Board Meetings (February 2013)

This weekend sees the first meetings of the national board for 2013. We spend one day focused on prayer and reflection in a more retreat-style meeting, and the next day in a regular board meeting. (The regular board meeting always involves devotional time, too.)

We welcome Daphne Sidney as our new board Chair. Daphne has vast experience in ministry in our church, as well as experience with the marginalised and needy in our society, and strong previous board experience. She has worked in the context of asset-based community development, and brings not only talent and expertise, but a heart for God, our fellowship, and for all people.

We also welcome Hans Pederson as a new board member. Hans is a well respected elder in one of our country Victorian congregations (Morwell), and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of our journey together as a fellowship. He works teaching outdoor education at Christian Schools, and has been involved in many of our SEPs. His maturity, spiritual insight and practical involvement will be an asset to the denomination.

We are grateful to God for both Daphne and Hans. Always when we meet we remember our pastors and members across the country, and around the world, in prayer. Please pray for us – we are conscious of meeting surrounded by the prayers of our fellowship. So your prayer for us would be much appreciated.

As our Pastor General wrote this week, prayer binds us together in spiritual communion, in “a relationship of unity in the Holy Spirit that is grounded in prayer...When we pray, we are joining in the work of the kingdom of God, supporting each other and those we serve in a vast “underground” network of prayer relationships that are rooted and grounded in love.”

We are blessed to be participating in Christ’s prayer to the Father on our behalf, in Christ’s relationship with the Father in loving, creative, generous communion.

John McLean
Mission and National Director