…Decisions, Events, Encouragements, People, Praise & Prayer…
Rev Philip Burns,
Assistant to the Clerks
OUR GOD WAS WORSHIPPED…
On Monday October 5, an encouraging number of PCV commissioners and wives gathered in the Robert White meeting room (Assembly Hall) for the (new) pre-Assembly time of prayer, fellowship and a meal together. Afterwards, the 174th General Assembly of the PCV commenced in Scots’ Church, Melbourne, where Rev John Wilson was installed as Moderator. John preached a searching, edifying and challenging message from Isaiah 54:1-3, entitled, ‘Enlarge the place of your tent’ encouraging us all, using William Carey’s famous words, to ‘expect great things from God and attempt great things for God’. A time of fellowship and supper followed the joyful occasion.
Our newly installed moderator, Rev John P Wilson flanked by his chaplains, Elder Steven Harris (to his right) and Rev David Hann (to his left)
THE SCRIPTURES WERE PREACHED…
The second sitting on Tuesday morning commenced with worship and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper led by the Moderator. The Assembly expositor was Rev Dr Russell St John (newly appointed PTC Lecturer) who preached the first of his messages for the week on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. He continued his expositions on the Wednesday morning from 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 and then on the Thursday morning from 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. His preaching was incisive, engaging and a great blessing to all, challenging us to boldly preach the cross of Christ.
FORMER SERVANTS WERE REMEMBERED…
The Assembly paused to give thanks for the life and faithful service of Rev Mark Tonkin who was promoted to higher service. Mark faithfully served at the Belgrave Heights PC, at first from 1987 as a theological student, and then, after being ordained and inducted in 1990, as their Minister.
SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES WERE NOTED…
These included;
• The 40th anniversaries of the ordinations of Rev Philip Mercer and Rev Philip Burns.
• The 175th anniversary of the founding of Scotch College.
• The 50th anniversary of the (post-union) PCV occurs in June 2027.
IMPORTANT VISITORS WERE WELCOMED…
Several visitors were welcomed during the week including Rev Stuart Bonnington, GAA Moderator-General, Rev Lesleigh Hall, GAA Clerk, Rev Chris Siriweera, APWM National Director, Rev Ian Schoonwater, PIM National Director, Mrs Kathryn Gatt, WMV Ministry Facilitator, Mrs Jan Martin, WMV Ministry Coach, Mrs Roslyn Brown, Mrs Alison Stanley & Mrs Dhruti Christian, representing the PWMU State Council, Mr Nick Attrill, PCV Youth & Children’s Worker, Mr Peter Cliffe, Principal, Belgrave Heights Christian School, Dr Rosemary Fethers, Acting Convener, Safe Church Committee Mrs Annie Weir, Acting Convener, Health and Community Chaplaincy Committee, Rev Dr Russell St John and Rev Eugene Hor as new PTC lecturers & a long list of APWM Vic cross cultural workers.
WILLING SERVANTS WERE THANKED….
• Dr Noel Johnston for maintaining APWM’s fleet of cars for missionaries on home assignment.
• Mr Andrew Wilson, PCV Architect, for service to the Building Committee and PCV congregations.
• Mr Ashley Manly for his hard work in Safe Church Unit compliance and administration.
• Mrs Louise Griffiths and Rev Brett Cummins for their service to the Safe Church Committee.
• Mr Michael Smith, PCV Archivist, for his commitment to improving the Archives.
• Mr Michael Ellison & Mrs Sharee Barnett for their long and faithful service to the PCV Office.
• Rev Don Elliott for his valued service to the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Committee.
• Rev Martin de Pyle for his role as a member of the Religious Advisory Committee to the Services.
• Rev Peter Phillips for his lengthy input as Convener of the Ad hoc New Entity Committee.
• Rev Richard Wilson for his 16 years of service as the Church Planting Officer.
• Rev Rod & Mrs Sandra Waterhouse for their faithful service as previous Moderator and wife.
• The numerous volunteers who make valuable contributions to the ongoing work of the Archives.
KEY DECISIONS WERE RESOLVED…
The bulk of the Assembly’s time is taken up with the committee reports and the actions that flow from these reports as well as requests for action from Presbyteries. From the abundance of the decisions that were made, the following appear to be the most significant: the Assembly;
• Agreed to the dissolution of the Kyabram, Lismore, Mount Prospect, Beveridge and Teesdale congregations, permitting, where requested, the sale of properties for the purposes stated.
