Crosslight - Edition April 2020

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Mission in life2020 approved grantprograms: $11.8mGrantsfrom trustsand bequests38% Uniting missional programs$5.1mGrants fromtrusts andbequests44%$2.9mGrants frompropertysales25%$2.5mGrants fromSynod generalreserves21%$1.2mGrants fromSynod-specificpurpose funds10%29% Congregational missionalprograms33% Other programs8% eLM programsGrants frompropertysales64% Congregational missionalprograms32% Congress supportEvery dollar given by congregationshelps generate four times that amountto be spent on dedicated mission andministry programs, an analysis of thisyear’s Synod budget reveals.This calendar year, the projectedamount being given by congregations toSynod is $3.1m.That represents just 12 per cent ofSynod’s income, with the rest comingfrom investment earnings, fees andtariffs from UC camping or IT services,trusts and bequests or grants andcontributions from Uniting Vic.Tas,Uniting AgeWell and U Ethical as well assundry minor sources.This extra income and tapping intoreserves allows Synod to providemission-directed grants worth $11.8m.This has been parcelled out in 120grants that fund a wide variety ofcommunity-oriented church ministry,activities and facilities.For example, in the Presbytery ofLoddon Mallee, one of the 61 grants thatwent to presbyteries and congregations8has been used to half fund a mobileministry.Grants have also been used tooffer ministry to migrant workersin Shepparton, fund a Cranbournecongregation’s food truck that givesout free meals and support a ministryplacement at Bridgewater-GagebrookUniting Church, in a socio-economicallydisadvantaged area near Hobart.This year there has also been 32capital work grants approved formission-focused building projects withfunding also put aside for heritagerequirements.There is also grant money to makebuildings more accessible to those witha disability, which can cover up to 50per cent of the cost of the works, up to amaximum of $50,000.A bit under half ($5.1m) of the $11mof grants given by Synod are funded bytrusts and bequests, which are often tiedto specific purposes.For more information, go towww.crosslight.org.au4% Uniting missional programs34% Assembly grantGrantsfrom Synodgeneralreserves15% Congregational missionalprograms14% Presbytery innovation projects14% Redress, child safety anddisability administration13% Support presbyteryoperational costs9% Dalton McCaughey Library grant1% Other grants
“ We are being called back to ourpurpose of becoming dynamicpockets of grace.”Rev Dr Sally DouglasMinister, RichmondUniting ChurchHonorary Research Associateand Associate LecturerPilgrim Theological CollegeI don’t believe the hype that the churchis dying. While this is recited like amantra I don’t see the evidence. This isbecause when these claims are beingmade, context is often ignored.The context in which churches andSunday Schools were full and the churchhad tennis clubs and social dancesemerged out of a very particular set ofcircumstances. Churches were large in awestern cultural context at a time whenthe societal expectation was that youhad to go to church to be a respectfulcitizen. The social pressure to conformwas enormous – particularly when thevoice of the church was often seen as theultimate moral authority.Added to this cultural expectation,there were far fewer opportunitiesto socialise, so churches played animportant role in society.While in the past, the expectation wasthat going to church was “what you did”,this kind of expectation no longer exists.Indeed, the very opposite is true in ourcontext.Now in Australia, people who go tochurch do not garner respect, instead, ifanything, they are more likely to attractpeople’s mistrust and derision. In asense, over the last several decades,what was a form of “compulsory voting”church attendance has now become anoptional, and, for many, a questionable,choice.What I find intriguing about thischange in society is that people stillchoose to attend church. They arenot doing this for kudos or respect.There are plenty of affordable qualityentertainment options available(which do not involve giving up Sundaymornings). People now have a plethoraof ways to connect with others and topromote their businesses.However, despite the flak and thediverse opportunities on offer, youngand old people are still keen to find outabout the way of Jesus and to go deeper.My sense is that while numbers may belower, the actual number of people whoare part of church communities becausethey are seeking to be disciples of Jesusmay be higher.While I am adverse to anything thatseems like boasting, it is fair to saythat where I minister at RichmondUC the congregation is growing. Themajority of newer people are youngadults. We don’t have PowerPoint or aband. We don’t seek to make worshipa form of entertainment, we have notennis club. Instead, we focus on whatis core: creating space for authentic,transformative worship of the Divine,going deeper into the scandalous wayof Jesus, and trying to live simply,creatively and generously, togetherserving in our local and global village.I know other Uniting Churchcongregations are growing in ourSynod too. Churches like BoroniaRoad UC, Yarraville UC, Fairfield UC,“Common Ground” Heidelberg UC,Canterbury-Balwyn Road UC, St John’sUC Cowes, Brunswick UC, Devonport UC,Launceston South UC and Kingston UC.There are others, too. I simply namethese particular congregations because Iwant to disrupt this tiresome, misplacednarrative of decline.The church as a social club is dying.The church as a marker of culturalrespect is dying. The church as theauthoritative “purity police” is dying.Thanks be to God because Jesus doesnot say anything about the churchbeing like these things. Instead Jesus,the radiant One, talks about the churchbeing little and being loving – likesalt and light – embodying Divinecompassion in a way that people cannotice.The church is being refined right now.We are being called back to our purposeof becoming dynamic pockets of gracethrough whom Spirit can breathe,communities in which all (includingourselves) can discover and share thehealing and freedom and meaning thatemerges as we draw closer to the Sourceof all. So let’s get on with it.9
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Crosslight - Edition April 2020

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