Author: Heidi Tai - Page 4 - KCC | Katoomba Christian Convention

Pastoral Supervision: Protecting Your Heart to Go the Distance

In this workshop, “Pastoral Supervision: Protecting Your Heart to Go the Distance in Ministry” from Oxygen 2023, Susan Marcuccio invites ministry workers to examine their hearts for the things that have the power to end one’s ministry.

She begins by explaining that while there are many things that can affect our ministry—accusations, discouragement, conflict, sickness, moral failure, addictions—none of these external things hold the power to ruin our ministry because God is in control. Rather, it is the internal things of the heart—bitterness, unforgiveness, cynicism—that can grow and fester to make us lose passion for ministry.

Susan then explains the value of pastoral supervision in giving ministry workers a safe, trustworthy and confidential space to share how they are really going, and to guard their hearts so that they can go the distance in ministry.

Pastoral Supervision: Protecting Your Heart to Go the Distance by Susan Marcuccio

Oxygen 2023 Workshops Now Available on KCC+

This workshop is part of our KCC+ January 2024 collection, “Shaping Our Hearts”, available exclusively for subscribers. The collection includes 12 workshops from Oxygen 2023, designed to help workers understand the inner and outer challenges of ministry, while providing practical wisdom to renew and revive passion for the work God has called them to do. Here’s a preview of what’s available:

Why aren’t they singing? – Crafting a Sound That Invites the Congregation
by Grant Norsworthy

Mending the Broken Hearted: Trauma Informed Pastoral Ministry by Tim Dyer

Serving Confidently Amidst Strain, Uncertainty and Change by Grant Bickerton

Mental Health and Ministry by Miriam Chan

The Importance of Emotional Self Awareness for Healthy Ministry by Dave & Kathy Thurston

See the full list of workshops here.

Access this and much more from only $4.99 / month (on an annual KCC+ subscription). Learn more: https://www.kccone.org.au/

Susan Marcuccio explains the value of pastoral supervision in helping ministry workers to guard their hearts so that they can go the distance in ministry.

By Heidi Tai

5 Christmas Quotes to Inspire Hope

As Christmas approaches, we invite you to prepare your hearts to meet Jesus afresh. Here are five quotes to guide your mind and heart to the hope of his birth at Christmas:

“In the birth of Christ, God chose to be like us. Submitting himself under the weaknesses that all humans experience which makes sense because a holy God has to be a humble God…God chose to be like you, so He could help you.” – Jackie Hill Perry

“The Christmas Story: There is hope for the weak, for those who’ve failed, for the wicked, the rebellious and those who are foolish and lost.” – Paul Tripp

“The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity–hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory–because at the Father’s will Jesus Christ became poor and was born in a stable so that thirty years later, he might hang on a cross. It is the most wonderful message that the world has ever heard or will hear.” – J. I. Packer

“You have heard the phrase in “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”— “Mild, he lays his glory by.” What does that mean? He did it voluntarily, willingly, and lovingly. No one forced him. It wasn’t just a duty. He faced unimaginable pain and death out of love for you.” – Tim Keller

“We find hope in the ancestry of Jesus that no matter what we’ve done or where we come from, we too can be included in Jesus’ family. Jesus does not look for people who are perfect and have never failed or made mistakes to be in his family. Instead, he is drawn toward people who recognize their failures and see their need for him.” – Nancy Guthrie

Hope Arrived! An Advent Series Available with KCC+

Hope Arrived! An advent series by KCC+

As Christmas approaches, we invite you to prepare your hearts to meet Jesus afresh.

‘Hope Arrived’ is our brand new, 4-part video and audio advent series that will guide your mind and heart to the hope of Christmas. It also features ‘He Entered Into’, a 15-day written devotional series to help you explore how Jesus entered our world to meet and save us.

Now exclusively available for KCC+ subscribers on the KCC One app. Sign up today: https://www.kccone.org.au/

5 quotes to guide your mind and heart to the hope of his birth at Christmas.

