Here is a short video from one of our pastors, Ian, as he talks about life at SCPC this week.
Below is the text from the video.
Welcome to The Pastors’ Post, an update for life at Southern Cross.
Firstly, a Safari update. Safari is our yearly youth camp, run over 5 days. A big event on the youthies’ calendar. We postponed it from the June/July holidays and were looking to do a shorter camp called Safari Lite these coming holidays from the 3rd-5th October.
Unfortunately, as of last week we have cancelled Safari Lite. The logistics and challenges with having an overnight camp during Covid have been too great for us. However, we are still planning to run afternoon and evening activities over the long weekend in October, out at Ken and Lyn Murphy’s farm. Thanks Ken and Lyn, you’re legends!
Each age group will get to spend an afternoon and evening having some fun, food and Bible time out the back of Ken and Lyn’s farm, along their creek. More details will follow with that.
Separately, an update of the Families Pastor role for 2021. It has been a joy and a challenge for me to serve in this role across 2020. Difficult at times, and yet a wonderful blessing, for myself and my family. But we’re excited that we’ve been in conversation with two potential pastors for the role in 2021
On 29th July, LT had a two-hour ZOOM meeting with a graduate from Bible College who is currently serving with an evangelical missions agency. We were so encouraged by our time with this young leader: their strong passion for Christ to be made known, their creative approach to connecting with their community & their great desire to grow disciple-making disciples.
At this point it seems they will continue serving in their current ministry setting. They were hopeful to visit in the coming weeks but with the complications regarding COVID and travel it may not be possible for that to take place.
Then, our Transition Team met on 5th August for an hour and a half via ZOOM with a former SCPC member who has recently completed their Bachelor of Theology at SMBC. All the transition Team were acquainted with them, except for Dani and Rachelle, so the majority of our questions were related to their suitability for the role rather than Christian character and maturity. We are again eager for them to visit us sometime in September but that will again be regulated by any current restrictions.
Following that time, we would like to be able to provide a name to the Northern Rivers Presbytery on Friday 18th September. The role and candidate would then be included in the agenda of the Northern Rivers Presbytery which will meet Wednesday 14th October for their endorsement as the families pastor’s oversight would lie with the Northern Rivers Presbytery. This would be followed by a preliminary information meeting on Sunday 18th October for SCPC and a Congregational meeting Sunday 1st November to move a motion regarding the finances of the role in 2021.
Well, what a joy it actually is to have a Families Pastor at SCPC! That can encourage the kids, youth and families at Southern Cross, to know the great joy of passing on the gospel baton to the next generation!!
And yet, that’s a role that we all have too!!! Have a listen to Paul as he speaks to his ministry apprentice Timothy:
3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did,
with a clear conscience,
as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.
4 Recalling your tears,
I long to see you,
so that I may be filled with joy.
5 I am reminded of your sincere faith,
which first lived in your grandmother Lois
and in your mother Eunice and,
I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
Thanks for tuning into The Pastors’ Post.
