EMAG #3 2015 by ACCMag

#3 2015

EMAG

quarterly publication for acc leaders

TALKING POINTS IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERS

UNDER FIRE

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SYRIAN REFUGEE

CRISIS

TEENAGERS, SEX&CHOICES

NEWS • PERSPECTIVES • RESOURCES 1

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MARRIAGE

DEBATE

S EDPE IT CIA IO L N

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

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TALKING POINTS THIS NEW LOOK, SPECIAL EDITION OF THE ACC EMAG IS DEDICATED TO HIGHLIGHTING THE MANY IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT ARE FACING CHRISTIAN LEADERS TODAY.

Q&A 678

THE

MARRIAGE DEBATE

SYRIAN

REFUGEE CRISIS

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

UNDER FIRE

CONTAINING THE

WORD

UNDERSTANDING THE GENERATIONS

GEN Z

TEENAGERS,

SEX

AND CHOICES

THE

ACC National President, Wayne Alcorn discusses some of the ‘talking points’ that face the church in Australia.

Q: Where does the ACC stand on the issue of marriage? A: The ACC doctrinal statement of beliefs clearly affirms our stand. We believe that the Bible...

The graphic scenes of refugees who have fled persecution and civil war in syria have touched our hearts. How can we help?

James Macpherson looks at how aggressive secularism and Islamic extremism have combined to create a perfect storm threatening long assumed freedoms of religion in the West.

Schools are becoming a battlefield with concerted efforts to remove scripture being taught in schools and curb the infuence of Christian chaplains.

With 30 per cent of the ACC comprising of emerging generations, it makes sense to understand the characteristics of Gen Z and upcoming Gen Alpha..

Interview: Gen Z kids are growing up in a hyper-sexualised society. David & Katie Kobler of Your Choicez address the issues that teenagers are facing today.

LEADERSHIP PIPELINE

Donna Crouch Eexamines the impact of women in ministry and 8 ways for creating a ‘Leadership Pipeline’ for women.

NEWS

News Reports on what is happening across the breadth of the ACC Movement.

REPORTS

NEW

RELEASES

New Releases that are great resources for church leaders include albums, movies and new books.

ACC NATIONAL PRESIDENT, WAYNE ALCORN DISCUSSES SOME OF THE ‘TALKING POINTS’ THAT FACE THE CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA.

Q & A

Q. As we move forward into the last quarter of 2015, how would you describe the ACC movement? WAYNE ALCORN: Strong and healthy are two words that come to mind. We have over 1,000 churches, with over 3,200 credentialed pastors and a growing base of over 300,000 constituents across our congregations. So yes, I believe we are in a strong and healthy position. We held our quarterly National Executive meeting in Adelaide in mid August and welcomed James Macpherson and Joel A’Bell to the team. Both of them will be great contributors in this new season of our movement. I am immensely grateful for the commitment, wisdom and experience of our national leadership team who all have a great heart for building and strengthening the Church. I believe we can steer our movement through both the good and the challenging times.

Q: What are some of the more challenging issues we are facing? WAYNE ALCORN: There are some very complex issues that the Church is facing today and we need to have strategic responses. For instance, providing for the needs of refugees fleeing persecution in Syria is more effective when we work in tandem with government and other agencies. The ACCI Appeal for the Syrian Refugee Crisis is a practical way we can all be involved in. The National Executive has discussed at length our Kingdom responses to the various complex social issues that we face as Christian leaders, particularly the topic of human sexuality and same sex marriage. Another ongoing issue for every local church is protection of children. We have made great progress with our work on Child Safety issues, and the implementation of the ACC Child Protection Policy is on track to be effective from 1st December 2015. >

STRONG & HEALTHY

WE HAVE OVER 1,000 CHURCHES, WITH OVER 3,200 CREDENTIALED PASTORS AND A GROWING BASE OF OVER 300,000 CONSTITUENTS ACROSS OUR CONGREGATIONS.

Follow Wayne Alcorn on Twitter: @wayne_alcorn 3

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678 Q. Where does the ACC stand on the issue of marriage? WAYNE ALCORN: The ACC doctrinal statement of beliefs clearly affirms our stand: We believe that the Bible is God’s Word and it is accurate, authoritative and applicable to our every day lives. We are totally committed to the teachings of the Bible and believe the Word very clearly lays out the definition of marriage between a man and a woman. Q: How important is it to communicate what we believe? WAYNE ALCORN: The society we live in today gives the impression that to be loud is to be right. In the midst of this, it is vital that our voice is clear and is heard. There is a lot of confusion out there, not only in society but also within our congregations among the youth and young adults. I don’t think we can assume that people fully understand what the Bible teaches, so it’s also a great opportunity and reminder to those of us who have been given the challenge and mandate to teach the new generations. I think young people are open to understand why we are teaching this and they just want us to take time, lay it out and help them see things through the eyes of Christ. Q: Why do we need to defend the definition of marriage? WAYNE ALCORN: There are reasons why marriage and its definition have been unchanged for millennia. The God of Creation put principles and laws into place and did so for the sustaining of the human race. We should never forget that God created the family before He even created the Church. We need to think things through as it affects the family and the generations. One of the greatest concerns is children, and the many questions that arise that affect future generations in our society. Q: How do we respond wisely in the midst of an inflamed debate? WAYNE: I personally believe we need to be able to separate ministry to the person, who deserves dignity and value, from public policy. We need to be careful about the language we use or turning our anger towards attacking a particular group. Sin is sin, regardless of what it is yet I think we need to show grace, honouring God and loving people. When we start vilifying the individual, the conversation gets out of shape. The important thing is that we represent the God of love. My prayer would be 2 Chronicles 7:14, that we run towards Him, get on our knees, cry out to God firstly for spiritual awakening within the Church, and then from the Church to our society.

678 WE BELIEVE THAT THE BIBLE IS GOD’S WORD AND IT IS ACCURATE, AUTHORITATIVE AND APPLICABLE TO OUR EVERY DAY LIVES.

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S YRIAN REFUGEE CRISIS

G FACTS

WHAT CAN WE DO

• The U.N. estimates 7.6 million people are internally displaced since civil war broke out in Syria in March 2011. They have been left homeless and in desperate need of safety.

We have all been moved and our hearts touched by the graphic scenes of refugees who have fled persecution and civil war in Syria. This is a complex situation and everyone wants to know what we can do to help.

• The war has killed over 200,000 people, half of whom are believed to be civilians.

1. SUPPORT THE ACCIR APPEAL As a movement, our immediate response is to assist in providing resources for the hundreds of thousands of refugees now streaming across Europe. ACC International Relief has launched a Humanitarian Relief Appeal to respond to the crisis, working together with Samaritans Purse in an interagency partnership. Funds will go towards providing emergency physical relief, counselling, migrant assistance and other services to displaced families in transit countries.

• Many families have no choice but to risk their lives to flee war and persecution. Well over 4 million refugees have fled Syria. • Hundreds of thousands of refugees are now streaming across Europe in hope of building a new life. • According to the U.N., more than half of all Syrian refugees are under the age of 18. Most of hese children have been out of school for months, if not years. • This is considered to be the largest refugee crisis of its kind in the region since the Second World War and has overwhelmed the capacity of countries along their path to respond. • The conditions these refugee families face during the journey are very difficult. Along the route, many refugees have faced hostility and a lack of support with some forced to resort to journeying by foot and sleeping in public places.

2. ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES WHO SETTLE IN AUSTRALIA European countries have been gathering to discuss what they can do to assist the refugees and several countries have committed to increasing resettlement places for Syrian refugees. On 6 September 2015 (then) Prime Minister Abbott announced that Australia would take 12,000 refugees from Syria who will be resettled in Australia. ACC leaders have been speaking to authorities at strategic levels and are focused on a long term strategy. We will continue to liaise with the relevant authorities and work in tandem with the government and recognised agencies as to how we can best support the refugees once they arrive in Australia. ACCI Relief have provided information and guidance for ACC churches wishing to get ready to offer a welcome and assistance to Syrian refugees arriving in Australia. This includes: Resettlement Assistance Refugees chosen by the Australian Government will be placed in various locations across the country. Past history suggests they will end up living where there are existing Middle Eastern or Syrian Christian communities, where they will feel safe, accepted and able to integrate more quickly.

