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networkingnetworkingChurches of Christ in QueenslandChurches of Christ in Queenslandasylum seeker problems and what should be done, andso forth.Should we, as an organization and movement ofChristians known as Churches of Christ in Queensland,speak collectively within our communities on issues thatare impacting lives?Certainly Jesus did this.He set out principles and called people to “higherground”.Chief Executive Officer Dean PhelanWhere do we stand?A professional Christian woman in her 30s recentlychallenged me.She felt strongly that we, Churches of Christ inQueensland, should be speaking out and exerting asmuch influence as we can to achieve better outcomesfor people in relation to the Bikie Laws in Queenslandand the treatment of refugees.She felt that whilst both policies were directed ataddressing significant problems, the collateral impacton so many innocent lives cannot be condoned byanyone professing to be a follower of Christ.Varying viewsAfter considering the situation, Jesus said, “Let he whois without sin cast the first stone”.However, as a movement of autonomously governedlocal congregations, Churches of Christ has traditionallymade few “denominational” statements.Others have similarly written to me on these two issues,which intriguingly seem to sometimes be linked in theirtheological understandings.This is mainly because we are a wide churchincorporating members that have differing views onmost issues, and any such common voice on majorissues has historically been made via a democraticConference process rather than a top down edict – forexample, a Conference position on the use of gamblingfund monies.In contrast, another long standing Churches of Christmember writes passionately about the current lack ofwomen in positions of leadership and ministry withinthe church, arguing that we must rectify this problem.Again, I do have a considered personal view on thisquestion, which I think a majority of Churches of Christmembers would also probably hold.In line with our governance arrangements though, Ireferred the matter to our Conference so that they couldconsider the matter.And the “position” that he demonstrated was often notwhat people were trying to trap him into, or to get him totake sides on.I think of the occasion when he was asked for hisposition in relation to the woman caught in adultery.I remain challenged by her entreaty because personally Ishare some of her concerns.When the same sex marriage legislation was beingconsidered by Parliament, I, along with other churchdenominational leaders, were contacted by the press onseveral occasions to ask what the church’s, and in mycase Churches of Christ in Queensland’s position was.Yet it was always done with great insight and wisdomrather than pharisaical pronouncements.But there were several ministers, good men, whoexpressed their concern to me at the position we hadtaken, as they felt it was not helpful to members theywere working with.I receive correspondence from time to time from a longstanding member of one of our churches about same sexmarriage, and occasionally about the fact that Churchesof Christ should not have women elders.Since the Conference gathering of our affiliatedmembers generally only happens once a year, it is notan easy process to adopt a collective view, even if thiscould be arrived at through dialogue or debate at theAnnual General Meeting.page4Our Council and Board discussed the issue well andsensitively, and a statement was issued on behalfof Churches of Christ as it was felt that this wasneeded given the considerations being made by ourparliamentary representatives.Others are similarly of this view.Another writes about our treatment of indigenous folk,and Churches of Christ’s poor record of recognising andfostering indigenous leadership.In a similar vein, another writer regularly sends meFacebook invites to support environmental causes andasking Churches of Christ to speak out against miningand environmental devastation.Within Churches of Christ in Queensland there arediffering views about alcohol, ranging from a positionthat it should be banned through to the many who havea regular drink with friends.encouraging the union of all believers – one of ourother founding principles was the autonomy of localcongregations.There was to be no ruling body to tell localcongregations how they would act, which was a pushback against the top down structures of society andmost denominations and in sympathy with the emergingprinciples of democracy at the time.Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell, who were keyleaders and shapers of the early Church of Christ,envisaged a democratic movement centered aroundChrist and the core teachings of the Gospels and NewTestament - “in essentials unity, in opinions liberty, andin all things love.”A common set of shared ideals shaped the identity andpractices of the movement for more than a century.Jesus pointed out a deeper truth to all present, whoeach then went away reflecting on their own integrity.Yet this local governance principle evolved beyond the“the shared brotherhood” that saw mutual support andencouragement, and great evangelistic and commonmission efforts, into a time where we see many peopleand congregations today being very individualistic andprotective of “their” church, “their” assets, “their”rights, “their” position on issues, and so on, forgettingthe fact that as Christians we are firstly followers ofJesus and that the church is “his” church.Jesus also showed great compassion to the woman byletting her know that he did not condemn her, but to goand leave her life of sin.I think this has arguably been one of the biggest factorsthat has mitigated against the goal of union and ourability to speak with one voice on significant issues.People were wanting to know Jesus’ position onadultery, but rather than give a doctrinal answer, hearticulated two deeper Christian principles – take thelog out of your own eye before judging others and mercyand compassion are greater than judgement.So, what do we do when challenged about where we,Churches of Christ in Queensland, stand in relation tothe Bikie Laws or refugees?“In the law, Moses commanded us to stone suchwomen. Now what do you say?” (John 8:2-11).I think also of the time Jesus was asked for his positionon paying taxes.As in the example above, Jesus similarly went to thedeeper principle by replying, “Give to Caesar whatbelongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God”(Luke 20:25).Our historyAs I mentioned earlier, traditionally Churches of Christ inAustralia has spoken out on few matters.As well as the reasons outlined above, I thinkhistorically we have been conflicted.I am reminded that Churches of Christ was a foundingmember of the temperance movement, and I have had itpointed out to me that Jesus turned water into wine andcommemorated communion with bread and wine.On the one hand we described ourselves as amovement based on a commitment to a certain set ofcommon ideals – for example, restoring the practice ofuncluttered Christianity and the union of all disciples.There are also differing views about the refugee andOn the other hand – and ironically given our goal ofJesus said that the greatest commandments were love ofGod and love of others.I think this deep wisdom and our early declaration: “inessentials, unity; in opinions, liberty; and in all things,love”, are great guides.Our Council, Board and Executive Team have verygood representatives of our wide body throughoutQueensland, and considerable experience and expertisefrom which to consider a collective voice on behalf ofChurches of Christ in Queensland, if this is deemed tobe required and helpful to the communities in which weare in.And, dare I say, that good, old-fashioned, healthydialogue and debates at Conference Annual GeneralMeetings might still be a good and desirable thing.BlessingsDean PhelanChief Executive Officerceo@cofcqld.com.aupage5

networkingnetworkingChurches of Christ in QueenslandChurches of Christ in QueenslandCouncil andBoardTime to step up – Join our BoardupdateIs a seat on the Churches of Christin Queensland Board callingyou? Could you “value add” to acommunity organisation recognisedby Business Review Weekly as oneof the largest in Australia?The Affiliated Churches of the Churches ofChrist in Queensland elect a ConferenceCouncil, who in turn appoints a Board.The Board is the Board of Directors for theorganisation. The Council and Board, togetherwith Chief Executive Officer, Dean Phelan, andhis Executive Team, oversee the activities ofthe Churches of Christ in Queensland.The Board is the senior mostgovernance group in Churchesof Christ in Queensland, and itsmembers are the organisation’slegal Directors. The Board appointsthe Chief Executive Officer andoversees the organisation’s vastmissional work, which includeschildren’s, youth, women’s,second half, and prison ministry;community chaplaincy and pastoralcare; men’s sheds; mission actionpartnerships and global missionprojects.The Board and Council held their first “formal” eventfor 2014 in mid-February when they considered,discussed, planned and prayed for the year ahead forChurches of Christ in Queensland.Major presentations were made by numerous key staffgroups and external consultants on matters rangingfrom 10-year cash flow projections to evangelismactivities.As a group they also spent considerable time onmatters relating to the ministry work in Melbourne andacross Queensland, including Hervey Bay, via the localStrategic Action Leadership Teams (SALTs).In late February Council spent quite a bit of time inprayer and making contact with local churches affiliatedwith Churches of Christ in Queensland. There are somegreat stories and exciting things happening across ourmovement – keep reading Networking for some of thesestories.During its meeting, Council discussed potentialconstitutional amendments, sourcing of new Boardmembers and property trust structures for localchurches.They also considered how, as a Council, they canfurther discussions on closer relationships within thebroad cross section of churches in Churches of Christ inQueensland.page6Approving the ordination application of Pastor HueyNhan of the Vietnamese Church of Faith was particularlypleasing. Congratulations