MARCH 2010 1

fellow workersnews from around the presbyterian church of victoria

InthedaysfollowingChrist-masthepopulationofPhillipIslandincreasestenfold.TwohundredandfiftyyoungpeopleaddedtothenumbersastheygatheredatthePhillipIslandAdventureResort(PIAR)forthe2009/10PYVSummerCamp.Thiswasthefirsttimethecampwasheldhere,andafteraslow-erthananticipatedstart(duetotheVERYslowtrafficonthewaytotheIsland!)theFreedominChristcampgotunderway.Thiscampwasalwaysgo-

ingtobedifferenttopreviousyearsduetothenewvenueandthemega-cheapcosttocamp-ers.PIARisagreatvenue.Itsfacilitiesareexcellentandtheon-siteactivitiesmeantthatwedidn’tneedtogoanywheretohavefun.Havingsaidthat,whenyouareatenminutewalkfromthebeautifulSmithsBeach,anoff-siteexcursionwasamust!Campersonlypaidfifty-five

dollarsforthewholeweekduetothePCV’s150thAnniversaryCom-mitteegivingPYV$50,000towardsreducingcampcostsinourChurch’sanniversaryyear.PYVthanksthemverymuchfortheirgenerositybe-causeitenabledustoopenthecamptomanywhohadnotexperiencedaPYVcampbefore.Rev.PeterOwenspokeonFree-

dominChristfromRomans.Hedealtwithissuessuchas‘HowdoesGodrelatetomankind?’and‘Theobedi-enceofChrist’asitrelatestohisworkonthecrossandobeyingthelaw.PeterpointedoutthatnotonlyisChrist’sdeathonourbehalfcreditedtothebelieverbutalsohisobedientlife.ChristhasdoneeverythingtomakeusrightwithGodandweobeyHislawoutofloveandreverenceforGodandthankfulnessforHissalva-tion.Healsotalkedaboutthe‘shun’wordsinScripture!‘Justificashun’,‘Propitiashun’,‘Reconciliashun’......‘Redempshun’andperhapsthe

Editor Chiara Bilyj ed.fellowworkers@gmail.com Vol. 7 No.1 March 2010

Freedom in Christ–PYV summer camp

Continued on page 6

‘Seethattree?’askedmydriver,Chibambo.‘ThatiswhereDrDavidLivingstonemetwiththeslavetradersandfreedtheslaves.HecameuptheShirerivertotheplacenownamedBlantyreandmettheMalawislavetraders.HeexplainedthegospeloftheLordJesustothemandthejusticethatflowedfromthatgospel.’Hepaused.‘Whathappenedthen?’I

asked.Chibamboreplied,‘There

andthentheMalawislavetradersreleasedtheslaves.Theyhadbeenchainedandseparatedbyforkedsticks.Thegospelchangedthetradersrightthere!WewenttotheBlantyre

mission,andtheChurchofStMichaelandAllAngels.‘Interestingname,’I

volunteered.‘Yes,’cametheanswer,

‘TheyneededStMichaelandalltheangelswhentheywerebuildingthatchurch.Therewerenopro-fessionalpeopleengagedinthebuilding.Itwasdreamedtogetherstep bystep,andgrewintothecathedralyouseetoday!Ithasonlyhadonemajorrepairjobinits...

Livingstone’sLegacy

Continued on page 2

The Prince and the Pauper–made rich! p. 4

You can now have Fellow Workers sent to your email inbox for free!

Just send your email address to ed.fellowworkers@gmail.com.

PIM at Show p.5

Learning to be

Leaders p.4

FELLOW WORKERS

...108yearsofitshistory.’Buttheamazingthingwas

thatitwasbuiltrightacrosstheslavetradingroute.Itwasinitself,astatement:‘Noslaveswillpassthisroadagain!’Eventhechurchofficeshaveoneroomthatusedtobetheholdingprisonforslavetradersawaitingjudgment.Igazedatthebars,anddrankintheamazinghistory.TheyknewtherestofLiv-