LISA BE ‘MANY CHURCHES HAVE FORMER REFUGEES OR REFUGEE WORKERS IN THEIR CONGREGATIONS WHO WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SUGGESTIONS AND HELP LEAD LOCAL RESPONSES’ The Australian Department of Social Services (DSS) administers the Government’s Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) programme, which is aimed at supporting newly arrived refugees (generally for the first six to 12 months). This support includes: • finding accommodation • initial food packages • basic household goods • English language training, • assistance (including transport) with registration with Centrelink, Medicare, health services, banks and schools • linking refugees with community programmes Details of HSS service providers are available on the DSS website at https://www.dss.gov.au What can churches do? Christians have the opportunity to receive people in the way Jesus would. Churches can provide practical assistance to refugees by welcoming and involving those whom God brings into our midst. This can be achieved by finding and using existing networks in your local community, or starting to build them. Many churches have former refugees or refugee workers in their congregations who will be able to provide suggestions and help lead local responses. Some of the Syrians will hold to the Christian faith, but many will hold to other religions, including Muslims and Yazidis. Please find out all you can about what their religions teach, and how Christians can relate cross-culturally. It is up to us to reach out intentionally and build relationships of trust so that we can speak into the lives of these refugee men, women and children. They will feel extremely vulnerable, owing to situations they are fleeing. There will be a need for professional trauma counselling, which HSS providers will be funded to organise. It is important not to shadow or duplicate what others are already being paid to provide, but to establish what concrete things communities of loving Christian believers can offer, that will make a lasting difference. These include motivating our congregations to open up their hearts to welcome, befriend and provide hospitality to refugees. Churches that have Arabic-speaking meetings or home groups, will naturally want to get involved. For others, it will be a new experience. Let’s go out of our way to show the love of God for those who are displaced and dispossessed, from the moment they arrive. When we have a clearer picture about when, and where, the Syrian refugees will be arriving, we hope to be able to provide additional information and suggestions. At this stage, let’s mobilise our congregations to pray for the Syrian crisis across our churches and support the ACCIR Syrian Refugee Crisis Appeal. Together we can reach out and show the love of Jesus to those in desperate circumstances.

For more details on how you and your church can support the Syrian Refugee Crisis Appeal:

www.accirelief.org.au/syria

G GLOBAL PRAYER AGAINST ISIS RAPE CULTURE G Pastor Bobbie Houston has appealed to Christian women across the world to pray at the same time each day against the “theology of rape” that has resulted in thousands of women and children being brutally assaulted by ISIS.

‘I BELIEVE THAT THE BIBLE CLEARLY TEACHES THAT PRAYER MAKES A WAY WHERE THERE OFTEN SEEMS TO BE NO WAY.’

BYmidday

#middayBA

In a blog to hundreds of thousands of followers, Bobbie referred to a New York Times article that outlined the atrocities committed against the Yazidi religious minority in northern Iraq. It described the systematic rape of women and young girls by men who often knelt in prayer before and after the violent acts, believing that their religion not only gave them the right to rape but encouraged it. Bobbie said the lives of innocent people are in the balance, and that she believes “a handful of women with compassion in their hearts, empathy in their spirit and prayer in their mouth could change the world”. “I believe that the Bible clearly teaches that prayer makes a way where there often seems to be no way.” She said that the brutality and sex slavery under ISIS can no longer be ignored. ”I’m doing this because we cannot turn away from a harsh reality that is literally happening under our noses and on our watch,” she wrote. It was no longer enough to be “shocked or abhorred” and “we had to respond”, and that response is to call on “the sisterhood to pray fervently for this heinous reality happening”, specifically at 12 noon daily, to signify the 12 year old girl referred to in the New York Times article. “Pray for the victims. Pray for the perpetrators. Yes, pray for the enemy. All I know is that prayer makes a way.” Bobbie said she received a phone call from a pastor who works with the victims. “They just want to know they are not alone.” Bobbbie Houston is the National Director of Australian Christian Women

COL

NEWS

PRAYER FOR THE NATION CANBERRA– A number of ACC representatives attended the 2015 National Prayer Breakfast on 14 September, hosted by the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship. It is recognised as a unique forum for national leaders to come together to pray for the nation, national issues and for one another. Worship was provided by Alphacrucis, Hillsong and LifeUC for this annual event.

YOUTH UNITE ACROSS AUSTRALIA Over July and August, close to 25,000 young people gathered together across almost 100 different locations around Australia to attend a United We Stand event. “We had 566 different churches involved from 31 denominations, and 2690 people responded to the message of Jesus,” said Cameron Bennett, Youth Alive National Director. “On top of that, young people were encouraged to run student-led initiatives in their schools, and students in close to 175 schools got involved with United We Stand in this way.” “We can achieve so much together,” said Cameron. “In 2016, United We Stand will be running on the SAME night across every state of Australia so diarise Friday, 19 August 2016. Don’t miss out on what will be a significant and historical night for the youth of Australia.” www.youthalive.com.au

S U I O G I L E R M O D FREE

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By James Macp

Aggressive secularism and Islamic extremism have combined to create a perfect storm threatening long assumed freedoms of religion in the West. >

Aggressive secularism insists on separation of Church and State but has, as its goal, removal of Church from State. It’s evangelists, like biologist Richard Dawkins who likens Christian education to child abuse, who have helped to foster a general disdain for religion that has created an atmosphere in which religious freedom is seen as less important than freedom from religion. Secularists have as their theme song John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’; except they want to do more than to imagine no religion, they want to legislate faith out of existence, or at least out of the public square. Aided by over-zealous activists of the sexual revolution who see religious freedom and belief as an obstruction to their own rights, they believe Christian influence must be forever dismantled before the brave new world they imagine can be established. Professor of Philosophy at New York University, Thomas Nagel, put it bluntly: “It’s not just that I don’t believe in God. I don’t want there to be a God. I don’t want the universe to be like that.” Secularism, with its rejection of objective truth, paved the way for multiculturalism, a favorite policy of Western Governments since the 1980s. Multiculturalism is different to multi-racialism. The latter insists all people are equal while the first insists that all cultures are equal. All cultures, that is, apart from Western culture based upon the Judeo-Christian ethic that secularism must reject. Multiculturalism as a government policy invites immigrants to move to the host nation without adopting the host nation’s culture. But it goes further. It compels the host nation to spend taxpayer dollars enabling immigrants to maintain their point of difference. Any criticism of the policy, or indeed of those benefiting from it, is labeled racist and bigoted. In this way, both the policy and the cultures it sponsors are placed beyond critique. Plain truths are left unsaid; but worse, they become unsayable. Author Mark Steyn describes multiculturalism as “a Trojan horse Europe gave itself in an act of moral vanity, and waiting inside was Islam”. Extremism Islamic extremism, unwittingly imported by Western governments, has dramatically changed our way of life. Everything from boarding aircraft to publishing newspapers is now done in light of this new threat. Governments, anxious not to antagonize significant Muslim minorities, make everincreasing allowances for Islam that are not afforded to other faiths. So-called hate speech laws, for example, are put forward to prevent Islamophobia but, in effect, operate to outlaw “blasphemy”.

SO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS CAUGHT IN A PINCER MOVEMENT WITH AGGRESSIVE SECULARISM ON ONE SIDE AND RADICAL ISLAM ON THE OTHER. When the French editors of Charlie Hebdo magazine featured a cartoon of the Virgin Mary giving birth to a pig, world leaders could not have cared less. When the same magazine printed images of Muhammad, it was chastised for being disrespectful, irresponsible and needlessly provocative. When the American creators of South Park lampooned Jesus, they were applauded for being edgy. When the same animators declined to lampoon Muhammad, they were applauded for being sensitive and respectful of religion. When an Islamic extremist held Australians hostage in a Sydney café, twitter went into meltdown over an imagined Muslim woman hypothetically afraid to ride public transport. The #illridewithyou hashtag went viral in support of an imagined Muslim even as actual non-Muslims were being held at gunpoint on our TV screens. In contrast, when real Jewish school children were actually threatened by young men who boarded their Sydney bus chanting Nazi slogans and threatening to “cut your throats” the #illridewithjew hashtag was strangely absent. The concessions to Islam are now so much part of Western life that many go unnoticed. For instance, Muhammad is almost always referred to in media reports as “the Prophet Muhammad”. The idea that our same news media would prefix the name of Jesus with the honorific “Lord and Saviour” is laughable. Aggressive secularism argues that the Christian faith has no place in the public square. At the very same time it treats other faiths as exotic and benign so as to not bring into question multiculturalism, the ultimate nod to secularism’s relativist worldview. Islamic extremism understands this and so plays the victim in order to be given everincreasing concessions, even as the Christian faith is maligned and marginalised. Maligned and marginalised To criticise Islam’s influence in the West is to bring into question the wisdom of multiculturalism. To question the wisdom of multiculturalism is to suggest that objective truth – right and wrong, good and evil - may in fact exist after all. This is a suggestion

