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Christian Community Churches in Victoria and Tasmania Vol.8 No.2 DEC 2011

newsletter

Continued inside…

Imagine a high ropes course across skyscrapers, a flying fox down Swanston Street, or … okay we’re dreaming! But we are not dreaming about our new iconic 538 Collins Street campsite!

On a wet November Saturday in the CBD the official launch of the new CYC campsite took place. As we listened to the incredible provision of this site one could be forgiven for going back a little over 50 years to a time & place when a group of Christian people from our network of churches had the vision to purchase a parcel of land that is now the Church Street CYC campsite in Cowes, Phillip Island. Since then God has blessed this ministry in an amazing way and it is really only our lack of faith and imagination that might limit what God will accomplish through this ministry in the days ahead.

The initial concept of establishing a city based group accommodation was first considered four years ago. Nothing came of the venture at that stage. However the seed had been sown of what might be and after viewing over 20 properties the purchase of this particular property in Collins Street is the final result of this journey.

At the CYC Melbourne campsite launch, George Buchanan welcomed all that

attended and shared that in all our endeavors, our foundation is Jesus Christ which undergirds all that we are about as a network of churches and for the CYC ministry. Peter Keep spoke about what CCCVaT is doing among the churches such as breaking new ground in the gospel by starting new churches. Peter has been working with some churches that wish to refocus themselves strategically in relation to their call to mission. Peter has been part of the Church Growth dept in their support of grants for short term missions, outreach projects and training. In the year ahead there will be further investment with Interns in churches and support for Trainee pastors and current pastors. CCCVaT has also partnered with the Churches of

Christ & Baptist churches with an on-going professional development program for our pastors in 2012.

A one day conference at Wattle Park on Saturday, 28th April will focus on becoming people of ‘influence’. Peter also shared his hopes for the young adults ministry ‘place2palce’ during 2012.

Glyn Mahon and Mark Rowe then shared the history and plans of the new CYC city campsite. In general terms the concept is fairly simple, to do in the city of Melbourne what they do in the countryside. However, because of the high cost of real estate and the differing markets the project will also take on several different aspects. There will be the provision of group accommodation covering at least two floors of the building which would enable a full bus load of students & teachers to be accommodated per floor which would allow for up to 150 students per booking. There will also be some individual accommodation provided. It should be understood that this is an expensive and challenging foray into a new market for CYC Ltd, but it does promise

some amazing and excellent potential for actual ministry, it value adds substantially to the CCCVaT brand in the State, it established a central office and meeting place and it secures a long term quality asset to the CCCVaT property port-folio that will secure future ministry income.

Ross Bunyon who is the chair of CCCAust congratulated CCCVaT/CYC on this exciting venture. He then shared about the upcoming national conference in Adelaide, SA in June 2012. He spoke about the purpose of CCCAust being one of cooperation and working together with every State now fully represented.

The day concluded with a sense of excitement but also realizing the enormous challenges that await us as this new venture comes to full fruition and maturity over the course of 2012. There was a real sense that God is very much in this and there was a great sense of anticipation of what God will accomplish through this as we are united and working together for the glory of God and the building up of his kingdom.

Continued from cover…

TCTOC – Taking Christ to Our CommunityLiving in Anglesea was a wonderful experience for my wife, Julie. She loved the community, she loved our church fellowship where she was so intrinsic to the women’s and worship ministries, and she loved the environment, regularly taking long morning walks along the beach with her girlfriends. And she

especially loved ‘Seaside Seconds,’ the Opp-Shop ministry of the Anglesea Christian fellowship, run from a former supermarket in the main shopping centre in Anglesea.

Without in anyway being disparaging, Julie became quite the Opp-Shop queen. It was never a chore for her to commit to regular shifts: it was a delight! But it was all ministry, of course. And the Opp-Shop really was very effective in becoming one of the ‘faces’ of the church in action within the community, where it was a front door for many needy people, as well as presenting regular excellent opportunities for engaging people.

