Annual Congregational Meeting12th October 2025 | 12.00pm
Reforming our Plans and PrayersAnnual Report for the 12 month period
1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025
With grateful joyful thanks for everything the Lord has done, and praying for what He will do in and through Reforming Presbyterian Church.
Always Reforming
What happens at an Annual Congregational MeetingMinistry Reports
from the Session (Teaching Elder & Ruling Elders)
As another year passes, I am reminded that while man plans his way, the Lord establishes his steps. We seek to plan and look forward with hope to what God will do in and through us at Reforming Church, yet ACMs are also time to look back and give thanks for his provision and care.
As a Session, we are often so grateful for the many small and big blessings that our Lord gives us. New members, hearts turning to Christ, children trusting God more each day, newcomers welcomed and prayers answered to name a few.
What we’re on about at Reforming Church can be seen in the culture we strive towards shaping to be:
1) Of Christ
2) Caring
3) For change
1. Of all that we do and say among Reforming Church, our number one priority is to be about Christ. His message of good news, the gospel, for sinners like us. His Word that shapes and grows us by the Spirit. The hope that he is coming back again when all things will be put under his feet. So we want our lives to be lived in response to love for Christ, imitating him and pointing others to come to know the true joy that we have found ourselves. Where has Christ been at work in your life, for your glory and your joy this past year?
2. Because Christ has loved us, we want to love others. We want to keep growing into a church that cares for each other. Structures will help this happen, such as Elders’ Districts which are rolling out soon. More elders, leaders serving one another will help this. But the everyday one-anothering that all of our members get to take part in is where this truly shines. Where can you move towards someone among our church family and show care to them in small or larger ways?
3. Christ doesn’t just call disciples and expect them to remain unchanged. The Christian life is one of progressive growth (sanctification) where little by little we are being made into the image of Christ, we are becoming like our Father because we are truly children of Him. Our name “Reforming” continues to remind us that we are in a process of change. We need one another to change as we put sin to death and grow in the fruit of the Spirit. Where is Jesus calling you to change to put off sin and put on righteousness and who is praying for you in this?
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ continue to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think and to Him be the glory now and in our years to come! (Ephesians 3:14-21)
With love and prayer,
Rory Weightman (Session Clerk)
from the Staff (Pastoral Assistants)
Evangelism & Equipping
At Reforming Church we want to love Jesus, love his church, and love the lost. In order to do this better have had some focused ministry in these areas.
Evangelism
Because we value people coming to know the Lord Jesus, and because we want to keep encouraging us as a whole church to help this happen, we decided to focus our very first Reforming Weekend on the topic of Evangelism.
We gathered together at the North’s property on the Friday evening to hear some members of our church share their stories in how they came to know the Lord Jesus. On the Saturday we had sessions at Reforming House on the ‘What?, Who? and How?’ of evangelism led by Rory and myself, as well as hearing from our church on things they have been doing to help their friends, families, workmates and neighbors hear about Jesus. Then, after some fun times together on Saturday afternoon and evening, Russ preached to us on Sunday morning about the ‘Why?’ of Evangelism.
This year we also formed an Evangelism Team. One of the key things our team did was organize and run an evangelistic Family Fun Day just before Easter, to encourage people to check out Jesus. This included games for kids, a BBQ lunch, a short talk and an Easter Egg Hunt. A big thanks to everyone who helped out in different ways to make that event happen. We’d love to do something similar again next year.
Reforming also ran the 3 week short course ‘Hope Explored’ at Reforming House, (and we’re about to run this again) for people who are looking into Jesus. Hope Explored involves a short video, some discussion questions and a short study from Luke’s gospel, looking at the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and what it means for our lives. It was great to have people, both inside and outside of Reforming come along and investigate Jesus. Please be praying for unbelievers as we run this again.
Equipping
This year we launched a new podcast, ‘Cruciforming’, with associated in person brunch gatherings to discuss some of the topics discussed on the podcast. The podcast has so far involved, Russ, Aimee and myself sitting down to chat through different topics, but I’d love to potentially involve others in future. It has been difficult to organize a consistent and regular time to record this material. But Reforming is working on setting up a media room to help lean into this space in the future.
We’ve also had a Reforming Bookclub this year. We met in our August Cruciforming slot to discuss Paul Miller’s A Praying Life. I personally found the book both convicting and comforting, and valued being able to talk it through with others. We have plans to again chat through Kevin De Young’s Crazy Busy at our November Cruciforming Brunch.
Men’s Ministry
Because we changed the structure of our equipping ministry this past year it meant ceasing our regular monthly men’s breakfasts. We did however trial a ‘Friday Food Fire and Faith’ event where we looked at the topic of Friendship as men. This was a really positive evening where around 20 men gathered to encourage one another. It was great to see men spending time together sharing about important things and also hanging around afterward enjoying each other’s company.
