Dominic's blog

Pearl Diving & Camel riding in Broome, October 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:03:00 +0000

This was the day we visited the Pearl Diving Museum in Broome WA. Saturday October 25, 2008.

Alice Springs Aboriginal Town Camps

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:36:00 +0000

Last year on our trip around Australia I visited one of the Aboriginal Town Camps with Pastor Dave from the Lutheran Church.

I talk about this visit in this talk last Sunday at church...

Imagine a church that loves the lost

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Thu, 28 May 2009 01:56:00 +0000

video feed | iTunes

audio feed | iTunes

How's the building going

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Sat, 23 May 2009 10:46:00 +0000

People keep asking me how is the building going? Here's a week by week progress shoot that Andre and Nick put together.

Cathie's home

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Sat, 23 May 2009 10:28:00 +0000

We called in to the hospital this morning to see Cathie. The registrar
had just been through and told her that she could go home. So we took
her home. Praise God for this amazing recovery - 48 hours after
surgery and she is in less pain than she has been for several months.

She has been asleep for most of the day. But she would rather be here
sleeping than at hospital (even with the sound of kids squabbling).

It's been a quiet day otherwise. Hannah and Solomon's sport was
cancelled. Abraham has gone for a sleepover at a mates. Solomon's
AFL game tomorrow has been cancelled as well.

There's a BBQ after church that I'm looking forward to.

ps Our phone is being switched over to a new phone company so we have
a few days with no home phone.

A vision template from Stuart Robinson

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Sat, 23 May 2009 02:40:00 +0000

This is a template for formulating a ministry vision that Stuart Robinson gave me in 2001 that I have frequently lookd back on.

1. Passion – for the Lord - share own heart - if not with me on this one - need to talk or you need to walk

2. Passion – for the Lost - share own heart - if not with me on this one - need to talk or you need to walk

3. Prayer – Personal

4. Prayer – Corporate

5. Plan – Core Values ( the priorities and assumptions which describe the personality or character of a ministry. C.V’s are essential for clarifying direction). Examples of C.V.’s include;

• the priority of reaching the lost
• the priority of mutual ministry
• the priority of equipping believers for ministry
• the priority of fellowship with God and each other

Note: Structures such as house groups or cell groups are not to be thought of as core values. Rather, they are the/a vehicle by which we can live out our core values.

1. Plan – A clear statement of Mission – (the ‘why does this particular church exist’ question). Examples include;
• ‘we exist to know Christ and to make him known’
• ‘we exist to reach people and to teach them to follow Jesus’
• ‘we exist to engage with our community, to evangelise the lost and to equip and establish the saints’

1. Plan – A clear statement of Vision – (the ‘where are we going’ question or the ‘what shape ought our church take’ question). Examples include;

Where do we want to be in five years ?? lets dream ??
• ‘Our vision is for men, women, boys and girls to move from being ‘outsiders’ (Colossians 4:5) to ‘disciples’ (Matthew 28:19) within eighteen months.’
• ‘Our vision is to exercise pastoral care and outreach through a developing network of cell churches’
• ‘Our vision is to engage in gospel growth by multiplying congregations’
• ‘Our vision is to provide a safe place for emotional and spiritual healing’

Note: Vision is very much a function of leadership. A vision which is borne out of prayer, consultation and research will ‘resonate’ with those in the planning group and will be a unifying focus for the whole church.

Strengths/Weakness/Opportunities/Threats

1. Plan – A clear statement of ministry Objectives – ( the ‘what specific areas will we target in order to fulfil our mission and realize our vision’ question). Objectives are generally non-negotiable. (In setting objectives always ask, ‘can I assign a person to take responsibility for this area?’). Examples include;

Set clear objectives - in which we will principally invest - people/money/prayer
- non negotiable core ministries for the next two years
- contain all ministries under ten !
- work out a goal schedule

• To provide a Christ-centred ministry to children
• To provide a Christ-centred ministry to adults
• To provide a christ-centred ministry in stewarding resources
• To provide a christ-centred ministry in leadership development

LETS HAVE A LOOK AGAIN AT THE CORE VALUES - SO THE CORE VALUES WILL AGAIN SHAPE THE GOALS THAT FLOW OUT OF THE OBJECTIVES. THE CORE VALUES FORM A CHECK LIST AGAINST WHICH GOALS CAN BE SET FOR MEETING OBJECTIVES.

A REAL SENSE OF OWNERSHIP - BRAINSTORM FOR EVERY OBJECTIVE, TO WORK OUT THE GOALS. ASSIGN THE GOALS - HIGH ACCOUNTABILITY - SHARE THAT WITH THE WHOLE CHURCH.

