| Various Reports and statements concerning the life of our church |
Natural Church DevelopmentOn Saturday morning the 14th August the Reverend Michael Lazarus of the Ringwood parish in Melbourne was our guest here in Heatley. He shared part of the story of his previous parish at Caboolture to the north of Brisbane.He emphasized the point that Natural Church Development is not a program like, for example, embracing Seeker Sensitive Services is. Natural Church Development is not a sprint but a marathon. We should therefore not expect instant results. If you do a survey one year you shouldn't expect to grow say by 30 people at the end of the following year. You may even find there will be dips. In 2005 they did one survey for the whole parish. The lowest factors were Loving Relationships and Gift Oriented Ministry as well as Need-Oriented Evangelism. They did some training on looking at becoming a more missional Church and had a weekend away with training to address developing their relationships. In 2006 they ran a gifts discovery course in Lent with over 40 members attending. This involved basic teaching on the different gift categories for example: administrative, motivational and supernatural. This helped people to see the gifts that they had while looking at various ministries within the church, to see what gifts fitted them. Four small groups then looked at Christian Schwartz's book The Three Colours of Love. They had a church camp aimed at developing loving relationships and looking at how they function better when they are operating in areas that are connected with their gifts. Two surveys were completed in October so that they had sufficient time to plan the next year. They also changed how they ran their AGM by having elections in November so that the new ministry team could plan better. The AGM in February was more of a reporting and budget meeting with confirmation of the elections. There were two congregations:
The church saw a major improvement in gift oriented ministry but the lowest factor for both congregations was need oriented evangelism. They also tried to address the question of music at both services owing to this being identified in both surveys as a low factor. This is fraught with danger!! In 2007 they ran the Becoming a Contagious Christian program in Lent with a strong emphasis on helping everyone become confident in telling their own story and leading someone to Christ. Over 40 people attended. They then worked in partnership with Anglicare to assist in running a parenting course for blended families. This enabled the congregation to connect with a lot of people. They then worked with other churches to do a weekend makeover at a local high school and saw over 1000 people involved. They saw more people looking to get involved in different areas of ministry and Michael encouraged a teacher who wanted to run a program to help those who were failing in the high school system. No survey was completed in 2007 because Michael then moved to Melbourne. In 2008 the teacher was able to gain funding to run the teaching program and this was run on the church site with volunteers helping out. Michael said that there is a need to recognize NCD as a long-term means of developing a healthy church. Each individual church must keep looking at both the big picture, i.e. all the eight quality characteristics as well as the detail; the individual questions a church has to ask itself concerning each of the characteristics. Michael encouraged us to be proactive in what we want to achieve and be ready to say no to some things if they do not fit in with our plans even though they might be a good idea. We should not confuse business principles with success in the local church. Every group in the church needs to be working to address one of the factors and be ready for the Holy Spirit to pull something out of the hat. We should not be afraid to fail. We also need to look at how and why we planned everything we do and see how we can get the best flow of activities so that we can capitalize on peoples’ time and efforts. Another thoughtful thing to consider is that we need to know our own patch, our community, its needs, major events etc. We need to determine how we can bless the community both as a church and as an individual and how we can bless and influence schools, and clubs by possibly being an active member. Ministry is not just what we do in the church, it's what God has called us to do wherever we are.