secularism cannot bear since Thomas Nagel and his atheist friends “don’t want the universe to be like that”. And so the Christian faith is caught in a pincer movement with aggressive secularism on the one side and radical Islam on the other. This is a curious situation when you consider that secularism and Islam appear to have nothing in common. But what appears obvious at first glance is, upon closer inspection, not quite correct. Both secularism and Islam see Christianity as the enemy. To the secularist, Christianity is an obstruction to sexual freedom; and to the Islamist, an impediment to the universal rule of Allah through Sharia Law. And so a secularist will mock a nun’s habit whilst campaigning for the right of women to wear the hijab. A secularist will label the Church homophobic for opposing gay marriage whilst remaining silent when Islamists throw homosexuals from the top of buildings. The agreement, conscious or not, seems to be that secularism and Islamism will dispose of Christianity first, and worry about each other after that, setting up a tantalizing world championship bout between Caitlyn Jenner and Muhammad. What should be done? As the storm clouds gather, Western Christians are wondering what, if anything at all, should be done. Some argue that, when the few Christians left in the Middle East are having their heads hacked off by Islamic State thugs, it is petty of us to complain about a High Court challenge to school chaplaincy, for example. There is no question of moral equivalence. The damage secularism has done to religious freedom in the West is a mere pinprick compared with the savagery being inflicted upon Christians by Islamic extremism. But violations against freedom, though petty, are still violations. Moreover, those who commit these violations show complete disregard for the lessons learned and sacrifices made to win the freedom we have, until now, enjoyed. For Christians to shrug off attacks against our liberty as insignificant >

A SECULARIST WILL LABEL THE CHURCH HOMOPHOBIC FOR OPPOSING GAY MARRIAGE WHILST REMAINING SILENT WHEN ISLAMISTS THROW HOMOSEXUALS FROM THE TOP OF BUILDINGS. 9

would be, in the words of OS Guinness, “to throw away the freedoms that are our birthright with a carelessness that future generations will regard as irresponsibility, if not insanity”. A second reason we are tempted to ignore current trends is that combatting them requires thought and, as Westerners, we find anything that cannot be reduced to a Twitter hash-tag to be almost beyond us. As a society we have exchanged argument for sloganeering. Well-schooled in the secular doctrine of tolerance, we prefer to reduce the Gospel to “just love everyone”. This allows us to feel rather than think … other than to think ourselves very good for feeling so much love. A third reason for our reluctance to speak about what is happening around us is the very real fear of being smeared. We want people to find Jesus in our churches and

IF EVER THERE WAS A TIME THE CHURCH NEEDED LEADERS WHO WERE GENTLE LIKE DOVES AND WISE AS SERPENTS, IT IS NOW.

rightly worry this may not happen if we are marginalised as bigots. The danger is that a church no longer prepared to speak out on issues, for fear of being marginalized by its opponents as bigots, has already marginalized itself as irrelevant. And finally, reluctance to speak out, even among those who admit the need, is exacerbated by deep frustration with the clumsy attempts of those who have already marched on in where politically correct angels fear to tread. We have cringed watching some ministers, barely comprehensible in the safety of their

own pulpits, venture into the media to be completely misunderstood, reflecting badly on us all. If ever there was a time the Church needed leaders who were gentle like doves and wise like serpents, it is now. James Macpherson is an ACC National Executive member and the senior pastor of the multicampus Calvary Christian Church.

Follow James Macpherson on Twitter: @jamesmacpherson

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Schools are becoming a battlefield for the push towards secularism, with concerted efforts to remove scripture being taught in schools and curb the infuence of Christian chaplains. As non-religious parents and authorities continue to voice their opposition, certain sectors have maligned the objectives of churches and Christian groups who have long worked in schools. Sadly, there is an increasing suspicion and disrespect for those with religious beliefs. When FIRIS (Fairness In Religion In Schools) recently erected a prominent billboard against scripture in schools, NSW State President, John McMartin felt compelled to speak up and address the fears of parents. “I certainly don’t believe teaching scripture in schools should take on the role of the Church,” he said in a written statement, “but I do believe there is a necessary place for scripture to be taught in schools, which has no connection to the fear of evangelism that FIRIS purports is the motive behind it.” “For decades, both Christian and

non-Christian parents have always been open to their children learning about the principles that Australia has been founded upon,” John McMartin continued. “The fact that our nation has a Christian heritage cannot be ignored and it is important that the younger generations have a knowledge of our foundations and the tenets that have made us who we are.” He acknowledged that though Australia has changed and become more of a multicultural society, even non-church attending parents would see the value in understanding where the moral principles of our nation have come from. “Moving towards building the future doesn’t mean that we disregard and dismantle everything that has made this a great nation,” stated John McMartin. “When people actually begin to study the teachings of Jesus, they generally discover some incredible and even radical ideas that are a positive alternative to an increasingly self-centred society – for instance, ‘loving your neighbour’, being a ‘good Samaritan’ or ‘turning the other cheek’ are not

‘LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOUR’, BEING A ‘GOOD SAMARITAN’ OR ‘TURNING THE OTHER CHEEK’ ARE NOT AGGRESSIVE OR HARMFUL. aggressive or harmful.” There are many questions to consider: Where does it lead to if scripture has no value to emerging generations? Is the next step is to remove Easter and Christmas as public holidays from our calendar? Are the families of Australia prepared to turn their backs completely on their heritage? John McMartin concluded: “Everyone has a decision to make about their own spiritual life but at least let choices come from an educated position of respect and value for something that has contributed towards building a strong and healthy foundation for our country.”

UNDERSTANDING THE GENERATIONS

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Every week, over 80,000 children and youth

Every week, over 80,000 children and youth are ministered to in ACC churches – 86% of churches run Sunday School programs and 68% of churches have youth groups. With 30 per cent of our movement comprising of emerging generations, it makes sense to understand the characteristics of Gen Z and Gen Alpha. According to McCrindle Research, “we are in the midst of a generational landmark, as Australia’s “Digital Integrators” (Generation Z) began sitting their final school exams last year, and the first Generation Alpha’s begin their schooling career this year. McCrindle Research has provided an explanation about each of these generations, and some interesting facts about them.”

WHO IS GEN ALPHA?

WHO IS GEN Z? ?

The students of our world today, who are currently at school and university, are the children of Generation X, the cohort that follows Generation Y. Born between 1995 and 2009, they are labelled ‘Generation Z’. This generation currently make up one in five in our population. They make up just one in ten in the workforce, but in a decade’s time, they will make up over a quarter. When they’re talking about a library they mean their playlist on iTunes. They speak and they write in a new language. If they can shorten it, they will. They are content creators, and their idea of an encyclopaedia is one that you can change and contribute to. While they are constantly reading it’s rarely a book from cover to cover, and after all they are visual communicators, so why read it when you can watch it? They speak another language like ‘totes’, ‘chron’ ‘chillax’ ‘epic’ ‘frothing’ fo shiz’ ‘cray cray’ ‘yolo’! Generation Z is the largest generation ever, comprising asround 20% of Australia’s population and almost 30%

GEN Z IS THE FIRST FULLY GLOBAL GENERATION, SHAPED IN THE 21ST CENTURY, CONNECTED TO DIGITAL DEVICES AND ENGAGED THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA. of the world’s population. Globally there are almost 2 billion of them. They are the first fully global generation, shaped in the 21st century, connected through digital devices, and engaged through social media. GEN Z FACTS • AKA ‘generation connected’ or ‘dot com kids’ • 1 in 2 predicted to obtain a uni degree • By 2025, will make up 27% of the workforce • Predicted to work 17 jobs, 5 careers and live in 15 homes in their lifetime • 2,000,000,000 Gen Zs globally

Following Gen Z is our pre-schooler and kindergarteners of today – Gen Alpha. Born since the year 2010, they are aged 0 to 5, and they are the children of Gen Y. There are 1.6 million of them in Australia. They are truly the millennial generation, born and shaped fully in the 21st century, and the first generation that we will see in record numbers in the 22nd century as well. They are logged on and linked up; known as ‘digital natives’. They are the most materially endowed and technologically literate generation to ever grace the planet! GEN ALPHA FACTS • 2.5 million Gen Alpha’s born around the globe each week • Most popular boys names: Oliver, William, Jack, Noah, Jackson • Most popular girls names: Charlotte, Olivia, Ava, Emily and Mia © McCrindle Research For a visual representation of the data, see the Gen Z and Gen Alpha Infographic below by McCrindle Research.

