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The Reach Australia movement has matured into something broader: from a corrective voice into one of the most significant culture-shaping forces in Australian evangelicalism.Reach Australia has often been heard as a corrective: a push for clearer pathways, better systems, output thinking and more intentional leadership in local churches.Richard Coekin says that, as an outsider, last week's conference felt less like the corrective it may have seemed in the past and more like a mature, holistic vision for church leadership: with preaching, spiritual transformation, gospel culture, prayerful dependence and pastoral warmth much more clearly front and centre, while still committed to principled pragmatism and organising churches to reach the lost.Richard Coekin, former senior pastor of Dundonald Church in London and now leader of Reach UK, reflects on his fortnight at both the Reach UK conference in London and the Reach Australia conference, attended by 1450 leaders on the NSW Central Coast.We discuss the maturing of Reach Australia and what UK evangelical churches might learn from Australia at this moment.Anglican AidTo find out more about supporting Anglican Aid. Support the show
The Reach Australia movement has matured into something broader: from a corrective voice into one of the most significant culture-shaping forces in Australian evangelicalism.Reach Australia has often been heard as a corrective: a push for clearer pathways, better systems, output thinking and more intentional leadership in local churches.Richard Coekin says that, as an outsider, last week's conference felt less like the corrective it may have seemed in the past and more like a mature, holistic vision for church leadership: with preaching, spiritual transformation, gospel culture, prayerful dependence and pastoral warmth much more clearly front and centre, while still committed to principled pragmatism and organising churches to reach the lost.Richard Coekin, former senior pastor of Dundonald Church in London and now leader of Reach UK, reflects on his fortnight at both the Reach UK conference in London and the Reach Australia conference, attended by 1450 leaders on the NSW Central Coast.We discuss the maturing of Reach Australia and what UK evangelical churches might learn from Australia at this moment.To watch or listen to Bible Teaching from Dominic Steele at Village Church Annandale Sydney goto this link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Richard Leadbeater is the senior pastor of the influential Dundonald Church in London. He came to Australia for the Reach Australia Conference — 1450 pastors and leaders from across Australia, the UK, the US, South Africa and New Zealand — and left deeply moved.Richard says he found himself in tears four times during the week. In a The Pastor's Heart Friday special, Dominic Steele presses into Richard's pastor's heart, exploring each of those moments. We also talk about the joy and privileges of ministry — and why Richard is concerned that we can talk so much about how hard ministry is that we forget to commend the deep joy of being spent in the service of Christ.#ReachAustraliaAnglican AidTo find out more about supporting Anglican Aid. Support the show
Exactly when people first set foot in Australia has sparked fierce debate, with two times currently cited: Around 50,000 years ago, and 65,000 years ago. Which is correct?
This episode is brought to you by HalloCasa, the SEO-ranked digital business card for real estate agents. Looking to find the right agent, no matter where you are?Visit https://home.hallocasa.com to discover and connect with top real estate agents globally.In this episode of HalloCasa, we speak with Peter Schravemade, Managing Partner at REACH Australia & Asia Pacific, the world's leading real estate technology scale-up program.Peter has played a key role in shaping the global proptech ecosystem, from his success at BoxBrownie.com to now leading and mentoring startups within the REACH Program.Timestamps00:00:30 – Introduction00:04:30 – The importance of good networking in real estate00:06:50 – How to succeed in proptech (BoxBrownie.com case)00:13:30 – About REACH and making a proptech startup succeed00:22:30 – The next wave of technology in proptech00:26:30 – Elements for a proptech startup team to succeed00:32:30 – The REACH Program explained & Secondary Ventures exit expectations00:40:30 – Peter's view on the next wave of proptech innovation00:44:30 – Conclusion, Final Thoughts, Contact InformationIf you're an entrepreneur, investor, or real estate professional, this conversation is packed with insights on what it takes to succeed in proptech today and tomorrow.Learn more about REACH: https://www.reachanz.com/Connect with Peter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schravemade/
Twelve months ago we heard the sobering news of a significant attendance drop in Sydney Anglican Churches. Over the decade from 2013 to 2023, weekly attendance fell by 7% – and when you factor in population growth, attendance was 14% behind.At last year's Sydney Anglican Synod, the mood was serious. A resolution was passed calling for confession and humble repentance – acknowledging that their hadn't been sufficient priority, attention, reflection, or resources to seeing the lost saved by Jesus. Synod called for a five-year focus to reverse the decline – putting prayer, evangelism, church health, and leadership development at the very centre of priorities.Ahead of this year's Synod, there is a response. The Standing Committee appointed a subcommittee, led by the Archbishop, to bring forward concrete proposals. And what they have come back with is significant:A galvanising target – to pursue 5% annual growth through conversion for the next five years.A range of initiatives and actions designed to support churches, leaders, and congregations in this mission.Our guests are Pete Stedman, senior minister at Norwest Anglican Church, and a member of the Archbishop's subcommittee that has proposed the new goal, Jon Kwan, lead pastor at St. David's Forestville and Jo Gibbs, senior consultant with Reach Australia.The Church Cothechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Advertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport the show
How can we respond to the complex & contradictory opportunities to present Christ to contemporary culture? This workshop outlines emerging worldviews—liberty, morality, religion, and spirituality—and shows how each one misunderstands the gospel in different ways. Kamal Weerakoon explores how they blind people to their need for Christ by proposing alternative ways of salvation. Understanding these belief systems and the ways of life they inculcate will help us minister to the different people we will encounter in this time of change.Kamal is an assistant minister at Gracepoint Presbyterian church and an adjunct lecturer at Christ College (Sydney) and the Reformed Theological College (Melbourne).YouTube VersionCREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp GroupFor ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auSupport Reach Australia's online library
