Part 3

Pastoral Services 2000-2001

Graham Want
Manager - Pastoral Services

"During the year our congregations took new mission initiatives and developed fresh ways to express their faith and reach the unchurched."

	overview
	mission centres
	volunteering
	superintendent's report
	care services
	community services
	pastoral services
	corporate services
	triple bottom line reporting
	financial summaries
	major donors

Pastoral Services

After 19 years of faithful service Rev Tony Chi farewells Wesley Mission

Church members enjoy a time of fellowship

Songs of praise......International congregation sing in one accord

Leading contemporary worship

Overview

We thank God for another year of steady growth and rich blessing. The Pastoral Services division ministered in a rapidly changing social environment. Multiculturalism, pluralism, gender confusion and immense technological advancement impacted on the way the people of Sydney thought and lived. In this turbulent social environment Wesley Mission remained committed to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the nurture and development of God's people and the alleviation of human suffering and distress. 

During the year our congregations took new mission initiatives and developed fresh ways to express their faith and reach the unchurched. As a result, attendances grew and unchurched people came to a living faith in Christ and were baptised into the life of the church. 

We constantly sought new ways to reach and evangelise the people of the inner-city: high-rise dwellers, the young, the elderly, families, and people from all cultural backgrounds. Underlying the church's evangelistic strategy was a commitment to multi-congregational ministry and to the belief that the Gospel must be presented in culturally relevant ways.

We thank God for his blessings and for the privilege of serving Him through his church. We acknowledge the contribution of committed full-time ministers, chaplains and staff, gifted elders, members and lay volunteers and the generous support of members.

Key Result Areas

Christian Faith

We praise God for a steady increase in the number of services conducted, attendance and membership. Behind every statistic was a story of God's graciousness and goodness.

Wesley Mission attracted people from many stratas of society. Some people were successful professionals or business people; other folk were poor and homeless. There was also a mix of the young and elderly. In addition to traditional Anglo-Australians, people from more than 45 different ethnic backgrounds were represented in our congregations. We are indeed a church of many nations (Isaiah 2:2-4).

Some 45 worship services were conducted each week at our many centres. Sunday services were offered in English, Mandarin, Japanese, Samoan and Rotuman languages.

Complementing the worship services was a network of Small Group Fellowships and discipleship classes, which built people up in their faith and their understanding of the Word of God. These include the City School of the Bible, Know and Grow, Wesley Christian Fellowship, Aldersgate Fellowship, Search the Scriptures and Agape Fellowship just to mention a few.

Prayer supported our congregational life. Days of prayer and fasting, weekly prayer meetings, prayer for special outreaches, and prayer within small group fellowships facilitated personal growth and invoked God's blessing.

The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games left an indelible mark on the City of Sydney. As the city hosted the world's greatest sporting event Wesley Mission proclaimed the Gospel to all who would hear. In association with Lay Witnesses for Christ, an American based mission team of athletes, musicians and evangelists, Wesley Mission proclaimed the Gospel through a co-ordinated program of evangelistic rallies, street witnessing, sports clinics and music performances. A highlight of the Reach Out 2000 program was a celebration rally that featured nine-time Olympic gold medallist, Carl Lewis and Jo DeLoach, the only Olympian ever to beat Carl Lewis in Olympic competition.

Carl Lewis joined Wesley Mission's outreach activities during the Sydney Olympics.

We thank God for the many visitors who attended the Games and went home having discovered something more valuable than gold - faith in Christ.

The Chapel in the City Congregation met at lunchtime each Thursday and enjoyed new life. A D-Group (Deeper Discussion and Discovery) met before the service for an intensive look at the Scripture passage on which Dr Moyes' sermon was based. An Interactive Café met following the service to further discuss the theme. Members enjoyed the opportunity to clarify and apply the issues raised during the service.

The Edward Eagar Lodge Congregation is comprised of inner-city homeless people. Many of these people, who are struggling with addictions, found hope and new life as they participated in the worship life of the congregation. Lives were impacted with the good news of the Gospel. One young lady who committed her life to Jesus left behind her previous life of prostitution and drugs. Another young man was supported by visits in hospital after being stabbed while living on the streets.

Fusion University church was a successful new initiative of International Congregation Youth. Approximately 60 university students gathered each Friday night for praise and worship under the leadership of Youth Pastor Mark Wilkes. Services were bright and exuberant, appealing to young people who desired a vibrant worship experience. 

Club Oasis also met on Friday nights. Approximately 90 young adults met in a small group environment to discuss and study the Word of God. Club Oasis has grown weekly as members brought their unchurched friends. Sunday morning Fusion High School church also proved appealing. Approximately 110 high school students now meet each Sunday morning to praise and hear what the Scriptures have to say about issues relevant to their lives.

Quality of Life

A volunteer work party of 17, under the leadership of Rev Jeff Pope, travelled to the island of Rotuma to construct a library and community centre on 11 June, 2001. The project celebrated the Mission's 25-year association with the Rotuman people through its Rotuman Congregation. In addition to the construction of buildings the work party also delivered and catalogued 3,500 donated books and set up two computers. 

The party worked on the project for four weeks. It included members from the Rotuman Congregation, Wesley Church 10.30am Congregation, Sunday Night Live Congregation, three fully sponsored employees of Sydney Water, and community volunteers. The project was completed on time and on budget and was made possible by the generous support of church members and community donors.

Pastoral Services distributed 271 food parcels to needy families of individuals, assisted 101 persons with small amounts of cash for fares or prescriptions and referred 66 persons to other agencies. The number of clients seeking assistance steadily increased each month, revealing a growing need for welfare assistance.

