CONCERNED CHRISTIANS GROWTH MINISTRIES INC. 

(A Christian Counter-cult Ministry)

 DIRECTOR'S ANNUAL REPORT

for the Ministry Year January 2004 to December 2004 

Celebrating a Quarter of a Century of

Commitment to Truth, Compassion and Balance

 (presented at the CCG Ministries’ AGM, 14 March 2005)

We gratefully give praise and thanks to God, and His people, for 2004.  This year marked a significant chapter in the history of CCG Ministries.  It was the year in which we celebrated a quarter of a century of commitment to truth, compassion and balance as we achieved our 25^th Anniversary.

Our Anniversary was celebrated with a special Sunday morning worship service.  This was held at the Nollamara Church of Christ on Sunday 17^th October, with the support and encouragement of the Elders and members of that congregation. The service was very capably led by Mark Cugley, with CCG Ministries’ Chairman, Rob Furlong, being the speaker, and his wife, Karen, presenting the Bible reading.  I was interviewed by Lester Sutton and led the communion focus.  Quite a number of visiting supporters of CCG Ministries joined with the local congregation for worship and praise, acknowledging God’s guidance and provision for 25 years of specialised ministry to individuals, families, churches and the general community.

Changing community values, immigration trends, the increasing spread of refugees from many different backgrounds, cultures and religions continued to impact Western nations, including Australia during 2004.  Multi-cultural and Islamic lobby groups have been pushing for anti-religious vilification laws to protect their minority religious views and practices.  While this sounds acceptable and worthy of support, the realities of trying to control religious thinking and expression can lead to religious censorship and control – by minority groups and the State.

That became a very clear issue following legal action taken by the Victorian Islamic Council against the Christian group, Catch the Fire, and the two men involved in running a seminar on Islam: main speaker Pastor Daniel Scott, and its organiser Pastor Danny Nalliah.  Following a protracted legal case commenced in March 2002, Judge Michael Higgins brought the case to a conclusion on December 17^th, 2004, by ruling that the two Pentecostal pastors, and the organisation, had breached the Victorian Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001. Penalties are to be determined in 2005.

There are serious questions regarding the court case and the Judge’s ruling, with widespread ramifications if his judgement is allowed to stand – especially in light of the fact that various states are looking to similar legislation to that in Victoria following pressure from Muslim and multi-cultural groups.

The Western Australian Gallop Government contemplated such legislation and presented the public with its Racial and Religious Vilification Consultation Paper in August 2004 – calling for responses to the paper, and asking people to consider three options, which we believed all contained both merit and inherent dangers. 

On behalf of CCG Ministries and the Board I drafted a very detailed 34-page response to the Government’s Consultation Paper.  This was emailed and forwarded in September 2004 to the Office of Multicultural Interests and also the Equal Opportunity Commission. I then emailed copies to our all State Members of Parliament. We received some replies from MPs – though most remained silent. 

Ultimately, the Government decided it wiser not to proceed with such legislation and did not pursue the issue further – at least for the present.

Islamist propaganda and terrorism, as well as the migration spread of Muslims, continues to impact communities around the world – including Western societies.  It is raising many questions about beliefs, religious rights and the power of religious minorities – particularly in communities where politicians, and/or other power groups, are pushing for well-intentioned politically correct concepts and regulations. The end result of some of these influences and pressures is more tension, frustration and uncertainty – often with increased division and alienation.

It seems that many people have little understanding of the enormous power and influence of religious concepts and views – especially those that are extreme, exclusive and fearful of modernity and progress.

There are distinct similarities between cultic mindsets and the thinking and concepts that lead to terrorism. I believe religious extremism and cultic thinking will increase beyond what we have witnessed in 2004 and the call for truth, compassion and balance will remain a relevant and valid part of CCG Ministries’ contribution in the future.

The many varied influences of our modern Western society – from some of the issues already mentioned through to the impact of information overload, time-consuming technology and gadgetry, politically correct/incorrect – post-post modern thinking, increasing self-centredness, general social and religious apathy and other social issues continued to leave many individuals and families vulnerable to extreme and cultic religious influences during 2004 – and will do so in the coming years.  As a result there will be continued religious confusion and conflict affecting individuals, families, churches and communities.  In this context CCG Ministries will continue to have a role in crisis intervention and preventative education.  It remains to be seen whether or not we will be able to attract the support and resources to enable us to effectively contribute to this ongoing community need.

