Moving Forward Together 

Reflections from our Parish Annual Meeting | Philippians 2:1–18



Our Parish Annual Meeting is an opportunity to look back with gratitude, acknowledge the challenges before us, and consider where God is calling us in the year ahead.

But as we gathered around God’s Word and the Lord’s Table, Philippians 2 reminded us that there is a question even more important than “What will Holy Trinity do next?”

Rather: “Who are we becoming as we follow Jesus?”

The Apostle Paul urges the Philippian Christians to be united in love, to put aside selfish ambition and to look to the interests of others. Then he directs their attention to Jesus himself: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5)

Jesus, though truly God, humbled himself, took the form of a servant and became obedient to death on a cross. God then highly exalted him, so that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Here is the pattern for our life together.

Moving forward in Christ does not simply mean becoming a busier, larger or better-organised church. It means becoming a church that increasingly reflects the humility, love and servant-heartedness of Jesus.

From maintaining activities to making disciples

In my Rector’s Report, I returned to an illustration we considered last year: the relationship between the vine and the trellis.

The trellis matters because it supports the vine. But nobody plants a vineyard simply to admire the trellis.

Our buildings, finances, governance and ministries all matter. Yet they exist for a greater purpose: helping people become mature disciples of Jesus Christ.

That is why one question has increasingly shaped our Parish Council meetings:

How does this help people become mature disciples of Jesus Christ?

It is a question we want to bring to every aspect of parish life, from worship and pastoral care to children’s ministry, hospitality, staffing, buildings and finances.

Our mission remains beautifully simple: Know Christ. Grow in Christ. Share Christ.

These are not merely words on our publications. They describe the life we are called to live together.

A Rector’s Challenge for the year ahead:

As we enter a new season, I want to place three challenges before our whole parish family.

1. Abide in Christ

Jesus reminds us in John 15:5, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

We can develop strategies, organise ministries and make careful plans, but we cannot manufacture spiritual life. Genuine fruitfulness comes from Christ.

So let us become increasingly committed to prayer and God’s Word. Let us pray before we plan, seek God’s wisdom before making decisions, and depend upon his Spirit rather than our own strength.

Our first calling is not to be busy for Jesus. It is to abide in him.

2. Become like Christ

Paul calls us to look beyond our own interests and consider the interests of others.

Discipleship is not simply something provided by the Rector, clergy or ministry team. It is the joyful calling of every Christian.

Each of us can pray for someone, welcome someone, encourage someone, open the Scriptures with someone, or help another person take a step forward in faith.

Imagine what might happen across Holy Trinity, St Andrew’s, St James’ and St Matthias’ if each of us began asking:

“Who am I helping to follow Jesus?”

That is the kind of servant-hearted church Philippians 2 calls us to become.

3. Make Christ known

If we are serious about making disciples, we must invest not only in those who are already here, but also in those who are not yet part of our church family.

We must continue to love and care for our older members while intentionally investing in children, young adults and families. We must develop leaders, strengthen our welcome, serve our communities and create opportunities for people to hear the good news of Jesus.

This will require generosity, humility and a willingness to put the needs of others before our own preferences.

We also face genuine challenges, particularly as we respond to ongoing Diocesan Redress responsibilities and consider how best to steward our resources. Some building projects and other plans may need to wait.

But a delay in a building project must never become a delay in the mission of Jesus Christ.

There is still a gospel to proclaim, people to love, disciples to make and a Lord to follow.

Moving forward together

As Rector, I am deeply grateful for the many ways God has been at work among us: through faithful volunteers, generous giving, quiet pastoral care, growing discipleship, children learning God’s Word, and new opportunities to connect with our communities.

These are encouraging signs of God’s grace.

And I am especially thankful that we do not face the future alone. We belong to Christ, and we belong to one another.

The future of Holy Trinity does not rest upon one Rector, one Parish Council or one group of volunteers. Our confidence rests in the Lord Jesus, who continues his work among his people.

So let us go forward together.

Not seeking our own glory, but the glory of the One before whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess:

Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Reverend Lee Shirvill
Rector, Parish of Holy Trinity Launceston 

21 September 2026