News

The Uniting Church of Australia has launched a new Safe Church resource kit to empower and include young people in discussions that affect them, as per the recommendations of the recent Royal Commission.

CCVT is partnering with The Grainshed Church of Christ to stock up their food pantry with good quality, non-perishable food to give away to families in need.

CCVT joins with the family of Rev Dr Gerald Rose in mourning his passing. A service will be held on September 23 at 2.30pm at Southern Community Church of Christ.

St Kilda Gatehouse is excited to announce the official release of ARISE (Australian Research & Innovation for Safeguarding against Sexual Exploitation), a part of St Kilda Gatehouse, and supported by Whitelion and Deakin University. 

Over the next couple of months we will be piloting some support for churches which will take the form of a four-day intensive visit, followed by up to a year of coaching support. The aim is to target key areas of potential growth unique to the relevant congregation.

For residents and communities in the City of Casey, the local council's Equipment and Training Grants open from Monday 3 September and close Friday 5 October.

The Australian Government is inviting applications via an open process for funding to support volunteers under the Volunteer Grants Activity.

I have been thoroughly enjoying my visits to churches, seeing a range of worship services and styles, and am keen to lock in dates to attend more of these over the next year. We are currently exploring ways of assisting churches with their growth and leadership development and will provide more information on this soon. In the meantime, I would love to hear from any churches specifically interested in discussing ways that we can help you.

Melbourne Hosanna Church are hosting a Safe Church Awareness Workshop on October 13, 2018, that will be simultaneously translated into Korean and Mandarin.

The National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Bill 2018 was passed on 19 June 2018 and received Royal Assent on 22 June 2018. This has paved the way for the Scheme to commence as planned on 1 July 2018. The CCVT Board is currently considering if and how we opt in and will update Affiliates in coming weeks.

A new issue of CCVT's digital magazine The Edition is now available.

Each year, CCVT awards grants to public benevolent projects of affiliated churches and agencies through a competitive application and review process. Through this support, CCVT can help address some of the community’s most pressing needs, including hunger, isolation, disadvantage, physical abuse, and substance abuse. 

The State of CCVT address is given by the Executive Officer of Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania Inc at the commencement of the CCVT Annual General Meeting. This year the address was given by the Interim Executive Officer, David Ratten.

This year’s Warmbrunn Address was  given by Karina Kreminski, Lecturer in Missional Studies at Morling College.

Karina Kreminski, Lecturer in Missional Studies at Morling College, spoke to us at the 2018 Churches' Summit on May 19 at Kardinia Church.

Leading change is one of the most difficult tasks of being a leader. In this session, Mark Conner presents a biblical model for leading change with courage, faith and wisdom.

Church leaders are called to be agents of change, courageously moving God’s people forward toward their God-given purpose. In this message, Mark Conner unpacks the key ingredients of the task of leadership.

One of people’s biggest pressures today is in the area of finances. In this message, Mark Conner equips church leaders to courageously train people toward wise financial management, including giving generously, saving and investing wisely, and living within their means.

In this message, Mark Conner provides a roadmap for the journey of faith. This will be of great assistance to church leaders in their own lives and as they seek to be guides to others in courageous discipleship.

The 2018/19 Recommended Minimum Remuneration Package for People in Ministry in CCVT, to commence on July 1, 2018, is available for download now.

The Board very much believes that the best way to approach the implications of the changed Marriage Legislation is to begin prayerful, respectful dialogue with a view to understanding one another better, and with the deep desire to preserve our rich heritage of unity and diversity Tasmania and Victoria.

Our friends and CareWorks Partner Foothills Community Care have launched their own Fairtrade and organic certified Foothills Blend Coffee label. This blend is available for order online for individuals and church cafes.

As part of the CCVT family of churches we acknowledge with sadness the unexpected death late last week of Bruce Kemp, aged 54.

I’m excited to spend time with you when we bring the Small Groups with Purpose Conference to Melbourne and Sydney in June. I look back over my 30+ years in small group ministry and realise that if I had been exposed to this kind of training earlier, the ministry work I have been involved in could have had even greater impact.

The CCVT Board announced some weeks ago that it had appointed a new Executive Officer. The name of the new appointee needed to be kept confidential until now, as they needed to inform their people and current employer of their decision and give adequate notice.

The latest Annual Report for Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania Inc is now available for download ahead of the CCVT Inc AGM on May 19, 2018.

Two part-time traineeship positions are currently available with Veta Youth.

As Ararat church, we are really excited about what God is doing in our midst. The last sixteen months have seen the Lord blessing our work, and twelve people have given their lives to Christ.

The way our congregation members give is rapidly changing and many churches are unprepared for the new digital economy. That’s why the new CCFS app is an essential giving option for churches and their congregations.

I've been looking after our 'Grow Groups' for three years now but always felt my meetings with the leaders were ineffective. 30 or so leaders would attend and one of them would ask me a question about their particular group. So, then I'd be addressing an issue that one of the groups had while 19 other group leaders and assistants were listening to something that was not relevant to them.

Walking to church shapes our expectations. It creates a space for preparation and reflection about what we will experience. In a busy world, walking is a change of pace, an opportunity to prepare for what we anticipate. 

The GMP Easter campaign, Walk for Hope, was held on Good Friday! Thank you for your involvement and support – raising funds and walking to church! 

