2009, 2010, and 2011 Annual Reports have not been filed on the website. However, updates of attendance and student achievements have continued to be maintained and are available upon request.
Some 120 students from 21 different churches have now completed an MDC Unit since we began in 2001. 30 Units have been taught, discussed, argued on! and now we have had sufficient time to see observable growth in the maturity level of many as they go on to serve our Lord Jesus Christ, His church, and the wider community. Peter Chan and I sincerely say, what a joy to be involved!
We have worked hard at not being too repetitious in the type of material offered in the different Units over the years. There has been a mix of theological, practical, cosmological, and charismatic emphasis. Our desire has been to see a balanced corps of students emerge who are equally at home in 21stC Western Christianity and 1stC spirituality!
Most persevering award – Kwi Lee. Kwi has been attending MDC since 2005. often under difficult circumstances. She has shown a continually maturing ability to "correctly handle the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15) and this has been reflected in her input into her own local church (Fellowship of Christ).
Most developed award – John Bomford. This award recognises the change from the start of the year to the finish. John has attended 18 MDC Units since 2004. This year, his maturing input was noticeably commented upon by others (as with Ben Wright last year). As a middle-aged student, we honour John as proof that, with a proper humble and teachable attitude, you are never too old to learn and continue to change!
Servant Spirit award – this award truly reflects the heart and soul of MDC’s philosophy – “it’s not enough to be gifted; you must also cultivate a servant-spirit if you are going to bless the Body of Christ, serve the Lord, and be a good witness of Christ to a very cynical, watching world”. Peter Chan presented this award to Elizabeth Rensford this year, as due recognition of her quiet supportive input - not only behind her husband (Brian), but also into helping with catering, following up people, and attending herself (often riding her bike the 7km from her home to attend!).
Principal’s special award – Watson Muscat. Watson attended his first MDC Units this year, and at 16/17 brought a fresh input to the course as he contributed both publicly and in the group sessions, This award was presented as an encouragement to Watson to continue to grow in the things of God pertaining to ministry development - that such an issue does NOT exclusively belong to the older, more experienced believers....
Overall Achievement award – Kefas Makava was the standout this year in straight achievement. Kefas came to Holroyd district from Zimbabwe in 2006, already an experienced and formally-trained children's worker. But in the past year, he has expanded his ministry role in the district to the point where the SRE Board of Reference appointed him to the vacant position of SRE Coordinator at Greystanes HS. This reflected the considerable, ongoing maturing of the gifts of grace in Kefas's life - he is truly a model of what our MDC vision seeks to help produce!
The students were presented with their awards as part of the Combined Churches Christmas Celebration at FoC in December. A large crowd applauded them in recognition of the application they had brought to furthering the reputation and effectiveness of the College. As Paul said to the Corinthians, "YOU ARE LIVING LETTERS / REFERENCES READ BY OTHER PEOPLE WATCHING ON!"
By the end of 2007, 104 students had completed at least one Unit since we began in late 2001. What began with a word from God while Brian and Elizabeth Rensford were 150km down a 4WD sand track in the then recently-terminated war zone in Mozambique (in 1997), has now become a reality - blessing the wider Body of Christ by equipping a widening array of committed believers to serve their Lord more effectively in their God-given grace gifting. A College of colleagues! People from many nationalities and backgrounds, joined together relationally around a common desire to seek God's blessing on their ministry grace gifting, so they can bless others! Yes, it sounds like a repeat record, but it's so true.
In the past year we have had some serious theology (special thanks to Phil Grebert, one of our local Baptist ministers, and a constant prayer partner for some years with myself and Peter Chan), some missions strategy development, and some charismatic material, plus an intensive look at revival and renewal processes.
Every December, we reflect on the past year at our annual Awards and Dinner night. This year saw some notable landmarks...
Most persevering award – Nancy Leong. Nancy has to go hard to fit MDC in around her secular work responsibilities. And this she does well! She has constantly assisted the Chans in their church's role as hosts for the program, and has persevered for several years now in growing in her skilful participation in the small-group sessions. Well done, Nancy! A worthy recipient!
