Parramatta Church Hosts Training for GSC Elders

On Saturday afternoon, 16 July, the Parramatta church (Northmead, NSW) hosted a training session for all GSC elders. Pastor Anthony Kent, General Conference Associate Ministerial Secretary, led the training. He discussed what it means to be an elder and the challenges of spiritual leadership, highlighting the importance of elders to local churches and the impact they have in the lives of church members.

“The meeting was very empowering and inspiring,” says Pr Andre Vieira, GSC Ministerial Association Secretary. “[Pr Anthony] talked about Barnabas in the New Testament and how, even though he was not one of

the apostles or a main character, his role as a leader was decisive in allowing God's purpose to flourish.”

Pr Anthony is originally from Lismore and has been serving at GC for the last 18 years. His specialty is continuing education and professional growth opportunities for church leaders, making him an excellent choice for the event speaker.

Although a similar training event hasn’t happened in years, Pr Vieira says that the plan is to provide regular future sessions. “Training elders is important because they are the ones running and leading the churches on a day-to-day basis,” he affirms. “Pastors might come and go, but elders are sometimes there for decades, leading and preaching to the same congregation. That's why we need to empower them!”