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the society, unlike d e lis a xu e s rhype growing up in a le make Gen Z kids are elp young peop h To . n io t ra e n ip f any other ge y in relationsh t ri la experiences o c ill t s in d xuality an round their se a s dressing e ic o h c t a gre Choicez are ad r u o Y f o r le b o ie K g, David & Kat decision makin ing today. nagers are fac e e t t a h t s e u the iss

THE AVERAGE AGE THAT A YOUNG PERSON IN AUSTRALIA WILL FIRST BE EXPOSED TO PORNOGRAPHY IS 11 YEARS OF AGE

Q: Tell us about your heart for teenagers, what you do through Your Choicez and your goals? DAVID: Our relationship began around working with young people. From the very beginning we have both been individually and then as a couple really passionate about ministering to young people. Your Choicez is a ministry established for the purpose of reaching teens where they are at. Teens deserve the right to truthful teaching about the impact of the hyper-sexualised society they are growing up in.Â We provide seminars in high schools, youth ministries, churches and community events, addressing the topics of sex, dating, relationships, impact of pornography, body image and sexting. Our goalÂ is to open discussion, provide answers and change culture around these topics. KATIE: I think my personal experience as a teenager established my passion for working with young people. At the age of 21 I found myself in an abusive relationship having struggled since an early teen with eating disorders, alcohol abuse, sexual bullying, and generally making poor choices. Once I became a Christian, I realised I wanted to use my life to help young people. We truly believe that teens making good choices can see them experiencing great relationships and walking the path that God has for them. 13

Q: What prompted you to launch Your Choicez? DAVID: We were working as youth pastors in an ACC church and as the years went on, we found more and more that the issues we were dealing with amongst young people and church leaders were often within the realm of human sexuality. The area of sex was designed by God to be a great blessing; however we were seeing this twisted into something that was damaging so many lives. As our passion grew to help people in this area, we began to dream of a ministry that would reach teens, parents, teachers and pastors around the country giving them the strategies needed to navigate the teen years well. We soon began to feel the prompting to move out of full time ministry into this area and with a big step of faith we launched Your Choicez.

CHURCHES AND YOUTH MINISTRIES, WE TRULY BELIEVE, CAN HAVE A HUGE INFLUENCE IN THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN THESE KEY YEARS.

Q: Who and what would be the key influences in young people’s lives today? KATIE: There are a lot of influences in young people’s lives; media and marketing, pornography, social media, pop culture, but despite the noise and influence these areas can have on young people, teens really are desperate for real relationships. Churches and youth ministries, we truly believe, can have a huge influence in the lives of young people and make a significant difference in these key years. Research also shows that parents are one of the most influential voices in their child’s life right through to their mid- twenties and hence why we are also very passionate about giving parents the tools they need to make best use of this influence.

CHALLENGES FACING YOUNG MEN Q: What are some of the specific challenges young men are facing today? DAVID: In my work around Australia and New Zealand, I have met

‘Pornography is one of the most pervasive and damaging issues for young men, and a topic in which there is little discussion. Teen guys are very interested in sex; they are highly curious... if there is little or no conversation about sex, they will very often Google their question, often leading them to a world of confusion.’ – david kobler

many incredible young men facing many pressures and challenges, yet facing these issues with courage and strength. I speak to young men about many topics: manhood, identity, self-control, sex-drive, respectful relationships, pornography, purpose and what makes a real man. Of all these topics, I believe pornography is one of the most pervasive and damaging for young men, and a topic in which there is little discussion.

Q: Have you got any statistics or data that indicate the extent of the areas of concern? DAVID: One of the most concerning statistics is that currently in Australia the average age that a young person will first be exposed to pornography is 11 years of age. The accessibility to pornography is something we have never seen in history before. Research is showing us that when teens grow up looking at excessive amounts of pornography this can result in them burning out their sex drive. A health issue affecting more and more young men today is porn induced E.D (erectile dysfunction). Now with most young people today growing up with a 3 or 4G handset and high speed Internet, porn is only ever a click or swipe away. A study done by the Journal of American Medical Association back in 1992 found that 5% of 18-59 year old males had E.D. A Swiss study in 2012 showed 30% of 18-24 year olds had experienced E.D. An Italian study in 2013 reported that men under the age of 40 were more likely to have chronic E.D than men over 40. Another 2014 study in Canada found that 27% of men between the ages of 16-21 experienced E.D problems. In schools around the country I have had conversations with students as young as Year 9 that have reported experiencing this exact issue. I don’t believe young men are wanting to burn out their sex drive before they have even left school. The science behind the impact pornography has on a young man’s brain is frightening. The more research I read the more I believe that teens must get real information about what influence this can have in their lives personally and relationally.

to hell”. What I do say is, let’s look at some of the science. Let’s discuss the potential impact pornography can have on your brain, on your sex-drive, on your future relationship and on your beliefs and attitudes towards sex. Teen guys are very interested in sex; they are highly curious, their sex drive is peaking and their testosterone is through the roof. Everything that is taking place in their body is God designed, there is nothing evil about being curious about sex, there is nothing evil about their sex drive; God created this in us. Unfortunately if there is little to no conversation about sex, they will very often Google their question which many times will lead them to a world of confusion. I have found that by having real conversations with them about sex, about pornography, about their hopes and desires for the future teens are capable of making good, healthy, and Godly decisions around their sexuality.

Q: How do you go about addressing these issues? DAVID: When I speak to young men about pornography, I don’t say to them, “Don’t look at pornography because it’s a sin and you will go

CHALLENGES FACING YOUNG WOMEN Q: What are some of the specific challenges young women are facing today? KATIE: 2015 is a challenging time to be a teenage girl. The challenges that teen girls are facing today are unique to even the pressures that young women faced five years ago – things are changing very quickly. In our young women seminar, we talk about the pressures that young women face around body image, pressure to have sex, pregnancy, STI’s, sexting, the pressure to find love, self worth, and identity. In my work with young women I am increasingly seeing the pressure for young women to perform sexually. With STI rates and sexual assaults both on the rise, we are seeing more and more young women walking away from a sexual encounter devastated by their experience. The thinking that it is normal for there to be some form of sexual pressure within the context of a relationship has left young women vulnerable and exposed to negative sexual experiences. Probably one of the things that has most taken me by surprise in my work in this area are the number of times I hear from young women these kinds of statements:“Yeah, he keeps pressuring me for sex, it’s just a normal relationship.” Young women often perceive sexual pressure (sexting, unwanted sex, sexual harassment) as a rite of passage into womanhood. Our hyper-sexualized, media saturated society has convinced many women to focus on just one portion of the human person – who they are in body and what their bodies can offer to others. Young women are desperate for a deep understanding of the human person as body, soul and spirit. The Church has a lot to offer to the young women within Australia.

‘Research suggests that a young woman who has a bad sexual experience has a much greater chance that she will, at some point, struggle with some kind of mental illness (self harm, depression or anxiety).’ – katie kobler

Q: Have you got any statistics or data that indicate the extent of the areas of concern? KATIE: Research continues to show us the incredibly damaging impact these negative sexual experiences can have on young women. For a young woman who has a bad sexual experience, research suggests a much greater chance that she will, at some point, struggle with some kind of mental illness (self harm, depression or anxiety). Research in Australia continues to show that almost every STI is increasing year after year. What is even more concerning is international research showing that one in four sexually active teenagers will contract an STI. One of the leading causes of infertility within Australia right now is Chlamydia. Experts estimate that 500,000 young Australians are currently carrying Chlamydia. (Professor David Wilson, Kirby institute). One in five women in Australia will experience sexual assault at some point in their lives. (www.nswrapecrisis.com. au) While society continues to endorse sex amongst young people, research clearly shows this is not the ‘consequence activity’ it is pitched as for both young women and young men.

