Board Nominations Open Ahead of Annual Conference (AGM) 2025

11 Aug 2025

Nominations for Conference Executive and The Property Trust members have officially opened ahead of the annual Conference Convened meeting (AGM) on 4 November 2025. This is an exciting moment in our network’s year, when churches are invited to nominate members to guide our network’s future.

Reflecting on the privilege of being Conference President for the past 2 years, outgoing Conference President Emily Drough said, “Serving on a CCNSWACT board creates an opportunity to be connected to the larger story of what God is doing in our corner of the Kingdom. To come alongside and serve our churches, leaders and the wider network, as they serve and minister to their communities is a joy and privilege.

Conference President, Emily Drough, addressing our network’s boards at a networking dinner in 2024.

“As I conclude my time as President, my prayer is that we would remain a people who tell the story of God’s faithfulness, who live with courage for the sake of others, and who commit ourselves to the flourishing of generations yet to come, so they may know and walk in the life that is found in Jesus.”

Emily said the nomination process enables members of the network to serve our churches through their pastoral, missional, or professional experience, and encourages anyone who is compelled by the mission and work of Conference Executive or The Property Trust to be nominated.

About Conference Executive Nominations

Conference Executive, our network’s governing body, is a board comprised of pastors and committed members of our churches in NSW who seek God about the future of our network, which acts as a catalyst for our unity, champions our ethos, and makes significant decisions regarding the network’s health and direction.

Members from Conference Executive and The Property Trust at Collective Gathering in November 2024.

In line with this mission, Conference Executive is seeking spiritually mature men and women who are passionate about seeing the Kingdom of God manifest through our network of churches. Key to their governance role is strategic oversight across all parts of churches of Christ – from championing church-based mission to aged care and retirement living, conference and camping venues and affordable housing.  They are also responsible for developing culture and ethos, empowering leadership, and managing risk and compliance. The effectiveness of such a team calls for those who can work collaboratively with others, bringing a diverse range of skills including governance, legal, organisational, pastoral and prophetic vision, and missional and entrepreneurial energy for the flourishing of God’s purposes through all parts of our network.

The constitution of Churches of Christ in NSW’s appoints nine voluntary positions on the Conference Executive board for three-year terms.

The board is currently comprised of Emily Drough (Conference President – Mayfield Church of Christ), Mike McGarrity (Connect Church Engadine), Tom Altobeli (Kingsway Community Church), Vieralisa Tan (Harvest Indonesian Church Auburn), Jenni Gainer (Epping Church of Christ), Victor Tee (Kingsford Church of Christ), Rebecca Lee (Sydney Crystal Church Granville), Peter Chi (Epping Church of Christ), Steed Leonard (Restore Church Castle Hill), Stephen Smith (Pathways Community Church Pendle Hill). To learn more about these members, head to our About Us page.

As Emily Drough, Jenni Gainer, Tom Altobelli, and Viera Tan’s terms end this November, Conference Executive is calling for nominations for 4 members: the Conference President, serving a 2-year term (expiring at the AGM in 2027), and 3 Executive members serving a 3-year term (expiring at the AGM in 2028).

*In accordance with the constitution, Conference Executive board members must be a member of one of our NSW-based churches. 

About The Property Trust Nominations

The Churches of Christ Property Trust is a board comprised of 9 members of our network who steward in trust our network’s shared assets, grown over 140 years of faithful church investment. The members bring their financial and property management experience and heart to steward resources on behalf of our network for the growth of the Church in future generations. The Trust supports and resources churches through grants, loans, investments, and property management for the purpose of Kingdom expansion through our churches.

Chairman Steven Martin says, “If you are a member of a Churches of Christ congregation and have a heart for stewarding resources for Kingdom purposes, we encourage you to prayerfully consider standing. Our board works best when it reflects the diversity, faith, and skill of our movement. You don’t need to be a finance expert, just someone who values wise stewardship and believes in the local church.”

Chair of The Property Trust, Steven Martin sharing about their support of churches.

As this work involves long-term stewardship of property and financial assets, the permanent positions on the board operate on 9-year terms. This year, the board has 3 casual vacancies open with shorter terms, 1 for a 4-year term (expiring at the AGM in 2029) and another 2 for a 1-year term (expiring at the AGM in 2026). A shorter-term commitment was how Patricia Chan, currently Deputy Chair of the Trust, first nominated as a trustee.

Patricia reflected, “I initially joined The Property Trust in a casual vacancy to have a taste if I could bring something to this role, and then I stood for a full term after this.” Patricia encourages others to use this opportunity to see if they feel called to this work for the long-term.

The board is currently comprised of Steven Martin (Chair – Living Hope Church of Christ), Patricia Chan (Deputy Chair – Chatswood Church of Christ), Christopher Emmanuel (Harvest Indonesian Church Auburn), David Kelly (Epping Church of Christ), Mark Speechly (Open House North Kellyville), Shamus Toomey (Registrar – Hurstville Church of Christ), and Allan Vincent (Dubbo Church of Christ).

Nomination and AGM Details

Nominations for both boards opened on 4 August and close on Saturday 4 October at 5pm. Nominations will be presented for consideration and voting to Conference Convened at the AGM. This year’s AGM on Tuesday 5 November 2025 will be held online (details below).

To submit a nomination, follow the instructions and forms in the notice of Annual Conference below.

Notice of Annual Conference (AGM) 2025

Formal Notice PDF

Churches of Christ in NSW

Date: Tuesday 4 November 2025

Time: 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm

Venue: Online (Meeting details to be emailed to delegates. Email hello@ccnswact.org.au to receive details.)

Conference Executive positions to be elected

Conference President for a 2-year term (expiring at the AGM in 2027)

3 Executive members for a 3-year term (expiring at the AGM in 2028)

Property Trust positions to be elected

1 casual vacancy for a 4-year term (expiring at the AGM in 2029)

2 casual vacancies each for a 1-year term (expiring at the AGM in 2026)

Nomination Forms

The following forms can be accessed via the links below.

Nomination form – to be completed by a person who has the support of their church to nominate someone for appointment to a position.

Nomination endorsement – to be completed by two church leaders who endorse the nomination.
Nomination consent form – to be completed by the person being nominated.

Once a nominee’s eligibility has been confirmed they will receive the following documents to be signed prior to the Annual Conference.