The International Congregation sought to enhance the marriages of church members through its Family Life Ministry. A resource library was established with videos and self help books being readily available. Couples were also encouraged to share in the congregation's marriage enrichment retreats.

The Chinese Congregation conducted weekly English classes to teach immigrants the English language and assisted them with assimilation into Australian society. These services provided a valuable platform for the Gospel.

The Sunday Night Live Congregation introduced Barnabas Teas for singles. These joyous occasions provided valuable fellowship to people who were widowed, divorced, and lonely.

The Sunday Night Live Congregation also began a Beautiful Woman fellowship. The inaugural luncheon was attended by 53 ladies. The fellowship provided a forum within which women's issues were discussed. We thank God for the success of this new initiative.

Celebrating Easter....... the sunrise service at the Opera House.

We continued to expand our chaplaincy ministry. Rev Louise Robinson has been engaged as a full-time chaplain to Wesley Uniting Employment and Dalmar Child and Family Care while Ian Shipway became part-time Chaplain to Hoban House. Through our chaplains we provided a valuable ministry to the residents of Mission centres and our employees, many of whom serve in demanding and stressful situations.

Our other chaplains were:

• Rev Dr Les Underwood (Chaplaincy 
  Co-ordinator Wesley Mission, Director of Pastoral Care Lottie Stewart Hospital, Chaplain R J Williams Lodge),
• Rev Doug Clements (Wesley School for Seniors),
• Rev Helen Edgerton (Wesley Home Care), 
• Rev Dilrukshan Joseph part-time (David Morgan Enterprises, Wesley Industries),
• Rev Mautofu Fuimaono (Wesley Clothing),
• Rev Ron Schepis (Wandene Private Hospital),
• Rev Veneeta Singh-Lucas (Frank Vickery Village, H C Foreman Lodge), 
• Rev Sydney Taito (F H Rayward Lodge, 
  R E Tebbutt Lodge, 4th Floor Head Office Staff) and
• Rev Colin Wood (Wesley Hospital, Alan Walker Village, W G Taylor Village).

A refurbished Dunbar Library next to the Pastoral Services Office on the third floor at 220 Pitt Street was re-opened in November, 2000. The improved location, enhanced layout and increased number of acquisitions have led to greater use of the library by parishioners and members of the School for Seniors.

Resource Management

There were few changes in staff throughout the year. Significant, however, was the resignation of the Senior Minister Rev Dr Tony Chi. Following 19 years of fruitful and faithful ministry Rev Chi left to direct international training at Haggai Institute International in Singapore. We thank God for Tony's leadership and for the privilege of being able to sit under his ministry. 

The ministers of the mission were:

• Rev Dr Gordon Moyes (Superintendent and Sunday Night Live Congregation),
• Rev Colin Wood (Sunday Night Live Congregation)
• Rev Doug Clements (10.30am, 3.00pm and Chapel in the City Congregations),
• Rev Don Everhart (International Congregation)
• Rev Mautofu Fuimaono (Samoan Congregation),
• Rev Bunyan Oey (Chinese Congregation),
• Rev Sydney Taito (Rotuman Congregation), 
• Rev Noreen Towers (Edward Eagar Lodge Congregation),
• Rev Veneeta Singh-Lucas (Frank Vickery Village Congregation) and 
• Rev Jeff Pope (Manager, Special Projects).

Our Pastors are:

• Rev Tony Tan (International Congregation)
• Pastor Mark Wilkes (Youth Pastor) and
• Pastor Christine Jeyachandran (Sunday Night Live Congregation).

Wilson Sze a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Music Ministry) graduate student of Wesley Institute became the part time worship co-ordinator for the Sunday Night Live service. Wilson's musical expertise and leadership ability further enhanced the worship life of the congregation.

Two part-time Youth Interns, Dave Russell and Andrew Chin, assisted the International Congregation Youth. Through their internships, Dave and Andrew have continued to gain valuable ministry experience, test their suitability for Christian ministry and receive financial support as they undertake ministry studies. 

Management Responsibility and Measurement, Analysis and Improvement

Congregations were given greater responsibility for budgeting and strategic planning as a result of a financial restructure within Pastoral Services. Congregations set ambitious ministry goals and worked methodically to improve internal and external publications and promotion, the leadership of worship services and the effectiveness of outreach programs. 

All ministers participated in the Mission's Personal Review and Development Program. They identified training needs and were committed to the ongoing enhancement of their ministry skills. 

Pastoral Services attained ISO 9000 Series Accreditation and is committed to improve the processes of its organisation in order to enhance performance.

Consultant for Social Policy 

Dr Keith Suter preached at Wesley Mission services and other churches. He was also a regular broadcaster on Radio 2GB. He emphasised the close link between evangelism and social justice. He also advised other churches on church growth, based on Wesley Mission's experience.

The Consultant represented Wesley Mission on a number of important bodies, such as the NSW Council of Social Service and the Association of Major Charitable Organisations. This improved the quality of life for Australians, both directly by the provision of services and indirectly via government lobbying.

Dr Keith Suter assisted people in their dealings with government departments, particularly the Department of Immigration and the NSW Department of Housing. He was also the Chairperson of the Alcohol Awareness Network, which alerts people to the danger of alcohol and emphasises the value of an alcohol-free lifestyle.

Story

Pastoral Care

Paul
Paul came to the Pastoral office seeking a listening ear. Abandoned as a child by his family, Paul had endured years of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of family members and carers. While his one hour conversation with a minister could not overcome his immense hurt, Paul was thankful that there was someone who was prepared to listen to him 
without judging.

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