders and community members to facilitate grassroots community change and empower people to live healthier lives. Water is not always accessible in the mountainous communities where the team works and a bottle of hand sanitiser often costs a day’s income. The River Team is helping local communities produce their own hand sanitiser.  Your gift will be used to purchase raw materials to produce hand sanitiser.

SEPHEO, LESOTHO: Sepheo supports children and young people living and begging on the streets of Maseru, Lesotho’s capital. COVID-19 shutdowns have resulted in a severe food shortage in this area. The Sepheo team is now working to feed 9,000 households – around 35,000 people.  Your gift of $25 will provide food relief for a family for a month.

KINNECTED, MYANMAR: ACCI’s Kinnected program supports children’s right to be raised in a loving family instead of in residential care. Children are especially vulnerable during disasters and there is also increased risk of family separation. Kinnected Myanmar continues to work closely with children and families associated with the program, providing additional support to help them get through the COVID-19 crisis together.  Your gift will help Kinnected Myanmar provide emergency food and financial support to vulnerable children and families.

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COVID-19 CASE STUDY JOSH AND BELINDA GROVES, LESOTHO

In the small landlocked kingdom of Lesotho, JOSH AND BELINDA GROVES are working to give marginalised young people a second chance at life. They get children off the street and back into families, and work with vulnerable young women, including those involved in prostitution.

When COVID-19 led to widespread shutdowns in Lesotho, many families suddenly had no way to earn an income and mass starvation soon became a reality in the village where the Groves work.

Despite being accidentally caught in Australia, due to their trip home being cancelled, the Groves and their Lesotho-based team quickly sprang into action. Here they share their inspiring story of big faith, quick action and how ‘God came to the party’.

Q: What are you doing right now to help people in need?

Josh: Right now, we are getting food out to as many people as we can, as fast as we can. Food is the answer right now.

In the first week of the shutdown, we were looking only at feeding our beneficiaries but when our team was out, they said, ‘the neighbours are now hungry’ and every week, that number is getting bigger. When confronted with news like that, we can say ‘it’s tragic’, or we can say, ‘we can do something about it’.

Belinda: For the first few weeks, we were supporting everyone associated with Sepheo. Now we’re looking at our entire village, which is 9,000 households – about 35,000 people.

everything He’s spoken is true. He’s multiplied money in our hands. He does more with so little. I hope that we can all come out of this with a tested faith; that confidence that every part of God’s word is truth and we can build our life on it.

Q: Wow! How are you supporting that many people?

Belinda: Honestly, our faith has to count for something.

Our God is the God of a cattle on a thousand hills. If something is right then you do it and in our experience, God comes to the party. At first, we set out to feed 1,000 households, with no resources. We had companies giving to help before we even asked. God has the resources. We’re his hands and feet.

Josh: If we’re not relevant now, we certainly won’t be relevant when this is over. For us, this is an opportunity. Yes, we are responding to immediate need but we know that beyond this, there’s a bigger mission.

Q: Lastly, what encouragement would you give to those in Australia who might also be personally affected by this global disaster?

Josh: We know that individuals have sacrificed. That churches have sacrificed. We want to say thank you.

Missions is still going on. God’s kingdom isn’t taking a break.

It’s advancing; just as it always has.

Belinda: Also, most missionaries know what it’s like to have not much, not to have structure, not to have certainty, not to have predictable incomes, so we can tell you that God is faithful and though your life is more uncertain that it has been, there is nothing shaken. We have seen God. He has done miracles for us. And He will sustain YOU.

Q. What has this meant to you personally?

Belinda: We get excited about the chance to prove the word of God; times like this only demonstrate that 15

RECONCILIATION

Aware&

Engage A

s the world erupted in outrage against the death of George Floyd at the end of May, the light has shone on the evils of racism and injustice that has pervaded society for decades and centuries.

“Perhaps it was no coincidence that here in Australia, we were in the midst of Reconciliation Week,” said Wayne Alcorn. “Our historic Pentecost Sunday prayer meeting acknowledged this and included prayers for justice, reconciliation and healing in our land. We recognise that even as we pray and show our support and empathy, there is still more to be done in this space to see healing from the pain of the past.”

“The conviction of the Holy Spirit means that as believers, we aren’t merely silent bystanders but active participants in bringing change and reconciliation.”

Real Conversations Many ACC churches took the opportunity to have raw and real conversations that went deep into the pain and hurt, yet also deep into the hope and healing that is in Jesus.

“Looking forward, we need to continue to build on our prayers and discussions,” said Wayne Alcorn. “Over the past decade, our ACC Indigenous Initiative has focused on two words – to engage and to be aware. I encourage every ACC leader to consider how they can practically become more aware and conscious of the real issues, and then respond by actively engaging in this space.”

He acknowledged that the depth of the hurt of past injustices is not a quick fix, and it is is an ongoing journey of reconciliation.

“Possibly the best place to start in this process is to engage in meaningful, respectful conversations, where we commit to actively listen to the heart of people who need their story to be heard.

Practical Steps From creating awareness and engagement, it’s then important to take practical steps to further facilitate reconciliation in church life. For example, a ‘Welcome to Country’ for significant events; or celebrating our Indigenous culture in NAIDOC Week in the church calendar every July. Taking things a step further can include coming alongside a church in an Indigenous community or supporting the training of a young Indigenous leader.

“Our wonderful ACC Indigenous leaders have provided a wealth of resources for us to learn how to close the gap in a spirit of reconciliation, ” said Wayne Alcorn. “Our annual ACC Indigenous Conference is a great place to learn more.”

Due to Covid19, the 2020 ACC Indigenous Conference has been postponed, but the National Indigenous team under the leadership of Pastor Wiliaml & Sandra Dumas are available to talk to churches and pastors.

ACCI has also been making some great contributions online on justice and equality, as they work in this area of ministry both here and overseas.

“Let’s be mindful that we have been called for a time such as this, and with a heart for righteousness and justice, we have been given the ‘ministry of reconciliation’,” said Wayne Alcorn: 16

How can the Church be involved in reconcilation?

How do we begin this journey together?

Listen - truly listen.

Be open - truly open.

Learn - truly learn. ...and you will hear the God of justice at work in our nation.

The unrest in our nation is not an American issue spill over or copycat response but a very real cry from the actual heart of this country and it’s First Nation people. This outcry is from years of suppressed oppression and deaf ears closing their hearts to the reality of a broken and hurt people.

As Christians, we can respond with sincerity of heart and ask, How can we help with your pain and hurt?

It’s ok not to understand all that’s going on right now, but it is imperative that the Church be informed and educated. There are so many hidden dark atrocities that have shattered families and communities and broken down a once independent, proud race of people.

But we know that JESUS is the Answer and our responses represent how the world and our Indigenous brothers and sisters and neighbours see the Church and ultimately see Jesus.

Amos 5:24 says, “But let justice roll down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.”

The prophet Amos was saying—that what God wants is justice and right living rather than religious ceremonies.

We believe the Church of Jesus Christ in this nation has the opportunity to bring true healing and reconciliation through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We are in this Together.

Much love, William & Sandra Dumas National leaders: ACC Indigenous Forum

Awareness and education - on Indigenous issues, and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander history. It is important that the Church realise that a lot of hurt has come down through the generations. Listen and be open to learn about Indigenous culture and values, and pray that the Holy Spirit gives guidance and direction on how to go forward..

Conversation and relationships – Church leaders should be looking to their Indigenous leaders for input and have discussions when race and culture are at the forefront of current issues in our nation. ACC pastors should be building ongoing relationships with their ACC State Indigenous leaders and give them opportunity to share and speak on the issues.

