|
MISSIONS INTERLINK BULLETIN
An Update on Mission In, From and To New Zealand
February 2008.
Contents.
1. New Director Appointment, Handover Program.
2. Investment Advisor Legislation Impact
3. Charities Commission – Only 4 Months to Law Change
4. Tax Exemption and Tax Rebate Receipting
5. Kiwi Saver For Charity Sector Employers
6. Mobilisation Report
7. VNNZ Congress March 2008.
8. What DNA Are We (Really ) Reproducing?
9. Payne’s New Pathway
10. People and Agencies
11. Tedz-Cars Still Rolling
12. Housing Needed In Auckland
13. Special Mobilisers Forum
14. Prayer Links – Requests Needed by 22nd February
15. Farewell and Thank You
__________________________________________________________
1. NEW DIRECTOR APPOINTMENT, HANDOVER PROGRAM
Here is an announcement by Missions Interlink Chairman Wayne Freeman.
It is with pleasure that we announce the appointment of David Hall as the new Director of Missions Interlink with effect from 12 February 2008.
In the middle of last year MI Council appointed a Search Committee to work with Scientific & Technical, a professional recruitment agency to undertake the process of nominating a suitable appointee to fill the 'big shoes' being left by Gordon and Helen Stanley. Early this year MI Council interviewed David and in due course were pleased to unanimously confirm David's appointment. A big thank you to your Council for their efforts and collective insight throughout the selection process.
David has since met with Trevor Baldwin, who administers MI's finances and since then has, along with his wife Lydia met with Gordon and Helen Stanley over a couple of days to begin the process of taking over the role. Gordon and Helen Stanley have offered continuing assistance to David and Lydia Hall over the next few weeks and will also undertake a thank you and farewell tour formally finishing on 31 March 2008. Nigel Webb of SIM has already put out a notice regarding a farewell afternoon function for Gordon and Helen at Eden Community Church on Sunday 9th March 2008 from 3.30pm to 5pm. Please contact Nigel directly for further details NZ.Director@sim.org or telephone 09 535 0060. It will be great to see you there.
David comes to MI with considerable background in missions having served as a missionary in the Pacific and Asia region for over thirty five years. David helped pioneer Teen Challenge Hawaii during the "Jesus Movement", YWAM Samoa in the mid '70s and YWAM Singapore in the early '80s. He and his wife, Lydia, led the first YWAM Discipleship Training School in Indonesia. David was part of the leadership team in Kona, Hawaii from '83 to '95. In '96 David moved his family to Auckland, New Zealand where he started Across Ministries, part of the YWAM family of ministries - In addition David has initiated and maintained a Prayer station in Auckland city on Friday nights for the last six years. David and Lydia have two married children and two grandchildren.
David will be commissioned in his new role at a service on 17 February 2008 at 10.00am at The Way Church on the corner of Wakefield Road and Robertson Road in Mangere. As many as who are able to attend are welcome and if you wish to stay on for the 'potluck' lunch afterwards then please bring a plate of food to share. Lets all be in Prayer for God's enabling for David and Lydia as this new role impacts their lives.
At the next MI Council meeting we will put together an effective induction programme for David to meet MI members. David will also attend the Vision Network Congress at Waikanae in March 2008 in his new capacity as Director and Glyn Carpenter of Vision Network will assist in effectively introducing David to the wider Christian leadership in NZ. Glyn has also invited David to attend the next Vision Network Executive Committee meeting along with Gordon Stanley who also serves on the Vision Network Executive.
It is a great pleasure to see the co-operation within the missions community and the goodwill of many to ensure that David gets every assistance as he begins this new adventure. I am sure you all join with MI Council in wishing David every success in this new role for God's glory!
In Jesus precious name, whom we all serve.
Wayne Freeman
Chairman
MI Council
NB As from 12th February please address all MI correspondence to David Hall, PO Box 59-049, Mangere Bridge (either Auckland or Manukau are OK to use), 2151
David’s telephone: 021 039 6739 - email addresses for MI remain the same - further details to follow
Gordon & Helens personal email address is ghstanley@maxnet.co.nz and personal address will remain PO Box 143, Paparoa 0543 and telephone 09 431 7027.
2. INVESTMENT ADVISOR LEGISLATION IMPACT
In the wake of the collapse of several finance companies recently, hastily passed legislation means future Investment advice can only be provided by professionals. Such Investment Advisors must provide a "disclosure statement" which is described in a 2-page document. This tightens considerably obligations imposed in 1997.
What are the implications?
