Northern Territory Discipleship Track

DIOCESE OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

The Rev Yulki Nungumajbarr leading a baptism service at Numbulwar. © Ruth Brigden/Diocese of Northern Territory, 2016.

This is part of the
Reconciliation Program:
Learn more about ABM’s Programs

Remote Aboriginal Christians need your help as they seek to walk ‘the narrow’ track with God.

Christian leaders in Aboriginal communities face formidable challenges. They are isolated from the broader Church in remote places that are expensive to travel in and out of. They stand in the tensions between their traditional cultures and the Church, working in communities where English is a secondary language and where material disadvantage is prevalent. Aboriginal church leaders also minister in settings where people are often still looking to the Church for leadership in the face of overwhelming challenges and griefs.

Your support of the Territory Discipleship Track will assist remote Aboriginal Christians who want to be intentional in their faith, and especially those in leadership, to access much needed training and support as they seek to witness to Christ in their communities. The aim is to help each participant to develop the unique gifts God has given them, with the help and support of mentors who are further down the ‘track’. 

The Territory Discipleship Track is a further development of the ‘Bishop’s Award Program’ of previous years. The Reverends Marjorie and William Hall from Ngukurr joined that program as part of their discernment in moving towards ordination. They appreciated the individually tailored training sessions held in their own language. They were very happy that the support enabled them to travel to other communities to minister to them, something they long to do more of. They found their pre-ordination program so helpful, they continue to ask for more opportunities to participate in them as Deacons.

Another story of how the generosity of ABM members has supported Aboriginal leaders is told by the Reverend Yulki, (pictured) of Numbulwar community who has really appreciated support through the program in past years for the development of liturgies for special services such as Easter and Ash Wednesday.

This year your contributions will be used for three ‘tracks’:

1. The church leaders on Groote Eylandt have asked for assistance to run Healing Groups to help those caught up in cycles of fighting and conflict, including those affected by the November 2015 riot. The aim is to equip church leaders so they are able to run these groups themselves as a ministry to their community. ($5500)
2. A pre-ordination discernment and development track for remote Aboriginal candidates who are exploring leadership and ordination, to ensure they receive the training and support they need in taking such a significant step. ($6600)
3. A pre-Synod conference for Aboriginal leaders from across the Top End to enable collaboration, mutual spiritual encouragement and to empower them to participate fully in Synod, so their voices can be heard in the Diocese. ($9900)

AU008BA needs $22,000 in 2017 (non tax-deductible)

 

HOW TO DONATE

You can make an online donation to this project.  

 

Alternatively, for donations by cheque/money order (made out to the Anglican Board of Mission – Australia), telephone or email, view contact details here. Please don’t forget to include the project name and/or code with your payment details.

Gifts to ABM will be applied to the support of project(s) selected. In the unlikely event of the project being oversubscribed or not proceeding to completion, donations will be applied to a similar project to the one(s) selected.

 

PROJECT UPDATE

July 2017 – What’s new in the Territory? The Rev Kate Beer provides another update of the great work being done in remote communities. Read more.

January 2017 – The Ministry Development Officer for the Diocese of the Northern Territory, Rev Kate Beer, recently spoke of the work being done through the ‘Diocesan Training Tour’.

August 2016 – Good news from the Top End! The Northern Territory Discipleship Track (formerly the Bishops Award Program) is assisting many indigenous leaders in reaching their local communities with the gospel. Read more.

 

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