Paul the apostle spoke of the gifts of people-in-ministry that the risen and ascended Jesus Christ gives to his church: ‘The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ’ (Ephesians 4:11–12). In New Testament times, while some of these were stationed in particular local churches, many of them moved among the churches.

            New Creation Teaching Ministry is a movement of such ministries among the churches. As such, it is not a ‘para-church organisation’. It is part of the ministry supplied by Christ to his church.

            What we bring in our preaching and teaching is the apostolic gospel of the grace of God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—centred on the cross of Christ, as ‘the whole purpose of God’ from the beginning to the end of the Scriptures, with a view to the ultimate community of God with His people (see Acts 20:20–21, 24, 27, 32). This is brought through prophetically to all who will hear, as a life-giving and life-sustaining word, by the activity of the Spirit of God.

            Several principles follow from this, to guide the deployment of our ministry:

• We do not seek to reproduce what is or should be happening in the churches, nor to support a particular church’s program. When we come to particular churches, we would expect to extend them beyond what they might normally do.
• While people are welcome to participate in study with us for periods of time, (see separate leaflet on the Christian Workers Course) we are not here to act as a Bible College, nor after the fashion of a Bible College’s regional ministry.
• Subject to the Spirit of God (as in Acts 16:6–10), we are to go where an apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic, pastoral teaching ministry of the word is not otherwise available in this way. We prefer to work with a number of churches in an area, across the denominations, or where a particular church is seeking to break new ground and needs help with that.
• We look to go where there is an invitation and a welcome from a local support base (as in Matthew 10:11–14; Acts 16:15). We do not seek to set up our own initiatives, or to grow ourselves as an organisation.
• These principles apply both to short-term missions (weekend, week or fortnight) and to series of classes (weekly or monthly). When either of these start to become self-perpetuating fixtures, consideration should be given to moving on from there.
• Studies at the Teaching Centre (weekly or monthly) and short-term Schools at the teaching Centre or off-site (weekend or week-long) are gatherings for upbuilding and encouragement, both for those who come and for those who participate by speaking. These help sustain the theological backbone of the ministry in other places, and provide the basis for recorded and published resources.

            While these principles are not new, they are set out here to explain the rationale of our teaching program this year, and the relationship of its various elements to each other. There are fewer weekly classes this year than previously, to increase our flexibility and availability for other forms of ministry. By nature of the case, while some ministries can be planned a year in advance, and so are included in this printed program, others become possible closer to the time, and will be notified as they arise.

Weekly Classes are a regular service to equip God’s people for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. They are open to all, without charge. People can come and simply listen and join in. Notes are provided for many of the classes. Assignments can be set each term for any who want to do more intensive study through the Christian Workers’ Course.

TERM ONE                 February 4 – April 11 (10 weeks)             (Note: No classes held on public holidays)

TERM TWO                 April 28 – July 4 (10 weeks)

TERM THREE                        July 28 – September 26 (9 weeks)

TERM FOUR               October 13– December 5 (8 weeks)

Speakers

Martin Bleby: Anglican minister and New Creation’s Director of Ministry

Siew Kiong Tham: surgeon and theologian, pastor of Bethel Christian Church, Norwood

Trevor Faggotter: pastor of the Northwestern Community Church at Queenstown

Andrew Klynsmith : Anglican minister and AFES worker at Flinders University

Grant Thorpe: associate pastor of the Coromandel Valley Baptist Church

Graham Taylor: an elder in his church and a teacher in Australia, Europe and Asia

Keith Chessell: pastor of Mitcham Baptist Church

Lloyd Main: Baptist pastor

James Krieg: Scripture Union coordinator and youth pastor

Randall Lawton: associate pastor at the Christies Beach

Venues of Classes

Christies Beach Baptist Church, Fowey St, Christies Beach

Mount Barker: Cornerstone Colleg,e 68 Adelaide Road, Mount Barker

Mitcham Baptist Church, 20 Albert St, Mitcham

New Creation Teaching Centre, 936 Ackland Hill Rd, Coromandel East

Victor Harbor High School, George Main Road, Victor Harbor

Queenstown: Northwestern Community Church, 193 Port Rd, Queenstown

Monthly Ministry Studies

These studies give comprehensive and foundational teaching on a wide range of biblical topics. Generally on the first Monday of the month, duplicated on the first Saturday, at the New Creation Teaching Centre. The current series, led by Martin Bleby, is on the crucial but often bypassed theme Alive to God: Crucified with Christ.

            A listing of previous years’ studies is available. Notes of these are on the website for free down-loading, and on mp3CD, or as printed notes.

Saturdays: Feb 2, Mar 1, May 3 & 31, Jun 28, Aug 2 & 30, Nov 1, Dec 6.

Mondays: Feb 4, Mar 3, May 5, Jun 2 & 30, Aug 4, Sep 1, Nov 3, Dec 1.

Northern Area Monthly Fellowship

An opportunity to come together for worship, teaching and fellowship around a meal each second Saturday in the month except for February and July in a home at 101 Cheek Avenue, Gawler East. There is provision for child care. The theme will be The Fullness of Christ, led by Grant Thorpe, with Grace and Hope (1 Peter) led byMartin Bleby, Robin Mitchell and John Dunkley and others. In the face of much fear-mongering speculation, how we need to hear some Biblical sense spoken that secures us and our future in the great salvation wrought by God in Christ!

The first session, 5.00 pm, is followed by a provided tea for a small fee at 6.15–7.15 pm, and the second session at 7.20–8.20 pm.

Enquiries: Dennis Triplett 8523 1346; Grant Thorpe 8270 3875

Feb 9, Mar 8, Apr 12, May  10, [Jun 6-9 Winter School], Jul 12, Aug 9, Sep 13, Oct 11, Nov 8.

New South Wales Saturday Morning Studies

Led by Ian Pennicook, at his home on Old South Road Bowral (ring Ian and Zara on 02 4861 2995 or email <ianp@hinet.net.au> for directions) on the second Saturday of the month (except January and September) 10.00 am – 12 noon (subject to modification).

New South Wales Classes in the Southern Highlands

Led by Ian Pennicook, Thursday evenings, in the Christian Education Centre of St Stephen’s Anglican Church, Main Street, Mittagong, over four eight-week terms:

Gatherings

Saturday night Gatherings are held at the New Creation Teaching Centre to bring together participants and friends of the ministry for a meal, fellowship, worship and the word, for encourage-ment, and for catching up with what God has been doing in people’s lives through this ministry. Join us for a meal at 6.30 pm (bring some food to share) and for the meeting at 7.30 pm.

Commencement Gathering—Feb 16

End-of-Year Gathering—Nov 29

Schools

For more information see the leaflets for each of these schools as they become available.