For Missions Interlink and any mission agency we can only refer queries about retirement funds, resettlement schemes, investments etc to the experts. In MI’s case this means referring all such to The NZ Anglican Church Pension Board who operate The Retire Fund, the Koinonia Fund (their Kiwi saver scheme) without our giving any recommendations, opinions or guidance relating to any schemes. Several agencies are associated with, or are partners with ACPB and as this law takes effect on 29th February 2008, this is the last month in which we/or they can recommend this Christian and Ethical fund operator to our members. Refer to the The New Zealand Anglican Church Pension Board, 32 Mulgrave St Thorndon, PO Box 12 287 Wellington. Ph 04 473 9369 or john@acpb.org.nz
Ensure that any staff in your organisation who might be asked for financial advice know this.
3. CHARITIES COMMISSION – ONLY 4 MONTHS TO LAW CHANGE
Recent information from The Charities Commission include an increase in applications to 300 per week and a lengthening of the queue and processing time.
At the AGM recently it was stated that if the application is received by the 30th June 2008, tax exemption will be able to be back dated till then even though the registration may take a long time. They are only able to back date correctly completed applications to the date they received them.
If you are delaying application pending changes to your rules the CC suggest you follow these three steps before sending your application to ensure you get a place in the queue before June 30th.
"Make sure your Officers match the number of offices specified in your rules, and complete a form for each of them".
"Make sure your rules show that your main purposes are charitable (ie you don’t make private pecuniary profit). Send us your existing rules, together with your application form and officer certification forms".
"If you do make changes you can give us your updated rules and retain your place in our processing queue".
Even if CC ask for clarification you will keep your place in the queue as the analyst will pick up your case as soon as you provide the extra information sought.
4. TAX EXEMPTION AND TAX REBATE RECEIPTING- A PRECIS
Because I am still fielding phone calls about this issue here is a précis of the above topic.
Further to the comments in the December 2007 bulletin if you wish to obtain or retain tax exemptions you will need to register with the Charities Commission. If issuing tax rebate receipts to take advantage of the more generous allowances for individuals and company tax payers is important to you, you need to be granted "donee status" by IRD. This can be achieved by simply registering with the CC provided your operations are confined to New Zealand.
If you have overseas activities you have 2 options:
1. Set up separate legal entities to care for a) NZ activities and b) overseas activities
OR ALTERNATIVELY
2. Use separate bank accounts for these two spheres and be able to prove the separation (admittedly this is difficult to do!!)
In both cases apply only for your NZ activities. You will be able to be granted tax exemption for this part and the one-stop-shop principle may work in your favour.
As we have repeatedly stressed the question of "donee status" being extended to overseas work is under review and we continue to lobby for a favourable outcome. If Donee Status is not important to you, but tax exemption is, go ahead and register your total operation. If neither is important you may not even need to bother registering.
5. KIWI SAVER FOR CHARITY-SECTOR EMPLOYERS
New Kiwi Saver legislation was passed in December. The CC note it included two major changes that` will affect all employers in charities and the non-profit sector.
From 1 April this year, you will be required to contribute to your employee’s KiwiSaver scheme or complying fund. A complying fund is a section within a registered superannuation scheme that has been approved by the Government Actuary as having met certain criteria similar to KiwiSaver – eg lock-in rules, portability.
The level of contribution will be phased in over four years, starting at 1% of an employee’s gross salary or wage. The amount you must contribute will increase by 1% every year until it reaches 4% in 2011.
To help offset the cost of making both voluntary and compulsory employer contributions, an employer tax credit of up to $20 a week per member will be available even if you don’t pay tax.
All contributing employers are entitled to claim the tax credit, including charities and non-profit organisations. You’ll be able to offset the tax credit against the payment due when you file your PAYE returns using the new Employer deductions form (IR 345).
For many employers the net cost of contributing will be small, with the tax credit generally offsetting the contributions, particularly in the first year.
For instance, provided you make an employer contribution in the payment period, you can claim the lesser of your actual employer contributions for the employee for the period, or up to $88.57, which is the maximum monthly employer tax credit able to be claimed per member.
More details about compulsory employer contributions and the employer tax credit are in the revised KiwiSaver employer guide (KS 4) in Part 3 and 4. Both the updated employer guide and KiwiSaver employee information pack (KS 3) will be sent to all employers in early February.
Meantime, you can visit www.ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver for more information. You can also register online through Inland Revenue’s website to receive email updates.