My hope for the next year is that we might run similar men’s nights to this (i.e. a Friday Food Fire & Faith get together) perhaps once a quarter. With topics like Fatherhood or Facing Difficulty.
It has also been encouraging to see other informal men’s stuff happening in our church life such as our men’s poker nights. A big thanks to Josh Knott for initiating this.
And lastly, but certainly not least, a big thankyou to our great God for his faithfulness and provision over the past year.
Ryan Smith (Evangelism & Equipping Pastoral Assitant)
from the Staff (Pastoral Assistants)
Women & Children
Women and children are precious to Jesus and so our ministry to these groups is precious to Reforming! We aim to see women and children love Jesus, love the church and love the lost.
Playgroup
Psalm 96:2-3 – Sing to the LORD, bless his name: tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous works among all the peoples!
As we sing, craft and play we are proclaiming what Jesus has done to our community through playgroup. With 20+ families connected into this ministry we are seeing families welcomed to Reforming House in Jesus name. This year we have looked at different term themes such as: ‘On the Farm’ as we thread through Gospel stories such as the lost sheep or the prodigal son and the pigs!
We are praying to invite the Playgroup families to our end of year Christmas celebrations. Be ready to welcome and love them too!
I’m so thankful for the Reforming Playgroup Team: Lauren Bonora, Elissa Weightman & Heather North who serve alongside me to run Playgroup.
We would love to see this ministry grow as an intergenerational ministry. Would you be interested in joining to team?
Women’s Ministry
Proverbs 31:25-26
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Women’s ministry has had less ‘events’ this year but has certainly still been eventful! Here is what we have been up to:
- Craft nights > where new women and non-Christian friends are welcomed and becoming part of our community
- Conferences > WMV State conference on Hosea and Equip Women’s conference on Revelation. Reforming women love good Bible teaching
- Meals > for families with new babies or friends recovering for surgery.
- Study > The Thursday Women’s Bible is a growing and rich time of fellowship in the word.
- Plans > We are already expanding our Women’s Ministry team to see women equipped and empowered to live for Jesus. Watch out 2026!
I am so thankful for our team: Wendy Dynon, Mel Jones & Meg Wall for your support for Reforming Women this year. So thankful for the women also considering serving next year.
Children’s Ministry
Deuteronomy 6:7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you arise.
This year we have started some new things in Children’s ministry – a new curriculum and a church wide memory verse! This is because we want to see the whole church equipped and encouraged to be discipling children.
The Biggest Story Curriculum is a chronological and gospel rich kids program. It has GREAT videos which families can access as well as a podcast. We wanted to use a curriculum that families can walk with us through. You should check out their website.
Our church wide memory verse has been a HUGE source of encouragement and I pray will continue to grow intergenerational ministry as we seek to store up God’s word in our hearts together.
Thank you to our growing children’s ministry team who make little disciples here at Reforming. A special thank you to Rory Weightman, Mel Jones, Josh Knott, Ryan Smith, Nick Wall, Tanja Gouws & Emma Spink as you have served in lead teaching this year. Thank you also to those who have heard the call and joined the team this year!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Aimee Grinter (Women’s & Children’s Pastoral Assistant)
Youth
As always, it has been a fantastic privilege to be part of discipling the youth of Reforming Church this year. Each night consisted of fun activities such as Nerf wars, messy games, cooking competitions, and theatre sports, followed by a leader-run Bible study.
The games serve as a way to switch off from a week of school (or work), enjoy each other’s company, and build confidence and relationships.
Our Bible studies are pre-planned by the leaders, and from Terms One to Three we looked at the books of Ephesians and Jonah. With each passage we aim to discuss what God is saying to us through His Word, what it reveals about Jesus, and how we can apply it to our hearts and daily lives.
It has been a great encouragement to hear the wisdom and knowledge of our leaders as they facilitate these discussions. Even more so, we have loved hearing and seeing the growth of our youth as they read and engage with God’s Word.
In Term Four we will be studying Life with Jesus: Youth Edition – A Discipleship Course for Teens by Tim Chester and Katy Morgan, which includes twelve Bible-focused sessions on the basics of being a Christian. Some topics include Empty Hands: Exploring Grace, Part of the Family: Exploring Church, and Root and Branch: Exploring Our Union with Christ.
We also welcomed Annika Trinidad to our youth leader team this year. She has been a great encouragement and a valuable addition.
Finally, we facilitated the Presbyterian Youth Victoria (PYV) ‘Big Day Out’, which saw around fifty youth from across the state come to Reforming House for a day of games and activities, group Bible studies, and a talk by PYV leader Nick Attrill.
We have been greatly encouraged in the youth ministry this year and look forward to another year of Christ-centred discipleship by his Word.