So when we realised God was calling us back to our former church, Corio Christian Centre, in a Pastoral role, it became very apparent how strong a pull Anglesea had on Julie. And

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in a typical ‘mere male’ attempt to sever that cord, I found myself making some fairly flippant promises as sweeteners for the move. One was to buy a house with a spa, and the other was to ‘get her an Opp-shop!’ Looking back since returning to Corio, I’m tempted in my flippant way to think at least one of those promises may have had a little prophetic edge to it. No, we don’t have a house with a spa (I might need to keep working on that one!) But we do have an Opp-Shop!

About five years ago, the church was doing some strategic brainstorming on ideas about how to engage our community in a value-added relationship: where, because of our activity in the community, our presence was seen as having value to and by the community. One lady in the meeting suggested we open an Opp-Shop. (No, it wasn’t Julie. And yes, I wish I’d suggested it, because then I could’ve claimed to have at least tried to fulfil my promise!) I’m not sure that we took the suggestion seriously in that moment, but the seed was certainly planted! And as it germinated in our minds and discussions, it wasn’t long before the church was on board with gusto. We bought a second-hand double garage and erected it in the car park, built clothing racks, sought a council permit, and the Corio Community Care Opp-Shop was born. (And Julie was in bliss again!)

The most significant thing for me about the whole set-up of the Opp-Shop is that it is run from inside our church hall. Which means people from our community come in and see us from the inside. Our church is now a familiar place for so many. That is priceless.

All the racks and displays are on wheels, and on Monday nights after craft night, whoever is there wheels it all in from the storage garage and sets it up. And whichever church folk are free on Fridays at 4.00p.m., they turn up and pack it all up, clean, and turn it all back to church, usually in under an hour. It’s such a joy to see that in action; there’s such a sense of teamwork and unity of purpose. Over the years since, we have had quite a number people in our

community adopt the Opp-Shop as their own. Many would bring their lunch and make a day of it. Most of the volunteer staff are people from the community, some even on Centrelink referrals.

As a church with a Vision Statement of ‘Taking Christ to Our Community,’ (‘TCTOC-ing’ we call it) the Opp-Shop has become our most effective means of community engagement. Through the Opp-Shop connection, we have many people who have attended church or church activities like ‘Alpha’ and our quarterly ‘Community Connection’ events. We encourage our church folk to drop-in and spend some time intentionally engaging people who browse in the shop. We find many have a story to tell, are willing to tell it, and feel personally valued in being heard.

Although many in our community would probably see us as ‘the Opp-Shop,’ the Opp-Shop is not who we are. It is simply an effective means to engage our community for Christ, build relationships, and live out his gospel by serving. It works in our circumstances: I’m not suggesting it would work in all. The Opp-Shop raises only a very modest income, but that’s never been the point of it. What money it does raise is divided equally between supporting Missionaries, the community, welfare and the church (to cover operating costs.) But even the modest amounts, accumulated over time, have enabled us to do many worthwhile things, such as sponsor young people to CYC camps, support church members attending conferences and training events.

Annual sponsorship of Student Award at local secondary college, welfare and financial support for needy people in the church and the community, maintenance, equipment and resources for the church and funding support for church outreach events, including Kids Hope activities and resources.

We still don’t have the spa. But I don’t remember Jesus saying anything about his call to follow him in serving others would ever be that comfortable.

Doug Whiteford

DECEMBER 2011 · 3

SeVeN WAYS TO STReNGTHeN THe LOCAL CHuRCH (part 2): plan, preach and promote around purpose

In recent conversations I have heard people say ‘I’m over the vision thing’ and ‘It’s a pity that we bring the vision jargon from the corporate world into the church’. I understand these sentiments. I have had my own cynical moments about the productivity of vision talkfests. I am also sensitive to the overuse of terms. equally I am aware that we cannot produce results, which is often the assumption of the corporate world. We are totally dependent on what God does for spiritual results.

the point of purpose

However having a clear vision for what our purposeful direction is under God can unite the people God has entrusted to us around a shared focus to which they are all contributing. And this is by no means an unspiritual thing. God is a purposeful God. He has a plan for the universe enacted through the ages and ultimately revealed in the sending of Jesus. Jesus demonstrated a great purposefulness in his ministry that determined how he acted: not yielding to Satan’s offers of shortcuts; not allowing people to make him King; going out of his way to meet particular people; and offering himself up to the cross at the right time. Similarly the ministry of Paul was purposeful in his deliberate strategy of reaching major regional centres that became hubs for gospel proclamation. As every Christian is

called to live a life of purpose (ephesians 2:8-10 & 5:17-19), why should a church be any different? Might not Church life and the impact of the church be more effective were its purpose clear?