ingstone’sstory:twenty-twoyearsofserviceinAfricaforGod.Thelossofhischildren,hiswifeandhishealth.Heenduredseparation,malaria,tsetsefly,anattackbyalionthataffectedhisarmfortherestofhislifeandblindnessinoneeye.Hewasamanofprayer.HisprayerwastoGodforAfrica,thatsalvationwouldcometothesepeople.HehadbeensostirredasayoungmanbythemessageofDrMoffat,‘Isawthesmokeof1000villages,andthereisnomissionary.’DrLivingstonewastheirfirstmissionary,onlybythegraceofGod.WithintwoyearsofLiving-

stone’sdeath,missionariesbegantoarriveinZambiaandMalawifromScotland.Missionswereestablished…missionsthatincludedevan-gelism,theformationofachurch,thechurchbuilding,

schools,theclinic,industry,centresofcare.Thishap-penedatBlantyre,MulanjeandDo-masi.Andsothegospelspread,andthetruth,justiceandmercyofthegospelimpactedtheland.Andnow,in

2009,IhadtheopportunityofvisitingonbehalfoftheVictoriaAssemblyofthePresbyterianChurchofAustralia.Thewelcomewasthrill-

ing–anevidenceofthespecialpartnershipwhichisbeingforgedbetweenourchurchandtheirs.IlovedhearingpraiseoftheverygoodworktheVicto-rianchurchisdoingastogetherweserveGod.Sundaymorningarrivedand

IwasscheduledtopreachatStColumba.SixhundredandfiftypeoplegatheredforthefirstserviceofworshipintheChichewalanguage.ThatwasfollowedbytheserviceinEnglishwithover800present.Iwashurriedawaypriortothe3rdserviceinordertobeintimeforthefinalserviceattheLimbechurch.Atallservicesthenumberswereinthehun-dreds.

Atlunchtimemanyques-tionsflowed.’Threethousand,twohundredmembersinthecongregation,andfourPrayerHouses,’wasoneanswer.‘Tellmewhatyoumeanby

PrayerHouse?’TheyexplainedthateachcongregationhadPrayerHouses…orinourlanguage,preachingplaces,orHomeMissionstations.Whenfinanceswerestrongenough

Livingstone’s Legacy

continued from page 1

YoumightliketoreceiveavisitfromaPresbyterianchap-lain,ifonevisitsorisoncalltothatparticularinstitution.Thecurrentstandardised

hospitaladmissionformsoftenmakeitdiificultforPresbyte-rianchaplainstoknowyouarethere.Ifyouoryourfamilymark‘Christian’inthereligiousaffiliationboxatadmission,yourdetailswillgointohospitalrecordsas‘Christian–other’.APresbyterianchaplaininVictoriaisonlygivenaccesstopatientswhoregisterspecifical-lyas‘Presbyterian’.Itsasmallthing,butcouldmakeallthedifferenceinlettingavisitingchaplainknowyouareinthehospital.Pleasepassthisontoanyfamilyorchurchmemberwhomayexperienceahospitalstayinthecomingmonths.

Kathy JamesHealth and Community Chaplaincy

Committee

Goingintohospital?

TheStateNewsCommitteeisdelightedtohaveChiaraBilyjastheneweditorofourquarterlynewsletter.Shebringstothetasktheenthusiasmofyouthandtheexpertiseofediting,publishingandgraphicdesignforprintmedia.Thecommitteewouldlike

tocongratulateheronthefirstissue,whichcoveredmanydifferentareasofthelifeofthechurchinVictoriathroughtextandillustration.Sheisalreadylookingatwaystoimproveitsquality.Inherenthusiasm,she’screateda‘Facebook’page(www.facebook.com)andanemaildeliveryservice.AsBillLawrywouldsay(forthosewhoknowwhoBillLawryis)‘it’sallhappening!’P.S.IinsistedthatChiara

includethisparagraph.Neil Harveys Neil Harvey

Convener, State News Committee

It’sallhappeningatFW

‘we’llshowyouthekangaroomethodofcaring

forchildren!’