Grace to you,
Aaron Pagliaro, on behalf of the Youth Leaders:
Nick Wall, Mel Jones, Annika Trinidad, Katie Pagliaro
Mission Partners
CU Bendigo
(Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students)
At Bendigo CU our mission statement is to 'Uncover Jesus Together'. We want to Know Him Ourselves, Love Him Deeply, Share Him With Others, and Live For Him On Campus. Our regular on campus activities include our weekly bible talks, triplets, training, 121s, and our weekly prayer gathering. At our bible talks this year we have looked at Mark's gospel in semester 1, and Exodus in Semester 2. In our triplets, students have been doing studies in Mark and Philippians.
We've also held a number of camps across the year. We had our Kick off Camp where we unpacked Hebrews 10, Mid Year Conference in Halls Gap (with students from Ballarat and Geelong) on the God Who Guides, a Girls Getaway (Titus) and Blokes Camp (Ecclesiastes) and have plans to head away to Canberra in December for our annual National Training Event with students from all around Australia. NTE is an event where students are Trained in the Gospel, Transformed by the Gospel, and Sent with the Gospel to partner with local churches around the country and share Jesus. Bendigo has plans to send two mission teams this year (one to Boort, and one to Gundagai).
As for regular evangelistic activity on campus, the uni has had fortnightly Midweek markets where we have had a stall and generally have a question to help engage students in discussions about Jesus. We've run a training course this semester on answering tough questions to help students both pray for their unbelieving friends and family and be helped to have conversations with them about Jesus. We've had a lot of non-Christians come along to check out Jesus and a couple give their lives to Christ. Praise God! And we've just recently elected our new student committee for next year (which includes a student from Reforming).
If you'd like to hear more about the work of CU on campus this year, we have our annual CU celebration coming up on Saturday October 25th and we'd love to have you join us!
Ryan Smith, on behalf of CU Bendigo
Mission Partners
Michael and Jemima McNair
Presbyterian Inland Mission | Mt Magnet/Mid West (WA)
Mt Magnet ministry is one that you go down hot dry outback dirt roads, Physically and spiritually. The hope is in God and His power to save from a people from every nation tongue and tribe. Despite what might seem dry and resistant. He is the one that can give life to dry bones
Since arriving, one week is with PIM and one week is with Gospelair. The work here has been slowly settling in and becoming known in town and among the surrounding communities. We have fortnightly services and bible study with dinner to grow fellowship. Church membership / attendance has shifted with the rotation of new people in town for school, police, nursing post roles.
I regularly visit the local senior’s centers and the youth center in town building relationships; we have had a few good conversations in town in which one resulted in them coming to church. We have been able to visit a few stations that we were invited to, which was a real blessing for us and we hope also for them.
Every second week is with Gospelair, that take me to the surrounding communities to teach Christian Values Education in the schools.
We went on country with the local indigenous community on Naidoc week spent time with one of the community elders who shared their story of how they grew up on one of the missions.
Jemima has got a job in the school, working as a school officer, which has helped greatly in getting to know the community.
We thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for your Partnership with us in here in Mt Magnet and your generous gifts and pray that He continues to bless all in your congregation, that they continue to grow in Grace and knowledge, walking in every good work that He has prepared for you all. That your joy be full in Him and serving for His Glory.
God willing, we will be here for the long term and that you continue with us in prayer. With any hostile environment growth is slow, but that is the growth that we want solid sound by the Holy Spirit of God. That we continue to sow the seed and see that which has been already planted grow. The soil is hard and dry, but He is one who gives increase. 1 Corinthians 3:7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
Grace and Peace in Christ Jesus
Michael and Jemima
ACM 2025 Agenda1. Constitution of our meeting through prayer, after reading 1 Chronicles 29:10-14.
2. Apologies:
Present – Reforming Members (Communicant Members and Adherents), please sign the attendance sheet.
Draft Motion: It was resolved that the Congregation sustain the apologies listed.
3. Minutes of Congregational Meetings
Draft Motion: It was resolved that the Congregation confirm the minutes of the 2024 Annual Congregational Meeting, 13th October 2024.
Draft Motion: It was resolved that the Congregation confirm the minutes of the Special Congregational Meeting, 18th May 2025.
4. Ministry Reports
(For our reading and encouragement, and prayer)
Session (Elders) Report
Pastoral Staff Reports:
Teams & Training Coordinator: Ryan Smith
Women’s & Children Coordinator: Aimee Grinter
Youth Group Report
5. Annual Report of the Board of Management
(For formal reception, and then approval for adoption)
Board Secretary’s Report
1. Draft Motion: It was resolved that the Congregation receive the annual report of the Board of Management for the year ended 30 June.
2. Questions of the report, and following discussion.
3. Draft Motion: It was resolved that the Congregation approve and adopt the annual report of the Board of Management for the year ended 30 June.