• Agreed to write to the Victorian Premier, Leader of Opposition and all other members of the Legislative Assembly and Council, lobbying for legal protection of the unborn from abortion, the elderly and sick from assisted suicide, and children from radical gender theory.
• Appointed Rev Darren Middleton as the new Ministry Development Officer from 1/3/2027.
• Appointed the Safe Church Committee to review the ‘Persons of Concern framework’ and report to the 2027 Assembly.
• Approved the insertion of various notes in the Code (Rules) for explanation and information.
• Approved the sale of land as requested by the Benalla congregation.
• Approved the Audited Financial Statements of the Board of Investment and Finance of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Theological College for the year ended 30/6/26.
• Authorized the Malvern congregations to adjust the use of funds held in Sites Reserve.
• Authorized the Brighton congregation to lease property situated at 11 Wilson Street.
• Authorized the Ad hoc Code of Conduct Committee to develop a unified Code of Conduct and report to the 2027 Assembly.
• Authorized the incorporation of a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, “The Presbyterian Church of Victoria Services Corporation Ltd.”
NOTE: This is a major development towards enabling the PCV to ‘promote efficiency and responsiveness to present and future changes in state and federal law’. The Services Corporation’s purpose will be ‘to assist and promote the ministry of the PCV by managing the temporal operations, including day to day business, finance and operational processes and functions, in a manner consistent with the Doctrinal Basis, the Code Book, the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the PCV and as instructed by the General Assembly or the PCV Trusts Corporation.’
• Established an ad hoc Committee entitled the ‘Ad hoc Enactment of the PCV Services Corporation Committee Ltd’ with Mr James Bligh as initial Convener.
• Noted the MDC’s intention to appoint Rev Gary Stephens as the PCV Ministry Leadership Coach.
• Reappointed Mr Nick Attrill to the position of Youth and Children’s Worker.
• Remitted various items of business to the Commission of Assembly in May 2027.
• Remitted to Presbyteries proposed new rules regarding the addition of notes into the Code, record reviews, leave and special Leave, deacons, eligibility to be a marriage celebrant, payment to licentiates, ministers, and home missionaries, budgets, terms of settlement and congregational meetings, sitting in private and the holding of a WWCC.
• Requested the Board of Investment & Finance to continue to develop a proposal for the purchase of 690 Elgar Road, Box Hill North, for a permanent home for the Archives.
• Requested the Code Committee to draft rules to cease the category of ‘adherents’ while retaining the rights of those who have that status.
• Revised the regulations of the Theological Education C’tee and Maintenance of Ministry C’tee.
• Sent greetings to His Majesty, King Charles III, the Prime Minister, Hon. Anthony Albanese and
the Victorian Premier, Hon. Ben Carroll, assuring them of the Assembly’s prayers.
• Thanked and discharged the members of the ‘Ad hoc Committee on the New Entity’.
RULE CHANGES WERE PROPOSED…
The Assembly remitted to the Presbyteries proposed amendments to rules for approval or disapproval and then considered again at the 2027 Assembly, as follows; in relation to the
• calling of congregational meetings
• deletion of job descriptions of Intentional Interim Moderators & District Interim Moderators
• handling of funds
• election of elders, managers and deacons
• financial obligations of an induction or appointment
• jurisdiction of Ministers and Licentiates
• payment of Terms of Settlement
• sending of administrative appeals to the GAA, and
• various changes to existing rules as well as the creation of new rules to integrate the formation of the PCV Services Corporation Ltd into the rules of the church.
WORLD MISSIONS WERE PROMOTED…
One of the highlights of each Assembly is Wednesday’s (APWM Vic) Mission Lunch and this year’s was no exception. After a meal of roast meats, vegetables, salad and dessert, the 120 participants heard encouraging reports from speakers Mr Paul & Mrs Anthea P and Mr Rob P (both with Pioneers/APWM Vic) of gospel progress into – and beyond – local diaspora communities.
OUR GOD WAS PRAISED…
• For answered prayer to bless and advance the work of the Presbyterian Theological College.
• For the APWM team of 25 units (39 adults and their families) in cross-cultural mission.
• For the helpful and effective service rendered to the PCV by the Clerkship team.
• For the efficient service rendered by Mrs Siew Teng Yap as Administrative Assistant to the Clerk.
• For the continued provision of candidates for ministry in PCV churches.
• For our civil governments and those in office.
• For the ongoing ministry of Mrs Brenda Grant as a paediatric chaplain at the RCH.
• For the ongoing ministry of Mrs Kellie Davis to PCV Ministers’ Wives.