Coz challenges churches to think deeply about mission contextualisation: who's missing from our churches, how boundaries shape our communities, and why demographic averages often hide local realities.Coz helps us think through what it looks like to walk, shop, and live locally—so that we can truly know and reach the people God has placed around us.Coz Crosscombe is the Project Director of the Well Training CentreYouTube VersionCREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp GroupFor ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auSupport Reach Australia's online library
How do you preach judgment without becoming cold—or crushed? Adam Ch'ng speaks to us from Isaiah 24 and the gut-wrenching reality of God's wrath. It's not just about saying hard things—it's about feeling them. We explore what it means to be a preacher who isn't just right in doctrine but broken in heart. If you've ever been tempted to soften the gospel or skip the hard bits, this one's for you. Brace yourself: it's heavy, honest, and full of hope.Adam Ch'ng is the senior pastor of Cross and Crown in the suburbs of Melbourne.CREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp GroupFor ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auSupport Reach Australia's online library
Mission isn't a bolt-on feature or a singular gear in the engine; it's the fuel that drives every part of the church ecosystem. Integrate it, and the whole church comes alive. Greg Lee unpacks how mission can and must be integrated into every area of church life, from welcoming to administration. Doing so doesn't drain ministry, it ignites it.Greg Lee is the lead pastor at Hunter Bible Church in Newcastle.YouTube VersionGreg's longer workshop from the 2024 National ConferenceThe Reach Australia Framework ebookCREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp GroupFor ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auSupport Reach Australia's online library
Evangelistic urgency must start with the leader. Phil Colgan argues that church leaders must personally bleed for the lost if they want to see their churches grow in evangelism. It's not merely about strategy and vision. Culture flows from the top, and that includes zeal.Churches that burn for the lost are led by pastors who bleed evangelism—personally, visibly, and relentlessly.Phil Colgan is the Senior Minister at St George North Anglican Church in Sydney.YouTube VersionCREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp GroupFor ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auSupport Reach Australia's online library
The ultimate goal of salvation, and therefore mission, is that people would glorify God for his mercy. Des says mission flows from two deep convictions: first, a grief that people are robbing God of the glory he deserves; second, a longing for them to see, enjoy, and share in that glory forever. His challenge to Christian leaders is this: don't let strategy be your fuel. Let your fire for mission be driven by the glory of God and keep that fire burning by fixing your eyes on Jesus, the radiance of God's glory.Des was the Senior Pastor at Trinity Church Adelaide and is now helping to plant Trinity Church Lockleys, where he now serves.YouTube VersionCREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp GroupFor ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auSupport Reach Australia's online library
In a bold move, a meeting of movement leaders from across Australian Reformed Evangelicalism has resolved to work together to see their numbers double over twenty years, through seeing sinners saved.Leaders gathered for a mini summit organised by The Gospel Coalition Australia at Sydney's Moore Theological College last week.Gospel Coalition Australia Chair Rory Shiner says given the unparalleled theological and missional unity between the different organisations there's a significant window of opportunity to work productively together for God's glory.They agreed to work towards an effective target of growing five percent per year through conversion growth. The Gospel Coalition's Rory Shiner and Sarah Kuswadi, Reach Australia's Andrew Heard and Queensland Theological College Principal Gary Millar came straight from the Summit to our The Pastor's Heart studio to discuss the outcomes of the day and plans for the future. Sponsor The Pastor's HeartWith We look to you to financially partner with us to make a tax deductible gift before 30 June to support the work of the The Pastor's Heart.Anglican AidTo find out more about supporting Anglican Aid. The Church Cothechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Advertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport the show
Churches are in decline and it would seem that we are the "bad guys" but Rory Shiner is looking at the bright side of the missional environment we are in.Rory Shiner is senior pastor of Providence City Church in Perth, and the Chair of the The Gospel Coalition Australia Council.Missional ToolsYouTube Video versionCREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp GroupFor ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auSupport Reach Australia's online library
Andrew Heard says ministries cannot be other than outcome-focused in their work - the question is will those outcomes be good or bad? Conscious or unconscious? Specific or vague? He addresses critics who confuse having Biblical goals with adopting secular business practices.Andrew Heard leads the Reach Australia movement, and pastors the influential EV Church on the Central Coast. • All Christians are goal-driven whether consciously or unconsciously• Critique often conflate goals with the methods used to pursue them (which is a separate question).• Paul in 1 Corinthians demonstrates strategic thinking while maintaining gospel integrity• "Wise master builder" suggests skill and thoughtfulness in ministry, not just faithfulness• Personal, transformational ministry requires organisation.• Opposition to large churches and attempting to grow churches creates an impossible task for reaching the world. We need to own the fact that we either need much bigger churches or many more churches, or both.Sponsor The Pastor's HeartWith We look to you to financially partner with us to make a tax deductible gift before 30 June to support the work of the The Pastor's Heart.Anglican AidTo find out more about supporting Anglican Aid. The Church Cothechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Advertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport the show
Paul and Sue Harrington join us to reflect on decades of ministry in South Australia and the journey of leading the Trinity Network in South Australia. From one church in the city to a growing network across suburbs and regions, they share what's shaped their vision, what they've learned along the way, and how they've seen God at work through it all. The network is currently made up of fourteen churches and they are praying to see more churches planted in the next few years.It's a conversation about planting, perseverance, partnership—and the privilege of watching the gospel grow.CREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp GroupFor ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auSupport Reach Australia's online library