Biblical vs extra-biblical purpose

It’s possible to argue that the purpose of the Church is already clear:

Teaching-discipleship, evangelism-growth, worship, fellowship-community (Acts 2). It’s unsurprising then that many church’s visions statements reflect these biblical concepts. So one may well ask what the point is of having a vision or purpose statement. The point is that such a statement describes what a church believes its distinctive contribution is to the mission of God . To determine this requires a prayerful exercise in which a church considers; the relevant Scriptures; what its assets are in terms of its peoples’ gifting, skills and passions, where it has deficiencies; where it sees God-given opportunities for ministry in its context; anything that threatens its existence or effectiveness. Doing this paves the way for

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deciding before God what its particular focus ought to be.

planning around purpose

A clearly defined purpose empowers church leadership to be clearer about what it says yes and no to and it also enables good planning and allocation of people and financial resources. Visions alone accomplish nothing. To become reality they require thoughtful planning. A plan provides frames how (as far as it depends on us and our effort) we are going to work together to fulfil our purpose. It empowers church members to know how and where they can contribute their gifts, skills, time and money towards a shared goal.

In the secular usage the term ‘strategic plan’ is being replaced by ‘strategic action plan’. This recognises that unless a plan includes describing who will do what by what by when it is likely to remain just a plan and never succeed. This is a major issue for churches where most of us are volunteers. Plans sometimes fail because we don’t allocate responsibility to act by due dates by people then hold them accountable to it. Imagine if Nehemiah’s plan for rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls had not included how resources were allocated, or inspections of the progress of the work etc. Yet often in churches we seem to content just to let things happen randomly without accountability. And we are helping to build the kingdom, not just the walls of the city. How more vital should our careful planning be.

preaching and promoting around purpose

Communal ownership of a vision is vital to likely success. Leaders can determine vision and pass it down from above as oracles. But that’s not what either our ecclesiological or secular cultures prefer. Most people prefer being included. So the broader a church leadership can make inputs from

the congregation into a visioning process the likelier it will be widely shared when established.

This does not mean that it does not have to be promoted. The reality is that people attend churches because of what they get from it. It may be expressed differently as ‘I like the worship’ or ‘I enjoy the fellowship’ or ‘My children are really happy in the Kids Program’ or ‘The Youth events are great here’ or ‘The teaching is great’. There is nothing wrong with this in the sense that we all have spiritual and social needs that the church community can meet in part. However the danger in a consumer society is that we all become consumers of what the Church offers forgetting that the Church is meant to be on God’s mission, reproducing itself and that the Church gatherings are meant to be places where people contribute, not just receive (see 1 Corinthians 14).

In this regard I believe that the preaching in the Church towards the vision is very important. While dealing with the whole counsel of God, preaching in Church should direct people towards the fact that they are to live lives under God that contribute to his mission and direct them to participate rather than consume. Churches that do that more intentionally seem to get further together than those who don’t.

Visiting churches has alerted me to the fact that each has a personality. Some have a purposeful personality. Walking in, one gets the sense that they are going somewhere. They are not just there to worship and fellowship. They are there for that most certainly. And there is also a sense that they are working together in God’s mission with a desire to be effective. Wherever that happens leadership is usually planning, preaching and promoting around purpose.

Peter Keep

DECEMBER 2011 · 5

MIND BODY SPIRIT FeSTIVAL

the following is Zac’s story as he experienced his first taste of sharing the gospel with people at the Mind Body Spirit Festival in Melbourne as part of the Community of Hope team.

“The scent of the mystical aromas was overwhelming as we approached the entrance to the Mind Body Spirit Festival. It was obvious within 10 seconds of walking past the various stalls that there was a lot of spiritual presence in the room. Much to my surprise i didn't see too many witches or warlords apart from the occasional couple, but mostly just average looking people seeking some sort of spiritual fulfilment.