Rector’s Report for the Annual General Meeting 2010
At the beginning of this report I want to especially thank all parishioners for the way in which they have made Barbara and me feel so welcome here in Heatley and the Upper Ross and for the way you made my commissioning service such a meaningful occasion along with the support of other clergy. After the isolation of Mount Isa, it is quite a change to be part of a larger Anglican family and to be able to pray with other Christian leaders at the Ascension church every Friday morning. I also want to thank Fr Clive and Beth Brook, who assumed the role of Locum during the interregnum, after Fr Trevor’s departure for Brisbane, for their pastoral care of the congregation. I also wish to record my grateful thanks for the excellent work that Rev Colin and Theresa Barwise did with the Upper Ross congregation. On my arrival here Colin and I visited a number of folk together and he passed the baton on to me with much grace. After much prayer and deliberation Colin decided to apply for a position in a Parish in Wollongong. He was duly appointed. We will miss his gifts and enthusiasm for the gospel but, of course, wish them both well. It has been a delight to get to know the other members of our clergy here in the Parish. Fr Colin’s and Fr Alan’s ordination was a joyous occasion for the whole parish and it has been another significant milestone in the life of this parish. We pray God’s blessing on Fr Alan and Heather as they serve the Lord here. May they know many years of fruitful service. Collaborative Team Ministry We are truly blessed to have such a great team of ordained persons who bring a great wealth of talent and years of experience and enrich the ministry of our church. I have always believed in the ‘horses for courses’ principle and have had much experience of team ministry. It takes time to build trust and learn to work together in a supportive way. Pray for us that we will develop as a team. As I said when taking up this appointment, I have observed how the Portfolios have worked within the Parish Council in this church and we are all learning, both lay and ordained, to collaborate as team members to build up the body of Christ. This was certainly the vision of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:16 From him (Christ) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. In December we reviewed the history and theology of our portfolio system at Parish Council. Fr Colin Barwise led this and we are all grateful to him for doing this and leading a discussion designed to assist us as we move forward. By the time you read this, you will have heard me also address the issue of team ministry and I hope that we can disseminate to all parishioners the paper that was produced to assist this review. Outreach The great challenge before us is to ‘connect’ with those ‘seekers’ whom God puts on our path and to encourage them in their journey toward the true light that is Christ. To that end, we are praying as to how we can most effectively equip ourselves to share our faith. There are a number of tools that we can use that will build on Fr Colin’s Handy Gospel Training such as the Contagious Christianity course. Alpha in and of itself encourages us to have an outward focus. I have run over 15 of these courses and believe that it has not passed its ‘use by date’. However, the initiative must not be the responsibility of a few committed folk. We must all take our place using the gifts we have and sharing our faith in a way that suits who we uniquely are! Fresh Expressions of Church At an Anglican Fresh Expressions of Church consultation that was held in Canberra in October last year, the well known author and speaker, Brian McLaren, told a wonderfully encouraging story that resonated deeply with me about an interdenominational conference in Paris where he was the guest speaker: A Baptist lady got up and shared how she and her husband were so fed up with church as usual that they left in frustration etc. Being the hospitable type they began to open their home to their friends and around the dinner table started talking about various issues including the intersection of faith and daily life. Some of their guests came to faith! A stern Baptist elder, who was present at this gathering, after listening to her story, bristled and got up behind her and roundly castigated her for abandoning the faith!! But then a rather large Catholic Priest waddled to the front and congratulated the lady wishing his folk would do the same as her. His Bishop in Poitiers had called a meeting lamenting the fact that they could not keep their churches open or even get folk to come at Easter or Christmas any more! He had thought his Bishop was losing the plot. He warmly affirmed this Baptist lady for her gift of hospitality and love for her friends and could see some hope for his church if he could only encourage his folk to do the same! We shouldn’t have to leave our church to do this! Let us build on the wonderful spirit of hospitality and generosity that already exists in this congregation and put legs on our faith as we reach out to our many friends and neighbours. The 18 to 35 year olds The other great challenge is to connect with the 18 to 35 year olds who are largely missing from our congregation. To do this will demand all our energies in the years ahead, because if we do not see this segment of the population present and beginning to take up ministry responsibilities, there will be no one left to