Most developed award – Ben Wright. This award recognises the change from the start of the year to the finish. Ben has attended many MDC Units over several years. But this year, his maturing input was noticeably commented upon by others. Ben went with Brian to Africa for a month late in the year, and put his acquired skills to good use there. (A later outworking of this award has been Ben's subsequent installation into Sunday Night leadership in his own church, with another regular MDC student, Kefasi Makava).
Servant Spirit award – this award truly reflects the heart and soul of MDC’s philosophy – “it’s not enough to be gifted; you must also cultivate a servant-spirit if you are going to bless the Body of Christ, serve the Lord, and be a good witness of Christ to a very cynical, watching world”. After receiving an "honourable mention" last year in this category, Katherine Chan had it all to herself, as she continued to support her husband in the regular catering and hosting role, without which MDC simply would not function! Congratulations to a quiet achiever!
Principal’s special award – John Doolan. What can you say when you have a student who has managed to miss only ONE of the total of TWENTY SIX Units!?!? And out of a maximum possible attendance of 148 nights, has only missed THREE!!! And again, the benefit of John's application attitude showed itself beneficially when he accompanied Brian to Zimbabwe and Mozambique in 2006. Along the way, this year John picked up his second 12-Unit recognition. Another worthy recipient!
Overall Achievement award – Amor Jiminez squeaked in ahead of a couple of other contenders. Amor's expression skills have developed significantly in recent years, and his conscientious approach completing assignments (rather than doing an audit level) has resulted in this somewhat unexpected award..
Certificate of Recognition for Completion of 12 Units – We now have three further recipients of this award that honours long-haul students - Amor Jiminez, Jan Peters, and (for the second time!) John Doolan. They satisfactorily completed 12 Units during 2007, and join Jim Barr, John Bomford, and Siva Mataafa on our honour roll.
To all our current students, we say again, take what you have learned at MDC with the same perseverance that has brought you this far, and BE AN EFFECTIVE BLESSING TO OTHERS. We, the Board of Reference and your fellow students, wish no other future reward for you than that!...
We again congratulate and honour all students for their achievements this past year, and pray God’s blessing on their future.
Again to Peter and Katherine Chan, and their team of Fellowship of Christ people who consistently worked hard to make us all welcome and for the nights to function smoothly.
To all those who pick up and drop off other students, everyone who sticks around and helps clean up afterwards! etc, etc, etc. It's all good MDC training!
My wife, Elizabeth, for attending and then working so hard at hosting such an enjoyable year-end breakup wards night and dinner.
It's very encouraging to see several students not only doing further courses (both here at MDC, but also in other training establishments), but to hear reports of them actually doing ministry beyond what they were previously accomplishing! This makes the labour of a lecturer, Principal, Facilitator, et al, so much more fulfilling. After all, The great Commission is essentially a going commandment!
And still our stated philosophy is to learn in the context of relationship! That’s how Jesus and the Apostles did Ministry Development... And so do we. By the end of each Unit, you can see and hear the relationship network developing. Long-term friendships have emerged from our times together over the past six years. This is a blessing for each of us as individuals, and for our churches. God bless you, and make you again the best advertisement for MDC 2008!
Welcome to the wind-up of MDC for 2006. It’s hard to believe we have now completed over five years of Ministry Training, since we began in late 2001…
We retained a 4-Unit structure again this year, with a lengthy mid-year break. The intention always with MDC is to release students to DO THE GREAT COMMISSION!
This year we had 45 students complete a minimum of one Unit (minimum of 5 attendances out of six). That’s a 25% increase over 2005 levels. And since we began, we now have had 96 students satisfactorily complete at least one full Unit.
Our “audit” level continued, where students could attend, participate, but not complete assignment requirements. Regular attendance, active participation (including a satisfactory assessment for participation and servant spirit) will still go towards an aggregate award upon the completion of 12 Units – we stated in the formation of MDC that academic excellence was not what we are looking for, but rather, the development of a willing, serving, reliable minister of God’s grace.
Some of the Unit material this year did not lend itself to the way we have done assessments in previous years. Also, the observable increase in competence levels of many returning students has made some of former training scenarios obsolete for them. Hey, that’s great news!!
