The October Presbyterian Pulse reveals the developing plans which the Presbyterian Church in New South Wales is making to plant new Congregations, renew existing ones and train those who will work in the harvest fields.
Ministry and Mission Convener (Chair) Jeff Read identifies two areas of priority: ‘ From a human perspective, this is reflected when God’s people, in prayerful dependence on Him, evangelise His world, edify one another, enfold believers into the fellowship of faith and exalt His name and nature… for any strategy to be effective, it must acknowledge the Church’s complete dependence on God and be evidenced by enthusiasm for corporate prayer at every level of the Church’s operation. A second major part of the denomination’s ministry strategy must be the pursuit of a culture of peace. It is imperative the denomination does more to equip people to engage in conflict constructively and that it has available trained and skilful operatives when conflicts cease to be constructive.”
It will be helpful to consider the further outcomes of these formulations.
Other features include articles on Richard Wilson and the Indian Reform Fellowship (IRFA); an update on the continuing development of Child Protection Policy (the NSW Presbyterian Policy is used by Presbyterian Churches in South Australia); a report on the Embers To A Flame conference, led by Harry Reeder and others and held in Parramatta; news about a Congregation in Mittagong which has ‘replanted’ itself to reach out in Bowral; along with introductions to Ministry Internships, Distance Education and Cafe Theologica.
There’s also a profile on Grant Thorp, pastor of Randwick Presbyterian and father of sons with health issues that often result in learning disorders. Randwick has continued to grow as a purposeful, outreaching church as Grant has sought to grow and care for his family.
Chris Balzer provides another moderator’s article, this time challenging those who forsake gathering together with God’s people.
There’s an article ‘Calvin on Prayer’ as well as book reviews of ‘The Prodigal God’ by Tim Keller; ‘Ella’ by Madeleine Witham and ‘Prophets And Loss’ by Martin Roth. One theological, one touching biographical and one fiction, how’s that for balance.
Peter Barnes gets a lot of ‘Last Words’. This month’s is titled ‘the loving submission of the wife’. (Ephesians 5:22-33) That Peter is never one to look for controversy.
Anyway, download yourself a copy, either using the link at the top of the page, or visit the the PCNSW website and read away.
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