We are thankful that during 2004, our 25^th Anniversary Year, we were able to assist many individuals, families and churches impacted by many of the above mentioned influences and issues.

PERSONNEL

During 2004 CCG Ministries continued to guided and led by our Board of Management team led by Rob Furlong (Churches of Christ) as Chairman, and Ray Dorn (Brethren), as Vice-Chairman. Glynis Turpin (Baptist) continued as Board Secretary, Peter Emmens (Traditional Anglican) as Treasurer, myself (Adrian van Leen – Churches of Christ) as Director; and Board members were: Lorrie van Leen (Churches of Christ), George and Christine O'Neil (Churches of Christ).

Former Board member, Lester Sutton (Churches of Christ), briefly returned to the membership of the Board early in the year, but later resigned due to his commitments to Compassion Australia as Western Australia’s State representative. David van Leen (Ministry Team leader at Kingsley Church of Christ) joined the Board later in the year.  

During 2004, our Chairman and senior pastor at Thornlie Church of Christ, Rob Furlong, again went on a special brief ministry trip to India, providing teaching and encouragement to pastors and leaders, particularly in Bangalore.

The guidance and leadership given by our Board members during 2004 has been valued and appreciated by Ministry staff and volunteers.

As we do each year, we once again acknowledge our gratitude for the greatly appreciated help and support contributed by our entire volunteer team during our 25^th Anniversary Year.  We would not have been able to function during 2004 without our willing volunteers.  Our team of volunteers have always been, and will continue to be, a very significant and vital part of CCG Ministries.  Our 2004 volunteer team included: Eric Banfield, Gael Fairbairn, Nancy Fairbairn, Bruce Miller, Eve Morgan, June Palmer, Carol Pielage, Mary Reid, Margery Renwick, Stewart Robertson, Andy White.  Most of the volunteers were able to come in on a regular basis and assist with a variety of tasks; from cleaning and property maintenance to copying, filing, helping with mail-outs and numerous other office tasks.

Sadly, in December 2004, we farewelled long-time supporter and volunteer, Margery Renwick, who, with husband Chris, returned to live in Victoria (their home state) after quite a few year residing in Perth. We have appreciated her company and contributions in research papers and other ministry areas.

As in previous years, the 2004 CCG Ministries’ staff team consisted of my wife, Lorrie, and I, working full-time (Lorrie in an unpaid and voluntary capacity); and Tracy Taylor involved in regular part-time work.

Age and health troubles have slowed Lorrie and me down somewhat, while Tracy has had growing family responsibilities – including school commitments with her two boys – which added greatly to the value of our volunteers’ contributions.

Amongst her many roles and responsibilities, Lorrie somehow managed to find time to again be very involved with the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child promotion and activities at our home church, Nollamara Church of Christ, during the latter part of the year.

2004 was also a very busy year for me. Apart from all the usual activities and responsibilities at CCG Ministries, Nollamara Church of Christ has a ministry change early in the year and I became involved in ensuring a sound preaching programme and roster for the year.  When not preaching at Nollamara I was preaching elsewhere on behalf of CCG Ministries – committed almost every Sunday through most of the year.

I also had the opportunity and privilege of ministry and teaching in Singapore (in May and November) and Myanmar (Burma - in November) during 2004.

It was my 30th ministry visit to Singapore in November (since November 1987) and my 8th ministry visit to Myanmar (Burma) (since November 1996). 

IN THE NEWS/MEDIA

Fitting in with the celebration of our 25^th Anniversary, the West Australian newspaper’s WeekendExtra magazine, ran Norm Aisbett’s story on CCG Ministries and myself as its cover story on Saturday 13th November.  The two-page spread presented a positive coverage of CCG Ministries’ beginning and progress over the years, focusing on some of my interactions with various groups and individuals.

We also received some coverage in a series of articles Norm Aisbett wrote regarding the Western Australian Government’s potential Racial and Religious Vilification legislation.

PROPERTY

Apart from ongoing property maintenance work, no major renovations or work was done on the property during 2004. We were able to install reverse cycle split-level air-conditioners in the Director’s office and the main central staff/volunteer office during the year.  This had become a necessity following the ‘death’ of the old (and only) air-conditioner in my office early in the year.

