Yeah, thanks, Don.
It's hard to summarise a life's ministry in five minutes,
in 2024 we kind of held steady with what we had.
David's long service leave was getting paid out all across the year
and he was doing various internships around different...
Internships is not right, but anyway.
It's kind of the opposite.
Around New South Wales.
But it pretty quickly became evident
that this approach had a high cost to the church here,
both in terms of the strain it was placing on our preaching
and over time the diminishing quality and depth we were able to get into.
And a real lack of capacity to maintain our current ministries,
let alone expand and think of new and better ways
to support and grow each other.
So in term four, we took the first step
and we took the step of putting on Damien as an administrative role
and Damien's been working behind the scenes
across the beginning of this year.
He's established a bunch of online tools
that have actually increased the efficiency
for those engaged in various ministries
and that's been working really well.
At that time, we also had some discussions with Martin
and by proxy AFES
and they agreed for Martin to be able to preach here once a month
in lieu of us paying some extra support for his wages.
We've also expanded the lay preaching roster.
So we've had a number of folk across our congregation
preaching more regularly than we would have had in the past
and that's been of great benefit to the congregation
and it's something we're keen to see continue in some capacity
but we don't think it's probably optimal and sustainable in an ongoing way.
In term one, we also had David come back for a good chunk of time,
six weeks or so,
and that allowed Dave Bott to develop the Biblical Manhood and Womanhood series
that will follow Hebrews.
Now that's a series that as an eldership we feel is important
and they're issues that we need to think through
but it's one that required more time and thought
than would be possible with just one full-time preacher
so we had to get David on board for those six weeks
to be able to make that feasible.
So they're the sorts of things we're looking at missing out on
if we don't make some changes going forward.
So we have been working seriously towards identifying a full-time pastor
to add to the team.
Now this will come with some significant financial implications for Grace.
It means a commitment to raise approximately 25% more each week
which would bring our weekly budget to around $8,000 a week.
So this isn't a request we're making lightly
but due to the extra time that's passed since David Calderwood redeployed
we currently have about $50,000 in savings
which will give us a buffer across that early period.
So it won't be a sharp hit.
So with all that into account,
the elders would like to propose
that Martin Shadwick be appointed as an elder
and a full-time vocational pastor at Grace Evangelical Church.
Practically, this announcement is the beginning of us opening up
a church-wide discussion
and we are hoping to have a vote on the issue early in Term 3.
If called by the full church vote,
Martin would then be able to step into both eldership
and employment at Grace in early 2026.
We've partnered with AFES financially
and many of us as participants for a long time
and we still see AFES as a really important ministry
that we want to support
even as Martin leaves that role to join us.
So we want to be as flexible as we can be
as they need to seek and recruit someone
to replace Martin on the team
and a leader for NCS.
After the best part of 20 years of NCS,
this is going to be a big change for Martin
and Jen and the family
and the team on the ground at NCS.
So be prayerful and mindful of that going forward.
As Martin will be starting, if it goes forward,
in early 2026,
we have a further six months to accumulate savings
which will reduce the initial jump in costs
so if we're able to raise our giving
in the next six months,
that will offset the impact next year.
Martin, Jen and their kids
have been part of Church at Grace
for actually for longer than most of us.
It's over 15 years, I think.
And we as an eldership are satisfied
that Martin is of humble, godly character
and meets the requirements,
the biblical qualifications for eldership.
We feel he has several giftings
that will be a real assistance
to our church moving forward.
My pad really wants me to go back to the beginning,
I'm sorry.
In discussing the role of Martin,
there have been a few concerns
that have come to the fore
that are worth noting with everyone at the outset.
Firstly, a few years ago now,
Martin preached a sermon alongside David
on limited atonement
and the different biblical positions
on that doctrine.
Look, we've discussed limited atonement with Martin
and we're comfortable that his position
is consistent with Scripture,
first and foremost,
and also not in conflict
with the position of grace
in that the atonement is sufficient for all
but also only effectual for the elect.
The second point
is that Martin was baptised as an infant
and will not be baptised again on profession
before joining the eldership.
Now this is a departure from past practice
but we as an eldership are satisfied
that Martin is respectful of our convictions
and are satisfied with his commitment
to the church beliefs and practices
in only baptising believers on profession of faith.
When someone's been among us
for as long as Martin has,
we know each other really well
in a way that's just not possible
with external applicants
who would be coming into a congregation.
It's in this context
of a deeper relationship
that we endorse Martin
that he's in terrific alignment with grace
and our beliefs and practices
and he will be a great fit,
we believe,
for our growth and maturity
as a body going forward.
So where to from here?
As is our custom,
we really don't want the vote next term
to be the focal point of this process.
Rather, we're really keen to hear from folk
and discuss their concerns
or hopes for the future at Grace
and the substantial role
we're proposing Martin will play in that now.
So please, get in touch.
Drop us an email.
You can send one to all of the elders
or just one particular elder.
Send us an SMS.
Meet up with one of us for coffee.
Whatever works best for you.
Please, table any and all concerns
or enthusiasm
and we'll do our best to address them
or at least explain our reasoning
prior to the vote.
We really believe that the church
and the congregation body
has a key and important
biblical role to play
in the appointment of our elders.
The biblical model is for this role
to be based on the assessment
of the collective wisdom.
all of the congregation
in which that pastor will serve.
So please, each one of us,
be prayerfully considering this step
as it's a big one for us
as a church family.
And if you see something
that we're missing,
please show us
where we may be overlooking something
or making a mistake
as an eldership.
We will be taking Martin forward
as a proposal to adopt.
We want you to help us
to let you know
what you need to be able
to jump aboard
and support that proposal.
So that's the model.
It's one that's served us well over time
and it's one we ask for you to embrace
as we work through Martin
coming onto team in 2026.
That's the announcement.
So looking forward to many conversations
over the coming months.
Thank you.