Wade Burnett shares what the current multisite landscape looks like in the United States. He reflects on how things have changed over time, the questions churches are now asking, and some of the strengths and challenges that have emerged along the way.Wade explores what Australian church leaders might take from it all.Wade Burnett is the Executive Pastor of McClean Bible Church.CREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp GroupFor ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auSupport Reach Australia's online library
Wade Burnett and Paul Harrington take a deep dive into how different church models function in practice. From questions of centralisation to the importance of local context, they unpack the strengths, tensions, and trade-offs that come with different approaches.CREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp GroupFor ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auSupport Reach Australia's online library
Wade and Paul tackle questions from church leaders about the complexities of multisite, leadership, governance, and culture.Questions include:Can two struggling churches merge into something healthy and growing?How do you choose the right leader for a multisite context, especially in more matrix-style leadership models?How can a church without a strong planting culture begin to develop one?What are the challenges and implications of changing a church's governing structure?CREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp GroupFor ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auSupport Reach Australia's online library
A practical workshop on crafting gatherings so that unbelievers experience the gospel of God's grace in a rich, meaningful and life-transforming way.This seminar is for pastors, meeting leaders, song leaders, and those who plan services, to help you make every part of your gatherings an impactful moment for the believer and the unbeliever.---Liv Chapman Leggett is the Director of Magnification at Vine Church in Surry Hills, having previously worked at St Ebbe's in Oxford. She is also a Senior Ministry Consultant at Emu Music, and spends her time creating resources for their global training events, working on albums, and supporting their partners.Toby Neal is the founding pastor of Vine Church (Surry Hills, Sydney) and has a passion for seeing people connected to the life, love, and freedom Jesus offers.Sides from the workshopCREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp GroupFor ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auSupport Reach Australia's online library
In the last talk of this three talk series, Andrew Heard digs into the implications of the cross.CREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp GroupFor ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auSupport Reach Australia's online library
Andrew Heard diagnoses the true problem with humanity and Jesus' teaching on it. CREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp GroupFor ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auSupport Reach Australia's online library
In this second talk Andrew Heard resolves the problem he set up in the first talk and reminds us of the great glory of the cross of Jesus.CREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp GroupFor ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auSupport Reach Australia's online library
What happens when churches move beyond "pious passivity" to strategic intentionality in reaching the lost? Richard Coekin—founding pastor of Dundonald Church in London and pioneer of REACH UK—joins Dominic Steele to unpack the revolutionary approach transforming churches across Australia and the United Kingdom.Following on from Reach UK and Reach Australia in May, Richard candidly shares his journey from skepticism about "Pentagon language" and structured frameworks to embracing these tools as valuable expressions of pastoral care and evangelistic intentionality. "If you don't aim at anything, nothing will happen," he explains, challenging the notion that strategic thinking somehow diminishes reliance on God's sovereignty.We look at the biblical foundations for strategic ministry, with Richard pointing to Acts 6 as a model where the apostles prioritized preaching and prayer, built ministry teams for delegation, and ensured the church's practical needs were met. Plus we discuss measuring spiritual fruit. Whether you're skeptical of strategic approaches to ministry or already embracing them, this conversation offers fresh insights on leading churches that are both faithful to Scripture and effective in mission. Anglican AidTo find out more about giving tax deductibly to Anglican Aid. The Church Cothechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Advertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorAdvertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport The Pastor's HeartFor info on how to become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/support
Live from the sidelines at the Reach Australia Conference on the Central Coast of New South Wales, we sit down with Wade Burnett from McLean Bible Church in Washington DC and Derek Hanna, Reach Australia's church planting and multisite specialist, for a fresh look at the multisite church model.Multisite was a buzz seven years ago. Today, with thousands of campuses launched in the United States—and many hard lessons learned—the mood is more measured. What's changed? What's endured? And what can church leaders here learn today from the American experience?We explore the personnel, strategic, and pastoral complexities of multisite ministry. From varied governance models to launch strategies, leadership fit to congregational model — And how to decide whether we should launch a new campus, reassess a current model, or weigh multisite against church planting.Anglican AidTo find out more about giving tax deductibly to Anglican Aid. The Church Cothechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Advertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorAdvertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport The Pastor's HeartFor info on how to become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/support
This week on The Pastor's Heart, we're live from the Reach Australia conference at Erina on the Central Coast of New South Wales. It's an inspiring gathering, with 1,300 church leaders from across Australia and beyond, including New Zealand, South Africa, America, and the United Kingdom, coming together for encouragement and equipping to better Reach Australia.Paul Harrington has led the Trinity Network of Churches in Adelaide for 33 years, guiding it from a single congregation of 800 to a thriving network of 13 churches with over 2,600 members. Sue Harrington is a Reach Australia board member, has been deeply involved in supporting pastors' wives, families, and women in ministry and runs a consultancy business.Together, we discuss the lessons learned along the way, the emotional and practical challenges of planting daughter churches, and the role of humility and servant-hearted leadership. We explore the cost and recovery after sending, the evolving nature of church leadership, and the often overlooked but critical support needed for ministry households.Anglican AidTo find out more about giving tax deductibly to Anglican Aid. The Church Cothechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Advertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorAdvertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport The Pastor's HeartFor info on how to become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/support
