The vision to grow numerically and multiply within Australia is becoming a reality.   The CRC churches have not seen its membership over 9000 members for 13 years.   But the decline is reversing.   This past year, according to CRCA statistics, the CRCA has grown by 4.8%.   Just imagine!  The CRCA has not seen growth like this for almost 50 years -- five decades!

What makes a good sermon?   How do you know if you are effective as a preacher?   How can we raise the bar as ministers of the Word?  What can churches do to increase sermon effectiveness?  These kinds of questions were asked at the recent meeting of Classis Queensland.   If we are serious as pastors to increase the overall health of our churches, one of the very best places to begin is with the Word being preached.   Good sermons are not automatic;  it takes much effort on behalf of every servant of the Word.   And one way to improve sermon effectiveness is intentionally receiving listener feedback.

In just over six months the Synod of the CRCA will meet.   The committees have been asked to write their reports.   Since Synod of 1996 the CRCA has been focused on a new missional initiative referred to as the Fourfold Task.   By God's grace and with the Spirit's aid and assistance we have made much progress in turning the tide of decline.   In every state we are witnessing the momentum of planting new churches.    The overall CRCA numbers of members are growing at a pace not seen since 1962 -- almost five decades.   As we move forward, what are the key elements for denominational effectiveness?

A new church is being planted in Mackay – Pioneer Community Church.  And I guess I could start today* by talking about all the plans that have been made over the past number of months.   A lot has been accomplished. The launch team has put in many hours and many prayers into giving direction for a healthy launch of Mackay’s newest congregation – a church called Pioneer Community Church. And we will get to that – all the plans for the future of this church.

Pioneer Community Church, a CRCA church plant in Mackay, will kick off the second phase of the church plant at a gathering at the Mackay Harbour Park on Sunday 11 September 2011(2:30 - 5:00 pm).   It is with gratitude to God and in answer to many prayers that a group of believers is growing, a group committed to seeing the establishment of a Christian Reformed Church in Mackay.