1. Programmes – An Ideas Shedule. In order to set goals (which facilitate objectives), the planning group need to take the time to brain-storm, dream and record their ideas – no matter how ‘out there’ they may seem. Time ought then be spent in prayer. An ideas schedule is to be completed for each objective.

2. Programmes – Goals. Out of the Ideas Schedule a series of

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Result-oriented and
• Time-dated goals are to be set.

Note: Unlike Objectives, Goals are flexible and mid-course corrections may be appropriate.

1. Programmes – Evaluation. Goals which are ‘S.M.A.R.T.’ can and must be regularly revised and evaluated. Quarterly and annual evaluations are oft-used time frames.

2. Programmes – Celebration. Often overlooked, celebration (of goals which have been met) are a wonderful way of encouraging the ‘body’ and bring honour to Christ. Context is also created. This means the church can look back to what God has done in their midst and then boldly step forward with new faith-filled goals.

Note; Programmes put flesh on our Plans which inflame our Passion and inform our Prayer.

After postmodernity? Pragmatism!

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Sat, 23 May 2009 02:19:00 +0000

The Introducing God course we wrote a few years ago is still seen by lots of people as the Christian course most suited to Introduce a postmodern to God.

But what is next after post modernity?

If after evidence based modernity (with it's search for truth), comes post modernity (with it's conviction that truth cannot be found), then I am tentatively suggesting (I can't remember where I read it but I now think I agree with the suggestion) that after post modernity comes pragmatism.

In that if the world has given up caring about what is true then we will do what works.

I see this in the way the world functions but also in the wider church.

Is this thesis right and if it is how will it impact communicating Christ to an increasingly pragmatic world? As we come to write version two of Introducing God what changes would you suggest?

The thinking behind what we are Imagining

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Fri, 22 May 2009 05:36:00 +0000

A friend has emailed ...

I'm inspired by the vision stuff you are doing at church.
We are trying to work out a process of developing a vision.

From watching and listening to your talks I've worked out some of your steps but is there a document you could send me that maps out the steps you are taking to establish your vision?

I think we are 'building the bridge as we walk on it' and are making it up as we go along. But I'll try to use this blog for the next little while to think aloud about what we are doing.

Pastor church to Team church

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Fri, 22 May 2009 05:31:00 +0000

I think Arlin Rothauge has lots to teach us about church size theory.

http://www.congregationalresources.org/article0132.asp

I can see we as a ministry are on the verge of the change from pastor
church to team church.

We have been in some ways operating as a team church but it most ways
operating as a pastor church.

In order to grow we need to become wholistically a team church.

Applications of this are:

1. Last Sunday the data projector had the top of the display cut off
meaning you couldn't easily read the top line of any of the songs. My
temptation (acting in the pastor church model) was to take
responsibility and get up and fix it. But acting under instructions
from Matt Lemsing (our executive pastor) I sat on my hands. He says I
need to train others to take responsibility for things by not fixing
the problems myself.

2. On Monday night we have a meeting of our new finance and property
committee (church council in Anglican speak). I am not going. This
is not because I don't care about what decisions are made, but the way
to train others to own the issues is to give them freedom to make
decisions by me not going, then others will step up and lead.

I am really excited about both seeing these areas of applying the
theory and us starting to live them out.

The church size theory says that it's hard to move from one size model
to another. The hardest is the change from pastor church to team
church. The difficulties are the pastor not letting go and the
members not stepping up (and the recursive pattern that develops).

Please pray for us that both I, our new elders (next post) and our
members would all make this change.

Cathie is up and about

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Fri, 22 May 2009 04:05:00 +0000

Cathie had neurosurgery yesterday and I have learnt a lot about this
subject in the last 24 hours.

She has had serious back pain for a few months now. She had an
injection a fortnight ago, it reduced the pain somewhat. But she
started to loose function below the waist. So the doctor on Monday
said go straight to surgery do not pass go. The operation was
yesterday afternoon.

I dropped her at the hospital at 11am and waited with her till 12:30.
The operation list started at 12:30, there were two of them on the
list and she was second. Theatre for her didn't actually start till
3pm. She was out by 5:30pm and when I arrived at her ward (30 mins
earlier than they told me to be there) she had just arrived and was
groggy but conscious.

There's a scar about two and a half inches long on her lower back.
This morning while I was there she did two walks down the corridor.
Her brain is functioning normally, the pain is much reduced and
although she appears to have pretty much full function back. So it's
so far so good.