whom we can hand on the baton of faith. To paraphrase the great Winston Churchill “Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty, and so bear ourselves that, if the Parish of the Ascension lasts for a thousand years, people will still say, 'This was their finest hour.” Nothing but total commitment to the great cause of evangelism will see us turn the corner. We delude ourselves, especially if we look at our stats, if we think that through baptismal families alone we are going to grow our church. We must believe for solid adult conversions to the faith of Christ crucified and risen. The Bishop is determined that we release funds for outreach in, for example, the Upper Ross and Western suburbs of Townsville. As I have driven around this area I am struck by the ongoing expansion and growth that is occurring. We need to be present in this arena. We must not fail. Discussions have begun about finding the right sort of person to spearhead and stimulate community based outreach alongside the Upper Ross congregation. Youth ministry This is another area that demands action. If, in cooperation with other Anglican parishes in Townsville, we do not take the initiative, we shall continue to lose families to other congregations, who have effective youth activities and programmes. The Bishop has said that “Youth ministry at its most basic level requires two elements. Small group activities so that young people can ask, learn, learn, discuss etc in a comfortable environment. Second, the dynamic of numbers. That is why I am encouraging parishes to work together on this one. It is important to break down the old parochial boundary understanding as young people do not understand them.” To that end and in light of this Episcopal encouragement, discussions have started between parishes here in Townsville to work cooperatively to find a way to initiate an Anglican Youth ministry for the whole of Townsville. Pray that God would raise up a suitable couple to head this up. Faithfulness and relevance This is a recurring theme for us as Anglican Christians and for that matter all Christians today. Some of you have been reading Bp Godfrey Friar’s excellent chapter in the recently released compendium of contributions by Australian Bishops on the theme of Facing the Future (Acorn Press, 2009), in which he looks at a New Freedom in Worship. He summarises his chapter by concluding “We need a new freedom in worship and even within the theological constraints of the Anglican church of Australia it is more than possible to find it. What we desperately need is imagination and people skilled in liturgy who can enable the parishes and missions in local dioceses to assist people in worthily magnifying God’s holy name.” I am so grateful for all our musicians, Lay ministers and others who all contribute (such as Clare Coates with our power point presentations) to helping us all to worship God in our regular services. The Bishop is happy for us to use authorized services from within the Anglican Communion to enhance our worship. So whilst remaining faithful to our heritage: the high place we give to the reading of scripture and its exposition, and for example, the centrality of Holy Communion, we must find ways that connect with generations X and Y! To that end I have initiated discussions with the Wardens and at Parish Council, to get all our projection of services and the way we run all things audio visual set up so that we can use all the many excellent ‘aids’ that can make our worship experience ‘relevant’ to those who live in this 21st century. If this was achieved we could offer family film and discussion evenings as well as supplement our congregational worship, especially the 9am Sunday service. Patti Martin is planning a once a month ‘All Age Christian Worship’ at this service, which I will actively support. The way forward for us, is not so much to innovate by introducing some new fad but rather to draw on the rich tradition that we have inherited from those who have gone before. The centrality of the Parish Communion service, the public reading of Scriptures, the prayers of the faithful, the preaching of God's word are all the basic ingredients that make public worship and the gathering of God's people special and significant occasions. Signage We must get our notice board cleaned up and presenting a simple but clear message that we are “open for business” and who we are. Website Fr Colin did a great job in getting this underway. We now have someone who can administer this site on a regular basis. This will enable us to also present a positive face to the ‘cyber’ community. This is an essential requirement in this age in which we live. The Hall Congratulations to Clare Coates and Patti Martin for obtaining a significant grant from the Queensland Government Gambling Fund to enable the parish to put up fences in our grounds to make the area secure for infants and to lay new lino in the hall and replace the old louver windows with nice new windows letting the light in. An extension to the hall has been mooted at parish council. This will mean that we can de clutter the hall and make it even more welcoming and functional. Thank you too to David Coates and all other helpers who have done extensive painting and renovation inside and out. Faithfulness in Service Faithfulness in Service was adopted by the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia in October 2004 as The National Code for Personal Behaviour and the Practice of Pastoral Ministry