We continued to bring everyone in together for Unit 4, and again used three (x 2 sessions each) teachers. The continuity was remarkable! Although numbers were down on last year’s, the quality of teaching and student participation was outstanding.
In the meantime, a core group of committed students (of all ages) continued to learn, grow, serve, and hopefully – make a difference in their local churches and in their witness and service in the community.
Fellowship of Christ’s facility now has the feel of our “home”. The layout enabled us to operate three courses simultaneously in Unit #06-3, adding for the first time, a full-blown theology Unit (taught by Sam Abalo, senior minister of Living Word Centre). This was very well received.
Les, Brian, and Peter continue to meet regularly to plan, discuss, debate, and pray! We have a vision to make this College a blessing to a wider range of believers than before, from a wider range of church backgrounds. No one has swapped churches as a consequence of attending, as we strive to maintain ministerial integrity.
Most persevering award – Steve Milosevski. Steve committed his life to Christ mid-2005, and has been a regular MDC student since then. He has applied himself in a very disciplined way, not only to learn, but to put the teachings into practice! THAT’s perseverance bible-style! Well done, Steve! Hang in, mate!
Most developed award – Tiresa Tafa. This award recognises the change from the start of the year to the finish. Tiresa made very observable strides in her public godly confidence to speak and participate. And she hasn’t plateaued yet! We expect good reports in the future wherever Tiresa is!
Servant Spirit award – a new category this year, to reflect the heart and soul of MDC’s philosophy – “it’s not enough to be gifted; you must also cultivate a servant-spirit if you are going to bless the Body of Christ, serve the Lord, and be a good witness of Christ to a very cynical, watching world”.
This award was a hard call between Katherine Chan (see below) and Amor Jiminez. Amor takes it home with him; he has continued to ensure the financial side of the College is taken care of (with John Doolan’s help), but his observant eye (developed from many years as the manager of several jewellery stores) puts food aside for people who have been delayed, watches out for hitches and glitches; not to mention his constant getting around many fellow students with a word of encouragement. Congratulations, Amor!
Principal’s special award – Katherine Chan. Katherine picked up where Susan Siew left off last year! She has not only quietly served persistently in the background, but sat in on many sessions listening carefully (in between trips to Asia, other church responsibilities, and keeping Peter in line!). A deserving recipient!
Overall Achievement award – because of the changes to the curriculum material this year, we felt it best to not make this award in 2006, as we moved away from assignments and critiqued activities.
Certificate of Recognition for Completion of 12 Units – Up till this year, John Doolan was our sole recipient (in 2004 - and he has now completed an unbelievable 21 of 22 Units we have run (with only 2 non-attendances out of a possible 126!! – He will be stuffed and mounted in the foyer at 24!....)
So, it’s a great joy as Principal to honour a further three regular students by awarding them too a Certificate of Recognition – they satisfactorily completed 12 Units sometime during 2006.
Siva Mataafa, John Bomford, Jim Barr – we all salute you! Take what you have learned at MDC with the same perseverance that has brought you this far, and BE AN EFFECTIVE BLESSING TO OTHERS. We, the Board of Reference and your fellow students, wish no other future reward for you than that!...
We congratulate and honour all four students for their achievements, and pray God’s blessing on their future.
Again to Peter and Katherine Chan, and their team of Fellowship of Christ people who consistently worked hard to make us all welcome and for the nights to function smoothly.
Once again too, to Les for his consistent carefully thought-out and developed material. We are truly fortunate / blessed to have such a sound-in-the-faith brother among us.
To Daniel Reardon (Mr Domino) for helping most of the year with catering, and again, the guys who picked up hot food on the night. Tinotenda!
To those who pick up and drop off other students, everyone who sticks around and helps clean up afterwards! etc, etc, etc.
And lastly, to the Fellowship of Christ family for opening their marvellously usable church facility to us all year, and for our annual break-up time of fellowship, food, and awards – we say thank you and God bless you!
We said last year that MDC is meaningless if it remains notes in folders and assessments and grades only… It must translate to action! Our intention, as stated on our website, is to stretch every student participating to become more competent and confident in their field of God-given anointing.