MARCH 2010 3

andaministerwasavailabletobecalledtothePrayerHouse,itwouldbecomea‘SanctionedPastoralCharge’,andthenwouldestablishitsownPrayerHouses.Andsothechurchgrows.Thereare5synodsinthe

ChurchofCentralAfricaPres-byterian(CCAP).BlantyreSyn-odhas1.8millionmembers.Zambiasynodhas60,000.‘WewillvisitMulanjeMis-

siontoday,’Meltonannounced.Thismission,establishedintheearlydaysofScotland’smis-sionaryoutreach,isnowthor-oughlyanindigenousmissiontoMalawifolk.Itcommencedwithawelcomeandmealatthemanse,andthenalookaround.Myquestionwas,‘Whatdoesmissionmeanhere?’Ibegantofeelitaswedined.Imetthelocalminister,anevangelist,aschool’sheadteacher,ladiescaringforwidowsandorphans,theSessionclerk,andasthemealcontinued,thehospital’sdoctorandhisadministra-torarrived.Thenwevisitedtheplaceswheretheyworked,andtheinitiativestheyweretakingtomake‘theMission’self-sustainingateverypoint.Theyevenhaveanindustrywhichprovidesemployment,anop-portunitytoselllocalproduce,andafactorytoproducenutri-tiousporridgemealtofeedtheirfamilies.Whenvisitingthehospital,Dr

RollandvanderVeir,withcon-siderabledelightsaid,‘Comeandwe’llshowyouthekanga-roomethodofcaringforchil-dren!’Weenteredthematernityward.WhereveryoutravelinAfrica,ladiescarrytheirbabiesontheirbacks.Butwhatifthebabyisbornprematurely,orisnotstrong?That’swherethe

Livingstone’s Legacy kangaroomethodofcarekicksin.Thesystemis‘frontloading’,skintoskin,asclosetothesourceofsupplyaspossible.‘That’sthewarmestplace,andyoudon’tneedtouseincuba-tors!’AllbecauseofourAustral-iankangaroomethod–apouchforbaby!AsIviewedtheapproachto

churchlife,itwassoeasytousetheword‘holistic’.Whatchurch,government,andallourcareagenciesdohere,thechurchdoesthere.Itwasveryimpressive.‘Africaisnowpolitically

independent,’saidDrFrim-pong-MansuinaspeechattheBlantyreSynodwhenacovenantofpartnershipwassignedbetweentheBlantyreSynodandthePresbyterianChurchofGhana.‘Increasinglyweareeconomicallyindepend-

ent,andweneedtostriveformoreeconomicalinde-pendence.Spiritu-allywecontinuetogrowinindepend-ence.Butweneedtogrowspirituallytothepointthat

thechurchbesoinfluentialinAfrica,thatgovernmentswillheedtheclarioncallofthechurch,andGodwillbeglori-fiedthroughthetestimonyandinfluenceofHispeople!’DrLivingstonesaid:‘The

hauntingspectreofthesmokeof1000villagesinthemorn-ingsunhasburnedwithinmyheart!’Wepraythatthegospelpassionsstirredbythatstate-mentwilldriveus,whateverthecost,tobreaknewgroundinoursociety,forintheLORD’swordstoJoshua,‘thereismuchlandyettobepossessed!’

Robert BennModerator General of the Presbyterian

Church of Australia

TheMinistryDevelopmentCommitteehasmadethreenewHomeMissionaryAppoint-mentsfor2010.OnthefirstofJanuarythis

year,CranbournewelcomedPeterRobertsastheirnewHomeMissionary.Peterbe-cameinvolvedinPresbyteriancirclesthroughstudyingforadegreeatthePresbyterianTheologicalCollegeinBoxHill,whileinvolvedasanelderinanevangelicalcongregationinOakleigh,insouth-easternMelbourne.Lastyearhecom-pletedastudentplacementatDandenong.PeterandhiswifeGailhave5children;Joshua,Elijah,Daniel,ElisabethandDavid,ranginginagefrom17to8yearsold.Thewholefamilyenjoyparticipatinginministrytogether,particularlythroughmusic.StevenArbucklehasbeen

appointedtoEaglehawk.Ste-venandhiswifeNoelenewerepostedatRochesterHomeMis-sionStation.TheEaglehawkcongregationwelcomedtheArbucklesenthusiasticallyatacommissioningserviceonthe31stofJanuary.InDecember2009,atem-

poraryarrangementatKanivaandNhillwasmadepermanent,withIanSmithbeingappointedasHomeMissionarythere.IanandhiswifeJanhaveunder-takenanumberofshort-termpastoralappointmentsinSouthAustraliaandVictoriarecently.