Huey.The Board and its committees also met during February.The Board itself went through matters relating toministry in Queensland and across the Churches ofChrist movement in Australia, approved the adoptionof the ministry work in Vanuatu undertaken by theMedical Santo group as a fully integrated ministry of theChurches of Christ in Queensland, received updates onthe Head Office Site Redevelopment Project at Kenmore,reviewed ministerial endorsement processes, andwent through organisational risk and governance levelreporting.The Board also spent some time reworking itscommittee structure to best meet the developing needsand strengths of the organisation.Spending time with Dr Ross Pelling, Churches of Christin Queensland’s Senior Pastor for Leader Development,was a notable highlight.Finally the Board discussed, and spent time inprayer for, local churches and Churches of Christ inQueensland ministries facing some tough challengesPlease remember to keep the Council, Board andassociated committees in your prayers.Churches of Christ in Queenslandis a group of mainstream Christianchurches that has been an activepart of the Queensland communityfor over 130 years. We havea significant presence withinQueensland and Victoria with over200 services in more than 100communities, touching tens ofthousands of lives each year.As well as supporting more than 70affiliated churches, we are activein the areas of early childhoodservices, child protection,community housing, retirementliving, community aged care,residential aged care and dementiacare, operating more than 150 careservices throughout Queenslandand Melbourne, Victoria, with thesupport of approximately 3,000 staffand almost 650 volunteers.The Board is appointed by theelected Conference Council– comprising local churchrepresentatives – and Council iskeen to hear from any individualwho may be interested in servingthe church on this highly importantgroup. Board members come from avariety of experience and knowledgebackgrounds, and Council would bekeen to hear from anyone who: is a committed Christian has a high level skillsetand experience base in aprofessional discipline – forexample, business, socialservices, accounting, law,marketing, healthcare,and so on for attending Board meetings andBoard business. The Board usuallymeets once a month in Brisbane,and Board members often serve onassociated Committees as well.Interested? Contact Churches ofChrist in Queensland’s SecretariatDirector, Steve Slade, by phoneon 07 3327 1653 or via email atsteve.slade@cofcqld.com.au for aconfidential chat.This is a rare opportunity to beinvolved at the highest level in oneof the largest and fastest growingChristian organisations in Australia.We would love to hear from you.has hadsignificantexposure tomanaging, leadingor governing alarge organisation– not essential butpreferable.The Board has a needat the moment forsome more femalemembers, so wewould particularlywelcome inquiriesfrom prospectivefemaleapplicants.Boardmembershipis voluntary;however, allexpensesare coveredpage7

networkingnetworkingChurches of Christ in QueenslandBook traces church beginningsThe Church from the Paddock - A History of Churches of Christ in Queensland, 1883-2013 waslaunched during the Annual General Meeting component of Celebrate 2013. Available in hardcoverlimited editions, paperback and online, the book traces the 130-year history of Churches of Christ inQueensland.Written by Geoff Risson and Craig Brown, the book dissects how the organisation contributed tothe building of a young country and how “care” became an integral part of the Churches of Christequation.There are pages of amazing black and white, as well as colour photographs showcasing some ofthe people and places important to Churches of Christ in Queensland. It also highlights a variety ofinteresting stories and personalities.Churches of Christ in Queensland Chief Executive Officer, Dean Phelan, described the book as amagnificent commemorative piece, vowing to continue the story for years to come.“It is a great story of achievements and history changing events,” Dean said.“We will continue this story and exponentially bring the light of Christ into every community in thedecades ahead.”Copies of The Church from the Paddock - A History of Churches of Christ inQueensland, 1883-2013 are available for purchase on our website atwww.cofcqld.com.au or by phone on 07 3327 1620Churches of Christ in QueenslandCentrifuge - Let Justice RollWe see injustice everyday in our families, communitiesand other surrounds, yet often feel paralysed in knowinghow to respond.May’s Centrifuge conference, Let Justice Roll, will focuson these injustices and equip attendees with theconfidence to address them on their journey.From Thursday 15 to Friday 16 May at Springwood Churchof Christ, people from right across our movement,including church leaders, chaplains, staff andvolunteers, will consider Jesus’ call for us to embody andpromote justice in

donation or pledge, please contact our Fundraising Team by phone on 1800 600 . Please send your articles, story ideas, photos and events to communications@cofcqld.com.au. Desley Millwood Director of Commu