Lots going on in office…particularly rendering video for MMC and other stuff as our church suffers (!) from growth issues…

Lots to talk about, not much time to talk about it….

Watch this space

I must have that face.

Time after time complete strangers come up to me, sure I am someone else they know.
This weekend at the Angus Buchan conference, it happened about four times.

On top of that….
there were at least 3 other blokes named ‘Mark Edwards’ at the conference. I know that for a fact, and I met one of them!

Furthermore, there is a blogger who posts on Phil Bakers blog, a pastor, like me, called….Mark Edwards.

Someone once told me I had very average looks….they were entirely correct!

Cant wait!
Setting up all the visual gear for the conference.
Lot of work, and stinking hot in the tent!
Using a mixer I sourced from the Baptist Union, and a massive screen as well.
A lot of RCA cables, coming out of the mixer, which converts the vga signal into rca.
Then a amplifier down the front, sending the signal to monitors and projectors.
Hoping it all works. Have three cameras as well…and chroma keying the text over the live stage.

But….believing it will be worth it as over 2000 men celebrate their faith, and hear an anointed word from Angus Buchan..in Perth.

If you have not registered, and live in Perth….get on the web, register, and I will see you at Advent Park

www.mightymensconference.org.au

Doing something different at Inglewood Church for March.
Instead of small groups, we are having one ‘big group’.
Every Wednesday during March we will gather together for teaching, inspiration and discussion.
I have enjoyed putting this together, and looking forward to the speakers…should be enjoyable!

This girl rocks!
Love it….I love how she leads this, building the mood, oscilating between intense and reflection.

We have come a long way as a church.
The positive, friendly and good spirit in our AGM was so refreshing.
(It has not always been that way)

But God has really transformed us, and brought us a long way.
A lot of what I shared tonight was ‘inhouse’, but here is some of what I am comfortable posting here.

2008 was a momentous year in the life of our church

2009 was a time of harvest, growth and sustained ministry

Started off 2009 with an average of 45 children in our Sunday Jam Ministry We now have over 120 kids on our books, with an average attendance of approximately 80 kids.

Creche is going through another mini boom, Comets averages about 15 kids, Jets has now split into two groups, and the Sync Group is establishing itself for growth as well, with about 4-6 teenagers now regularly attending.

This year has seen our church grow in numbers, with average attendance increasing dramatically to the point where now we are outgrowing our present facility.

Our worship team has seen a great increase in numbers of people attending, and in their sense of community, and passion for worship. Pastor Eliot has skilfully led our team in their love for each other and worship of God.

Our worship time together on Sunday is contemporary, family focused, fun and at times intense.

Toddler Jam is now being ably led by Sandy Vlatko and Quentin. This year we have held our second conference, with 11 churches from all over our state attending a time of encouragement and blessing.

Small groups have also grown this year. Pastor Eliot is now leading this ministry and has met with the small groups on a regular basis this year for encouragement, prayer and resourcing.

Visibility has been a key factor in our growth, and the website has been the main point of call for most of our visitors. It is regularly updated and maintained.

……
Thank you God for all You have done….

Went to Riverview Small Group Leaders Training on Wednesday Night.
Robert Ferguson is over, and he took the session on Leadership Skills.
It was great for them to bring him over, and offer it free of charge to the wider church community.

Some of what he shared…..
You must not overlook what God has called you to oversee Jesus died…compassion…returned for His flock
Esther said, if I perish I perish…give your life for your flock Lives for His flock
What 7 things we need to oversee?
Oversee our care Oversee our attitudes Oversee our finances Oversee our life…an example
Do people aspire to be like you?
If everyone in the church gave like you..what would that be like?
Are you attracting a good response from your non church neighbours?
Our gifts Gods gift says nothing about you…but everything about Him
Our team…not Lording it over people Mat 23.12
Stop letting your problems get in the way of your oversight Put your problems at the bottom of the list

The Good Shepherd
Helping people is messy Ps 78.70-72
Shephers were associated with the patriachs Fundamental to the understaning of the nation I am the good shepherd I am standing with the patriachs
I know the pain the struggle the harvest Shepherds were recognised as leaders Hareuveni dessert and shepherd in our biblical heritage
We like to be in awe We like to be small in comparison to our landscape We want to know that not everything has an answer
God took the people into a dessert because there is nothing else to worship sense of awe If you are a shepherd your livelihood is dependant upon the seasons
Desserts were monotheistic places They were despised by farmers.if you come out of the wilderness to the sea..you wont be liked
If you want to be populare dont be a Christian John 10.11 Neh 9.25
Backwards and forwards
God wants us to be blessed but as soon as He does..we forget about Him
Mageddo rebuilt 18 times
You need to learn the skill of confrontation
In and Out Num 27.15
Lead people to safety and then out to discover and explore In to protection and out to provision If you are only safe..that will not be a fulfilled life
Give and Take skill of grace Acts 13.22
Your heart is a pump…it gives and recieves
Up and down Ez 34.2
What are your responsibilities Search for the lost Pastor needs to be key evangelist Jay adams shepherding Gods flock 1974
I spoke with him afterwards, and he asked me…what did you get out of it?
Which I thought was very nice of him to do!
I shared with him that what I found most stimulating was his challenge to Pastors that they need to lead people home, but also set them back into the world to take risks.