At the Community of Hope tent, I started off at the illusions table and had someone sit down straight away, it was an amazing opportunity to expose my faith and answer questions about the Gospel that really made me think hard. It was great to find out what sort of questions people will throw at you, so that you can possibly be prepared for next time.

I had one woman share her story with me and half way through she broke down crying, I'm no counsellor so i wasn't completely confident in the appropriate steps of comforting a woman in such a state, but it didn't matter that I was inexperienced as the Holy Spirit was the

Mighty Counsellor in the situation and I had nothing to worry about. Please pray for this lady and her name is Kate.

I then swapped tables with Tiffany to love languages which I had no previous training in. I did have some prior understanding as to what the five love languages were but I was never quite sure how to relate it back to the Gospel message. It wasn't long before the Holy Spirit took over and began to evangelise for me.

I gave out about 12 bibles on the day, so please pray for everyone I spoke to and for everyone who received a Bible, that they will be led to read it and that God’s Spirit will be poured out over their spirit in an amazing and in a saving way”.

Zac Bell Canterbury Gardens Community Church

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CCCAust News

The CCCAust national executive met again in Melbourne in November. This group comes together on a regular basis for the benefit of all our churches. The Vision Statement of CCCAust is that it will be a nationally recognized and valued body that supports & strengthens an increasing number of like-minded churches to serve God & impact their communities. Two of the goals that CCCAust pursues are to serve & provide valuable services to Churches and to act as a catalyst & encourage better working relationships between Para-Assembly activities across Australia.

CCCAust has now developed a Constitution as well as a written Statement of Faith which may be found on the CCCAust web site. The executive met in Perth, WA in March and in Launceston, Tasmania in July. In 2012 it is planned that we will meet in Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney. every State is represented and a real sense on national identity is beginning to emerge.

The national newsletter, ‘Connect’, the web site and the National Conference are all evidence of this development. Another planned initiative will be the publication of a national Handbook covering all States. Another area that the executive is keen to pursue is to work in partnership with others who complement us. We are currently engaged in discussions with Bright Hope World. Their vision is to see the poorest of the poor become spiritually and physically self-sustaining. A number of the projects they are involved in are connected with our movement of churches across the globe.

The CCCAust executive is here to serve all our churches and provide a coordinated means of encouraging and facilitating the growth of God’s kingdom across the whole of Australia. We believe there is substantial untapped potential across our whole network of churches and the executives key goal is to be able to serve to that end.

DECEMBER 2011 · 7

“TuRNING POINT…”2012 National Conference, June 15–17 Craigmore Christian Church, South australia

The Conference theme for the Conference will be “Building Leaders for a future”.

We will be privileged to once again have Jeremy McQuoid and Dr Darrell Bock with us in 2012. They both spoke and were well received at our 2010 Conference. Jeremy is the Teaching Pastor at the Deeside Christian Fellowship Church in Aberdeen, Scotland and Darrel is Research Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological

Seminary and Professor for Spiritual Development & Culture there too. We will also have David Smith sharing with Jeremy & Darrel in 2012. David is the Principal of the Perth Bible College.

As a movement we are at a crossroad and leadership in the church is one of the crucial and strategic elements that we need to face head on. The church in 2030 will be

led by the young people who are currently in high school and university today. It is a truism that the impact our churches will make in 2030 will be largely determined by the quality of its leadership. The Craigmore Christian Church in South Australia will be our hosts for the weekend of June 15-17 as this is unpacked and considered from a Biblical perspective. Churches are encouraged to consider who they will encourage to attend this significant event. This could be a turning point for many who attend as they consider what true Biblical leadership entails and how it might impact them. For those of us currently involved in leadership it is incumbent on all of us that we now invest in the lives of young people as we seek to raise up quality leaders who will have an irrepressible and profound impact on this world for the Kingdom of God.

Join us for a powerful weekend of teaching that will be a blend of the theology of leadership development together with practical how to’s from a Biblical basis. Official Registration Forms and On-line registration are available on www.cccaustconference.com.

