Regional Snapshot
From Rod & Ruth Matthews, Australia and New Zealand
Team ministry,By Aub Warren
B
URLEIGH HEADS, Australia—A review of the year’s activities in the church was a feature of discussions when the incoming members of the inaugural Australian church board met at the Burleigh Heads national office Nov. 18 and 19.Rod Matthews, regional director, John McLean, church development director, and Aub Warren, media director, presented reports on the church’s regional, church, college and media operations. David Jordison, Support Services director, provided budget details.
The annual review highlighted some encouraging news on several fronts:
Church
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Training, equipping and team ministry have been important themes, and this emphasis is clearly bearing fruit in a number of areas. More people are becoming involved in ministries and more congregations are reaching out to serve and equip other congregations.The Mooralbark Community Fellowship in Victoria was highlighted as one outstanding example of successful team ministry, building on its resources by using the Natural Church Development program, enrolling its pastoral team in Pacific College ministry courses, and actively reaching out into its community.
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The emergence of a new crop of young people involved in ministry and bringing a fresh approach to the work of the church was identified as a particular blessing to the fellowship.*
Stage one churches (maybe a small group meeting for an informal service) and stage two churches (able to sustain a regular service and provide lay pastor care) are being served with regular mailings, tapes and assistance with local advisory council set-ups.*
Important long-term structural work such as the transition from the National Advisory Council to a board structure is well under way, and the re-registration process is proceeding well, along with accomplished tasks such as the Membership Statement.
Finances
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For the first time in many years, total year-to-date income from congregations is up over the previous year. Income from congregations is up 2.5 percent over last year. (This is a national average and varies from congregation to congregation.)*
The impact of the financial restructuring is bearing fruit as congregational income grows and as congregations apply their resources directly.*
Several areas have increased their contributions to assist central denominational support activities this year.*
A large estate donation for the college and media was a special (and timely) blessing this year.
College
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Pacific College of Training & Development has completed its first term with 69 students participating in three different correspondence, Internet or intensive classes.*
Excellent feedback has been received from those who have studied this term.*
Plans for professional development programs to be offered in 2001 are now under way.*
The college also offers the potential of additional income streams and cost savings.
Media
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Living Today continues to be a vital community outreach tool for congregations, with distribution rising from 18,000 per issue at the start of the year to 29,000 at the end of the year, with a peak of 34,000.*
Living Today Media income rose by about 10 percent in 2000 and is well positioned to cut into its operating deficit in 2001.*
The Living Today Bookstore was launched in 2000.*
Living Today won three honors at the Australasian Religious Press Association (ARPA) awards.*
LTM also provides internal church media services such as The Worldwide News, the new Membership Series published in 2000, Snapshot videos, sermon videos, and letters, and support for Pacific College and church training programs.
The Region
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The development of local leadership has been a focus in most areas of Asia and the Pacific Islands this year.*
Education programs in Sri Lanka and Thailand are reaching out into the non-Christian community.*
A community counseling service has been established in Hyderabad, India.*
A small group in southern India is growing into a congregation.*
Excellent growth and awareness of the church is occurring in Vanuatu on the island of Malekula, with the church becoming the center of the community.*
Humanitarian assistance to Karen refugees on the Thai-Myanmar border continues to provide vital relief.
Challenges
Several significant challenges remain for 2001:
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Encouraging more take-up of the team ministry approach.*
Equipping pastoral teams and other ministry leaders with appropriate skills.*
Identifying and developing emerging leaders in congregations.*
Improving denominational communication with congregational pastoral teams and advisory councils.*
Increasing Pacific College and Living Today income.*
Reducing the central administration deficit by increasing income rather than further cutting programs and support.The board members expressed their thanks in prayer for the many blessings God has bestowed upon our fellowship this year.
"It has been another challenging year, but it seems clear that there is a new, positive atmosphere, with more people becoming more actively involved in our work together," said regional director Rod Matthews.
"We can all celebrate a year of hard work and productive outcomes," said church development director John McLean. "And we can all be reminded of how gracious God is to us as we seek him and his will."
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2001