Highlights
Christmas services were a blast in December! I had the great pleasure of organising the music and musicians for our carols event on Christmas Eve, which included a mix of traditional organ and contemporary band songs. Our Christmas services followed on from our end-of-year series entitled Home for Christmas, looking at how God’s promises concerning inheritance of land and an eternal home culminate in Jesus’ incarnation into the physical creation (as read in John 1).
Praise God for a wonderful Christmastime and reminder of God’s redemption of his good creation, revealed in Jesus’ birth. Pray that those who heard the word faithfully taught would be strengthened in their love and knowledge of God, and that those who have not yet believed in his name would have the joy of doing so.
Between Christmas and early January I also had the joy of spending time away with my family on a short holiday break in Port Macquarie amongst other opportunities to rest, catch up with friends and family, and enjoy God’s creation.
Pray to thank God for his blessings of a beautiful creation, and of rest. Thank God for quality time spent with family and friends, and pray that I would be refreshed and ready as I jump back into regular ministry responsibilities this year.
In January, I also enjoyed attending the G8 conference at Stanwell Tops which gathered over 170 apprentices and trainers from across Australia. On the first morning I honestly felt tired and somewhat nervous, shying away from taking the first step to meet people. However, once I did so God quickly warmed my heart and I had many encouraging conversations and interactions with new friends. (I even solved my first cryptic crossword with some friends from Naremburn-Cammeray Anglican Church! haha)
This conference was a great way to kick off the year, with rich sessions of Bible teaching and much time for fellowship amongst MTS peers. Bible times included: reflections on endurance and courage shown by Jeremiah and his servant Baruch in an environment which was hostile to the gospel (Ch. 36/45); ministry principles that shape our character, convictions, and competency (e.g. “God is worthy of all glory”, “God is relational”, “God speaks and God is sovereign”; “God is seeding his kingdom”); and a workshop on men and women serving together in ministry.
A highlight of the conference was network groups, as I met daily with a handful of other 2nd-year MTS trainees to share our ministry highlights, lowlights, and learnings and pray for each other. I got to hear about different ways people came to consider full-time ministry training, and the different gifts and passions these peers have to serve God and his people in their contexts.
Pray to thank God for a great G8 conference, despite my initial hesitation. Thank God for the many MTS apprentices and trainers across Australia who have committed to being trained (or training others) for a lifetime of ministry. Pray that I will be able to implement my learnings, and retain these encouragements from peers, as I continue my training this year.
Learnings
As I settle back into ministry this year, I’m reminded of the challenge to faithfulness in all things big and small. It’s hard to get started on tasks which are not immediately rewarding or require more brainpower (including writing and compiling this newsletter haha). Indeed, in ministry I’m realising that there’s always more to do – I’m continuing to learn how to work sustainably, yet also switch off for the day, ensuring that I entrust the rest to God who is able to do immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine (or do!).
As a leader, I’m also learning how to set clear expectations and to be a source of help when needed. A recent stress point for a leader under my care resulted from them feeling like they were expected to do many things, and that I was unwilling or unable to help them. Praise God for a helpful phone call which helped to clarify their tasks and leadership sphere, and enabled us both to move forward in a clear direction with a strengthened relationship! I have been learning that lack of initiative on my end is often a weakness in identifying ministry difficulties before they escalate. Yet I was encouraged to see this leader reach out and discuss these challenges with me, and seek for us to put them before God in prayer.
Pray to thank God for the ministries he has given me and others to do, and pray that I would continue to be faithful in big and small tasks. Thank God that he continues to grow and sharpen me for his use, and pray that he will strengthen my leadership skills so that I can help other leaders feel comfortable, clear, and supported in their own ministries.
The Marsden Fund 