Expanding the Church - Church Growth

To assist the churches in the Apostolic Church (Australia) Queensland the State Leadership Team (S.L.T.) has developed the following strategies to assist local churches in their growth:

Peter Constantine

Queensland State Leader of the Apostolic Church (Australia)

 

A. Internship Program

The value of interns in church history is undisputed. We can see the origins of this when we read of the Apostle Paul taking Timothy along with him, in establishing and strengthening the local churches. Through this experience Timothy emerged as a great leader of the church at Ephesus. Therefore to assist our churches in growth, we have implemented a plan to recruit interns, mainly from overseas, to work alongside each of our churches for a period of up to 9-10 months each year.  Besides providing an educational experience for the intern, the intern becomes an important part in the local church through: assisting in church ministries; bringing an outsider's perspective; providing opportunities for friendship and cooperation with Australian and International Apostolic Churches; being a ministry partner; implementing new ministries; assisting in church planting and revitalization.
(Refer to Internship  Experience Web page for more details)

 

B. Equipping local church members

We all recognise the need for training and upgrading our skills in the workplace and in the church the need is just as great. So in order to facilitate the necessary training, the S.L.T. will be providing a minimum of one half-day training session for local congregational members in the areas of music, performing arts, children’s ministry and youth work every year.

 

C. Fellowship and In-service Training for Pastors

In order to provide a network of fellowship, and to unlock the potential of present and future leaders as well as keeping leaders up to date with the changing demands in ministry, the S.L.T. will be organising in-service training, as well as coffee and chat evenings, for senior Pastors and their Leadership teams every 2 months.

 

D. Property Ownership

The vision of the S.L.T. is that churches will be in a position to purchase their own property between five to eight years of their commencement. The S.L.T. will work with a church to purchase their own property by assisting in establishing fund raising activities through community projects, as well as using existing properties as equity to purchase new property where a church is making obvious progress.

 

E. Succession Planning

Good stewardship of the legacy that God has entrusted to the pastors of churches involves succession planning and management. The internship program, training of local members, in-service training for pastors and recruitment from Bible Colleges will be a significant step forward in succession planning.

 

F. Coaching Program

To assist pastors and leaders to reach the goals and dreams God has placed on their hearts a personal coaching program is now available for a minimal cost. It is called the “Five Week Personal Career Coaching Program”. Some of the advantages of a personal coach are: provides a career development path; raises the level of success by establishing clear performance goals; increases motivation; keeps the pastor/leader on the cutting edge; assists in building a lasting legacy; encourages excellence; increases the pastor/leader’s value to others and enhances the learning experience for the pastor/leader. Contact with their coach will either be by phone or on-line. Contact our office for further details.

 

G. Community Engagement Projects

The S.L.T. in Queensland see community projects as a way that churches can connect and contribute to their community, as well as a to raise funds to support their ministry. Therefore the State Leadership Team endeavours to provide support, resources and coaching to churches who want to establish projects such as: “Your Coffee Kart Ministry”, Food Aid projects, Op Shop, Play groups and other ventures.

(Refer to Community Engagement Web page for more details)

 

H. Overseas Pastors - Queensland Experience

Opportunities do exist for pastors from Western English speaking countries to come for 6 -9months and assist in church planting and revitalization of churches in Queensland. Pastors would have the opportunity to explore our beautiful state and attend the National Conference of the Apostolic Church Australia.  Pastors wishing to take advantage this offer will need to write our State Leader, Pastor Peter Constantine, and provide references from the National or State leadership team of their country.