Rev Dr Robert CarnerMinistry Development Director

Threenewhomemissionaryappointments

PeterRobertsandfamily

FELLOW WORKERS

AsModeratorofthePCV,mywifeJoyandIreceivedaninvitationfromtheGovernorofVictoriatoattendarecep-tionatGovernmentHousetocelebrateAustraliaDayinthepresenceofHisRoyalHigh-nessPrinceWilliamofWales–weaccepted!Itwasasplendidocca-

sion!Therewere950invitedguestsandnumeroushousestaffpresent.Abrassbandandwindensembleplayedbeautifulmusic.Wearrivedat3.50pm,passedsecurity,andenteredtheballroom,wherewewereservedwithsavouryfinger-food.ThePrincearrivedfromaBBQlunchandatourofVictoria’sfire-strickentowns20minuteslate:plain-clothessecuritywasevidentbutnotovert.TheGovernormadea

speech,andthenwelistenedtotheonlyofficialspeechinVictoriafromthePrince.Thenweallmovedoutoftheballroomforagarden-party.ThemusicianscontinuedprovidingbeautifulmusicforourentertainmentunderthehugeMoretonBayFigtreesinflower,whilethePrincemin-gledwiththeguests.WhilstbothJoyandIwereonlyaboutthreemetresfromhim,wedidn’tactuallyhavetheop-portunitytoshakehandssuchwasthepressingcrowd!Weweredelightedtobein

attendance,andsoakeduptheatmosphereofeuphoriathatwassoclearlypresent.

ThebeautyandmagnificenceofGovernmentHouseistrulyagreattestimonytotheartisansoftheday.Inaworldlysense,the

PrinceofWalesisrightfully‘aPrince,’butasChristians,wealreadyenjoyawonderfulrelationshipwithaprince–thePrinceofPeace,theLordJesusChrist.EventhoughIhavebeeninthepresenceofthePrinceofWales,therewasnosuchrelationship–ifIhadtheopportunityforachatandshakeofhandsitwouldallbeverysuperficial,unlikethelastingrelationshipwecanhavewiththeLordJesus.

Inworldlyterms,compar-ingmyselfwithPrinceWilliamofWales,I’mapauper!ButIrejoiceintheLordJesusChrist,forinmypovertyHehasmademerichbeyondmeasure,thefullnessofwhichstillawaitsmeineternallifewithHim.Howaboutyou?What’s

yourgreatestaspirationinlife?IsittocomeintothepresenceofthePrinceofWales(orsomesuchcelebri-ty),orcomeintothepresenceofthePrinceofPeace,theLordJesusChrist?Yes,PrinceWilliamisafine,

handsome,wealthyyoungman,buttobeinthecompanyoftheLordJesusChristisfar,farbetter!

ThePrinceandthePauper–madeRich!AndrewandJoyBrayinGovernmenthouseballroom

Rt. Rev. Andrew BrayModerator, PCV

LastNovember,thePres-byteryofBallaratwasrichlyblessedwithawonderfultimeoftrainingfromtheRev.Dr.GregGoswellandtheRev.NelloBarbierifromthePresbyterianTheologicalCollege.OurLead-ershipDevelopmentseminarwasattendedbyabout30peo-plefromacrossthePresbytery.OnFridayevening,Nello

gaveaveryencouragingtalkon‘DiscipleshipDynamics’.Itwasahighlyinteractivesessionasdel-egatesweredividedintogroupsoffourorfivefordiscussions.Thenextmorning,theModeratorofPresbytery,Rev.IanHutton,gaveaninspiringdevotionon‘leadershipwithlove’.GregistheOldTestamentlectureranddeliveredanoverviewoftheOTunderthethemeoftheKingshipofGod.Hespokewithmuchpassionandclarity,whichmadeOTstudyinterestingandeasytofollow.Afterlunch,Gregspokewithmuchwisdomon‘leader-shipin1&2Samuel”,andNelloencouragedandchallengedeveryonetobe‘peopleofthewordandpeopleofprayer’.Ourseminarwasenrichedby

thehospitalityfromEbezenerSt.John,fortheladiesdidasuperbjobincateringforthesupper,morningtea,lunchandafter-noontea.Abigthankyoutothe

Presbytery’sClerk,theRev.Dr.JohnWoodward,fororganisingtheseminar.Iwouldrecommendalead-

ershipseminartootherPres-byteries,becauseitprovidesopportunitiesforeveryonetotalkaboutissuesthatmightbeotherwiseoverlooked.

