Over these last few years, I have been coaching quite a few pastors across Australia and a few overseas. It’s a privilege to come along side these church leaders from different denominations and contexts and offer them encouragement and advice in a wide range of aspects of personal ministry and church life.… Read the rest

The post How to Create a Culture of Generous Givers in Your Church appeared first on Mark Conner.

It’s the Christmas season! People are carefully selecting gifts for their loved ones, the air is filled with the sound of Christmas carols, bright Christmas lights sparkle each night, and many are looking forward to some time off with their family and friends.… Read the rest

The post The Christmas Season appeared first on Mark Conner.

The signs of Easter are all around us – cooler weather, school holidays, an upcoming long weekend, hot cross buns and extra church services to cater to people's faith which comes in all shapes and sizes. For many people, it is also a time to reflect on some important events that took place over 2,000 years ago – the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.… Read the rest

The post Easter Reflections appeared first on Mark Conner.

Well, Christmas 2016 is done and dusted. Now it’s time to prepare to enter a new year. During transitional seasons such as this, it’s always good to stop and do three things: Reflect, Review and Re-calibrate. 

Firstly, reflect on the year that is about to finish.… Read the rest

The post Are You Ready for the New Year? appeared first on Mark Conner.

Merry Christmas!

Last weekend, I participated in my final Christmas Carols production at the church where I have served for over 30 years. It was a fun time together – singing carols, listening to our amazing singers, musicians and creative teams inspire us, watching the bright-eyed children, and sharing about Jesus as THE gift we all need at Christmas. … Read the rest

The post Merry Christmas (2016) appeared first on Mark Conner.

I really enjoy the Christmas season. It's a time to enjoy family and friends, way too much delicious food, some time off and a reminder of God's greatest gift to our world – Jesus Christ.… Read the rest

The post What Would Jesus Say to Santa Claus? appeared first on Mark Conner.

 

At a Special General Meeting on 6th October, the CityLife members confirmed by an overwhelming majority the unanimous nomination by the Board of Elders of Andrew Hill as the next Senior Minister of CityLife Church (read my initial announcement about leadership transition back in February 2016, in case you missed that).

… Read the rest

The post Update on Mark and Nicole Conner appeared first on Mark Conner.

The post Jesus and His Mother appeared first on Mark Conner.

[Watch this message]

It’s Mother’s Day: a century-old tradition of taking time to thank and honour our amazing mums. Mums are special people we owe so much to – in addition to our very existence! Most mums are faithful, loyal, hard-working, loving and caring people.… Read the rest

The post Happy Mother’s Day (2016) appeared first on Mark Conner.

Can you believe it – it’s Easter Sunday! I know – it seems like we just finished celebrating Christmas. I heard one little boy once say, “Jesus was just born, are you telling me he’s died already?”

In many ways Easter is the second half of God’s Christmas gift.… Read the rest

The post Easter Sunday appeared first on Mark Conner.

Today is Good Friday, a day where people all around the world remember and reflect on the death of Jesus Christ that took place over 2,000 years ago.

Jesus’ death wasn’t an accident nor was he a martyr. His death was an atoning death by which he started to put the world back together again.… Read the rest

The post Good Friday Reflection appeared first on Mark Conner.

The post Announcement about Mark Conner’s Future appeared first on Mark Conner.

God is a God of new things. He has made us new creations, given us new hearts, a new spirit, a new covenant. We live in a new day; we have a new name; we have a new commandment; we’ve been given new garments; His mercies are new every morning; we drink of the new wine; we’re headed for a new Jerusalem and eventu­ally a new heavens and earth.… Read the rest

The post All Things NEW! appeared first on Mark Conner.

In a few days time, we'll be into a New Year – 2016. The year 2015 will be history – water under the bridge. At transition times like this between years, it's beneficial to pause, take some time aside and think about your life.… Read the rest

The post Getting Ready for the New Year appeared first on Mark Conner.

Usually around this time of the year, you'll hear some questions or comments from some well-meaning Christians such as:

• "Jesus was not born in December."
• "The Bible never tells us to celebrate the birth of Jesus."

… Read the rest

The post What to do with Christmas? appeared first on Mark Conner.