Community Report
An Update from the Elders
Kia ora Redeemer,
As mentioned a couple of Sundays ago, we (The Elders) wish to supplement our usual means of communication by periodically sending out a report on how things are going and some of our thoughts as we grow together.
Ministry Staffing & A Step of Faith
We have been indicating for some time our hopes for an intentional women’s ministry leader to aid in discipleship. We were excited to announce that Carli Rogers will be taking on the role as a component of her current deacon position, overseeing children and young persons. To assist in the intentionality, we have stepped out in faith by allocating 8 hours per week of paid time for her to meet the workload. I say stepping out in Faith because while Redeemer is in a good financial position, the role is financially unsustainable in the long run at the current budget funding levels. What we are proposing to help make the role sustainable and eventually expand, is to ask the congregation to consider targeted giving to her ministry. What this could look like is 10 families giving $25 per week, which would cover her role as we have set out. As the church grows, we would love to add more hours to the staff as we can afford it.
As it stands now, I (Sean) am renumerated for 16 hr/pw, Fraser and Carli 8 hr/pw each. In addition to their roles, we are insisting on and providing ongoing theological and pastoral training primarily through Grace Theological College. The training for the team is essential to hone skills and apply knowledge in day-to-day ministry, and we hope that the congregation will also take up opportunities to train in body ministry by doing the ‘Intro to Biblical Counselling’ paper at the college.
Leadership Updates
In addition to this, William, who has been on sabbatical from eldership and Nic, who stepped down from her deacon role when Al and Karren had their terminal diagnoses, leading to their entering eternity, are taking up joint deaconship as lay ministry support leaders. This timing, which has been in process for some time, is critical considering the unforeseen departure of Paul and his family from leadership and church family life.
Worship Team
While we are praying for a new music leader to replace Paul and new members to join the team, we will have some times when the current team are unable to serve as they would hope with a full complement of musicians and singers. Please pray for them and their ministry that blesses us so richly each week!
Future Vision & Prayer Requests
There are a couple of areas that we are hoping to see movement in. Firstly, we have been and ask everyone to join us in prayer for a permanent venue that we can utilise during the week. This will help us with our second prayer request for wisdom as we set up a counselling centre to serve not only our church and other local churches, but also provide evangelistic counselling for the community. At the same time, we are updating the church constitution to keep in step with our values.
While these seem big, God is able to provide all our needs as we trust Him in our ideas for service that glorifies God and brings his peace into the community. Our heart for the church is to not only engage with our neighbours and friends but to actively seek ways to engage the poor, the last, the least and the lost with gospel dynamics for daily life. Serving people spiritually and physically where appropriate in order to be a ‘light on a hill’, ‘Salt’ and an influence for the glory of God and the good of those we encounter.
Church Membership
Our final encouragement is a question regarding church membership. We would love to see every regular attender become a member. The question is, ‘Do you know why you have not become a church member?’ Please seek out an Elder to discuss your answer if you are yet to become a member at Redeemer.
Psalm 133
A song of ascents. Of David.
How delightfully good
when brothers live together in harmony!
It is like fine oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down Aaron’s beard
onto his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon
falling on the mountains of Zion.
For there the LORD has appointed the blessing—
life forevermore.
Blessing to you all,
Sean