It is 1700 years since the council of Nicaea and the publication of the Nicene Creed - but what are we to make of it?It was the twentieth of May in the year 325 that the Council of Nicaea first met. Pope Francis said ‘The Nicene Creed is a powerful sign of unity among Christians.'The 17 hundredth anniversary of the Council of Nicaea - is being used - by the Roman Catholic Church to push the idea that ‘All Christians are Nicene Christians.'However the difficulty is that while we say the same words, Roman Catholics and Protestants mean vastly different things, and any unity is a fake unity at best. Leonardo de Chirico is pastor of the Church Breccia di Roma and director of the Reformanda Initiative.Rachel Ciano lectures in Christianity and History at Sydney Missionary and Bible College. She is a faculty member at the Rome scholars and leaders network, hosted by The Reformanda Initiative.The book ‘The Nicene Creed' is available from Matthias Media.Anglican AidAnglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid.ChurchSuiteCheck out ChurchSuite at Reach Australia or at the Melbourne taster day. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Dominic Steele's preaching at Village Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.
Lots of churches want to know what resources are out there to share the life-changing good news of Jesus. We've interviewed people who created or are using each tool.Jeri Jones Sparks is developing a course that works for people coming to Australia from South Asia called Good News.Jeri Jones is the Ministry Director of the "Good News Series” (evangelistic video resource for South Asians) and working with Satya part-time as a Strategic Consultant in 2025. She is passionate about local church mission to South Asians and Gen Z.Good News SeriesSatya Network: For reaching people from a South or East Asian backgroundCREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp GroupFor ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auSupport Reach Australia's online library
We explore the findings of the Your Story Research Report — a significant national study that listens to the voices of more than 400 young people as they reflect on their spiritual journeys.We find out who and what has, and is, shaping young people's faith from their childhood, though to adolescence, to right now.There are insights into the eight “faith journeys” —from Embracing to Reconstructing to Disengaging— highlighting the importance of relationships, trust, and belonging in shaping faith over time. Plus advice for churches, families, and schools on how to nurture young people in ways that are both personal and sustainable.Graham Stanton is Director of the Centre for Children's and Youth Ministry. He lectures in Practical Theology at Melbourne's Ridley College.Download the Your Story Research Project: https://www.convergeoceania.com/yourstoryThe Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Church SuiteGavin and Paul from ChurchSuite are at Reach Australia and at a special Melbourne taster day on 26 May 2025. Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info.Anglican AidAnglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid. Dominic Steele's preaching at Village Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.
Lots of churches want to know what resources are out there to share the life-changing good news of Jesus. We've interviewed people who created or are using each tool.The Life course is a popular course for the churches in the Reach Australia network, but it is modified and changed according to the church that uses it.Jeremy Kidd has done an apprenticeship at Lighthouse Church. He's currently the mission pastor as he continues theological study.LifeChurch in BoxCREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp Group.For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auTo support the Reach Australia Online Library head here
Lots of churches want to know what resources are out there to share the life-changing good news of Jesus. We've interviewed people who created or are using each tool.Simply Christianity, a trusted course since 1998, remains highly effective in guiding people to explore the Gospel of Luke for themselves, letting the gospel's message do the work.John Dickson now works as an author, speaker, historian, minister and media presenter. He strives to be a public advocate for the Christian faith in doubting times, and is highly regarded for his ability to tackle complex ideas in a straightforward and accessible way.Simply ChristianityThe Best Kept Secret of Christian MissionUndeceptions PodcastCREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp Group.For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auTo support the Reach Australia Online Library head here
Lots of churches want to know what resources are out there to share the life-changing good news of Jesus. We've interviewed people who created or are using each tool.Discover is a new course that not just covers the gospel in a 5 session course, but also thinks about what comes next. The course and it's resources will be available for pre-order from April 2025 and in stock in early May 2025. Dave Jensen is the Assistant Director of Evangelism and New Churches (ENC), with a specific focus on the ‘E' of ENC: Evangelism. His aim is to assist churches in their endeavours to see lost people find life and hope in Jesus.The Matthias Media WebsiteThe Discover PodcastFire Up!CREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp Group.For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auTo support the Reach Australia Online Library head here
Lots of churches want to know what resources are out there to share the life-changing good news of Jesus. We've interviewed people who created or are using each tool.Two Ways to Live is a well know Australian tool for explain the gospel in 6 simple steps. Tony Payne, one of the creators for Two Ways to Live discusses the origins, structure, and the impact it has had on evangelism and church training including the future of Two Ways to Live.Tony Payne was the founding editor of Matthias Media and now serves as the Director for Ethics at Moore Theological College.Two Ways to Live OnlineResources for Two Ways to LiveCREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp Group.For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auTo support the Reach Australia Online Library head here
