AFES
Wednesday, 19 November, 2003
Philip made a comment on my last post that reminded me that not everyone knows what the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (AFES) actually does. You could just follow the link to find out but I'll tell you anyway. AFES is the national organisation that oversees a lot of the evangelical student groups on universities around Australia. It is part of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students which originally grew out of the student movement in England (I think). Head office coordinates the payment of salaries and the organisation of the national conference that occurs at the end of each year. All staffworkers, however, are expected to raise their own support. All money goes towards a central pool out of which staffworkers are paid. So AFES are committed paying Ben $x for the year. But if Ben raises more than this, the surplus goes to paying someone who hasn't been able to raise as much. Fundraising, therefore, is very much a team effort. If everyone is able to raise more than enough to support themselves, the surplus gets stored in reserve funds which are saved for a rainy day, or perhaps used to subsidise students who cannot otherwise afford to attend Mid Year Conference or National Training Event. However, this year AFES has hit something of a crisis as two major areas (Melbourne and Perth) have been unable to raise enough funds to support themselves. It is not that they are getting paid any more than we are in Wollongong and it is not that they are doing less than we are. It is just that people are not supporting them financially. As a result, AFES is not meeting budget and the reserve funds are now all gone. Staffworkers, realising the burden that they are placing on AFES, have started ringing up asking AFES not to give them their salaries anymore, and then gone on working without pay. They are really living by faith; I cannot imagine doing that. What does a staffworker do in this sort of position? Well it varies from campus to campus but the main goal of a staffworker's work is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus on campus, encourage Christians to grow in the likeness of Christ, training Christians in ministry skills, and to teach the Bible faithfully according to AFES' doctrinal statement. This may look like leading Bible studies (in faculty groups, language groups or residential college groups); preaching; running training courses in evangelism, following up new Christians, leading Bible study groups, etc.; sharing the gospel with strangers; meeting up with students one-on-one to read the Bible and pray; administration; writing articles; organising campus missions; maintaining websites, etc. Most of the major campuses have a senior staffworker or two who heads up a team of MTS trainees (people who want to be trained in ministry who wish to see whether it's something they could do full-time and in what capacity). So, at Wollongong, we have Evangelical Christian Union. The two senior staffworkers on campus are Richard and Matthew. Shaun also joins us part-time and works part-time at St. Michael's. Currently, there are three full-time MTS boys, three full-time MTS girls and four part-time MTS girls. And there's Phillip who does part-time administration for us. That makes 14 staff. Together we look after students (undergraduate and postgraduate) in 9 faculties and 4 of the university's residential colleges. Oh, and there's also an academic staff Bible study group. Part-time staff don't have to raise their own support—the idea being that, because they're part-time, they work part-time to support themselves. One might ask at this stage why not have everyone working part-time as it would solve the cashflow problem. The answer is that working part-time and doing ministry part-time is not ideal; it is preferable to do ministry full-time you can. This is because part-time work and part-time ministry is more exhausting, more demanding on your time, more demanding emotionally (switching gears all the time) and, I would argue, less effective. (I feel like I can authoritatively say all this given that I'm doing it now.) Anyway, I think I don't have to justify why AFES staffworkers should be financially supported by other people; I think Paul does that quite satisfactorily in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. If God's plan for the world is to unite all things under Christ (Ephesians 1:10), then it makes sense to be spending one's life working with him to achieve this goal. And it also therefore makes sense to pay other people who are highly capable to do it so that they are not burdened with the necessity of having to earn their own way. But I am recrossing previously trodden ground. Here endeth this post.
Current:
seen: Moon 15/10/2009
read: The Incredibles 11/10/2009
seen: She's the Man 05/10/2009
read: I Kill Giants (Joe Kelly and J. M. Ken Niimura) 04/10/2009
read: Astro City The Dark Ages Book 1: Brothers and Other Strangers (Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson and Alex Ross) 04/10/2009
seen: Children of Men 02/10/2009
seen: Metric (The Metro) 30/09/2009
seen: 500 Days of Summer 25/09/2009
seen: The September Issue 18/09/2009
seen: Gilmore Girls: Season 1 17/09/2009
read: Flight (Volume 1) (edited by Kazu Kibuishi) 16/09/2009
seen: Ponyo 11/09/2009
read: Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? (Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert) 05/09/2009
heard: Aimee Mann (Enmore Theatre) 04/09/2009
heard: Ben Folds Solo (Opera House) 31/08/2009
read: Phonogram: Rue Britannia (Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie) 26/08/2009
seen: Northanger Abbey 20/08/2009
read: The Princess Diaries (Meg Cabot) 18/08/2009
seen: The Phantom of the Opera 17/08/2009
seen: Who Framed Roger Rabbit? 10/08/2009
seen: District 9 10/08/2009
read: Shortcomings (Adrian Tomine) 02/08/2009
read: AIR Volume 1: Letters from Lost Countries (Willow Wilson and M.K. Perker) 28/07/2009
seen: Persepolis 25/07/2009
seen: Ghost Town 25/07/2009
heard: Gutter Twins (Seymour Centre) 23/07/2009
seen: Coco Avant Chanel 20/07/2009
seen: Gutenberg! The Musical (Seymour Centre) 16/07/2009
seen: So You Think You Can Dance? Australia Live Tour (Sydney Entertainment Centre) 11/07/2009
seen: Every Little Step 07/07/2009
seen: Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen 03/07/2009
seen: Synecdoche, New York 30/06/2009
seen: Charlie's Angels 27/06/2009
seen: Penelope 26/06/2009
seen: Coraline 10/06/2009
seen: The Sky Crawlers 08/06/2009
seen: The Bourne Ultimatum 07/06/2009
seen: The Bourne Supremacy 07/06/2009
seen: The Bourne Identity 06/06/2009
seen: Stick it 05/06/2009
Comment:
Congratulations again 
Don’t laminate your ultrasound picture That is my advice.
