The Advocate December 2011

theadvocate.tv

“Women today face disturbing and negative trends ...” Patsy Davis, BWA PAGE 3

DECEMBER 2011

In conversation Kerryn Bricknell talks to Stephen Kendrick about his hit movie Courageous. PAGE 12 >>

Help for homeless during CHOGM

4 2015 poverty goal

The Voices for Justice conference is a forum for people to learn more about the world’s poor >>

While much of Perth celebrated the arrival of international dignitaries visiting the city during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), a group of homeless people celebrated in different ways.

Police upheld security requirements for a section of the city, which meant those who normally sleep rough on the streets within the zone were disrupted.

UnitingCare West, as part of the Street to Home collaboration, made their Tranby Day Centre in Aberdeen Street available for rough sleepers during CHOGM. Sue Ash, Chief Executive Officer of UnitingCare West, said Tranby Day Centre was open 24 hours a day as a safe place for up to 30 people to stay overnight during CHOGM. “We served more than 800 meals during CHOGM,” Sue said. “Volunteers made a great contribution to meal preparation and serving.”

Volunteers from Riverview Church joined others from a group of non-government organisations to support the team at Tranby Day Centre.

The Western Australian government provided more than $100,000 in additional funding to ensure services were available 24/7 during CHOGM. Department of Child Protection Director General, Terry Murphy, said the funds allowed organisers to roster staff

to provide 24 hour coverage from the Street to Home Mobile Clinical Outreach Team and for security in the area to make sure it was safe throughout the time.

The event showed a huge need for homeless people to have access to safe storage for their property.

“People were so pleased to have somewhere safe to stay during CHOGM,” Sue said. “We also saw that not having to protect their property during the night hours was a relief for many people.”

We served more than 800 meals during CHOGM. Women rough sleepers are very vulnerable to physical and sometimes sexual assault when sleeping on the streets.

Research shows that physical insecurity and unsafe sleeping conditions are big triggers for mental health conditions.

“We were really pleased to have the mental health team

working so closely with us,” Sue said. “There is a commitment from government for ongoing visits from mental health providers.”

The Street to Home program is an innovative collaboration between eight non-government

organisations including St Pat’s (Fremantle), St Bartholomew’s House, Ruah Community Services and UnitingCare West.

It works to help rough sleepers move into stable accommodation and facilitates access to mental health services.

Fire out of control Nearly 40 properties were destroyed following the prescribed burn in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park that got out of control in the Margaret River region on 23 November.

Hundreds of people were evacuated as more than 100 firefighters and aerial water bombers battled the blaze started by Western Australia’s Department of Environment and Conservation.

Baptist Churches Western Australia (BCWA) have responded immediately to the

crisis, opening their Baptist Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to those in need over the coming months following this tragedy.

“In times like this, it is a relief that we have the Fund set up and ready to go to be able to assist those in need,” Mark Wilson, Director of Ministries for BCWA said.

“We’ve already heard that some families from Margaret River Baptist Church have been affected by the fire.

The Baptist Relief Fund will work with the Margaret River church to distribute funds to assist in rebuilding the local community.”

To donate to the Fund, call BCWA on 6313 6300. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

7 YouthCARE’s 40th

The launch of the ‘Wanted’ campaign, invites people to share their stories about the last 40 years of YouthCARE >>

10 Enslaved to money sharks Microfinance is significantly decreasing poverty in rural India >>

Baptist Churches Building healthy churches.

BAPTIST CHURCHES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

2

my view December 2011

On air with Graham Mabury Christmas creates such a kaleidoscope of emotions. In a time poor society the pressure steadily mounts. Today, the old carol could more accurately be, “Tis the season to be frantic …fa la la la la”. For some joy is maximised in the love of family and friends. For others the pain that has dogged them throughout the year metamorphoses into an overbearing bully.

Graham Mabury Graham Mabury is a broadcaster and Pastor at Mt Pleasant Baptist Church. You can hear Graham on Radio 6PR (882AM) every weeknight from 8:00 pm to midnight.