Q: How do you go about addressing these issues? KATIE: Empowering young women to make great choices is crucial. Women often feel the need to make other people happy above themselves. We often find young women ticking the boxes for other people – what he wants, what she wants, without really taking time to think through what they want for themselves. Our message to young women is to encourage them to take time to really think through what decisions they want to make in regards to the topics of sex, dating and relationships. If young women don’t make decisions before they find themselves in a pressured situation they can often find themselves simply responding to the pressures that arise. We believe that every young woman deserves the opportunity to have reliable information and meaningful conversation to help them make decisions around these topics.

David & Katie Kobler present to senior high students, often presenting in full day gender split sessions. They also do similar presentations at youth camps and retreats. They run parent information evenings, as well as church services and pastoral consultations when required. For more information

www.yourchoicez.com.au

NEWS

The ACC is strongly committed to safeguarding children and building a stronger culture of transparency and accountability when it comes to creating a safe environment for our children.

SAFER CHURCHES PROTECTING CHILDREN

ACC Child Protection Policy As part of the ACC Safer Churches program, the ACC Child Protection Policy and the Child Protection Practice Guidelines agreed to at the April National Conference will become effective on 1st December 2015. ACC National Secretary, Sean Stanton, and General Manager, Jeff Bartlett, have visited the various State Executives as part of the consultation process and presentations on the ACC Safer Churches program have been made at the State Conferences. As part of our movement’s approach to safeguarding children, this year’s credential renewal will again ask for confirmation that credentialed pastors have completed a child protection course. Information on training options for credential holders will be made available, and there will be recognition for prior courses that have been completed. A refresher course will be required every three years, in line with best practice and accepted standards from other groups, in order to keep credentials current. > The next edition of ACC EMAG will feature more detail on the ACC Safer Churches Program.

SHAPING KIDS MINISTRY Gold Coast– Around 550 leaders in children’s ministry across the country gathered on the Gold Coast for three days for Kidshaper 2015. The theme –’His Kingdom Now’ – included inspiring ministry from Frank Bealer (Elevation Church) and Craig Johnson (Lakewood Church, USA), along with Andy Kirk and the ACC team of national leaders. Craig Johnson provided insight into how the ‘Champions Club’ reaches special needs children through children’s ministry, while Frank Bealer helped so many teams through logistics, systems and team development. The Gold Coast location proved extremely popular and the 2016 Kidshaper Conference will be held there again. www.acckids.org.au

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

The Woolshed: Great venue for community conversations.

It was great to see The Woolshed come alive, hosting two days of practical conversations and inspiring ideas about seeing your community differently. This annual Community Engagement event is essential for local churches who want to impact their communities. More info: www.acccommunityengagement.org.au

Wayne Alcorn and Paul Bartlett discuss the great impact local churches are having in our community.

“It is quite hard to do good and to understand that people and cultures really need to be changed from the inside out” –Tim Costello.

Mark McCrindle giving great insights to who and what our community loves.

MOMENTUM CAIRNS– “This year’s National Indigenous Conference stood out for its willingness to model unity across the breadth of the ACC and its churches. As a non-indigenous person I felt so welcomed. And it was beautiful to see leaders from so many of Australia’s Indigenous nations and cultures represented – salt water, fresh water and desert peoples. There was also a beautiful unity of the generations in the Indigenous voices of pastors Will Dumas, Titom Tamwoy, Aaron Wallace and Ada Henaway, and in the music and ceremony presented.”

‘GOD IS PREPARING THIS NATION AND THE CHURCH TO WALK THE WAY THEY HAVE NOT WALKED BEFORE’ Over 250 Indigenous and non-Indigenous church leaders and delegates gathered at Generations Church in Kewarra Beach, and it was a privilege to have Donna Crouch in attendance representing the ACC National Executive. The theme of Momentum and Reconciliation was reinforced through the messages by the guest speakers. These included Pastor Gobi Srinivasan from Dubai who declared, “God is preparing this nation and the Church to walk the way they have not walked before” (Joshua 3:4). Momentum has begun. Together we have ignited change in our nation, as God prepares our great nation to walk together in acknowledgement and reconciliation. More info, email: indigenous@acc.org.au

TALKING POINT

L EADERSHIP THE

678

PIPELINE

8 WAYS TO CREATE A LEADERSHIP PIPELINE FOR WOMEN BY DONNA CROUCH

“You’re the right man for the job!”

Those words back in 1988 were like a dream come true when I was a 25 year old, single woman with a passion to serve God. I will always be grateful to my Senior Pastor, Brian Houston, for ‘giving me a go’ when he appointed me Youth Pastor, and made a way for me to join an all-male, all-married team of pastors. He expected them to include me as part of the team from day one. Fast forward to 1998, when I had a toddler and a baby. It was in this season that I was given the opportunity to step into the role of running our Hills campus by Pastor Brian. I am so grateful he looked beneath the obvious, saw potential, and gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. There’s another man I am grateful for. I could not have stepped into this role without the support and encouragement from my husband, Stephen, who has always been the one prompting me to stretch and explore all that God has called me to, and believed that I have so much to offer. Women and ministry is an ancient idea. Throughout the Bible, starting in Genesis 1:26–28, and throughout the Scriptures, women have played a vital and integral role in the Salvation story. The equal participation of women in the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus, and the birth of the early church in Acts 1:14 was counter cultural and radical. It was a demonstration of Christ breaking human and cultural barriers.1 As Pentecostalism began to spread across Australia in the early 1900s, the ACC

movement was birthed by both men and women. Prominent women, the likes of Sarah Jane Lancaster, Florence Mortomore, Annie Dennis and Isabella Hetherington, were pioneers of the day. They preached the Gospel, planted churches, ran community programs for the unemployed, moved in the miraculous, and went out as missionaries to far flung places around the globe.2 These are the ‘roots’of our movement in Australia. Today we have a great number of credentialed women fulfilling ministry roles in our local churches and missions (30.7%). This growth represents greater acceptance of women functioning in ministry positions, and something the ACC should be proud of, and celebrate. However, there is a gap in our story. Whilst women are functioning effectively at a local church level, we are not yet seeing women functioning in additional senior areas of responsibility, such as church planting, senior pastors, board members and chairperson positions. We have seen some increase in women functioning in District, State and National

WE HAVE A GREAT NUMBER OF CREDENTIALED WOMEN FULFILLING MINISTRY ROLES IN OUR LOCAL CHURCHES AND MISSIONS

Executive roles – we have some churches planted by women senior pastors – however, it is still an anomaly – and certainly not reflective of how many women ministers we do have credentialed. This trend is reflected more widely in Australian society in both corporate, government and political sectors. Women are just not occupying senior, executive >

WOMEN AND THE ACC ACC PASTORS: Total Leaders with Credentials: Women with Credentials: % Women with credentials:

3,224 992 30.7%

Oldest Female Pastor:

Youngest Female Pastor:

[Source: ACC database September 2015]

ACC CHURCHES: % of female church attenders:

57%

% of male church attenders:

43%

% of female ACC church staff:

51%

% of ACC churches that run ministries to women

72%

Attendance at women’s ministry events 28,670

[Source: 2014 ACC Census data]

leadership roles, and we need to ask ‘why’. • It makes good sense biblically to have women in key leadership roles. • It makes good sense economically to have women functioning in key leadership roles. • It makes good sense, for men and women who are in positions of power and influence, to set the culture and values that will become the ‘norm’. The more women are involved in Board, CEO, Senior Executive level management and decision making roles – the more prosperous a company or organisation becomes.3 What we give attention to grows. Being intentional in creating a LEADERSHIP PIPELINE that allows women to step into more senior roles of leadership is something that will start as VISION, become an organisational VALUE and be reflected in the CULTURE you accept.

8 WAYS TO CREATE A LEADERSHIP PIPELINE FOR WOMEN

BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT EXPECTING WOMEN TO STEP UP TO GREATER ROLES. MAKE IT THE NORM.

3. AWARE OF UNCONSCIOUS BIAS: We all have preconceived assumptions and conclusions that we jump to without even knowing it. Be aware that we all have biases and that they can migrate into our workplace and cause us to overlook potential. We need to be continually aware of our limitations – both in ourselves and in others. Tip: Watch for generalisations or assumptions from both men and women on your key team. For example, a single woman being considered for a key department role; working mothers are less committed than men to their role; men can take criticism better than women.

