COC Australia Vision Statement - This is the movement we belong to

We see a strong, growing movement of churches united around a common purpose of multiplying healthy churches to see Australians come to Christ and developing them into leaders who impact their communities. We see healthy pastors leading healthy churches, open to necessary change and where wise input is welcomed and even sought. We see churches where spiritual passion and pro-active process march side by side, where prayer and structure stand together and creativity and innovation are honoured. We see churches where emerging leaders are valued and where church multiplication is the “all by itself” outcome of our health strategies.  http://www .cocinternational.org/

Our Vision

Give every Aussie the chance to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ

Our Mission

Win the Lost, Make Disciples, Empower Leaders and Multiply Healthy Churches to reach Australia for Christ.

Our local Churches are central to this Mission. Our aim is to build healthy local Churches that:

• reach the local community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• raise up and empower the next generation of leaders
• develop and release people into their God-given potential
• demonstrate cultural relevance in their expression of worship and practical Christianity.

Our movement seeks to multiply itself at every level, leading to more and healthier people, groups, ministries, leaders and churches for a greater harvest across our nation and beyond. www.coc.org.au/

The Local Church - Plenty Valley Church

Mission Statement
(Mission: The main thing we do.)

"To help each person find a personal relationship with Christ and develop into a strong Christian who reaches others…Multiply yourself."

The Heartbeat of Plenty Valley Church

At this church you will find:

• An encounter with God that will change your life forever.
• A passion to live for the glory of God.
• That we are very serious about helping people find faith in Jesus Christ.
• That we promote health in the individual, family and the church.
• That the members are active in the community to love and serve people.
• That we see God multiply disciples, leaders and churches.

Vision of Plenty Valley Church
(the vision – the clear picture of the preferred future)

We see…

• A large church of active believers loving each other in practical ways
• A multi-ethnic, multi-age congregation respecting each other and working together.
• A church that disciples people leading them to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ
• A church where members are passionate about reaching their loved ones and neighbours with this message of the gospel.
• A church where believers are discipled effectively so that they become disciple-makers.
• A wide variety of small groups where believers pray, worship, use their gifts, care for each other, are apprenticed in leadership, and integrate new people.
• A place where leadership development is prioritized. Leaders are trained, coached and empowered in the call of God on their lives.
• A church planter’s school focusing on the development of people for the ministry, and the planting of churches in Melbourne, Victoria and further.
• Purchase of land and the building of church facilities that cater for the church needs and community service.Regular church development conferences, resourcing the state and nationally inside and outside of COC
• A campus of Christian Heritage College (CHC), our own Christian University based in Brisbane.

Values
Love, relationships, unity

• Love God – We go after genuine intimacy with God
• Love one another -  We choose not to take offence, displaying covenant relationships
• Love People far from God – We love others outside the kingdom.

Truth

• We seek the Spirit of Truth
• We value and initiate accountability
• Integrity means living the message

Growth

• We value spiritual growth and transformation

Purpose

• Purpose and vision over preference

Excellence

• We value excellence of attitude

Ownership

• Ownership through stewardship

Relevancy

• We value being relevant

How then should we live as a member of Plenty Valley Church?

Our actions show that God is worthy of our very best.

God is worthy of every praise and honour and glory. He is almighty, benevolent and merciful. In reaching out in love toward us He has shown how wonderful and worthy He is. Therefore we do not serve Him for what we can gain but because He is so worthy. He deserves the obedience and love of His creation. All our purpose and motivation is to work for the Glory of God.  (2 Cor 4:5-7)

Our actions show that every person, Christian and non-Christian alike, is valuable to God and to His Kingdom.

Because people are eternally valuable to God, they are to us as well. Responsible evangelism will always be our cause and ongoing discipleship will always be the core of the ministry.  (Mt. 18:14; Mt. 25:40; 2Pt.3:9)

Our actions show that we love people who are not Christians yet.

Our work in reaching them with the gospel means loving people unconditionally and serving them. As we pray for them and begin the discipleship journey with them, we show them their need for Christ. We help each one see their real "lostness" outside of Christ. Every person coming to Christ must experience repentance and exercise faith in Chrst to be saved.

