The Coordinating Conference commenced in 1959 as a regular forum for discussion of matters of interest to the Assemblies of Christian Brethren in NSW (but was known at the time as the "Bimonthly Meeting of Elder Brethren"). The Objects of the meetings were defined and adopted by a meeting in November 1959 and were ratified at meetings in 1977 and again in 1981 and can be read below. They were replaced by a set of Guiding Principles which were adopted in February 2006.

1. To promote and further the spread of Christianity, the welfare and interest of Assemblies, and workers from Assemblies.
2. To consider and discuss matters of common interest to or effecting, or likely to effect, Assemblies generally.
3. To promote cooperation between Assemblies and coordination of their activities generally.
4. To facilitate united action by Assemblies.
5. To provide a regular opportunity for the giving of information on Assembly activities, and the bringing under notice of needs of the Lord's work and workers, particularly as affecting NSW.
6. To assist in arranging Easter Conference meetings and other special or United meetings, including meetings by visiting Brethren from overseas or interstate.
7. To consider the qualifications and suitability of any person desiring to engage in full-time service for the Lord and to promote, when thought fit, the general acceptance and support by assemblies of any person commended for such service.

NOTES:  

1. The meeting ...
   1. Does not possess any executive power; it is merely a consultative or advisory body, whose recommendations, to be effective, must be implemented by various Assemblies.
   2. Cannot bind any Assembly to any course of action.
   3. Cannot interfere in the internal affairs of any Assembly.
   4. Will not discuss any matter affecting one Assembly only, except with the consent of that Assembly.
2. In any case under clause (7) the Meeting would ordinarily obtain a report from the Missionary Advisory Council.

prepared by Hon. Secretary: Arthur Simpson (lawyer) 1959.

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NOTES on changes which have evolved since 1959:

1. The NSW Assemblies Evangelistic Mission has expanded on information distribution (item 5) by several means, including Prayer Letters and Assemblies Outreach Magazine.
2. Regarding item 6, Easter Conferences have ceased but the Toukley Men's Conference has continued its ministry to men.
3. Regarding item 7, the Missionary Advisory Council has been joined by the NSW Home Workers Advisory Council.  Both have functioned to consider the suitability of new workers and reported to the Meeting but have never over-ruled the commending assembly.
4. There are two important matters that were not mentioned in the original objectives but come broadly under items 2 and 6. One is the matter of authorised Marriage Celebrants (where there has been an increase from about 6 to some 45 over the last 70 years) and the second is recent Legislation of Scripture Teachers in Schools and local Churches under the power of the Commissioner for Children and the NSW Education Department. Both require the provision of a properly endorsed person to act as a certified officer on behalf of all the NSW Assemblies.

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This page updated in June 2006