15^th July 2019

A Bag of resources, information and items for Churches and Christian Leaders.

An Evolving Mission Direction.

Since the decision of the Uniting Church National Assembly 2018 to change the Christian understanding of marriage the church has been seriously fragmented and out of step with most other churches in Australia. Many UC churches particularly in South Australia and Queensland have chosen to stand apart from that decision and to shape a direction that honours the Bible and traditional Christian marriage. Although largely kept under wraps with little public recognition, the unity of the church stands sadly broken.

The Assembly of Confessing Congregations offers prayer via Rev Ann Hibbard. The Lausanne movement detailed below also offers a Devotional Plan that in a positive way focuses on mission.

Partnering in the Body of Christ for unity in Mission.

Jesus prays for his church to be one in unity working together to achieve the goal of world evangelization. Today as never before we need collaboration and strategic connections. http://www.lausanne.org

Interesting stats. tell a changing story.

A survey of 52% of UC Congregations completed in 2017 shows the following demographic:

• 66% of members are women, 34%,around half that number are men.
• 63% of church business is made up of funerals.
• 4% Confirmation or reaffirmation.
• 70 year olds are currently the largest age proportion.
• The smallest proportion are the under 40 year olds.

Historical mission Motivation.

Having known the transforming touch of God in their own lives, the following quotation from our fore-fathers reflects something of the, message, mission heritage and passion entrusted to the Uniting Church and its Agencies today.

“---They felt it to be an imperative duty and an inestimable privilege to lay themselves out for the salvation of others. They have gladly welcomed for Christ’s sake and the Gospels a life of continuous toil, of almost incredible privations, and of strenuous antagonism with evil, and this life they have lived without weariness, without murmuring, and without flinching.

With the love of Christ shed abroad in their hearts, they have been able to overcome the innate selfishness in themselves and others. Having been brought nigh themselves by the blood of His cross, they have been able to teach their fellows Gods way of peace.

Possessed with a deep conviction that Christian work can only be done by Christian people---they have gone forth boldly to spend and be spent for them ‘who had no true knowledge of Christ, and no good hope of heaven.’”

‘The Bible Christians” F.W. Bourne, Edition 1905, P99-100.

Colson Centre for Christian Worldwide. http://www.colsoncenter.org

This site provides compelling commentary on culture, politics, science and more.

“The world is confusing. The consequences of bad ideas deeply embedded in the way people think and live are devastating. Swimming against cultural currents has a great cost. The easy choice for Christians is to try to keep their heads down, blend in, stay silent, or even withdraw from the controversial conversations.

Christians have been used by God to transform some of the darkest moments in human history, because men and women of faith knew God had a bigger plan in mind, and stood up for the truth.”

The Colson Center provides solid, unique resources and training. This is a resource worth exploring.

A youth ministry resource based in USA.  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)>

‘The rising generation is deeply in need of answers to combat new cultural ideas that are not in line with God’s design for humanity. Ideas about sexuality, relativism, and sanctity of life are all swarming young adults’ minds. Without resources to strengthen their biblical worldviews, this next generation can easily be persuaded to walk away from their faith.’ (We urge you to check out this web site, to keep the Christian faith aflame. Read below how Jonathan was assisted.   This leads to an invitation to support Summit financially.)

“Jonathan is a 16 year-old high school student who attended a student conference in Colorado this summer. Growing up, Jonathan never understood why he was a Christian. He shared his struggle, saying, “Believing in God was never something I cared about.” Jonathan, along with many other young Christians, is susceptible to conforming to the secular ideas that are prevalent all around him. At Summit, Christian thought-leaders who are passionate about our mission come to impact students through their lectures and engaging discussions. Jonathan’s experience at Summit provided him with Biblical truths that solidified his faith. “If anything has saved my faith, this is it,” he remarked.”

Franklin Graham offers DECISION MAGAZINE.

People are encouraged to pray that God will use each issue of Decision Magazine to “give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians, ESV) The magazine features hard-hitting Biblical truth on current issues, articles by Christian leaders and updates on the work of the Gospel around the world.