Go ye therefore and make disciples, teaching them all I have commanded you. (Matt 28:19) So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord; (Act 3:19)

Our actions show that the most effective evangelism happens through a process of sharing testimony, presenting the gospel and discipling through to the place of becoming a disciple-maker.

Decisions are not sought but disciples, and we value the work of the Holy Spirit in creating opportunities for all of us to share our testimonies often. Then sharing the gospel as above and staying with the new believer until they become proficient at winning someone else to Christ builds multiplication in to soul winning (Pr. 11:30; Matt 28:19; Jude 1:23; 2 Tim 2:2; )

Our actions show that we value prayer as a vital expression of our relationship with God.

Believers that are serious about living authentic Christian lives are involved in personal and corporate prayer. We engage in praise and worship of God in fellowship with Him. We also engage in intercession and spiritual warfare to produce kingdom outcomes by faith.  (Matt 21:13, 22; Acts 1:14; Acts 6:4; Eph 6:18)

Our actions show that "doing church as a team" is God's design for effective ministry.

A Spirit-empowered serving with the willing hearted involvement of every person is vital to God's plan being accomplished.  (Eccl. 4:9-12; Ps. 133:1; Eph. 4:11-16; 1Pt. 2:4-9)

Our actions show that every member should commit to a lifestyle of consistent spiritual growth with honest accountability.

A genuine love for God is always the first priority. Every Christian should yearn for continual spiritual growth. Therefore, discipleship through cell groups, connect groups with accountability, and open honesty is critical to maturing in our faith.  (Mk. 12:29-31; Acts 2:44-47; 1Pt. 2:2; 1Tm. 4:7, 8; Prov. 27:17)

Our actions show that every member is a minister who has been given gifts to be discovered, developed, and deployed.

We are a gift-based, volunteer driven church. Each believer will find his greatest joy and fulfillment when serving in his spiritual gifts and passion. Every believer is created for ministry, gifted for ministry, authorized for ministry, and needed for ministry.  (Mk. 10:45; Eph. 2:10; Ro 12; 1Cor. 12:14-20)

Our actions show that we attend church regularly and bring in the tithe and offerings as part of our expression of unity and worship.

In a world of consumer mentality we shun a lack of loyalty and commitment and realize we must not forsake the gathering. Our generosity breaks the love of money as we give whole heartedly the Lord’s work. (Heb 10:25; 2 Cor 9:7; Luke 11:42)

Our actions show that genuine love and caring relationships are key to the life of every endeavour.

Refusing to give audience to a spirit of complaining, we will instead be courageous in solving every problem in a way that honours God and builds biblical character. We value healthy relationships by protecting the unity of the Spirit in our church.
(Jms. 1:2, 3; 1Pt. 3:8, 9; 1Cor. 13:8; Ro. 16:17; Eph. 4:3)

Our actions show we identify and train emerging leaders who are fully committed to Christ and who will reach their generation with the Gospel.

God is raising up men and women who will take the baton of godly character, authentic faith, and servant-hearted leadership into the next generation.

(2Tm. 2:2; 1 Tm. 3:1; Titus 1:5-9; Ps. 78:6, 7)

The Leadership Team

Senior Pastors:
Craig and Chris Anderson

Craig – D.O.B.  1957. Born again 1977 in COC In Brisbane. Graduated Bach of Eng.(El ec) 1979. Employed at COC Brisbane from 1980 as youth leader, then pastoral roles including Executive pastor over 50 Staff. Planted COC Plenty Valley 1994. Trained through COC Ministry Training Institute. Chris - D.O.B. 1957. Born again 1977 in COC In Brisbane. Graduated Dip Teach 1978. Employed at COC School Brisbane from 1979 as primary teacher, then pastoral roles with Craig. Planted COC Plenty Valley 1994. Trained through COC Ministry Training Institute.

Associate Pastors:
John and Marita Matthews

John – D.O.B. 1967. Born again 1983 in COC Box Hill. Former Building Manager commenced serving on staff in COCPV November 2004. Trained through COC Ministry Training Institute. Marita – D.O.B. 1972. Born again 1983 in Sale.   Child and aged care background before serving on staff since November 2004. Trained at COC Bible College in Brisbane – Diploma in Ministry.

