Monash City

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• Monash City
• Church of Christ

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• Last Saturday June 30, 2007 the Elders and
  Ministers met with Paul Cameron, the Executive
  Officer of Churches of Christ in Vic/Tas, and
  John Gilmore the Executive Director Mission and
  Ministry.
• There have been several conversations like this
  over recent months.
•  

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• The purpose of the meeting was to consider the
  future of Monash City Church of Christ. We, all
  of us together, want to share with you the
  following
• There has been a breakdown in effective working
  leadership relationships between the Elders and
  the Ministers, and this is having an impact on
  the life of the church.

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• The Elders and Ministers are in full agreement
  that this is symptomatic of a long-term cultural
  dysfunction in the church and its leadership over
  many years.
• The Elders and Ministers have agreed on the first
  steps that need to be taken to address these
  issues.

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• We agreed that we would meet with the church
  today to together begin a journey of addressing
  these issues.
• The Elders and Ministry Team are united around
  the need to name and address these issues, and
  invite you, the congregation, to join us on a
  journey to do so.

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 Last Saturday June 30, 2007 the Elders and
Ministers met with Paul Cameron, the Executive
Officer of Churches of Christ in Vic/Tas, and
John Gilmore the Executive Director Mission and
Ministry. There have been several conversations
like this over recent months. The
purpose of the meeting was to consider the future
of Monash City Church of Christ. We, all of us
together, want to share with you the
followingThere has been a breakdown in
effective working leadership relationships
between the Elders and the Ministers, and this is
having an impact on the life of the church. The
Elders and Ministers are in full agreement that
this is symptomatic of a long-term cultural
dysfunction in the church and its leadership over
many years.The Elders and Ministers have agreed
on the first steps that need to be taken to
address these issues.  We agreed that we would
meet with the church today to together begin a
journey of addressing these issues.The Elders
and Ministry Team are united around the need to
name and address these issues, and invite you,
the congregation, to join us on a journey to do
so.
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What is the background to this?

• Tensions and dysfunction in leadership
• Departures of ministers, elders leaders
• The Scarborough Report May 2000
• Future Directions Church Readiness Survey
• 2005 a consultant identified the problem
• Continuing tension between ministers, elders and
  congregation

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National Church Life Survey Results

• Comparing Quality Scores 2001 2006
• Lowest Inspiring empowering leadership
• Biggest improvement intentional and welcoming
  inclusion
• Biggest decline Clear and owned vision

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(No Transcript)
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• The Elders and Ministers are in agreement that
  the issues are beyond having the right or wrong
  individuals in positions of leadership.
• The Elders and Ministers are in agreement that
  they are no longer able to work with each other,
  though both groups have different reasons for
  this.

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• The Elders and Ministers share a common and deep
  motivating belief in the potential of this church
  and are deeply committed to the well being of
  this church.
• So rather than going on in the current unworkable
  and tense environment that people in the church
  have become aware of they have all tendered their
  resignations.

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• Opportunity for
• Clarification of any of the material presented so
  far

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There are three silos

• Elders

• Congregation

Ministers
The result is an atmosphere of very low trust
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• The Way Forward.
• A Transition Team is being appointed.
• The Ministry Team continues in caretaker mode.

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• The Transition Team from now until Dec 31st.
• Experienced Senior Minister Ted Keating
• Experienced Elder Robyn Millership
• Conference person Paul C and/or John G
• 3 Congregational nominees

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• The Transition Team will
• Plan the preaching themes and preaching roster
• Arrange the debriefing of the congregation,
  Elders and Ministers
• Lead in discovering the sort of church we are
  seeking to become together
• Design a new governance structure, health and
  values, and strong consistent congregational
  participation.
• Clarify the shape and responsibilities of
  leadership roles and facilitate the filling of
  the leadership positions.

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A Listening Day

• An opportunity for a conversation with Transition
  Team members will be occur.

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• The Ministry Team will operate in caretaker mode
  and will ensure that the weekly program of the
  church continues, and its mission and worship
  will be maintained.
• So during this time there will be no
• Major new projects or initiatives
• Programmatic changes or culture change decisions
• Property decisions.

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• An Interim Management Group will manage the
  financial and operations matters of the church.
• A nominee from the current Ministers
• A nominee from the current Elders
• The Treasurer
• A member of the Transition Team (convenor)

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There is much in the church to be thankful for

• The relationships between people
• The life groups
• Ministry to and in the community
• Youth ministry at Brentwood
• Outreach to New Age Festivals
• A resilient and strong history

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• Opportunity for
• Clarification of any of the material presented so
  far

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Snap Shot Survey

• Survey to be taken today - 6 questions
• Please indicate whether you are a member by
  writing M on the form.
• Please indicate which decade you were born in.
• The results in full will be presented to the
  Transition Team
• A summary of the results will be presented to an
  open meeting.