Have an acknowledgment of country – on your church building; either a plaque or a painting – something that recognises the traditional owners, understanding and respecting that they are first nation people of this land. The Holy Spirit is moving in this generation, and each place of worship is an opportunity to spread God’s peace and forgiveness.

Be involved in NAIDOC and Reconciliation Week Look for speakers within your own church who can tell their stories and participate in the rebuilding of relationships.

Credential Indigenous leaders – Indigenous ministry hasn’t been a priority for many churches, so credentialed positions have been limited.

Churches can help by encouraging and supporting PMCs for Indigenous leaders, or sponsoring Indigneous leaders to get their credentials.

Attend the ACC Indigenous Conference The annual ACC Indigenous Conference isn’t for Indigenous people, but for everyone to learn and grow together in cultural and spiritual reconciliation. [Note: Due to Covid19, the 2020 ACC Indigenous Conference has been postponed.]

Contact: indigenous@acc.org.au

17

BLACK LIVES MUST MATTER:

A HISTORICAL PENTECOSTAL RESPONSE

BY U-WEN LOW

M

Let us do so by reminding ourselves of the history of our movement. Like many such reflections, we begin in Acts, where the Holy Spirit falls with tongues of fire upon men and women, Jew and Gentile, causing no small amount of controversy.

The early Church is prompted by the Spirit to challenge both injustice and domination; throughout the narrative of Acts, we see the early Christians (an underprivileged minority group) given agency through the Spirit, fighting persecution through acts of love and kindness – and solidarity with the poor and oppressed, to the point of martyrdom. Of course, let us not forget that Jesus himself died alongside criminals, viewed as a criminal and disproportionately punished, murdered by an oppressive system.

Moving forward some two thousand years, we see the Pentecostal movement come to prominence in Azusa Street under the leadership of William Joseph Seymour, an AfricanAmerican preacher. Unusually among institutions in the early 20th century, the Pentecostal Church modelled both justice and social equality in a time of widespread racial segregation.1 This church challenged social conventions in many important ways – notable is the fact that one of the first people to speak in tongues in the Azusa Street congregation was a child. Important also is the fact that women were given positions of leadership because of the movement’s theological emphasis on inspiration over organisation, a hallmark of the movement which continues to this day. 2 Here, it was clearly understood that black voices were just as important as white voices, despite being part of a society which clearly stated otherwise.

any Pentecostal Christians have been divided in how to respond to recent events of racial injustice. The rallying cry for most (as it has been for years) is ‘Black Lives Matter’, a statement which shocks us with its brazenness.

It highlights the fact that African-American lives in particular are at disproportionately high risk in the United States, and has forced many of us to consider our own nations’ treatment of African-American and First Nations people. Given the complexity of the issues, it can be extraordinarily difficult to formulate a coherent, careful response – so many of us have stayed silent.

However, it is imperative for the people of God to respond, and indeed many church organisations have already added their voices to the conversation. How, then, should Pentecostals seek to respond to these issues in a Godly way, led by the Holy Spirit?

18

The very history of Pentecostalism, birthed out of black and minority struggles against injustice, reminds us that all human life is precious to God, and that we must address issues of injustice; it reminds us that we can take action to build a better world. For now, the best way for us to do this is not by clouding the issue, but joining in solidarity to proudly proclaim that ‘Black Lives Matter,’ both to us and to God. Doing so in no way diminishes other experiences or compromises our faith, and if anything should challenge us to see other experiences of oppression and persecution around the world, and to work to alter them for the better.

In doing this, let us continue to pray that “His kingdom come, His will be done,” and to bear witness to His kingdom in our lives.

For a time, the systemic oppression against African American people was comprehensively rejected by Christian followers in an attempt to build a world which reflected their vision of the Kingdom of God – a world of equality and justice.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit was not limited to the United States – notably manifesting itself in India3, in North Korea4, and throughout Africa5, often before the arrival of Pentecostal missionaries!

In every location it sprung up, the Pentecostal movement challenged the dominant status quo – these churches were almost always comprised of minority groups who faced incredible systemic and structural challenges, much like the challenges highlighted by the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Spirit empowered men and women to stand up for justice, to speak out against inequalities, and most importantly, to live lives that reflected the coming Kingdom of God. In the vast majority of the world today, Pentecostal churches continue to be filled with minorities – those who are “poor and disenfranchised, the peasants, artisans, and laborers.”6 In other words, Pentecostals can and must take a vocal, overtly political stance when it comes to matters of justice.

Like our forebears who rejected military service during the First World War7, Pentecostals should take action on issues that affect society – doing so is part of our heritage. Whilst we may disagree on the means, and should follow in Jesus’ example of responding peacefully, it is still imperative for us to lend our support to groups facing oppression.

Dr. U-Wen Low is a Lecturer in Biblical Studies and Program Director of the Master of Arts, Graduate Diploma of Arts and Graduate Certificate of Arts courses at Alphacrucis.

This article was first published on Crucis.

1. Gastón Espinosa, ed., William J. Seymour and the Origins of Global Pentecostalism: A Biography and Documentary History.

2. Allan Anderson, To The Ends of the Earth: Pentecostalism and the Transformation of World Christianity, Oxford Studies in World Christianity.

3. V.V. Thomas, Dalit Pentecostalism: Spirituality of the Empowered Poor 4. Young-Hoon Lee, “The Korean Holy Spirit Movement in Relation to Pentecostalism”.

5. Peter White, “Decolonising Western Missionaries’ Mission Theology and Practice in Ghanaian Church History: A Pentecostal Approach”.

6. Marius Nel, “Rather Spirit-Filled than Learned! Pentecostalism’s Tradition of AntiIntellectualism and Pentecostal Theological Scholarship”.

7. Marius Nel, “Church and War: A Change in Hermeneutical Stance among Pentecostals”.

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T S PO

D I V CO CH

R U CH 20

INTERVIEW

LOOKING AROUND

THE COVID CORNER With restrictions easing across Australia, the two big questions for Churches are when and how to resume church services in our buildings. ACC EMag asked SEAN STANTON, Senior Pastor of Life UC in Canberra, about approaching the new season of church life on the other side of Covid19 restrictions.

Q: How does your congregation feel about returning to services on site as opposed to online?

SEAN: People are navigating this current season in different ways. There are three approaches amongst our congregation.

1. Those who want to run straight back. They are the ones who can’t wait. Their running shoes are on and they are ready to sprint. Many of them would never have physically left coming to church had we not closed the doors. This would probably be 25% of our congregation.

2. Those who are walking back. This group is carefully processing what they see and experience before we return to a church building. I estimate this is about 60% of our congregation.

3. Those who may not come back. Churches have done such an excellent job with online ministry, and some have discovered they really like it. They would like to continue to connect this way. In our church, this would be about 15% of our congregation.

Q: Taking these into consideration, what do you think the ‘new normal’ going to be?

SEAN: There is no doubt that the rules have changed.

We still have restrictions, and they will continue to adjust over the upcoming months. We are not going back to what was normal, and neither should we want to. There were some online services that worked really well during the lockdown that we want to keep in place.

Q: What are some of the things your church will keep on doing?

SEAN: We are planning on keeping a permanent online campus. We also plan on keeping some online Life groups, as well as online Prayer meetings. We also will keep our recommended Weekly Devotions which come out Sunday night as this will continue to resource our people.

This current season has created and will create new opportunities for serving that is different from before.

We definitely need a boost in our Tech Teams, who have faithfully and sacrificially been serving every week to ensure people can have online church. A big shout out to all Church Production teams who have made church happen online every weekend.