by Clergy and Church Workers. The Code is an evolving one and there have been some revisions since its adoption. The Code is intended to identify the personal behaviour and practices of pastoral ministry that will enable clergy and church workers to serve faithfully those among whom they minister. If the behaviour and practices it outlines are followed, our communities will be safer places for everyone, where integrity is honoured, accountability is practised and forgiveness encourages healing and does not conceal misconduct. For our purposes in this parish, a church worker is defined in the code as “a lay person who is licensed by the bishop of a diocese and any other lay person, who is employed by a church body; or who, for payment or not, holds a position or performs a function with the actual or apparent authority of a church authority or church body, including an office, position or function of leadership in a parish, diocese or General Synod body; as a member of the General Synod or a diocesan synod; as a member of a body incorporated by the General Synod, a diocese or a diocesan synod; as a churchwarden, member of any parish council or member of any committee constituted by or by the authority of the General Synod, a diocesan synod or a parish council; in respect of whom the church authority has adopted this Code”. Although not bound by the promises made by clergy, church workers are expected to conform to the same behaviour and practices as clergy—except in areas that apply only to clergy. The code covers five areas of behaviour: Pastoral relationships, Children, Personal Behaviour, Sexual Conduct and Financial Integrity. Faithfulness in Service combines aspirational and educational elements. It contains standards that express practices that the church expects its clergy and church workers to adopt. However, there are no sanctions in the Code, or in church law, imposed for the violation of the Code. Consequences may flow only where the violation breaches an existing legal standard. As a church, we are not implementing this code just because of some legal obligation. Everything in Faithfulness in Service has a basis in Scripture. Much of its content can be seen either in the Ten Commandments or in the ministry of Jesus – how he related to those with whom and to whom He ministered. Even if you are in possession of a Blue Card and the requisite Police Checks have been carried out, it is incumbent on every Office Bearer and Church Worker, especially those who have any contact with children or youth to be aware of this national code as adopted by General Synod in October 2004, and revised by General Synod Standing Committee July 2005 and ratified by our Diocese here in North Queensland. We will be working our way through this document once we have had our Annual General Meeting. In a bulletin insert I asked all office bearers, Youth workers, Sunday School workers, Authorised Lay Ministers (previously known as Eucharistic Assistants), Bible Study leaders and hosts, Welcomers (the list goes on) to attend four training/information sessions at dates to be confirmed next year during which we will look closely at the document and consider such topics as: Why have a code of ethics? What are its merits? Key terms, Putting the code into practice, Power in Relationships, Boundaries, Personal Behaviour, Sexual Conduct, and Financial Integrity We will use some questions from a guide especially prepared and developed by the Professional Standards Implementation Task Group of the Diocese of Brisbane to assist in the process of consideration of the Code in parishes and some relevant topics from another study guide from the Diocese of Tasmania, which was developed to help parishes and organisations understand and commit to the code so that church communities are safe and healthy places for everyone. This training does NOT in any way reflect on the commitment of all past or present church workers, paid and unpaid, in this parish who have, I am sure, sought to uphold the ideals that are set out in this code. The Professional Standards Commission of General Synod makes the pertinent point that “Little will have been achieved by the adoption of Faithfulness in Service if it is not understood and used. Making our Church a safe place for everyone will require ongoing commitment and vigilance, and adherence to the standards and guidelines in Faithfulness in Service in pastoral ministry and personal behaviour is an important strategy to ensure this goal is achieved”. Thank you again I want to thank all those who have
I believe that we are a welcoming hospitable Christian family and that this is an aspect of our communal life that we should continue to develop as we reach out into our community. If we work on our strengths, while being aware of our weaknesses and where perhaps we fall short; if we work and pray determined to be the kind of church that God has called us to be; if we are able to discern the priorities we need to address, then surely by God's grace, He can cause us to be a blessing to our community and we will grow again and fulfil the mandate He is giving us. Can we offer ourselves to God for REBIRTH and do the hard work through REDFINITION and REDEVELOPMENT that will bring about a new Ascension parish? Thank God for all who have gone before! But they have handed the baton on to us. What are we going to do with it?
The ABC’s of our Portfolios A Tool for the use of the Parish Council at The Anglican Parish of the Ascension, Heatley.