• For the work of Mr Ashley Manly and Mrs Claire Pringle who efficiently support the HCCC.
• For the faithful service and foundational work of Mr Andrew May to the METRO committee.
• For the assistance of MTS in the running of full-time METRO traineeships.
• For all who graduated from METRO and YouthMETRO traineeships last year.
• For Mrs Natalie Miller’s contribution as the MDC’s Administrator.
• For the highest recorded attendance across the PCV since 1984.
• For the 90 congregations that improved their health score by more than 15% between 2022-25.
• For the ministry of the Youth and Children’s Worker (YCW), Mr Nick Attrill.
• For the contributions of Ms Liza Christian, Assistant to the YCW, to the work of the PYCC.
• For the many volunteer Youth & Children’s ministry leaders in PYCC events.
• For camps and events held during this past year for our youth and children.
• For the hardworking staff and faculty at PTC and for its smooth operation during the past year.
• For the work of the State News Committee informing and encouraging the wider church.
• For the appointments of Rev Eugene Hor and Rev Dr Russell St John to the PTC Faculty.
• For the vision of the late Rev James Forbes in establishing Christ-honouring education in Victoria.
• For the drive and thoughtful leadership of the PTC Principal, Rev Dr Jared Hood.
• For Elder Dennis Wright’s diligent and faithful oversight as TEC Treasurer for the past ten years.
• For Mrs Kathryn Gatt and Mrs Jan Martin as they serve the women within the PCV.
• For Rev Chris Siriweera in his new role as the APWM National Director.
• For Rev Kevin Maxwell’s faithfulness and commitment as TEC Convener for the past seven years.
• For the faithful service and contributions of Elder Ralph Kop to the Building Committee over many years.
CONTINUED PRAYER WAS URGED …
• For all those who have been impacted by abuse within the PCV and in the wider community.
• For congregations receiving ministry development, second worker, cross-cultural worker grants.
• For more YouthMETRO, EquipMETRO and particularly METRO trainees for 2027
• For God to provide property solutions for our denomination’s next churches.
• For PCV members serving as volunteer chaplains in hospitals, police stations, and prisons
• For PCV members working as tertiary chaplains at universities through the AFES
• For Scotch College to remain true to its values of respect, responsibility and reverence
• For the work of Rev Chris Siriweera, APWM National Director.
• For the end of the war in Sudan and for peace and stability to be maintained in South Sudan.
• For the raising of candidates for the ministry and opportunities to serve
• For this year’s exit students to settle well into their ministry appointments
• For the Gospel, Church and Nation’s 2027 colloquium on ‘the love of money’.
• For the protection of freedoms to engage in legitimate Christian ministry
• For the operations of the Assembly’s committees, boards and councils in the 25/26 year.
• For the Trust Corporation and Social Services Committee as they oversee the use of church trusts.
• For those in civil government as we come closer to the next State election.
SESSIONS AND CONGREGATIONS WERE REQUESTED…
• To adopt at least one missionary or missionary family to financially and prayerfully support.
• To direct ‘key’ women to attend the Leadership Training Day on 24/10/26.
• To encourage women to make use of the WMV website resources and social media channels.
• To encourage local women to attend an ‘On the Road’ conference in 2027.
• To financially support their minister/s and families to attend the annual Minister’s Family Camp.
• To identify women who could benefit from a gospel coaching relationship with the WMV coach.
• To make use of the APWM bimonthly prayer updates (State & National) and the PWMU newsletter.
• To make use of the Church Maintenance Guidelines as developed by the Building Committee at the level of Boards of Management.
• To obey the command to pray that God will continue to raise up labourers for the harvest field.
• To prayerfully consider opportunities for ministry presented through the HCC committee.
• To screen all church workers, paid or unpaid, using the relevant Safe Church screening procedure.
• To support the 2026 ‘March for the Babies’.
• To support the Coins (or Tap) 4 Mission program.
• To support the diaspora workers who serve here in Australia and whose support is often low.
• To subscribe to receive ‘Fellow Workers’ through the sign-up form on the PCV website.
• To take a lively interest in the work of APWM and our missionaries
FINAL PRAYERS WERE OFFERED…
While bringing our praise and petitions to our God was a constant theme and practice of the week, the final prayer (which concluded the business late on Thursday night), dissolved another gathering in which harmony and unity were very evident, and for this, we are most grateful. The Assembly resolved to meet again as a Commission of this Assembly on Tuesday 4/5/27, and then again in General Assembly on Monday 4/10/27. “To God be the glory, great things He has done!”
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”
(Psalm 133:1)