We have started inviting members of our congregation to watch online recordings, which gives them an insight and appreciation into what online church involves. This is inspiring others to volunteer on the production teams.

Q: How are you approaching moving forward?

SEAN: In Acts 20:28 (NLT) it says, “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock - his church, purchased with his own blood - over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.”

As a starting point, we have been encouraging our congregation to connect in small groups, both virtually and physically, as they feel comfortable, while deciding how to ensure the social distancing requirements in our facilities.

Sean Stanton and his wife Lynda are the senior pastors of Life UC in Canberra.

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I

IS YOUR

VISION

FOR THE CHURCH

TOO SMALL?

BY JACQUELINE GREY

22

n the last few months, we have been compelled to re-evaluate many of our ‘normal’ activities. This includes how we do church. We have had to re-think assumptions about how we meet as a local church community, and how we interact with one another.

Many creative methods have been initiated to stay connected. The agility and creativity of our churches has been remarkable and something to be applauded!

Whilst I am so blessed to be a part of the collective discussions we are having around navigating these changes in our world, I feel that we would benefit from a new lens through which to look before we move into any sense of normal or even a ‘new normal’.

As Pentecostals, we believe that we are a continuation of the Spiritempowered church of Acts. This is such an opportunity-rich prospect! So, before we return to ‘normal’, I’d like to propose a different question to think about our churches from a different angle. In fact, I want to ask a different question. What would it look like if we stepped into the narrative of Luke-Acts and continued the ministry of the early church in our ‘new normal’? Would our churches look different? Would our interaction with the wider community look different?

While the current pandemic has caused great disruption to our lives, it has also provided an opportunity to reflect on what we do and why we are doing it. This includes the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of church community. So, let’s take this opportunity to re-consider our vision for the Church.

WE WOULD BENEFIT FROM A NEW LENS THROUGH WHICH TO LOOK BEFORE WE MOVE INTO ANY SENSE OF NORMAL OR EVEN A ‘NEW NORMAL’ First, I believe that there is greater scope and opportunity for vision. I would even humbly suggest that our vision for the Australian church could be much bigger than we currently imagine. Not (just) bigger numerically, but bigger in quality and substance. This re-imagining starts by thinking about how the church began at Pentecost. The early disciples had heard all that Jesus said and did. Now, with the empowering of the Spirit they continued that same mission Jesus had established. In doing this, they turned their world upside down. 1 When Jesus began his ministry, he used a passage from Isaiah to state his mission.

Luke records that Jesus was anointed by the Spirit (Lk 3:21-2) and went to Nazareth “in the power of the Spirit”. At the synagogue, Jesus read from Isaiah 61 to declare that: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour. “(Luke 4:18-19 NIV) Luke then goes on to describe how Jesus fulfilled this. He taught people to love their enemies (Lk 6:27-36). He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed: ‘The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor’ (Lk. 7.22).2 Jesus illustrated love for neighbour by casting an ethnic enemy as the hero of a parable (Lk 10:25-37). He did not shrink from speaking truth to the powerful and politically connected. In Luke 11:37-44 Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their greed, neglect of justice, and selfpromotion, instead challenging them to be generous to the poor. This focus on the prophetic ministry of Jesus is not to minimise his work of salvation, but to emphasise how Jesus modelled his mission, which was then passed on to the church at Pentecost. What do you notice about Jesus’s mission? It turns everything upside down.

Luke continues the story in the book of Acts. Like Jesus, the Holy Spirit was

poured out on the disciples. The anointing of the Spirit was not just for individuals, but for the whole community—regardless of economic, age, gender or ethnic barriers—to be Spirit-baptised prophets.

Luke then goes on to describe how the disciples continued the mission of Jesus. They were a prophetic community, powerful in word and deed.3 What were some of the things this prophetic community did? The first seven chapters of Acts provide us with some insight: • They performed signs and wonders in the name of Jesus (Acts 3:1-10; 5:12-6); • They preached the good news of Jesus (Acts 2:14-41; 3:11-26; 4:33); • They prioritised care for the poor, treating them as family (Acts 2:46;4:34)Those blessed with resources shared generously (Acts 2:45; 4:34-7); • They embodied unnatural unity (Acts 2:1,44; 4:32); • They practiced reconciliation among ethnic groups (Acts 6:1-7); • They spoke truth to power (Acts 4:1-22; 5:17-42; 7:1-58); • They discipled and nurtured new believers (Acts 2:42); • Their leadership was not defined by power but by humble service to others (Acts 6:1-7).

Hopefully you can see that this was a holistic mission. These were not just programs they operated or events they ran—these activities were part of the essence of their community. They lived counter-cultural to the norms of the wider Greco-Roman culture by emphasising humility, generosity and love rather than being defined by power and status. They experienced and shared the radical, social-transforming gospel of Jesus.

It wasn’t just about seeing people’s souls saved, because salvation impacted every part of their life. Living as a prophetic community meant that their relationships and priorities pointed to something beyond themselves. Their relationships and priorities pointed people to Jesus Christ.

When the Holy Spirit breaks into our communities, every part becomes holy. The good news of Jesus has 23

transformative implications for every part of our individual and social lives. Salvation is not just about us as individuals, it is about the redemption of the world, including the whole of creation.

That is why our vision for the Church is too small. It is also why an exciting possibility exists for us to embrace!

The narrative of Luke-Acts is not just a compilation of individual salvation stories but a cohesive picture of the socially transformative experience of the Spirit. Instead, the quality and substance of the early church community was a commonality where the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. A community is stronger together than just the strength of its individuals. The Spirit was not poured out only so that each person could be empowered, but so that the church community together would be empowered. Our individualistic outlook limits the vision of salvation presented throughout Scripture.

Each of the prophetic activities of Jesus and the Spirit-empowered disciples in Luke-Acts were signposts that pointed people to the kingdom of God that was inaugurated with the death and resurrection of Jesus but yet to be fulfilled. Their radical community life and unnatural unity was a foretaste of the banquet Christ promises, now and not yet.

So, what might this look like in our contemporary context?

• We would seek to perform signs and wonders in the name of Jesus; • We would preach the full gospel of the good news of Jesus; • We would prioritise care for the poor, treating them as family; • Those blessed with resources would share generously; • We would embody unnatural unity; • We would practice reconciliation among ethnic groups; • We would speak truth to power; • We would prioritise discipleship and the nurturing of new believers.

• We would model humble service to others in our leadership.

Hopefully you can see your church community here. It’s not a checklist but > provides some of the defining qualities

of the early church so we can align our mission with the mission of Christ. Our Pentecostal churches in Australia have already been doing amazing work in many of these areas, including caring for the poor, reaching out to others, and leading national initiatives for reconciliation. The next step then is to put all these jigsaw pieces together so that it creates a picture of holistic mission.

How can we shape our churches to integrate the mission of Jesus into our structures, relationships and priorities? This mission has social and political consequences we must navigate carefully to be instruments of healing and restoration in and for our world. How do we model the transformative mission of Jesus to the wider community? It is not to jump on the ‘issues’ bandwagon but it does involve a holistic approach to flourishing. This may mean confronting issues of structural poverty, racism, the need for true reconciliation with our indigenous community, domestic violence, the wise stewardship of creation. For example, caring for the poor includes addressing structures and behaviours that keep people in poverty. It includes praying

FOR THE CHURCH TO TURN THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN, WE NEED TO RETURN TO THE SPIRIT OF THE EARLY CHURCH.

for what we have to say to the wider community.

For the Church ‘down under’ to turn our world upside down, we need to return to the spirit of the early church.

