16th December 2011

Dear friends,

A number of years ago Deane Meatheringham said the church is more like a leaf blower than a vacuum cleaner. We are best in ministry when we are scattering the word to where people are, rather than drawing people in to hear us in the word in our own confines. So the clear guiding principle that has lain behind the many decisions about our future ministry has been this: we are to go out to where the people are, rather than draw people in to where we are.This principle lay behind our decisions to move from our current site, and to disband the library. It is guiding us as we consider possibilities about a new property. It is also the principle behind some decisions we have come to regarding our teaching ministry.

From the beginning of next year, New Creation will operate in quite a different way from how it has for the past 20 years or so. We will organise only a very few events ‘off our own bat’. These will be the schools that have been the cornerstones of our yearly program: the Summer School in January, the Winter School in June, the Ministry School in July and the NSW Spring Schools in September. These schools are ways in which we believe we can bring a gift to the churches to strengthen and bless the people of God for their ministry in those settings and the wider world. We will also arrange a monthly theological reading group and two retreats for people in ministry.

Apart from these, we will offer no events except in partnership with another group that takes primary ownership for the event. Rather than us devising a program to which we invite people, we want to be available to be invited to partner with others in events or programs that they consider will be helpful to them. This means that we will not be running our own classes. Rather we will be available to speak God’s word—in events like missions, classes, workshops, camps, conferences, ministry skills training, or short-term intensive studies—as we are asked. We have such a wide pool of gifted, wise and willing speakers in our fellowship, in addition to those who serve on the team, that it would probably be possible for us to provide for a large number of such events.

These events may be organised by a local church, or better still, by a group of local churches. Or they could be organised by a group of Christians who have connected and want to learn in some area. Or maybe there is a Christian organisation that wants some help in a particular area. What is key is that the local group being taught takes the prime ownership of the event. They will determine the length, time, venue, and topic.

We feel very excited about this new possibility, as well as a little anxious. The main anxiety?—‘What if no one approaches us to be involved??’ It is actually a little foolish to be anxious in this way. What it would mean is that those who have the word of the cross burning in their hearts would need to find some other means by which to get it out. The maintenance of NCTM and the perpetuation of our program is not the goal: the goal is the proclamation of God’s Gospel so that men and women, boys and girls come to faith, are strengthened in that faith and are able to share the gospel with others so they also come to, or grow in faith. One way or another, those gripped by the word of grace will act to ensure this is taking place.

Some real needs…
A business manager—John and Beryl Skewes have indicated their desire to retire (after many years of sacrificial service).
A treasurer—Peter Farmer has indicated his desire to step down from this role.
Data input people—Currently the website is undergoing a restructuring. When this new structure is done, we will need people to input data.
Internet ministry creative types—Tech-savvy young people who can help us develop and expand our ministry in this area. There are so many new opportunities in communication that can serve the Kingdom!
Publishing preparers—Glennys Warren is working hard, with Celia Carter in this area, but we need more people who can type, or proof-read, or aid in design, especially as we move to making our books available for on demand printing and in e-book format.
An event planner—our Schools, especially Summer School, are large, complex affairs with many facets to be considered.

Without wishing to be age-ist, we believe it would be healthy for us as a ministry if younger people (under 50) took up most of these roles. Most, if not all, of these roles could be done either on a part-time basis or else in concerted spurts as special projects. Perhaps you are interested yourself, or know someone who may be—please contact Andrew Klynsmith (andrew@newcreation.org.au, ph: 08 8270 1861, mob. 0401 935 823).

Prayer request
The sale of the Bingham property to Coromandel Baptist Church is going through a lengthy process. Currently the church have been asked by the local Council, following a meeting of concerned local residents, to gather some specialist reports on various aspects of how the sale might impact on the local area. It seems unlikely that there will be resolution to their application to purchase the property until the middle of 2012 at the earliest. This has implications for NCTM, Laurel Bingham, John and Beryl Skewes, and Coromandel Baptist Church. Please join with us in praying for a speedy and positive resolution of the various issues.

