CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS--Participants in the March 8
to 11 ministerial conference at Lake Moogerah, Australia.
[Photo by Aub Warren]
By Aub Warren
LAKE MOOGERAH, Australia--Pastoral representatives from around our region gathered here for a four-day conference March 8-11.
The 70 participants represented about 20 areas, including Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the South Pacific.
Pastor General Joseph Tkach was the guest speaker and spoke to the group every day.
"The conference was a wonderful and infrequent opportunity for personal interaction with our pastor general," said regional director Rod Matthews. "Mr. Tkach's delight in coming here and his personal warmth and willingness to share social time with everyone in addition to giving presentations and answering questions is an encouraging example of servant leadership."
Many of the participants were attending for the first time. In addition to employed pastors and some elders, were pastoral team leaders and representatives.
Elder Larry Malmstone, from Brisbane, Queensland, observed: "We can see that people are alive and want to go out and bring Jesus Christ to people in their communities. We are going forward."
"Loving and sharing," was how his wife, Kay, described the experience. "It's been rewarding to see where the leaders of our church are. It's been positive and uplifting for us."
During the conference most participants discussed plans, issues, challenges and opportunities in their areas. Challenges ranged from responding to the financial restructuring in Australia to coping with the threat of violent persecution of Christians in India.
Daniel Zachariah, pastor in northern India, told of the nation's shock at the killing of Graham Staines, an Australian missionary. "People had not realized how far some of these people would go."
Mr. Zachariah asked for prayers for Christians in India during this often-frightening time.
Many areas reported on the emergence of new ministries, development of new leadership and identification of new opportunities for outreach, worship and discipleship.
Tammy Tkach and Sheila Graham, Women's Ministry Support coordinators in Pasadena, visited the conference for a day and made a presentation on women's ministry.
They were on a regional speaking tour that included women's ministry seminars, workshops and retreats in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore (additional coverage is scheduled for the May issue).
Bob Haanstra and Randall Bourchier, pastoral team members from the Wodonga and Melbourne East, Victoria, churches, led inspiring worship sessions every morning and afternoon.
During his first day address Mr. Tkach addressed internal and external issues facing the church. He highlighted the need to transmit the Christian faith to the next generation, giving congregations resources to live out the Great Commission and development of vision at the regional, congregational and local ministry levels.
"Every congregation needs to develop a vision for its role in its community," Mr. Tkach said.
He also urged pastors to ensure inclusive worship, rather than an exclusive emphasis on one style (unless a clear congregational preference exists), to mentor and harvest more leaders and to help the church learn to evangelize effectively.
Devoting a full morning to the changes to the church's worship calendar and understanding of Old Testament festivals and traditional Christian celebrations, Mr. Tkach warned against polarization around liturgical calendars. Christians focus on and celebrate God's saving acts in our lives through Jesus Christ, Mr. Tkach explained.
A three-day conference for Asian pastors followed the regional conference.
CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS--Participants in the March 8
to 11 ministerial conference at Lake Moogerah, Australia.
[Photo by Aub Warren]
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1999