Lots of churches want to know what resources are out there to share the life-changing good news of Jesus. We've interviewed people who created or are using each tool.The 321 Course by Speak Life is an online program that invites participants to explore life from Jesus' perspective. Through immersive videos and thoughtful illustrations, the course encourages reflection on fundamental questions about God, the world, and oneself. It comprises eight interactive sessions, each approximately 20 minutes long, designed for flexible engagement. The course is suitable for individual study, one-on-one discussions, or group settings, making it a versatile resource for churches, small groups, and youth organisations. Participants can access the course for free and progress at their own pace, with the option to create an account to track their journey and access additional content.Glen Scrivener is the director and evangelist at Speak Life, an organisation that exists to revive Christians, resource the church, and reach the world with the good news of Jesus.321 WebsiteSpeak LifeBooks that Glen has writtenCREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp Group.For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auTo support the Reach Australia Online Library head here
Taste & See is a four-week course designed to introduce participants to the key aspects of the Christian faith in an engaging and interactive way. Each session includes a shared meal, thought-provoking discussions, and a welcoming environment where attendees can explore spirituality, ask questions, and reflect on life's deeper meanings. The course is open to people from all backgrounds, whether they are new to Christianity, curious about faith, or looking to deepen their understanding. Through storytelling, conversation, and community, Taste & See offers a unique and accessible way to explore belief in a relaxed setting.CREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp Group.For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auTo support the Reach Australia Online Library head here
Church planting in multicultural Australia is no easy feat, but Rob and Sally are embracing the challenge in Blacktown, one of Sydney's most diverse and rapidly growing regions. With 410,000 people and not enough churches, their mission is clear: to bring the gospel to those who have never heard it. They talk about the importance of representation in leadership, the spiritual battles they've faced, and the deep joy of seeing people step into ministry roles they love. CREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp Group.For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auTo support the Reach Australia Online Library head here.
Andrew and Christine West planted The Bridge Church in Macquarie Park, Sydney in the middle of a pandemic. They talk about joys and frustrations of planting as a part of a bigger network as opposed to a single new church.CREDITS:The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach AustraliaTo pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp Group.For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.auTo support the Reach Australia Online Library head here.
Church planting is hard enough but it is next level when you're uprooting your family of teenagers, leaving behind a thriving church, and starting from scratch in a coastal town known more for its bananas than its believers. In this episode, Tim and Deb from Anchor Church in Coffs Harbour get real about the highs, the heartbreaks, and the hustle of planting a church in a regional centre. From navigating skeptical locals to keeping their kids on board, they share hard-won wisdom, epic fails, and why they wouldn't have it any other way. CREDITS: The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach Australia To pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp Group. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here.
Tim and Alita Cansoa planted Village Church in Bulli during the chaos of COVID lockdowns. From navigating pastoral struggles to seeing new believers come to Christ, Tim and Alita share how church planting has transformed not only their community but also their own faith and family life. CREDITS: The Reach Australia Podcast is brought to you by Reach Australia To pray for Reach Australia, join our WhatsApp Group. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here.
Social media is changing again. In an increasingly digital age, our collective consciousness is captured by infinite scrolling, short-form videos, and internet personalities. A church's social media presence has gone from an optional nicety to a key lever for engaging newcomers to church.How can pastors and ministry teams best capture the opportunities that can come with social media? How can a church's resources be best assigned to this new space? What if our gifts and skills don't line up?Hannah Thiem and Liz Fong discuss best practice and minimum dose for churches and pastors on social media.They highlight some of the biggest church wins on social media.Hannah Thiem works at leading social media company Hello Social working with major corporates, and on the side does social media for Sydney Anglicans and Dubbo Presbyterian Church.Liz Fong runs social media for Reach Australia and advises churches on best practice in social media.Support the show--To make a one off contribution to support The Pastor's Heart's ministry go to this link, or to become a regular Patreon supporter click here.
As we head to 2024 most of us are recasting ministry teams for the new year.But how can we do this without making some of the mistakes that we have made in 2023?How do we do better with staff teams and all the various volunteer ministry teams across our church?And even in the best places - there's an inertia that we will slip back to functioning as rosters… How do we fix that?Grahame Fuller is a long term senior leader at EV Church on the Central Coast. Jo Gibbs is the Effective Teams consultant for Reach Australia. http://www.thepastorsheart.net/podcast/relationships-results-rhythms-ministry-teamsSupport the show--To make a one off contribution to support The Pastor's Heart's ministry go to this link, or to become a regular Patreon supporter click here.
A few weeks ago on The Pastor's Heart we talked with Zac Veron and Raj Gupta about issues confronting Sydney Anglicans.The National Church Life Survey shows a drop in newcomers from 9% in 2011 to 5.4% in 2021 - a more than ten year trend of fewer people joining church. Plus there's been a 7.5% drop in attendance between 2015 and 2019.But it's not just the Sydney Anglicans that need a wake up call. It's most of us in Australian Evangelicalism.And if you are a senior pastor watching from around the world - it's highly likely that there will be a massive overlap between your problems and our problems. Andrew Heard leads the large and influential EV church on the Central Coast of New South Wales. He's also the key person behind the influential Reach Australia movement. And is a leader in the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churcheshttp://www.thepastorsheart.net/podcast/problems-of-heart-head-and-hands-andrew-heardSupport the show--To make a one off contribution to support The Pastor's Heart's ministry go to this link, or to become a regular Patreon supporter click here.