Our stated philosophy is to learn in the context of relationship! That’s how Jesus and the Apostles did Ministry Development... And so do we. By the end of each Unit, you can see and hear the relationship network developing. Long-term friendships have emerged from our times together over the past 22 Units. This is a blessing for each of us as individuals, and for our churches. We see 2007 as a year of greater opportunity than ever before for combined, effective times of Body ministry. God bless you, and make you the best advertisement for MDC 2007!
Welcome to the wind-up of MDC for 2005. Here are some highlights of the year…
§ We settled on a 4-Unit structure this year, with a lengthy mid-year break, enabling a number of students to go and “do the stuff” – locally (many) and overseas (Richard Tan, Joanne Tran, Elizabeth Wiles, Brian Rensford).
§ This year we had 36 students complete a minimum of one Unit (minimum of 5 attendances).
§ We introduced an “audit” level for the first time on an official level, where students could attend, participate, but not complete assignment requirements. Regular attendance, active participation (including a satisfactory assessment for participation and servant spirit) will still go towards an aggregate award upon the completion of 12 Units – we stated in the formation of MDC that academic excellence was not what we are looking for, but rather, the development of a willing, serving, reliable minister of God’s grace.
§ The widening of attendance criteria resulted immediately in a much larger number of people attending irregularly – visitors came and looked, while others attended for specific sessions (Kevin Hovey’s introduction night for our cross-cultural Unit was exceptionally well-attended, including several pastors from other non-participating churches).
§ We also deliberately threw everyone in together for Unit 4, and for the first time, introduced a Unit with several teachers. And it worked! Although numbers sagged a bit near year-end, the quality of teaching and student participation was outstanding.
§ In the meantime, a core group of committed students (of all ages) continued to learn, grow, serve, and hopefully – make a difference in their local churches and in their witness and service in the community.
§ Fellowship of Christ’s facility now has the feel of our “home”. The layout has enabled us to operate three courses simultaneously, as well as break up for small groups without squeezing one another.
§ Les, Brian, and Peter have met over the past year to prayerfully plan the forward direction, and make appropriate changes. We have deliberately structured the courses to cater for Christians at differing levels of personal development – from keen new disciples to older, experienced servants of God.
§ Awards this year were as follows (students must complete 2 Units minimum to qualify)…
Ø Overall Achievement – Richard Tan. Outstanding contribution in assignments especially.
Ø Most persevering – Daniel Reardon. Daniel typifies the tortoise and the hare principle! If you keep persevering, you will ultimately achieve what no one expected. Keep moving, Daniel!
Ø Most developed – Amor Jiminez. This award recognises the change form go to whoa! Amor participated in all 4 Units (only student to do so this year), and made noticeable strides in his pathway towards serving the Lord more effectively.
Ø Principal’s special award – Susan Siew. She worked quietly behind the scenes, with a focused attitude, serving, as well as her more public expressions in group times. Someone called her, “an invisible lady”!
We congratulate and honour all four students for their achievements, and pray God’s blessing on their future.
To Peter and Katherine Chan, and their team of ladies who consistently worked hard to make us all welcome and for the nights to function smoothly.
To Les for his consistent carefully thought-out and developed material.
To John Doolan and Amor Jiminez, who consistently volunteered to take care of financial matters.
To Daniel Reardon (Mr Domino) for helping all year with catering, and Jim Barr and John Bomford for so often picking up hot food on the night.
To
everyone who sticks around and helps clean up afterwards! To those who
pick up and drop off other students, etc, etc, etc.
And lastly, to Les and Sina Hansen for opening their home to us all for our annual break-up time of fellowship, food, and awards.
MDC is meaningless if it remains notes in folders and assessments and grades only… It must translate to action! Our intention, as stated on our website, is to stretch every student participating to become more competent and confident in their field of God-given anointing.
But every student is ultimately responsible for their own pathway and fruitfulness. We have seen very good quality teaching and discussion on very relevant, carefully chosen topics. It’s the desire of everyone involved that, having learned new things, and having formed new and deeper relationships with other fellow servants of Christ, together, we now go out and bring glory to Jesus’ name by our involvement in the servant ministry of the Body of Christ.
God bless you, and make you the best advertisement for MDC 2006!
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