By Heidi Tai

Sam Allberry Confirmed to Speak at BASECAMP 2024

We are pleased to share that pastor, preacher and apologist, Sam Allberry, will be speaking at BASECAMP 2024 on the topic “Building Brotherhood”.

Sam speaks around the world and is the author of Seven Myths About Singleness, Is God Anti-Gay? and What God Has To Say About Our Bodies. He is also the co-host of the podcast You’re Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Young Pastors. Sam is the Associate Pastor at Immanuel Church Nashville, a Canon Theologian for the Anglican Church in North America, and a Fellow at the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics.

In 2024, he will speak at BASECAMP men’s conference, helping delegates to consider God’s design for brotherhood. Sam will share how men can better link arms with other men in their life with Jesus and become a brother that other men can trust and lean on.

Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention, BASECAMP is an annual event for men to renew their strength in Christ. Since 1997, men of all generations and from across denominations have taken time out together to hear God speak. Each year, men have encouraged each other to run the race with their eyes fixed on Jesus.

BASECAMP will return in 2024 over two weekends in three different formats:

BASECAMP City (3 August 2024) – A one-day recharge held at the UNSW Roundhouse in Kensington
BASECAMP Mountains (9–10 August 2024) – An overnight retreat held at StayKCC in Katoomba
BASECAMP Online (9–10 August 2024) – An online livestream of BASECAMP Mountains that can be aired from your church hall, lounge room or shed!

Early Bird tickets are now available. Register today: basecampmen.com

Stay up to date with BASECAMP on Instagram or Facebook.

Sam Allberry will be speaking at BASECAMP 2024 on the topic “Building Brotherhood”.

By Heidi Tai

“A Reminder We Are Not Alone”: Zoe’s OneLove Testimony

In this interview, Zoe shares why she has continued to attend OneLove over the last 5 years and the impact that the teaching and fellowship has had on her faith and ministry. She also shares her sermon takeaways from this year, and the impact of being able to gather with like-minded Christian women at events like OneLove.

1. How many times have you attended OneLove, what made you attend this year?

I love attending OneLove and have been coming almost every year since I was in year 10, which means I have attended, online or in person, about 5 times! I came along this year because of how great the previous years had been! I also love the book ‘Gay Girl Good God’ by Jackie Hill Perry, so was keen to hear from her.

2. What was a highlight of this year’s conference?

This year’s conference highlight was hearing a multitude of women singing praises to God. It always gives me goosebumps. So thankful for the ability to worship our great God and for the great musicians to lead us in that.

3. What was something that struck you about the talks?

Something that really stuck me in the talks was the sheer power of God. I often forget His authority in the world, but the talks were a helpful reminder of how God has been working and is working in our lives. It was awesome to look at how he works all things for His glory and that nothing we do can stuff up the plan of God. What a relief! He knows us and yet uses us to bring about His purposes! What a powerful God!

4 How has OneLove encouraged your faith?

OneLove talks encouraged my faith, reminding me that despite being a sinful person, God chose to save me, and even more so, he decides to use me for his ministry. We are fragile jars of clay, but he made us ambassadors for Christ. He called us to spread the love of God with the world and he gives us the power of His son through the Holy Spirit. When there is great news like that, how could I not go out into the world to tell people about Jesus?

5. Why should women attend OneLove in the future?

Women should come to OneLove because it is a GREAT day that encourages and challenges you to live every day for God. The day serves as a reminder that we are not alone in the ministry of God. The world may persecute us but a conference like OneLove shows us that there are so many other Christians who are going through the same thing; working together for the same purpose of growing God’s kingdom. We are united in Christ; sisters in Christ. We are not alone in the Christian walk because we have a Christian family and, most of all, we have God!

Early Bird tickets now available for OneLove 2024

OneLove is a one-day event for all women to gather under life-changing preaching and enjoy fantastic fellowship. Whether you have been a Christian for many years or are still seeking answers about God, join us and be encouraged, refreshed, and renewed for the journey ahead.

