Frequently Asked Questions.

If your question is not answered here please feel free to contact us.

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Why are you called Connect?

We are called Connect because we want to connect Christians with God’s word and each other.

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Why is Connect only targeting Asian churches?

Western churches may have similar needs to Asian churches, but there are a number of fantastic organisations that are already working towards meeting their training needs. Some examples include Ministry Training Strategy (MTS) and the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (AFES).
However, for various reasons, very few Asian Christians participate in MTS or AFES activities. Also, Asians face particular expectations, pressures and struggles as migrants straddling the Asian and Western cultures. Connect events will address the unique situations faced by Asians and help them see what the Bible has to say about their culture and traditions.

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I’m not Asian. Can I still come to Connect conferences?

Absolutely! Though Connect was set up to address the needs of Asian churches in Melbourne, if you think what we are doing will help support your ministry, then by all means, come along!

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I don’t think Connect is addressing the core needs of Asian churches. What should I do?

Please contact us. We would love to hear from you. We always want to adapt our program so that it meets the churches’ needs.

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My church normally plans a leaders’ retreat. Why should we go to Connect conferences?

It is fantastic that your church runs its own leaders’ retreat. We are not asking you not to go to that. However, we would like to encourage you and your church to consider coming along to Connect conferences as well. This is because you will not only have an opportunity to hear from world-class speakers, but also network with other church leaders in Melbourne.

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I’m concerned that you’ll steal our leaders for your own church. Will this happen?

Connect is not a church; it is an interchurch, inter-denominational organisation that supports churches by training and equipping leaders so that they can better serve at their home churches. The Connect committee members attend different churches and want to support the growth and maturity of all churches, not just their own.

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What is MAP and remote-MAP?

MAP stands for Ministry Apprenticeship Program. It is a two year pre-Bible College, ‘hands-on’ training program that aims to prepare people for full-time ministry in an Asian church. The program challenges apprentices to think through the many issues one will face in full-time ministry, encourages them in their spiritual growth and equips them with tools necessary to be able to grow others, the church and the work of the gospel. It also allows them to work out whether they are suitable for full-time ministry.
Remote-MAP allows a person to continue serving in their home church while working with a MAP trainer at one of the MAP training centres.

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Do you have a Statement of Belief?

Sure do. Connect upholds the fundamental truths of the Christian faith, including:

• The divine inspiration and infallibility of Holy Scripture as originally given and its supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
• The unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in the Godhead.
• The universal sinfulness and guilt of humanity since the fall, rendering men and women subject to God’s wrath and condemnation.
• The conception of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit and his birth by the Virgin Mary.
• Redemption from the guilt, penalty and power of sin only though the sacrificial death, as our representative and substitute, of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God.
• The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
• The necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit to make the death of Christ effective in the individual sinner, granting him or her repentance towards God, and faith in Jesus Christ.
• The indwelling and work of the Holy Spirit in the believer.
• The expectation of the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you have any questions about these beliefs, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Who is behind Connect?

The friendly faces behind connect are on the contacts page.

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How can I find out more about Connect?

Get in touch via the contact form on the contacts page.