Issue 1/2017
NEWS
ACC17 CONFERENCE
HIGHLIGHTS T
he ACC National Conference was an incredible time of reflection, information, vision and inspiration for the future of our movement. I trust you have had an opportunity to read the conference reports and rejoice in the wonderful blessings of God we are experiencing. In 2009 when Pastor Wayne Alcorn became our National President, we had 230,000 constituents. He set a faith goal of 500,000 constituents by the year 2021. I thought the goal was a little audacious, however, we are on track as our present constituent numbers are now over 350,000 and still
HONOURING FOUR NATIONAL PRESIDENTS A highlight at the ACC17 National Conference was honouring four national leaders of our movement: Ralph Read, Andrew Evans, Brian Houston and Wayne Alcorn.
growing. Praise the Lord. The preaching and each report was professional, informative and very inspiring. One of the highlights was honouring past National leaders, with Pastors Ralph Reed, Andrew Evans, Brian Houston and Wayne Alcorn were called to the platform for public acknowledgement. The Conference gave them a standing ovation in recognition of their great leadership. Pastor Reed closed with a magnificent prayer of thanks and asking Gods continued blessing on our movement.
MATURING IN FAITH, HOPE AND THANKSGIVING by john lewis
A LOOK AT PSALM 71 AND THREE KEYS TO FACING THE UNCERTAIN FUTURE. The author of Psalm 71 is uncertain, however I agree with those scholars who credit the Psalm to David – in particular the reference to him praising with harp and lyre. In this psalm there are at least three key thoughts this mighty warrior provides as keys to facing the uncertain future. 1. FAITH IN AN UNCHANGING GOD “For you are my rock and my fortress” (Psalm 71:3) When facing the realities of his enemies’ lies, who said “God has forsaken him” (vs 11), and the uncertainties of the future, the Psalmist confesses God is his Rock, the unshakeable foundation for his life. You are my fortress, God is our protector and provider, my confidence is in His unfailing love and faithfulness. Remember when facing the uncertain future, our God is the Rock and fortress of CERTAINTY.
2. DEVELOP A HABIT OF EXPRESSING HOPE “I will always have hope” (Psalm 71:14) It’s so easy to allow the circumstances of life to dictate feelings of hopelessness e.g. on receiving a negative medical report, or even watching the news, it’s too easy to become hopeless about the future – the world economic challenges, the threat of nuclear war, the ISIS crisis, the threat to our traditional families stability. It can be overwhelming, except our hope is in the Name of the Lord. We must endeavour, like the Psalmist, to develop the habit of confessing “I will always have hope in the Lord”. The psalmist obviously had this hope foundation from his youth (vs. 5)
This is not escapism from life’s reality, but rather the reality “HE IS OUR HOPE”. 3. DEVELOP A HABIT OF PRAISE (Psalm 71:15–17; 22-24) We’re all aware of the unflattering comment “a grumpy OLD man”, so we need to work on and develop “a praising NEW person” as our response to life. When the basis of our hope is Faith in God, our Rock and Fortress is our hope in Him, then this becomes our fountain of Praise. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess 5:18) – it’s a good habit. – John Lewis, National Pastors Emeritus
NEW BOOK BY ANDREW EVANS Jesus First: The life & leadership of Andrew Evans was launched at National Conference. This is a detailed biography of our former AOG national superintendent who led the movement for 20 years, and pushed boundaries in church planting, missions and politics. Available from Alphacrucis College: www.koorong.com.au
PASTORS EMERITUS LUNCHEON I realise a number of you could not be at Conference for many reasons such as health issues, family commitments and financial restrictions. We missed your smiling faces and warm fellowship. We are grateful to the National Executive who kindly supplied lunch and the opportunity for us to catch up and be inspired. Our program was brief with four speakers sharing between five and seven minutes each. Our first speaker was the National Director for Chaplaincy, Ralph Estherby, who encouraged us to realise the number of Senior-aged Chaplains, who are actively engaged in schools, sports teams, homeless shelters, aged care, prisons, juvenile justice, Australian Defence Forces and in areas of hospitality in the Community at large. Our second speaker was Paul Bartlett, who oversights ACC Community Engagement, who enthusiastically encouraged our going out into the community and make friends and being where “they� are, instead of waiting for them to come to us. Into clubs, sporting events and community activities. The third speaker was Graham Shand, who encouraged us to look for mentoring opportunities, particularly with young Pastors. Start by a phone call, maybe a coffee, just building a bridge of communication. The final speaker was Stephen Fogarty promoting Alphacrucis and the great work our National Bible College is doing and the vision for a Christian University. It was a great time of renewed fellowship and catching up with valued old friends. More photos from the Emeritus Luncheon on the Emeritus website: www.acc.org.au/emeritus
INSPIRATION
STAY CONNECTED ACC PASTORS EMERITUS IS OPERATED PRIMARILY THROUGH EACH STATE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT YOUR STATE EMERITUS LEADERS AND LET US KNOW YOUR NEWS.
NATIONAL John & Val Lewis Email: emeritus@acc.org.au
In 1989, the late Pastor LLOYD AVERILL wrote the following article entitled ‘RETIREMENT’ when he was 76 years old . The following is a brief extract: “Don’t feel neglected. You are not a back number. You are no less a person because the grapevine seems to be a remote world now. What has happened is that your supply line has changed. We quote from Isaiah 38: 16. “Oh Lord, by these things men live and in all these things is the life of my spirit so You will recover me and make me live.” If your supply line has been a bric-a-brac of ministry, then the provision for a makeover must be made. The above text gives the answer in the form of a request from the One who knows all things, including the supply line to our spirit. You will recover me and make me live. Until now, generally, we know the afflatus of delivering the word of the Lord with a degree of satisfaction. This is a very real, very genuine and legitimate supply line for our spirit. But now we hear the Lord say to us, “Yes, that has been the life of your spirit for years now you have to live in ME without the meditation of preaching that you loved.” Proverbs 14: 14b: A good man shall be satisfied from himself.” This has nothing to do with the human merit or hidden potential but rather with a deposit of pure grace, the accumulation of faith stated in Col. 1: 27b: “Christ in you the hope of glory.” When every prop is gone and life itself is ebbing, the one-time strong public figure must draw on the hidden resources of the in-dwelling Christ. Pastor Averill’s daughter, Joy Graetz, has a website where you can access more of the gems from one of our past giants in the Faith. www.joygraetz.com
NEW SOUTH WALES Ian & Doreen Bartley Email: ianbartley@me.com
QLD & NT Laine & Ros Willis Email: lainek.willis@gmail.com
SOUTH AUSTRALIA Trevor & Valmai Aurichts Email: aurichts@adam.com.au
VICTORIA Margaret & Barry Clarke Email: barry@bjclarke.com
WESTERN AUSTRALIA Sandra & Peter Meyer Email: meyerpet@bigpond.net.au
ACC PRAYER NETWORK David & Roz O’Keefe Email: prayer@acc.org.au SIGN UP TO PRAY
TASMANIA Ron & Marilyn Wilson Email: rawill007@bigpond.com
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
Published by the ACC Pastors Emeritus Ministry, ACC National Office, PO Box 8093, Baulkham Hills BC NSW 2153