Electives

"Was that call really from God?" - Martien Kelderman

Martien arrived in Australia with an absolute certainty that God had called him to his new position as CEO in an Australian company. Martien speaks of 26 miracles as the 26 obstacles to appointment identified by Martien and his pastor were overcome. “God used Government Ministers and miraculous interventions and timing to get me here”. 3 weeks after starting his new position he knew he was in trouble, 14 months after starting he was forced to resign. It on the way you cry out to God  “I know you called me so explain this!!!!” Its when it collapses you say ‘I don’t get it”. Many business Christians are already asking the same as the recession bites into their calling and that business they know from was from him struggles and even folds. Join Martien as he explores this question, re-examines ‘calling’ and offers a new glimpse of Jesus brought into focus by the answers he finds. His answers from God might well surprise you and will certainly encourage you.
This session will help to understand what it means to hear from God, especially in relation to business and investment decisions. What happens when things don't work out - does this mean we didn't really hear from God?

"Face your Fears" - Tim Ellis

As a professional corporate entertainer for over 30 years, Tim has had to face and overcome fears that few in the world of business ever have to deal with: he's been buried alive, submerged in the Yarra River in a locked box, hung 100' in the air by his ankles in a straitjacket, and is regularly sawn in half by his wife. Though he performs illusions, the dangers involved are very real, and Tim continues to push the envelope as he strives to remain at the top of his profession.
During this highly original and interactive presentation, Tim will challenge you to identify the fears that are holding you back from becoming who God made you to be. You'll discover courage you didn't realise you had and you'll see things you didn't think were possible.
This innovative exploration of the powerful psychology of fear will definitely give you something to think about!
"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

"Financial Fundamentals for Life’s Purpose" – Kevin Bailey

The current global financial crisis is causing extraordinary pain and anguish for so many people who put their trust and hope for the future in material prosperity.  Deng Xiapong, the atheistic leader of China in the 1980’s declared, “To be rich is glorious”. Where do we find our glory? Money doesn’t buy happiness but it certainly can make the misery a lot more comfortable if that is our lot.
As Christians we are called make a meaningful difference in the world in which we live. Getting our financial house in order can empower us to use greater leverage to achieve Gods mission. Managing our finances wisely is a means to and end, not an end in itself.
Many people haven’t differentiated between investing and speculating, but understanding investment fundamentals can free you to do what is most important in your life.

"How to Support your Church's Leadership" - David Doery

 "God's Turnaround Strategies" - Phil Cave

Phil Cave has been instrumental in numerous major company turnarounds over many years, with the most recent being the sale of Golden Circle to Heinz - an incredible success story.
Phil will discuss his experiences of turning around companies including the some of the lessons he has learnt. He will also describe some of the programs his company has put in place to turnaround organisations. Many of the turnaround “techniques” he has used have been learnt through the Bible and the God’s teachings.

"Number one Tax Secret in Christian Business & Investment" – Clive Bird

Clive will discuss ideal tax structuring in a Christian business context and show how you can position your business and investments for highly tax effective outcomes. Clive has unique IP concerning structuring which maximise tax efficiency of capital gains.
Clive will discuss tax effective giving with a twist - how you can give to the church with outstanding tax outcomes.
The ideal tax structure can make all the difference in financial outcomes and opportunities. This is a session not to be missed for Christian business people and investors.

"Succession Planning for Christian Business" – Michael Pittendrigh

Where to from here? What is it worth? Who should buy it? What about the family? Who else might there be? What can be done to increase the value? What about tax? How will they pay for it? How do I retire? What about wills?
Few owners of private businesses have developed a written succession plan. Mostly, it is a tangle of questions in their heads. Often they turn 50, and wonder 'What's next?'. They don't know.
This session will use research to draw out a number of issues and questions facing business owners and will provide a process for business owners to think about their business and to plot their future.

Introducing Peer Mentoring (ILG) - Peter Kentley

This session is an introduction to the concept of the Integrated Leadership Group (ILG) as an interactive session.
AMC Integrated Leadership Groups (ILG) provide non-competitive space where leadership experience and peer mentoring are networked in an environment of integrity and confidentiality.
Whilst being similar to other CEO Networking groups, ILG differs in that the conversation doesn’t stop when Christian Faith is mentioned, but this is where the conversation starts.

"How to Support your Church’s Business Leaders" – John Muys

This is an interactive workshop which will discuss such issues as:

• How we as church leaders can effectively support the Business Leaders in our congregation to have an effective ministry in the Community and the Church?
• Is there a conflict of agendas between Church and Business leaders?
• Can Business Leaders have a ‘Legitimate Ministry’ outside the ‘Church’?
• What are the roles that Business Leaders can fulfill in the Church?

How do Christian Business Leaders see you as a Church leader?