Congratulations! This is so fantastic!
Thanks so much for sharing all of this… people swap engagement stories but rarely pregnancy stories! And it’s kind of similar don’t you think, all this excitement leading up to a big day!
So happy for you guys! Actually never been more excited for anyone except my sister! I think it’s because I think that you will both be amazing parents and love the idea that someone could grow up in your family.
Looking forward to many more posts on the topic.
Lovely news, Karen.
Thanks everyone! I will be sure to ask for help when I need it!
Great pic!! Peanut is cute! :D
Praying for you all!
xx
:D
I had a similar sort of morning sickness.. except I threw up! I’m suitably impressed that you coped OS.. that must have been tough.
It sounds like you’re doing marvelously otherwise!
Book recommendation on something a bit less technical and a bit more human: ‘Birth’ http://www.birthnet.com.au/
Praise be to God indeed! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
Congratulations, Beilharzen! Welcome to the slightly-bewildering world of pregnancy (and birth...and children...). God has blessed you greatly with this new life. We’ll be praying for Peanut’s growth and development, and for you guys as you prepare.
I’m sure you’re surrounded by baby veterans, but always happy to help with books/advice/recommendations/listening.
B&L;
Excellent job Karen! You SHOULD be pleased with yourself!
Have you discovered http://www.ravelry.com ? It is an excellent site with thousands of free patterns in its database, lots of support, tips, forums etc and of course - friends like me? Look me up when you get there - fionag77
PS Are you just wearing a bulky dress or are you sporting a bump under that dress?
oooh.... It’s done and it looks great on you! xxx
Well done on all that hard work! It looks great and will be very snuggly come winter!
Thanks for letting me know, Timo!
Hi there,
Thanks for pointing out the shortcoming on our website. I’ll pass it on to my colleagues and hopefully it will be rectified soon.
The documentary at Fashioning Now was by Holly Kaye-Smith; I’d be more than happy to put you in touch with her if you’d like.
Again, thanks for the comment, much appreciate it!
Kind regards,
Timo Rissanen
Thanks Mark! Much appreciated!
Rich survey, Karen. Particularly I was struck by the notion of Jesus being clothed with our sins. I heard recently somebody suggest the crown of thorns was a kings crown but it was made of the symbol of the curse in the Garden - thorns. I would like to read your thoughts about Joseph’s coat of many colours.
Looking forward to the next installment. Regards,Mark
It is lovely - and looks great on you.
You’ve made me want to read it - though I may need an interpreter at times!
Well done with the sewing!
I think it looks good - very relaxed and spring-y.
Hey Sandra! Thanks for the tip! I read it yesterday, but I struggled a bit because Lewis doesn’t start from the Bible. I wasn’t convinced by his argument. What did you think?
Interesting post Karen - Thanks
I like the ending too! :D
xxx
Fantastic post, Karen. Just great. Thanks!
Thanks Bec! Eternal life just keeps getting better and better ...
I do like the way you ended this post - excellent thought.
Personally I don’t feel that way. Maybe that’s something you should blog about?
Wow. Lots of things to pick up on there. It’s been interesting to see the changes to your blog these last 6-12 months: Twitter is certainly more immediate, but are there (gasp) downsides to having its constant buzz in the ear?
Is our (already fractured) ability to concentrate on a single relationship at a time further jeapordised by the regular buzz of tweetdeck (and worse yet, by the imagined sense of loss that goes with being off the grid)?
Or am I just projecting my own fears?
Hi Karen!
If you’re still thinking about this… I just read CS Lewis’s essay “Learning in War-time” which exactly addresses this issue (ie. how can we justify cultural & aesthetic pursuits when people are going to hell around us?). Have you read it? i’d be interested to hear what you think..
(i have it in his little volume “Transposition and other Addresses”, but it’s easily findable online)
I’m doing my own series on the trials and tribulations of writing on my own blog here http://sedshed.blogspot.com/search/label/From%20Head%20to%20Hand
It’s coming along slowly
Coincidentily, I stumbled upon the above Phonogram vs. the Fans cover when digging around for ID concepts for Salt. A disturbingly brilliant image.
Thanks Karen. At the very least, this post gives some context to your myriad of phonogram tweets. At best, it has reinvigorated my stagnated appreciation of comics.
