SERVING TOGETHER
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in your will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
PHILIPPIANS 1:3-6
At NCAChurch we desire by God’s grace to see lives changed through knowing Christ. We pray that God will rescue people from the dominion of darkness and bring them into the kingdom of the Son who he loves (Col 1:13). And we pray that those already in the kingdom will grow to fully maturity in Christ (Col 1:28). These are big prayers that get at the very heart of what God’s work is in the world.
Sometimes people will ask what is God doing today – this is your answer – he is bringing people in and he is building people up. It is the greatest work in the world.
God invites you to be fellow workers in this work (1 Cor 3:9). He invites all of us to labour side by side in the gospel (Phil 4:3) and to partner with each other.
My prayer is that every member of Evening Church, thinks of themselves not only as an individual loved by God, but as a gospel partner. Someone who actively seeks to be involved with others in God’s work. Below are a number of ways you can serve God’s kingdom together. I have included a brief description and the level of commitment required but as some of these teams are new I am looking forward to developing these new structures together.
So how can you partner with each other:
1. Pray. This is the most important work we can do for each and every work. Maybe even use this document as a little guide of things to pray for.
2. Consider. Have a careful read through this website and be thankful there are so many ways to serve! Know that we all have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us (Rom 12:6) and then reflect on how you might serve.
3. Complete this form and indicate ALL the areas you are able and willing to serve in. Ministry happens in relationships and so completing this form is a conversation starter and not the final word on how you might serve next year.
4. Commit. Once you join a team, the best way to love others is to commit to each other.
NCACHURCH: A BIG FAMILY UNITED UNDER CHRIST.
Evening Church desires to embrace a big vision of what God is doing in the local community and the world. We want to guard against becoming insular. We constantly want to look to how we can serve all of God’s family at NCAChurch.
Some the ways we can do that is by praying regularly for all our congregations, giving joyfully and sacrificially, and by thinking how we can serve beyond Evening Church. This might be in occasional events or by putting up our hand to serve on the Parish Council. If this is of particular interest to you please be in touch with Wal.
A Gospel Drumbeat:
Evangelism
Evangelism Team (new!)
Just as God sent his son Jesus Christ to the world to bring eternal life we have been sent to our world to proclaim the good news of his coming. The aim of the mission team is to encourage everyday evangelism within Evening Church and to play a key role in preparing for and organising evangelistic events and training events.
COMMITMENT
Participate in 2-4 team meetings per year
As this is a new team other possible things might be: helping organise mission month church services, leading or co-leading follow-up courses (eg Christianity explored), providing resources to help Evening Church think through evangelism.
Connect Team
Evening Church regularly has people visit (especially at the beginning of the year. We hope all guests will be welcomed warmly and quickly connected to our family. This kind of fellowship requires more than a welcome at the door but loving follow up. This might include an invitation to dinner, a coffee during the week or simply an short message on a Monday morning. The connect team will work together to think through how best to follow up and welcome newcomers.
COMMITMENT
Attend 2-4 team meeting per year
Serve on Sundays and complete follow up throughout the week. This year the connect team has split in two and each team is rostered on for 3 weeks and then off for the next 3. When rostered on, the team arrives at 5:30, intentionally connects with newcomers or people they don’t know and then debriefs via text message on the following day.
Attend and help organise 2 newcomer afternoon teas in the year.
The Most Important Meeting We Run: Sunday Services
Public Bible Reading and Prayer
At the heart of our Sunday Services is hearing from God in his word and responding to him in prayer. We would love many people from Evening church to serve by publicly reading the bible and leading us in prayer.
COMMITMENT
Reading or leading prayer approximately once a term.
Attending one training afternoon
Attending the pre evening church prayer meeting on the week you are serving (but it would be great if you went every week)
Music Team
As a result of the great salvation we have in Jesus Christ we have a great reason to sing. The music team serves Evening Church by helping us sing of our excellent Saviour and Lord.