CCVT is reviewing its investment in the Churches of Christ Centre at 582 Heidelberg Road, Fairfield. Part of this process has involved submitting a permit application for development to Yarra Council which has recently been reported in the media. 

A great interview can move, teach, and inspire. Churches of Christ in Australia invite you to capture stories of our people.

Stirling Theological College is very happy to inform you that the Stirling College Board has appointed Caroline Young as Registrar, following John Williamson’s decision to step away from the role as of 31st March this year.

May 17-19 2018

Kardinia Church, Bell Post campus, Geelong

For all leaders, ministers, Elders, Board members, volunteers, friends, and supporters of CCVT.

The Australian Government has introduced new legislation to strengthen the protection of privacy and personal information, and to improve organisational transparency regarding data breaches. This is known as Notifiable Data Breach (NDB) scheme and will come into effect on the 22nd February 2018.

Stirling Theological College is looking for a new team member to take up the position of Registrar for the College.

Q: Do I really have to sign in and sign out the kids every time?

A: Yes!

A wi-fi connection in a church or ministry site is primarily for the benefit of conducting ministry; indeed, in modern Australian context it is expected, if not required, in order for leaders to organise and run services and ministries. However, while making it available to all on the property may seem convenient or generous, it may make the ministry vulnerable to internet misuse.

The Victorian Reportable Conduct Scheme comes into effect for Churches starting 1 January 2018. 

The Scheme seeks to improve organisations’ responses to allegations of child abuse and neglect made against their workers and volunteers.

Each Affiliate is required to appoint a Safety Contact Person to be the local point of contact for any concerns about safety.

This responsibilities of the role may vary from church to church depending on church or agency size, relevant skill sets of leaders, and the administrative setup of your organisation. Many churches have chosen to appoint two people to this role, a male and a female. Keep in mind also that it doesn’t need to be someone already in a leadership role. In fact, the nature of this role means it is often suited to people who aren’t already busy with additional responsibilities. It is more important that they be approachable, calm, mature, and good under pressure.

Over a water cooler conversation at the CCVT office, Stuart Campbell and I mused on the potential savings and income opportunities that might come about by churches sharing information and working together in business and finance. How much money could be released for Kingdom good through closer cooperation?

An incredible opportunity to learn alongside like-minded change agents and pioneers in a course that will grow and develop your unique leadership gifts.

We are pleased to announce the adoption of Affinity:2 as the document that fulfills CCVT Inc Constitution clause 4.2 (a) (iii). Affinity:2 describes the relationship between the CCVT Board and Staff, and Affiliates.

As you may know, Russell Hoath is stepping down as the Insurance & Risk Management Director on December 31, 2017, but will be returning in the new year to work a couple of days per week heading up our new venture, Faith Insurance.

The Art of Neighbouring is a series of creative workshops about being an adaptive missional presence in your neighbourhood, for leaders of churches and agencies within CCVT.

A new CCVT policy covering Endorsement, and now Accreditation, has now been released and is in effect.

Want to train your church leaders and volunteers at a Safe Church Awareness Workshop but can’t find a date or location that suits your team? Consider hosting a Workshop at your own church!

A huge thanks to all those who have submitted dates for the Youth Vision Ministry Gatherings. Based on the availability given, the following dates and locations have been selected. If you cannot make your own region, please feel free to join another gathering. Simply RSVP by email to yv@churchesofchrist.org.au with your name, church, the names of any other leaders you are bringing along, any dietary requirements, and the Gathering you will attend.

Amy was having a moment of crisis. “I’m totally not cut out for this! I’m a terrible youth worker, I feel like I haven’t helped this girl at all!”

It’s late at night. Amy is 18, still in Year 12, and we are in the middle of the outback, somewhere between Coober Pedy and the Northern Territory border. Annually, Fusion, the organisation I’m a part of, takes young people through Aboriginal communities, helping suburban kids empathise with and value First Nations people. Amy comes from a middle-class Christian home, and her upbringing has been the kind that includes comfortable wealth, the safety of a loving family, and a supportive church. Many people would call her blessed.

I think it’s interesting that, in our modern presentations of the story of Jesus and his message, we often start with recognising the way in which it impacts upon us as individuals who are being eternally and spiritually redeemed, and from there widen outwards to recognise his impact upon society, humanity, and the world. This is in many ways the opposite trajectory to how his first disciples progressively encountered and understood Jesus and his message.

Victorian Affiliates are advised that they have a new legal obligation to ensure the safety of children in their care. Under the new duty, organisations are required to take reasonable precautions to prevent the abuse of a child by an individual associated with the organisation while the child is under the care, supervision, or authority of the organisation. 

We would love for you to be a part of conversations at the Youth Vision Ministry Gatherings. We want to get you together with others in your area who are focused on ministry with children, youth, young adults, and families.

Enrolments for Veta Morphus are now open for 2018, for Veta Neo, a program for teenagers in years 7 to 10!

After a period of reflection and some honest, frank assessments of our position this year, the decision has been made that Illuminate 2017 will not go ahead.

You are invited to take part in the Global Leadership Summit at a local church near you this October. Join with leaders from all over the world from the comfort of a local church to watch global speakers and meet other local leaders.

Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania (CCVT) aims to support all our Affiliates to be communities of hope and compassion that are safe places for everyone.  