Hui LimBallarat Presbytery

Learningtobeleaders

‘ComparedwithPrinceWilliam,I’mapauper!’

MARCH 2010 5

cladding,andworkstartsagain.Carpentryworkdoinginternalsubdividing,installingnewwindows,externalre-claddingandmakinganewentrance.Electricalworkcomesnext,withinstallationofsafewiring,plentifulpoweroutlets,efficientlighting,andthemoderntech-nologicalrefinementsthatwillallowtrainingandadministra-tionactivitiestotakeplace.Afterthat,replasteringwillbringtheendinsight!Currentfundswillnotseethe

projectcompleted.Fundsareneededforthekitchen,bath-room,heating,cooling,carpetsandsoon.WehopethatAssembly

Committeeswilltakeanotherlookandperhapsrelocatetheirstaff,holdeventsormeetingsatHHsometimeinthefuture.Godhasbeengoodinnotal-lowingustodemolishabuild-ingthatisprovingusefulinhisKingdomwork.If you can offer help, whether financial, skilled labour or even as a volunteer to clean up, or would just like some more detail, please contact Andrew Venn, Minister at Heathmont, and project manager - ph.9870 5182 mob.0422 414 942.Photos are on the Heathmont website - heathmont.pcvic.org.au.

Pictureadecrepitweather-boardhousewithitspaintpeel-ing,timberrotting,androodrusting.HeathmontHouse(HH,asitisnowcalled)lookedlikeademolitionjob.It’sthebuildingyouseewhen

youpassHeathmontPresby-terianChurchonCanterburyRoad.TheHeathmontBoardofManagementwasplanningtodemolishthehouse.ThenGodsteppedin.InJanuary2009,thePYVfounditselfwithoutanywheretorunitsoperations.TheymovedintoHeathmontHouse.Problem:havingthrownthePYVthiseleventhhourlife-line,Heathmontchurchlackedanyfundstoredeemaderelictbuilding.Buttheydidquicklycatchavisionforwhatitcouldbe.WhatifHeathmontHouse

couldbecomeacentreforourdenomination’scommitteesandsavethemmoneyoncommer-cialrental-whichtheycouldthendevotetotheirministries?It’srightonEastlink,nearama-jorsuburbancentre(Ringwood)andhasaverybenevolent‘landlord’-HeathmontPC.WewrotetoallAssemblyCommit-teesseekingexpressionsofinterest.Notakers.Perhapsthey

wereallscaredoffwhentheysawthepictures.However,withanapproachtoMaroondahPresbytery,thingsbegantomove.Lastyear,PresbyterygaveHeathmontPCmoney

tobeginwork.Firstcamere-stumpingandre-roofing.Itwascomplexwork:therewerewrangleswiththepowercompany,theresidentpossums(they’restillthere!),scaffolding(O.H&Srequirements),androofframingissues.Next,ahiatus.Moneyis

runninglow.Paidworkcomestoatemporaryhalt.Volunteerscontinue,sendingawayrubbishreadyforthenextstage,andthelong-sufferingPYVstaffandvolunteersmakethebestofit.HeathmontBOM,meanwhile,seeksmoneyandhelperswhocatchthevisionforitbeingacentreforPCVandHeathmontPCactivity.Thenaplasteringcompany

agreedtodocutpricework,adonationcameinfroman-otherPCVcongregation,atrustgaveasizableboostoffunds,anotherCommitteedonatesfreelabourforsomeexternal

Heathmont house–a centre of activity

‘Areyouskilledincabinetry,tiling,hangingdoors,installingskirtings

andarchitraves(boring,butnecessary),orfixingplinths

aroundstumps?’

TheNooratPresbyterianChurchhasbeenrunningastallattheNooratAgriculturalSocietyShowforthelasttwoyears.Thefocusofthestallistopresentthegospelthoughbothchildren’sministryandre-latingtothepeopleoftheland.Theformerisdonethrough

craftactivitiesandgivingawayballoons,andthelatterthroughtheministryofPIM,inparticu-larRev.RudiSchwarz,whospeaksofhisministryintheMallee.ThefarmersappreciatethePIMandaregladtoseesomeonedoingthis.PriortotheNooratShow

therewasmuchprayerandplanning,withMrPeterWalms-

leytakingakeyroleinthelogisticsofthestall.Weranastallthepreviousyearattheshow,learnedsomevaluablelessons,andimplementedthesetomakeitagreatsuc-cess.Wehadmanywillinghelpersonthedaywhosharedinthejoysofspeaking,sharingandblowingupmanyballoons.