NexT eDITION Any fellowships or individuals that have events, announcements or other

information that might be relevant to a wider audience, please feel free to contact Geoff Whittaker: Tel 5968 6785 Mob 0431 251 871 or Email [email protected]. The next edition will be the CCCAust national newsletter published in March 2012.

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Joining the Temcare FamilyThis year has been all about change for me. I finished up as youth pastor at edge Church in January. I took up extra subjects in my theology degree and changed my major from ministry to missions. My position as a manager of a Salvation Army welfare centre ceased due to cuts in government funding. Today I find myself in a new role looking after volunteer recruitment and training for Temcare.

To familiarise myself with the work of Temcare, I grabbed a copy of ‘The Temcare Family’. It was great to take a trip through the history of Temcare from it’s beginnings in the late 1960s up until the present. As I reflected on the history of Temcare, one story in the book stood out. It was of a little girl running around the streets wearing a thin, summer dress…in the middle of winter! The late Stan Chilcott, founder of Temcare, tells of this young girl running over car bonnets in bare feet. In the middle of winter! She was from a family where the father was an alcoholic and her brothers were in jail. Her father eventually lost custody and this girl was placed in the care of a Christian family group cottage. Whilst this girl may have been a handful to begin with, they saw her behaviour improve dramatically over time and they could sense she felt the love of the Lord in her new settings.

For me – that’s what it’s all about. One young girl knowing the love of the Lord. The need is ever-present and so large. But it’s people we’re dealing with. One young child. One teenager. One single mother battling to support her family.

Throughout the process that has led me here, I have been impressed with the people of Temcare, the history of the ministry that has led it to this point and the vision they have for the future of the ministry. The fact that they have felt the need to employ a volunteer recruitment and training worker speaks volumes of the importance they put on the people who make Temcare happen and the need to grow that team so they can accommodate the growing needs in our communities.

We have a great opportunity at Temcare to serve those in the name of Jesus. Our ministry is funded by our people and churches. We do not face the same obstacles of government funded Christian groups, which have barriers to proclaiming Jesus. Our respite volunteers can bring the child they care for to church or read them a Bible story before bed. Our mentors can chat to their mentee about their faith in Jesus. Temcare is a way that we can reach out to people in need and, in doing so, proclaim Jesus as the reason why we do it.

If you feel that God may be putting the needs of our clients on your hearts, we recommend you have a chat with your pastor/leader/elder or call us directly. We’d love to catch up for a coffee and chat and explore the possibility of you becoming part of what God is doing through the ministry of Temcare.

We’re also now on Facebook. You can go to facebook.com/temcarefamily and ‘Like’ us. We’ll be posting regular updates on what God is doing through Temcare.

Grant Hupfield Temcare

DECEMBER 2011 · 9

place2place 2011–12place2place was started with a vision to supplement the Young Adults ministry of our Churches, to provide a place for them to interact on an inter-church basis and provide a context for them to think seriously about their faith and take steps of faith.

While all this has been accomplished in 2011, the numbers of young adults attending have not been great. Over seven events we had a maximum of 70 and down to 40. Recognising that this may reflect a number of realities (low numbers of young adults in CCCVaT churches, competition from other Churches, disinterest and/or lack of perceived need, inappropriate content and or programming) we conducted a review with pastors whose young adults have participated and a group of young adults who have had a demonstrated commitment to place2place.

The result of this is that place2place will continue on a revised basis in 2012:

• 10 events, held on the 4th Sunday of the month from February to November to provide continuity

• content based events with a mixed approach. (In 2011 place2place was built around the speaker. In 2012 it will be based around the theme)

• in addition the following components were seen by the young adults as being integral to each place2place:

• food• moving people on the journey• creativity• worship• purposeful interaction between churches• age group relevant content

• must answer the so what question• good advertising• facebook advertising and discussion

Please get the place2place events in your diary and encourage your young adults to be part of it.

We will be reviewing place2place quarterly, so that we can respond appropriately.

Contact: [email protected]

Internships 2011In 2011 CCCVaT has provided funding for eight interns in five churches. Some of these are drawing to a close at the end of this year and others have only just started.

The internships typically run for two years and are based on two days work in the church per week. The Church funds one day and the CCCVaT Grant funds the other.

