Great to catch up with everyone at International Teams this week. A copy of the training notes for this workshop have been added to our MOODLE site. Some resources on conflict have been added to the Mentor Exchange Group site.
Pastors Renewal Retreats
In a number of my recent pastor’s seminars, participants have asked about renewal retreats.
Pastors Renewal Retreats were established by Rev Les Scarborough around 25 years ago. Each retreat group meets for three residential retreats (one a year) and a number of day meetings between residentials. Groups have around 10 members who are asked to make a covenant commitment to the process for the full three years. The purpose is for the group to become a support and growth community encouraging each member in their pastoral ministry and assisting members deal with stresses and challenges. While the retreat process is facilitated by two equipped members, much is open to the input and decision making of the group. Groups are functioning in many denominations and also across denominations in several states.
For further information and a current brochure for Victorian Renewal Retreats please follow the highlighted link. The contact person for Victorian Renewal Retreats is Diana Dow: pastors@bethtephillah.com
In Tasmania, Renewal Retreats also operate non-denominationally. The contact person for men in ministry is Rev Jeff McKinnon: jeff@deeperplace.com.au and for women is Susan Whiteley: suewhiteley@bigpond.com
Conference of the Churches of Christ (Victoria and Tasmania)
On 6th and 7th of September, around 80 pastors spent 6 sessions with Tim at the Vic Tas conference at Grace Christian Church in Melbourne. The themes of the two days looked at ‘healthy pastors’ and ‘healthy congregations’. Thursday’s sessions were based on Paul’s teaching in 1 Tim 4:9-5:2 – advice from an experienced leader to a pastor. On Friday the discussion looked at the dynamics of health through Ephesians 4:1-17 – body life. The outcomes of our discussions and the presentations are attached on the next page:
Continue reading “Conference of the Churches of Christ (Victoria and Tasmania)”
Rev-Up Baptist Union of Victoria
As part of the ‘Rev Up’ series for the BUV, Tim led two sessions on Wednesday morning at Whitely college. Both sessions included input based around discussion of pastoral ministry, the use and abuse of power, and appropriate support structures. The notes produced from the discussions are included on the next page.
Christian Reformed Church – Devonport
Last Sunday Tim was invited to preach at the Christian Reformed Church in Devonport. His sermon was an introduction to Paul’s teaching on Spiritual Gifts. Tim shared on the likely origin of Paul’s theology as he observed the functioning of God’s grace in the earliest Chrisitan communities. Please leave a request here if you would like a copy of the notes.