About Manna Gum

Manna Gum is an independent non-profit organisation (an Incorporated Association within Victoria) which seeks to:

1. provide resources for Christian groups to understand and practise the social, economic and political implications of the Gospel of Christ; and
2. to stimulate critical thinking on issues of aid and development, poverty and wealth, and to undertake research and advocacy on matters concerning Australian aid and development involvement overseas.

Manna Gum only began operation at the beginning of 2009 and so is still only in early stages of forming the shape of its ministry (including this website).

Our Vision

Manna Gum is motivated by a vision of renewal of the Church in Australia as an alternative community that witnesses to the Kingdom of God.

What does Manna Gum do?

Popular education

Manna Gum is available to talk to any interested groups and Churches around the broad themes below, and even to work more intensively with groups and Churches wanting to take this further. Manna Gum does not charge any fees, however if there are significant costs involved (such as travel), these would need to be met.

• the Biblical basis for political action
• understanding the economics of the Bible
• understanding the nature of our economic system
• understanding poverty, aid and development in the Third World
• frameworks for a Christian alternative to mainstream living
• theology & practice of sustainable living
• the Household Covenant as a tool for responsible living
• understanding climate change practically and theologically
• responding as a Church to social and environmental responsibility
• and more ...  (talk to us)

Research & advocacy

• the impact of the Australian aid program
• development issues in the Mekong region

Critical writing

• faith, society, economics & politics
• aid & development

Who is Manna Gum?

Manna Gum is the initiative of Jonathan & Kim Cornford. The creation of Manna Gum is the culmination of the last ten years of their life working and campaigning on development issues in Laos and Cambodia, working with the homeless and drug dependent in Melbourne, leading Bible study and exploring Christian expressions of responsible living in Footscray. Jonathan has a Ph.D in Political Economy/ International Development; Kim has an Honours Degree in Economics and is currently studying Conservation and Land Management. Kim and Jonathan live in Footscray, Melbourne, with their two little girls, Amy and Mhairi. They are members of the Common Rule Christian network and attend the Footscray Church of Christ.

Together Jonathan and Kim share 4 ½ days of work (3 days paid) for Manna Gum. Manna Gum is a risk in faith - Jonathan has left his employment with Oxfam Australia to pursue this ministry, and it now represents the sole form of employment for the Cornford family.

Manna Gum also receives the unpaid assistance of a host of other friends and volunteers.

Management Committee

Greg & Elvira Hewson join Kim and Jonathan on the Management Committee of Manna Gum, and have been a central part to forming its vision and guiding its direction. Greg is the Victorian State Coordinator for TEAR Australia and Elvira works in implementing community gardens and native tree growing. Greg & Elvira live in Manna Lane, Cudgee, in western Victoria, with their two children Patrick and Mairead.

Advisory Council

The Manna Gum Advisory Council provides periodic advice, support and accountability - both professionally and pastorally - for the work and ministry that is undertaken under the auspices of Manna Gum. The Advisory Council is made up of Deborah Storie (Vice Chair of the Board, TEAR Australia), Rev. Alistair Macrae (President of the National Assembly of the Uniting Church), and Peter Chapman (Director of Common Life).

The Economics of Manna Gum

Manna Gum seeks to live within the economy of God - frugally, ethically and through the generous sharing of abundance within the community of faith (2 Corinthians 8 & 9).

Are we crazy?! Quite possibly, yes. But we are also sustained by the conviction that the great secret of God's economy is the presence of abundance where the world only sees scarcity. This is the meaning of the manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16), the feeding of the five thousand (Mark 6:30-44), and the Jerusalem community of the early church (Acts 4:32-37). In all these instances, the revelation of abundance takes place within the context of the community of faith.

In order to fully pursue its core purposes and to ensure its independence, Manna Gum hopes to eventually draw its entire income from individual financial supporters who believe in this ministry and who consider themselves participants in its purposes. (Become a supporer!) From time to time and where appropriate, Manna Gum will also seek funding for particular projects, such as research and publications, or teaching and training.

Manna Gum's projected financial needs for 2010 are:

Wages (3 days/wk)	$ 25,000
Overheads (paper, printing, internet, transport etc)	$ 1,300
Operational budget (newsletters, website, resources, publications)	$ 3,800
TOTAL	$ 30,100

 

The following principles govern Manna Gum's finances:

1. Transparency. Give supporters clear information (annually) about the income of the organisation, how it was spent, and what income was derived from it.
2. A Living wage. The income we derive from Christian ministry should not be based upon market rates but on what is 'enough' - enough to support a modest and slightly frugal living for an Australian family. Currently this has been set at $476 per week.
3. No speaking fees. Speaking to various groups is part of what supporters would be giving us money for, thereby allowing us to choose without prejudice the sort of speaking engagements we accept. Where appropriate, we might seek for costs (travel and accommodation) to be covered.

Financial Report

Each year we will provide a financial report here which shows our income and income sources, and expenditures.

Download Report for 2009

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