COMMITMENT
Every second month be part of the band.
Arriving at 4:45pm for practice
Attending 2 x training seminars per year.
Regularly practicing and becoming familiar with church songs
Sound and
Tech Team
God works through his word. This fundamental truth means the work of the sound and tech team, while easily forgotten, is crucial. We need the sound to manage well so that people can hear clearly! To be part of this team you don’t need to be a ‘sound’ expert but simply have a desire to learn how to use the sound desk and be a little technically minded.
COMMITMENT
I am hoping the sound and team can be rostered on with the same band every time. This means your commitment is the same as the music team. Rostered on one month, and then off for the next.
Arriving at 4:45pm to help set up sound and check over slides.
The All Important Command:
Love One Another
Care Team (new-ish!)
Jesus said, ‘a new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another’ (John 13:34). The defining mark of a christian disciple is one who lays their life down for others and cares for those in need. The care team is responsible for helping Evening Church to love those in need. This may be by organising a meal roster or some other practical ways.
COMMITMENT
Attend 1-2 meetings a year to discuss how Evening Church is going at caring for each other and make plans on how we might serve each other better.
Complete occasional tasks as different needs arise (eg calling around the congregation during lockdown)
Food and Fellowship (new!)
I find it easy to overlook how important ‘meals’ are in the bible. However, meals together are a beautiful expression of the unity we enjoy in Christ and offering food to newcomers is a great way to welcome the stranger in. The food and fellowship team will oversee the supper and monthly dinner roster at Evening Church and recruit people to prepare food for other special events (e.g. Real Life Café).
COMMITMENT
Some work will be required at the beginning of the year to establish systems but after that the main commitments will be occasional as events arise.
Going Deeper in knowing God and Each Other
Bible Study Leaders
Smaller Bible Study groups are the engine room of Evening Church. These smaller groups allow for depth. Depth in studying God’s word and depth in loving each other through prayer and encouragement. Essential to deep (and healthy) small groups are godly men and women who are keen to teach God’s word and look out for those in their group. In many ways, the bible study leaders form the core leadership of Evening Church as they meet regularly with me and we plan and pray for Evening Church.
COMMITMENT
Typically, I will invite people to serve as a bible study leaders. However, if this an area where you would like to serve, please let me know. I would love to have a chat.
Weekend Away Team
Evening Church Weekend Away may well be the most important event in the Evening Church Calendar. It is the beautiful combination of quality and quantity time – both in God’s word and in relationship with each other. The Weekend Away team will be responsible for planning how we can make the most of our big weekend and for administrative tasks.
COMMITMENT
Attend 2-3 prayer and planning meeting.
Attending the weekend away (dates to be confirmed)
Complete various tasks for the weekend away (ie some admin, some activities, some teaching - wherever you think you can serve best)
Men’s Ministry and Women’s Ministry (new!)
God made humans male and female and humanity is at its best with Men and Woman serve with each other. This is because men and women are different and complement each other. However these differences also mean it is worthwhile for men and women to spend time with each other learning what it means to be a godly male or female. At the moment, a lot of this ministry happens informally (other than Woman’s Day) and so this team will be a chance to create new structures that will serve our family.
COMMITMENT
1 meeting at the beginning of the year to plan and discuss. This meeting will then help determine what extra commitments there will be throughout the year.
Partner with Gospel Partners at Evening Church
NCAKIDS
BIG
Kids Ministry Leader (including Kids Church & Kids Club)
The week-in, week-out ministry to the kids of our church and parish is crucial in raising up a new generation of those who love and follow Jesus. We need godly men and women who will love and disciple kids through Bible teaching, prayer, games, songs, etc.
COMMITMENT
Typically, we invite people to serve on these teams, however if this is a ministry in which you’d like to serve, please let Talar know. She is very keen to chat.