"The Power of Mentoring & Coaching in Today’s Marketplace" – George Barrett

• How trust and a focus on values brought a mentee and her business out of receivership
• The power of mentor training for a former business owner turned mentor
• Transitioning from corporate manager to mentor

Coaching teams and their leaders to move forward in an uncertain environment

 "Time Poor, Soul Rich" - Anne Winckel

This seminar explores how an incorrigibly busy person can maintain a “rich soul” in the context of a busy life.  We will begin by reviewing our use of time – and reviewing how we use our discretionary time. We will also consider how our own “self sabotage” may decrease our discretionary time; but most importantly, we will consider how “time” itself is not the source of our soul enrichment.  Rather, we will consider how the reviving of our souls is primarily a God-given enlivening.
This seminar is primarily aimed at assisting those whose lives are so busy and “time poor”, that there is no extra space at all. We will consider the various strategies that can facilitate a “rich soul” in the midst of this stretched life. We will also look at a number of key “casualties” to a busy life.

"Championing Change" – Sandy Schutte

Become a Change Champion and learn to "Change in Context".
This session will be Encouraging, empowering and equip you to rise above the storm by providing resources to build on the following:

• Own experiences and stories
• Faith, fear and coping
• Engaging workshop facilitation
• Receiving a tried and tested toolkit
• Receiving a resource pack for the days ahead
• Being enduring shining lights and beacons

The workshop will be as experiential, practical and user-friendly as possible

"Appreciative Inquiry for Organisational Transformation" – Jeremy Scrivens

The Good News: Engaged employees in Australian businesses work with passion and feel a profound connection to their companies. They drive innovation and move the business forward.
The Bad News: In 2000, only 29% of the Australian workforce was engaged; 79% was not engaged or disengaged. As we dive deeper into the financial storm, the situation is getting worse; only 18% of the workforce was engaged in 2008.  This lack of engagement cost Australian business $33.5 billion last year.
The Good News: The technology to engage people effectively is here now and can be transferred to our business leaders because the “solution lies within” each organisation.  In this session, business leaders can learn how to “rise above the storm” by engaging their people emotionally through Appreciative Inquiry or AI.
In this session you will learn the hard business facts about emotional engagement, the principles of AI and walk through two cases studies, a transport company, Fastest Freight, and a church, Crossway North whose leader, Senior Pastor Brett Mitchell , will share his experience of AI.

"Why Christians go Bust in Business" – Jason Smith

An intentionally provocative title, with possibly a not so satisfying answer. Most rear pews of modern churches have beaten souls sitting on them wrestling with a personal version of the question embedded in this title. “How could I have failed when I’m a Christian?”. With a sincere empathy and desire for restoration in these people’s hearts and journey’s, Jason finds it irresistible to want to shake them up a little. As the old adage so aptly puts it, ‘the road to hell is paved with people with good intentions’.
As a small business owner for many years, and now franchisor of tens of other small businesses, Jason's commercial experience and industry research has equipped him with a sound understanding of the key failure points in owner-dependent small to medium enterprises. Sharing 7 well-documented reasons for understanding why Australia today still suffers a small business failure epidemic, he is excited to unpack the single most important strategy how he believes a Christian can remain successful  in business…and it’s possibly not the obvious thing which comes to mind!

Intercessors Prayer Session – AMC Intercessor's Team

We are entering times when God needs to be central to all of our life including Business.
In the busy schedule placed on us by the current financial crisis it is sometimes difficult to know when and how we can cry out to God and believe that He hears our prayers. 
The question then arises, how do we get connected to His office and believe that we get an instant appointment?
We serve an extra ordinary God who fulfils His promises not according to the world system but according to kingdom principles.
At the elective we will reflect on through the Word on how God responds to prayer and offer practical guidelines how connect with God trough prayer.
We will also come together united to seek Him by believing that His glory will shine in our lives and the power of the Spirit will minister to our needs.
It is God’s battle so join us to learn how we can walk with Him in His Victory.

"Leading for Sustainable Excellence" - Rob Palmer

To achieve Sustainable Excellence for your Church or Not-for-Profit organisation it is critical to lead by asking questions based on Universal Principles. Leaders need to understand the Principles of Sustainable Excellence.
Two sets of Principles are proposed:
Ÿ * Universal Principles for Individuals   Ÿ * Universal Principles for Enterprises
Underlying these Principles are the Jesus Principles which are:
Ÿ * Love God                                         * Love and serve others
The Leadership Competencies of the 20th Century will not produce Sustainable Excellence.
New Competencies are proposed:
Ÿ * Systems Thinking                             * Statistical Thinking
Ÿ * Latest understanding from the brain sciences (e.g. Emotional and Social Intelligences)
Rob’s 50 years of experience in leadership has led him to the conclusion that the Jesus Servant Model actually works and dramatically simplifies the challenge of leadership.

"Keeping ALL of your Life Together – Business, Ministry, Family and Self" - Philip Volk

This session is ideal for anyone with a busy life!  You will be encouraged to review your own life portfolio and identify specific strategies to enable you to not only “keep all of the plates spinning”, but to identify which areas you may need to let go.  Most importantly though, you will have opportunity to develop strategies to make those areas of your life that you choose, more effective.
This is a very practical session where success and failures will be shared by all.

"A Vision to Die For" (from Global Leadership Summit DVD) – Bill Hybels

• Vision formation - foster a team approach in order to build community and ownership.
• Vision refinement -  develop a first draft, gather input from key people
• Vision declaration -  the team develops and affirms the vision

If the leader doesn't own the vision deeply, then followers won't either.