Most of the interns this year have worked in areas of youth ministry, although some, because of where they are at developmentally have been encouraged by their supervisors to spread their wings and gain experience in other areas.

It has been encouraging to hear from Churches and interns about the value of this and it is perhaps best to let them speak for themselves. The following are comments anonymously printed here from interns and church leaders which were provided in their reports.

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I’ve made great progress mentally and spiritually this year, through my mentoring ... I have grown a lot this year, and look forward to seeing how God will continue to provide for my needs, use this new knowledge, and continue to grow me. I have definitely found the second half of this year more uplifting! I also sense that I have a lot more joy in my service at the church!

I believe it’s been an incredible learning experience with hands on work and I really appreciate the opportunity.

The church benefits from having [name deleted] energy and passion active within our youth ministry. Our youth ministry is improving its ministry to teenagers which is an encouragement to parents within our church who would like to see their children participating in a strong youth group.

That does not mean that internships are without difficulty. Church sometime struggle with how to supervise, guide and hold interns accountable. Sometimes the arrangement does not work and internships end before time. We have an excellent reporting process through CCCVaT which alerts us to deficiencies and issues that need to be addressed. This builds our sense of partnership together.

MIG (Minisitry Internship Grants) 2012We have five internships which will continue into 2012. This means that we have room in the budget for four-five more interns depending on the funding level each qualifies for. We currently have three churches that have not had interns that are in various stages of applying. Priority will be given to these before considering other applications. If you would like more information please request it from Nathan Keen at the CCCVaT office: [email protected]

HOIST THe MAINSAIL!The theme for CYC's Summer Camps this year, Pirate Summer, has captured the imagination of many – Campers and Leaders alike. The theme is common to all the Holiday Camps to be run at CYC The Island, Phillip Island Adventure Resort, Forest Edge, and for the first time also the Turbo Camps at Adanac.

11 full weeks of camps! over 1200 campers! over 200 leaders!! 1000’s of hours of direct gospel input!!!

As well as all the camp favourites, there will be a distinct pirate feel to all the camps, with planning for some quite elaborate activities already underway. The ten camps (for varying age groups from grade three all the way up to school-leavers) start with the annual Senior Teen Camp on December 27th, including the traditional New Year's eve party, and run through to late January.

But amongst all the pirate fun and Summer sun, there's a deeper thread of excitement behind the planning of the camps. Matthew 13:44 says that the ”kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.“ It is the hope of camp organisers, that as well as great memories and lifelong friendships, that this true treasure is what Campers will take home from camp.

Glyn Mahon

DECEMBER 2011 · 11

MeNTOR eQuIPPINGthe Class of 2011

On Friday 23rd September family and friends gathered together to celebrate the graduation of 9 students in the Mentor equipping Course facilitated through CCCVaT. For three years Lawrie and elaine Meers, Garth Grant, Stewart Imrie and Brett Smyth from Montmorency Community Church, Lisa Hanger from Glen Hill Community Church, Mary Waterworth from Balwyn Gospel Chapel and Keith Graham and Geoff Whittaker from Canterbury Gardens Community Church have met three times each year for extensive training in how to mentor people effectively. each year the group met for a 4 day residential workshop held at Cowes, Phillip Island and 2 full day workshops run at the CCCVaT office in Forest Hill.

the purpose of the Course

The course facilitated this time around by George Buchanan and Vicki Mustafa, trains and equips people in helping other people to be intentional about developing and growing in different areas of their life through a “One Year Model” format

of mentoring. This is the second course completed (the first saw 10 students graduate in 2008) and it is exciting to know that there are now 19 people fully trained and competent in the area of mentoring. And the great thing about this course is that there is the expectation that people begin mentoring in the first year of the course so that they can learn from experience by applying what they learn at the workshops.