This Christmas will be a season of ‘Joy’ for me in a quite different sense. Joy, an amazing woman of faith from our church family, went home to heaven very recently. She ‘happened’ to grow up in Africa, so on a ‘chance’ encounter with some children she realised they were speaking Swahili.

She became ‘Mama Joy’ to refugees from a number of African countries. She tirelessly gave practical, emotional and spiritual support, often at considerable personal cost.

She responded to the diagnosis of a rare and aggressive cancer, by saying

with a twinkle in her eye, “The Lord is inviting me to come home, aren’t I lucky?” Knowing some of Joy’s journey, I waited to see if this was simply denial.

One afternoon, in the hospice, she said to me, “I keep asking the Lord, why me?” I began thinking of answers to the ‘why me’ question. Joy continued, however, “Why me — why should I be so blessed? Why should I see so many miracles?”

Then she smiled and said to me, “He tells me, it’s just because I made myself available.”

That is a moment I know I’ll never forget. The miracle of Christmas is God becoming flesh and blood, and the hope of

Easter, His Cross and the empty tomb is the death of death. There is forgiveness, freedom, and a God given purpose as unique as each finger print or strand of DNA for any who will make themselves available.

Christmas — take twenty eleven In our quickly bored, been there, done that, bought the t-shirt era, it’s astonishing that we’ve got to Christmas, take twenty eleven. Why keep rerunning such a well-known story? True, we’ve tried to spice it up in a thousand different ways.

Dr Brian Harris Dr Brian Harris is the Principal of Vose Seminary and Senior Pastor of Carey Community Baptist Church.

Rudolf, a red nosed reindeer, is often sung about, and in some versions of Christmas, Santa, snowmen and candy canes get far more airtime than Jesus. In fact some people go to extraordinary lengths not to call it Christmas.

Realising that the name means ‘the mass for Christ’, they side step the Jesus factor and wish people a happy festive season.

But even wishing people a

merry time, doesn’t really work.

After all, what is there to be festive about? Is it because another year is about to bite the dust? Some years are pretty rotten — should we sing just because of their termination? If you are a little older, you might remember Queen Elizabeth declared 1992 her ‘annus horribilis’ — or horrible year, for our non-Latin scholars.

Is the end of a year an adequate

reason to burst out singing about our Winter Wonderland — especially if you live in the Southern Hemisphere!

So here is a simple thesis.

Even when we try to detach Jesus from Christmas, at a deeper level the hopefulness that this ‘festive season’ stirs in us is always going to be linked to Christ’s advent.

Let’s recap the never ancient story. On a not so silent night, an angelic choir proclaimed to a group of bewildered shepherds that an infant had been born who would change the course of history. It was no idle prophecy.

Bethlehem’s child turned out to be none other than Emmanuel

— God with us. He was named Jesus — which means ‘God saves’ — and indeed God does.

Unjustly crucified, the one who saves defeated death, and lives forever ...

If you find that too hard to believe, ask yourself why this story has made it all the way to Christmas, take twenty eleven, and will be told, to the end of time ...

letters to the editor Dear Editor

Dear Editor

In The Advocate of November 2011, page 1 churchtogether 2011, Tim Hanna finds sleep difficult because of children dying from preventable diseases and Tim Costello has the same problem about slavery. What about the Christian’s main concern being about souls going to hell? Or do these Christian leaders no longer believe this Biblical teaching?

I believe this life is extremely short compared to eternity, so why place so much importance on this life instead of the coming eternity. Is it maybe that those leaders have not yet been born again and fail to see things spiritually?

I find it strange that you or your reporters have not heard of the Esther Foundation, which has been working in the area you mention for 18 years [article page 7, Teen Challenge a success, October edition.

My daughter, Patricia Lavater, founded the organisation and has received various awards for her work, including being named ‘Australian of the Year’ in Western Australia. She was among the top four.

Perhaps you could give an apology in your paper.