Think of ‘family life’ and what immediately springs to mind? It might be seat-of-the-pants chaos, or perhaps order and routine bordering on the monotonous. If your experience of the family journey is anything like ours, ‘family life’ will probably sit somewhere along that spectrum at any given moment of any day or week, except for that precious, fleeting moment early on a Friday evening—the moment of the week when you collectively realise you have survived another one. 

It was November in 2009 and I was sitting a café waiting to meet my new boss. At the time, I was the Youth Pastor at Careforce Church (now known as Discovery Church) and while I was on annual leave I was informed of a restructure that had happened in our kids, youth, and young adult ministry. This restructure was to generate greater alignment between all these ministries and to create a seamless discipleship pathway from zero to thirty years old. So in my first week it was arranged for me to meet with Peter Lusk, who had taken on the role of Generations Pastor and talk about how this would be outworked and expressed in the youth ministry. 

The discourse of generations as a set of competing agendas and separate cultures has grown in credibility, fluency, and popularity. Gen X are renowned as whingers for their cries as the sandwich generation, and point the finger at Boomers for their economic woes; Boomers are accused of being narcissistic; Millennials are accused of being self-obsessed and unreliable, while Gen Y throw up their hands in exasperation at the property hoarding of the previous generations. We’re not sure what to call the next cohort—Founders, Navigators, Regenerators, Bridgers; apparently an MTV survey found 544 names for the post-Millennial generation. While we might not agree on the specific labels and reject some of the most heavy handed stereotyping, the sociological idea of defining people circumstantially and characteristically by their age remains a recognised point of reference in social commentary. 

The original custodians knew what it meant to listen. Silence was seen as an important practice, because how could you know if you didn't listen? All Gamilaraay learning concepts revolve around the ears. To listen is to learn. An ancient method still understood today is to "listen to country."

The Dareton Youth and Community Centre is a positive, culturally safe space where a crew of approximately 20 young Indigenous people hang out after school every day. The community centre is going from strength to strength with the new manager, Ilker Deli, who is supported by Jacqui Pasquale and the team from the Wentworth Joint Parish.

This year's theme for NAIDOC week is 'Our Languages Matter'. There are many inspiring and challenging things to learn about Indigenous languages in Australia: their diversity—there are over 300 languages indigenous to Australia; the way languages adapt and change; stories of the few surviving speakers of dwindling tongues, guardians of unique perspectives on the world, and revival, with communities working to reconstruct the language of their grandparents.

All Ministers, Elders, and other Leaders of Communities of Hope and Compassion affiliated with CCVT are invted to join one of the 2017 Regional Conversations. The focus of this year’s round of Regional Conversations will be Affinity:2. Regional Conversation participants will have an opportunity to be in dialogue about revisions made in the light of structural change within CCVT; increasing expectation of internal and external accountability, support and compliance; and a stronger, clearer focus on CCVT’s purpose and mission.

The Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages (BDM) updates its fees annually. Changes to fees can be accessed at the BDM website.

On the first weekend of March ths year, 110 VCE students and thirty leaders from across Victoria gathered together in Creswick to study the Bible and plan for a year of spiritual challenge and growth. In May they came together again, this time in the city to explore mission in urban contexts.  In between these retreats, they meet weekly in small groups, and every student has a mentor who supports them individually in their Christian life.

If you visited the Shepparton Church of Christ hall on a Tuesday morning, you might be forgiven for thinking that the group meeting there are just a bunch of old codgers who sit around “doing nothin’”. But this could not be further from the truth. What may look like a quiet get-together of senior men having an old yarn is actually a hive of activity. 

Every year in October/November, Willow Creek International hosts a line up of world class leaders for the Global Leadership Summit, speaking in Chicago. For those of us who can’t get to Chicago, this quality leadership development opportunity is creatively packaged into a conference and hosted by a church closer to home. Of the 5 locations across Victoria and Tasmania, 3 of the host churches are Churches of Christ. They are Kardinia Geelong, Mildura Church of Christ, and Door of Hope Launceston.

All Ministers, Administrators, and Treasurers should be aware of the 2017 update to the Minimum Remuneration For People In Ministry. This document has been sent out to all relevant parties and is also available below.

Dr Andrew Menzies, Principal of Stirling Theological College, delivered a keynote address at Animate Summit on the topic of 'Activating Communities of Hope and Compassion.' You can download his address and notes here.

It all started on a whiteboard, in one of the meeting rooms at Fairfield, late last year. Six months later the 2017 CCVT Animate Summit is ‘done and dusted’. Looking back, we pretty much fulfilled the hopes and aspirations rather messily sketched out on that whiteboard.

In August 2003, I commenced as Executive Officer of Churches of Christ in Vic/Tas. I am now well into my third five-year term... How time flies! And, what an amazing privilege to be in the conversation in this way.

At last Saturday’s CCVT Inc AGM, the Board and I announced that I will be concluding as EO at the end of 2017, some seven months earlier than our current agreement.

We were blessed to welcome and commission newly ordained leaders in our movement at the Churches' Summit on Saturday May 6.

At the CCVT AGM on Saturday May 6, The Church Next Door was welcomed as an affiliated church with CCVT.

Seed Funding Applications for grants of $2 500 or $5 000 for CCVT affiliated Communities of Hope and Compassion are now open for the duration of May.

