21^st September 2015

THESE TRANS-CHURCH RESOURCES

A range of churches enhance Christian mission and honour Christ by producing   many rich resources and aids. Resources offered on this page reach well beyond the materials and normal culture of the Uniting Church. This openness and flexibility is expressed by the Basis of Union when it says…Para 2

“The Uniting Church recognises that it is related to other churches in ways which give expression, however partially to that unity in faith and mission.”

FREE COPY

Australia’s Reformed evangelical periodical is known as the AP Magazine.

This relevant magazine is available as a ministry tool through the generosity and support of the Presbyterian Church of Australia. Subscribe for your own free sample copy at AP.ORG.AU

ON BEING VISIBLE - resisting conservatism

In order to survive in difficult times a church often adopts practises which are conservative, orthodox, exclusive, static and scrupulous. This is how institutions survive but it also how they die. Institutions are not going to change Australia but movements have changed nations. In fact it is difficult for the church to be in both mission-mode and survival mode at the same time. To make the invisible kingdom visible a missionary church needs to be open, flexible, reflective. experimental, dynamic and energetic. The British Prime Minister David Cameron has said, “Some people feel that in this ever more secular age we shouldn’t talk about things (his faith and the importance of Christianity). I completely disagree. I believe we should be more confident about our status as a Christian country, more ambitious about expanding the role of faith-based organisations, and frankly’ more evangelical about a faith that compels us to get out there and make a difference to people’s lives.”

THE GOSPEL COALITION AUSTRALIA

Launched in July 2015 this new organisation is made up of an alliance of well-known reformed evangelical leaders. Their aim is to serve the contemporary church in Australia by stimulating and equipping it with biblical resources. The Australian Council will seek to unite all Christians around the basics of the gospel. TGCA do not want to duplicate resources and they are aware that each state and territory are different but what is needed is Australian content for Australian Christians.

 During the launch it was said, “We are in the middle of a massive realignment of thinking and practise in our society—(1) a strident rejection of biblical morality particularly in the area of sexuality. (2) a decline in church attendance. (3) a loosing of traditional denominational allegiance (4) a need to pick up the baton as a key generation of leaders retire.” To check this out visit www.australia.thegospelcoalition.org

PARABLES -  The way of His words.

This unique DVD resource produced by retired music teacher John Hayles covers 15 of Jesus parables and sayings. The structure of this artistic work is a little like the Stations of the Cross. It is a reflective journey with repetitive calls to prayer and reflection. John has created melodies and harmonies from an ancient Jewish music scale and each gospel scene is introduced by a display of the song. Ideal for personal or corporate use. Enquiries or purchase Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Human Sexuality and “Same Sex Marriage”

Leading thinkers from the Sydney Anglican Diocesan Doctrine Commission have produced this timely, helpful resource. Chapter 2 exposes twisted interpretations of the Bible often used to support same-sex relationships, such as the Bible’s historical and cultural distance. Other parts consider “Arguing in the public Sphere” and “Ministering to those who experience same-sex attraction”. Positive guidance for pastors and churches. www.cepstore.com.au

CARE.

This English agency addresses many contemporary issues that are also common to our Australian context. Issues like Religious liberty, Euthanasia, Marriage and Family, Church leaders, Bioethics etc are approached in a refreshingly new way. It is worth visiting this site at www.care.org.uk

“WE BELIEVE…The Nicene Creed Today,” by Travis McHarg.

Take a look at this ancient confession accepted by Christian churches throughout the world and allow it to speak to you today. This booklet of 56 pages is very readable and in a clever way provides points to ponder on almost every page. This summary of vital Christian belief brings an awareness that we are a part of the Church through the ages. Ideal for use by small groups. For your copy contact Travis direct at (03)97621313 or mail Marcia Press, 221 Boronia Rd Boronia 3155.

IMAGES OF GOD LEAFLETS

The Judeo-Christian belief in the unique dignity of human beings is at the very foundation of Western civilisation. Available through the Canberra Declaration website these leaflets try to relate the doctrine of man created in the image of God to various issues we face in Australia today. You can download any of the following leaflets. (1) Jesus the Image of God, (2) Humanity and the Image of God, (3) Western Civilisation and the Image of God, (4) The Unborn and the Image of God, (5) Atheistic Evolution and the Image of God, (6) The Love of Money, (7) Pornography and the Image of God, (8) Bullying and the Image of God, (9) Genocide and the Image of God.

Website, www.canberradeclaration.org.au Phone (02)42729100.

HELPING DEMENTIA SUFFERERS

Beryl Rule writing for the Melbourne Anglican poses the question, “How can you love God when you have forgotten who he is?” In an ageing population many are confronted with the threat of dementia that involves a loss of independence. If a person’s mind or sense of logic has declined it is very easy to see the person as not being able to cope and to translate this to all parts of their lives. In a research paper Liz MacKinlay says, “The concept of God is deeply internalised and has little to do with cognitive function. Work in this area shows spirituality is not affected until the very late stages of dementia, if at all.”

Helping people to re-connect with meaningful experiences in their lives requires a person-centred approach allowing time and space for response.

MacKinlay runs a pastoral care group for prayer and meditation and she said that though participants were having difficulty articulating responses—they communicated through their body language and facial expressions. “You work from the assumption that the person is still there and affirming their dignity. If people forget God and their story, God will continue to hold them in his memory.”

SMALL STRUGGLING CHURCH OPTIONS

For all sorts of reasons many small churches are facing an uncertain future. Some small churches try to operate like big churches or follow ways of operating that no longer suit the circumstances they face. Sometimes we are fearful of flexibility. To face reality, to risk and modify practise is important in today’s world.

Where numbers are small rather than an appointed executive group or a regulated council there is wisdom in a simple approach so that when it comes to decision making everyone decides on everything. Sometimes it can be practical to keep up with mission news and to progress the business of the congregation by attending to it publicly every week. Extend the announcement time during worship gathering or afterwards over a cuppa attendees can be updated and decide on issues.

In some places finances can no longer sustain an ordained, resident or part-time minister. Some of the options below may help to stimulate creative, prayerful discussion.

(1) Inform the Presbytery Pastoral Relations Committee of your circumstances but ---take initiative by seeking out a suitable person who relates to your Congregation and who could be recommended to Presbytery as a Lay Pastor. (2) Negotiate something appropriate, affordable. Adopt a local mission project-direction and seek Synod funding. Explore working with a Uniting Care agency. Many congregations operate Opportunity Shops as a source of income (3) Instead of trying to meet the regular expectations of a Uniting Church Congregation, seek recognition as a Faith Community, a small group with a mission project. (4) Continue your historic links with another Uniting Church as a partnership arrangement. Pool finances to share a part-time Pastor. Lease the manse or the church property. (5) Divide local ministry duties between two or three people. Arrange outside supervision and training. Seek permission for Lay people to conduct Communion. (6) Enter an agreement with the closest, well resourced regional church to supply regular visiting lay-ministry. Offer to provide pulpit opportunity for young people learning to preach or lead. (7) Agree to close weekly services and to transfer all members to the nearest functional UC church. However recognising the value of a Christian presence in a community agree to advertise local public worship once a quarter and on special occasions.