By Josh Gibbon
A Special General Meeting (SGM) for our network has been called on Tuesday 20 May to vote on the affiliation of Heartbeat Church and the nomination of a new Property Trust board member.
Voting on matters that affect our churches is a key aspect of who we are as churches of Christ – in which every church has an equal voice. Participation in these key decisions is a significant responsibility for us to carry together.
Anne Simpson, Head of Network Relationships with the Network Resource Team, reminds us that when a new church affiliates with our network, it is first and foremostly affiliating with our churches, rather than a state organisation. This vote is about a church becoming one of ‘us’.
“Over the past few years, we have been seeking to increase real connection and engagement with churches who are wanting to affiliate with our network,” Anne said. “We have encouraged this through introducing potential affiliates at regional gatherings and Collective.
“By registering delegates and attending the Special Meeting, our churches can encourage and affirm these new communities who are drawn to and desiring to be part of who we are as churches of Christ.”
Heartbeat Church has been on a journey with churches of Christ for several years, becoming familiar with our network and participating in network events, such as Pilgrimage and Collective. Through this process, Heartbeat Church, pastored by Joshua and Yoonah Choi has discerned its alignment with the churches of Christ ethos and principles. Originally introduced to our network by Stephen Cha, Heartbeat Church is currently sponsored by The Chapel Sydney. This process of ‘sponsoring’ involves an affiliate church introducing another church to our network, inviting them to network events, building relationship with their leadership and writing a letter of recommendation on their behalf to Conference Convened.
Heartbeat Church gathered for a church camp at The Tops Conference Centre.
In reflection on this journey, Stephen Cha said,
“We’re excited about the possibility of Heartbeat joining our network of churches. This partnership is a way to further the kingdom of God together.”
Heartbeat made this video, which was shown at Collective 2024, to introduce their passion, vision, and form as a church to our network.
About Heartbeat Church (from their website):
“Heartbeat Church adopts a “house church” model for its small group gatherings. We believe in the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:5) and that all Christians have a calling to reach out to the lost (Matthew 28:10) and demonstrate love to a community (John 13:35). House churches are run by leaders (we call them “shepherds”) to pastor the flock. Weekly Friday gatherings afford a casual but intimate setting in which non-believers can be invited to share their life. House churches are not a bible study group but are intended to be “seeker-friendly”. It is the vehicle by which we aim to carry out the urban mission.”
Visit Heartbeat Church’s website.
At the SGM, voting delegates will also be required to vote on the nomination of a new Property Trust board member to fill a casual vacancy, expiring in 2030. Nominations close on 18 April, 2025.
The Property Trust board at last year’s combined network board dinner.
The Churches of Christ Property Trust seeks to faithfully steward the blessings of our movement to support churches in every season – holding property, lending money, providing investment returns, and stewarding bequests for grants.
Property Trust Chair, Steven Martin (Living Hope Churches of Christ), says, “We are looking for a diverse range of people with a background in banking/finance, property development, law, or other professional expertise , but the most important quality for any board member is Christian character – a heart and desire to see God’s will be done in NSW and the ACT as it is in heaven.”
We invite our churches to participate in this significant network event online, starting at 7:30pm on Tuesday 20 May. An email with meeting details will be sent to our network prior to the event.
A Notice of Special Meeting of Conference Convened has been emailed to churches inviting them to register delegates to vote and outlining how to make nominations. Registration for voting closes on 8 April. If your church has not received this notice, please email hello@ccnswact.org.au
Read more stories from churches of Christ in NSW & ACT HERE