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SJEC Kids Church Helper
To free up our SJEC brothers and sisters to meet together, we need helpers to care for the small group of SJEC kids. This may involve some teaching or helping support the leader who is teaching.
COMMITMENT
Meeting with kids either weekly or 3-4x a term on a rostered basis.
Meet with others on the team once a term.
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Kids Church Support
Time to time, we have children in our church who need and greatly benefit from 121 care from an adult. These adults have typically sat with and guided the child through Kids Church with a team of other adults on a roster.
COMMITMENT
Supporting a child alongside the regular Kids Church team, 3-4x a term.
SMALL
Holiday Kids Church Leader
There are a number of weeks each year when our regular Kids Church leaders will take a break, and we need others to jump in and disciple our kids over the school holidays.
COMMITMENT
Using provided material, prepare with other volunteers for the week(s) you can help.
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Kids Ministry Events
Throughout the year, we run events to minister to kids: e.g. camp, Pupil-Free Day Kids Club, Christmas Workshop, etc. We need volunteers to help us direct, coordinate and support these ministry opportunities.
COMMITMENT
(Please ask Talar for details)
BEHIND THE SCENES
Kids Ministry Support
Throughout the year, we have seasons where there are extra administrative demands. This is especially during the start of the year, or around our outreach events, such as our Pupil-Free Day Kids Club or Christmas Workshop. If you have strengths in this and would be willing to help, please reach out!
COMMITMENT
Dependent on the task
NCAYOUTH
BIG
Extra leaders on camps
There are times when we will need extra adults to be added to our youth leadership team on camps. At times this will take shape in being a particular task, such as ‘camp parent’ or extra hand in the kitchen.
COMMITMENT
The commitment and expectations will differ from one role to another. But if you can take out 4 days to help on camps please let us know.
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Resource team
The resource team is involved in helping us run all our events (i.e. regular Friday nights as well as camps) from setup to pack-up to looking after sound and tech.
COMMITMENT
Being on the roster for helping on Fridays and being there full time on camps. For camps in particular: being responsible for making sure all our sound and tech gear is taken to camp and/or ensuring that the campsite has all sound and tech gear we need.
SMALL
Support on Special events
For special youth Friday nights (i.e. evangelistic or end of term/year parties) we often need help or extra hands to prepare food or a drink so that youth leaders aren’t distracted from being with the youth.
COMMITMENT
The Commitment will look different from one event to another, but it would be either preparing the food/drink and leaving it to us to serve or being there to serve as well.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Communications team: NCAYouth would benefit from someone giving up 30-60 minutes a fortnight to put together some graphics and communications to be sent out on social media platforms.
SCHOOL MINISTRY
BIG
Scripture Teacher/Helper
Through our Scripture classes, we teach the gospel to around 200 students weekly at our two local schools. Our team is made up of those able to teach a Scripture class, and those who are keen to support the regular teachers, often with the view of being trained up for this ministry.
COMMITMENT
Complete all relevant training requirements according to your role (teacher or helper)
Attend one meeting at the start of each semester
Meet with the team to pray before or after your Scripture lesson.
SMALL
Scripture Casual Teacher
When our regular Scripture teachers are absent, we rely of a team of trained Scripture teachers who are able to jump in and cover a class when needed.
COMMITMENT
Keep up your SRE accreditation to be able to teach when needed.
St Catherines School
Kylie Wilson is a member of the Evening Church congregation. She is the chaplain at St Catherine’s School Sydney, and has the important role teaching God’s word to many staff, students and the large St Catherine’s Community.
We can support her primarily through prayer. However, there are also opportunities to serve with her on mission weeks at St Cath’s (and some other creative ways). Send her an email if you are keen to find out more.
MINISTRY APPRENTICES
NCAChurch desires to be church that sends people out and so training up new gospel workers is a priority. In 2022, there are 3 people who will training as apprentices.
Apart from giving to NCAChurch, it is great to support Evening Church Family who are serving as apprentices.
