A monthly time of connection & inspiration

This year we are launching Insights, the next iteration of the Live Q&A followed the week after by Insights News, formerly Pastors eNews. We’ll still be delivering the latest COVID-19 updates, but we’ll also be diving deeper into different areas of Leadership, Health, Mission and Justice across each 1-hour session. Allowing each session to become an Insight into one of these areas.

So, what can you expect?
Insights will take place on a monthly basis through Zoom and our next session is on 18 August at 1pm. This session will be with Sam Sterland, from NCLS

Who is Insights for?
Insights is for any leader within your church. This means the obvious leaders like Pastors (Senior, Executive, Associate etc), but it also extends to leaders outside of pastoral ministry (Secretaries, Treasurers, Elders etc). You may also choose to use this as a leadership development tool for people you see leadership potential in.

How do you register?
You will need to register for each month you would like to attend. Once registered you will be sent the Zoom meeting information.

Register Here
View Resources

Leadership Conversations – August 4
If you enjoyed what Kylie bought to Insights this month, get ready for Leadership Conversations on August 4!

You’ve heard the phrases – we’re living in unprecedented times, our approach needs to be agile, we really need to re-think, re-imagine, re-discover (or just plain pivot) – but what does all that mean for our leadership? As common and cliche as these observations have become we can still find ourselves wondering about the implications for our roles as leaders. What exactly do we need to do differently? What exactly will it take? And how can be equipping others for what the future holds? Leadership Conversations is that place for you to explore with your team what’s needed in leadership going forward.

Kylie will be delivering two keynote sessions followed by a Live Q&A. Session 1 is about the issues we are facing around how we lead into the future. What we need to be aware of as leaders as we look toward an increasingly complicated, disrupted, and uncertain future? Session two will touch on the personal and organisational shifts we need to make as leaders to ensure growing effectiveness, sustainability, and impact.

Ministry Survey Results 
Following our recent Ministry Survey, we reported on these findings. Watch the recording from the session for more info (from 45mins) or if you are a Leader or Pastor in a NSW or ACT Baptist Church; join our Facebook Group (Pastors and Leaders) to unpack these results together over the coming month. 

We also briefly revisited the Cycle of Discovery. More information about the Cycle of Discovery can be found here: https://nswactbaptists.org.au/project/cycle-of-discovery/

Other Initiatives Discussed Today: 

  • GodSpace Relaunch
    GodSpace is an incredible Special Religious Education (scripture) resource developed by us, here at the Baptist Association of NSW & ACT and it’s used in schools all across Australia.
    We’re making big improvements to the way GodSpace looks, the content, the curriculum and the activities. With plans to add videos, create new graphics and artwork, provide a new design and layout, plus refresh the curriculum. In addition, we want to produce online training videos to help our wonderful GodSpace teachers continue to improve their knowledge and skills.
    The aim is to raise $150,000 before the end of June and as a church committed to local mission, we’re inviting your congregation to join with others to help achieve this goal. Find out more about how you can give here: https://mailchi.mp/c2b0960036fa/godspace-redevelopment-appeal 
  • Morling Residential College Accommodation 
    Morling Residential College is an On-Site accommodation venue for the Ministry and Learning Centre, and Morling College. Offering fantastic rates and accommodation options suitable for Singles or Couples, modern amenities and private bathrooms. Find out more or book here: https://bookings.morlingresidential.com 
  • NCLS
    Our Association has had a strong connection with NCLS over its life. We believe that participation in NCLS is of great benefit for the local church in assessing mission and ministry, resourcing good reflection on the present and creative thinking about the future.
    Because of this we are making a major investment in the 2021 survey. We will be offering the Church Census, Leadership Survey and Church Life Survey free of charge to all NSW&ACT Baptist Churches, fellowships and church plants.
    The survey is scheduled to take place between October and November this year, with results available in 2022. To register your interest, please visit https://www.2021ncls.org.au/ for further information. If you have any further questions, please contact the NCLS office or our Association NCLS Coordinator, Steve Hales, at shales@nswactbaptists.org.au.

Upcoming Events

 

 

FORM Conference
Join us for FORM: One movement. Every place. -7 weeks to go!!
Form is a three afternoon festival of ideas, storytelling, masterclasses, networking, team building and much more. Form will shape evangelism and church planting in the Baptist Churches of NSW and the ACT as we see a movement of a thousand healthy churches in a generation. 

We look forward to joining you on July 5-7, as we explore and engage in God’s mission. Being light in the darkness, bringing hope where there is despair and freedom to the oppressed.
Find out more here: http://4m.org.au
Or register here: Registrations now open

40 Days of Prayer Resources:
One of the Strategic Priorities for our movement is to press into initiatives that focus us around prayer. This follows on from the Prayer Commitment that was unanimously adopted at our September 2017 Assembly, that “We call on all within our movement to a renewed commitment to prayer both individually and corporately for revival & renewal across our churches and throughout NSW & ACT.” 

