Issue 1/2016
NEWS
NEW EMERITUS
WEBSITE
EXCITING NEW WAYS TO CONNECT WITH YOU We are excited to announce that we have launched our own Pastors Emeritus Website. Now you can access Emeritus news 24/7 at the click of a button. Check it out on your computer, your tablet or your mobile phone.
www.acc.org.au/emeritus INSPIRATION
REACHING FORWARD TO KNOW CHRIST BY JOHN LEWIS
“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” (Philippians 3:13)
N
o doubt some of the challenges we face in our maturing years can be related to the diminishing of our physical, mental and emotional capabilities. There are some things we just can’t do as well as we could thirty years ago. I remember playing football with some of the youth and I went to take a spectacular high mark, only to realise my feet wouldn’t leave the ground. They may have thirty years ago.
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NATIONAL PASTORS EMERITUS IS A NETWORK HONOURING ACC PASTORS WHO HAVE RETIRED AND/OR ARE 65 AND OVER* *Conference and dues concessions only apply to retired ministers
REACHING FORWARD TO KNOW CHRIST Although we may not be able to do all we could, we can still achieve significant things in life generally and for the Kingdom of God specifically. Psalm 92:12-14 declares “The righteous will FLOURISH like a palm tree...They will still bear fruit in OLD AGE, they will STAY FRESH AND GREEN.” What a wonderful encouragement on how to approach the twilight years of life with a sense of flourishing and remaining fresh and green. In Pauls letter to the Church at Philippi, he encourages us to avoid the trap of RETOSPECTIVE THINKING where life becomes only memories and unfortunately some bad, hurtful and regretful memories. Someone wrote “Nostalgia is not what it used to be”. We must not embellish nor glorify the past, nor should we live in the regrets of the past – Ecclesiastes 7:10 “Do not say, Why were the old days better than these? For it is not wise to ask such questions.” Can I suggest RETROSPECTIVE THINKING can breed regrets that can blacken the past, distort the present, and blind our future. The story of Lot’s wife is a reminder that looking back has incredible paralysing consequences. Many Biblical heroes appear to have lived beyond their past regrets and failures, and focused on Gods purpose in their lives for their present and future. For example, Moses who murdered the Egyptian in order to save the Hebrew slave, became a great deliverer. Samson who was blinded because of his past sin, still brought a mighty deliverance to Israel in his death. Peter denied the Lord, yet became a great fearless Apostle. Paul persecuted the early Church, yet he became a mighty Apostle. And in these verses Paul has a revelation that living in the past is counterproductive and his focus was pressing
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in to know Christ. We too must choose a PROGRESSIVE,FORWARD REACHING GOAL - OF PURSUING THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST. Our public ministry opportunities may diminish with time, but our focus of knowing Christ more, can be ever alive and cause us to flourish, stay fresh and green. Paul’s great goal in his mature years was “I want to know Christ – the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His suffering, becoming like Him in His death. (vs 10) This is the priority of a champion, a mature, mighty Apostle to reach forward and know Christ. May we reach forward more to know Christ. Help us Holy Spirit!
STAYING CONNECTED ACC PASTORS EMERITUS IS OPERATED PRIMARILY THROUGH EACH STATE. LET US KNOW YOUR NEWS SO PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT YOUR STATE EMERITUS LEADERS.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW STATE EMERITUS LEADERS
We welcome these quality couples on our team who are sure to make a valid contribution in their respective states.
JOHN LEWIS NATIONAL PASTORS EMERITUS
QLD & NT
NEWS
Laine & Ros Willis are our new Queensland/Northern Territory Reps. Not only are they experienced missionaries of 10 years, but they have pastored for 25 years in Australia. Email: lainek.willis@gmail.com
ON THE CRUISE For those of you who were wondering, due to the lack of interest in our proposed cruise to New Zealand, Val and I decided to do it alone. It was tough going.
NEW SOUTH WALES Ian & Doreen Bartley are our new New South Wales State leaders. They have been pastoring for 30 years. Email: ianbartley@me.com
CELEBRATIONS GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
SOUTH AUSTRALIA Trevor & Valmai Aurichts Email: aurichts@adam.com.au
On 9 March 2016, Pastor Winston and Marie McCulloch celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary. They were married in 1966 at the tiny hamlet of Yolla in Northern Tasmania. Now living in Ulverstone, Winston and Marie are part of the Gateway Church in Devonport, Tasmania. CHRISTMAS GATHERING
TASMANIA
Make sure you connect with your Emeritus State Leaders to find out about any end of year gatherings. (Below) Lots of fun and laughter at last year’s Emeritus Christmas Lunch held at Bridge Church, Victoria.
Ron & Marilyn Wilson Email: ron@gracecentre.com.au
VICTORIA Margaret & Barry Clarke Email: barry@bjclarke.com
PRAYER WESTERN AUSTRALIA Sandra & Peter Meyer Email: meyerpet@bigpond.net.au
I’ve been greatly encouraged by the reports that so many of our ACC churches are focusing on special times of prayer and fasting. Prayer is the powerhouse of the Church. Let us P.E. prayer warriors continue to pray for our nation and our political leaders that God may raise up men and women of integrity who have a desire to lead us into “peaceful and quiet lives in Godliness and Holiness.” (1Tim 2:1-2)
SIGN UP TO PRAY
NATIONAL
PRAYER NETWORK
John & Val Lewis Email: emeritus@acc.org.au
David & Roz O’Keefe Email: prayer@acc.org.au
A great way to continue to be on the frontline of our movement is to become a prayer warrior with the ACC Prayer Network. David O’Keefe leads the team to pray for the needs of ACC pastors and significant issues facing our nation on a regular basis. To sign up, email: prayer@acc.org.au
ACC EMERITUS PASTORS
Join us at National Conference on the Gold Coast in May. Registration for ACC Pastors Emeritus is discounted to $135, and includes the national Pastors Emeritus Luncheon to be held during conference. We would love to see you there as we will also be celebrating 80 years as a movement. Register online today:
www.acc.org.au/conference
FREE WEBINARS FOR RETIREES Corney & Lind lawyers have developed free online webinars to assist our retirees make informed decisions regarding aged care. All you need to do is subscribe by providing your name and email address. Click here to sign up or visit the Emeritus website: www.acc.org.au/emeritus http://www.corneyandlind.com.au/training/seminar-series/free-webinar-recordingsslides_new-page/webinar-aged-care-act-reforms-commonwealth/ Published by the ACC Pastors Emeritus Ministry, ACC National Office, PO Box 8093, Baukham Hills BC NSW 2153