Over the last month there has been a range of social all-age events in the church. They haven’t been hugely attended but the quality of conversation and relationship building has been excellent. Also within the life of our church family the tangible presence of God is increasing. There is real evidence that our attitudes towards each other are good and that we are willing to face changes together as we seek to become more outwardly focused. I have enjoyed preaching through the Bible again (expository preaching is the style of preaching that I feel most passionate about) and Dr Dunn’s recent message was hugely appreciated. On a personal note I have stood amazed at how Lana and our worship leaders are managing to draw in more people and in particular younger people. It feels like we are heading in the right direction.
Thanks to all those in the family who are preparing for the AGM/ family meeting in a couple of weeks in a very Godly way. Questions are being asked now, directly to the right people, and I know we are praying.
The eldership recently worked through the budget that you see in your AGM report book. It wasn’t an easy job. We have had to acknowledge a drop in income and projected income and some things we have done for years and highly value have been omitted this year, simply so that we can employ a Full-time Children and Families Pastor. Hopefully next year most of those areas will be back in the books. I know the leadership team found it really hard planning to employ a youth leader for only two days a week next year (and the funding for that will be a huge faith step). We all want something much bigger and have a passion to see it happen now. We are testing out possibilities within the family, and the Baptist Youth Ministries are also aware of the opportunity. My expectation is that we will have a youth leader to ratify early in the new year. There have not been many new applicants for the Children and Family Pastors position, however we are aware that God is gently leading and speaking (things are still happening).
This month we have further developed the Mentoring training and caring strategy for next year. I will run through things more thoroughly with the elders this month and hopefully we will be good to go in February. When I present the process and how it works to the church next year I am only expecting 15 or so Mega Mentors (ie mature Christians who meet regularly with a younger person to help them achieve their goals). Most of the mentoring will be done via a network of people with a huge variety of gifts and skills. That is to say ‘the Church’ will be raising World-Changing Christians and not individuals.
Also Helen Erceg has helped me write a booklet on How to become a Christian in modern language. We now have a ministry team to speak to seekers after the service and will begin to give pre-Christians the opportunity to respond. I am frequently encouraged by other churches that are finding our outreach and discipleship materials very helpful.
Helen and I represented the church at the Baptist Hui this year. I have attached a brief summary.
December the 9th is our next church-wide event: a picnic at Camp Manaia. I hope the new waterslide will be in operation, we will launch the pontoon (anchor/ not moor) and I think you will all be pleased with the exciting developments that have taken place at the camp recently.
This year, in order to reach the community, we are organizing a ‘carols by glow stick’ combined church service in Laurie Hall Park. Plenty of parking. Level ground for the elderly. Silver beet for the donkey. This will be on the 23rd of Dec from 8:30-9:30pm. Please support this for ‘their’ sake. Next year we will probably go back to a normal Christmas Eve service (unless there is something we can do more effectively for evangelism).
Christmas day service will be from 10am-11am only and very family friendly. Please feel free to bring your favorite Christmas present (all ages).
Please continue to keep Faye in your prayers and the large number of church family who are facing serious health challenges and the recent loss of loved ones (God’s presence has been amazing through them all).
Your brother and fellow Kingdom builder – Pastor Russell