From Monday 19th July* people will spend the next 40 days going through the booklet that contains short devotions, and prayer points from the Association that tie into one of the aspects of our Gen1K vision. On Day 20, we encourage you to have a half-day gathering that follows the prayer guide of “A.C.T.S.” – Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving & Supplication. At this point we will also encourage you to add fasting to your final 20 days of prayer. Carolyn Altman will be doing some teaching on prayer and fasting in the May session of Insights, to help you be able to encourage your congregation to get on board.
Download the resources for 40 Days of Prayer here: https://nswactbaptists.org.au/40-days-of-prayer/

Disaster Recovery Grants
In addition to assistance of up to $1,000 per individual or family to provide for emergency need assistance, the Baptist Association NSW & ACT is currently offering disaster recovery grants of up to $10,000 to churches in NSW and ACT.  The purpose of these grants is to assist a church with a project that:

  • Promotes disaster recovery in affected communities (in line with the PBI)
  • Provide for physical, mental or emotional well-being of a community, particularly in areas of critical need

To find out more about the Disaster Recovery Grants, click here: https://nswactbaptists.org.au/disaster-recovery-grant/

Here are the prayer points from today’s session:

  • What is something that impacted you about Carolyn’s presentation?
  • What are some effective prayer initiatives or experiences you’ve been part of in your church or ministry context?
  • What stories of answered prayer can you share?”

The Gathering & Annual Assembly:
During our Session we heard from Steve Bartlett & Grae McWhirter about our upcoming Annual Assembly and The Gathering Conference. The theme for The Gathering this year is Saved, Called, Sent and will be unpacked through sessions with our main speakers: Steve Bartlett & Melinda Cousins.

To find out more information or regsiter to attend The Gathering visit: https://www.thegathering.com.au.

Insights into Redefining Success: 
This month’s guest speaker was Omar Djoeandy. Resources from Omar are available below:

Forming Church Podcast: 
During our session we heard the exciting news that the Fomring Church Podcast is about to launch Season 2!

Forming Church is all about exploring what church planting, mission and evangelism could look like in our rapidly changing world. It seeks to create content that generates learning and conversation around these areas, while resourcing the next generation of planters, urban missionaries and followers of Jesus in contemporary Australian contexts.

Check out Forming Church Podcast here: www.gen1kmission.org.au/formingchurchpodcast/ or on your favourite podcast app, and make sure you subscribe, rate, review and share to increase the impact!

Ministry Survey 
This survey looks at the way your church is approaching ministry pre-post covid. It seeks to help identify the resources, training and development you may find useful individually and at a church level and ultimately will inform how we are supporting churches accross 2021 and beyond.

All information provided is completely anonymous and will greatly impact the way we can continue to grow together.

Complete the Ministry Survey here: https://nswactbaptists.org.au/2021-march-ministry-survey/

 

Mental Health Resources: 
During our session, we heard from Fiona Gardner (f.gardner@nswactbaptists.org.au). Fiona has developed some key factsheets which can be accessed below

COVID-19 Return to Church Survey
Coming Soon!

Childrens and Families Connect Day
This year the theme for the Connect Day is Refresh Reorient.  Whether you are a volunteer or in a paid role, Sunday kids program leaders, volunteering in kid’s clubs, playtimes, SRE teachers, holiday programs or intergenerational ministries there will be something for you. Find out more here!

Special Assembly
During our session we spent time in prayer. If you would like to find out more about the Special Assembly or you would like to register, please visit: https://www.thegathering.com.au/special-assembly-2021/  We will also be hosting a Special Assembly Prayer meeting on

Here are the prayer points from today’s session:

  • Pray for the team behind the scenes organising the logistics/planning for the Special Assembly. Pray the team does not become overwhelmed with the fluid changes around COVID-19 but embrace the opportunities before us and trust that God will pull everything together.
  • Pray for the outcome of the day and the result of the motions that will be voted. Pray that God’s will, will be done.
  • Pray for protection over people across our movement that may have anxiety and uneasiness over the matters to be discussed and that they may sense God working in and through the situation.
  • Pray for Steve Bartlett (DOM) and Jamie Long (Chair, AC) as they prepare for the discussion on the day and finalise the process for leading Assembly. Pray for wisdom as they navigate how to allow space for voices to be heard and discussed in a God-honouring way. 
  • Pray for God’s hand of protection and provision over the technology/live stream on the day as we are likely to have 8 venues across NSW/ACT;
  • Pray for understanding, considerate and thoughtful conversation on the day. Pray for understanding, God honouring conversation and that there be a sense that God’s Spirit is present and His hand of protection is over the discussions to be had.