UCA National Assembly

I suppose it's time to write about all the things that happened at assembly before I forget even more. I was part of the prayer team for the ACC, praying for the Uniting Church National Assembly that was held at UNSW. I thought it would be similar to the prayers that we have been having at home as part of the Sacred Season (the last two posts) but in many ways it was very different. God did some amazing things, but I also found it very challenging. Lots of things to think about.

I'll start with the things to praise God for. One of my friends from church was a National Assembly delegate, and this was her first time. She stirred up some animosity among some people because she was always dissenting and calling people back to biblical principles. Praise the Lord that he gave her words of wisdom and truth to speak. The really amazing thing is that at the end of the assembly, even after all the conflict, she was elected into the Uniting Church Standing Committee. This is the National Committee that is mainly made up of experienced church leaders. It is actually the first time in history that someone has gone to only one Assembly and been elected. This is a big praise point because she will be able to have a lot of influence in this position, and will be able to use this to push for biblical faithfulness.

Praise God that some members of our prayer team were able to pray with the President and General Secretary of the church. These church leaders received these prayers with no hostility. The opening sermon given by the President was verging on pluralism, addressing the 'God of the Cosmos', while, miraculously, the closing sermon was very Christ-centred, talking about Christ being the only way to the Father. Although some of the propositions that we were praying against were passed, God has left us with hope for the future of the church. There have been prophetic words coming out of this prayer time, talking about the Uniting Church being brought back to faithfulness, and even being used to lead other churches to greater faithfulness to God. There were also some words about the ACC youth which is starting up soon - that's what I'm going to be involved in.

One thing that was really challenging for me was processing things without my usual support network. My mum and some of my close friends were there also, but were involved in deep prayer or were delegates at the Assembly, so I didn't actually get to have conversations with them that much. I suppose this is God trying to teach me to be more dependent on him.
I believe that God is going to continue to do great things, particularly within the young people of the ACC in the near future. At the moment, I really want to draw nearer to God, to go to him first, worshipping him, reading his word and serving him.