Early Bird tickets are now available and include access to the event, a printed booklet, morning tea, lunch and a conference gift. Secure your tickets today: https://onelovewomen.com/

Stay up to date with OneLove on Instagram or Facebook.

Zoe shares the impact that OneLove has had on her faith and ministry.

By Heidi Tai

“High-Calibre Preaching by Women, to Women”: Becky’s OneLove Testimony

In this OneLove testimony, Becky shares how OneLove conference blessed her in a season where she is growing in faith and dependence on God. She shares her conference highlights, sermon takeaways, and why other women should consider joining her to hear “high-calibre preaching by women, to women” at OneLove 2024!

1. How many times have you attended OneLove, what made you attend this year?

This year was my second time attending OneLove. I came this year because a friend from regional NSW was keen to be encouraged by some quality Bible preaching. She travelled all the way to Sydney with her beautiful baby girl, and invited a couple of friends along, so we could be mutually encouraged and catch up for the day.

2. What was a highlight of this year’s conference?

I had no idea what the topic, or who Jackie Hill Perry was, walking in! Yet within minutes, I was captivated by how she could show us God’s Word in an authentic, gospel-centred, yet absolutely refreshing way. Drawing out the point – that we don’t just see God, but we, the undeserving sinners, are seen by God – was biblical, but so different to how Genesis 16 is usually preached.

3. What was something that struck you about the talks?

The idea that the all-powerful, holy God who no one could look upon and live, not Moses, Solomon, or David, let Hagar see Him. That Hagar, the Gentile slave woman, sees God and is seen by God.

4. Why should women attend OneLove in the future?

I’m the sort of person who cringes every time there’s a church “women’s event” because I assume there will be some sort of baking activity; hearing from one of the “token women Bible passages”; being expected to be touchy-feely because we’re women; and talk to a million strangers.

OneLove is not that sort of conference.

OneLove offers high-calibre preaching by women, to women. There is authentic acknowledgement of the challenges of the lived experience of being women, but the focus is always on gospel-centred truths. It’s intentionally curated to encourage women of all backgrounds and all life and faith stages.

So, if you are a woman who is keen to grow in your faith, and to be encouraged alongside 1000+ sisters in Christ, OneLove is for you.

OneLove 24 Registrations Opens This Friday!

Tickets will go on sale at 9:30am this Friday 8^th December from the OneLove website: https://onelovewomen.com/

OneLove 23 Highlights

Becky shares how OneLove23 blessed her in a season where she is growing in faith and dependence on God.

By Heidi Tai

Meet Our KEC24 Speakers

We are so pleased to introduce our speakers for Katoomba Easter Convention (KEC) next year. In 2024, John North, Matt Sparks and Tim Blencowe will join the KEC platform to preach on the topic “Conquering Worldliness: Resisting the Gravitational Pull of the World”. Together, they will open God’s word to help believers hear God’s warning against worldliness while encouraging them to stay true to the course God has set before them.

Meet John North

John North was born in India to Australian missionaries and loves to teach God’s word in a penetrating way that changes people’s lives. He is the Director of EvangelismSHIFT International and the National Director of Ambassadors for Christ International (AFCI) in Australia. For 30 years he has helped AFCI to build a team focused on accelerating the spread of the gospel through local churches.

John wrote GrowthWorks, a book to help you get back on the path of spiritual growth. He is on Hope 103.2 radio each morning in Sydney with the Time With God devotional spot. John is married to Lois and they have four children. In his free time, John rides his mountain bike, plays games with his family, and reads.

John will be giving the four main morning talks across the KEC weekend.

Meet Matt Sparks

Matt is married to Tash, and they have three kids, living in Sydney’s eclectic Inner-west. In 2014, they took a leap of faith and planted Anchor Church in their small two-bedroom apartment with a team of 17 people praying for a powerful move of God. Today, Anchor is a growing movement of churches committed to planting vibrant, missional churches that form people into the image of Christ. He is passionate about the local church, the glory of God, and the Parramatta Eels!

Matt will be giving three main evening talks across the KEC weekend.

