For many trades, the idea of an apprenticeship makes lots of sense, especially given the practical skills in using physical tools and the need to learn how to ‘use your hands’ to do the work.

But for over 40 years, the idea of a Christian ministry apprenticeship has become more and more commonplace as people have realised that so much of church leadership is ‘caught not taught.’

It was in 1979 that the first four ministry apprentices were trained by Philip Jensen at the University of New South Wales, and since then, there have been over 3,500 people who have followed in their stead around the world, in churches, universities and a range of different contexts.

In 1995 I began my two-year Ministry Training Strategy (MTS) apprenticeship at my home church under the leadership of my rector John Woodhouse, and even to this day, I still draw down upon the skills and wisdom of those two years ‘on the tools’ in church.

It helped me to know what questions I needed to ask as I commenced my four-year theological degree, and it helped set up a context for me to learn how to study the Bible and how to explain it to others.

As we look to the future of our church, it is my prayer that the Lord would provide for us a ministry apprentice to shadow me in my ministry, and to be equipped in our church for their own, future ministry, wherever they might be after they study.

Whilst ministry apprentices are to be ‘trained not used,’ they will inevitably bring an important contribution to the ministry of our church, and that’s why I’m praying every day that the Lord would give us someone for us to train and serve, and then in turn, to be served and blessed by their ministry.

Will you pray with me that the Lord will bring us an apprentice next year?

JODIE McNEILL

When people think about asking an unbelieving friend to come along to a Christian event, they sometimes hesitate to invite them to church on Sundays.

After all, many people think that church services are for people who have already trusted in Jesus, and not for those who are still starting that journey.

Yet, in 1 Corinthians 14:23-25 we read that Christians should conduct our gatherings with the expectation that unbelievers will be present with us.

For, as the outsiders hear God’s word, “they will be convicted of sin,” (verse 24), “their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, ‘God is truly here among you.’” (verse 25).

In other words, unbelievers will recognise their need to become friends with God, and so they’ll join us in worshipping Jesus as Lord… all from watching and listening to normal, Sunday church.

The reason this works is that God’s word is ‘dual action,’ for its essential message is that Jesus is Lord.

So, for people who already know Jesus as Lord, it grows our knowledge and trust in him; and for those who don’t yet know Jesus as Lord, it shows them how to follow Jesus and why it matters.

Like dual-action shampoo and conditioner, the Bible is effective to achieve two things at the same time—both mission and maturity—which is why we love to have the Bible front and centre in all we do.

So, if you’re thinking of bringing a friend along to a church event, then every Sunday’s a great day… especially as they join with us to enjoy our delicious, sit-down meal after church each week, with people of all ages and stages.

And if you don’t yet know Jesus, then Sunday church is the right place and the right time, for we pray that as we all gather together to hear God’s word, that together we’ll worship Jesus as Lord!

JODIE McNEILL 

As a church with more than one minister, we need to work out how to share the pastoring of paid and volunteer leaders.

For next year we’re looking for a replacement for Jacob as he heads off to Moore College, so our staff and Parish Council have been considering ways to best define our different responsibilities.

We’ve chosen to adopt and adapt a popular church leadership strategy called ‘Team Pastoring’ that breaks up the responsibilities of our church into seven portfolios, each beginning with the letter ‘M.’

So, these key things we need to do together are to glorify God in our gatherings and devotions (Magnification), reach people outside the church (Mission), integrate, connect and and care within the church (Membership), grow in the knowledge and love of God (Maturity), equip and recruit for service (Ministry), foster intergenerational unity and distinction (Multigenerations), and manage people and resources (Mechanics).

To help us do this, we’re assigning these portfolios to our ministers, so that I will look after Magnification, Maturity, Mission, and Multigenerations as your Senior Minister, Sandee will look after Membership as the new ‘Care and Connections Minister’, Steve will look after Mission as the new ‘Evangelism Minister’, and Brad will continue to work across the whole church as Youth Minister.

To complete the team, we’re now looking to find an all-new, part time ‘Executive Minister’ who will manage our Mechanics, and lead and support our all-new team of volunteer Ministry Coordinators, whom we look to appoint soon.

Please pray that we successfully find a new ‘Executive Minister,’ and that we will identify and recruit an all-new team of ‘Ministry Coordinators’ as we work together to see each person in our village, valley and region know how to follow Jesus and why it matters.

JODIE McNEILL