Bendigo: Fixed times of listening

(photo: Reforming Church’s Women of the Word group.)

Creating fixed times of listening is one way to give a voice to those who might otherwise be denied.

The Session of Reforming Church Bendigo has been intentional in developing a church that is biblically presbyterian in leadership as well as complementarian in the ministry of men and women, in every part of church culture.

At the level of the Session meeting, Reforming Church has developed an avenue called a Fixed Order of the Day (FOD). The easy and effective option is open to all sessions, now. An FOD suspends Session standing orders in such a way as to provide opportunity to church members to talk with their leaders all at once, about anything.

“We think this timeframe is an invaluable investment in the ministry of women of Reforming, and a structure that shapes complementarian culture
not just for our Session, but throughout our congregation,” minister Russ Grinter says.

In advertising FODs to the congregation, the men of Session not only lead and shepherd God’s people, but do so by hearing their voices of those people. The Reforming Session has been using the FOD to be intentional in shepherding women and children. This is also done through the ministry of the Women’s Leadership Team, convened by women’s and children’s pastoral assistant, who is paid one day a week.

By resolution of Session, an FOD is placed on the monthly agenda for an 8.00pm address from the Women’s Leadership Team, via Zoom. The
Session’s aim for this FOD is to hear pastoral updates pertaining to women, to ask how they may serve and equip women better and to pray for the women of Reforming Church. The FOD for the leading women is open ended, but often runs to about 30min.

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