The State of CCVT Address is delivered annually by the Executive Officer to summarise the last year of development of our movement, and explores the potential of what God is calling us, as a movement, into.

The State of CCVT Address was delivered by CCVT EO Paul Cameron on May 6 2017 as part of the CCVT Inc AGM.

On Saturday May 6, Dr Andrew Menzies, Principal of Stirling Theological College, delivered the Warmbrunn Address to those assembled at the 2017 Animate Summit and CCVT Inc AGM.

Stories and statistics from 2016.

Amendments have been made to the Working with Children Check Act 2005 ('the Act') following recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

This is a good thing as these amendments make it easier to work out if a person requires a WWCC or not. They also close more of the loopholes that unsuitable people were using to gain access to kids.

Come and join the dynamic team at GMP’s Melbourne office and lead us in developing new and creative ways to present the stories of GMP’s partners to churches and supporters. You will be part of the GMP Communications Team in the development and implementation of our communication strategy and have an appreciation of the church based not for profit sector.

The Selfie Sunday website is now live! Thanks to all the churches who participated in Selfie Sunday last year. You are a part of our growing shared celebration of local Churches of Christ churches. Check out your church profile, and other church profiles so you can “meet, pray and learn” together. 

For ten years, Stop the Traffik has been asking chocolate manufacutors to take action to prevent the use of child labour and slavery in their cocoa supply chains. 

Your support through Global Mission Partners (GMP) means people like Mr Hardi are hearing the gospel for the very first time.

When Mr Hardi was facing hardships, he felt compelled to approach Patrisius, an evangelist supported by GMP, sensing that he could help. Through their friendship, Mr Hard, was able to hear how much Jesus loves him and accept Jesus as Lord. When Mr Hardi shared about his family troubles, Patrisius said “You know that I and my wife are Christian, so if you come to me to help you with your problem it means that I will bring you to the Lord Jesus because He is the true helper.” 

It’s Easter time. Most of us know the story.

We think back to Good Friday; of God’s love expressed in the death of his son, Jesus. We think about the day in between: The desolate waiting, the bleak tension, Saturday.

My guess is many of us have heard these words before: "God so loved the world that he gave his only son." Good Friday tells the story of the greatest gift of all.

Join a cohort of leaders and teams to collaborate, experiment, share, reflect, learn, and adapt in the vital area of children and families mission.

The Art of Neighbouring is a series of creative workshops about being an adaptive missional presence in your neighbourhood, for leaders of churches and agencies within CCVT.

Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania is an organisation that provides services for a network of 130+ churches and agencies throughout the two states. We are committed to doing better at building Communities of Hope and Compassion and developing Leaders to lead them. 

As part of Animate Summit, CCVT is offering a selection of workshops for leaders on Thursday May 4. These workshops are training opportunities for ministers, elders, volunteers, and all leaders in Communities of Hope and Compassion. 

Kids Hope Australia (KHA) is the largest early intervention, school-based mentoring program in the country. Since 2004 thousands of disadvantaged children have been matched with mentors in primary schools. These caring relationships have a significant impact on children, helping meet their emotional and social development needs and enhancing their capacity to learn. KHA mentored children consistently show increased self-esteem, confidence, and resilience.

A special service was held at Bright Church of Christ on Sunday March 5 to acknowledge the reappointment of one of our elders Graeme Mancer as Sports Chaplain at the United Bright Football & Netball Club (UBFNC). Graeme is a SCA (Sports Chaplaincy Australia) trained and appointed chaplain.

On International Women’s Day, St Kilda Gatehouse had its first 25th Anniversary event. Attended by over 100 people, this event was an opportunity to thank many individuals who had been involved in the organisation.

The GMP and embody team is looking for a young person passionate about facilitating youth and young adult engagement with global mission and advocacy to be their new Relationship Manager for Victoria and Tasmania.

Australian Churches of Christ Global Mission Partners understands that mission begins in partnership with local people. This means they focus on linking Churches of Christ communities in Australia with churches and agencies overseas, and in Indigenous Australia.

Having the Global Gathering in India where less than 3% of the population are Christians was a bold move. The venue was to have been Delhi but bureaucratic government regulations and the increased costs were beyond the finances of the local churches, so the venue was changed to Damoh late in September 2016. Damoh is the heart of the early American missionary work established over 125 years ago and the location of Central India Christian Mission (CICM). There is a Bible college, schools, a children’s home, a hospital, and training centre for nurses. 

Pictured are just some of the 300 year 11 and 12 students who have graduated from Veta Morphus 2016. They have spent the year engaging with the Bible, serving in mission and ministry, and investing in their Christian growth as part of their senior high school certificate (VCE).

New policies are released alongside an Action Guide, an FAQs paper and more.

Victorian Government Child Safe Standards change from January 1 2017 and these documents help you meet these changes.

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) estimates that between November 15 and December 24 this year, Australians will spend $48.1 billion on Christmas shopping. Every year we are spending more and more on Christmas gifts, but are we stopping to think about the costs of the gift choices that we are making?

If you are passionate about using your professional skill sets and experience in finance and business to support Christian engagement through church mission and development in the local community, then you may be able to help us by serving as a Director on the CCFS Board.

