Hi everyone! After five and
a-half years, I believe that the time has come to conclude as Executive
Director of Mission and Ministry for Churches of Christ in Vic/Tas. I will wind up at the end of January 2014.
We’ve been working together to develop the core ministry policies, processes and framework to
sustainably resource our network of churches for mission. Having done the
groundwork, we are now moving to innovate and re-imagine for the
future. For the Mission and Ministry team with its many volunteers and taskforces, the
imagining and planning towards this is already happening.
At the 3DM training I attended recently, I was reminded that
there are only two discipleship questions. These are: “What is God saying to me?” and “ What I am I going to do about it?”
My belief
has always been that when you have a conviction that you are being called onwards –
you need to respond. God’s next thing often doesn't emerge until you take a first
step.
We’ve always had a heart for equipping disciples
and leaders for mission and for growing mission shaped communities. This
conviction is still strong, and we have a sense that we need to explore this further.
So, I’m
planning to use some time from February on, as a sort of ‘sabbatical’ in which to reflect, and
refuel. I am hoping to work on some training materials around formation and local mission. I am also planning to begin some further post-graduate study.
After that,
I could well imagine serving alongside an existing congregation, or maybe
being part of a new church project team, or possibly serving in a training
setting – or perhaps some combination of these. In time we will discover which door is opened.
It has been an
absolute privilege and joy to serve and learn together with an awesome team of
people – the Mission and Ministry staff team and Board, the hundred plus people on our
various working groups, those in the other leadership groups and departments,
and of course, the many, many congregations around two States. What a choice
group of people!
As Christmas approaches, may we together join the angels in singing: "Glory to God in the heavenly heights, and Peace to all men and women on earth who please him."
Peace!
Martin
