faithful leaders

When you think of people to fill church leadership roles and responsibilities, who do you think of?
We don’t often consider the faint-hearted. 
Looking at the letter of 2nd Timothy, and considering how timid, shy, and physically
unwell Timothy was, we might be surprised that God called him, and that Paul entrusted
the continuing spread of the Gospel to him.
This shows us that a church leader doesn’t need to be charismatic personality but 
more-so needs to be a faithful, spirit-filled, servant/leader, willing to use the gifts one’s
been given to advance the cause of the gospel, both in the church and the wider community. 
Our church leaders ought to be able to encourage people, furthering their faith and ensuring
that they have a positive church experience. As your Lead Pastor, this is my heart's desire. I
pray all who visit us and all who come regularly will experience the love of God and been
​drawn closer to him through our ministry and services.

Would you continue praying for me and all your church leaders, for our church worship services, and that all newcomers find a warm welcome and sense of belonging among us. I believe God wants to grow our Church so we all need to get on board with making newcomers feel loved and valued. Perhaps you could try talking to someone you haven’t met before over morning tea this Sunday? I’m praying that those who are shy or timid (like Timothy) will get out of their comfort zones and get onboard with the cause of Christ. Remember God has not given you a spirit of timidity and fear, but one of power, love and self-discipline (2 Tim 1:7), so get ready! He wants to use you for His purposes.

We continue to pray that God will fan into the flame the gifts he’s given each of us. We are praying that God will raise up new leaders to take on roles as Wardens, Parish Council Members, and may also find us a Bookkeeper with Xero experience/skills. If you sense God prompting you for any of these roles, please speak to me, or another one of our current church leaders. Nomination forms will soon be available and If God is calling you, I look forward to an awesome future, serving/leading together.

I am absolutely delighted to be Lead Pastor in this Parish Community. In an interview with the TMA this week, I was asked what my hopes for the future are? My reply was along these lines; “I haven’t got any plans beyond my current position at Mount Eliza. I’m really happy and settled here and would like to stay a long time. My hope and desire in this Parish is to see all the parishioners activated and operating in their gifting and developing more disciples who make more disciples” etc. 

In addition to leading my Parish responsibilities, I am extra grateful for the privilege of speaking into people’s lives in the wider community. On October 18 we will hold a valedictory service for Peninsula Grammar students. And last Monday I got to speak into the lives of all the staff at the beginning of term Chapel service. I was able to encourage them in their work and ministry to young people, which is deeply on my heart and hopefully on yours.

Persisting in prayer for all young people is so important! The prayer I prayed last Sunday for young people in our congregation and local community can be found below. I encourage you to pray it often/daily. Please pray also for the upcoming confirmation classes, and also the Minecraft Club starting up on October 28.

This coming Sunday I’ll bring a kids' message on 'Persisting in prayer' using Luke 18:1-8.
Alicia will then bring us an awesome message from 2 Timothy Chapter 2:1-13.
We hope you can be there for that!