If your church hasn’t been involved in Selfie Sunday yet, it’s not too late! Upcoming Christmas celebrations provide a great opportunity to take a photo of your church community. It also gives the change to photograph pre-Christmas activities going on during the week.

Pastoral supervision is a relationship between two or more practitioners who meet to consider the ministry of one or more of them in an intentional and disciplined way; a regular, planned, intentional and boundaried space in which a practitioner, skilled and trained in supervision (a supervisor), meets with one or more other practitioners (supervisees) to look together at the supervisee’s practices.

What is the most important attribute a Christian leader should possess? If you do a quick Google search or browse through your local Christian bookstore you will find a multitude of answers including humility, piety, entrepreneurial skills, and the ability to communicate. I would like to suggest that inner peace is the essential attribute that will see a leader through the ups and downs, pressures and strains that come with their service to God.

We would love to hear from you about your experience of CCVT Communications. Please take a moment to fill in this short survey about the CCVT Monthly, The Edition, and the CCVT website.

“Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5b NIV) Those words struck with a thud on my heart. 

I hit the wall, but could I get back up? I had already seen others hit the wall and stay down. I should have noticed the warning signs. It was this deep feeling inside, wondering if I had lost my way. I was so tired and worn out. I had lost almost all joy in ministry. What was I doing? How did I miss it? Why does God seem so far away when I’m doing his work? This burden and yoke did not feel light and easy! Do I throw in the towel like I had seen others do? 

CMA (Christian Ministry Advancement) is launching a new initiative called Q4Connection. The purpose of Q4, which stands for the fourth quarter, is to equip Australian Christians to impact their world for God’s kingdom in the next phase of life. 

Average life expectancy for Australians is currently 81 for men and 85 for women. This means that women begin their fourth quarter at about 65 and men at about 60. The ABS tells us that 800 Australian Baby Boomers retire every day, about 15% of whom are Christian. This a huge potential kingdom of God workforce. While recreation and enjoyment will be part of any retirement the Bible says that for those of us who seek to follow Jesus there is more. 

We were not made to go all the time. Quite the opposite actually: we were made to live in a rhythm of work and rest. Built into our design is a pattern for flourishing that is jeopardised by overwork as much as underwork. And to complement that design, God has given us a gift to ensure that we keep in step with our created rhythms: the Sabbath.

Over the years you have chosen gifts from the COCOA (Churches of Christ Overseas Aid) Great Gifts catalogue that change lives and communities—improving health and sanitation, providing access to safe water, supporting community development, education and livelihood initiatives. Gifts like toilets, chickens, sewing machines, meals and uniforms for kids in Zimbabwe or South Sudan, or even larger gifts like a bull or a water pump. Your generosity has improved the standard of living for many individuals and communities, giving hope to their future.

It is wonderful to see Selfie Sunday images appearing from around the country! If your church hasn’t been involved yet, it’s not too late! Some churches are taking their Sunday and weekday photos in November to coincide with a church anniversary or other special occasion.

St Kilda Gatehouse is seeking an experienced and creative manager to grow and strengthen the Young Women’s Project (YWP) based in Dandenong. YWP program plays a vital role in supporting girls and young women between 12 and 25 at risk of or affected by Commercial Sexual Exploitation. The YWP program is 18 months old and is an important part of St Kilda Gatehouse’s work.

Chelsea Community Church of Christ is a small church with a big heart. With around 28 regular Sunday members, they are passionate about the Outreach Programs that they provide to the surrounding community. Open seven days a week, we are a Community of Hope and Compassion in our neighbourhood, hosting around 300 persons each week, showing the love of Jesus 24/7.

Fresh Theatre for Social Change recently worked in partnership with St Kilda Gatehouse in Dandenong at the Young Women’s Centre to deliver an eight-week applied theatre program exploring relationships, conflict, gender issues and the power of choice through carefully crafted workshops.  The workshops included theatre activities, script work, pastoral care and worked towards the final presentation of new and innovative work by the young women.

CCVT has initiated a new Safe Places Coordinator role and we are seeking Expressions of Interest from people interested in the role that will contribute to an important culture change within and beyond CCVT.

The annual Census for affiliated churches and agencies will be distributed in early October, and is due back to CCVT by the end of November. We explore a range of important topics in this Census and look forward to timely and complete responses to help us best prepare into and throughout 2017 so that we can all be Safe Places for everyone.

Safe Water September is a time of reflection for us, and all those involved, about the devastating effects that unsafe water has on communities. It reminds us how privileged we are to have access to safe water.

Are you someone with a: Passion to see local churches engaged in mission beyond themselves; Desire to be part of the process of meeting the needs of the poor and marginalised; Willingness to create relationships between churches in differing settings of mission; And a creative imagination to find new ways to engage people in the discovery and support of mission?

In 2003 a small group of Christian leaders, frustrated by limited opportunities for Christian growth for young people, set out to raise up a generation who would act as the hands and feet of Jesus, demonstrating his love in every area of life.  The result was Vetamorphus, a year-long discipleship experience that young people can complete as part of their senior school certificate, with over 2000 graduates to date.

Selfie Sunday is coming up this October. All the information can be found at selfiesunday.org.au, but if you have any further questions about this Australia-wide family portrait you might find the answer below.