1. LANGUAGE: Intentionally ask for male and female candidates for board positions, pastoral roles, governance committees, district or state nominations. If women are not nominated in the first round of suggestions, ask ‘why’? Don’t allow women to be an ‘after-thought’. This sends a message that men and women should be selected on merit and it’s expected that women will be included in the first round. Suggestion: In an altar call situation, specifically include women as those ‘called to the ministry’ or have a desire to be a church planter, CEO etc in their own right. Be intentional about expecting women to step up to greater roles. Make it the norm. Endorse this from the platform and create an environment that will naturally encourage women to ‘step up’. In sermon illustrations, use stories and examples of women in different areas of life and responsibility to highlight your point. Watch for language that refers to ‘he’ only.

4. EQUAL PAY: In Australia, women tend to be paid less than their male counterparts. In fact, the disparity of income between males and females has deteriorated over the last 14 years.4 A single woman cannot afford to earn less than her married collegue working at the same level of responsibility. She has one income to provide for housing, superannuation and her future – contrasted to a married couple who have the potential to earn two incomes. Working mums have enormous child care costs. Daycare can cost up to $120 /day per child (normal working hours). Additional help for weekend work in church – means additional expense. This can run into tens of thousands of dollars for childcare per year for a working mother. Suggestion: Pay conveys value and acknowledges an induvidual’s contribution. Have an equal pay policy for same roles; Have bands of salary appropriate to level of responsibility – that apply to both men and women – no difference between gender and marital status.

2. MENTORING & ROLE MODELS: Provide mentoring in skillsets that will equip women for senior leadership and management roles, so they can qualify based on merit. Skills include budgets; P&L; negotiation skills (eg. buildings; council apllications); financial & legal negotiations; observers at board meetings; platform workshops; develop & execute a business plan, negotiation skills; team building skills. Suggestion: Set intentional workshop or discussion group time to upskill. Consider external courses and programs that will develop a visionary, strategic mindset and business skills.

5. INCLUSIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT: Is the culture of the workplace or district events inclusive of women? Expect women to be included on big conversations about leadership, politics, apologetics and theology. Expect them to contribute, ask for their opinion and draw them into the conversation. Suggestion: Find out what work culture really exists in your ministry. Maybe ask the women, not the men, especially a few layers down, what the culture is like. Ask and listen for their suggestions that could bring a more inclusive work culture. A few subtle changes that are made from the top down, can make all the difference. Listen 19

and watch out for others putting women in their place, either through what is said or pretending that they’re not there. Be inclusive and respectful to both men and women. 6. INCLUSIVE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT: There is an understanding between male and female ministers that wisdom is needed around our social relationships. None of us want to get too close or form unhealthy emotional or sexual attachments. In our pursuit to keep healthy boundaries, sometimes we can go to the other extreme, where there is no social contact at all. This can result in a woman working in a very isolated and lonely work environment. Other than discussions that are work-related, there can be no contact at all. Suggestion: We pick people we know and trust, who have a high skill level, for key leadership roles. This comes from investing in relationships and takes time. If you don’t take time to get to know the women on your team (and their partners), you will never know who they really are and what they’re capable of. Invest socially and include women in appropriate events. Watch out for the only social time being the ‘boys club’. Women don’t want to invade the boys club – but they do want to be included socially. 7. BE AWARE OF GENDER STEREOTYPING: Is a female colleague always asked to make the tea or serve the cake? Is it assumed that a pregnant woman will not desire a more senior role? Gender stereotypes range from assumptions to actions. Women can reinforce negative stereotypes of other women. Watch out for it and don’t allow it. Tip: Watch out for gender stereotyping from the platform and from staff in the workplace e.g. a woman who is firm or annoyed is because of PMT; a single woman often being asked if ‘she has met anyone yet’ or introducing her as a single team member. Do we refer to men in the same way as women? We would never introduce an executive team member by saying, ‘This is our male executive team member’ – it would just sound ridiculous. If you observe women on your team reinforcing negative stereotypes of women in general – e.g. ‘women are emotional’ – make sure you address it.

8. CREATE A FLEXIBLE WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT: The workplace in 2015 has radically changed. Now staff can work off site from work ‘hot spots’. If there is a workplace environment, where women are not made to choose between being a mother or being a leader, we have a greater likelihood to keep women coming through the leadership pipeline. Tip: Consider what flexibility can be offered for the role required. How can online options be utilised better? Is there room to work from home one day a week? Can a team member work school hours? (thus avoiding after school care that can amount to hundreds of dollars a week. One of my colleagues is paid three days a week but works four days from 9am to 2.45pm. Everyone wins! She is talented and exceptional in her role, and also able to make kids and home work). What counts is outcomes and results – not ‘looking like’ we are working hard because we sit at a desk and stay back after 5pm.

‘Half of my best men are women!’ ACC National Executive member and Victorian State President, Shane Baxter, acknowledged the women on his staff in an August post: “In twenty years of Christian Leadership, I’ve realized half of my best men are women! Actually, I’ve known it from the start, that’s why @enjoychurch is balanced.”

Follow Shane Baxter on Twitter: @ShaneABaxter

When men AND women in leadership take responsibility for the culture, atmosphere and environment, it flows throughout the whole team, church, and movement. We are robbing ourselves from being even more fruitful in church growth, decisions for Christ, new initiatives being launched, churches planted, community engagement, missions, or Indigenous Pastors being raised up. The younger generation of ACC church leaders are counting on us. Let us intentionally develop the talent that is within our women. It is an ancient idea!

COLOUR TWENTY-16

FOUND. BE

FOUND

THE

MYSTERY

Celebrating 20 years

Donna Crouch is an ACC National Executive member and an Executive Pastor at Hillsong Church.

Follow Donna Crouch on Twitter: @crouchydon References: 1. The NIV Application Commentary: Acts / Ajith Fernando / Zondervan 1998). 2. Quoted from article by Jacqui Grey on ABC Religion & Ethics. http://www.abc.net.au/religion/ articles/2012/04/23/3487308.htm

The language ‘BE FOUND’ continues as we seek to not only celebrate 20 years but also unfold the mystery. In all truthfulness, the wonder of all things divine is an eternal mystery, but it’s also not a secret. We are living in days where the simplicity and power of the Gospel message is becoming so magnetic, clear and compelling; people are being drawn from the darkest and most remote corners of society and life. Fantastic guests will again grace our platforms in Sydney, Cape Town, London and Kiev – and for the first time in the United States. Exciting days . We love you heart and soul. This invitation is for you and those in your sphere of influence.

Bobbie Houston

3. For evidence-based research on improved economic outcomes within the Australian context see: Centre for Ethical Leadership: Gender Equality Project 2012 Professor Robert Wood, University of Melbourne 4. National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling. The impact of a sustained gender wage gap on the economy. Report to the Office for Women, Department of Families, Community Services, Housing and Indigenous Affairs, 2009 Additional resources:

BRIAN & BOBBIE

WITH THE HILLSONG TEAM AND FABULOUS GUESTS

HOLLY WAGNER , CHRISTINE CAINE , JUDAH & CHELSEA SMITH LISA BEVERE and KARI JOBE.

‘Raising Women Leaders: Perspectives on Liberating women in Pentecostal and Charismatic Contexts’ by Shane Clifton, Jacqueline Grey ‘Lean In’ by Sheryl Sandberg ‘Australia’s Hidden Resource: The Economic Case for Increasing Female Participation’ Goldman, Sachs & JWere, Nov 2009

COLOURCONFERENCE.COM

www.malechampionsofchange.com

Lending a hand to build churches, schools and charities At ACS Commercial Lending the only loan that matters to us is the one that will build upon your vision. If you are seeking a commercial loan, right now we have unique market opportunities that, through the right partnerships ‘lend themselves’ to your growth plans. ACS Commercial Lending has a panel of approved Lenders that we negotiate with on your behalf. Therefore, we can provide you with the best value offering available in the market. Our commercial lending team has been partnering with Churches, Schools and Charities for over 16 years. We have secured a vast array of commercial loan offerings that match the varying financial profiles of our clients. These clients range from church plants and staged expansions of Christian schools, to charities and large churches. We are proud to have helped them acquire or develop property that supports them in achieving their vision, in a way that best meets their individual needs. What sets us apart from our competitors is that we understand churches, schools and the financial services marketplace. After all, church life is in our DNA. So if you require financing for your project or assets, here is how ACS can help expand your operations.

PProfessional advice – We will advise

you on the best way to structure finances so that we can tailor solutions to suit your particular circumstances, as well as preparing you commercially to meet your banking obligations. This proven methodology enables us to improve your lending capacity and to expedite the loan approval process.

