It is always a bit sad to say goodbye to a team of consultants I have been training, sometimes for several years. It was like this today in Sydney seeing nine new team members complete their training and farewelling others I have worked with for 6 years. Thanks for the cake and parting gift. It is good to reflect on the capacity that is now in place largely due to the commitment and advocacy of the original Tamar group and many survivors of Clergy misconduct who have worked for education, awareness and new levels of care for everyone impacted these events.
Mentoring Network Australia
I have just spent this afternoon with Keith and Marg Farmer. They have been sharing about the Mentoring Network Australia. This is an open network of Christian mentors who are particularly interested in the formation of Christian leaders and pastors through mentoring. There is an annual training conference which this year will be held from May 9 –11 at Stanwell Tops just south of Sydney.
2012 Mentoring Network Training Conference
Les Scarborough from John Mark Ministries NSW is one of the keynote speakers this year along with Mindy Caliguire from Willow Creek in the USA, Keith Farmer, Andrew McCafferty and Rick Lewis.
I hope to be able to attend the last two days. See you there.
Salvation Army Northern Cluster workshop on Sabbatical Rhythms
I enjoyed catching up with the Northern Tasmania Salvation Army officers in Elizabeth Town for our first cluster group this year. We looked at the practice of the Sabbath Principle in Ministry and explored ways to incorporate dimensions of the Sabbath into daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal and life rhythms.
Training in Local Church Governance
Many churches are currently rethinking their models of governance and the practices that flow from these. I enjoy opportunities to work with local churches on principles and practices of governance and it was fun to do this today with a church in Brisbane.
We looked at a model I call the Tear-drop and spent some time examining five developmental practices around this. Following this we looked at how to review a senior pastor and also a congregational conflict resolution policy.
Some of these resources are available on my Katartizo weblog.
The road home from Rome
Thanks to everyone who asked about my 3 months Sabbatical leave. Merran and I had a wonderful time walking from Milan to Rome down the Via Francigena. I have returned to John Mark Ministries refreshed and ready for this year.
The Caim Retreat is available again as of our return and I am looking forward to catching up with regular training groups as they begin this year.