Arrow Leadership is the premier Christian provider of training and mentoring in the non-tertiary sector, for emerging and mature leaders in church, NFP and education contexts. Arrow Leadership helps leaders in their transformational journey to express their 'calling' to leadership by identifying, mentoring, coaching, and encouraging them - within their individual vocational context.

The word catatonic is defined as "immobile or unresponsive stupor". While we might describe the physical state of the paralytic man in that way, Luke’s gospel account of Jesus’ dramatic healing draws more attention to the ‘catatonic’ nature of the Pharisee’s spiritual state.

During Refugee Week in June the CCVT Asylum Seeker Network held a “Stories of Refuge” dinner at Now and Not Yet Café in Warrandyte. This was a wonderful evening of sharing delicious food cooked by Tamil Feasts, engaging in conversation together as well as hearing from those who have sought refuge here in Australia.

“Sexism is fundamentally a male problem,” wrote Mitch Salmon in his article in YVQ: MESSY as he urged men to take responsibility for their attitudes and actions toward women (YVQ12, July 2016). His statement stems from his frustration with those who deny the very real trauma going on constantly in homes around them. But if women are simply waiting for men to take responsibility for treating them with dignity, does this not leave us, as women, utterly powerless?

Elrond was in trouble. He had a bunch of thugs breathing down his neck, wishing him violent ill-will. Luckily for Elrond, I—his faithful and benevolent Game Master—sent help in the form of veteran Shadowrunner Abby Road pulling up in a stolen car.

Tabletop Role Playing Games like Shadowrun are board games taken to the next level. They require players to act out stories as their characters, such as Elrond, with dice deciding the outcomes of decisions, and a Game Master acting as all the characters who aren’t players...

A person with expertise in ‘brand identity’ recently asked me what is distinctive about GMP and our work.  The question was asked so that GMP could further understand our identity, and define what distinguishes us from the many other ministries who seek support.  I gave several answers to this question: “We are Churches of Christ and have diverse projects in Australia and overseas…” and so I went on. She listened, and at the end commented that one thing in particular stood out. I had said that: “we know our partners personally”.

I couldn’t count the amount of times people have told me that I am one of the ‘good Aboriginals’, someone that broke the typical stereotype of how an Aboriginal person is portrayed. I became a ‘good Aboriginal’ in their mind purely because I didn’t drink or take any drugs, I lived in a good home, and I was a committed worker not relying on ‘the dole’.

This is a very raw way to start an article but this is a real, re-occurring experience for me in my journey of understanding my Aboriginality—which is something that someone who is Aboriginal can struggle to understand. I have come across many contrasting ideals and perspectives about what an Aboriginal is or who we are supposed to be according to social media and statistics.

CCFS is different to a bank or credit union in that it is a religious, charitable, not for profit organisation. We are small but growing and as a result, the position of Banking Operations Supervisor has been created.

If you are a dynamic forward thinker with the ability to lead a small team in the Operations area of the Churches of Christ Vic/Tas Inc, managing the day to day operations of the Accounting team, then this could be the role for you!

In January 2017, new legal ‘child safe’ standards come into effect for all community organisations, including churches, governing their work with children and young people.  Leaders and Boards are responsible to ensure their organisations comply with these new standards. Many of our churches utilise the program ChildSafe, the costs of which are covered by Churches of Christ Insurance.

Another round of Regional Conversations will take place in September and October. Conversation themes this year will give ample opportunity for participants to wrestle with what it means for churches and agencies to be a Safe Place.

I was born in Manila, Philippines, and moved to Melbourne with my family in 1989 as a 6 year old. One of the first conversations I had with my cousin (who had already been living in Australia for a few years) was “Who do you barrack for?” I didn’t understand what ‘barrack’ meant, but this conversation resulted in me deciding that Collingwood was my team (many of you probably think that was the worst decision!).

But as a 6 year old in this foreign place, all I wanted to do was fit in! So if barracking for a footy team was one of the things I had to do, so be it!

In recent weeks CCVT has seen changes in two staffing arrangements. We welcome Jo Antoni to a role with the CCVT Communities Team, and farewell Collette De Silva and thank her for her work as part of the Safe Places review currently being conducted.

Last week we shared Mother’s Day at our small local church. I sat next to a brave young woman who has more courage than most people I have ever met. As a warm up exercise we were asked to think of all the phrases our mums used that we now find slipping out of our mouths. We laughed as we shared one liners like, “You’ll thank me one day” and, “In my day…”. I glanced over at her and asked her quietly if she had one, she blushed and half whispered, “Don’t set him off…”

‘Normal’ can be defined as conforming to the standard that is set around us. But what if the ‘standard’ that is being set around us is harming us more than helping us?

We live our lives in an unprecedented time, in a uniquely complicated place. We face some of the greatest challenges never before experienced by humankind. We experience the commodified sexualisation of the self in the global market that late stage capitalism has created in which we live our lives in immediately public ways.

A new issue of CCVT's new digital magazine The Edition is now available. This issue explores the topic of leadership in church communities and the neighbourhood. It can be read online or downloaded for reading on your favourite smart device.

A vibrant ten years of outreach and adventure was celebrated on Sunday July 10 by Living Faith Church, Greensborough (an innovative co-operation of the Uniting Church and Churches of Christ).