One Year Model

The course teaches how to set up a mentoring relationship; as well as how to define the structure, objectives and boundaries within a mentoring relationship. It teaches the interpersonal skills needed in walking alongside someone who is committed and intentional about growing. Skills such as: listening, clarifying, asking the ‘right’ questions, care-fronting, accountability just to name a few. It also teaches how to help people deal with grief and conflict. It covers pastoral issues such as self-care strategies including balance, retreats, personal development and spiritual formation disciplines. A lot of

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resources are examined and experienced and each participant is encouraged to build up a resource file that can be drawn upon in future mentoring relationships.

a personal Journey

It is very much a personal journey for the course participants as there are no ‘role-playing’ exercises but each person goes through the same process and activities that they in turn will take the people they mentor through. From sharing life stories, working out mentoring objectives, setting up action steps and accountability measures, the course participant experiences it all at a personal and life changing level.

It is very encouraging and often inspiring, when the participants share their own personal journeys in mentoring (as well as being mentored) both at the beginning of each workshop and in the ‘reflection’ time at the end of each workshop. The course very much grows the participant in their own relationship with God and helps shape their involvement in His Kingdom building purposes.

One of the long-lasting joys of the course is the depth of relationships formed between all involved in the course. Some very personal ‘stuff’ is shared along the way and the group becomes a ‘safe’ place to deal with difficult issues and to grow.

Biblically Based principles

The course itself is founded on sound Biblical principles and examples. One of the highlights of each workshop as expressed by the participants has been the devotional time where the participants are directed to a Bible passage or characters and through reflective exercises are encouraged to learn what they can from the passage both for personal spiritual development as well as principles for mentoring.

On-Going Supervision

each course participant had several one-on-one supervision sessions throughout each year with a designated supervisor (either George or Vicki) where mentoring issues could be worked out and homework assignments (yes, there was some homework!) could be explained. These times were both practical and also of mutual encouragement and support. This ‘supervisory’ relationship and network continues beyond the duration of the course.

Challenge to do the Course

Ask anyone who has done the course about its benefits both for personal development and growth as well as for being used by God to help mentor others in their development and growth. Then consider whether this is something that would help grow and equip you to be used by God in the lives of others. This course is open and beneficial to all who are concerned and intentional about growing and encouraging growth in others. The skills you learn and the experiences that the course offers are potentially life-changing both for yourself and others.

personal testimony

As someone who has done the course myself (2006-2008) and now has had the opportunity to co-facilitate the most recent course (2009-2011) let me say that it has grown me as a person and enriched my life as I have seen growth in others. I encourage you to find out more about the next course by contacting the CCCVaT office.

Vicki Mustafa

DECEMBER 2011 · 13

“ Zontas (Living) 100%” Christian Television ProgramThis Greek language, evangelistic, 30 minute program has been broadcast by public access television channel 31 in Melbourne for over 20 years. Its founder Basil Zettas, a Canadian Greek, had been producing attractive programs for North American Greek viewers for several years before that. Similar programs are also operating in Adelaide & Sydney.

“Zontas” programs comprise any of these ingredients: singing items, a Bible message, a testimony by interview, & a panel of 3 discussing life issues from a Biblical evangelistic viewpoint. Some subjects discussed have been: The Holy Trinity, Loneliness, The economic Crisis, Prejudice, The Christian in Society, The Second Coming, etc.

The spoken language is always Greek but backed up by english sub-titles throughout. Therefore all viewers are welcome. It is estimated by channel 31 that about 10,000 view this program each week. From

responses received we know that both Greek & english speakers view our programs.

Surprisingly, the Greek Orthodox Church – normally hostile to evangelical causes – has displayed very little opposition. “Zontas” is almost universally highly regarded by its viewers. We continually praise God for this. “Zontas 100%” is breaking down prejudices to the Biblical Gospel in the minds of many Greeks.

I encourage readers of this newsletter to point out this program, especially to any Greek friends, neighbours or contacts. Bi-lingual leaflets are available.