Rev. Miles Fagan

PIMattheNooratShow

FELLOW WORKERS

throughtheministryofPYV.WhilethefocusofPYV’s

campingministryistohelpyouthbetterunderstandthegospelforuseintheirhomechurches,campsarealsoforfunandrelationshipbuilding.Wemadegooduseoftheflyingfox,giantswing,canoes,pool,airconditioning(playingvari-ousboardgamesandtheatresports),basketballandtenniscourts.WealsohadgreatoutingstoSmith’sBeach,fora150-persongameofCapturetheFlag,surfinglessons,swim-ming,andgeneralbeachfun.APYVsummercampwould

beincompletewithouttheNewYear’sEvecelebrations.ItwasabigaskfortheorganiserstotoptheCarnivalfrom2008/9,buttheyranafantasticWhen I Grow Upgameshow.Camperscompetedinvarious‘growingup’challengessuchas‘learn-ing’toeat,crawl(completewithnappy),speak,spellandsing.Itwasahilariousevening,andeveryonehadafuntimeaccompaniedbyafabulous

Freedom in Christ–PYV summer camp changes lives

mostcomfortingoneofall;‘Adopshun’.WhilewechuckleatsomethingsPeter’sNewZealandaccentdoestotheEnglishlanguage,examiningthesecrucialareasofdoctrinewasdoneinaseriousandhelpfulway,completewithvisualaidsusingsomemem-bersoftheaudiencetoquiteliterallyseethepointPeterwasmaking.Manycampersfoundthestudiesandsubsequentdiscussionschallengingandpracticalintermsof‘Howdoesknowingthesetruthschangemyattitude,behaviour,evange-lismetc?’Atleasttwocampersfoundthemessageslife-chang-ing;infacttheymettheSaviourofwhomPeterspoke!PraiseGodthatHeworksthroughthepreachingofHisgospeltobringpeoplefromdarknesstolight,andthatHekeepsdoingthis

Continued from page 1

three-coursemeal.Midnightsawstudygroupsgatheredtogethertoprayforthecomingyearbeforealittlemoredanc-ingroundedoffagreatnightandcamp.Thanksareduetomany,

abovealltoGodwhoansweredthemanyprayersthatwereof-feredforcamp.Theconvenor,NicBilyj,didanexcellentjoborganisingthecampandkeep-ingitrunning,ablyassistedbyhisfiveco-ordinators.AnindicationthatthiswasoneofthebestcampsPYVhasruninrecentyearsisthattheresortmanageraskedtoaddressusonourfinalmorning.Hecom-plimentedeveryoneontheirbe-haviourandcourteousattitudetothestaff,sayingthatitwasacredittousandawonderfulwitnesstohisnon-Christianstaff.WegivethankstoGodforthis,forsafetyandfortheliveschangedbyHismessage.

Dean CarrollPYV Councillor

PYVhadtheirAnnualGen-eralMeetingonFebruary6th.Theydiscussedfuturepos-

sibilitiesforregionalministryandelectedthisyear’sPYVCouncil.Pleaseprayforthem.Theyare:MartonMurany(Presiden)JoyVenning(Secretary)RussellGraham(Treasurer)Rev.DeanCarrollJoeDunningBradRonaldsAlexVenn

Andrew Vines PYV Youth Worker

OtherPYVnews...

