About
Refocus is a new conference about pastoral leadership. We aim 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. 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
It is our hope that Refocus 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 and Refreshments |
| 9.00 | Worship in Song |
| 9.10 | Welcome & Introduction to Refocus (Duncan Anderson) |
| 9.15 | Moderator’s Address (David Burke) |
| 9.20 | Introduction to the Women’s Ministry Facilitator (Anna Moss) |
| 9.30 | Keynote Presentation on Healthy Christians (John McClean) The Christian’s Toil Against Sin: Fighting Temptation While Secure in Christ (Kelly Kapic) |
| 10.30 | Morning Tea |
| 11.00 | Case Studies: |
| 12.35 | Lunch |
| 1.35 | Following Christ in all of Life: Tim Macready (Chief Investment Officer, Christian Super) Fiona Wright (School Teacher, Penrith Anglican College) Ian Denness (Former Missionary in Pakistan, Skin Cancer Doctor) |
| 2.25 | Innovation Lab: Consulting in Church Worship (Angus Gibb, Tumut Presbyterian Church) Women’s Ministry (Carmelina Read, Chatswood Presbyterian Church) Enabling Others to Follow Jesus in all of Life (Danny Ford, Petersham Presbyterian Church) |
| 3.10 | Afternoon Tea |
| 3.40 | Case Study: Habourside Presbyterian Church (Jamie Newans) |
| 4.25 | Panel Discussion and Q&A |
| 4.50 | Worship in Song and Prayer |
| 5.00 | Close |
Conference Downloads & Resources
The Case for Change Updated: 10 Urgent Challenges the PCNSW Must Confront Now (PDF) – Download
Registration
Registration is now closed for this event. If you have any questions about the conference, please e-mail us directly at admin@christcollege.edu.au.Keynote Speakers
Kelly M. Kapic
Kelly M. Kapic is professor of theological studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia.
He is the author or editor of over ten books, including Overcoming Sin & Temptation: Three Classic Works (2006), God So Loved He Gave (Zondervan, 2010), A Little Book for New Theologians (IVP Academic, 2012), and Pocket Dictionary of the Reformed Tradition (IVP Academic, 2013). Kapic will also be writing a volume for Theology of the Christian Life in the series, New Studies in Dogmatics (Zondervan).
John McClean
John McClean is Vice Principal of Christ College, and teaches in the areas of Christian Thought focussing on Systematic Theology and Ethics.
He is the convenor of the Gospel, Society and Culture Committee of the Presbyterian Church of NSW and he writes a regular ethics column in the Pulse, the PCNSW magazine. He is married to Elizabeth, and they have two adult children.
Guest Speakers & Presenters
| David Burke Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (Concord) David will be talking about risk aversion, exhorting us to word ministry that shapes Christlikeness |
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| Anna Moss PCNSW Women’s Ministry Facilitator Anna is starting a new and strategic ministry to our wider denomination, having been involved in women’s ministry at Drummoyne for many years. We’ll have a chance to get to know Anna a little better, along with what her new role will involve for her and us. |
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John McClean Christ College John will be giving the first part of the keynote presentation focused on cultivating healthy Christians from our Theological Vision. Ordinary Christians make up the majority of our churches, their ordinary lives are the frontline of ministry in our post-Christian culture, and it’s our job to equip them to follow Jesus in all of life, not just at church. |
| Kelly Kapic Covenant College Kelly will be giving the second part of the keynote presentation addressing the issue of fighting temptation while secure in Christ. Kelly will introduce us to the very practical concepts of mortification and vivification through the writings of John Owen, to help us live more effectively for Christ each day. |
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| Robert McKean
Orange Presbyterian Church Robert will look at recent growth at Orange Presbyterian Church and their attempts to consolidate that growth through a focus on discipleship. |
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| Jeremy Tan Redemption Hill Presbyterian Church Jeremy will share key learnings from the first year of planting a new church in the fastest growing area in Sydney. In particular, he will reflect on empowering Christians to live for Jesus in the every day moments of daily life, and how small groups can be key structures that enable mission, discipleship, and pastoral care. |
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| James McFarlane Hornsby Presbyterian Church James will share how love is the key focus in cultivating healthy Christians as they relate to God, each other, Hornsby and the world. |
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| Tim Macready Cherrybrook Presbyterian Church Tim will be joining us on our panel discussion about following Christ in all of life |
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| Fiona Wright Winmalee Presbyterian Church Fiona will be joining us on our panel discussion about following Christ in all of life. |
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| Ian Denness Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (Strathfield) Ian will be joining us on our panel discussion about following Christ in all of life. |
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| Angus Gibb Tumit Presbyterian Church Angus will share his desire to captivating our churches with a passion to sing with all their strength, to the glory of God. |
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| Carmelina Read Chatswood Presbyterian Church Carmelina will tell us how a significant women’s ministry at Chatswood Presbyterian Church was built up over several years. |
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| Danny Ford Petersham Presbyterian Church Danny has a passion for enabling others in his church to live for Christ in all of life. This isn’t always easy when your church is full of musicians and shift workers who work strange hours, including weekends. |
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| Jamie Newans Habourside Presbyterian Church Jamie will be sharing the story of Harbourside and how they have sought to cultivate healthy Christians in their context over past years. |
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| Duncan Anderson Manly Presbyterian Church Duncan is the new minister at Manly and will be our MC for the day. |
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| Samantha Ho Christ College Samantha will be hosting our new ‘Following Christ in all of Life’ segment. |