Doveton CSS - The Challenge!

Ministry is exciting when we connect holistically with people from all races and walks of life. That's why I'm so excited about the ministry opportunities at Doveton. The Community Support Services staff are dedicated to providing the best care for all clients who access their services, and believe me - they do it well!



Doveton CSS is a busy multi-service, multicultural social welfare centre with a keen desire to be a credible 'integrated mission centre' of The Salvation Army, where practical expressions of social services and spiritual care impact the local community and foster hope and healing in the lives of those come seeking support.

My chaplaincy challenge, then, is to build meaningful relationships with people that bridge lcoal community needs as we seek to establish a new 'mid-week' worship and faith community in this vibrant social service 'mission' centre.

In the words of Jesus: "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it." (Mark 10:27, MSG)

The Challenge Of A New Beginning

Isaiah 48:6-7 ~ "[This is...] just the beginning. I have a lot more to tell you, things you never knew existed. This isn't a variation on the same old thing. This is new, brand-new, something you'd never guess or dream up. When you hear this you won't be able to say, 'I knew that all along."

These are words that come as a challenge to me for this specific point in my ministry journey. As I stand at the crossroads reflecting gratefully on where I've been and looking ahead in expectation of what God is going to do, I anticipate God's best.

Why? Here's the basis of my personal conviction:

God has always kept His Word through history. He continues to honour His promises in the present day. And He will forever remain reliable and trustworthy.

In the light of this very assurance, more than ever I'm confident that our new beginnings (no matter how challenging!) are always guaranteed to offer a 'more than sufficient' measure of God's grace to see us through - to a victorious & God-honouring outcome!

So Long, Farewell!

Our ministry at Inala Chapel came to a conclusion as we shared our final worship service with our beloved congregation. It concludes another chapter in our ministry journey - 7 years of aged care ministry. More importantly, we are able to praise God for 7 'blessed' years of personal and spiritual fulfilment as we've pursued God's 'ongoing' call in and through our lives.

So what does one share as a farewell message? I thought of no better way than to share three ‘pastoral prayer’ statements in the hope that they will continue to inspire a deeper 'Blessed Assurance' in the lives of those we have been privileged to journey with.

Below is a summary of what was shared.

1. BE CONSCIOUS OF GOD’S INDWELLING PRESENCE
Ephesians 1 verse 17: "I ask the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, to give you the Spirit, who will make you wise and reveal God to you, so that you will know Him."

God’s ‘Indwelling’ presence:
...is His gift to us!
...is our Greatest Guide!
...is the key to knowing Him!

2. BE MINDFUL OF GOD’S PROMISED EMPOWERMENT
Ephesians 1 verses 18-20: "I ask that your minds may be opened to see his light, so that you will know what is the hope to which he has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings he promises his people, and how very great is his power at work in us who believe. This power working in us is the same as the mighty strength which he used when he raised Christ from death and seated him at his right side in the heavenly world."

God’s ‘Promised’ empowerment:
...is worth being aware of!
...is our personal reinforcement!
...is our key to living victoriously!

3. CONFIDENTLY PURSUE HOLY LIVING
2 Corinthians 13 verse 11b: "...strive for perfection (in Christ); listen to my appeals, agree with one another; live in peace (‘Inala’). And the God of love and peace will be with you."

Confidently ‘Pursue’ holy living:
...for it is God’s calling to us!
...for your corporate advantage!
...for your personal blessing!

Be conscious of God’s Indwelling Presence!
Be mindful of God’s Promised Empowerment! and...
Confidently pursue holy living!

If you take these to heart and live by them each day, you will experience God with you – always!

2 Corinthians 13:11a&14 - "And now, brethren, goodbye! ... May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

A 'Major' Day

Today marks a milestone in our ministry, for we have now completed 15 years service since our Commissioning & Ordination on 8 January 1995. This significant achievement, thanks to the grace of God, is accompanied by our promotion to the rank of major. A thought that doesn't necessarily thrill us, as it suggests we are growing 'old'.

However, as we reflect over the many years of our ministry partnership, we agree on some key factors:

• People always matter more than programmes!
• Testimony is always greater than titles!
• Spiritual influence is more powerful than spiritual instruction!

Today, especially, we are reminded of the words of one wise retired officer we had the privilege to know and look up to. "Rank has no recognition in eternity - for we are all the same at the foot of the Cross"
A personal message to us offered another challenging perspective: "Congratulations on your promotion to Major. Wear the distinction well for it highlights the years of fruitful and faithful service you have both given in ministry to God and The Salvation Army..."
How grateful we are for these 'timeless' and 'timely' words of advice on this major day!

Day Of Prayer & Thanksgiving

To coincide with our POWERHOUSE Prayer Room commitment, we held a Day of Prayer & Thanksgiving today on this 1st Sunday in January, with the main feature being the Opening of the Time Capsule. This capsule was sealed into the chapel wall at the Watchnight Service held on 31 December 2000, with the instruction that it be opened in the year 2010.

How privileged we were to celebrate this special occasion with our former chaplaincy team of Majors Kevin and Lynne Grigsbey and Major Major McMillin, together with Mr Bruce Maunder (former Director of Administration). A unique opportunity to celebrate the past, present and future minstry of the Inala Chapel as we stand at the threshold of new beginnings.

It was a God-glorifying and soul-inspiring time of thanksgiving as the contents of the time capsule were unpacked and share with the congregation - book by Brigadier Horrie Wishart launched 10 years ago, commemorative mug and pen, and various publications from the time of its installment.

However, most encouraging of all were the personal messages written by the residents who were present all those years ago (many of whom are now in the eternal presence of God)! Here are a few noteworthy messages.

I hope you folk who have just come to live at Inala, and those who have been here for the last few years, are as happy as we are in 2001.
“In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.”

This is my message to you all and it is timeless! [Margaret Hillman, PTG]

May my life always grow in God’s love and help others. [Nola Morris, current resident and newest soldier transfer]

Greetings from Heaven! I expect to be there when the capsule is opened.
Psalm 62:5 – “My soul waits silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him” - He never fails – Hallelujah! [Brigadier Eileen Johnston, PTG]

As part of the Fellowship of Inala Chapel, I wish God’s richest blessing on all of you who are in this chapel 10 years from now.Remember God’s promise to all of you – “Lo, I am with you always!” [Mavis Wilcox, PTG]

We thank God for the peace and contentment we have at “Inala” [Marjorie & Gordon (dec.) Thomas, current resident]

...and finally, a prayer from one of Inala's faithful witnesses, Major Gwenda Watkinson.

May God be pleased to bless the ministry of all who serve in His name at Inala. May all who enter Inala be aware of God’s presence and be blessed and drawn closer to Him.

POWERHOUSE Beginnings

At 9am on New Year's Day, we opened our POWERHOUSE Prayer Room at the Inala Chapel. This was our contribution to the territory's 24/7 prayer initiative and was a great way to greet the first days of 2010.

The power of prayer is truly amazing! Those who attended the prayer room testified to a deep personal empowerment as they shared in silent, reflective prayer and encountered God in a powerful way. Faith was deepened through intercession, and hope was heightened as God's grace was at work in and through our prayers.

I couldn't think of a better way to commence the New Year - on our knees before our great and glorious God!