PYV Volleyball 2010Saturday 27 March

9.30-6pmPlayers $7

Spectators: gold coin donation

Message by Rev. Martin de PyleYouth leaders, head to pyv.org.au to download your info pack & register your teams by

Monday 15 March. Contact David Bruce on 0408 321 677 or email events@pyv.org.au

Mens, Womens and Mixed Divisions

State Volleyball Centre, 270 Stud Rd, Dandenong

MARCH 2010 7

InhighlypopulatedareasofourvastcontinentGodisgivingusunprecedentedopportunitiestomeetpeoplefromallovertheworld,sothatwefindhehasbroughtamulti-ethnicMissionFieldtoourdoorstep.Melbourne’swesternsuburbiaisnoexception

tothesewideopendoors.Weshouldcontemplatethepossibilitythatthedoorsmaynotstayopenindefinitely.What,therefore,ishappeningintheWest?Sometimeswemeetpeoplewhogivetestimony

towhatGodisdoingthroughthemintheWest.AtaMelbournegatheringIwasblessedtodiscoveramanwholivedtoministersolelytohisIslamicfriends.Irejoicetomeetpeopleinmycitywhopracticecontinualoutreach.Iusedtowishwecouldputleafletsineveryletterboxinthecity,butIdiscoveredthatonechurchhadalreadystartedthis.Ireadthesmall,unpretentioustractverycriti-callyandwasdelightedtodiscoverthegenuine,theologicallysoundmessagewhichwasbeingshared.SunshinePresbyterianChurchhasbeen

singularlyblessed.Throughonehundredyearsofexistence,GodhasgivenusfaithfulpersonswhobeartestimonytohisamazingGracethroughvariousmeans.Acaféchurchserviceisheldregularlygiving

spaceforfellowship,spiritualgrowth,mentoringandoutreach.AnotheranswertoprayeristheMen’sFellow-

shipgroupwhichhasbeenfunctioningforoveradecade.Wehearthatlaughterisaprevalentfeatureattheirgatherings.Agreatlyappreciatedactivityisthefortnightly

CommunityKitchenCafé.Ateamoflocalcom-munityworkersfromaCommunityHousejoinourchurchteamandprovideamealinthechurchhalltowhoeverwalksinoffthestreet.Christianliteratureisavailabletogetherwithopportunitiestodiscusspeople’sworldviewsandpersonalconcerns.InthesedayswhenSundaySchoolsseemto

bewaningweareblessedinthatGodisgivingusmorekidsandmoreteachers.

SomepeoplearebeingtouchedbyGod’sSpiritintheRetirementHostelswhereweconductchurchservices.Theytalktotheirfamiliesabouttheirdiscoveries.AsweseetheLordencourag-ingpeopletopracticetithingandincreasetheirgivingtomissions,wetestifytoalloftheaboveasevidenceofhisworkamongstus,anunwor-thyassemblyofbelieverswhoareprivilegedtoexperiencetheamazinggraceofGod.Welivein

theLIFEofalivingLordJesus!OurlocalStreetMinistrybeganasaregular

activityatthebeginningof2001.Thiswitnesshasbeenmaintainedoverthelasteightyears,takingabreakonlyfortheFranklinGrahamFestival.Ap-proximatelyfivethousandencountershavetakenplacewhenlocalcitizenshavereceivedBibles,NewTestaments,JesusDVDs,tractsandmean-ingfuldiscussions.Averysmallhandfulofpeoplemaintainthewitnessandprayerpartnersinthechurchconstantlylendsupport.UndertheleadingoftheHolySpiritgreatcareistakentoshowtheutmostcourtesy,withnopressureoncontacts,noobstructionofwalkwaysandnoinvasionofpriva-cywhenpeopleareshoppong.Weareoftheviewthatasweprayearnestly,exercisingthefaithGodhasgivenus,wecantrusthim100%toleadustothepersonshehasbroughtacrossourpaths.Ifsomerejectourapproachweknowthatnexttimetheyareofferedwordsoflifetheymaylistenandwecanprayforthem.Attimesweareencouragedwhensomesay

thingslike:‘No-onehaseverspokentomelikethisbefore’,‘MychildrenwilltakethisDVDtoschool’,or‘We’llcometoyourchurchonSunday!’Godlypeoplegrievethattherearechurchesdy-

ingacrossourbeautifulcountry.Whatcanwedo?MaybethewordsofMaryattheweddingfeastgiveusaclue:‘WhateverHesaystoyou,doit!’

Isabel G. BellSunshine Presbyterian Church

Whatever he says to you…

PTC Media now has attractive gift cards!Great gift for your minister or college or University student!

Great idea for Presbyteries to give as a book grant for their students.

Want helpful material to listen to in the car or on the way to work or while

jogging?