The details are:

“Zontas 100%”, Channel 31 Sundays 9.30 to 10am

Spero Katos Greek evangelical Church, Richmond

[email protected] 9528 2509 0411 465 037

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CCCVaTContact detailsThe Association of Christian Community Churches in Victoria and Tasmania PO Box 521 Blackburn 3130

Chair: George MorganTel (H) 9561 1541 (W) 9670 9661Email [email protected]

Director of Ministries: George BuchananTel 9766 1760 Mobile 0425 800 960Email [email protected]

p.a.: Nathan KeenTel 9887 6312 Mobile 0405 990 801Email [email protected]

Newsletter: Geoff WhittakerTel 5968 6785 Mobile 0431 251 871Email [email protected]

The Christian Brethren Trust PO Box 521 Blackburn 3130

Chair: Ron PearceTel (H) 9720 2296 Mobile 0417 366 949Email [email protected]

Business Manager: David BeerTel 5768 2619 Mobile 0422 811 637Email [email protected]

As edge Church continues to grow, not just in numbers, but in diversity of backgrounds, beliefs and cultures, the elders believed it is the

right time to seek an Associate Pastor to take responsibility for the youth, young adults and young families areas of ministry at edge. God has provided Nathanael Nixanto, who, with his wife Linda and their two sons, have pastored a Church of Christ fellowship here in Melbourne for several years.

Nathanael has grown up in three different countries – Indonesia, New Zealand and, for most of his life, Australia. His Chinese, Indonesian and Dutch cultural background, along with being truly Aussie, make him a great fit for a church with wide racial and cultural diversity.

We are excited about Nathanael’s heart for connecting pastorally with people, that parallels his strong biblical foundation and his desire to lead others into a greater understanding and growth in their Christian lives. He says: “It is awesome to see someone grow and develop over time into a more compassionate and gifted person that has something to offer their families, friends and other people they meet. The two most challenging aspects of maintaining Christian growth is complacency and time. Complacent because we think we know it all and have done it all. Time because we are impatient

and take short cuts and/or we don’t have enough time to invest and build that relationship with Jesus.”

Nathanael has a heart for mission, both at home and overseas. He has been working with Sudanese here in Melbourne and also with various youth programs.

We at edge are trusting that Nathanael’s experience and warm enthusiasm will help us glorify God in our mission of joining what God is doing to build His Church and extend His Kingdom.

New Associate Pastor at edge Church

Spiritual Links across Bass Strait

It is over 52 years since the Princess of Tasmania sailed on her maiden voyage from Melbourne and arrived into Devonport, Tasmania. In the early days the ships provided accommodation for only 400 passengers and had space for just 30 cars. These days The Spirit of Tasmania annually carries about 390,000 people between Tasmania and Victoria and 183,000 vehicles.

Over the last eight years CCCVaT has been running annual weekend conferences mostly at the PIAR on Philip Island. From very early on some of the folk from Tasmania, and specifically Hobart attended these conferences. This developed into a positive relationship between the two churches in Hobart, Hope Christian Centre and Margate Christian Church. At the AGM in April 2011 CCCV were able to change their constitution to include the Tasmania churches, hence the new name of CCCVaT, Christian Community Churches Victoria and Tasmania.

In July 2011 Dan Proctor from CCCAust and George Buchanan from CCCVaT were able to work together and visit several Tasmanian churches. Recently Peter Keep has visited both Margate CC and Hope CC. These churches are now enjoying the benefits of belonging to a larger network of churches across Tasmania, Victoria and Australia.

It is our prayer that as time goes by we will be able to say that just as the number of passengers and cars carried on the ships across Bass Strait has grown, so has the number of people who have come into a personal relationship with God in Tasmania and Victoria because of the Spiritual Links formed across Bass Strait in the early 2000’s.

George Buchanan Director of Ministries, CCCVaT Mob 0425 800 960 30 Nov 2011

CCCVat Conference — Saturday 28th april 2012 at Wattle Park Chapel (WPC) 9.00am – 5.00pm

Being People of InfluenceA day conference for leadership development.

SpeakerS

phil HendersonPhil is currently Pastoring at Onekawa Bible Church, 16 Riverbend Road Onekawa Napier New Zealand. [email protected]

Wynand J de kock (Dr Johannes de kock)Wynand (pronounced vein + aunt) is Principal of Tabor Victoria and Teaches in the area of Practical Theology.

SuBJeCtS

Phil Henderson – Two Keynote addresses; Leading with Character and Leading with Courage.

Wynand J de Kock – Introduce and facilitate two two-hour interactive workshops.

Application forms and more detail in February 2012.

For more information contact [email protected]