mgpcpastor's blog

This is a brief overview of the annual meeting of the Australian Presbyterian World Mission Committee.
Each year representatives of the state churches meet and consider policy issues arising from the operations of working groups which are based in New South Wales (Sydney).
So our functional brief is review, advise and endorse our ongoing work of providing an umbrella of support and accountability so individuals and local churches can assisted in their work of Gospel work in the nations.

The early part of our meeting was comprised of hearing personally from Reverend Daniel Marcal (Moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of East Timor), and then considering and approving the recommendations which had been formulated at a previous meeting.
Briefly put, our policy now is that the Synod of the EPCTL will communicate their ongoing priority needs and costings to us and we will send a block grant four times a year which they can spend on these needs in the most appropriate way. Hopefully this will serve to regularise the flow of support, moving us away from single item/emergent appeals to a more consistent expression of assistance. The Synod will grow in their administrative and planning skills as a result.

A decision was taken to resume the Meal For Mission, a time when churches can collect the cost of a foregone meal from amongst their members and send the proceeds which will be pooled nationally for particular projects.

Cape York ministry was considered. The challenge of fostering a ministry among the indigenous, local and itinerant components of the community was recognised. Much consideration is needed as to what would be most appropriate for the future, recognising that whatever we seek to offer needs to be welcomed by the community.

Alex Shaw presented his convenor’s report. This report expressed his overview of how the national body has interacted with state activities, partner churches, and individuals who serve cross-culturally under the covering of mission partners.

Kevin Murray presented his report as director (effectively the executive officer). Spoke directly about opportunities in the renewed national journal and the state church news papers/magazines. Also a new prayer directory is being produced. We noted the completion of service of some cross cultural workers, approved work partner projects for Vanuatu, agreeing to open the composition of those teams to various age groups.

Alex Ralston presented the financial report. This part of the meeting contains sensitive issues as we seek to balance people’s sense of calling with the resources which have been forthcoming to pursue their calling cross-culturally. The huge spread of sources from which money is collected and the numerous situations and individuals to which money is sent make this aspect of our work very demanding. But it means that givers and receivers don’t need to be caught up in time consuming and tricky book-keeping and transfers. We have some resources in reserve which we need to think wisely about whether they are best used in specific contexts or should be put to use in ways that grow the national reach of the work.

The state committees gave input about their activities, particularly the growing trend to partner church arrangements in Africa and South East Asia.

The growing number of churches and individuals engaged in aspects of partnership in cross-cultural work in our denomination is the fruit of the increasing skill and focus of the APWM federal and state committees in encouraging and facilitating this aspect of our shared mission.