Monday 15 July, 2019
What is Refocus?
Refocus is a conference about pastoral leadership. With our first conference in 2016, our aim is to serve pastoral leaders (ministers and elders) and their wives, and those training for pastoral leadership (students and apprentices), especially in Presbyterian and Reformed churches. Pastoral leaders and leaders-in-training from other churches are very welcome to join us.
Each year we focus on one of the four sections of our comprehensive theological vision for the Presbyterian Church of Australia in NSW:
- Churches centred on the gospel of Christ;
- Churches made up of Christians trusting in Christ and living for God’s glory;
- Churches led by teams of Shepherds and Servants; and
- Churches working together in gospel-centred mission
About Refocus 2019
At Refocus 2019 we will tackle the difficult issue of cultivating healthy presbyteries and assemblies. Presbyteries are the linchpins in our polity, yet in most cases they are not as functional as they should be. As a result, many of our churches and leaders don’t work together cooperatively and effectively for the gospel. On 15 July 2019 we will hear from the Bible and the experiences of leaders from other states, presbyteries and local churches who have experienced renewal in their presbyteries and churches. We will also facilitate two workshops designed to help you apply what you learn with other leaders from your presbytery or local church.
It is our hope that Refocus 2019 will leave you:
- Inspired by our distinctive theological vision for our churches.
- Encouraged by real stories of effective leadership and positive change from our churches.
- Refreshed by a new space for engaging conversation, deepening friendships and professional development with other pastoral leaders.
Program
| 8.30 | Registration & Refreshments |
| 9.00 | Worship in Song |
| 9.10 | Welcome from the MC |
| 9.15 | Address by the Moderator (Kamal Weerakoon) |
| 9.20 | Keynote Address: Healthy Presbyteries and Assemblies (Alistair Bain) |
| 10.20 | Morning Tea |
| 10.55 | Worship in Song |
| 11.00 | Case Study: Renewal in Queensland (Mike O’Connor) |
| 11.40 | Case Study: Renewal in the Presbytery of Wagga Wagga (David Powell) |
| 12.00 | Case Study: Renewal in the Presbytery of the Hunter (John MacIntyre) |
| 12.20 | Address: A possible future for NSW (Matt Oates) |
| 1.00 | Lunch |
| 2.00 | Stream A Church Leader Workshop (Kevin Murray with Mike O’Connor) • Workshop-style interaction focused on local church mission OR Stream B Presbytery Leader Workshop (Matt Oates with David Powell & John MacIntyre) • Workshop-style interaction focused on presbytery leadership and renewal for presbytery leaders and members who wish to cultivate improved health, cooperation and effectiveness for the gospel among the leaders and churches in their presbytery. |
| 3.10 | Afternoon Tea |
| 4.00 | Worship in song and prayer |
| 4.10 | Panel Discussion |
| 4.55 | Worship in song and prayer |
| 5.00 | Close |
Conference Resources & Downloads
Refocus Conference Talk Archives
The Case for Change Updated: 10 Urgent Challenges the PCNSW Must Confront Now (PDF) – Download
Registration
We’ll be opening registrations soon in November. Please check back later. If you have any questions about registration in the meantime, please call e-mail us at contact@christcollege.edu.au.Speakers
Keynote Speaker: Alistair Bain
Alistair is the Senior Minister at St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Hobart Tasmania. He is also the Presbyterian Chaplain and a member of the Human Research Ethics Committee at the University of Tasmania. Alistair will be giving the keynote address on healthy presbyteries and assemblies.
Mike O’Connor
Mike is the Senior Minister at Rockhampton Presbyterian Church and the State Moderator in Queensland. He has also served as a pastoral leader in Henty and Wauchope. He will be sharing with us some of the attempts made, and lessons learned, in cultivating renewal across Queensland, especially in presbyteries and assemblies. Mike will also help facilitate a workshop in the afternoon for church leaders and members who wish to cultivate more fruitful local church mission.
David Powell
David is the Pastor of morningchurch at Albury Presbyterian Churches. He will be sharing with us some of the attempts made, and lessons learned, in cultivating renewal across the Presbytery of Wagga Wagga. David will also help facilitate a workshop in the afternoon for presbytery leaders and members who wish to cultivate greater health in their local presbytery.
John Macintyre
John is the Senior Pastor at Grace Presbyterian Church in Newcastle. He has also served as a pastoral leader at St. Philip’s (Newcastle) and Tamworth. He will be sharing with us some of the attempts made, and lessons learned, in cultivating renewal across the Presbytery of the Hunter. John will also help facilitate a workshop in the afternoon for presbytery leaders and members who wish to cultivate greater health in their local presbytery.
Matthew Oates
Matt is the new Superintendent of Ministry and Mission for the Presbyterian Church of Australia in NSW. He has also served as a pastoral leader at Epping, North Sydney and Mudgee. Matt will be speaking about a possible future for the Presbyterian Church in NSW. He will also facilitate a workshop in the afternoon for presbytery leaders and members who wish to cultivate greater health in their local presbytery.
Kevin Murray
Kevin is the Director of Australian Presbyterian World Mission. He speaks regularly in churches across Australia about global and local church mission. Kevin has also served as a pastoral leader at Hurstville, Strathfield and Narrandera. Kevin will be facilitating a workshop in the afternoon for church leaders and members who wish to cultivate more fruitful local church mission.
Duncan Anderson
Duncan is the Minister at Manly Presbyterian Church. He has also served as a pastoral leader at Gateway Presbyterian Church in Anna Bay. Duncan will be our MC for the day.