This is not to cut and paste their activities or situation on to ours. But as we continue the story of Luke-Acts, we live out our own story faithful to the mission of Jesus and the disciples but adapting its application to our context today.

Rev Prof Jacqueline Grey is Dean of Theology and lecturer in Biblical Studies at Alphacrucis College.

First published on Crucis.

and seeking the miracle-power of the Holy Spirit to be at work in our world.

Modelling transformative mission may also mean looking inside our churches to address these issues, along with other issues such as the releasing of gifted women in church boards and executive leadership teams. This is not a political or social agenda but recognizes that the mission of Jesus has implications for how we do things in our churches, and

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1. C. Kavin Rowe, World Upside Down: Reading Acts in the Graeco-Roman Age (Oxford: OUP, 2010), 4.

2. Roger Stronstad, The Prophethood of All Believers: A Study in Luke’s Charismatic Theology (Cleveland TN, CPT Press, 2010), 38, 45.

3. Stronstad, 61.

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COVIDSafe Plan For Church Premises

Throughout the current pandemic, we have seen some wonderful examples of how God’s church has continued to minister incommunities under difficult circumstances.

As restrictions at a federal government level begin to relax, we need to make sure that we continue to behave in a way that honours God and protects our congregations when public meetings recommence.

We have put together a resource to help churches meet the standards set out by authorities, but also more importantly, be considered and responsible as we begin again to use church premises for the mission which they were intended.

This resource is provided as a guide only to provide general recommendations for churches and ministries. Every church is unique and therefore should develop and adopt a COVIDSafe Plan which addresses their individual circumstances.

COVIDSafe Plan For Church Premises This resource provides practical guidance on key areas like tithes and offerings, communion, tea and coffee provisions, children’s church programs, etc.

COVIDSafe Plan For Church Premises Instructions This resource guides you through the process of using the COVIDSafe plan above.

COVIDSafe Church Posters This resource provides you with posters to put up in your church.

The content on this site reflect some of the commercial aspects and potential risks/obligations for both individuals and organisations. The content is given as a guide only and does not represent definitive statements or legal views in any way shape or form. You are advised to seek your own professional advice on all or any aspects of, or pertaining to, this content and any related matter.

ACS Financial Pty Ltd (ACN 062 448 122) (AFSL 247388)

25

The

ZOOM CHURCH

Revolution

BY ASHLEY EVANS

2

020 will go down as the year of the great disruption. Just when you and I thought this was going to be an epic beginning of a new decade, it became the year that regular church changed forever.

This has challenged every leader to either adapt or to die out. It’s also created a level playing field, as the rules for church have changed. No longer do the greatest buildings and the best equipment matter. Church has been stripped back to the bare bones, like a house undergoing a renovation. For those who have yearned for more and longed for an awakening, this season has come as an unforeseen rush of fresh air. For those caught off guard, it has been more than challenging.

We are a church with ten campuses in varied locations, including schools, universities, and large buildings, which range from 1 to 50 years old, and house congregations of 100s to 1000s. We made a decision to embrace the pain, and to see the disruption as an opportunity to focus on the three things that have always mattered most: Community, Accountability, and Sustainability.

The first question was, “How do we do weekend services?” The seemingly obvious choice was to go online and broadcast services using YouTube and Facebook Live. Instead, we made the difficult choice to use Zoom because, as a video conferencing platform, it allowed us to not only provide high quality prerecorded presentations, but also helped us to become a church of small groups.

With Zoom church, the content offered doesn’t rely on the ability or skill of the small group leader. Instead, the leader acts as a host and pastor, with preaching,

worship, and offering being central. It’s the best of both worlds! The combination of community and mutual accountability, has created sustainability.

On a recent Sunday, for example, some of our campuses were at 150% of their attendance before the pandemic. Zoom church has created deeper connections, increased commitment, and delivered exceptional quality to our people.

My wife and I run two services on Sunday ourselves, with about 50 attendees. We have gotten to go deeper, and build more intimate bonds, with this group of people. Not only that, but new people have joined, made decisions to become followers of Christ, and are growing with us. The discipleship process has been strengthened.

The pastoral process has become more effective with the use of Planning Center and work flows that keep our hosts and staff accountable for connecting regularly with their people.

Overall, our leadership development has also gone to a whole new level. Sharing the ministry with others has resulted in stronger leaders, a powerful network of small groups, and an outstanding level of intimacy. On top of that, our giving has remained healthy.

But the real kicker is that Zoom Church has provided an opportunity for church planting that was not considered possible before 2020. As a church with a vision to plant 200 campuses in every continent of the world, Zoom has opened our eyes to the possibilities of going to the whole world with the mandate of Jesus— not just to provide content, but to “make disciples of all nations.” We already have services running in Columbia, South America, and Indonesia, with services soon to start 26

image: Zoom.co

om

‘THE REAL KICKER IS THAT ZOOM CHURCH HAS PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CHURCH PLANTING THAT WAS NOT CONSIDERED POSSIBLE BEFORE 2020’ – ASHLEY EVANS

27

in other countries in Asia, South America, and Africa. Part of the beauty of Zoom is the ability to observe which countries, areas, and states respond the best to your church, thereby giving insight into the areas with the biggest growth potential. Instead of the expensive exercise of sending assets to the ground and hoping for the best, we can grow a campus to 100 people on Zoom, and then decide which location God is directing us to reach in person. Being data driven has helped us create high impact with little cost until it’s clear where we are supposed to plant a church.

The pandemic has opened our eyes to what Jesus told us: the fields are white with harvest, but they aren’t just ready in our local community—they’re ripe in communities all over the world. There are people around the globe who need your kind of ministry and your kind of church. You have the ability to count the people and devices in each of your services, and make personal contact with every church member every Sunday— something that was never possible before. We will never go back to simply doing in-person services. The pandemic has been a gift—an opportunity for God to open our eyes to a church without walls.

Ashley Evans and his wife Jane are senior pastors of Influencers Churches Global, and are based in Atlanta USA. ©2020 Ashley Evans. first published by Avail Leadership.

Avail Leadership is committed to bring top class leadership in business and ministry. Click here to sign up for a free trial for monthly and quarterly publications on the art of leadership.

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Opportunity To Sign Up To Redress Coming To A Close “Time for your church/organisation to opt into the National Redress Scheme through ACS Mutual is now limited. To access protection and cover for any payments of redress made under the Scheme* as well as costs of facilitating a direct personal response, please contact ACS Mutual to discuss your options...”

For more information, please follow the link below: National Redress Scheme Update

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The content is given as a guide only and does not represent definitive statements or legal views in any way shape or form.

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THE SPIKE IN DOMESTIC FAMILY VIOLENCE ESTIMATES BETWEEN 60% TO 75% INCREASED DEMAND FOR SERVICES. OUR NEIGHBOURHOODS NEED THE LOCAL CHURCH TO SHINE IN THIS SPACE MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.

CHURCHES COVID & THE

DV CRISIS

BY MATT BOULTON

32

W

hen Covid-19 was just heating up and I first started hearing doom and gloom predictions about a spike in Domestic Violence, even as a former White Ribbon ambassador and DV counsellor, I admit I put these reports down to alarmism.

Nevertheless, friends and contacts working in front line DV agencies seemed to all be reporting increased demand for services around 60-75%. Google searches for help and information about DV seemed to also be reflecting a similar rate of increase. Most tellingly, DV-related presentations to hospital emergency rooms were also rising in the order of 60% during the Covid shutdown.

As commentators theorised on a variety of causal factors such as housing stress, isolation, unemployment and the pressures of home-schooling, it seemed the dark clouds of a perfect storm were gathering around our communities.