PSave time and money – We do all of

the running around and discussions with financial institutions on your behalf. Our team will find, and negotiate the best value deal for you from our panel of lenders.

PComplex loan expertise – We are

experienced in dealing with complex financing structures that can sometimes include multiple entities. In such instances we can provide advice on loan and entity structures so that your commercial loan can be promptly reviewed by financial institutions for approval.

PStrong Christian networks – if you need the services of an accountant, property valuer or lawyer, we can connect you with like-minded professionals.

Save yourself time, money and unnecessary headaches today and speak with our commercial lending team to find out how we can help you achieve your mission and grow into your own building. National Manager, Michael Hedger is available to discuss your needs in detail. Free Call: 1800 646 777 commerciallending@acsfinancial.com.au www.acsfinancial.com.au ACS Financial is a commercial lending broker and does not arrange consumer loans for private or domestic purposes.

PThorough financial analysis – We will

have extensive discussions with leadership teams or work closely with board members where required. These discussions will occur prior to our tender process. 21

PLANETSHAKERS “The expertise and advice provided by ACS Financial, and the funding and insurance cover that they secured for us at great rates and terms, enabled us to fund and complete the development of our new Melbourne City campus. I would highly recommend you contact the professional team at ACS Financial for your insurance or financing needs. They understand churches and financial services, and are part of our ACC Movement”. – Russell Evans, Senior Pastor, Planetshakers

ST. ANDREWS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE “The ACS Commercial Lending team provided excellent advice and service to the College, when we were seeking a substantial loan to secure the purchase of land for our new site. The deal that ACS Commercial Lending were able to negotiate on our behalf was extremely beneficial to us.” – St. Andrews Christian College

AC ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO OUR UNIVERSITY VISION

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

Alphacrucis College (AC) has received approval from the national higher education regulator, TEQSA, to offer a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Philosophy (MPhil), Bachelor of Education (Primary) and Master of Teaching (Secondary).

YOU MAY BE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.

AC is now one of a limited number of non-university institutions in Australia to award its own PhD. AC’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Fogarty, is enthusiastic about this new development: “Offering a PhD and MPhil is an exciting next step for AC in pursuing the goal to become a Christian university that produces influential leaders”, he said.

PhD

With the introduction of the PhD program, AC now has a complete range of awards comparable to any university in Australia. The new teaching awards means that AC now has options for those seeking an undergraduate qualification to teach primary school children, and postgraduate options with the Master of Teaching (Primary) and Master of Teaching (Secondary) aimed at career changers. The approval of these new awards is a major move towards the vision of becoming a Christian university.

AC.EDU.AU

WANT TO GROW YOUR CHURCH?

Assoc Prof Stephen Fogarty’s first volume in his leadership series! Part 1 – “It’s Time to Grow” is a resource designed to enhance your leadership and grow your church. Available at State Conferences or from www.ac.edu.au

LEADERSHIP TRANSITION

CAN YOU TELL THE

MINISTRY +FAMILY

TIME?

CALLING ACC CREDENTIALLED PASTORS TO PARTICIPATE IN A RESEARCH PROJECT RESEARCH TITLE: NAVIGATING

THE MINISTRY/FAMILY JOURNEY

Perception of Credentialed Australian Christian Churches Ministers and their Spouses regarding the Impact of the Ministers Role upon their Family Lives.

BY JOHN LEWIS

One of the great challenges facing our movement is in the next six years, 48% of our pastors will be at the age of retirement. We must prepare now, not in six yearstime, for our successor. Below is a list of signs for your consideration that may assist you in ascertaining if it’s time to hand over to a successor. It should be noted these signs may occur at any stage of your ministry life, not just those approaching retirement age. The first eight indicators are from Gordon MacDonald1: * 1. INCOMPATIBILITY - the wrong person in the wrong place. * 2. IMMOBILITY – power brokers holding things back.

ACC Pastor, Daryl Potts, is completing a Doctor in Ministry Degree with Tabor College in Adelaide and is conducting research to investigate ‘What are the contributing factors that can either assist or hinder Credentialed Ministers and their Spouses within the Australian Christian Churches to achieve a positive harmony within their family while engaged in their ministry vocation’. The Australian Christian Churches National Executive have approved this study. Daryl is in search of Australian Christian Churches credentialed ministers and their spouses who may be willing to participate in this research. Your involvement, should you be willing to participate, will involve a semi-structured interview with Daryl (either in a face-to-face interview, over the phone, or via Skype) which will be recorded and transcribed and later analyzed to develop theory regarding this research. Your responses will be kept totally confidential and your anonymity will be totally protected.

* 3. ORGANISATIONAL TRANSITION – the demand for organisational change is beyond your capacity to go to the next level. * 4. STAGNANCY - inability to advance yourself. * 5. FATIGUE – driven to the point of exhaustion. * 6. FAMILY MORALE – financial frustration, unnecessarily sacrificing spouse and family. * 7. CLOSING & OPENING – God is closing this door and opening another. * 8. THE AGE FACTOR – an honest assessment of the church and its health, a predominantly greying congregation needs a generational change.

The outcome of this research will form part of a project of developing new strategies to assist pastors and their spouses to embrace the wonders of both family and ministry, which in turn will lead to healthy family lives as well as fruitful and fulfilled ministry lives.

FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS * Loss of vision, passion and enthusiasm. * Physical ailments and sickness that is hindering enjoyment of the ministry.

For further information, please feel free to contact Daryl Potts by phone on 0403 026 262 or by email at darylpotts@hotmail.com leaving your name and contact details.

* Psychological reasons – burnout, memory loss, anxiety, stress and depression. * Conflicts – increasing and more difficult to resolve. * Care of aging parents or children with special needs.

Together we can take both our family and ministry lives to greater levels of fulfilment, faith and fruitfulness.

* Financial challenges. * Discouragement – people leaving; or criticism.

Some of these issues can be resolved by professional consultation, maybe a good holiday or a strategy for rejuvenation; or serious consideration should be made to moving on. Succession Planning is a huge subject but hopefully I have provided some thoughts for your consideration. By the way, there is life after the Pastorate. There can be effective ministry if you so desire; and there are many benefits in retirement: more time with family, friends, travel, hobbies, sports, study, write a book and sleep-ins. John Lewis and his wife Val are the National Directors of ACC Pastors Emeritus Reference: 1. Gordon MacDonald is chancellor of Denver Seminary and editor-at-large for Leadership Journal. 23

NEWS INSPIRING PAN ASIA GATHERING PHUKETâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; At the start of August over 300 people gathered to attend the ACCI PanAsia Conference in Phuket, the Missions Conference on the Mission Field. ACCI Field Workers inspired many as they shared stories of lives impacted through evangelism, outreach, discipleship, development programs and disaster relief activities from all across the globe! The conference also featured a number of ACC Pastors whose powerful preaching left the field workers and delegates challenged and encouraged. Preparations have already begun for PanAsia 2016 and will be held from the 1st â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4th of August at the Novotel Phuket Resort. More info: www.accimissions.org.au/panasia2016

Katrina Gliddon, ACCI Field Worker serving in Cambodia

Six years on from the launch of the first ONE DAY campaign, so far $1.7 million has been raised which has assisted over 305,000 individuals. This wouldn’t be possible without the partnership of ACC churches who dedicate a Sunday a year to run a ONE DAY event in their church.

PASTORING A MISSION FOCUSED CHURCH Senior Pastor of Globalheart Church, Gerard Keehan, is a supporter the One Day Campaign. To date, Globalheart has given more than $150,000 to One Day.

WHEN EVERY ACC CHURCH GIVES TO ONE DAY AND CARES FOR AN AREA OF THE WORLD, OUR IMPACT TOGETHER CAN BE TRULY GREAT.

Q: Why has your church jumped on board so readily, year after year? GERARD: Firstly, we take seriously that Jesus has called His church to practically care for others. We have given the One Day offering clear focus across our services in the lead up to the weekend and the ACCI media was so helpful with this. Part of that focus has been to illuminate people to the reality that so many are suffering and that we as a church are called to do something about it. The facts are heart-wrenching. Nearly 1 billion people today don’t have access to clean water. One in four children are chronically undernourished. As a church we must not turn away. Sue and I are very blessed to lead a responsive church that is growing in understanding of what Jesus says in Matthew 25. This passage explains that it is whatever we do for the least of these (in the estimation of men) - not the upwardly mobile but for the least of these - that we in fact did it for Jesus.

