Presbyterian Church of Queensland (PCQ) 2021 Consultation and Review
During the first part of 2021, the Presbyterian Church of Queensland (PCQ) is conducting a review of the ministries and resources it provides to churches, pastors, and sessions.
There had not been a major review of the denomination and many aspects of both our church life and our social context in Australia had changed. There were also significant financial pressures impacting the capacity of PCQ to sustain its current range of services and ministries.
The scope of the review took in all ministries and programs of PCQ (including committees). Its purpose was to reflect on the structure, program and processes of PCQ and recommend changes to enable greater health, vitality and growth.
A Communique was issued by the working group and circulated to PCQ presbyteries to inform of the progress to date and next steps.
How was the review be conducted?
Review consultation meetings were scheduled with each presbytery and with all committees.
Surveys were prepared for distribution to sessions and to ministers.
Four reflective papers were circulated and comment and interaction was invited from all who are part of PCQ. The papers and any feedback or comments that the PCQ Review working group deem significant were made available on this website. Interaction was welcomed via email and also via a Facebook group.
Who conducted the review?
A recommendation to undertake the review was approved by Assembly in 2020 and a consultation working group was appointed late in 2020 to work with an external facilitator to design and facilitate the review process. The working group developed this Terms of Reference document to clarify the role of the group.
The following individuals were part of the working group:
Tim Dyer – a church health consultant and trainer who has worked with Presbyterian Churches in Queensland, NSW, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. He is involved In training and equipping pastors through mentoring and also facilitating retreats for people in ministry and leadership. He teaches in church health and pastoral leadership as a guest lecturer at a range of Theological Colleges.
Kylie Evans – a practicing Counsellor, Supervisor and Mentor. Married to Peter (Stanthorpe Presbyterian) she has four children aged 16-22.
Andrew Nielson – an Elder from Acacia Ridge Presbyterian Church in Brisbane.
David Bailey – a Minister in the Darling Downs Presbytery, serving as an appointment in a revitalisation ministry at Warwick (Rose City Presbyterian Church)
Dave Thurston – saved when he was eighteen, worked as a pastor for the last thirty-six years in PCNSW and is currently working in QLD for the PCQ Committee on Ministry Resourcing (CMR).
Kathy Thurston – involved in kids’ ministry and womens’ ministry for more than 30 years in PCNSW. Married to Dave, they have 3 adult children. She is currently employed by PCQ as a mentor, mentor trainer and church consultant.
Katie Allan – currently Academic Dean at Queensland Theological College and previously worked as a Pastoral Assistant in a Brisbane Presbyterian Church.
Bruce McClenahan – attends Mitchelton Presbyterian Church where he serves as IT Systems Coordinator. He is currently working in IT at Prescare.
Russell Williams – a child of God, runner and geek, loves doing new things and so is currently planting a church in the southern Redlands area of Brisbane while also pastoring an existing congregation at Victoria Point.
How could people contribute and engage with the review process?
Everyone involved with the Presbyterian Church in Queensland was invited to read the papers and consider the questions the review was considering. Comment and constructive interaction with these ideas were welcome (comments can be made via the Facebook group, email or post ).
Members of presbyteries and committees were invited to participate in consultation meetings.
Depending on current and past roles within the Presbyterian church people were invited to complete a survey relevant to their involvement.
How did people join the Facebook Group?
Following the step-by-step instructions here detailing how to join the Facebook Group (this group is now inactive).