Pete Roach has had his vision for seeing friends and neighbours won for Christ strengthened thanks to an intensive Winter Training regime.

Pete is one of almost 100 St Andrew's, Wahroonga members who have valued being trained in different aspects of ministry.

"I appreciated being able to hear the advice and comments from members of our other congregations and I think these types of events serve to unify a parish," says the evening congregation member.

Winter Training offered parishioners a choice of four different courses over a six week period including "Two Ways to Live', one to one ministry and encouragement, and doctrine.

Pete attended "4 Key Centuries: 4 Key Doctrines' which looked at the first century and the formation of the New Testament canon; the fourth century and disputes over the Trinity;  the 16th century and the Reformation; and the 20th century and the changing way of "doing' church.

A major aim of the training was to help people share the gospel with their friends, and Pete says he now has the confidence to answer much more difficult questions.

"One specific thing we learnt about the Trinity was helpful," Pete says.

"The question was raised of whether it was fair or just for the Father's anger toward us to be turned on his Son. Was the cross in fact a kind of terrible child abuse of an innocent third party?"

Pete says examining relevant Bible verses showed that the answer to that objection is explained through understanding the Trinity.

"Christ is not a third party, but God himself and so the cross shows God's mercy without diminishing his justice," Pete says.

A unity in mission
The Rev Phillip Griffin, rector of St Andrew's, says he has been greatly moved by the "enormous blessing' he has seen flow out of the training.

"There has been a revolution in the way we do church over the past thirty years," Mr Griffin says.

"We were able to look at that without people getting upset. Seeing older people and younger people learning together, I found that quite moving."

The training participants have become unified in their vision for the church's mission, adds Mr Griffin.

"Maintaining unity means doing things together and learning together," he says.

"It has given us a sharper focus, therefore deepening our God-given unity in Christ's Lordship and in mission."

Mr Griffin says that one of the participants was so excited by the training that he suggested that St Andrew's runs the program again in January.

So, St Andrew's is now busily planning for their Summer Training regime.