A Catalyst for Building Community.
“The support from UC Invest has been transformational. It gave us the confidence, clarity, and capacity to respond to rapid cultural growth in a sustainable way. Through UC Invest, we can clearly see how our financial resources are directly empowering mission on the ground.”
The Challenge
Like many Uniting Church congregations, Broadview UC was facing an ageing membership and declining participation. Two years ago, they made a bold choice to let go of long-held assumptions about how church ‘should’ operate and instead remain open to new people and new expressions of faith. That openness resulted in unexpected and significant growth, with members now representing more than 18 nationalities.
While this increasingly intercultural congregation was a blessing, it was no longer possible to assume shared cultural reference points in worship, language, or leadership. The pastoral and organisational demands of this diverse community quickly exceeded the capacity of one full-time minister and a small volunteer base.
Broadview reached a critical moment: without additional resourcing, growth would not be sustainable.
The UC Invest Response
With support from a UC Invest grant, Broadview UC was able to respond intentionally rather than reactively. The grant facilitated the creation of a dedicated intercultural ministry role, initially funded at 0.3 FTE, offering practical support for inclusive worship, cross-cultural communication, multicultural gatherings, and the nurturing of new leaders from diverse backgrounds.
Spurred by this support, the congregation decided to commit additional funding of their own. They adopted a modest deficit budget as an act of faith and began fundraising with the aim of progressively growing the role toward a 0.5 position.
“By aligning financial stewardship with local mission, UC Invest empowers congregations like Broadview to respond faithfully and creatively to God’s work in their communities.”
The Impact
The impact of this additional capacity was felt quickly. Songs are now shared ahead of time via YouTube so people can participate confidently, regardless of language background; shared meals and multicultural gatherings have become central to congregational life; leadership is also being shared more sustainably, easing pressure on existing ministers and creating space for new voices to emerge.
Strengthening Leadership for the Future
UC Invest’s support has allowed Broadview to identify and support leaders from within its own community. One significant step has been the appointment of Daniel Phan, a second generation Chinese Vietnamese Australian and a member of Broadview’s Church Council. He is a candidate for the Ministry of the Word, currently serving in a pastoral role within the Uniting Church, and is completing a Master of Theological Studies at Uniting College for Leadership and Theology.
Daniel’s lived experience, theological formation, and pastoral sensitivity have strengthened Broadview’s intercultural leadership. His appointment reflects a congregation growing in confidence and maturity as it invests in leadership that mirrors the community it now serves.
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