The Parish Council will accept that our church supports the budget and that we have the capacity under God to fund next year as planned. Julie and Josh will be appointed to formally start in early 2026. We will press ahead and ask our members to adjust their giving by 1st Jan 2026.

The Parish Council will know that our church does not have the capacity to fund what is proposed at this stage - so they will have further discussions. The appointment of Julie and Josh will not happen.

Note: Please be considerate in the way you talk about this around Julie and Josh (and their family members) - you can imagine this plan is exciting yet highly unsettling.

  • The Parish Council will know that our church does not have the capacity to fund our current level of staffing and costs and so some more drastic decisions will need to be made.
  • This will mean decisions can be communicated by 1st Jan which gives time for both staff and ministries to be adjusted - the staffing change would then come into effect on the 1st July 2026.

Note: Please be considerate in the way you talk about this around our ministry team (and their family members) - you can imagine this result would be highly unsettling.

No, this refers to the stipendiary staff. We have made training commitments to our trainees for set periods of time which we will fulfil. In 2026 our plan is to continue to train Olivia Bush.

  • Initially we are hoping to appoint Julie to three days mid-week plus Sunday.
  • Julie is a gifted and well-trained Bible teacher and so she will work in:
    1. Our Sunday Gatherings – helping to shape what we do.
    2. Our ‘GROW’ ministries with a particular focus on Women – leading up Connect Women, helping grow and support the health of our Growth Groups and leaders, writing Bible Studies, preaching and teaching in particular settings and more.
    3. Our ‘SEND’ ministries – teaching and training in various capacities including Leaders Days, School of Ministry, a-GAPe Challenge and being the core trainer for any female trainees in our church.
  • In addition to LMAP, Julie will continue to assist at a Diocesan level (especially with the Western Region) alongside her husband Gary Haddon.
  • Initially we are hoping to appoint Josh to three days mid-week plus Sunday.
  • Josh has gifts in music, technology and youth – and is very creative.
    1. Our Sunday Gatherings – helping to shape what we do including supporting the Band leaders across our parish, recruiting and training musicians and AV volunteers, and overseeing our song selection.
    2. Big Public Events – play a key role in shaping our big public events (e.g. Easter/ Christmas/ Funerals/ Holiday Club etc.)
    3. Friday Youth – supporting the Friday Youth team and discipling Youth with particular focus on developing the Youth Band.
    4. Be the LMAP point person for Blaxland High – including overseeing LMAP Brekky Club.
  • The plan is that Josh will continue working for Lower Mountains SRE Board as the SRE teacher at Blaxland High School for one day a week (in addition to LMAP).
  • Ephesians 4 speaks of those who ‘equip Christ’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith’ (Eph 4:12). Our Ministry Team need to be the leaders of leaders and so will continue to use their various gifts to help our church to gather to proclaim Christ.
  • Our current ministry team include both paid and honorary members who are supported by several volunteers who serve in specific roles supporting what we do each week.
  • In a nutshell, if we appoint Julie and Josh our team will look like this:

    Ministry Team Member

    Mission/Ministry Focus

    Paul Hallam

    SEEK

    Josh Schroder (3 days + Sun.)

    Music/AV + Youth and Blaxland High

    Trevor Oakey (Hon.)

    Pastoral Care (Snrs) + Funerals

    Nick Lindeback

    Youth/Young Adults + Confirmations and a-GAPe Challenge

    Rachael Connor (4 days + Sun.)

    Kids/SRE/Holiday Club

    Gail Oakey (1.5 days + Sun. – paid by a-GAPE)

    Kid’s Spots/Holiday All in + a-GAPe Challenge

    David Swan

    GROW (Men) + Baptisms/Dedications/Weddings/Funerals

    Julie Haddon (3 days + Sun.)

    GROW (Women)/SEND

    Olivia Bush (Sun.)

    Trainee

    Ken Noakes

    Parish Oversight/SEND + a-GAPe Challenge

    Neil Atwood (Hon.)

    Mission Partnerships

    Nick Rogers (3 days)

    Administry/Tech/Safe Ministry

    Jerome Gardner (1 day)

    Administry/Database
  • Primarily it will affect staffing (as our largest cost). At present our Pastoral Care Ratio is at one staff member for every 117 members (incl adults, youth and kids). This does not include any efforts to care for those who are not members (like who we reach at Playgroup). With an increasing pastoral load, staff will be spread thinner.
  • But there are other measures that could be put in place. Some of which may be…

                Property Costs

    • Halt any future capital works on any LMAP buildings (unless external funding grants can be sourced). Phase 1 & 2 Mt Riv Redevelopment comes from this year.
    • Fix only critical repairs/maintenance

                Mission/Ministry Cost

    • Reduce Mission Partnerships (we have 8 currently)
    • Review current offering of ministries – limit them only to serve folk who are members of LMAP (and not members of other churches).
    • No new ministries will be undertaken in 2026 - aim to maintain and support current endeavours
    • No external Weddings or Funerals (unless external officiates are used) - to reduce workload.
    • Potentially work out a fee structure for Kids’ Church/Friday Kids/LMAP Youth/Playgroup

                Personnel Costs 

    • Restructure the Ministry Team
    • Staff members will need to step back from some ministries and we will be reliant even more on volunteers in administration.
  • It would be helpful to know who is making the pledge so that we each are accountable - that said, only the finance officer will see the pledge slips. Up to you.
  • And No, the individual pledges will not be published - only the total church pledge amount.
  • The rolling target will be published from now until 30th November 2025 so we can all see how we are tracking.

That is still a pledge and all pledges will be gratefully accepted - including pledges which may indicate a reduction in giving from this yea. This information is this very important.

  • This is a pledge from 2026 – so ideally not later than 1st January 2026.
  • That said, every dollar counts and so as soon as you are able from now would help.
  • The Finance Officer will send a pledge reminder before 1st Jan 2026 as a prompt to adjust giving.
  • Electronic giving is a gift for this age – not only does it help you regularly give, it helps the Parish plan with a higher degree of certainty.
  • Details for how to give to Mission and Ministry at LMAP can be found here - lmap.org.au/give
  • That said, there are ‘Communication Boxes’ at the doors at each of our sites.
  • If you need help, Howard Whitehouse as Finance Officer can confidentially assist.

Yes, ultimately all our finances are managed at the same point, and there are particular accounts for particular concerns – for example: Youth and Childrens' Ministry, Trainees, LMAP Growth Fund, Redevelopment, LMAP Mission Send Fund and particular congregations. Details can be found here - lmap.org.au/give.

If you have further questions – please ask.

You can contact: