The One Thing

Is prayer the most neglected part of ministry? In this episode, Peter Adam challenges our prayerlessness as a form of worldliness and warns that pastors must lead in prayer—not just in godliness or preaching. We explore why our prayers are often shallow, how pre-written prayers can train us to pray with greater depth, and why ignoring prayer in meetings and leadership is a missed opportunity. Peter also digs into what unanswered prayer reveals about our self-centred assumptions.

Peter Adam is a retired theologian who was previously principal at Ridley College and is now Vicar Emeritus of St Jude's Carlton in Melbourne

• Prayerlessness is a form of worldliness
• Pastors must lead in prayer, not just godliness or preaching.
• We need more varied and theologically rich prayers
• Pre-written prayers (like those in the Prayer Book) train us to pray well
• Prayerlessness in meetings and leadership is a missed opportunity
• Unanswered prayer reveals our self-centred assumptions

TOOLBOX:

How can movies open the door to meaningful conversations about faith?

Russ Matthews from Reel Dialogue joins us to share how films can help spark gospel conversations in everyday life. We talk about why asking good questions and listening well matters, how couples can partner in mission together, and what Russ has learned from using mainstream movies as a starting point for sharing Jesus.

• The power of asking good questions and listening in evangelism

• Why Russ wrote Real Marriage as a story, not a manual

• How couples can work together for mission in everyday life

• Using mainstream movies as conversation starters for faith

• What Reel Dialogue offers churches: resources, training, and events 

TOOLBOX:

• Reel Dialogue – Movie reviews, discussion guides, training, and events

• Books:

• Reel Marriage

• The Word Becomes Film

• The Maker’s Quest (for teens)

• TOT 295 Reel Dialogue

  Free book giveaway: email [email protected] with your address

Multiplication—it sounds bold, ambitious, risky… maybe even unrealistic. But is it? Should every church, including yours, be involved multiplication. Derek and Scott unpack what holds churches back from multiplying, whether you're in the city or regional areas, in a large church or a small church.

• What do we mean by multiplication?
• What stops people thinking about multiplication in terms of convictions, culture and constructs?
• What are the options for a church to be involved in church planting if they are not ready to plant?

TOOLBOX:

• Church Multiplication Hub – where your church fits on the multiplication spectrum

• Church Planting Australia Podcast
• Multisite workshop Playlist

CREDITS:

This episode was brought to you by Try Fruit Trellis

The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠

To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠

For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Support Reach Australia's online library

What happens when denominational leaders get in the same room to talk about gospel growth in Australia?

In this episode, Derek and Scott reflect on a recent national gathering hosted by The Gospel Coalition—a moment of unity, clarity, and challenge.

A bold vision was laid down: double the number of Reformed evangelicals in Australia over twenty years.

• Why Reformed evangelical Christians rather than all Christians?
• Why is this a 20 year vision?
• What needs to happen in the local church to make this happen?
• Why this needs to be more about doing than just talking
• What are some of the ways we can be doing together?

TOOLBOX:

• Join the Reach Australia prayer group to pray for Australia and monthly newsletters to keep up to date.
• Reach Australia Vision
  
• Place mission at the centre of your church 
• Now-Where-How Planning Tool

CREDITS:

This episode was brought to you by Stanton Dahl Architects

The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠

To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠

For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Support Reach Australia's online library

Carla and Corey Matthews have been part of two church plant launch teams — not as planters or staff, but as everyday church members offering time, energy, and faith. 

In this episode, they share:

• Why they said yes (twice!) to joining a launch team
• How it shaped their spiritual lives
• What it’s really like to serve on a team from day one
• The costs and sacrifices of leaving a comfortable church
• And why church plants need more than just planters

Whether you're curious about church planting or wondering how God might use you, this honest conversation is for you.

Carla and Corey helped launch Cornerstone Anglican Church Box Hill, Sydney and Rouse Hill Anglican Church, Sydney.

TOOLBOX:

TOT 375 Learning from two new churches that launched in 2024

Church Planting Australia Podcast

Opportunities to Plant

CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Church Suite

The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠

To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠

For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Support Reach Australia's online library

Planting a multisite church is like swimming in medium water. It’s a stretch—without the fear of drowning. Jade Hajj unpacks how planting Rockdale as a campus of Grace City has given him space to grow in ministry while being deeply supported by a strong team and solid structures.

Highlights:

• A multisite plant offers training wheels without being a tricycle
• The two main things for a multisite church to work
• Jade's personal journey
• Why bootcamp was useful

TOOLBOX

TOT 375 Learning from two new churches that launched in 2024

Church Planting Australia Podcast

Gospel Workers Questionnaire

Church Planters Questionnaire

Multisite workshop Playlist

CREDITS:

This episode was brought to you by EA Insurance

The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠

To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠

For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Support Reach Australia's online library

Preparing the next generation for ministry is an important role for any gospel worker, but it can be hard to get started or not be distracted. The Ministry Training Strategy (MTS), as an entity, has honed their expertise to training the trainer. A part of that is expanding out the vision of what a MTS trainee can be. Clare, in particular, assisting trainers with considering hiring female apprentices.