6. Consider the audited financial statement of accounts of 2024–25
(For formal reception, and then approval for adoption)
Board Treasurer’s Report (on behalf of the Treasury Team)
1. Draft Motion: It was resolved that the Congregation receive the audited financial statement of accounts, noting the auditor’s report.
2. Questions of the report, and following discussion.
3. Draft Motion: It was resolved that the Congregation approve and adopt the audited financial statement of accounts as the record of the financial year of 2024-25.
7. Terms of Settlement for 2025–26
1. Draft Motion: It was resolved that the Congregation give authority to the Board of Management to vary terms of settlement of the Minister (Rev. Russ Grinter) in line with the recommendations approved by the Commission of the General Assembly of Victoria.
2. Draft Motion: It was resolved that the Congregation give authority to the Board of Management to vary the terms of conditions for Pastoral Staff (Ryan Smith and Aimee Grinter), in line with the recommendations approved by the Commission of the General Assembly of Victoria.
8. Budget for 2025–26
Board Treasurer’s Board Treasurer’s Report (on behalf of the Treasury Team)
1. Draft Motion: It was resolved that the Congregation receive the 2025-26 budget as approved by the Board of Management.
2. Questions of the 2025-26 budget
3. Draft Motion: It was resolved that the Congregation adopt the 2025-26 budget for the current financial year.
9. Appointment of Auditor(s)
Draft Motion: It was resolved that the Congregation have authority be given to the Board of Management to appoint auditors for 2025–26
10. Number of Board Managers
Draft Motion: It was resolved that there be no change is required to the number of managers on the Board of Management.
10. Closing our meeting in prayer, with praise to God
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
from the Board Secretary
Managers: Cameron Spink (Secretary), Dave North (Treasurer), Mel Jones, Nick Wall, Jobrian Trinidad, Aaron Pagliaro
Elders: Rory Weightman, Cameron Clare, Ryan Smith
Chairman: Rev. Russ Grinter
The Board of Management is pleased to provide an update on the continued work being undertaken across our church facilities, with a particular focus on small improvements to the front playspace and the exciting progress toward the development of a new media room.
The front playspace is a place where families and children can gather, and in recent months we have invested in upgrades to make it more inviting, practical, and family-friendly. One of the key additions includes work towards the installation of a new permanent BBQ which will hopefully be completed soon.
Alongside the BBQ, further landscaping, safety improvements, and general fit outs have been steadily implemented, ensuring that the space is not only functional but also welcoming to all who use it. These works reflect our desire to create spaces that foster connection and belonging. The Board continues to view the playspace as an important hub for relational ministry, and we are committed to ongoing improvements as resources allow.
At the same time, significant progress has been made in establishing our new media room, which has been carefully designed with the future needs of our ministry in mind. A central focus of this development has been the construction and installation of acoustic panelling, ensuring the room is purpose-built to achieve high-quality sound recording. Once complete, the media room will provide a dedicated space for recording regular podcasts, teaching resources, and other digital media that will enable our message to reach beyond the walls of the church. This initiative recognises the growing importance of digital ministry and seeks to extend the gospel into homes, workplaces, and communities far and wide.
Looking ahead, the Board is also actively considering new projects across the church site, guided by both our mission priorities and the resources entrusted to us. None of this work would be possible without the faithful and generous support of the congregation. Your ongoing tithing and financial contributions have enabled these current developments and will be vital in ensuring the success of future projects.
We wish to express our deep gratitude for your continued support and encourage you to give generously, confident that every contribution helps us expand our capacity to serve God, care for one another, and make a lasting impact in the community around us.
Cameron Spink, Secretary of the Board of Management
Our God-given Generosity
The Audited Financial Statement of Accounts of 2024-25
Treasury Team: Dave North (Treasurer), Mel Jones, Cameron Spink
One of the instructions given in 1 Thessalonians 5 is to “give thanks in all circumstances”. We are thankful to our Lord for his faithfulness in the year to 30th June 2025 - that he covered all our financial needs.
From the Statements attached you will see that we has a slight surplus of just over $2,000. Our income was about $9,000 below budgeted income. Our expenses were also about $9,000 below budgeted expenses - so all our needs were met!
This financial year the outdoor playspace was completed - and we are so thankful for that area and ministry that can occur with that space. We are working on further improvements, and where we can will try to fund them with the existing budget (like the new cafe tables).
The board has budgeted for an increase in giving of 3.22% above last years budget - with a slightly higher proportion online and less in cash offerings. This is based on cost increases including wages (most Australian wages increased 3-3.5%) and an increase to manse allowance - which has not changed for a number of years.
We are thankful for the faithfulness shown in giving by the congregation - and we pray that each of you each year will prayerfully consider your financial giving. We ask you to pray for the Treasury Team and Board to be faithful, wise and courageous.
Any queries - please see Mel or Cameron for payments and Dave for Xero accounting / report queries.
Dave, Mel and Cameron