A HistoryThe concept of ‘portfolios’ for the management of parish affairs was first implemented over 10 years ago. Such a reference is found in the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting of 9 March, 1997 when the Reverend Ian Thomson was Rector (April 1995 – June 1999). At that time 19 portfolios were created covering such diverse areas as Building and Grounds, Prayer Partners & Rosters. It was reported that the purpose of these portfolios were to ensure that each Parish Counsellor was actively involved in a specific area. This initiative actually developed out of a strategic planning exercise undertaken in 1996 where we developed a Parish Mission Statement, set 6 strategic goals and identified ministries aimed at meeting those goals. The appointing a person to a portfolio was NOT so that one individual was then required to do all the work. Rather, each portfolio was meant to involve a team ministry with the holder of the portfolio being responsible for the organization and coordination of the team. When reviewed some felt that the introduction of the portfolio system was partly successful, but that it had notable deficiencies; Most of the portfolio holders were unable to organise an effective group to undertake the work (no team developed). Some of the portfolio appointments were made without proper consideration of the person’s spiritual gifts (filled by default). Some of the portfolios should never have been classed as portfolios, eg Sunday Evening Services (it was too specific). In 2004 the Parish Council (PC) undertook a profound change of direction. They agreed to make use of a gifts oriented training program to help parishioners to determine how they could best serve God. The material chosen was called “Networking”. The PC then committed the Parish to learning more about how they all could individually contribute to the life of the whole Parish. This was achieved through a concerted effort of teaching, a Parish Camp focused on Networking and presentations & discussion on a revamped portfolio system which they would then vote on at the 2005 Annual General Meeting (AGM). During 2004 a team from the PC prepared the material and presented it to each congregation (this manual is derived from that material). During the presentation a description of the past was given, and explanation of the purpose for change and a clear description of the procedure, process and duties of electing people into the portfolio system. Included was an explanation of how the system fitted in with the existing canons and the responsibilities of Parish Counsellors and the thrust of the Covenant Commitment that was current within the North Queensland Diocese called A Future with Hope. See http://anglicannq.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/a_future_with_hope.pdf and http://anglicannq.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/a-future-with-hope-planning-for-the-future.pdf The purpose of the training was clearly presented as “To organize the portfolio system in a way that will be more conducive to its successful operation with respect to: Lay people accepting their responsibilities as disciples of Jesus. Servanthood and commitment within the Parish Council. Ministry in relation to Spiritual Gifts. Genuine team ministries. At the 2005 AGM the Parish agreed to the concept and had nominations and elections of portfolio leaders. At that time the PC was mostly made up of councillors who were nominated to be active within their respective portfolios. (This effectively meant that the Rector of the time chose to forgo his privilege of directly appointing one third of the councillors). The understanding, acceptance and practical outworking of the portfolios is still developing and your understanding of this system will be a contributing factor toward its shape in the future. Building MinistryThe Parish of the Ascension continues to seek to fulfill its mission “That we offer ourselves to GOD as a living sacrifice through Jesus Christ our Lord to be sent out in the power of his Holy Spirit to live and work to his praise and glory.” We believe this will, in part, be achieved by enabling God’s people in the parish to do the good works that God has prepared in advance for them to do (Ephesians 2:10). The Network principles remain; The Right People... Your personal style determines HOW you will serve. In the Right Places… Your passion (God given desire) indicates WHERE you are best suited to serve. For the Right Reasons Your Spiritual Gifts indicate WHAT you will do when you serve. As a Parish Councillor you have been elected by a small team of supporters (your Nominator and Seconder) to be the portfolio coordinator. You have chosen your particular portfolio because you are passionate about what needs to be done and how. You have taken on the role of team leader because you have a leadership style and spiritual gifts that have prepared you. Of course, you are not on your own! It is expected that your supporters are just as committed as you are to actively pursuing the aims and growing the areas of ministry within your portfolio. It is also expected that you will seek to gather like minded members of the parish to join your portfolio, to train them up and to provide the support and