The world is crowded with God.
The real labour is to remember, to attend.
In fact to come awake.
Still more, to remain awake.
– C.S. Lewis
Recently, I was talking with a national church leader who commented about their surprise when they started engaging in NCCA’s various fora; that they had not anticipated the friendliness of other leaders and how genuine they were in being welcoming and listening as they met and when they prayed together. I felt like answering “Amen”.
Listening with active intent is something Jesus calls us to practise (Luke 8:18) and it conveys mutual respect, care and concern. Our NCCA meetings and advocacy activities are informed by listening particularly with regard to the lived experience of ‘the last, the lost and the least’ in our churches, communities and nation.
With attentive listening comes the need for truth-telling, justice, peace and reconciliation as the churches in Australia have engaged in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, relationships with other faith groups, and with asylum-seekers and migrants.
St Benedict, a spiritual father of the 6th century, uses the phrase ‘listening with the ear of the heart’ as the foundation of his rule for Christian spiritual life. Listening in this way to God through the Scriptures, communal and personal prayer, allows us to hear ‘what the Spirit is saying to the churches’ (Revelations 1).
The NCCA’s churches are diverse in culture, tradition and worship and united in our Christian faith. The NCCA provides a place where, in coming together, Australia’s churches can give witness to our listening to our loving God and our neighbours so that the world may know God’s love and peace for all people. We must remain awake!
Over 13 years I have served a cumulative 10.5 years in the office of General Secretary – as Associate, Interim and General Secretary. All of these seasons with the NCCA have been marked by opportunities, challenges, blessings and grace.
Throughout this time I have been known by my signature sign-off: ‘Grace and peace, Liz’ and that is a prayer and a blessing to you all who have travelled with me and as I leave the NCCA.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephes 1:2).
Elizabeth (Liz) Stone, Outgoing General Secretary
From the President
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)
The pattern described by Paul in 1 Corinthians is drawn from agriculture and is deeply true to many areas of life. The pattern is both planting and watering with the anticipated outcome of growth. Credit is given, by Paul, for doing the work of planting and watering. There the credit stops as both are steps of faith and trust.
Paul is clear that through it all God is the source of growth. Without the actions of planting and watering there can be no increase. What is celebrated is not the planting or watering, but the response of God in providing growth. It is a picture of our working with God as planters and waterers.
This week we farewell a planter and waterer. Liz Stone concludes her ministry with the NCCA as General Secretary (Associate, Interim and Permanent). She has also contributed to the work of Act for Peace for an even longer period of time.
The NCCA has been ‘well-watered and planted’ through Liz, and we have seen God’s increase. The gifts that Liz has brought include intentional leadership, the courage to speak up, listening, humility and grace. One NCCA ‘planting and watering’ journey is the Pacific Church Partnership Advisory Network and the growth is seen in NCCA having a closer relationship with the churches and councils in the Pacific.
On behalf of the NCCA, I offer our sincere thanks to Liz for her remarkable service with deep appreciation for her wonderful gifts that we have benefited from. We wish Liz every grace and blessing for the next stage of her life.
Our relationships are deeper and the work of the NCCA continues on and we anticipate the future, trusting in the promise of God’s continued blessing for us all.
Rev John Gilmore, NCCA President