FINANCES

Our 25^th Anniversary Year saw further consolidation of our overall assets, but continued to experience cashflow troubles. This led to a significant reduction, for several months, of my total salary package.  By God’s grace, and the help of our supporters we managed to come through the year without overwhelming debts.

LOANS

On the very positive side was the fact that we managed to pay off one of our two loans towards the end of 2004.

In 1998 our Ministry took out two loans for $80 000.oo each: a Bank loan and a private loan.  The two loans, plus over $40 000.oo accumulated in our Building Fund enabled us to purchase and set up our 50 Carcoola Street, Nollamara property and Centre.

We are extremely happy to be able to acknowledge, that at the end of November, we were able to make a final payment of $2 000.oo (plus a small amount of interest) to clear and finalise our private loan.  We have expressed our appreciation for the availability of that private loan to the friends who had provided it. This has left us with a Bank loan of about $50 000.oo (plus interest) to repay and clear.

Working with our Treasurer, Peter Emmens, Eric Banfield was able to update our financial computer records, and then finalise the preparation of our books for auditing by Karen Heavey, our honorary auditor for the second year running.  We have appreciated Karen’s help in this important task.  We will need to find a new auditor to audit our 2004 financial records next year.

OTHER

CONSCIOUS LIVING FESTIVAL

In November we continued our emphasis and encouragement for ‘Market Place Evangelism’ by participating with our Chairman Rob Furlong and members of the Thornlie Church of Christ, and Gary Cowley and members of the Fremantle Church of Christ in the organising, displaying and staffing a Christian stand at the annual Conscious Living Festival.

Rob is continuing to work on the organisation of displaying and staffing a stand at this year’s Conscious Living Festival. 

NEW AGE BOOK

Three thousand (3 000) copies of the booklet on New Age Spirituality were printed last year through the generous help and support of friends in Singapore.  Quantities of the book have been brought to Perth for us by a number of friends and visitors who have come from, or gone to and returned from, Singapore with some extra luggage weight.  We thank our friends for the book and for getting them to Perth.

TRACT PACKS

During the year Lorrie put together a number of tract packs.  Each pack groups together various pamphlets and tracts on a variety of groups under an umbrella title.  For example, under the Occult pack we have tracts on Fantasy Role playing, Ouija Boards, the Bible and the Occult, Halloween, and more.  A list of currently available Tract Packs was included with one of our PIM UPDATE newsletters.

CHURCH AGENTS/CCG MINISTRIES’ ADVOCATES

Following suggestions at one of our Board meeting by David van Leen, we announced in the PIM UPDATE that the Board is looking to establish (or re-establish and increase in some cases) a network of people willing to be the contact or promotion person for CCG Ministries in local churches.  Such a person would be our church agent or advocate, to:

·     Raise the profile of CCG Ministries in the local congregation

·     Raise interest, support and participation in CCG Ministries training events, seminars, teaching programmes

·     Raise financial support

·     Raise interest in TAKE A CLOSER LOOK and PIM UPDATE

 Follow up reminders and promotion will be an important part of our future programme. 

 WE NEED HELP!

 We need additional volunteers to help us with our workload, including the help of one, or more, graphic artist (or someone with suitable graphic arts skills) to help us design a number of posters to help promote CCG Ministries and assist us with other publications and printed materials. If you know someone in your church or within your contact network who might be able to assist us in this need – please let us know.

 THANKS

 I would like to express my thanks to present and past Board members and volunteers for the support given over this past 25 years – our quarter of a century of commitment to truth, compassion and balance.  Without this help, support and encouragement we would not have been able to celebrate our 25^th Anniversary in October 2004.

 We achieved a significant milestone on our journey as a Ministry. There is a lot to be thankful for, and for which to give praise to the Lord.  A great deal has been done to help individuals and families over the 25 years of our existence.  There have been numerous opportunities to educate, provide information, and for public input and awareness – in a wide variety of ways – and we now look to God for guidance as we contemplate and plan for the future of Concerned Christians Growth Ministries Inc. and its Training Institute.

 In His Peace and Grace

W.A. van Leen, Director.

March 2005