6. MOBILISATION REPORT
If you are involved in recruitment you may be interested to see the Gathering Report produced by Jamie Wood of a meeting held 22 November 2007. This initiative was taken under the auspices of MI and the World Evangelical Alliance Missions Commission and their respective Mobilisation Tracks which Jamie leads and represents us in. Contact him for a copy to ensure you are up to date with current thinking and long term dreams. Jamie@mobilising.co.nz
The recent collaborative event at Parachute "Destination World" that united the efforts of 24 agencies is an example of what can be done when we work together. All reports reaching us are celebrating a lot more connections made through this bigger effort than was ever caught in the many small nets of previous years! The Report concludes with a draft of a manifesto.
7. VNNZ CONGRESS – 3rd – 6th MARCH 2008.
The date of this triennial event is closing in rapidly and I hope that you have signed up or are planning to do so. The event does include a Missions Stream and we also have a plenary session to put the case for up to date mission thinking. More important though is the opportunity to rub shoulders with Christian leaders from all parts of the country and most denominations. Its all about building relationships in this business of leading missions and schools and this is the best opportunity you will have this year and the next 3!
Go to www.vision.org.nz David Hall and I look forward to seeing you at Waikanae.
8. WHAT DNA ARE WE (REALLY) REPRODUCING?
Hats off to John Elliott, the Kiwi International Director of World Outreach for his perceptive editorial in ‘Nations’ the WO publication (Issue 1 2008).
"God has called us to get involved in mission in particular to plant churches with similar DNA as our own church", John quotes a western pastor as saying.
To paraphrase John, this may be merely a fresh spin on "colonialism". He concludes, "Let the DNA we take with us when ministering cross culturally, be only the DNA of Jesus Christ, not the DNA of our church or culture. Then let us trust the Holy Spirit to reveal things in their culture ………… Let us also learn from history." To which I say a hearty Amen!
9. PAYNE’S NEW PATHWAY
Its been a big surprise to learn that Ian Payne PhD is to take up the principalship of SAIACS, the graduate level school in Bangalore, India, vacating his role since 2003 as Principal of Pathways College of Bible & Mission. We congratulate Ian on this significant appointment. He has previously done a teaching stint at SAIACS and has been a visiting lecturer each year since 2000. Judith’s ministry of internship study specializing in missions has been a step in preparation also. This school was founded by kiwi Graham Houghton of OMS and has a purpose built and very attractive campus outside Bangalore. We wish Ian and Judith well and trust that Pathways can find a replacement before they go permanently in September. The Payne’s retain their connection with Global Connections in Mission.
Having asked the question, "Shouldn’t this person be an Indian?" they were assured an international search was appropriate for an international institution. Gradually Ian and Judith became convinced of the opportunity. "How marvellous it would be to serve the church in South Asia, leading a fine team in providing excellent Christ-centred mission orientated leadership education at the highest level". We can reflect with pride on the Kiwi contribution in this significant ministry and trust the Lord for that process to continue for His glory.
10. PEOPLE AND AGENCIES
Mark Budenburg at WEC in Gordonton who has served in various capacities there and previously in Africa is starting as Librarian at Eastwest College this year. Mark plans to complete his part time 3 year Diploma in Library Studies in June and will continue his teaching role at Eastwest ………………………………….Pioneers are celebrating 10 years of service in NZ with a special event on Saturday May 3rd at Mt Roskill Baptist Church. Pioneers NZ was birthed out of a courageous merger between Asia Pacific Christian Fellowship, South Seas Evangelical Mission and the wider Pioneers movement. In 2001 they were joined by Action Partners (formerly Sudan United Mission). While a relatively new name on the NZ missions scene they embody a rich heritage of well over 100 years of activity. They also serve as agents and partners of Arab World Ministries and Frontiers in NZ……………………………….Matthew and Andrea Perry are now serving as leaders in WEC and have been facilitating a staff retreat with their new team. John & Alison Watson are taking a sabbatical from their role in candidate orientation this year and Terry and Di Freeman will be coming from Australia to lead the August intake……………………………European Christian Mission are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Chris Wigram as their next International Director replacing Ernie Addicot. Chris is currently the UK Director of OMF………………..The Doulos is expected to make a visit to NZ mid year as part of its final voyage. Replacement vessel Logos Hope has moved from Croatia to Germany for final outfitting. OM will be setting up local committees to manage the visit to ensure the local needs are served. Contact George Booth if you would be interested in helping in this way at 09 298 9990 or info@nz.om.org ………………….. While speaking of ship ministries we note that Mercy Ships new vessel Africa Mercy is now in service having replaced the Anastasis deployed in 1983- 2007. The new ship has a multi-cultural crew of 400 with a modern hospital with 6 operating suites and 78 hospital beds bringing medical care and services to the forgotten poor beginning in West Africa…………………… David Broughton who has served as Editor of International Student Ministries is moving to other roles in ISM. He notes in the 7 years of their existence they have grown from mainly volunteers to a staff of 52 from 9 nationalities serving either bi-vocationally or full time in tertiary and secondary campuses. They can track disciples who have graduated and returned to over 40 countries………………………………..The International Director of The Barnabas Fund, Dr Patrick Sookhdeo is to speak in Auckland on Sunday 10th Feb. at Greyfriars Presbyterian at 9.30 am and Eden Community Church at 2.30pm on ‘Hope and Aid for the Persecuted Church’. Call 09 630 6267 for details.
