new staff proposal 2026

Yeah, thanks, Don.

It's hard to summarise a life's ministry in five minutes,

in 2024 we kind of held steady with what we had.

David's long service leave was getting paid out all across the year

and he was doing various internships around different...

Internships is not right, but anyway.

It's kind of the opposite.

Around New South Wales.

But it pretty quickly became evident

that this approach had a high cost to the church here,

both in terms of the strain it was placing on our preaching

and over time the diminishing quality and depth we were able to get into.

And a real lack of capacity to maintain our current ministries,

let alone expand and think of new and better ways

to support and grow each other.

So in term four, we took the first step

and we took the step of putting on Damien as an administrative role

and Damien's been working behind the scenes

across the beginning of this year.

He's established a bunch of online tools

that have actually increased the efficiency

for those engaged in various ministries

and that's been working really well.

At that time, we also had some discussions with Martin

and by proxy AFES

and they agreed for Martin to be able to preach here once a month

in lieu of us paying some extra support for his wages.

We've also expanded the lay preaching roster.

So we've had a number of folk across our congregation

preaching more regularly than we would have had in the past

and that's been of great benefit to the congregation

and it's something we're keen to see continue in some capacity

but we don't think it's probably optimal and sustainable in an ongoing way.

In term one, we also had David come back for a good chunk of time,

six weeks or so,

and that allowed Dave Bott to develop the Biblical Manhood and Womanhood series

that will follow Hebrews.

Now that's a series that as an eldership we feel is important

and they're issues that we need to think through

but it's one that required more time and thought

than would be possible with just one full-time preacher

so we had to get David on board for those six weeks

to be able to make that feasible.

So they're the sorts of things we're looking at missing out on

if we don't make some changes going forward.

So we have been working seriously towards identifying a full-time pastor

to add to the team.

Now this will come with some significant financial implications for Grace.

It means a commitment to raise approximately 25% more each week

which would bring our weekly budget to around $8,000 a week.

So this isn't a request we're making lightly

but due to the extra time that's passed since David Calderwood redeployed

we currently have about $50,000 in savings

which will give us a buffer across that early period.

So it won't be a sharp hit.

So with all that into account,

the elders would like to propose

that Martin Shadwick be appointed as an elder

and a full-time vocational pastor at Grace Evangelical Church.

Practically, this announcement is the beginning of us opening up

a church-wide discussion

and we are hoping to have a vote on the issue early in Term 3.

If called by the full church vote,

Martin would then be able to step into both eldership

and employment at Grace in early 2026.

We've partnered with AFES financially

and many of us as participants for a long time

and we still see AFES as a really important ministry

that we want to support

even as Martin leaves that role to join us.

So we want to be as flexible as we can be

as they need to seek and recruit someone

to replace Martin on the team

and a leader for NCS.

After the best part of 20 years of NCS,

this is going to be a big change for Martin

and Jen and the family

and the team on the ground at NCS.

So be prayerful and mindful of that going forward.

As Martin will be starting, if it goes forward,

in early 2026,

we have a further six months to accumulate savings

which will reduce the initial jump in costs

so if we're able to raise our giving

in the next six months,

that will offset the impact next year.

Martin, Jen and their kids

have been part of Church at Grace

for actually for longer than most of us.

It's over 15 years, I think.

And we as an eldership are satisfied

that Martin is of humble, godly character

and meets the requirements,

the biblical qualifications for eldership.

We feel he has several giftings

that will be a real assistance

to our church moving forward.

My pad really wants me to go back to the beginning,

I'm sorry.

In discussing the role of Martin,

there have been a few concerns

that have come to the fore

that are worth noting with everyone at the outset.

Firstly, a few years ago now,

Martin preached a sermon alongside David

on limited atonement

and the different biblical positions

on that doctrine.

Look, we've discussed limited atonement with Martin

and we're comfortable that his position

is consistent with Scripture,

first and foremost,

and also not in conflict

with the position of grace

in that the atonement is sufficient for all

but also only effectual for the elect.

The second point

is that Martin was baptised as an infant

and will not be baptised again on profession

before joining the eldership.

Now this is a departure from past practice

but we as an eldership are satisfied

that Martin is respectful of our convictions

and are satisfied with his commitment

to the church beliefs and practices

in only baptising believers on profession of faith.

When someone's been among us

for as long as Martin has,

we know each other really well

in a way that's just not possible

with external applicants

who would be coming into a congregation.

It's in this context

of a deeper relationship

that we endorse Martin

that he's in terrific alignment with grace

and our beliefs and practices

and he will be a great fit,

we believe,

for our growth and maturity

as a body going forward.

So where to from here?

As is our custom,

we really don't want the vote next term

to be the focal point of this process.

Rather, we're really keen to hear from folk

and discuss their concerns

or hopes for the future at Grace

and the substantial role

we're proposing Martin will play in that now.

So please, get in touch.

Drop us an email.

You can send one to all of the elders

or just one particular elder.

Send us an SMS.

Meet up with one of us for coffee.

Whatever works best for you.

Please, table any and all concerns

or enthusiasm

and we'll do our best to address them

or at least explain our reasoning

prior to the vote.

We really believe that the church

and the congregation body

has a key and important

biblical role to play

in the appointment of our elders.

The biblical model is for this role

to be based on the assessment

of the collective wisdom.

all of the congregation

in which that pastor will serve.

So please, each one of us,

be prayerfully considering this step

as it's a big one for us

as a church family.

And if you see something

that we're missing,

please show us

where we may be overlooking something

or making a mistake

as an eldership.

We will be taking Martin forward

as a proposal to adopt.

We want you to help us

to let you know

what you need to be able

to jump aboard

and support that proposal.

So that's the model.

It's one that's served us well over time

and it's one we ask for you to embrace

as we work through Martin

coming onto team in 2026.

That's the announcement.

So looking forward to many conversations

over the coming months.

Thank you.