As that began to seize our attention, we almost failed to notice the wholesale shutdown of face-to-face counselling and perpetrator support groups which was occurring at the same time. In my own community of Logan Queensland, a service which was offering three men’s behavioural change groups per week was forced to halt all of its programs immediately; a story repeated everywhere across the country.

At our church, we found ourselves part-way through the delivery of two Circuit Breaker courses. Our ten-week program for the early prevention of DV relies on smallgroup work, where people who know they are becoming abusive can sit face-to-face, undress their personal shame and find new tools and strategies.

Restrictions meant we had to adapt, and adapt fast; writing new policies and procedures for mitigating the risks of taking a sensitive group discussion and course material online. Yes, there were real risks in terms of people’s privacy and personal safety, but I was moved more by the risks of doing nothing at all.

The Local Church can shine in this space The truth is, our neighbourhoods need the local church to shine in this space more than ever before.Without enough local churches knowing who they are and stepping up to the plate, our nation is struggling under the scourge of Domestic Violence.

Police are responding to a domestic violence incident every two minutes, one in four of our women (even in our churches) are suffering domestic abuse and, for close to two women per week, they are paying for it with their lives.

If my long involvement in the DV sector has taught me one thing, it’s that the cavalry are not coming. There are simply not enough so-called experts to deal with the tsunami of domestic terror we have now accepted as normal.

As local churches, we have more important fish to fry than political agendas and economic survival; we have a mandate to bring hope, and we need to be courageous about it. This is not a time for churches to feel squeezed out or intimidated by the loud voices steering the dominant DV narratives. It’s time to get on with doing what we do best: showing love, shining light and washing the feet of our communities through practical service. Thankfully, that’s what some of our amazing ACC churches are already doing, both through their own initiatives, and through supporting existing champions in their communities.

WHERE DO WE START? • Find out what services are already available in your community and establish relationships with them where you can • Offer practical, financial or other support to existing services which are doing good work • See if there are service gaps around DV in your community where your church can deliver a solution • Actively seek out professional development in the area of domestic violence for you and your team • Establish a thorough list of services in your area which you can trust to refer people to in a time of crisis • Regularly speak / preach about domestic violence so that people know it’s an issue they can discuss with you if they need support

WHAT ACC CHURCHES ARE DOING? Across our nation, there are so many more stories to tell about courageous churches stepping up to the plate to make a difference to families caught in the cycle of violence. Whilst it’s true there may be a storm out there, I see a large catch ready for the taking right now. In fact, so much so that churches like my own feel our nets straining and ready to break with lost people desperate for hope. If you’ve ever felt unwelcome or squeezed out of the DV space, consider that noise merely another element amidst the raging storm, and lift your eyes.

If the Lord is inviting you into this rich opportunity, there’s no need to wait for a second opinion; we need you right now!

BAY CITY CHURCH, BOTANY BAY NSW Mona Luxton is the founder of Bay City Care Women’s Domestic Violence Service; a service offering counselling, casemanagement and domestic violence awareness and education programs in the local high school. Since the launch of the service in 2010, she acknowledges that Bay City Church has had to rise above some resistance to win the trust of the community.

“It can be a little bit intimidating for churches. It’s a reality, but it can also be a challenge for us to continue to push through because really it’s the mandate of the church to be working with brokenness; to be working with the oppressed. To be working with those who don’t have a voice.”

Through consistency, and a strong desire to partner with other agencies and community, the service has now been able to help hundreds of victims of DV. In 2018, Bayside Council awarded Mona their Citizen of the Year Award. They continue to enjoy a fruitful relationship with this innovative ACC church, partnering to bring hope to the local community.

Mona Luxton receiving her Bayside Citizen of the Year award, with local MP Steve Kamper 33

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GENEROCITY CHURCH, FORBES NSW In Forbes, Pastor Michelle Hunt of Generocity Church has been actively involved in the DV space for the past six years.

It’s through this involvement and sensitivity to the voice of the community that she’s noticed a critical gap in the small town’s response to victims of DV. Like many communities, Forbes is well resourced for crisis response, but there is no ongoing support for victims and their children to rebuild their lives. Michelle sees this as a great opportunity for chaplains to make a big difference.

“There’s so much we can do in chaplaincy and caring roles, because the impacts on the victims are not going to just go away in 6 to 12 months.”

Generocity Church have embarked on an exciting community partnership with Catholic Care, the providers of a local refuge.

Plans are underway to create a chaplaincy space for victims of DV and their families to find the long-term practical, emotional and spiritual support they will need to rebuild their lives.

Police and local community stakeholders join forces every year to fill rescue packs for CityHope’s A New Thing project

CITYHOPE CHURCH, RIPLEY QLD Each year in Ipswich, the people of CityHope Care host their annual “A New Thing” initiative, creating and distributing care packs for women and their children escaping domestic violence.

Their goal is not only for every DV first-responder to have a practical resource to distribute, but also that the caring heart of the whole community is able to be clearly seen by those escaping family violence.

The Mercy Community at Lowood says, “We have been giving out a number of the DV bags to women and children, and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive... Some women can’t believe there are people who care about them.”

The care packs not only provide essential toiletries and selfcare items, there’s also important information and resources to help facilitate a holistic response. The packs are distributed by frontline services such as the Queensland Police Service’s Vulnerable persons Unit and high-risk teams such as Ipswich and West Moreton Health Services.

LIGHTHOUSE, WOLLONGONG NSW Helen Dwyer was another frontline DV worker who was bothered by the lack of ongoing support for female victims of abuse. With Lisa Brooke, they co-founded The Eve Project; a not for profit which offers these women empowering alternatives, as well as pathways to future employment.

“It’s not doing stuff for women” she says, “it’s allowing them to make the changes themselves. But empowering them to be able to make those choices and those changes in their lives.”

Based in Wollongong, The Eve Project stands for Equality, Value and Empowerment. Their wrap-around support includes therapeutic services, training and mentorship, and is supported by an innovative hospitality enterprise Eve & Co. As well as keeping the project economically sustainable, Eve & Co also creates work-experience opportunities for the women they are seeking to empower.

The Eve Project became a reality when Lighthouse Church (Wollongong) threw their support behind the vision with generous financial and in-kind support. The church continues to assist the project by means of a low-cost lease arrangement, and with the partnership of a community of encouraging supporters.

DESERT LIFE CHURCH, ALICE SPRINGS NT In Alice Springs, Ben Teefy, the lead pastor of Desert Life Church. tells me that not only is domestic violence a major social issue in Central Australia, but he believes the kinds of DV they are seeing are especially overt, vicious and violent.

“Personally, I feel a conviction that DV, as the largest problem in our area, should be something our churches are appropriately responding to,” he says.

The Alice Springs Women’s Shelter is well-known to locals; a heavily fortified place of safety, with broad community support.

Ben and the folks at Desert Life saw a great opportunity to bring people, resources and energy alongside this great community initiative.

“We figured well, instead of starting something, we should partner with the biggest organisation that deals with it and see how we can serve in that space.”

The people of DLC are a blessing to the shelter’s vulnerable women – providing meals, tending gardens, painting and repairing buildings and various other practical expressions of kindness.

Without becoming domestic violence experts, they are winning hearts and souls in their community through their humility, and their willingness to wash the feet of their community.

The Eve Project, Wollongong 34

HOPE CENTRE, LOGAN QLD At Hope Centre in Queensland there is focus on equipping other churches and community groups for early-prevention through better engagement with potential abusers. This is done by training and empowering volunteer small group facilitators to deliver the Circuit Breaker program. With their training, the support of an extensive course manual and online videos, they don’t need to be counsellors, teachers or DV experts. They simply facilitate a group discussion around the material in a safe and shame-free environment, and lives start changing.

