With the dust settling a little I learnt last night from someone far wiser and smarter that only 10% of people actually do anything in response to what they learnt about in a conference. Not wanting to be part of the 70% who do stuff all and within a month move onto the next fad I thought I would share some changes for me and our elders. Thanks to Sam who summarised a few of his challeges at MTC.

• because people often work live and play in different places – defining all ministry by our geographic ministry is too narrow

we are remaining committed to our local area whilst recognising that nearly 1/2 our peopel live and work elsewhere. so we are re-energising not only neighbourhood missional communities but also network ministry with more regional missional communities. one of these is our ICON – which is focused on evangelisng and discipling people who are 2nd generation non anglo’s. we’re thinking we will relocate from Tempe to Marrickville in the summer. I am also going to try and expand our ministry in the Australia Tech Park (Refern) and plan for another plant in Alexandria in 2010. Lord willing.

• Staff teams shouldn’t be filled with only the one type of people – you need prophets, priests and kings. 

I don’t like the fast and loose use of the bible categories but I totally agree with what he’s saying in terms of leadership mix. In our elder team I think we have a good balance but think we need another planter/evangelist and a stronger administrator than me.

• As the Bible guys we have a tendency to be boring. 
• we need to know our city better – to go out and spend more time in it 

Seti and I have basically committed one day each week to what I call cultural exegesis. Usually Mondays for me. I get out take a walk, observe, ask questions, research. we also have re implemented a stronger preaching critique method that looks at the message preached , the means of delivery, and the manner of the preacher to encourage faithful passionate interesting preaching.

• Taking photos of everything is a good idea.

this has been part of the Monday exercise but I am also making use of my iphone. Photos of billboards, types of houses, what people are wearing, bascically anyhting interesting. I also have pull out the big SLR and got some awesome graffiti shots that I will post next week. All this helps me closely observe the culture I am trying to interpret.

• Matthew 9:36 is a great verse to keep us excited about evangelism.

I preached this passages two weeks ago and have asked that we all might particularly pray that we have a propensity to see and discern this world the way God does, and be moved in compassion the way Jesus is.  I have also made a conscious effort to pray for more empathy and explore more the depths of people’s lostness when I meet them, that i might have a heat for them.

• Older men and women have a valuable role to play in discipling younger men and women on matters of both faith and life.

personally I desperately need this if I am to model to men younger than me. I have the privilege of meeting up with Simon who hass taken me to lunch and we just chat about whatever. I ask questions he talks. vice verca. We are planning to do this every 8 weeks because of time and committments. We also taught on Titus 2 last weekend and are encouraging Paul/Timothy relationship in our communties.

• 10 converts should be required before you get a theological degree.

I wish I could say this were the case but in the end God converts not me. It has raised the question of my own evangelistic urgency though. This weekend I am preaching on the need for evangelism and Evangelists.  

• Preaching for 20 minutes isn’t enough. We need to develop our preaching skills so that we can preach for longer. We need to faithfully preach, explain, apply the passage that we’re dealing with – and take our time doing this.

I have been pushing this over the last 18 months but I am not sure I can be interesting for longer than 35. min. I have though gone longer in the ICON meetings which is predominantly younger. I have also pulled some classic preaching texts of the shelf, and have started again on Lloyd Jones’ preaching and preachers.

• Letting young people exercise leadership will help grow congregations – both in numbers and maturity.

if only we had more. one of the things I am glad to have done is give Seti plenty of responsibility in ICON. but then again he is a grown man .  There is a tendancy in Anglican polity and personalities to want to control. I have decided to give lots of ppower and responsibility, along wiht support and accountabilty. and I am praying that the Lord will give us more youmg men who will be faithfully, boldly and entrepreneurially labour wiht us in this difficult harvest.

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE Drsicoll presented though has been missed by Sam, and it is whether Moore College is delivering the best system of education and preparing students missiologically – what do you reckon?