Seriously, though 4,549 words. Is that the best you can do? I say, longer!
Hey @RodeoClown! Yes, I neglected to mention Gillen writes about gaming. Guan said once he had the ideal job: writing, comics and games.
As far as I know, McKelvie doesn’t trace photos; he just draws (so talented ...)
You should give Phonogram a try. Be warned, though: series 1 is a little different to series 2—still clever but there are some things that are a bit strange in it if you’re not used to the fantastic.
Whoops, I stuffed up that link, sorry.
It was to Rock Paper Shotgun where he writes (he also has a standalone blog as well.
I didn’t know Gillen wrote comics until I saw the last phongram reference you made on here. It’s odd as I only knew of him as a videogame jounalist (which he is also really good at).
I read the sample issue of phonogram they have up at the Image comics (I think) site.
It looked pretty interesting - I like the subtlety involved in telling the story - the references aren’t all forciby thrust into your brain by the writer.
Do you know if the art is done by tracing photos or just dtawn?
I certainly don’t understand enough about pop music to really get that comic series, but I’m glad you’ve shared how you came to appreciate comics.
I’d say go and make some short comics. Seems like it will make the longer stuff easier to put together.
You’re right. I don’t really understand. But I do so love reading your writing. It’s like you’re speaking inside my head and excitedly telling me something.
Thanks Sarah! Feel free to share your own thoughts on the subject.
I’m a Christian, I’m a writer (well, I’m working on my first novel which is nearing completion) and I felt your post so PERFECTLY captured the dilemmas I’ve been thinking about.
KAREN!!!! it looks so amazing!!! i cant believe how beautiful it is. Everyone at work is just amazed at how talented you are. I’ll get in contact with you soon xx
I love it, Karen. You must teach me how to do this.
Blinks:
Vision therapy as a treatment for ADHD, learning disabilities and even autism. The scientific community's opinion. The results of concentrated therapy.
Kieron Gillen on Phonogram, Siege, Ares, Loki and his collaborative relationship with Jamie McKelvie.
Superheroes and how they have changed the way we see urban landscape. Their attraction to New York.
Kieron Gillen talking about Phonogram's run and the effect it had on its audience.
Guy Gavriel Kay's official website.
ESV in MP3 form: complete BIble is USD 30.00.
The hazards of noise for children because their ears are more sensitive.
Digital billboards: distracting for drivers or will the regulations keep them from becoming hazards? Do the benefits outweigh the disadvantages?
By William Poundstone. Sounds like an interesting book.
The future of shopping with mobile phones. Aggressive merchandising. Privacy issues.
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Comments
Hi Karen,
I really like your post. It explains clearly what AFES is and about giving. I don’t think it’s a big deal to keep recrossing previously trodden ground, though, as we need constant reminding of why giving is a good thing! The hip-pocket is the last place to be converted!
Hugs,
George
One thing I get confused about giving - should I be spreading money around or give to a few concentrated areas/groups?
I give a vast majority of my “giving away money” to my home church and the rest to AFES, 10+ Club and CMS. Should I also be giving to more “social-welfare” minded organisations like Anglicare?
I seem to be only giving to “Word-based” ministries.
What do people think?
Some cynical person told me AFES = Australia’s Fastest Engagement Service.
Dear Elsie,
The argument I’ve heard (which I agree with, btw) is that others will give to ministries like Anglicare because it is tax-deductible, and even non-Christians can see the value of welfare based groups, but that only Christians committed to God’s word being preached will give to Anglicare.
But I’m happy for people to argue the case
Cheers,
George
Whoops, meant to say will give to other organisations not Anglicare!!
I reckon you should give what you can to your own church and other Biblically-sound organisations. As Anglicare is under a bit of financial stress at the moment, perhaps it is a good thing to give to Anglicare. Otherwise, I don’t know if there are really any giving-limiting criteria besides Biblical foundations, aims/activities, and current financial health.
Three people in my AFES group got engaged this year. I’m inclined to believe Deb (it’s like SUFM = Single Until Finally Married).
This might be slightly off-topic: What about other organisations aimed at helping the poor etc. that might be secular or not evangelical? Can we give to them? Or only Christian ones?
AFES staffworkers work really hard and are so encouraging to the students they train! I think that it’s important that we remember to support those on domestic mission fields as well as those overseas.
So come on Monday cause the wonderful cooks that I live with have vowed to produce some sweet desert for the occasion. :D
It’s the classic dilemma: social justice stuff vs. gospel work and which to give to. I personally think that both are good to give to but gospel work has priority since social justice will not ultimately meet humanity’s greatest need which is to be brought back into relationship with God. This is why most of our giving is to word-based ministries.
I do, however, sponsor a girl in the Philippines; I’ve been doing it for ... hmm ... I think it’s 6 or 7 years now because she’s as old as Ben’s sister and she’s now 16. I do this through Australian Baptist World Aid and I like them because, not only are they committed to feeding, clothing and educating this little girl, but also telling her about Jesus. I think it’s important that any organisation devoted to social justice should also be committed to sharing the gospel. Operation Christmas Child is another organisation that does this.
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