Associate Pastors:
AJ & Bronnie Masefau

AJ – D.O.B.  Born again at Citipointe COC church in Brisbane. . Trained through COC Bible College in Brisbane.  Currently serving in two chapliancies in Melbourne. Bronnie – D.O.B.  Born again in Citipointe COC in Brisbane.   Bronnie is an Interior Designer and is serving in the vision team and with  business ministry in this local church.

Church Oversight as at January 2010.
(Spiritual Eldership)

Pastor Craig and Chris Anderson
Pastor John and Marita Matthews
Pastors AJ and Bronnie Masefau

Demographic Leaders as at January 2010.
(Focussed on growing the church)

Troy Picone

Daniel Power

Ross and Kim Parker

David and Karen Landeman

Level 1 leaders - Core Leaders
(Leaders of small groups and ministry teams)

Discipleship/Cell Leaders

Craig Anderson..........Epping - Disc Group - Fortnighly

Eric Ponn ...................Mill Park - Disc Grp - Fortnightly

Kim Parker..................Playgroups Tues.
Prem Curtis................Mill Park - Urban Edge- Thurs Nights Discipleship Group
Esther Stewart............Thomastown -  Friday PM fortnighly Discipleship Group      
David & Karen Landeman Doreen- Discipleship Group Thursday PM
Ross & Kym Parker...Whittlesea - Saturday Discipleship group
Bob Ireland ................FinanceCommittee

Ministry Group Leaders

Craig Anderson ...... Business Breakfast
AJ Masefau ..............Alliance VIC (Kids, Youth, Young Adults)  Music Team
Gordon & Krysia Patterson   Stewards team

Troy Picone  .............Kid Town 

Life in the Plenty Valley Church

We pray that your life in the church here is an exciting journey of knowing God in a deeper way and finding your place in serving God using your gifts to see the Kingdom extended and lives changed.We pray that you will come to feel a place of belonging where you have established healthy relationships with other believers in the church. We would love to see that these relationships move through the phases of growth from acquaintance to unconditional love and forgiveness.

Your journey may include some of these important milestones.

Salvation, Baptism in water, and Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

DNA class – This helps you to discover the vision of the church and also to discover your gifts and calling. From this information you can find a place of serving in God’s kingdom in this local church. Where do you fit? How can you serve in the local church? Not just inside the four walls but also in the community being Christ to others.Sunday services – These meetings are the time when the vision of the church is clearly spoken. It is a time of corporate worship where faith combines as we unify our prayer and worship to touch God and see prayer answered. It is also the time of equipping where believers can be resourced to do life well and grow in our example of the Christ-like life we are all called to. When we come on Sundays we bring in the tithe, the first tenth of our income, and offerings. This is an expression of obedience to God and an acknowledgement that we are stewards of His resources. People of faith long to see His kingdom expanded and give generously so that the vision God has given us can move forward. Until we are committed financially we can’t say God has our whole heart as the bible says, Mat 6:21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Missing occasionally is normal in the course of a year but becoming occasional in attendance sends a clear message to your kids and others that the Kingdom of God is on the bottom of the priority order.Discipleship groups – When you find a group to belong to, you get to do life with some other believers where you can build Godly relationships, grow in maturity, and use your gifts. In groups you can reach out to new people in a team environment so that we see people come to Christ. Many aspects of a healthy Christian life cannot be accessed in Sunday services only. The group is where we have time to build trust, share our feelings and have our personal needs met. It’s a place of giving and receiving for everyone. Connect groups – These groups are when 2 or 3 members meet together weekly or fortnightly for one hour to pray and discuss what they are reading in the bible. They meet at any time mutually convenient for the 2 or 3 attenders. They discuss two questions.

1. What is God’s word saying to you at this time?
2. What are you going to do about it?

They then pray for unsaved friends and think about how they can reach out to them. Each group is then encouraged to SMS pastor John and say “We just had our Connect Group”

Be Trained – If as a believer you have completed DNA then your next step of training and development   is to attend our Growing Up module. This training module goes for 4 weeks also and gives you the 4 key strategies to ensure that you continue to grow as a believer all your Christian life. Here is a diagram of our training pathway that you can take a journey on and continue to develop your life in God. It is our hope that you take full advantage of these opportunities.

To listen to our messages goto http://www.pvc.podomatic.com/