Whether we are the senior pastor, theological college lecturer, missionary, student worker, Christian publisher, or denominational leader - we all work within an evangelical ecosystem.And it's possible for us to make it harder or easier for our ministry peers to play their part in glorifying God. Mikey Lynch's new book The Vine Movement, published by Matthias Media (https://bit.ly/vinemovement), explores how churches, missionary organisations, evangelical student ministries, chaplains and denominations can all work together best.Mikey Lynch is a director of Reach Australia, leads the AFES staff team at the University in Hobart and is the editorial director for Gospel Coalition Australia. Support the show--To make a one off contribution to support The Pastor's Heart's ministry go to this link, or to become a regular Patreon supporter click here.
Hello and welcome to The Room Xchange podcast. I'm Ludwina Dautovic and today I'm talking to Peter Schravemade. Peter is an international educator and speaker in the area of Property, Construction and Development Marketing. He's on the board of Proptech Association of Australia (of which I'm a member). He's also a managing partner of Reach Australia, a venture capital and private equity firm accelerating the top growth companies into the global real estate industry.In episode #22, Ludwina Dautovic and Peter Shravemade talk about the archaic rental application process in Australia and the difficulties of applying for a rental property when living interstate. 00:58.14 - Peter Schravemade's background in the property industry02:25.70 - Current state of the rental market03:59.34 - Challenges in addressing housing affordability and shortage04:27.91 - The need for an overarching solution05:02.73 - Discussion about the broken rental market06:32.46 - Peter's personal experience helping his daughter find a rental property08:04.84 - Property inspections and application process09:02.49 - Stringent financial scrutiny for rental applications10:13.10 - Various application processes and their complexities11:43.80 - Property inspections and overcrowding issues12:36.90 - Mistake in lease duration and missed opportunity13:27.73 - Frustration and anger over the costly experience14:42.63 - Expenses incurred and the unfeasible nature of the process15:10.88 - Conclusion and reflection on the rental process16:06.60 - The Challenges of the Rental Application Process16:47.68 - Difficulty in Finding Short-Term Rentals17:01.58 - Overwhelming Experience of Renting and Lack of Six-Month Rental, lack of Transparency in Lease Requirements and Strain on Property Managers and Market Readiness18:06.17 - Need for Clear Expectations in Lease Duration, Challenges of Renting from Interstate, International Students and Language Barriers19:05.97 - Difficulty for International Students in Understanding Regulations20:00.50 - Frustration with Inability to Secure Rental Accommodation21:11.74 - Challenges Faced by Self-Manage Landlords21:55.11 - The Need for Change in the Rental Process22:27.20 - Excessive Financial Investigation of Tenants23:59.23 - Concerns About Privacy and Data Security24:35.11 - Requesting Deletion of Personal Data from Providers25:13.50 - Importance of Cybersecurity and Data Protection26:13.34 - Alternative Housing Options for University Students26:24.73 - Understanding the Property Managers' Perspective27:02.81 - Overregulation and Complex Application Process28:22.19 - Centralised Application System and Potential Issues29:23.38 - Lack of Landlord Influence in the Rental ProcessContact The Room Xchange Tweet us at @theroomxchange and @LudwinaDautovic Share a story on instagram @theroomxchange Email us at admin@theroomxchange.com Please leave us a reviewClick here for Apple reviewsConnect on our socialsYoutube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin Sign up on our websitewww.theroomxchange.com
Scott, Derek and Jo catch up on Day 3 of the conference in the noisy foyer.
Jo, Derek and Scott catch up on Day 2 of the National Conference.