Although we know DV is about much more than anger, most abusers will concede they have an ‘anger problem’ that they would be open to some help with. By pitching the program as one for “anyone who feels their temper is affecting the quality of their relationships,” we find we get the right abusive men and women in the room, earn their trust, and dive much deeper into core issues. Since shame is now understood as a powerful driver of DV, the role Christians can play loving the unlovely and supporting their desire to change is truly powerful.

Though we have continued to grow in favour with our community and local government and are often sought for national media interviews, that’s not what excites us; it’s the impact Circuit Breaker is having on families. Last year across South-East Queensland, Hope Centre partnered in the delivery of more than 40 groups across 21 locations. Behind prison walls, and in local churches and neighbourhood centres, over 250 people discovered alternatives for their long-held abusive habits, and began breaking generational cycles of family violence.

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT FAMILY ABUSE Here are some common myths and misconceptions about what family abuse is and who it affects: Myth 1: It happens to certain types of people It can be thought that family abuse happens to a certain type of person – based on socio-economic status, religious or cultural backgrounds, or a perception of strength and resilience. This is not the case. Family abuse and violence can happen to anyone at any time.

Myth 2: It happens because of...

Family abuse is complex, and is not necessarily explained by a single theory. It is sometimes claimed that family abuse happens primarily because of worldview factors regarding gender or religion, or because of alcohol or drug abuse, unemployment, abuse as a child, mental or physical ill health, or other environmental factors. Although these may be contributory factors, abuse happens because an abusive person chooses to behave in a way that enables them to assert power and control over another person – excuses and reasons are given to justify abusive behaviour.

Myth 3: A victim can cause a perpetrator to become abusive Often a perpetrator will tell a victim that they caused them to do it. A victim is never to blame if a perpetrator chooses to behave in an abusive and controlling way.

Myth 4: A victim can fully understand what is happening to them When someone is in a relationship in which they are subject to abuse they will often feel very confused about what is happening, and they are sometimes not sure that what they are experiencing is abuse.

Myth 5: A victim can choose to leave and if they don’t, they are choosing to stay People ask why victims stay in a situation where they are suffering abuse, and assume that it is easy to leave, to escape the situation and to start a new life. This is not the case, either on a practical or an emotional level. A perpetrator of abuse will work to ensure that the victim feels that they cannot cope on their own.

Leaving a physically violent relationship is often the most dangerous time for women and children.

It may also be financially impossible to leave the situation, particularly when there are children. Victims often do not have a choice in leaving and may feel, or be, threatened that if they leave they will be in danger. It may feel safer to stay than to leave.

Last year Circuit Breaker author Matt Boulton was invited to be a panelist on ABC’s The Drum for their DV special Matt Boulton is the Community Engagement Pastor at Hope Centre Logan QLD, and a long-time domestic violence trainer, advocate and speaker, best known as the author of the “Circuit Breaker” program, and as the former Counselling Director for CityCARE Counselling Centres, where he specialised in DV cases and working with perpetrators.

Myth 6: Family abuse is all about anger Family abuse is not all about being angry or losing control.

Although not always a calculated action, a central element is the choice to act in a controlling way.

Myth 7: Family abuse doesn’t happen in our church Family abuse happens in every community, including within the Church. Given the prevalence of physical and sexual violence in Australian society, it is extremely likely that there will be those in your church who have been affected by domestic and family abuse.

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MENTAL WEALTH

BY DR ROBI SONDEREGGER

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hat’s the first thing you think of when you hear the term ‘Mental Health’?

There’s a good chance your mind will turn to the most prevalent and debilitating psychological concerns gripping Australians today; namely, anxiety and depression.

Perhaps your thoughts turn to the plight of people struggling with obsessions, compulsions and addictions. Or maybe anger problems, burnout and nervous breakdown come to mind? Please note, each one of these conditions are NOT actually expressions mental health, rather, they represent mental problems, pitfalls and pathologies.

Why is it, upon hearing the term ‘mental health’, the first thing we typically think of is mental illness?

In response to hearing the term physical health, no one thinks ‘broken leg’ or ‘contagious virus’. When considering relational health, no one thinks ‘conflict’ or ‘divorce’. So, what’s up with mental health?

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The confusion in our language typically comes about because mental health specialists, actually don’t specialise in advancing health; rather, they specialise in managing or treating mental, emotional and behavioural afflictions. For example, if someone gets knocked back into minus from an original starting place of neutral or zero, mental health specialists are trained to help people resolve their issues and assist them in making a recovery.

Simply put, mental health specialists help people return to their original starting position of neutral prior the onset of mental challenges.

As a consequence, the definition of Mental Health has unfortunately become known as simply, the absence of illness. However, we wouldn’t apply that definition to our financial health. Wealth is not merely the absence of debt, it’s the acquisition, possession and application of things which are of great value. True mental health is so much more than being free from psychological dysfunction.

I don’t want to just stop at neutral, I want to go beyond zero into plus. I don’t just want to survive; I want to thrive. Rather than mere mental health, I want mental wealth. And if you do too, read on.

that programs developed, services offered, and education/training delivered are not only theologically sound, but also empirically valid (evidence based, research driven and outcome oriented).

In response to this need and opportunity, a number of notable experts in clinical psychology and key churches from around the world, have come together to consider ways to sustainably support, equip and empower the Church in caring for people – from a biblical worldview. Following three-years of research and resource development, in the second half of 2020, a new pastoral care system is set to forever change the way people are empowered.

At a time when mental illness, relationship breakdown, financial stress and behavioural problems are at an all-time high, comes a world-first pastoralcare initiative designed to help equip and empower Christian leaders to help bring transformation to the communities they serve.

FREE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE FOR CHURCHES In response to COVID-19, the ACC requested an advanced resource be made immediately available to churches nationwide. Combining the best of science and scripture, the EMPOWER program was developed to help churches empower their congregations and communities – building emotional resilience and strengthen faith.

A wealthy mind is not just our capacity to generate happiness and wellbeing, but rather, it’s our ability to make wise decisions and execute them; to think critically, creatively and courageously.

Mental Wealth is our capacity to effectively appraise and problem solve; to learn and have precision of memory, as well as accurately perceive the needs of others and be considerate to them. It’s our ability to discover and invent, love and defend, cultivate joy and pursue peace, persevere and be patient, be kind and gentle, resist temptation and exercise self-control, distinguish between justice and injustice, right and wrong, good and bad, wicked or wonderful, and ultimately pursue righteousness – making an effective and valuable contribution to the world in which we live. Now that’s a beautiful mind. The question is, how do people obtain such beauty and mental wealth especially when the world’s facing so many challenges?

This program is now available for all churches in Australia for FREE – with already more than 1000 churches having signed up since its release last month. Together, we the Church have an opportunity bring hope to our nation at a time when it’s needed most. To gain access, visit peoplecare.global/empower/

Dr Robi Sonderegger is an internationally recognised Clinical Psychologist, known for taking psychology from the frontline to the home front™. Dr Robi has worked with corporations, governments, churches, universities/schools and humanitarian agencies in more than 25 countries.

Unlike any other organisation on the planet, the Church is uniquely positioned to help ‘advance’ mental, emotional and relational vitality. Through structured pastoral care (in the form of counselling, prayer, training, education programs and healing ministries), and weekly teaching on ‘renewing the mind’, it’s reasonable to contend that more lives are transformed through a connection with the local church than though any other mechanism, organisation or service in the world.