Sixty years ago, Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls successfully campaigned so that the second Sunday in July became a day to celebrate Aboriginal people and their culture. What is now known as the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) was formed and, over time, the committee’s acronym became the name of the weeklong celebrations. During NAIDOC week (July 3-10) celebrations are held across Australia to commemorate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Affinity, the document that describes the relationship between CCVT and affiliates, includes a commitment by churches and agencies to value the story and reputation of CCVT by “Ensuring our ministry and mission activities are safe places for all people”. This commitment is a central tenet in CCVT being the Renewal Movement God is calling us to be, together doing better at building Communities of Hope and Compassion, and developing Leaders to lead them.

What might happen if Churches of Christ across Australia took a giant “family portrait” one day? Celebrated their unity, their mission, their story, and their identity together? What might God do in and through our movement?

I am inviting you to take a photo of your church family, and to record other photos and stories that capture something of the life of your church community as part of Selfie Sunday, an Australia-wide initiative to take a snapshot of Churches of Christ in Australia.

Thanks to the sponsorship of CCVT, grants will be awarded in 2016 to Churches of Christ employing ministry students who are studying at Stirling. The grants contribute to the work of forming future leaders and ministers by Churches of Christ Vic/Tas.

Just a quick reminder that we are planning more Regional Conversations later in the year to continue exploring how God is shaping our movement into a Renewal Movement.

Conversation themes for this year will based on the findings of the Safe Places Review, and also reflections around Affinity. We hope you will join us in conversation. More information to come.

The newly elected CCVT Board had its initial meeting early in June. One of its first task was to elect office bearers. Milton Oliver (Roxburgh Park/Wallan) was elected Chair and Loris McLean (Living Faith, Greensborough) was elected Deputy Chair.

The Board also approved the formation of the following Committees: Ministry Professional Standards, Nominations, Governance and Board Development, Finance and Audit, Properties and Asset Management, Risk Management, and Remuneration.

As we continue to reflect on Reconciliation Week, we highlight the invaluable contributions to mission and ministry made by Sir Doug Nicholls, a true Indigenous Australian Legend.

We are pleased to confirm the affiliation of CiTiGATE Church, as approved by the CCVT Inc Annual General Meeting on May 14.

CiTiGATE Church commenced in early 2008 in the lounge room of the church planters, Michael and Janet Sim. In July that year the church was launched formally, and began to meet on Saturdays at the Gordon St, Footscray property, also home to Footscray church and Melbourne Indigenous Church Fellowship.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the election of the inaugural CCVT Inc Board. This follows the election process that was part of the 2016 Annual General Meeting on May 14.

As has been described elsewhere, the Board is a skills- and mission-based group who have the role of being the governing body guiding and informing CCVT as we live into God’s vision for us as a Renewal Movement.

The CCVT is selling a former company car.

This car is a seven speed Volkswagon Tiguan MY14. It is a white wagon made in 2014. It has a range of features including fitted SatNav, and has done 85 000 kilometres. The asking price is $19 500

Thanks for joining us at INTO Summit. All of us were able to learn new things about being INTO God, INTO Learning, and INTO Neighbourhood. The anecdotal feedback at the Summit has been really positive. You will see below an opportunity to give us more detailed feedback, and we encourage you to share your thoughts.

All Ministers, Administrators, and Treasurers should become aware of the 2016 update to the Minimum Remuneration For People In Ministry.

As a result of the Renewal Challenge process, CCVT has indicated its commitment to be doing better at building Communities of Hope and Compassion, and Developing Leaders to lead them. As discussed elsewhere, this includes ensuring that our locations of ministry and mission are safe places for all people. We see this as a consistent expression of being the Renewal Movement God has called us to be.

St Kilda Gatehouse is looking to become more sustainable into the future by opening a boutique op-shop called Greeves St. Recycled. Greeves St. Recycled welcomes good quality donations of clothing, vintage and unique homewares, books, etc.

It was 20 years ago today that the tragedy that we remember as Port Arthur occurred. This reflection was written by Kylie Tonkin. Kylie and her husband Andrew and family are part of Mildura church, where Andrew leads the ministry team. This is a powerful story of providing hope and compassion in a most difficult circumstance; it is also an honest reflection of the cost of moving into the neighbourhood. Along with Kylie, we admire the leadership strength of then PM John Howard about this issue back in the day, and we add this: would that our nation's leaders today have as much strength about other issues of justice and safety and welcome.

Careforce Lifekeys is an affiliated mission agency of CCVT. Lifekeys was founded at Careforce church in 1992 and has had a worldwide impact, including a significant impact in Russia in recent years.

Five of the Lifekeys courses have been translated into Russian and are being shared all over the Soviet Union and former Soviet countries. In 2004 two members of Careforce church took the ministry to the largest church in Perm and taught the concepts in their Bible College. This church has planted more than 250 churches throughout the region and impacts millions of Russian people.

CCFS is excited to welcome South Australia’s Building Extension Mutual Fund as their newest partner.

Discussions were conducted over many months with the SA BEMF Committee and executive team members. After working through the logistics of amalgamation we were able to welcome South Australian investors and borrowers to CCFS.

So often prayer takes a back seat in our lives. We know we should do it, and that we need to do it, but we just put it on the backburner. Personally, I know that I often say, “I’ll be praying for you” almost as a pleasantry, but I find myself forgetting completely. It is almost as if it is unimportant, or that I just find it too difficult to pray, or I just feel like I don’t know what to say!  It is something that I know I struggle with and plenty of others do to. This is why Prayer Matters exists. 