Pete and Scott look at the Reach Australia Impact Report
“I think you are a purist”, a friend said to me after I'd just given a presentation on ‘community and belonging' at last week's Reach Australia conference.“Who me?” I lamely chuckled, but then immediately wished I'd said something more witty, like: “What would you prefer? An impurist?”My talk at Reach was an expanded version of last week's post, and majored on the same point—that Christian ‘community' and ‘membership' and ‘belonging' is created and built by one thing only: the presence of Jesus Christ in our midst through his word.It was a fun seminar, filled out very ably by Tim Clemens's practical wisdom on what those theological themes mean for how churches can welcome and integrate new members, and disciple them to be part of a rich Christ-centred community.When my friend expanded on his ‘purist' comment, it was really to explore a question that had been raised in the seminar, as follows: granted that Jesus is the centre of our community, and the head of the body of which we're members; granted also that this makes the word of Christ ‘dwelling richly amongst us' the vital factor—how then do we think about the place of our actions in building Christian community? What about just going out to dinner with people, or playing board games, or painting the front room together? Don't these sorts of things do anything for our ‘sense of community'? Would it be okay with the purist if we just hung out?The first thing the purist would say is that human friendship, togetherness and relationship are good things in themselves. They don't need any further justification or purpose. There's no need to question our consciences about whether ‘hanging out' is really okay if there are no Bible verses present.This is especially so because many people today, sadly, are starved of the joys of human friendship and togetherness, particularly in the dislocated, isolating life of the modern city. To provide those simple pleasures (by hosting that dinner party or games night) is an act of real kindness—on the same level as helping an elderly neighbour with their lawns. In itself, it doesn't create Christian community as such or build the body of Christ (as we've defined it), but it's still an act of goodness and love.However secondly, hanging out together in smaller informal settings creates a context in which Christian community can flourish. Tim Clemens fleshed this out very helpfully during our seminar. He pointed us to research that showed how people relate differently (and gain different things) in groupings of different size:* In ‘public' contexts (100+) we normally gather to engage together with something outside ourselves, like at a sports game or a concert or a church meeting;* In ‘social' contexts (20-70), we interact with an affinity group of some kind, sharing snapshots of ourselves—like at a party or at morning tea after church;* In ‘personal' contexts (4-12), we reveal more of ourselves, and likewise get to know others at a deeper level—as at a dinner party or a small Bible study group;* In ‘transparent' contexts (2-4), we can be open and vulnerable, and share our innermost thoughts and experiences—usually with our marriage partner or a close friend.We can build the community of Jesus Christ in different ways in each of these contexts or social spaces, because we can share his word in various ways with different benefits at each level—from the sermon that challenges us all, to the series of conversations afterwards which teases it out, to the more personal conversations where we grapple with our own personal weaknesses.So it's not that hanging out with ten people automatically creates Christian community, and we shouldn't confuse the joys of just being with other people with the unique thing that is Christian community. But unless we hang out with ten people, and create the trusting social space in which we can talk to each other, how can we have the opportunity to fellowship around the word of Jesus Christ at that more personal level? How can we have all the different kinds of conversations we need to have about understanding and believing the word, and living it out?As I mentioned in last week's post, we can facilitate community-in-Christ by creating “the optimum number and variety of contexts where people can be together as those who share Jesus Christ”.Including just hanging out.This leads to a second insightful question that was asked at the seminar about our actions in community: What are the benefits of people actually serving each other for building Christian community? Surely loving service and action for the sake of others is a genuine expression of our ‘community' and ‘membership', and increases our personal experience of it?Hard to argue with that. In fact, on this basis, many churches work hard at getting as many people as possible involved in serving each other. The more people start to exercise the muscles of practical service, and take an active part in community life, the more they tend to experience a genuine sense of being part of that community. And this includes newcomers who are seeking to join that community.However, there's an important caveat. If my practical service is not framed, motivated and directed towards the word of Jesus Christ—if it is just doing a job that needs to be done, and which makes me feel good because I'm useful—then it won't express or build genuine Christian community. In fact, it might even lead to false or ‘fleshly' community (to use Bonhoeffer's term), which is based on my longing to be needed and recognized.Bonhoeffer explains this well in Life Together. He is very sharp about the poisonous possibilities of those who long for community but don't long for Jesus Christ, including those who act from the need for self-justification rather than from the freedom of justification by faith.However, he also says that while the mutual ministry of the word is the ‘highest' form of Christian service, and the one to which the others lead and are directed, it is not the only form of mutual love in a Christian community. He identifies three other forms of service: ‘listening' to each other, ‘forbearing' with each other, and what he calls ‘active helpfulness'. This last form is what we are usually speaking of when we talk about ‘practical service'.We mustn't despise this form of service, he says, as if it is beneath us, or in some ways less worthy:Nobody is too good for the lowest service. Those who worry about the loss of time entailed by such small, external acts of helpfulness are usually taking their own work too seriously. We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God, who will thwart our plans and frustrate our ways time and again, even daily, by sending people across our path with their demands and requests. We can, then, pass them by, preoccupied with our more important daily tasks, just as the priest—perhaps reading the Bible—passed by the man who had fallen among robbers.The one who is focused on the ministry of the word shouldn't despise the opportunity to help others practically. Nor should the one who feels comfortable in practical service rest content in doing something ‘useful', and leave the sharing of the word to others.All Christian practical service is motivated by the word, directed by the word and has the speaking of the word in prospect. As the morning tea team serves coffee and washes dishes, those involved are not only motivated by the gospel, but are helping to create one of those social contexts in which the congregation can speak with each other. It's a word-motivated and word-directed service, even though it is hands-on and menial in nature.This leads to a final point. How can we ensure that this ‘practical service' is indeed motivated by and directed