Looking Back, Looking Forward
NCCA held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 20 November 2025.
The President’s Report was received in the absence of Rev John Gilmore, who was attending the Christian Conference of Asia Executive Meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand that appointed a new General Secretary, Rev Jung Euon Moon, who will commence in 2026.
General Secretary, Elizabeth Stone, presented a review of NCCA’s activities against the focus areas highlighted in the Strategic Directions 2024-27. The process of deep listening and accompaniment with churches that is leading the Council will extend to gatherings of First Nations Christian leaders, young adults and people in our churches involved in policymaking and public theology in 2026. Member Churches will be approached about nominating representatives for these gatherings.
Treasurer, Geoff Officer, presented the audited Financial Report for the financial year ending 30 June 2025 that has been circulated to member church leaders and member nominees.
National Church Leaders and member nominees gathered online and at the Caritas boardroom of the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta including the new Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, Bishop Mark Short, Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane for the Greek Orthodox Church, Rev Lindsay Cullen, Associate General Secretary of the Uniting Church in Australia, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas of Salvation Army Australia, Bishop Milton Nee of the Chinese Methodist Church of Australia (CMCA), Duncan Frewin, Yearly Clerk of Quakers Australia and Deacon Kirkor Sarkis Sarkarian of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Warm appreciation was expressed for the commitment and service of Mr Thomas Ling of CMCA who retired from the NCCA Board after serving a maximum term of nine years as Director and Ms Anne Hywood, General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Australia who resigned after seven years as Director.
Rev Alan Lau of CMCA was elected a new Director to the NCCA Board alongside Very Rev Fr Dr Abanoub Attalla of the Coptic Orthodox Church, elected to a third three-year term as Director, and Commissioner Miriam Gluyas of the Salvation Army Australia elected to a second three-year term as Director.
We enjoyed afternoon tea following the AGM with Bishop Vincent Long of Parramatta and we thank his diocesan team for the welcome and hospitality provided for the 2025 AGM.
