I was a member of the committee of the Christian Union(CU) in Monash University, Clayton, 92-93, responsible for making (and sometimes, execution) all kind of decisions, big and small.
Extra Member Report '931
Before I joined the C.U. Committee, I had missed out on nearly all the C.U. general meetings in first semester 1992 and the only contact I had with C.U. was through cell groups an tapes recorded at the main meetings. This was because of my timetable. For me to take part in C.U. committee seemed like an impossibility. However, John took me by surprise at Summit. After one year in the committee, I understand now that it is not a place for super-religious students, but for those who want to serve God.
Some of what I did on the committee was to give advice about issues raised and take up delegations. I also helped in the mission committee. I wish I could have done more so that I could enjoy it more, but my studies and other commitments imposed time constraints.
Our staffworkers were invaluable. John Sugars organised a retreat for a weekend once the whole committee was formed. This was a precious time for the committee as we were introduced to the purpose of C.U., the role of the committee and also the history of Monash C.U.. I encourage you to ask John about the history. It is amazing. This was a big help for a person as unknowing as me. You may not know that in OCF, a person stays on committee for 1.5 years. Half a year overlaps with the previous committee and half a year overlaps with the next committee so that the next committee knows what to do. With our staffworkers we are luckier than that.
They were also versatile. Once, "Big Peter" and I went to ask Helen Porublev to organize the prayer meetings for the mission as she was finishing a bottle of Torquay. (Natural Mineral Water) After her acceptance of the task, Peter snatched the bottle and then the three of us engaged in a water fight! (What a way to say thank you to your staffworker2!) Actually, if you went to the last national conference, or O-week BBQ at Stocky, these antics would not surprise you! (Ask a person who was there, If you so not know what I am talking about)
In Helen Pratt's second year on committee, she has not changed her habit of responding to the D-word (delegation) promptly. (refer to extra member report, 92) She read the minutes every time so that she could set a nice agenda for us. (Though I tended to inadvertently put them aside!) But Helen did heaps and her contribution to C.U. was fantastic.
Lastly, the people who make up C.U. are the backbone of it. To a new student, recently emigrated from Hong Kong, I wrote in O-week3, "This is where I meet the best Australians"! Yes, you are the subject of what I'm writing here. Your prayer, support and encouragement this year have been highly appreciated. Even if you have just once spoken to me, you have helped me in my second language and exposed me to the Australian culture. Thank you very much.
Finally but finally, I quote John: "What you learn in Uni. about God is more important than your study" When I heard it first, I laughed, thinking it was true for John maybe, but John only4. However, gradually, as I served on committee, I have come to understand that the significance of God and what C.U. is on about was far above academic work. The C.U. experience changed and guided me. I really want to give thank to our God for He is the one who make it all happens. I hope it does the same for you.
Notes:
1. From memory Gwyn McClelland proof-read the report and made it much more readable, Thank You.
2. Helen Porublev was the staffworker referred here. Of course there were more staffworkers than one at that time.
3. O-Week was (and still is) the "Orientation Week" of University. It was the time for new students to find out what University was like including finding more about Christian Union. We (People in Christian Union) registrated the name and details of those who were interested in CU and sent hand-written letters to them.
4. John Sugars was another staffworker. To do his job nicely, he did not have to recall what he knew about organisms in the ocean, but I would have to know my stuff if I was going to be in my profession.
Reflection on May, 2000, by Haggen:
Years have gone by and I am astonished that how many of the things that I wrote were still very true. However, there was one thing that was terrible wrong-being a committee was not about serving God, it was about being served by God and the staffworker, John, in this case. The committee was where I first learnt to make godly decision for a Christian group. As a committee, we received special attention and it helped us to grow in faith. God was powerful enough, and He gave us the perfect excuse to be served by Him-serve Him.
The effect of CU on student was obvious when one grew older. Friends in CU became staffworkers in CU, became involved in churches, getting married with CU people (CU Presidents in Monash seldom escape from this... Andrew Cook with Rose Adlem (they was both in CU committee), Michelle Trebilcock and Steve Wade, Helen Pratt and Wayne Schuller (she tried really hard and found him in another University, still CU), Lisa Bennett and Peter Adlem (both served (and being served) in the committee, different years), Pete Gray and Serena Mountjoy...) What else can I say! Oh! Yes! going overseas for mission trips!
Another effect of CU on me is that I find it less hard to come back in Australia and fit in. Fitting in is difficult, but reading this article make me understand how it can be much more difficult.
Finally, the statement "What you learn in Uni. about God is more important than your study" is true after a five year experiment in the work place. My knowledge is surely important, but making decision usually involve wisdom.