James Hoey is Director of Partnerships and Clare Merkel is Ministry Training for Women Partnership Developer.



They are helping people to think about:

• Vision
• Income
• Strategy
• Admin



TOOLBOX:

The MTS website

The MTS Trainer Pathway

Eager to Serve by Ray Galea

CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by The Ministry Training Strategy

The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠

To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠

For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Support Reach Australia's online library



Second chair leadership is someone who leads with influence without being the senior leader. Most church staff are second chair leaders, but it’s often misunderstood as waiting in the wings for primary leadership. Teams can flourish when this role is understood.

Here are some questions we’ll be answering:

• What are the long term benefits of second chair roles?

• What attributes are vital in second chair leadership?

What can we do when the candidate pool is so shallow? While the pressure is on when you’re short staffed, you don’t want to compromise or take shortcuts. It involves prayer, planning and cultivating a positive church culture.

It’s important to set realistic expectations about the process of developing team members.

• How long can recruitment take?

• What can the recruitment process look like?

• How can your church get involved in the recruitment process?

• How to utilise existing networks and relationships?

• What are some creative approaches to attract candidates?

• How to develop a process that’ll ensure future ministry leaders?

• How can a strong church culture make your teams appealing?

TOOLBOX:

• Leadership pipeline ebook

• Contact us about leadership cohorts

• See the resources around you

• See the resource in your church

CREDITS:

This episode was brought to you by Team Development Program

The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠

To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠

For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Support Reach Australia's online library

Long weekends and public holidays can be a disruption to the rhythm of ministry through the year. How can we use them for the benefit of ministry?

We ask:

• What is being celebrated and how does it affect what we do?
• How does my community celebrate and what does that mean for our ministry?
• Is this a time to lean forward into mission or lean back into rest?

TOOL BOX:

• TOT 163 Easter 2021

• TOT 175 Anzac Day 2021

• The value of ANZAC Day (Andrew Heard)

2025 Long Weekends in Australia

1. January 25–27: Australia Day

- **Holiday**: Australia Day, Monday, January 27 (January 26 falls on a Sunday, so the public holiday shifts to Monday).

- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, January 25 to Monday, January 27.

- Observed nationwide.

2. March 1–3: Labour Day (Western Australia)

- **Holiday**: Labour Day, Monday, March 3.

- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, March 1 to Monday, March 3.

- **Notes**: Applies to Western Australia only.

3. March 8–10: Labour Day (Victoria)

- **Holiday**: Labour Day, Monday, March 10.

- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, March 8 to Monday, March 10.

- Applies to Victoria only.

4. April 18–20: Good Friday

- **Holiday**: Good Friday, Friday, April 18.

- **Long Weekend**: Friday, April 18 to Sunday, April 20.

- Notes: Observed nationwide.

5. April 19–21: Easter Monday

- **Holiday**: Easter Monday, Monday, April 21.

- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, April 19 to Monday, April 21.

- Observed nationwide. Combined with Good Friday, this often creates a four-day weekend (April 18–21) in most states.

6. April 25–27: Anzac Day

- **Holiday**: Anzac Day, Friday, April 25.

- **Long Weekend**: Friday, April 25 to Sunday, April 27.

- Observed nationwide. Always on April 25, regardless of the day of the week.

7. May 3–5: May Day (Northern Territory)

- **Holiday**: May Day, Monday, May 5.

- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, May 3 to Monday, May 5.

- Applies to Northern Territory only.

8. May 31–June 2: Western Australia Day (Western Australia)

- **Holiday**: Western Australia Day, Monday, June 2.

- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, May 31 to Monday, June 2.

- Applies to Western Australia only.

9. June 7–9: King’s Birthday (Most Regions)

- **Holiday**: King’s Birthday, Monday, June 9.

- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, June 7 to Monday, June 9.

- Observed in most states and territories (except Queensland and Western Australia, which celebrate it later).

10. August 2–4: Picnic Day (Northern Territory)

- **Holiday**: Picnic Day, Monday, August 4.

- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, August 2 to Monday, August 4.

- Applies to Northern Territory only.

11. September 27–29: King’s Birthday (Western Australia)

- **Holiday**: King’s Birthday, Monday, September 29.

- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, September 27 to Monday, September 29.

- Applies to Western Australia only. Date may vary slightly by proclamation.

12. October 4–6: King’s Birthday (Queensland)

- **Holiday**: King’s Birthday, Monday, October 6.

- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, October 4 to Monday, October 6.

- Applies to Queensland only.

13. October 4–6: Labour Day (ACT, NSW, SA)

- **Holiday**: Labour Day, Monday, October 6.

- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, October 4 to Monday, October 6.

- Applies to Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and South Australia only.

14. December 25–28: Christmas Day and Boxing Day

- **Holidays**: Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25; Boxing Day, Friday, December 26.

- **Long Weekend**: Thursday, December 25 to Sunday, December 28.

CREDITS:

This episode was brought to you by Church Suite

The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠

To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠

For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Support Reach Australia's online library