Vera Bevan

Harry Kloppenburg

disclaimer The Advocate reserves the right to edit or withhold from publication any letter for any reason whatsoever. Once received, all letters become the possession of The Advocate. The views written in ‘letters to the editor’ do not necessarily reflect the views of The Advocate or Baptist Churches Western Australia, nor does The Advocate take any responsibility of the views stated by those who write to the editor.

send us your letters The Advocate welcomes your letters to the editor on topics of concern to you and the community. Send your letters of no more than 100 words to editor@theadvocate.tv by the 10th of each month.

news

3

December 2011

WA women take on Christ She came to meet Karen Wilson, newly appointed Australian Baptist Women’s National Director and the President for West Australian Baptist Women.

“It’s so good to meet Karen,” Patsy said. “I’m very interested to see how we can work together so that we better reach women.”

“At BWA we’re working hard to help women’s ministries on every continent stand together, grow in effectiveness, and impact our world for Christ.”

“I’ve just been in Sorong, Indonesia where 500 women met together to celebrate Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer.

These women are quite isolated.

It was such a joy to see them

Women today face disturbing and negative trends ...

engaging in prayer for their own group and women around the world.”

Women’s Ministries aim to encourage and celebrate unity in Christ among Baptist women of the world and work towards peace, reconciliation, justice and development.

Patsy worked with the International Mission Board in Venezuela from 1977 until her appointment at BWA in 1998.

“I’ve given my life for women,” Patsy said. “This job

changed my location, not my calling.”

Her role with BWA means she travels often. After just 48 hours in Perth, Patsy flew to Sri Lanka to meet with the team writing the Prayer Program for the 2012 Day of Prayer.

“I’ll also help with some leadership training of women and meet with women in an Internationally Displaced People’s (IDP) camp.”

Patsy was able to celebrate the 2011 Day of Prayer with Baptist women of Sri Lanka during her visit.

“The Day of Prayer is at the heart of the BWA women’s department. It started at the end of World War II, praying for the needs of women around the world.”

Some of those needs have changed and the solidarity is more global as churches in Africa and Asia have grown exponentially.

“Women today face disturbing and negative trends with an increased risk of violence because of social breakdown. They’re economically and physically vulnerable, especially following natural disasters.”

“So there is plenty of space for Australian women to be more involved with the Baptist women of the world. Hearing about what’s been happening at the Fresh events here in Perth is very encouraging.”

“We’ve got an exciting initiative for Western Australian women coming up in early 2012,” Karen said. “Watch out for it.”

Photo: Jill Birt

Patsy Davis, the Executive Director of Women’s Ministries with the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) visited Perth recently between meetings in Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

Patsy Davis (left), Executive Director of Women’s Ministries with the Baptist World Alliance spoke with Karen Wilson about greater involvement in international women’s ministries during her brief visit to Perth.

New GIA Director Mrs Heather Coleman is the new General Director of Global Interaction, effective 1 February 2012.

The appointment comes as Reverend Keith Jobberns concludes seven years as Global Interaction’s General Director.

Heather is already wellknown to Global Interaction, having been Team Leader of the Global Interaction team in Cambodia and the not-for-profit

organisation Christian Care for Cambodia since August 2010.

Her passion for reaching the unreached is evident through her roles as Global Interaction Board Member, South Australian State Mission Committee member, and along with her husband Ron, the South Australian Advocate for the Yao People Group.

With more than 30 years experience working in various government departments in Canberra and Adelaide, with roles ranging from human resources to state manager, she successfully managed the South Australian state offices of both the Federal

What does

Jesus Want for his

r for Clean wate is family h Mani and

BirthdAy? Give generously to Baptist World Aid’s Christmas Appeal today.

Visit www.baptistworldaid.org.au or phone 1300 789 991.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

Government Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) and the Australian Industrial Registry.

Heather has a long and very active association with Baptist churches in South Australia and was a Board Member of Baptist World Aid Australia in 2009. She has tertiary qualifications in Industrial Relations, Administration and Business Management.

