Notice: Location Change

The location for the 2020 GSC Think Tank Conference has been changed due to unforeseen circumstance.  The event will now be held at the Grand Royale Function Centre 51-61 South St Granville NSW 2142. See video below!

2020 Think Tank Promo

Mission2Sydney Think Tank

In seven months from now, over 400 delegates from 102 churches, companies, church plants and groups will come together to pray—seeking God’s leading.

 In 2018, participants of the first Biennial Greater Sydney Conference “Mission2Sydney Think Tank,” came up with five strategies to guide our Conference—which were then approved by vote at the Constituency Session a few months later. The five strategies were: 

• Raising the Spiritual Temperature
• Member Empowerment
• Community Engagement
• Growing Together
• Media Engagement

At the “2020 Think Tank,” to be held at the Grand Royale Function Centre in Granville from 14-15 February 2020, the delegates will be focusing on the following strategies:

• Community Engagement
• Growing Together 

Keynote Speakers

The Greater Sydney Conference has chosen three keynote speakers who will inspire, challenge and encourage us to think with fresh perspectives. Dr. Ruth Powell from NCLS Research will focus on Australian Churches and Community Engagement: Trends Over Time. Pastor Alina Van Rensberg from the South Queensland Conference will teach and share her passion for how we can invest in each other and Grow Together. Also, Mr Adam Johnston from Natural Church Development, Australia, will draw on research—explaining how our Conference looks in terms of growth and engagement.  

Delegates

Based on the size of your church membership, the Conference is inviting you to select a specific number of delegates (church members), to attend the “2020 Think Tank.” Churches with a membership under 50 are invited to send two (2) delegates, plus your pastor. Churches with a membership of 50 plus, are invited to send five (5) delegates, plus your pastor. It’s a requirement that at least one (1) of your delegates be under 30 years of age.

We’re looking for passionate church members with the following attributes:

• Visionary, Strategic Thinkers, Thought Leaders
• Youth, Church Planters, Senior Elders
• Evangelism Coordinators, Personal Ministries Leaders 

All delegates will be provided meals on Sabbath (breakfast and lunch). Meals will not be provided on Sunday.

Much was achieved in 2018 that guides today. What can we expect in 2020? 

Event Speakers

Dr Ruth Powell – “Australian Churches and Community Engagement”

Dr Ruth Powell is Director of NCLS Research, a research centre that focuses on church vitality and community spirituality and wellbeing. Ruth has worked with NCLS Research since 1991 and became Director in 2007. She also holds a position as Associate Professor and Research Fellow, Public and Contextual Theology Research Centre, Charles Sturt University, as well as Honorary Professor at Alphacrucis College. 

Major projects for NCLS Research include the five-yearly National Church Life Survey, which commenced in 1991 and forms the basis of one of the largest, most comprehensive databases on church life of its kind in the world. Ruth’s role involves managing research projects on both church and community life, as well as developing resources for local churches, denominational leaders and other community agencies. Her own primary research interests lie in assisting churches to reflect on their interaction with the wider Australian community. As well as church health, and tracking changes in church life over time, she has studied age differences and cultural diversity in churches, effective leadership, religiosity and spirituality in the wider community.

Alina van Rensburg – “Growing Together”

Alina is a Pastor who serves on the “Church Support & Development Team” for the South Queensland Conference, with a focus on Young Adults and engaging churches in the “Growing Young” paradigm.

Previously working as a Physiotherapist, Alina and her husband Martin have a passion for raising up the next generation as Spirit-filled disciple-makers. She loves to travel, spend time with family and explore new cafes with Martin in her spare time. ​

Adam Johnstone – “Natural Church Development”

Adam is one of the directors of Natural Church Development (NCD) International and Director of NCD Australia. In these roles, he has worked with Adventist Conferences around the world for over 15 years, helping them to release the potential God has placed within their churches. Adam is also the developer or co-developer of most of the NCD tools churches use to chart their way to better health and fruitfulness. He and his wife Melinda have even used those discipleship tools as part of nurturing their four children towards a robust and passionate life with God.

Map

Getting to Grand Royale Function centre

Conveniently serviced by bus, train and ferry services, the site was designed to cope effortlessly with high volumes of visitors.

Car

For those who plan to drive, there is no public parking onsite. Street parking 2P is available on Saturday morning until 12pm or a commuter car park at Granville Station. There are also two parking stations close the venue for patrons wanting to park in the area including:

• Commuter Car Park 1 (Rowell Street; near Granville Station) 
• Commuter Car Park 2(Factory Street; near Clyde Station)

As far as we understand, Commuter Car Park 1 is free of charge and available on a first-come-first-served basis. No cost information available at this time for Commuter Car Park 2.

Designated disability parking spaces

Parking spaces and signs that show the symbol for people with disabilities are for the use of vehicles displaying valid permits only.

Train

The closest station to the Grand Royale Function Centre is Granville Station, which is approximately a 1-minute walk from the venue. 

Bus

Regular bus routes also running to Granville Station and stopping within walking distance of the function centre include routes 906, M91 and S2. 

To find the route the best serves you, visit http://transportnsw.info. 

The address for Grand Royale Function Centre is 51-61 South St Granville NSW 2142.

Ferry

No ferry Stations.

To download and print public transportation information, see here.