towards the word of Jesus Christ?By teaching and training. This was my mantra in answer to many of the questions that were raised during the seminar.If we want our people to understand what Christian community and membership really is, and to live it and practise it, we need to teach them about it, just as the apostles themselves did on numerous occasions to their hearers in the New Testament (such as in Rom 12 and 1 Cor 12-14 and Eph 4-5).This is a statement of the bleedin' obvious if ever there was one, but I am often struck by how meagrely and haphazardly we teach about such subjects in our churches. We do the essential work of expounding the Scriptures week by week, and we also study Bible passages in our small groups (often the same ones). But the integrative work of applied theology—that is, the task of drawing the Bible's teaching on a subject together, and showing what it means for our lives … this is something we do much less often, and less effectively.How could we do it better?I have thoughts. But given that this post is already quite long enough already, I'll return to those thoughts next time.PSAs always, please get in touch with your thoughts, observations and questions. Just hit reply to this email, or make a comment on the website. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe
In this episode of The Propcast, Louisa speaks with Peter Gibbons, MD of Openn Negotiation and Jeffery Gray, Founder and CEO of PROPIC about what it takes to exit and IPO a real estate company. They discuss how to set your company up to be IPO ready, how exciting it is to be in the Proptech sector right now, and how to maintain resilience when working in a Proptech startup. Companies Mentioned: Openn Negotiation https://www.openn.com.au/ PROPIC https://www.propic.com.au/ REACH Australia https://nar-reach.com/ Domain Group https://www.domain.com.au/group/ Second Century Venues https://www.scv.vc/ National Association of Realtors https://www.nar.realtor/ MRI Group https://www.mrisoftware.com/ Fleet https://fleetspace.com/ Shout Outs Ash from ActivePipe (Ashley Farrugia) https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-farrugia-99bb0616/?originalSubdomain=au MRI Group https://www.linkedin.com/company/mri-software-llc/ Key Insights From This Episode: Australia is quite advanced in terms of the technology we're using this vertical... there's probably a contact every two or three months from potential investors, from the US. So they are clearly watching what's happening with technology in PropTech, in Australia – Jeffery Gray 80% of all consumer inquiries for real estate happen out of work hours. - Jeffery Gray Forbes has estimated by 2025, 95% of all consumer interactions are going to be supported by AI technology. Residential real estate is the largest asset class in the word. And you look at it as a vertical, it is well behind any other consumer facing vertical, arguably in the world. - Jeffery Gray VC's and investors in America are...scouring the word, looking for technology companies that are investing in artificial intelligence. It is the next generation of technology and that's why they're reaching out. - Jeffery Gray There's positives and negatives to being listed. For us it was overwhelmingly a positive on balance, particularly around securing the funding so that we don't need to worry about funding now in terms of our runway, but more importantly, we've got a very clear roadmap that needed funding to execute it. - Peter Gibbons To me real estate is that last great bastion. It is a great industry to be in, but there's so many areas for improvement, and that improvement is all about customer journey. So the buyer and seller journey, how do we make their lives easier? And the key conduit to that is help out the agents. - Peter Gibbons COVID was a bit of a wakeup call to maybe there are other ways of doing things that aren't the traditional way that we've undertaken it. So agents have really embraced it from that perspective because a) they either had time on their hands to learn about new things, and b) they had to come up with solutions that they probably haven't thought of before. - Peter Gibbons Keywords: proptech, AI, IPO, listing, public, exit, property, real estate, funding, VC, investors About Our Guests: Peter Gibbons, Openn Negotiation https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-gibbons/?originalSubdomain=au Peter Gibbons has extensive experience in property investment banking, property development and financing and technology development. He has held senior roles in some of the world's largest investment banks, including Macquarie Bank, Bankers Trust and Deutsche Bank, as well as Board roles at Landcorp, the Western Australian Football Commission, Silver Chain, and Chairman of the Bethanie Group. About Openn Negotiation Openn Negotiation is an Australian property technology company offering a proprietary cloud-based software platform to support real estate agents in selling property online with greater transparency. The Openn platform facilitates a negotiation process, featuring streamlined digital contracting and automated communication tools, which enhances a property transaction. The solution provides buyers with real-time feedback through their device on how much competition exists and where their price stands in the negotiation, resulting in an optimal sales outcome. Jeffery Gray, PROPIC https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffery-gray-8b3216a/?originalSubdomain=au Jeffery Gray the founder and CEO of Propic. He has extensive experience in property technology, data and AI. Jeffery was a former executive of Domain Group, Aristocrat, Lexis Nexis and numerous other data and technology companies. After a successful exit from a prior start up, he be came a Real Estate agent for a period, prior to joining Domain Group. As such has first hand experience with the pain points, challenges and opportunities that the Real Estate vertical has. About PropicPropic is an Australian based data and AI company that delivers conversational AI and data solutions to residential real estate agents spanning, Sales, Property Management and Project Marketing, House and Land and Build to Rent Propic's conversational AI (Enliven AI) serves consumers 24/7 enabling its customers to scale with out people and in real time. ReVeal AI is a data platform that tracks every property and listing in australia, ingests customer data and its algorithms works out who has the highest propensity to transact in the future. The agent app tells and agent, who to call, when and most importantly why, all in natural language. About Our Host Louisa Dickins https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisa-dickins-ab065392/?originalSubdomain=uk Louisa started her career in property working at a well-known estate agency in London. Realising her people skills, she moved over to Lloyd May to pursue a career in recruitment. She now is a Director at LMRE, who are a specialist recruitment firm driven by PropTech and recruitment professionals, and Louisa oversees their 5 core areas. Louisa co-founded LMRE and provides a constructive recruitment platform to the new disruptors in real estate. Louisa is also on the board of Directors at UK PropTech Association (UKPA). About LMRE www.lmre.tech LMRE believe there is a better way to recruit. LMRE focus on a more comprehensive, client led focus delivering exceptional talent to the place at the time. They are passionate about the industry and passionate about people's careers. LMRE spend time with each client to become and an extension of the business, and their transparency and core values help them grow with the sector. LMRE simplify recruitment and innovate with our clients and evolve the people driven, PropTech community.