I've pulled out of a regional planning day on Saturday. Hannah's
doing netball on Saturday morning, then we will visit Cathie in
hospital, then Solomon will do AFL and Hannah take Barack to dog
training.

I am expecting to be at church on Sunday and looking forward to
speaking on 'Imagine a church that loves the lost.'

Thanks so much to all those who have prayed and offered support.

Dominic

Abraham chairing school assembly :)

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:02:00 +0000

Great Keppel Island

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:30:00 +0000

It's a day off so I spent a little time editing up a video from September 17, 2008 - on long service leave.

Church building from the inside.

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:56:00 +0000

Ian's tour of upstairs

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Sat, 02 May 2009 03:25:00 +0000

Hannah playing for the Bobcats

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Sat, 02 May 2009 00:14:00 +0000

Imagine Christ | 1 of 7

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:57:00 +0000

Our project as a church family the next seven weeks is to Imagine what Christ might do through us. We are spending the time 1. Giving thanks, 2. Setting forward a proto-vision for this ministry and 3. Asking for support.

It's linked to the fact that we are opening a new building on October 11, 2009 and so entering into a new phase of ministry. We are also changing the way we operate from a pastor model church to a team model church. And we are going to need everyone involved if we are to realise the vision that we think God has given us.

It's the start of the conversation rather than the last word. The elders are going to be taking note of what is said and digesting it and then reporting back at our AGM next march with a more concrete vision.

In the meantime we are also asking all involved with church for their take on how we as a church, their community group specifically and they individually are going at:
* Remembering what Christ has done
* Following Christ
* Loving each other
* Loving the lost
* Blessing beyond

We are also attempting to put the ministry on a sounder financial footing by asking for 12 month commitments of support to both our operational costs and building debt, as well as a one off gift towards the building ahead of June 30.

They are exciting times. But it marks a change from 'stake in the ground and run,' to planning to be a more settled long term sustainable steadily growing ministry.

Please pray for us.

New building walkthrough

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:16:00 +0000

Imagine Week Zero | More than you can imagine

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:44:00 +0000

Con Campbell kicked off the Imagine a church series for us last Sunday. It was an excellent address on Ephesians 3:20, setting out how God can do more than we can imagine.

You may like to repost this series on your blog.

audio | video | handout

Imagine a church

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:42:00 +0000

At our church over the next seven weeks in personal bible reading, community group studies and in our Sunday meetings we will be using our imagination. We are asking ourselves to :

26 April 2009 - Imagine Christ
3 May 2009 - Remember what Christ has done
10 May 2009 - Imagine a church that follows Christ
17 May 2009 - Imagine a church that loves each other
22 May 2009 – Thanksgiving Dinner
24 May 2009 - Imagine a church that loves the lost
31 May 2009 - Imagine a church that blesses others (Gift and Pledge Sunday)
7 June 2009 - Imagine a church that parties

Most importantly we will be imagining the difference that a church like this could make for Christ in today’s world.

This is a series about the church, the body of people who together form the church. It is specifically a series about our church Annandale Community Church/Christians in the Media.

It highlights some of the great themes of the Bible that we are particularly excited about as a church.

This series will be conducted in conjunction with an appeal to give generously to our church operational costs and building appeal.

The series will stir our imaginations to be a church that truly impacts the world for Christ.

I hope that you enjoy and are challenged by this series.

Media Students Getaway

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:42:00 +0000

I got back last night from a brilliant couple of days with Sophie Gyles and a team of media students from UTS.

We also took Abraham and Barack (our fox terrier).

The series we studied was called 'What would Jesus say to Beyonce.'

We looked at the first talk at the sweep of the Bible's teaching on marriage and sexuality. And in the second one at a Biblical take on the Homosexuality debate.

Gender roles and Homosexuality are probably the most controversial areas for students studying media at a place like UTS.

It was a great time. Please pray particularly for one student who is not yet Christian.

Speaking at weddings

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 06:21:00 +0000

I got to the Colinda and Brent's wedding an hour early today. I always do when I am speaking or officiating. I joked with the couple 'If you muck it up on a Sunday people remember for a week. If you muck it up at someone’s wedding they remember for the rest of their life.’ (I think Al Stewart taught me that).

There has been so much angst and planning gone into the flowers and the colors and the dresses etc. And relatively much less thought goes into the really important issue of what is actually said.

