As I reach the end of ministry training, I can think of many highlights and things I have learned over the past 2 years! Here’s a handful:
Training/Mentoring
I have received excellent training during MTS from many pastors and ministers of the word who have more wisdom and experience than I. I met weekly with Bruce, the senior minister of my church, to read Romans and debrief different ministries that I was involved in. It has been a joy to open God’s word with him and to hear from his years of reflections and insights, even as we both notice and learn new things. As we reach the final chapter this week, I am most struck overall by the power and transformative nature of the gospel: Jesus displayed his righteousness and faith to powerfully restore members of mankind who had neither, that we might receive grace and peace and be set aside for God’s purposes of multiplying these to others.
As well as personal mentoring we have enjoyed regular trainings from all members of our pastoral staff team across English, Chinese, and Persian ministries, and even our head of admin. Once a month we also train together with our student ministers. Topics ranged from theological deep-dives, to how to give a translated sermon, staff team and cultural dynamics, building gospel partnerships, a Q & A on ministry life, how to utilise cathedral architecture as a gospel aid, and much more!
Thank God for the excellent training and wisdom I have received from our church staff, and pray that I would continue to utilise and retain these learnings in ongoing service of God and his church.
Cornhill
Another highlight was studying at Cornhill, a program where we learn to read and teach the Bible to others. We have enjoyed a wealth of Sydney’s best preachers visiting to run workshops on their preaching methodology, an Old Testament overview covering almost every book, and regular opportunities to preach and receive feedback (11 times across 2 years)! From our first talk in Ephesians, we have gone on to experience preaching practice in the Gospels, other New Testament epistles, Old Testament narrative (Joshua), the law (Deuteronomy), major and minor prophets (Ezekiel and Malachi), Psalms, and a topical talk (singleness). In addition to this, we have made wonderful friendships within the cohort, and by the end of 2nd year we 8 classmates who remain have become close.
Here’s my last Cornhill sermon on Malachi 1:6-2:9! [Bible reading to ~3:16 mins]
In our final week of class, the 2nd years ran 2 hours of class time for the 1st years called Cornhill Gold. We enjoyed a talk on the importance of preaching, testimonies and highlights from our time at college, trivia on our coursework and classmates, a humorous pastiche ‘interview’ of some of our teachers (acted out by some 2nd years), and inaugurated the very first Cornhill band! This was followed by a luncheon with directors and teachers from the Cornhill program, as well as a graduation of those who were finishing the program. It was a great time to reflect on the past 2 years and to give thanks for all the things we have learned and grown in under God.
Praise God for 2 excellent years of time spent in his word and learning how to teach and preach, as well as the great friendships that we have built. Pray that we would continue to keenly study God’s word as an act of worship, even as we seek opportunities to teach others; and that we may maintain these edifying friendships as encourage one another in godly living and ministry.
Bible Times (121s/Growth Group/SRE)
Time spent in God’s word, and particularly opportunities to teach others, have always been a highlight of MTS. Some of these regular opportunities include 121s (I have met regularly with 5 men, with whom I have had the privilege of reading Colossians, Ephesians, James, Hebrews, Daniel, Malachi, 1 John, Revelation and more); Growth Groups; SRE classes at Parramatta Public School (occasionally Parramatta West too); Explore/Belong (our gospel presentation and Bible study for new members or those exploring the faith); and preaching at both adult and youth services at St John’s.
In these times, I am encouraged by opening God’s word and learning from it afresh as those I study with also engage with God’s word, bringing good questions or insights I hadn’t noticed. Early last year when I started 121s, I felt out of my depth at how to engage with the pastoral concerns of these men: “who am I to instruct them how to live?”. Yet, I have grown in confidence at letting God’s word set the agenda and sitting under it together with others, letting it challenge us both in how to respond faithfully and look to Jesus.
And over the course of MTS training, SRE has gone from something I feared to a highlight of my week! When I first began, I was frequently humbled by my weakness of inability to capture the attention of the students and helping them settle for the lesson. I frequently prepared lessons that were too long and complex, and learned that I had to work hard at having a clear and simple idea. Yet I remember one week in particular when I became frustrated at the students not listening and feeling like I had utterly failed: Preeti, who I teach alongside, sat down over craft and asked the students to recount the lesson. They repeated concepts almost verbatim. I was floored that God had been at work through his Spirit to teach the students even when I felt utterly incapable. Although I am not naturally gifted at getting children excited to learn, and I have been regularly humbled by my inability to meet varied learning needs in a classroom of Kindy-Year 4 kids, I have grown to love the regular yet short time we have each week to share gospel truths with them. I can see that God is at work to establish these children in faith so that they may always lean on him.
Praise God for the many opportunities I had to read the Bible with people from all ages and stages, and for the way that he grows faith in knowledge of the true gospel about Jesus in their hearts by his Spirit. Pray that I would continue to faithfully work hard at teaching God’s word in the ways that he provides, totally depending on him to transform hearts.
Music & Production Ministry
Overseeing our music and production teams has also been a great highlight, as well as a significant opportunity for me to grow in leadership skills. I have been so encouraged to see how our teams have grown in understanding of the gospel significance of their service, and to understand how they play a part in leading our congregations in hearing and responding to God’s word. We have had the privilege of partnership with the Emu Music team who have provided training and resources to all our team members at annual conferences and in-house workshops. I have learned important lessons about prioritising support and care of volunteer team members, not letting programs trump people, and learning how to lead with careful and thoughtful feedback. And week to week, I have loved playing and serving alongside men and women who have funnelled their wonderful talents towards glorifying God and loving their church members. We’re now gearing up towards our final 2024 services with Carols and Christmas Day!
Praise God for imparting his word to us in Christ that we may put on our new selves, characterised by Christ’s peace, love, and holiness. Pray that we would continue to lead our congregations in teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs as we utilise our gifts of music and production. And pray that our teams and I would continue to love and serve with thankfulness to God. (cf. Colossians 3:12-17)
Plans for 2025
At the end of these 2 years of training, I have great(er) confidence that God is accomplishing his work, and that he mercifully uses faithful service such as I can give to grow his kingdom. Next year I plan to take up a role in the secular workforce (hopefully utilising my studies from physics or history prior to MTS), as I continue to engage in ministry in a voluntary and unpaid capacity. I will return to being a non-staff member of the church at St John’s Parramatta. During this time, I plan to continue growing in maturity, life skills, and leadership qualities. God-willing, my plan is to continue to further theological study at Bible college within a few years that I might be further equipped for long-term full-time ministry!
Please pray that I would continue to love and serve God in my next stages of life, which in 2025 will be staying at St John’s while I grow in godliness and maturity through non-ministry full-time work.
Thank you so much for your support in prayers, finances, and encouragement as I have completed MTS training over the past 2 years! I would love to check in with you, especially if we haven’t had the chance to catch up this year – please shoot me a message if I don’t get to it first. My prayer is that God would continue to sustain and nurture your servant hearts that you may continue to see the fruits of your gospel partnership and ministry as people come to know Jesus. 😊
The Marsden Fund 