You can become a partner in the Gospel and subscriptions are available by going on line to BillyGraham.org/magazine

Every moment of every day, someone in the world is actively exploring the Gospel through Search for Jesus ministry. See how many are exploring the Gospel at a given moment and which countries they are from, visit:SearchforJesus.net/pray

Rapid Response Team: The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team ministered to the people of Townsville where 3,000 homes were damaged by flooding. You can donate/learn more about the Response Team as well as receive a free copy of, “Through my Fathers Eyes.” .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Book: Red Alert: Purchase your copy for a winter read!!!

Gill Cann, the well-known Australian mission speaker/author asks the question “Does the Future have a Church?” In these days when we see the faith attacked on all sides. When the Christian faith is being set aside and ignored Gil Cann, after conducting missions in many churches across Australia knows the pulse of living the faith on the street where we live. He has produced an easy, down to earth book brimful of New Testament wisdom. A read to inspire. Cost $20 plus post. Email order now to,--- .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Pastor’s Heart for Senior Australian Christian Leaders.

The Pastor’s Heart is a new Australian pod cast aimed at serving senior Australian Christian Leaders. This is worth checking out. Dominic Steele speaks live each Tuesday afternoon to leaders on topics of vital current interest. May 14 Leaving gracefully from an apostate denomination. May 21 Lessons from the valley of Suffering. May 28 A Mentor when it all goes pear shape. http://www.thepastorsheart.net

Ed Shaw Visits Australia. ----a recognised global evangelical leader

“The insight of a pastor, the boldness of a prophet, the integrity of a true disciple, and the warmth of a friend.” Sam Allberry.

“Ed Shaw experiences same-sex attraction, and yet he is committed to what the Bible  says and what the church has always taught about marriage and sex. In a honest way he shares his pain in dealing with these issues—but at the same time, shows us that obedience to Jesus is ultimately the only way to experience life to the full.”

Ed will be in Sydney during August 2019. Visit. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) also the book “The Plausibility Problem” http://www.livingout.org

Another helpful resource book. “Walking with Gay Friends” Alex Tylee, IVP. Helping fellow Christians struggling with their sexuality without getting it wrong.

Christian Vision for Men   a UK based ministry seeking to assist Aussie men.

Working with Belgrave Heights Convention staff in Victoria. CVM Christian Vision for Men are interested in establishing a much needed ministry for men in Australia. Their vision. Men +.CMV + God ═ 1,000,000.introduced to Jesus. Visit cvm.org.uk and/or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Iran: Thousands turn to Christ.

ELAM Ministries magazine “Iran and Beyond” reports the following, “we are in a season of harvest. The scale of what is possible for the Gospel among Iranians is absolutely massive. I am convinced that millions of Iranians can be reached with the Gospel. The significance of this movement of the Lord for the Middle East is immense. Executive director Elam Ministries. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Slavery Exist Today,---an evil affront to God.

The Melbourne Anglican recently reported that Australia’s first Modern Slavery Act, which was passed after years promotion by church and civil groups, represented a milestone in the fight against the scourge of modern slavery. Toni Hassan a research scholar with the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture reported recently to TMA. She tells the story of Cho, a 15 year old boy from a Burmese family. He was locked in a room. He said, “I thought, ‘Why do they have to lock the door?” Cho’s photo was taken. “They said it was for a passport.” But Cho’s name was changed. He said, “I knew there was no way out. The police, the mafia and the traffickers were all working together.” The International Labour Organization estimates that there are about 40 million modern day slaves. It’s the fastest growing trade after the drug trade.

“We often think of trafficking in the sex industry but it accounts for only about a third of human trafficking. The majority is forced movement and labour across industries from fashion to seafood.” The Melbourne Anglican reported Toni Hassan’s story that said, “There were slaves and masters in Jesus time and there are slaves and masters now, It’s just that today, despite our access to 24/7 news media, slaves are largely hidden.”

More than 200 years after William Wilberforce it can be said slavery remains a shameful affront to human rights, human dignity and to God.

Toni Hassan is a board director with STOP THE TRAFFIK Australia, a broad coalition of church, social community and other organisations.