Heather said she felt humbled by the opportunity to lead Global Interaction in this new season.

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4

news December 2011

Yokine repents

Photo: Cathlin Barrett

Yokine Baptist Church celebrated the completion of renovations to their church building with a Thanksgiving service and luncheon in October.

2015 poverty goal

Young adults from at Yokine Baptist Church lead worship at the Thanksgiving service in October.

“Although the building was originally designed by Perth architect, Julius Elischer, in 1971, we realised we needed to make some changes when we heard people from our community weren’t comfortable in the building,” Pastor Craig Eccleston said.

“Architect, Steve Kitchen, walked into the foyer for the first time and said he felt intimidated.

That confirmed we needed to do some serious work through the renovation.”

Using glass and vision panels, removing walls and refreshing paint and fittings, the revitalised building has a sense of light and excitement. Now you can see through almost the entire building.

Kylie Hosking, Lachelle Vandersteen, Senator Michaelia Cash and Rebecca Roberts with the giant toilet outside Parliament House during the Voices for Justice conference.

were among 230 people who travelled from all over Australia to participate in the event.

“As members of the Baptist World Aid Catalyst group at our church, we were interested in learning more about poverty issues and how we can encourage others in the church to take practical action,” Ms Barrett explained.

The delegates met with two senators and an MP, urging them to try to influence the government to do more about meeting Australia’s commitments to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and see global poverty halved by 2015.

Kylie said Dr Christian’s words about God being the prime mover have really stuck with her.

“Whenever we do anything in obedience or try to bring about His Kingdom we are only ever joining in what He has already begun.”

Cathlin agrees, “I was reminded about our total dependence on God. The practical workshops throughout the four day event covered various topics including the character of God, climate change, corruption in developing countries, engaging with politicians and mobiliing our church.”

Lachelle says she was impressed by the times of worship at the Voices for Justice conference. “Christians from so many denominations, ages and backgrounds were unified by our love for God and deep conviction of putting into practice the words of the prophet Micah — to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.”

07/11/2011 Bill Hybels

08/11/2011 Phil Cooke

www.wcablog.com

www.philcooke.com

“Have a bold plan for explosive growth! Expect God to answer your fervent prayers and to do His part in bringing people your way. Just be sure to tend to the needs that all that growth will bring.”

“We often forget the reason we decided on a career in the first place. Chances are, you had a dream back then, and the question is — was that vision ever accomplished? Are you actually on the road to the destination you set out to achieve?”

stretched their faith. Sometimes leaders take people where they don’t want to go, so they can teach them what they need to know.”

The Voices for Justice conference, now in its sixth year, was held in Canberra during September. The event is a forum for people to share and learn more about advocacy and justice for the world’s poor.

“Poverty is about pain. If you don’t feel the pain, then you never really understand poverty.

Statistics never bleed. It is people who bleed,” said Reverend Jayakumar Christian, Director of World Vision India, during his speech at the conference.

Cathlin Barrett, Kylie Hosking and Lachelle Vandersteen from East Fremantle Baptist Church

The opening was also a time for fresh beginnings ...

“There were some small rooms down one side of the building that were used for all-age Sunday School,” Board Chairman Marc Chan said. “They were like little cells, dark and dingy.”

Now the area is open and light, leading people to the new cafe, which is being used every day of the week.

“I love working there,” Craig said. “I haven’t spent a lot of time in my office downstairs for a few months now.”

The opening was also a time for fresh beginnings for the church.

“We knew that there were people who had left the church

a number of years ago with fractured relationships and there was still pain and hurt for the way they had been treated,” Marc said. “We decided to invite former members back to join us in thanking God for his faithfulness.”

During the service Marc publicly apologised to the gathering for the mistakes of the past and for the hurt and pain people had experienced, even though the current leadership was not involved in the events.

“We sensed we really needed to do this, so that we can move on and continue to work in our local community,” Marc said.

“About three years ago the church was fading away, but God has been so good. We now have about 100 people meeting on Sunday mornings and a group of 60, many of them refugees from Sudan, have a service in Arabic on Sunday at noon.”