Meet Tim Blencowe

Tim and his family are part of the international community of Macquarie Baptist Church, where he serves as senior pastor and as a chaplain to Macquarie University. Tim was raised in a missionary family, has a background in high school teaching, and enjoys helping people embrace a living faith that integrates the whole of life.

Tim will be giving four short morning talks across the KEC weekend.

Go Together. Grow Together.

At KEC, hearing and responding to God’s word is the priority. At a time where we and our children are bombarded by secular messages, values and ideals, KEC will help your family to start the year well, rooted in God’s word.

As always, the program will feature empowering Bible talks, inspiring Christian testimonies, uplifting worship in song, and breaks for relaxation and fellowship. With age-specific programs for everyone from toddlers to adults, all are welcome to join us this Easter.

Book your Family Package by 31st December 2023 and get FREE online access over the long weekend added to your booking (normally $60 in value). For more information visit our website: https://easterconvention.com/special-offer/

Meet our 3 speakers confirmed for Katoomba Easter Convention 2024!

By Heidi Tai

A Hero Among Villains by Nathan Lee

In this this KYCK 2023 talk from Mark 3, Nathan Lee shares how the Pharisees became “villains” when they hardened their hearts towards God, turning His loving command of Sabbath rest into an exhausting “system” for God’s people. He invites youth to consider whether they may be living like the Pharisees and if their rule-keeping reflects a heart that truly loves their God and neighbour. Finally, he encourages youth to meet Jesus—the hero who forgives villains.

A Hero Among Villains by Nathan Lee

Key Quotes:

“The Pharisees are watching because it’s the Sabbath and they are looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, to get Him in trouble. By their standards, by their rules, by their system, healing this man would be classified as work. Jesus knows this, but he doesn’t back down.”

“The Pharisees had missed the whole point of the Sabbath. It was never meant to be about following the system. It was meant to be about rest.”

This talk is part of our KCC+ December collection which includes 12 talks from KYCK 2023 and a 4-part video Christmas devotional series. Access this and much more from only $4.99 / month (on an annual KCC+ subscription). Learn more: https://www.kccone.org.au/

Nathan Lee shares how the Pharisees became “villains” when they hardened their hearts towards God and encourages youth to meet Jesus—the hero who forgives villains.

By Heidi Tai

KCC 2023 Christmas Gift Ideas

Ahead of Christmas, we are pleased to share our hand-picked list of Christmas gift ideas. This year, we have chosen to spotlight some resources that have encouraged us to remember the amazing truth of Immanuel—that God is with us and why this is good news for all people.

Gifts for Children

The Christmas Promise

This book by Alison Mitchell clearly and faithfully communicates the Christmas story to children. The gospel is shared using simple language and beautiful illustrations and will help children to see how the Christmas story fits into God’s bigger story of salvation for all people—including the littlest ones! You can purchase the book from The Wandering Bookseller here.

Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer

Authored by Laura Wifler (Risen Motherhood), this book teaches toddlers (aged 1-3) that they can run and talk to God about anything because Jesus makes it possible. Laura takes children on a journey from the start of the Bible story to the end, helping them to see that God is always present and can enjoy talking to Him about anything, anytime, anywhere. You can purchase the book from The Wandering Bookseller here.

Tiny Theologians – ‘ABC’s of God’s Attributes’ Card Set

‘The ABCs of the Attributes of God’ are designed to bring the unchanging character of God to life for kids. With inviting designs and simple, concise definitions, children ages 4 to 12 will learn what it means that God is omnipotent, just, and all-knowing, and where we see each attribute in Scripture. Purchase the cards from Tiny Theologians here. Tune into the free podcast here.

The Jesus Storybook Bible Christmas Collection: Stories, Songs, and Reflections for the Advent Season

From the creators of ‘The Jesus Storybook Bible’ is an interactive book that celebrates Christmas and the Advent season. The book highlights the significance of the Nativity, reaffirms the spiritual meaning of Immanuel, and shows children that even the Old Testament stories points to Jesus. The book includes hands-on activities and 16 push buttons that activate Christmas music and narration. Purchase the book from Koorong here.