Most significant is the coming Summer School, January 8–13 at Victor Harbor. Speakers are working on their studies for the theme, Living by the Spirit. The leaders of the children and youth ministry are in place and have mostly gathered their teams of helpers. We are in need of some help still (bookstall and data projection especially). We are looking forward to seeing you there.

A joy-filled Christmas to you, and every blessing for the coming year,

Newsletter 4th October 2011

Dear friends

Recently the NCTM team was reflecting on the first occasion that the LORD provided His people with water from the rock, in Exodus 17:1–7. We noted a number of things in this passage that encouraged us and warned us about where we are in the ministry at the moment.

By stages...
Since we last wrote, the New Creation Council has made the decision to disband the library. Whilst this has been a wonderful resource, it has largely been very under-utilised. As we prepare to move and look for a property, and as we give expression to our desire to be out with the churches, it seemed to us that the library was not going to be a part of that future. We have been served very well by our librarians Sandra Scown and Suzanne Benham, and before them Beryl Skewes, and we give thanks to God for their faithful ministry over many years. The dispersal of the library has begun, and is happening in stages. Various smaller groupings are being invited to look at the library in the next five or six weeks, and then we are going to open the library to the wider supporters and general public. Books will be available on a donation basis during the weeks of November 14 to December 2. If you are interested in coming in that time to look over the books, please contact Beryl Skewes about the dates and possible times to come up.

The move to a new property is progressing, but slowly. The process for the possible purchase of the Bingham property by the Coromandel Baptist Church is a slow one. Currently the application for the sale is in the hands of the local council. It seems very unlikely that a decision will be forthcoming before the end of the year. We continue to consider possible sites for a new base, but we are also still trying to come to clarity about exactly what kind of space we are going to need, and how it will best be used. Please pray for a positive outcome in the sale of the property, and for clarity and agreement about our future needs, as well as the provision of just the right place.

Spring Schools
Ian and Zara Pennicook, Martin and Viv Bleby, and John and Beryl Skewes organised and taught at the two Spring Schools in New South Wales in early September. The first was at Mittagong and the second at Wamberal. Both schools covered the theme Secure In God’s Covenant, and were well attended, being an encouragement to those who came along.

Elizabeth Mission
Andrew Klynsmith, Derek Schiller, Jonathan Mitchell, Joanne Brown and Nate Lines all participated in the Share Hope week at Elizabeth Church of Christ at the end of August. This was a good first-up partnership with the congregation there, and there is the possibility of further ministry.

Coming up…
Most significant is the coming Summer School, January 8–13 at Victor Harbor. Speakers are working on their studies for the theme, Living By The Spirit. The leaders of the children and youth ministry are in place and have mostly gathered their teams of helpers. We are always keen for offers of help for various tasks in the school. If you would like to help, please contact John Skewes or Celia Carter. Please pray for those who are preparing to serve the school with the Word of God. Remember to register early.

Still looking…
Please continue to pray with us for a business manager and for a treasurer for the ministry. (Maybe these two roles could combine…) Please pray too for the work that is being done in investigating the possibilities of printing our books through an online book printer, and also the possibilities of producing our books for e-readers.

Above everything, we want God’s glorious gospel to sound through His church to the world in which we live. Ask God to attend us all with the Spirit’s power, confidence, boldness, and cheerfulness!

Every blessing to you,

Andrew Klynsmith and John Skewes

Letter from Trevor Faggotter

AT THIS NEW JUNCTURE

23rd May 2011

Dear friends of NCTM,

Greetings—in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord!

I am writing to you as a long time friend of, and participant in, the ministry activities of New Creation Teaching Ministry. I am also writing to you as the newly appointed Chairman of the NCTM Council.

In January 2011 Andrew Klynsmith was inducted as the new Director of NCTM.  You are probably all well aware of the new focus, strategy and direction for teaching and preaching, which Andrew and the NCTM Team are prayerfully adopting at this time. It is to move towards a more deliberate ‘going out’ to people and places, with the gospel rather than inviting people to ‘come in’ to the NCTM centre—a centrifugal approach rather than a centralizing one.