There’s no doubt, that with the rise of mental, emotional and behavioural concerns following the COVID shut down, Australia potentially faces an unprecedented mental health crisis. Given that the Church has both a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to advance well-being, it’s necessary 37

WELLBEING

WELLBEING

MATTERS

BY RUTH LIMKIN

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lead with energy and excellence. If the cost of this is a concern, visiting your GP and discussing this means you may be able to access a mental health care plan. This will reduce out of pocket costs. Talking this through with your Board is also a good idea, so that everyone affirms the value of planned and proactive investment in wellbeing.

As well as this, building healthy rhythms into our life can improve our emotional and mental wellbeing and help us be more productive and effective. Simple things such as spending time in nature, including physical activity into your week, reducing processed food and getting enough sleep all help to improve your wellbeing.

hile we have worked towards flattening the Covid19 curve, there’s another curve coming which is equally dangerous. This curve relates to incidences of mental health and suicide, forecast to rise by 50% over the next five years by University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre.

The tragic consequences of this curve will ripple through our congregations. Whether it is colleagues, family members or friends, most people in our churches are likely to be affected in some way by this unfolding tragedy.

So how do pastors lead our congregations (and ourselves) through a season where people may be at risk of emotional distress?

Honour God Great and godly people, who have seen breakthrough in prayer, and experienced powerful ministry with signs and wonders also experience the physiological and emotional lows that can come after times of sustained adrenaline. Look at Elijah. If you remember from the first article in this series on wellbeing, the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 18–19 showed us that regardless of spiritual victory, an intense emotional low followed. In responding to this affliction, God didn’t tell him to pray more, to fast or to worship more. Instead he sent an angel to tell him to eat a meal, have a sleep, and then eat another meal.

We are more than just spirit; we are body and soul. As we recognise and honour God’s wonderfully complex design, our strength is restored, and our resilience is renewed. The facets of wellbeing model we use at The Banyans (pictured left), is an easy framework to plan our leadership health and development strategy with. Let’s not fall into the trap of forgetting that ministry resilience is more than just praying. It includes prayer, but also involves physical, nutritional and relational wellbeing, with connection, good food and rest.

Any season of crisis provides opportunity for the gospel and this season of navigating the pandemic and post-pandemic world will be no different. In order to best grasp this opportunity, we need to be strong, healthy and energised. Presenting our whole life before God as an act of worship means being intentional about stewarding each facet of what He has given us. As we are intentional investing in emotional and mental wellbeing for ourselves and our teams, we role model an important aspect of discipleship for our congregations. We have all contributed to flattening the curve of Covid-19 through understanding and action. We can do the same for wellbeing – our own and others.

As we do this, we can help build healthier leaders, healthier churches and a healthier nation.

Develop Networks With a few exceptions, pastors are not psychologists or psychiatrists. Reminding ourselves (and our congregations) of this is important so that we don’t take on unnecessary burdens of trying to provide mental health care to our congregation. It frees us to encourage our congregation to see qualified professionals to care for their emotional and mental health, in the same way we would encourage them to get medical attention for a broken leg. If your church doesn’t have a list of psychologists or qualified counsellors in the local area, now might be a great time to have someone collate this. Speak to other pastors in your area to see if they know good practitioners, and build helpful referral pathways for congregational health.

Build Strength Credentials don’t provide immunity from the human condition.

To lead others well, we must first lead ourselves. This includes attending to our wellbeing in order to fulfil the call that God has for us. Part of building stronger churches is building stronger pastors, which includes the need to build our own wellbeing, including being intentional about our mental and emotional wellbeing. Normalising the stewardship of caring for our soul, and modelling how to do this, will be an increasingly important part of our community leadership.

Intentional Attention A helpful framework to simplify our approach to wellbeing is to think about how we manage our vehicles. If we want our car to perform at its best, we plan to maintain it, rather than neglect it. We have scheduled services of varying intensity depending on the kilometres driven. This intentional, planned attention can often prevent major problems developing, which end up requiring time off road and more money to fix. So why do we treat our cars better than our souls?

Pastoral ministry comes with its own set of difficult road conditions which make regular servicing an essential. One of the occupational hazards we can face is vicarious trauma or compassion fatigue, which can develop from the ongoing empathetic engagement with people we are trying to help. We don’t have to be afraid of this. Knowing about this arms us with the ability to take positive, proactive steps to keep ourselves running well. In the same way that mental health professionals have requirements to debrief regularly (called professional supervision), pastors can also build this in to their schedule.

Seeing a Christian psychologist or counsellor every three to six months can help us stay healthy and strong, primed to

POSSIBLE NEXT STEPS: • Talk to your Board about wellbeing strategies and why they matter.

• Proactively book a couple of forward appointments over the next 12 months with a psychologist or other mental health practitioner.

Ruth Limkin is a credentialed pastor with the ACC, and is the founding CEO of The Banyans Health & Wellness, a multimodel residential health retreat.

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MENTORING

A 360Âş HEALTH CHECK

BY KEITH FARMER & TIM HANNA

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crucial part of self leadership is managing our health, vitality and sustainability in ministry. This requires that we give 360 degree attention to how we are traveling. God has created us as integrated, organically functioning beings so that each part of life effects, for good or ill, each other part.

We are hoping that the following template will give you a good way of checking how you are going in each of five key areas, beginning with and revolving around spiritual maturity. This is the template which Keith Farmer (one of the article’s authors) uses in his mentoring of Christian leaders.

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SPIRITUALITY Spirituality is basically about growing in Christian maturity and character.

There is a set of qualities or relationship capacities which are the essence of Christian spirituality. Biblically these qualities and relationship capacities are best summarised as the Fruit of the Spirit.

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT).

God’s Character Reproduced in Us The Fruits of the Spirit are the character of God being formed in us. They are what God is like, being reproduced in us through our relationship with Him. You may be familiar with the concept that on a human basis, we become like the people we live with. Now for some of us this is a little alarming, but it’s generally true.

Similarly, when the Spirit of God lives in us deeply, what God is like actually gradually is produced in us. Those key qualities – love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, meekness, humility, selfcontrol – are the key aspects of Christian character for Christian leadership.

The Relationship Between Spirituality and Leadership The relationship of spirituality to leadership is an extremely important one. Spirituality is the pure form and leadership is the application.

The Fruit of the Spirit qualities are attractive, and are the qualities that will lead to trust. They will lead to relationships that allow transformational leadership to be effective over a period of time.

EMOTIONAL HEALTH Key Questions for Identifying Emotional Health In order for us to stay fit for our ministry we need to recognise what is draining us and how we’re going with burnout.

“What drains you and what energises you?”

“How full is your emotional tank at the moment?”

Knowing What Energises and Drains You No one is inexhaustible. Even if you’re doing things you love all the time, you still might run out of emotional energy. One of the important skills in ministry is to know what it is that energises you and what drains you. As much as possible work within those areas that energise you and get support in the things that drain you.

Consider how full your emotional tank is on a scale of 1-10 (1 is empty – 10 is full).

Sustainability The created rhythms of life looks at those things that God put in place to enable us to live at our best. It includes practical issues like sleep, diet, exercise, rest and relaxation that enable us to function well on a day to day, week to week and year to year basis: The things that help to sustain us for the long haul and are integral to living a balanced life.

It is amazing how many people in ministry try to live ‘outside the box’, with life patterns that stretch the basic ways that God made us to function and are unsustainable for the long term.

The way that we function in this area is very much an issue of stewardship.

Vulnerabilities In our Christian walk we are asked to guard our hearts. One way of doing this is to have a watch-person, to whom we talk about a set of accountability issues on a regular basis.