HOW ABOUT A

Contact Mignon Goswell on 0400 880 515 orptcmedia@presbyteriancollege.org

GIFT CARD?

‘WeareawarethatwithoutthedivineprotectionoftheHolySpiritandhisenablingitwouldbe

impossibletodothiswork.’

GotothePTCMediacatalogueatwww.presbyteriancollege.org

forourrangeofCDs.

FELLOW WORKERS

The Christian Education & Nurture Committee (CENC) is keen to support churches who are holding Sunday School classes. We know that many churches struggle to choose material. To help with this, the CENC is keen to provide a meeting point on the web where you can

read reviews and comments from current Sunday School teachers about the material they use. You’ll also find contact details so you can speak with these teachers.

For more, go to www.cenc.org.au.

What’shappeninginyourSundaySchool?

In part one, Nello Barbieri began answering the question: ‘how do you train an elder?’ If you missed it, you can find it online at www.fellowworkers.pcvic.org.au.

3. Train through discussing and planning ‘personal-walk-with-God’ projects and ac-tivities that will meet personal and spiritual needs.Theteachingeldercouldplanaweekendsessionretreattodiscuss,andencouragetheothereldersintheirpersonalwalkwiththeLordJesus.

4. Train through discussing and planning ministry projects and activities based on specific needs.Workonanevangelisticstrategytogether.Considerthefollowingsuggestions:•Inactivechurchlist:Evenbeforetheteach-

ingelderaskssessionmemberstohelphim,heneedstotaketheinitiativeinsharinghisfaith.Anexcellentsourceofcontactsforhimandtheothereldersisthechurch’slistofinactivenames.•TenMostWantedList:Iftheteachingelder

hasacoreofelderstoworkwith,hecouldaskeachonetolist10friendsthathewouldliketoseereceiveChrist.Theteachingelderthencouldtoplanforeitherhimselforothersessionmem-berstotakeamemberofthecongregationtowitnesstothosefriends.

•PersonalTestimony:Encouragethesessionmemberstosharetheirtestimonywiththeentiregroup.Theirtestimonymightstimulatepeoplewhohaveaspiritualinterestbutalowcommit-ment.•Brainstormonwhatwaywecanministerboth

inwardandoutward.Encouragesessionmem-berstobecreativeandthinkbig.•OutreachProgramme:Involvesessionmem-

bersinputtingtogetheranOutreachProgramme.Delegateresponsibilities.•GrowthGroup(biblestudyandothersmall

groups).Involvesessionmembersinvariousrolesofresponsibilityorspecialactivitieswiththegroup.•YouthGroupSpecials.Specialeventsinthe

generalyouthgroupsuchascamps,socials,daytrips,workprojectsetc.•Visitation.Takethesessionmemberson

visits.Theteachingeldercouldtrainsessionmembersinhowtoevangelismanddiscipleviathismeans.•SocialActionInitiatives.Servingpeoples’

physicalandemotionalneedsinthecommunity.Ongoinginvolvementincrisisaccommodation,streetcontact,visitinginstitutions,helpingtheSalvosetc.

4 ways to train an eldership–part 2AtwopartseriesbyNelloBarbieri,PCVTrainingOfficer

Joint Mission Sixteenth Anniversary Service, St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, Flemington on Sunday 18th April at 3pm. All welcome!

TheScot’sChurchMissionhasbeenatStStephenssince1994,servingthepeopleofFlemingtonandthesurroundingareaswithfoodparcels,clothing,blanketsandbedlinen.SinceDecember2008themis-

sionhasmovedfromtwiceamonthtoweekly.Thefoodassistanceisstillonatwiceamonthbasis,butallotherforms

ofassistanceandsupportarenowavailableatthemissionhalleveryTuesday.Theservicewillbeconductedby

Rev.DouglasRobertson,fromScots’Church,andtheguestpreacherwillbetheRtRev.AndrewBray,ModeratorofthePCA.MembersofPresbyterianLa-diesCollegeChoirhavebeeninvitedtotheservicetopresenttwomusicalitems.Followingtheserviceafternoontea

willbeservedinthemissionhall.Robert Lowe

Committee member Scot’s Joint Mission

ThePresbyterianandScots’ChurchJointMission

A client of the mission at theChristmassausagesizzle