Gifts for Teenagers

Teen Prayer Journal

The Val Marie Paper ‘Teen Prayer Journal’ encourages teenagers to seek God during their impressionable and transitional years. Formatted with relevant prompts sections including ‘My Future’ and ‘My Identity’, this journal encourages teens to grow in discernment as they seek out God for themselves. You can buy the journal from More Than Wildflowers here.

Is Christmas Unbelievable?: Four Questions Everyone Should Ask About the World’s Most Famous Story

Equip your teenager with this concise read by respected apologist, Rebecca McLaughlin. This book outlines the evidence that Jesus was a real person, explains the reliability of the Bible’s accounts of his life, and why believing in a virgin birth is not as ridiculous as it might sound. This book shows that there is a rational basis for the belief that the world’s most famous story is fact, not fantasy-and how those events in history can infuse our lives today with meaning and joy. Purchase the book from Koorong here.

‘God is Faithful’ print by Mary & Sally

“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:8-9) This beautiful, brush lettered paper print reminds believers why the birth of Jesus is such good news: It’s evidence that God is faithful to every promise and trustworthy in our past, present and future circumstances. Available in A4 and A6 size here.

Gift for Adults

Enjoying God: Experience the power and love of God in everyday life by Tim Chester

If God is with us, how come we don’t experience Him in the day-to-day? What exactly does a relationship with God look like, and how is it even possible? In this book, Tim Chester explains the three persons of the Trinity and shares how we can respond to them in our daily lives and contexts. By sharing biblical truth, practical tips and reflection questions, Tim helps readers to interact with their Creator and to enjoy an authentic relationship with Him. Purchase the book from Koorong here.

Holier Than Thou: How God’s Holiness Helps Us Trust Him

If God is with us and for us, why is it still so hard to trust Him sometimes? Why do we doubt that he wants the best for us? Like Eve in the Garden, why do we assume that God is holding out on us? In this book, bestselling author and OneLove 23 speaker, Jackie Hill Perry, explains that we don’t trust God because we misunderstand his holiness. Walking readers through Scripture, Jackie shows us that God being “holier than thou” is the best news in the world, and the key to trusting Him. Buy it from The Wandering Bookseller here.

Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ by Tim Keller

In this moving and intellectually stimulating book, the late Tim Keller takes readers on an illuminating journey into the surprising background of the nativity scene. By highlighting Jesus’ family line and the inclusion of women in gospel genealogies, Keller reveals how the Christmas story points to God’s grace, and how we can experience it in a deeper way. Purchase the book from Koorong here.

Emmanuel: An Invitation to Prepare Him Room At Christmas and Always

If there’s one name for Jesus that captures the whole heart of God, it is Emmanuel – God with us. No other name similarly expresses the fullness of God’s eternal desire for His image-bearers. He’s always wanted us to be with Him. In this gorgeously illustrated Advent, bestselling author and artist, Ruth Chou Simons, invites readers to explore what it means to intimately experience God’s presence in our daily lives and to discover the true miracle behind Christmas. Purchase the book from Koorong here.

None of these gifts catch your eye?

Give the gift of encouragement with a 12-month KCC+ app subscription (valued at $59.88). KCC+ provides access to fresh, exclusive content to watch, listen to or read on the KCC One app – including the newest event talks, app-only resources and more.

Gift a loved one with instant access to our popular talks from 2023 events including sermons from OneLove, BASECAMP, Easter Convention, KYCK and Oxygen!

Purchase a KCC gift card and we’ll email the recipient with your message and an e-gift card to download. Purchase here.

Our hand-picked list of Christmas gift ideas for every member of your family!

By Heidi Tai

Worldliness: What’s the Problem?

At a time when Christianity is deemed outdated and irrelevant, the church has the important task of making the gospel relevant to unbelievers. While this is a good thing, we need to take seriously God’s warning of worldliness—when the world’s way of thinking and living becomes your own.