Q: How do you view your role as senior pastor in supporting and encouraging both overseas missions and also engagement in issues of global concern? GERARD: I see it as a high priority to inspire, teach and train to financially care for those in greatest need in our world. The world is getting smaller and I believe we have a biblical mandate and responsibility to be active in caring for the poor. When every ACC church gives to One Day and cares for an area of the world, our impact together can be truly great! We really can bring change and hope to many people’s lives. One of the challenges for the church is we have an era like never before in which there are so many books and so much resource about living a great life and being blessed in the future. These things are good, however in reality we are living in blessing right now. Simply by being born in Australia, we are 98% ahead of the rest of the world. Many are waiting for the day that they are rich and prosperous and then they will begin to give. The reality is we are already there! If I were to write a book on the subject that’s what I would title it “You’re there!”. I believe I have a responsibility as a senior pastor according to James 1:27 and Matthew 25 to lead myself and my church, to see we have the ability now to be of great help to those most in need around the world.

Q: In what way does your vision extend beyond the walls of your church? GERARD: Our change of name to Globalheart Church was really a response to who we were becoming as each year passed. We have been involved in serving the church in Europe and also Japan for many years. We have also actively sent individuals and teams, including our business people, onto the mission field every year. Of course this serves a purpose of helping others, but it also helps to develop a church in touch with real and pressing needs around the world. Nothing changes a heart more than actual experience. We believe our city and state are priority but we have a great conviction that there are very large needs that God wants us to be a part of meeting beyond the shores of Australia.

To join ACCI Missions & Relief in making a significant difference around the globe, register at www.accimissions.org.au/oneday

MEDIA RELEASES #LETSGO PLANETSHAKERS NEW LIVE ALBUM Featuring 12 NEW SONGS this album is a powerful collection of faith filled songs that will encourage and uplift. Acts 1:8 says “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you…”. It’s our prayer that as you listen to this new live recording you will feel God’s presence and encounter Him in a new way. One moment in God’s presence can turn any situation around. What can take years in the flesh to accomplish, God can do in a second

MEDIA

More info: www.planetshakers.com

WAR ROOM MOVIE A SURPRISE BOX OFFICE SUCCESS When the movie ‘War Room’ was released in North American theatres on August 28, 2015, it became a surprise box office success reaching the Number 1 spot. CNN call it a faith-based “David versus the secular Goliaths in the entertainment industry”. War Room’ is a Christian drama film directed by Alex Kendrick, and co-written and produced by Stephen Kendrick, the creators of Fire Proof and Courageous. It is the Kendrick brothers’ fifth film project. Director Alex Kendrick said “We called it ‘War Room’ because, like the military, we should seek God for the right strategy before going into combat. By combat, I mean daily issues we face in our culture.” The movie stars T.C. Stallings and Priscilla Shirer as Tony and Elizabeth Jordan who, despite the big house, cars, and wealth, have a strained marriage. Enter Miss Clara (played by Karen Abercrombie) who is a fervent intercessor who reveals her closet ‘War Room’ where prayer is a powerful weapon. More information: www.warroomthemovie.com.au

OPEN HEAVEN/RIVER WILD NEW HILLSONG LIVE ALBUM Recorded at the annual Hillsong Conference in Sydney in July with more than 25,000 in attendance, Open Heaven/River Wild features 12 songs written by a variety of Hillsong worship leaders. These include Reuben Morgan, Taya Smith, Marty Sampson, Joel Houston, Ben Fielding and others. Hillsong Music’s songs are being sung by more than 30 million people weekly in church around the world.

RELEASE DATE: 16 OCTOBER 2015

More info: www.hillsongmusic.com

IT’S ALL IN THE

TIMING Whether it’s sport, cooking, politics or driving a car, timing is everything. It’s the same with public relations. The timing of your organisation’s announcements, statements, media releases and even promotions can make or break you. That’s why movies about terrorism were cancelled after 9/11, and it’s why Amtrak was pilloried in the US media for handing out customer satisfaction surveys the day after a recent train derailment (in the same region) which killed several people. That this was arranged well before the accident was irrelevant - the timing was wrong and sent the message that the company was insensitive and unprofessional. When considering a publicity campaign, public statement, advertising push or donation campaign, consider what is happening in the wider world at that very moment. Good timing can enhance your message and provide momentum. Bad timing can expose you to public criticism and seriously damage your reputation. Be flexible enough to change the timing if warranted. LYALL MERCER is the Principal of Mercer PR, which works closely with faith-based organisations across Australia. www.mercerpr.com

NEW RELEASES

#STRUGGLES

Following Jesus in a Selfie-Centred World By Craig Groeschel Due for release in Australia in November, this new book by Craig Groeschel is a must for tech-savvy believers. As pastor of one of America’s largest churches, he writes how technology negatively affects our relationships, our families and our faith – and how we can live well in a selfie-centered world Groeschel admits even he is practically addicted to his smart phone: “I don’t control it. It controls me.” He discusses the downside of smart phones and 24/7 news feeds from a lack of connection with others, decreased life satisfaction, to more young people viewing pornography and a lack of empathy. These are just some of the negative things Groeschel attributes to a tech revolution that is changing how people do just about everything. Groeschel, a self-described lover of technology who has embraced digital media as much or more than any religious leader, writes: “While I’d never dream of walking away from all the life-enhancing benefits (of technology)…I refuse to be enslaved by something that’s supposed to be a convenience… so I’m making some changes.” To that end, he writes a digital Ten Commandments for those who feel as he does: enslaved rather than released by technology. While the technology is new, the solutions, Groeschel tells us, are incredibly retro.

IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK

GLORY DAYS

WHERE I AM

By Max Lucado

By Billy Graham

• If God is really on my side, why doesn’t it feel like it? • Why does my Christian walk feel like I’m just “going through the motions”? • Why do I feel like I’m running on empty? According to Pastor Max Lucado, the majority of Christians aren’t living up to their God-given potential. In his latest book being released October 2015, Lucado gives hope to the stalled-out and shows Christians how to enjoy full throttle living. “As a follower of God, do you sense a disconnect between the promises of the Bible and the reality of your life?” asks Lucado. “With God’s help you can close the gap between the person you are and the person you want to be.” Glory Days is based on his lifelong favorite book of the Bible, Joshua in the Old Testament. Lucado uses the life of Joshua and the Israelites as a model for modern victorious Christian living. After 400 years in slavery and 40 years wandering the wilderness, the nation of Israel was primed to claim Canaan, the Promised Land. Lucado writes: “All people have problems. But not all people see problems the same way. Some people are overcome by problems. Others overcome problems. Some people are left bitter. Others are left better. Some people face their challenges with fear. Others with faith.”

After Billy Graham completed the manuscript for The Reason for My Hope: Salvation, he immediately began drafting another book on the subject of eternity, which he considered his last. “Death is the doorstep to eternity,” says Graham. While the culture reflects an ongoing interest in the afterlife, Graham believes few take it seriously enough to make the necessary plans to secure where they will spend “forever.

Is This As Good As The Christian Life Gets?

Why Christianity is About So Much More Than Going To Heaven By Jefferson Bethke Jefferson Bethke is a spokenword artist who shot to YouTube fame with a provocative video “Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus” which has almost 30 million views to dates. He continues to bring truth to the people with his YouTube videos (more than 100 videos totaling 62 million views), speaking around the world and a New York Times best-selling book under his belt Jesus > Religion. His latest book, scheduled for a November release in Australia, challenges the status quo of contemporary Christianity with the world-changing message Jesus actually lived. “One of the scariest questions we have to ask ourselves is: what if we aren’t seeing Jesus properly? What implication does that have for our lives? What if Jesus isn’t who we think?” writes Bethke. “When we step back into the world Jesus experienced, the stories of the New Testament shift from black & white to vibrant color.” Each chapter helps readers consider a piece of Jesus’ world that has been misunderstood or misapplied by modern readers. “Over the past couple of years I’ve fallen more in love with Jesus and the story of God and his church by removing the filters 21st-century Westerners have put on 1st-century Jesus. today. And when we see Jesus clearly, we can follow Him.” 27

Heaven, Eternity and Our Life Beyond

Release date: 22 October

CONFESSIONS OF A CHURCH KID By Elyse Murphy

The daughter of ACC pastors, Michael & Valery Murphy, provides an honest, somewhat cheeky look at finding God while growing up in church life. She shares challenging moments on her journey and encourages young people be who God has called them to be.