Beautiful one day, perfect the next!

It was a refreshing holiday, and now there's something we really need to know

Thanks for all your best wishes and prayers for the Brook family's recent holiday. We spent 17 wonderful days in northern New South Wales and Queensland, with a mixture of family and friends, and even one day just by ourselves. We also ran into St Paul's members in the Whitsundays. So much for getting away from it all!

The holiday gave me the opportunity to unwind and 'un-think' — and to simply enjoy the majestic beauty of God's creation: the mountains and streams of the Border Ranges in NSW; the sugar cane fields of Bundaberg; the beaches of the Whitsundays; and the coral wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Even so, we returned to Melbourne knowing that this is our home, and St Paul's the place where we worship and serve as a family, and where God has blessed us with such a supportive community.

The call process

As you read this article, St Paul's is between its pre-call and call meetings. We've had opportunity to make comment on the pastoral and congregational profiles that our Call Committee have prepared; and we've also been presented with a list of candidates compiled from congregational nominations, and from recommendation by the committee itself and the District President.

What kind of pastor are we looking for St Paul's? The Pastor Profile gives us some insights. You may remember the profile that the congregation prepared for my call. There are many similarities between the two, because, at the heart, there are some key characteristics that are essential in serving as a pastor, such as personal spiritual depth and integrity, servant leadership, being a team player, a passion and warmth for people, an openness to the ministry context at St Paul's, and a passion for our worship life. These are a given, both for me, and for the pastor that we call to work together with me. And as with my pastor profile, St Paul's is looking for a pastor who will complement me, and bring a different range of skills, abilities, and interests.

The Pastor Profile notes three key ministry areas that we want our new pastor to work in: discipleship, faith formation, and teaching. You will have read in my last article that disciple-making is the church's reason for being, and that this involves teaching the nature and habits of the Christian faith, with a special focus on those new to the faith or the church, and on the faith journey from young adults through to seniors.

I am excited about welcoming a new pastor to St Paul's, not just because it will relieve me of some extra duties, but because I believe that God has some exciting times ahead for us. St Paul's Church Council and staff have been working behind the scenes on a number of initiatives that are essential for the congregation's health into the future.

Discipleship study

I spoke last month about the research Dania has done into the area of discipleship. This will be a great blessing to our congregation as we work it through all of our ministry a­reas. Running alongside this develop­ment, the Church Council has been examining how it can better oversee the congregation. I want to commend the council for the hard work that has gone into this examination of our tasks and responsibilities, and I'm confident that we will be better able to support St Paul's ministry into the future.

CIC project

Another initiative for which the council needs to be thanked is the establishment of the Communications, Implementation and Coordination (CIC) Team. This team was set up to review all St Paul's ministry areas, and to ensure that we were all travelling along the path of our core values, and in the direction of Vision 2012. The team has reported its finding to Church Council. A number of initiatives will come to the congregation in the next month which I am certain will enhance our mission and ministry.

I can reassure you that a lot of hard work is being undertaken behind the scenes, by some very dedicated and gifted people. Please pray for the congregation's leaders. Theirs is often a largely thankless task, and much of their work is known only to God. I would encourage you to speak regularly to Church Council members and staff about any concerns you may have about where St Paul's is heading, and even more so, any encouragement you wish to give.

Please tell me why?

In that vein, please don't hesitate to contact me if there are matters that you wish to discuss with me. Although I am busy (aren't we all), the core of my work is pastoral care and conversation. I'd like to initiate the process by asking you a question: Over the last months our worship attendances have been significantly down. I would appreciate any feedback you can offer me on why this might be. Are there any reasons that you can identify? Are there factors in your life that have impacted on your ability to get to worship? I welcome any honest and constructive comment. Email me on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , fill in a message card (identify yourself please), or call me in the office. And please don't hesitate to inform me or other staff about any pastoral matters.

Staff news

St Paul's office has been a lonely place in recent weeks, as most of the staff have taken leave of various durations. Our farthest travelled is Matt Olson, who together with his family returned home to US to visit family and friends. He was under strict instructions to return, as his ministry has been such a blessing to us. Cathy Beaton didn't travel quite so far, driving with David, Maddie, and Mia to Queensland, and catching up many friends along the way. I wonder if David and Cathy will make a movie out of this road trip. Dania also spent a relaxing week with some of her favourite things: Brian, the outdoors and wine. She has come back refreshed. And Alan combined three modes of transport in flying, train-ing, and driving to and around far north Queenland. Keren is looking forward to a holiday, as is Sue, who has successfully completed her first unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at the Austin/Repat Hospital. Sue graduated on July 23. Congratulations go to Sue for her achievement, and to Peter too, for supporting her through the last, hectic six months.

For those of you who visit or phone St Paul's during the week, the weekly staff meeting will return to Tuesday noon. Please pray for staff as this time every week, and ask God to grow our love for one another, and our ability to grow the congregation in faith and love through our work.

Mission Sunday

The Mission Team is hosting a Mission Forum on Sunday August 23. This newly reinvigorated team is working enthusiastically to promote the mission of God's church beyond the immediate reach of our congregation. The Mission Forum will feature a guest preacher, Pastor Mark Schultz, from St Mark's congregation, Epping (Sydney). Pastor Mark recently lead a team of young adults from St Mark's on a mission trip to visit Pastor Simon Mackenzie, in Northern Thailand. Pastor Mark will be joined by a member of his team, who will share with us the excitement of what God is up to in Thailand. Glenice Hartwich, project officer from the LCA Board for Mission, will also join us. Please mark this date in your diary and plan to join us for lunch and the afternoon forum.

Peace in Christ

Pastor Andrew Brook