The drift towards worldliness can be slow and subtle. Perhaps we become attracted to the “wisdom” of Google, trusted friends, pop culture or self-help gurus, so that we begin to question God’s loving wisdom. Perhaps we begin to withhold truth and compromise on core values to preserve our reputation and relationships.

In a prosperous country like Australia, the world’s wisdom can look so attractive, sound so plausible and feel so good. Without ongoing vigilance, we can find ourselves drifting with the world’s current and settle for living as the world does—so much so that sin begins to look normal, and righteousness feels strange.

Far from an innocent ‘lifestyle choice’, God makes it clear in His word, that for His people, the world is a competing loyalty. Anyone who loves the world cannot be a friend of God (James 4:4). It’s one or the other, which means there is everything at stake in that choice.

So how should Christians resist the gravitational pull of the world? How do we spot where the world has pulled us in and has shaped our thinking and living? How do we stay true to the course God has set out for us? What does ‘holiness’ look like in the 21st century?

Conquering Worldliness: Resisting the Gravitational Pull of the World

Join us at Katoomba Easter Convention (KEC) 2024, to explore the topic, “Conquering Worldliness: Resisting the Gravitational Pull of the World”.

Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention, KEC is an annual event to help delegates grow in their relationship with God. For many families, KEC has become an important family tradition (here’s 5 reasons why)—a way for parents to communicate the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection, and the prioritisation of spiritual growth each year.

For more information or to purchase your tickets, visit the website: https://easterconvention.com/

To receive the latest KEC updates including updates on 2024 speakers, follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

How should Christians resist the gravitational pull of the world? How do we spot where the world has pulled us in and has shaped our thinking and living?

By Heidi Tai

On the Value of Child-Like Faith in Ministry by Zack Eswine

In this talk “Recovering Our Ambition” from Oxygen 2023, Zack Eswine encourages ministry leaders to consider the value of growing a “child-like faith” in ministry. Opening Psalm 131, Zack helps delegates to see that although the world celebrates leaders who are ambitious and powerful, the Bible esteems kings and leaders who are humble and dependent before God.

Video: Recovering Our Ambition by Zack Eswine

Key Quotes:

“Child-like faith is advanced Christianity.”

“In each area of our life, the great provision of God is that we grow to become like a weaned child.”

Oxygen 23 Talks Now Available on KCC+

This talk is part of our KCC+ November collection, “Shaping Our Hearts for the Work We Do”, available exclusively for subscribers. The collection includes 18 talks from Oxygen 23 including:

3 talks by Paul Tripp – “The Heart of a Ministry Leader”, “The Ultimate Ministry Leadership Model”, and “Ministry Leadership & Spiritual Warfare”
4 talks by Zack Eswine – “Recovering Our Humanity in Ministry”, “Recovering Our Wisdom for Ministry”, “Recovering His Love”, “Recovering Our Ambition”
“The Non-Negotiables of Christian Ministry” short talks by John Lennox and Miroslav Volf
PLUS more by Malcolm Gill, Kirk Patston, Jonathan Dykes, Kathryn McCarthy, Anna Powell, Sarah Irving-Stonebreaker, Russell Schmidt and Glen Scrivener

Access this and much more from only $4.99 / month (on an annual KCC+ subscription). Learn more: https://www.kccone.org.au/

Zack Eswine encourages ministry leaders to consider the value of growing a “child-like faith” in ministry.

By Heidi Tai

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Pastoral Supervision: Protecting Your Heart to Go the Distance

Oxygen 2023 Workshops Now Available on KCC+

5 Christmas Quotes to Inspire Hope

Hope Arrived! An Advent Series Available with KCC+

Sam Allberry Confirmed to Speak at BASECAMP 2024

“A Reminder We Are Not Alone”: Zoe’s OneLove Testimony

Early Bird tickets now available for OneLove 2024

“High-Calibre Preaching by Women, to Women”: Becky’s OneLove Testimony

OneLove 24 Registrations Opens This Friday!