“We’ve had some amazing responses from people who came to the thanksgiving service,” Craig said. “We’re hearing that God has met people and helped them to move on since the service.”

Mark Wilson, Director of Ministries for Baptist Churches Western Australia, spoke at the opening from 2 Chronicles 6, reflecting on the opening of Solomon’s temple.

The program included an inspiring video testimony of a young man whose life has been turned around through his involvement at Yokine.

Pastor Craig Eccleston spoke briefly on the mission of the church, highlighting the motivating values, ‘Share – Care – Dare’.

digital church

12/11/2011 Mike Friesen www.mikefriesen05.wordpress.com

“Life is hard. And, when we can accept this as part of reality then we can embrace reality as a whole.”

12/11/2011 Ron Edmondson www.ronedmondson.com “I love a good leadership principle learned from observing Jesus.

In Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus introduced fear, challenge and He

09/11/2011 Todd Rhoades www.toddrhoades.com “Character is built choice by choice, decision by decision.

And it is eroded the same way.

We often don’t stop to think about how each choice builds on the last until it’s too late.”

Marriages

Baptisms

North Beach Baptist Church couple Calvin Webb and Kayla Macomish were married in Bridgetown on 7 October.

Garreth Haggis and Jade-Lori Crompton were married at North Beach Baptist Church on 27 October.

North Beach Baptist Church celebrated several baptisms: Sue Archibald, Anton Hallam and Sharon Hallam were baptised on 2 October and Daniel McKinnon on 9 October. Maxine Oversby was baptised at Parkerville Baptist Church on 6 November.

Albany Baptist Church celebrated the baptisms of Travis Douglas on 20 March, Huiyu (Esther) Zhang on 27 March, Braden Fildes and Chloe Hart on 23 October.

Engagement Zoe Athans and Scott Miller from North Beach Baptist Church recently announced their engagement.

news

5

December 2011

Wildcats at Chaplains’ Cup

Photo: YouthCARE

Six years ago the YouthCARE chaplains of the Mid West started a Chaplains’ Cup Basketball competition as a way of having fun and promoting YouthCARE.

Pictured at the YouthCARE chaplains’ cup, held in Perth recently, were (back, left- right): Lam-Vy Phan (YouthCARE school chaplain, Wongan Hills), Tam Nguyen (physical education teacher, Bindoon), Benn Gladden (YouthCARE school chaplain, Toodyay), Jeremiah Trueman (Perth Wildcats) and Luke Nevill (Perth Wildcats).

Front: Doug McGhee (YouthCARE local area chaplain: Mid West Region) and Damian Martin (Perth Wildcats).

The competition has outgrown existing country facilities and was recently moved to the Warwick Leisure Centre in Perth’s northern suburbs.

Students from seven Mid West country high schools met Wildcats’ Assistant Coach Andy Stewart and a number of Wildcats’ players when they made a surprise visit to the Warwick Leisure Centre during the competition. The Wildcats coached the kids and participated in a shootout competition.

Doug McGhee, then YouthCARE school chaplain,

started the Chaplains’ Cup along with Bindoon physical education teacher Tam Nguyen.

“It was such a great event that other schools soon heard about it and wanted to join in. It just kept on getting bigger and better each year,” says Doug, now YouthCARE local area chaplain in the Mid West.

The tournament also aims to provide country students with the opportunity to get together for a fun day of positive basketball competition.

This year’s Chaplains’ Cup, sponsored by Smarter than Smoking, included a health promotional talk, an All Star game of selected students from each school playing against the teachers and chaplains, and a getto-know-you activity for schools to mix.

The Serpentine Camping Centre, just one hour drive from Perth, continues to make a vital contribution to families in Western Australia.

As well as running camps for schools and groups from the Baptist Churches Western Australia (BCWA), the campsite also runs events for government agencies.

Loved the efforts, support, compassion, patience and experienced staff.