The more open we are about our lives and the fewer secrets we have the better, however, there is a private part of all of us and at times it is difficult to share our deepest vulnerabilities.

The development of trust that occurs in a mentoring relationship enables the person to go deeper into some of the more personal issues.

Identification of Vulnerabilities The key question to ask to assist with the identification of vulnerabilities is: “If Satan was going to take you out of ministry, how might he do it?”

The common vulnerabilities expressed relate to: • discouragement / criticism; • sexuality Mentoring is one way of having support for and accountability in each of the key areas outlined above. Could this be your chance to make a decision to avail yourself of this vital available self leadership resource?

RELATIONSHIPS The Most Powerful Influencer in our Lives More than any other factor, our well-being in leadership and our capacity for health or hurt, is affected by the quality of our relationships.

Relationships are the most powerful influencer in our lives, much more powerful than any particular ideas, concepts or attitudes.

Our relationship with God is the pivotal relationship; however, there are other significant relationships that also need to be considered.

Christian leadership as expressed in I Tim 3 and Titus 1 has an inside-out principle. If we get our relationship with God right, then we will have a basis for good family, church and community relationships. In other words, we need to have our relationship with our family healthy, then with the church and then with the community. Unless all those concentric circles are in place we don’t have the adequate basis and qualification for Christian leadership. The key areas people talk about are family and team.

Keith Farmer has a background in commece and psychology. He has been involved in local church ministries in NSW and Victoria and is passionate about helping Chirstian leaders.

Tim Hanna was senior pastor in three churches for over 30 years. He has been the CEO of Compassion Australia since 2010.

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WATCH

THE CHOSEN The first ever multi season show about Jesus

THE JESUS FILM... 40 years on Recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the “Most Translated Film” in history Forty is a significant number: The Israelies, spent 40 years in the wilderness after God brought them out of Egypt. Jesus himself spent 40 days and nights fasting in the desert. This year, the life-changing ‘JESUS’ film celebrates forty years of sharing the Gospel on screen.

In 1945, Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, was thinking through the evangelistic potential of film. By 1974 the dream of making a feature-length film about Jesus became a reality.

After five years of research and production—to ensure the movie was an effective, accurate, and trusted cross-cultural tool for evangelism—the movie was released in 1979.

Filmed in over 200 locations around Israel, and featuring a cast of over 5,000 people, the ‘JESUS’ film is the only major motion picture to be based on the exact Gospel of Luke.

By 2001, the ‘JESUS’ film had been shown in every country around the globe. The film was viewed as a source of comfort to New York after the dark and devastating attacks of 9/11.

Today, the ‘JESUS’ film has been translated into over 1,800 languages and viewed over 8 billion times all around the world. The team have partnered with more than 1,500 ministries, resulting in more than 500 million people coming to Christ.

This incredible legacycontinues today. There is now a library which includes more than 200 short and feature-length films. This library is freely available to be streamed online or via the newly-released Jesus Film app.

“People are using the app in short-film festivals, social media campaigns, churches and kids’ programs, home discussion groups” said Geoff Folland, from Power to Change (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ). It’s also being widely used on university campuses. “Students invited friends from different belief backgrounds and cultures to a Zoom dinner. They shared their screen and used the ‘JESUS’ Film app to enjoy a movie and then engage with the gospel.”

Visit the Apple App Store or Google Play to download the ‘JESUS’ Film app or visit www.powertochange.org.au for more information.

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The eight episodes of Season One of ‘THE CHOSEN’ has become the #1 highest crowd-funded project of all-time. Over 19,000 people rasied $10 million to film the series that is now gearing up to film Season Two.​ “The Chosen” is consistently ranked in the top 50 entertainment apps on ios and android since its initial release on Christmas Eve in 2017.

It has already been t​ranslated into 50 languages and counting, and has a strong following on social media as fans await the second season.

The series is completely free to watch on the app that connects directly to streaming devices with no fee or subscription necessary. The series generates income for future seasons when viewers choose to “pay it forward” after viewing.

More info: studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen

READ

— and a truly significant future — are centered on three faith, hope, and love. God’s unconditional love is the h we stand. Faith is what causes us to reach into the s what links our God-answer together.

rd between mother and child, hope is the connector and e in God. The world sees “hope” as something vague, rely wishful thinking. The Bible’s descriptions of it are as an anchor, hope as a helmet.

you on a journey to understand how hope can take you t to destination, from confusion to peace, from “why?” to m surviving to significance.

LT) [B]lessed are those who trust in the Lord and have hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along ots that reach deep into the water…

ope, we stand on the foundation of God’s love to see the natural through faith in Him. By trusting that He has our he confidence to face whatever today or tomorrow throw

aree are the pioneers and Senior Leaders of LIFE, a multinal church committed to see its city changed, its nation world touched. Paul’s passion and mission to “to live and s he believes we only fully discover our potential when we nspired, God-dependent lives.

ERNATIONAL

nz

ISBN 9780473396855

9 780473 396855

NOW HOPE

Positioning today in God’s tomorrow

By Paul De Jong A breakthrough life—and a truly significant future—are centered on three fused components: faith, hope, and love. God’s unconditional love is the foundation on which we stand. Faith is what causes us to reach into the supernatural. Hope is what links our God-answer together.

Like an umbilical cord between mother and child, hope is the connector and releaser of a full life in God. The world sees “hope” as something vague, insubstantial, or merely wishful thinking. The Bible’s descriptions of it are anything but! Hope as an anchor; hope as a helmet.

Now Hope will take you on a journey to understand how hope can take you from disappointment to destination, from confusion to peace, from “why?” to “what for?”, and from surviving to significance.

Jeremiah 17:7–8 (NLT): Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water…

When we activate hope, we stand on the foundation of God’s love to see the release of the supernatural through faith in Him. By trusting that He has our tomorrow, we find the confidence to face whatever today or tomorrow throws at us.

Now Hope by Paul de Jong available at www.pauldejongnz.com & www.amazon. com

THE THIRD OPTION

Hope for a racially divided nation

By Miles McPherson Bishop T.D. Jakes has said of this book, “A discussion about race that we desperately need...a must-read!”

An Extract:: “The Devil created sides. He uses sides to divide and pit us against each other, to fight one another, to argue and tear each other down. That sort of division is prevalent in our culture today – especially when it comes to the issue of race. Our culture is creating an “us versus them” mentality.

In Joshua 5:13-15, an Angel of the Lord appeared as Joshua was preparing for the Battle of Jericho. As the Angel approached, Joshua asked, “Whose side are you on – ours or our enemies’?” The Angel responded, “Neither, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”

In other words, the Angel was saying, “I’m not on your side, or your enemies’ side - I AM the side!”

The Third Option by Miles McPherson is available at: www.amazon.com

2084:

Artificial Intelligence, The Future of Humanity

By Prof John Lennox Human beings have been asking questions since the dawn of history, big and difficult questions about origin and destiny and with the rise of AI, these questions are becoming ever more daunting.

Many Christians are also searching for the answers to important and challenging questions such as; will technology change what it means to be human? Is there an argument for God in a world of superintelligence? How should we think about the AI we encounter in everyday life?

In his latest book, 2084: Artificial Intelligence, The Future of Humanity, scientist and philosopher Professor John Lennox offers a Christian perspective on humanity’s future, the problems raised by AI and the atheist conception of what it means to be human.

Released in Australia on 9th July 2084: AI explores how the Christian worldview, properly understood, can provide evidence-based, credible answers that will help us navigate today’s fast-changing world.

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by Sean Stanton

New releases can be ordered online from www.koorong.com 43