What a year it’s been at Lindisfarne Anglican! As I shared at our 2025 Annual Meeting, God has been incredibly kind and faithful. We celebrated our centenary, welcomed Jono and his family as our new Children and Young Person Minister, upgraded our church with new lights and AV, and saw our giving soar by 150% since 2018—from $65,000 to $165,000. We’ve also grown closer to God’s global mission through our Cambodia partnerships. But God’s not done yet! He’s calling us to be a church for Lindisfarne, making disciples of Jesus, especially among families with kids under 12. How do we do this? Through five steps: Shine, Share, Strengthen, Serve, Send. Here’s what that looks like—and how you can help shape our 2026 vision.

A Year of God’s Faithfulness

This year, we said a sad farewell to Andrea and Emma, who blessed us deeply. But God brought us Jono, whose ministry is already impacting our kids. Our centenary celebrations—concerts and services—reminded us of God’s faithfulness over 100 years. New lights and speakers have made our church more welcoming. Our giving has grown remarkably, and a 2019 gift of $24,000, now $31,000, is seeding our kids’ ministry. In Cambodia, we saw God’s transformative work through Abraham, Maurice, and Amanda. As I reflect, I’m filled with gratitude, just like Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:6-11: “Whoever sows generously will also reap generously… God loves a cheerful giver.”

Five Steps to Make Disciples

To realize our vision, we’re shaping a five-step strategy—Shine, Share, Strengthen, Serve, Send—to help everyone take their next step with Jesus. I need your input to make this a reality! Here’s what each step means, rooted in Scripture and our church’s mission.

Shine: Demonstrating God’s Love

Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” We shine God’s love through Little Shop’s warmth, Playgroup’s welcome for young families, and our website and signage and social media presence. How can you help us to shine and show Lindisfarne God’s love?

Share: Inviting Response to the Gospel

The gospel needs words, not just actions. Matthew 28:18-20 calls us to “go and make disciples of all nations.” This past year, our Hope 25 events and Alpha course shared Jesus, though only one attended Alpha. Jono’s ACC Lunchtime Group is reaching kids, and in 2026, we hope to launch an Afterschool Kids Club for primary-aged families. Perhaps you can invite a family to Playgroup or Kids Club, or share your faith boldly at work or with a neighbour? — let’s help Lindisfarne hear the gospel!

Strengthen: Growing as Disciples

God has continued to shaped us to be more like Jesus. Psalm 78:4-7 urges us to “tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord.” LA Kids is grounding our kids in faith, while prayer triplets, Bible studies, and a new men’s study strengthen adults. We hope to start a women’s ministry soon too! Perhaps you could join a Bible study (we need a few more for a second group!), start a prayer triplet, or help in children’s ministry to strengthen your own faith and the faith of others.

Serve: Equipping the Saints

Ephesians 4:12 says God equips us “for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” We need teams to do all the things God is calling us to do. Our giving, up 150% since 2018, supports this, but we face an $18,636 deficit. A 2019 gift, now $31,000, is seeding Jono’s role. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 reminds us, “God loves a cheerful giver.” Join a team or give generously, both are great ways to serve! Perhaps you could give a one-off gift to help balance our budget? Talk to me if you’re unsure how to serve; a willing heart is enough!

Send: Going Out on Mission

Through shining, sharing, strengthening, and serving, we send God’s love to the world. Acts 13:2-3 shows the church sending Barnabas and Saul, and we’re called to support our Cambodia partners—Abraham, Maurice, and Amanda. Imagine an LA family as missionaries! Our kids could become ministers, blessing Tasmania and beyond, like my childhood church did. Support our mission partners or join our next Cambodia trip to send God’s love far and wide.

A Vision for 2026 and Beyond

Imagine a church with 500 kids, up from 25—a 2000% growth, like the 2000% we’ve already seen since starting with just one kid in 2017! Imagine our giving growing another 150% from $165,000 to $412,500, funding Kids Club, teams, and mission. Even half that growth would be remarkable!

How You Can Help

I’d love you to help shape our vision and strategy for the coming years. Can you commit to the following?

• Pray for our children’s and youth ministries and for new families to join.
• Serve in a team—Welcoming, LA Kids, or Little Shop or something else.
• Give generously, regularly or one-off, to close our $18,636 deficit.
• Share ideas in our vision survey by September 7, 2025

Don’t miss out! Let’s shine God’s love, share His gospel, strengthen disciples, serve together, and send workers to transform Lindisfarne and beyond. I can’t wait to hear your ideas as we build this church together.

Blessings, Chris

Rector, Lindisfarne Anglican