Thank you for your generosity! Over $80 000 has been raised towards rebuilding and recovery from Cyclone Winston. In some areas of Fiji it will take many years to recover, and we appreciate your ongoing prayers for the people and communities of Fiji. Further updates and stories from Fiji can be found on the GMP website and you can continue to support the Fiji appeal at gmp.org.au/fiji-emergency or free call 1800 467 222.

During my time as a youth pastor I constantly battled with the question of ‘schools ministry’. I found that everyone had an opinion; some said that the only way to grow your youth group was to be in the schools, and others said that you shouldn’t spend your time in the schools but instead focus on growing your leaders. As someone who has worked in a school as a Student Mentor and now goes into schools to present seminars to students, I’ve decided that if the Church isn’t in the school community, then we are missing the point. Yes, another opinion, and you have to decide what works for you, but let’s look at why I think this and just what ‘being in a school’ means.

The Royal Commission into Family Violence has made its finding available to the public in an extensive series of documents, including recommendations of programs and improvements to be made to existing systems. Of particular note to Communities of Hope and Compassion is vol V, section 29 of the Report, titled 'Faith Communities'. 

For those wishing to engage further with the Sanctuary movement in response to the Federal Government’s treatment of people seeking asylum, the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce is maintaining a database of church communities that have extended an offer of sanctuary to people seeking asylum who are at risk of being removed from Australia and placed in offshore detention.

Veta Youth is a mission agency of CCVT. Here is a bit more about them.

Veta started almost 15 years ago by a group of Churches of Christ Vic/Tas ministry leaders who felt frustrated that the spiritual aspect of our lives is so restricted in our culture. They set out to help raise up a generation of Christian young people who act as the hands and feet of Jesus, demonstrating his love in every area of life; and, when they finish school, building communities centred on Christ, and loving and serving and working to see their universities, their workplaces, and their local neighbourhoods transformed by God’s love.

From Tim Costello, Chair of the Australian Churches Gambling Taskforce.

As a Christian, I am profoundly saddened by how poker machines target society’s most vulnerable and ruin lives, and feel compelled to make a stand to see an end to this injustice. This is why Common Grace is proud to be a part of the ‘Pokies Play You’ campaign being run by a diverse coalition of community groups called the Alliance for Gambling Reform.

The Walpiri of central Australia have a saying about the wedge tail eagle (or Warlawurru). To be a good hunter like the eagle, you must be a silent hunter… quiet, a great listener, able to hear and observe what’s going on around you before making a move.

In the Walpiri way of integrated living and learning, hunting is analogous with learning or gaining in wisdom… so stories to do with hunting often are indications about ways to grow in understanding and wisdom as well.

We were on holidays in Queensland when the official job offer to be Co-Leader of YV Vic/Tas came through. Two days before Christmas we spoke to a real estate agent and locked in a six month lease on a house that we hadn’t inspected and was scheduled to be demolished at the end of our lease. We knew very little about the area we were settling into, other than it would be near some friends, apparently close to some good schools, and not too far from work.

Four weeks later we arrived in Melbourne and have since discovered that the estate in which we temporarily live is one of the most desired in Doncaster East, and the house prices mean we will probably never be able to buy there.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still Sinners, Christ Died for us.” (Romans 5:8, ESV)

‘Dismas’ is the traditional name of the repentant thief mentioned in Luke 23: 40-43. What does Friends of Dismas stand for?

Friends of Dismas is a church for parolees, ex-prisoners, and their family and friends.

Early in 2012 several folks were reflecting on the need for supporting people who were leaving prison. We spent time with people who were interested in meeting this need within Churches of Christ, the Baptist Church, and Prison Fellowship Victoria. Prison Fellowship volunteers visit over 400 prisoners face to face each month.

Some gifts last; some don't. Chocolate, cheese or a fine dining experience last moments, but soon become a faded memory. Alternatively, a book, a watch or jewellery are lasting gifts that keep on giving.

It might seem strange to talk about gifts on Easter Sunday, but today completes the second half of God's Christmas gift.

Sacrifice is a word we rarely hear. Sometimes on Anzac Day; or a faint echo, a memory or wistful imagining, at Easter.

It is said the greatest love is a person laying down their life for a friend. Sacrifice.

Stirling Principal Andrew Menzies and CCVT EO Paul Cameron visited Indonesia in February. The visit included time in Jogjakarta with Paulus Trimanto Wibowo, and teaching a class of student church planters in Salatiga as well as meeting with ‘conference’ (or ‘Lemkersa’) leaders and college staff there, in group and one-on-one settings. 

Late last year Council resolved that, effective immediately, the current Practice of Ministry policies (both Code of Ethics and Procedure), and adapted appropriately, will apply to people in ‘non-Minister-Leader’ roles in CCVT; and that the Minsters Professional Standards Committee (a committee of Council) will oversee the management of any matters that emerge in advance of the formation and adoption of a relevant policy and procedure.

Cyclone Winston wreaked devastation upon the island nation of Fiji on Saturday 20 February. With wind gusts of over 300kmh, the Category 5 Cyclone was the worst recorded in the island nation’s history.

In response to this destruction, what is it that we can do?