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Gospel sharing in Nyah West

ACC Regional Conference 2011 - Nyah West

Gospel Central - Living Water

Early in the morning on Saturday 22 October, five cars with 17 people headed off from Kyabram headed off for Nyah West, a small town about 50km north of Swan Hill. We drove north following the Murray River, with our shared lunch packed in cooler bags. After travelling over 200km, we reached our destination, where we were met at the Nyah West Uniting Church by Mercy Hill and other local members. They were all busily setting up and getting ready to be inundated with ACC Regional members from across the state.
Rev Dr Max Champion, the ACC National Chairperson, had travelled with us from Kyabram, to be the key note speaker at the Victorian Regional Conference. It was here in Nyah West that we met some old friends and some new friends, who form part of the Victorian Regional membership. We were greeted with warm smiles, a welcoming cuppa and delicious homemade goodies. Approximately forty people from around 15 locations around the state were in attendance and it didn't take long for folk to get to know each other.
Max's first address, "Changing Landscape of Post Christendom" was based on the story of "the unknown God" in Acts 17:16-34, and we were blessed with a fresh view of the times and circumstances that Paul was speaking into. The story speaks into the interest in spirituality and the various religious and spiritual options, not necessarily Christian that the people of Athens are exploring. There were those who were very religious (not a compliment), there were the spiritualists, the epicurians and the stoics and all opinions were to be respected, but Paul was able to point the people of the time to the unknown God they worshipped. What is useful for us today is that changing landscape for Christians and the worship of other Gods' is not new. Even for Paul, there were those who didn't want to hear, those who wanted to hear more but only a few who chose Jesus. Max highlighted from Paul's experience that we should have realistic expectations of the numbers and the ways people will turn to Christ as a result of our work for the Lord.
Max continued by saying that the issues facing the catholic church are bigger than just the issues facing the local churches; it is not just the internal struggle for truth within the church. There are militant atheists, those who are hostile to Christians, and decisions made in the State and Federal Governments that are opposite to the values of the gospel, such as euthanasia, marriage and abortion. We are living in an age that has become immune to a degree due to the familiarity of the message of Christ preached and made available through media and through the modern paganism that is resistant to the gospel.
We broke for a feast of finger foods and fantastic country hospitality and were able to meet even more brothers and sisters in Christ. In the afternoon session Max delivered a short message from John's gospel and then Suzanna Gorman shared a brief report from the ACC National Conference. The presentation highlighted the work that the various ACC Commissions are working to provide a strong theological and biblical response to the issues facing the church and changing landscape we are now living in. We were able to look at the UCA's Basis of Union and compare it to the ACC Theological Declaration and see the similarities. In comparing both documents, it is clear that the ACC is not trying to divide the UCA as some groups have suggested but to be a light of truth for Jesus Christ, in the midst of change within the denomination that can appear erroneous. Some of the quality resources, sermons, bible study materials from high calibre writers that are freely available on the ACC website were highlighted, along with the new look literature and in particular the recent ACC Marriage Statement.
Max spoke again to the gathering and addressed some of the key issues arising in the UCA including marriage and in particular the sacred union ceremony that was put together by the UCA Working Group that blesses same sex relationships that is to be presented at the next Assembly in 2012. During an open forum time other issues discussed were the new faith movements, the challenges to marriage, family and need to uphold the gospel to be hope in the changing church and world.
To round out the wonderful day of fellowship, ministry, teaching and worship, we shared a "last cuppa" with the faithful ACC Regional members and ate some more delicious slice, (which we didn't really need) and then said our very fond farewells. The outside temperature had heated up quite a bit and we had a long trip ahead of us, but is was worth it. We had been refreshed and uplifted by the fellowship, the timely gospel message, the worship and the presence of God by his Holy Spirit amongst us.
Special thanks to our hosts, the Nyah West UCA congregation for their hospitality and great food, to Rev Dr Max Champion for his wonderful insights, teaching and warmness towards us all, to the musicians who lead worship and all those who assisted to make the day so worthwhile. From feedback received, the ACC Regional Conference is developing a wider fellowship and our aim is to provide a key time to support and encouragement to regional members, especially those in more remote areas, or members who are a minority in their congregation. Encourage your congregation to send a representative or if you are interested in hosting a Regional Conference, we would love to hear from you.
Suzanna Gorman - Facilitator Victorian Regional ACC

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