Although I wasn’t speaking today I spent a little time reflecting on how I put together a wedding talk.
- Understand that most of the guests are probably on a ‘first date’ with God and so therefore my aim is to ‘make a little ground,’ commending the experience of coming to church, engaging with God and his word.
- I want people to hear that it is possible to come into a relationship with Jesus as Saviour and Lord and that this will involve trusting and obeying.
- Keep it short. Remember they are here for a wedding not a lecture or crusade. No one really wants you go to over ten minutes.
- As you are the first speaker of the day you can cherry pick and showcase the most important information relevant information about the couples relationship with Christ and each other. I think it's really important to show that the couple are real and serious about their relationship with God and what that looks like in their life and how that will impact their marriage.
- Pick a passage that doesn’t take too much work to give context and background. I often will speak evangelistically from narratives, but rarely at weddings. I am much more likely at a wedding to pick a propositional text that can be illustrated from either the couple’s life or marriage etc.
- I generally ask people to pick a wedding passage that I haven’t spoken on before so that I am not just in my mind changing the names of the bride and groom from last time.
- See it as an occasional address rather than a regular exegetical presentation. Therefore this is not really the time for a detailed exegetical argument.
- I have chosen not to use the wedding to address the controversy over gender roles (I’ve not tackled Genesis 2 or Ephesians 5 at weddings). If people are to go home remembering something I would rather then remember the cross, rather than feminist controversy. That leads me to put emphasis primarily on the husband’s obligation in laying down his life for his wife as Christ did. (Note this doesn’t mean that I back away from complementarian wedding vows. I am very keen that people model their relationships on Christ and the church in a complementarian rather than egalitarian way. But I think that the time for teaching this is in the study beforehand rather than in what is a guest meeting.)
- Every talk needs an action point. What am I going to do. For the husband it’s love like Christ, for the non Christian guest it’s talk to the couple about what that means, for Christian guests it’s pray for them.
- I make sure that the couple are clear about what is going to be said and then encourage them to ensure that at the reception things said in church are backed up an reinforced. As everyone expects the minister in church to say Christian things, but it’s when the individuals say later on, off church property, that they believe the things that were said that people may really take notice.

I should say that although I have spoken at weddings about every six weeks for the last ten years. Only about four of them have been for people outside our ministry. So for those weddings their may be a different approach.

Colinda and Brent

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 05:03:00 +0000

Bob Carr makes an excellent case

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:50:00 +0000

Good point by former Premier Bob Carr

Wedding Ceremonies

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 23:48:00 +0000

A thought on wedding ceremonies. I am off to Colinda and Brent’s wedding in an hour or so.

I am really big on encouraging the bride and groom to learn their wedding vows off by heart and then having them printed in the program.

I love it when couples are able to say their promises to each other unprompted on the day because they have gone over the words again and again.

It helps teach them and it helps teach those gathered that these promises are real. When they say the words of the promise they are promises that the couple own. They have been over the promises again and again as they have met the two or three weeks beforehand.

And a side benefit is that it allows me as the officiator to have a detailed discussion about the meaning of the promises a long time in advance, so after that discussion they can start practicing.

ps the generous people at St Thomas' North Sydney have lent us their building for the wedding today. We are looking forward to opening our building in October. There are two couples keen to get married then.

City Bible Forum - Wednesdays and Thursdays in the CBD

noreply@blogger.com (Dominic) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:28:00 +0000

I'm looking forward to being back at the City Bible Forum in a fortnights' time (Justin is speaking at the moment giving a three week series on suffering).

When I am back we're doing a series called 'Essential Jesus'

During the five weeks we will be encouraging people to give out copies of the Essential Jesus to their workmates throughout the CBD.

The series I am doing is all taken from the Essential Jesus.

1 Jesus weeps over the city Luke 19:28-48 (April 28, Pyrmont; April 29, Angel Place; April 30, Cathedral)

2 Jesus challenge to city leaders Luke 20:1-19 (May 5, Pyrmont; May 6, Angel Place; May 7, Cathedral)

3 Jesus, paying taxes and heaven Luke 20:20-39 (May 12, Pyrmont; May 13, Angel Place; May 14, Cathedral)

4 An essential meal Luke 22:7-38 (May 19, Pyrmont; May 20, Angel Place; May 21, Cathedral)

5 Blood sweat and tears Luke 22:39-46 (May 26, Pyrmont; May 27, Angel Place; May 28, Cathedral)

I plan to give the same series at our Tuesday lunchtime Bible talks at the Harlequin Hotel in Pyrmont. These talks have been really going well this year. We've been enjoying working together through the logic of Tim Keller's book Reason for God. We will pick that up after this series from Luke.