Over many years, NCTM has surely been a blessing to many people, and without doubt the deposit of biblical, theological and pastoral teaching which has been given from the Lord’s hand—to share with others—still has much more blessing to impart in the days ahead. We anticipate that the many books by Geoffrey Bingham, Martin Bleby, Ian Pennicook, P. T. Forsyth and others, together with the recordings of preaching, teaching, music and songs by many of the NCTM people, will continue to bring blessing, joy, depth and rich insights to others.

In preaching and teaching the gospel—the Word of God—it is primarily the witness or testimony of Jesus (or to Jesus) in the lives of human beings who know the grace of the Father, in Jesus Christ his Son, through the revelatory ministry of the Holy Spirit, that is the key to others also receiving by faith the riches of Christ.  It is therefore important that people be going with the gospel into all the world. 

Andrew Klynsmith is a gifted evangelist and teacher, and he has already received numerous invitations this year to come and speak and to share what God has given to him. Andrew and Liz Klynsmith, Martin and Vivien Bleby, Ian and Zara Pennicook, Celia Carter, John and Beryl Skewes—together with the NCTM Council, NCTM supporters and friends, are asking Our Heavenly Father to call, or raise up new people into the team of Christians who can share with the current team in the gospel work, witness, administration and pastoral care associated with this ministry.

The simple question I would like to ask is this: Is God calling you to offer your services in this team, in some way? Could someone you know benefit from considering this question? If before the Lord, you prayerfully have some sense that this may be the case, may I encourage you to talk with a friend, or a member of the team, or myself, to begin to explore this possibility under the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Each person’s gifts and calling are uniquely an integral part of Christ’s body—the church. We, who know Jesus Christ, should all continue to be sensitive and alert to the promptings of the Lord, in our life and ministry. In regard to guidance, Geoff Bingham often spoke of it as ‘a hunch’. Further to this, he would often quote this aphorism: ‘As you go you know, and as you know, you go’. The importance of obedience and willingness of heart is what is ultimately at stake here. Finding our way in Christ, in life, does have an experimental element to it. Many people associated with NCTM have extraordinary gifts for ministry in writing and speaking prophetically, in languages, administration, befriending others, music and so on.  In an overly cautious or conservative mood or environment, we may resist any seeking of new directions for our ministries. In some ways, all of us could probably benefit from being a little more adventurous in this regard.

Financial support is almost always necessary to support and sustain those who give their lives, as servants of the Word in Christian ministries. NCTM has adopted a practice of not asking for financial support, but of simply looking to the Lord to supply needs. (Occasionally there have been special appeals for equipment, and at the teaching classes and schools there has been a plastic ice-cream container available for donations.) A similar approach, I anticipate will continue. However, at this new juncture in the direction of NCTM—and at a time of generational change, really—I would like to ask you to consider (or reconsider) giving financially, and in various other ways, to support NCTM in the coming years. The scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain’, and ‘The laborer deserves to be paid’ (1 Timothy 5:18), and so those who serve on the team at NCTM do warrant our support and thankfulness for their work. If people would like to give regularly, this can be arranged, and it is a wonderful blessing and way to achieve much—direct debit arrangements could be made, to make this task quite easy and simple—all in freedom of course. God loves a cheerful giver!

Please continue to pray for suitable premises from which NCTM can function, with meeting rooms, storage facilities, offices, studies, parking, accessibility to the public and so on. Please pray that quality editing of published material, and the uploading of preaching, teaching and gospel materials to the internet can continue to take place, as required. The NCTM Website, the book sales and promotion of NCTM teaching materials, stories and music are other areas that need expertise and enthusiasm. Please call and talk to Andrew, to learn more.

I send this letter warmly, but quite deliberately intending to stir people to enthusiastic involvement, and to a rethinking of how best to participate in the great work of the gospel proclamation in our day. I trust that this letter will be received in the way it is intended.

Blessings in Christ Jesus, as you pray and share in God’s great work in the world.

Trevor Faggotter (Rev.)
Chair, NCTM Council