11. TEDZ-CARS STILL ROLLING
Some of you may have heard that Tedz-Cars had a licensing glitch late last year. This has now all been sorted out, and the full range of vehicles are now once again available for missionaries on leave, aid workers, and those either from overseas or in NZ who are engaged in some form of Christian ministry. If there is availability, supporters of those engaged in Christian ministry are also welcome to use the vehicles, at a slightly different rate. You can contact Ted on tedz-cars@maxnet.co.nz or faxphone 9-297 7346 for enquiries or bookings.
12. HOUSING NEEDED IN AUCKLAND
Matthew and Tammy Anderson missionaries from the US are going to be in Auckland from June 13th until July 29th working with the Campus Crusade regional office here. We have two kids who are 10 and 9. We would love to find housing on the North Shore or in West Auckland for all or part of our time here. Please no dogs or cats due to allergies. contact email is matthew.anderson@ccci.org
13. MISSION MOBILISERS SPECIAL FORUM
Preceding the NZ AND BEYOND CONFERENCE, APRIL 3-5, 2008 is a special one day mission forum. Mobilisers, Mission Directors and leadership teams are all invited for the evening of 2nd April (7.30pm) and 9.30 – 3.30pm on the 3rd April, at West City Christian Centre, Cnr Te Atatu and Gt North Rds, Glendene. This is being organised by Phil Richardson of Church Centred Missions. Contact him on 021 989 256 OR 09 473 6303 or phil.Richardson@ihug.co.nz
14. PRAYER LINKS – REQUESTS NEEDED BY 22ND FEBRUARY
It is time to send in your PRAYER REQUESTS for the quarterly Prayer Link distribution. Requests need to be brief, long lived, strategic and ministry focussed (as opposed to personalities who may not be known outside your agency)
Could we please have them in to the MI Office by 22nd February.
15. FAREWELL AND THANK YOU
For the past 20 years I have consciously sought to follow the definition of leadership produced by Max DePree in his 1987 book, Leadership is an Art – "The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality, the last is to say thank you. In between the two the leader must become a servant and a debtor". Defining reality is a constant yet ever changing matter. Circumstances and trends are in flux so defining reality at times is like changing the tyre on a moving vehicle .( As perceptions are reality to those who hold them, the task can also include trying to change perceptions to bring them to what is really true!)
To be a servant is probably well understood but it is a good and regular discipline to be asking the question "What do I owe as a leader?". Taking the role of a debtor puts a completely different spin on matters especially when ones followers are diverse.
I trust Helen and I have been able to serve you well in these nearly 7 years. The debts we have owed and sought to pay are many but these few may suffice.
· We have owed good communication to you all and have worked hard to fulfil this.
· We have owed the debt of clarity and hope our Bulletins and other contacts have delivered that.
· We have also owed the debt of the legacy of MI’s history and sought to build on the efforts of some very significant predecessors.
· Lastly we have owed the debt of succession to build for the future to have something worthwhile to pass on to our successor. We feel comfortable in handing on the task now to David and Lydia Hall (they will be different from Helen and I so don’t expect them to be the same) but we feel we pass on a viable association that is delivering value to its members and constituency.
We are also feeling very encouraged at the amazing array of people and activities in mission, in, from and to New Zealand represented through so many agencies. We are especially encouraged to see the increasing signs of collaboration and less of competition, and of increased respect between churches and agencies.
And so we say thank you.
It has been a privilege to serve you in this task.
May God continue to bless you and make you a blessing wherever He leads and whatever He asks you to do.
Gordon
Gordon Stanley
Director
Missions Interlink (NZ)
PO Box 143, Paparoa, 0543
Ph/Fax 64 (0) 9 431 7027
email: info@missions.org.nz
missions.interlink@maxnet.co.nz
Web: www.missions.org.nz
|