resources needed to enable those individuals to use their own personality, background, style, passion and spiritual gifts to serve the Parish, Diocese and wider community. Realistically that means you will need to; Contribute to the development and outworking of the overall Parish mission, Work within Parish Council guidance, Support other portfolio coordinators, Have team meetings (as often as needed), Plan together (what activities, resources, methods of communication etc are needed), Prepare and manage a budget (by request of the Wardens and the Treasurer), Encourage and support your own team, Recruit and train others for the work, Pray together with the team, and Give regular reports to the parish council. In some ways it is envisioned that your portfolio reflects the community and life of the wider parish community. While it could be assumed that all this ministry activity is based on the revealed will of God for us (found in the Bible and affirmed in our Book of Common Prayer etc), we live in a world where we are required to consent to standardized practices. This means that your plans and behavior are required to conform to National, State and Church laws and policies. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with safe and healthy practices. Of particular importance is making sure you have; a current Child Related Employment Blue Card, and understood and agreed to hold to the guidelines of the Faithfulness In Service document. Committing to Team MinistryThere are many benefits in being in a team, such as your own strengths helping others’ shortfalls and vice versa. There is also greater wisdom in a team, or a body or a church than in any individual (Eph 4). The Parish Council works best when it recognizes it is a team with joint responsibility for our own actions and for each other’s actions. The Canons of the Anglican Diocese of North Queensland also reflect the importance of each ‘office bearer’ working within the team. For your benefit we have included the following excerpts of relevant points to your work within this team. It in no way should be seen as a replacement for your own careful reading of Canon 2 or the Diocesan Information Document (DID) which is available in the Parish office and on-line; http://anglicannq.wordpress.com/about/diocesan-synod-canons/ http://anglicannq.wordpress.com/about/documents-and-forms/ 21.7 In every Parish there shall be a Parish Council (PC) which shall consist of the Incumbent, the Churchwardens and not less than three nor more than twelve parishioners as may be determined by the parishioners to be called councillors and to be chosen at the Annual Meeting. Of the councilors one third shall be appointed by the Incumbent and two thirds shall be elected by the parishioners The Council shall elect such officers (with the exception of a treasurer) as may be necessary for the efficient management of the affairs of the Parish. etc. The PC shall not meet less than 6 times in each calendar year at such times and places as it shall from time to time decide but so that a meeting is held at least once each 3 months. The quorum for a PC meeting shall be at least one-half of the councillors plus one churchwarden. The Incumbent may [and shall when requested in writing by the Churchwardens or a majority of the PC] ..convene a meeting of the PC by 14 days notice. Subject to clause 24.. the ministry and management of the Parish is the joint responsibility of the Incumbent, the Churchwardens and the members of the PC and to this end; (a) the PC may establish [Parish committees & PC subcommittees]..to further the ministry of the Parish; (b) the PC [prepares] ..an annual budget for presentation to and adoption by the Annual General Meeting; (c) [it is] the responsibility of the PC and its officers or committees to take all reasonable steps to adhere to the budget [unless a change is authorised]; Where there is a conflict between the specific duties of the churchwardens under clause 24 and the general duties of the PC under clause 21 of this Canon then the specific duties of the Churchwardens shall prevail. It shall nevertheless be the duty of the Churchwardens to regularly communicate and consult with the PC and give proper respect to the views of the PC as to the affairs of the Parish. It will also benefit you to know the particular roles of the Rector/Priest-in-charge and the Churchwardens. This short tool has begun the process of equipping you for your work within a portfolio by outlining three important steps; Acknowledge our history Build ministry Commit to working in a team You will need to do some important follow up reading and research. Please find and read the following resources; The Anglican Diocese of North Queensland:Each document can be found on line or ask at the Parish Office: Faithfulness In Service http://anglicannq.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/faithfulness-in-service.pdf Diocesan Information Document (DID) http://anglicannq.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/diocesan-information-document-january-20091.pdf Canon Law http://anglicannq.wordpress.com/about/diocesan-synod-canons/
Other resourcesRector Other Parish Councillors Review the Portfolio PowerPoint presentation (ask the Church Office for a copy) |