“We’ve run a number of camps for the Department of Child Protection (DCP),” Wendy Dyer, Serpentine’s Activities Coordinator said. “During the October school holidays we held our largest respite camp for the DCP.” “We had 50 kids, aged 2 to 18 years, and 19 carers on site with

eight leaders and DCP staff.”

Families came from as far away as Broome, Derby, Albany, Bruce Rock, Beverly and Bunbury.

The four day program included an outing to the ocean and a visit to the zoo.

“The camp was a wonderful opportunity for carers to have a little less stress in their lives as our team organises events for these children who are at risk,” Wendy said. “I just love to see the carers getting to know each other and laughing together during the camp.”

Carers praised the work of the Serpentine team: “Wonderful family experience,” wrote one.

“Loved the efforts, support, compassion, patience and experienced staff. Well done and much appreciated.”

DCP pronounced the camp, ‘best camp yet’.

An innovative collaboration with the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire sees the Serpentine Camping Centre run WYLD (Wilderness Youth Leadership Development) camps several times a year. The camps focus on youth leadership development.

“Our programs are for kids over the age of ten, and include hiking on the Bibbulmun Track, raft building and canoeing on the Murray River in the Dwellingup area,” Wendy said.

The camps are designed for small numbers of campers, offering very practical learning opportunities for the community.

The next WYLD event is planned for January 2012.

Photo: Wendy Dyer

Time out for kids

Serpentine Camping Centre recently ran a kids camp during the October school holidays for the Department of Child Protection.

“Of course there are Junior and Inters Baptist Youth camps planned for January also,” Wendy said. “Registrations close on 13 December.”

Inters camp, for students in Years 8 to 10, runs from 2 to 7 January. Juniors camp, for students in Years 4 to 7, runs from 8 to 12 January. The theme for the 2012 Juniors camp is Super Heroes.

The campsite can accommodate up to 180 people with full catering available.

Facilities include an indoor sports stadium, 25 metre swimming pool, meeting rooms, mini golf course and plenty of bushland to explore.

For more information, visit www.baptistwa.asn.au.

6

news December 2011

CHOGM legacy unveiled Mrs Tonya McCusker and the couple’s three year old daughter, Mary, assisted the Governor.

The sculpture features the peace prayers of children from around the Commonwealth. It will be the only lasting memorial of its kind to CHOGM 2011 in the city.

The ‘Tree of Life’ sculpture by renowned local artist, Rod Laws, features eight branches, representing the eight United Nations Millennium Development Goals to eradicate poverty and bring about social justice in the developing world, including many Commonwealth countries.

Children have written and contributed their prayers as part of Project 54, which over the past two years has grown to become a massive prayer movement encompassing tens of thousands of people in 56 nations, including several non-Commonwealth nations.

The leaves of the tree carry the names of the Commonwealth countries and the children’s peace prayers are engraved

on the plinth supporting the sculpture.

The sculpture was commissioned by Wendy Yapp, founder of the Commonwealth Prayer Initiative, which was formed two years ago in response to the Premier’s call for the community to get behind CHOGM 2011 in Perth.

Wesley Church hosted Converge, seven days of constant prayer for the safety of the heads of government and the city of Perth during CHOGM as well as the people of the Commonwealth.

Groups from Asia, Africa and the Pacific prepared programs that ranged from vibrant worship and lively liturgy to quiet contemplative prayer.

A documentary film telling Aboriginal stories of revival in Far North Queensland, A Pocket of Fire, premiered during Converge.

The film, in which indigenous people from remote areas of Australia share their memories of the Christian revival in the 1930s, started at a small place called Pinnacle Pocket, near Atherton in

Photo: Jill Birt

West Australian Governor, Malcolm McCusker, unveiled a new sculpture outside Wesley Church in the City of Perth as part of the Commonwealth Prayer Initiative for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in late October.

The Tree of Life sculpture was unveiled by West Australian Governor, Malcolm McCusker (left) outside Wesley Church during CHOGM.

Far North Queensland and spread to many parts of the globe.

The making of the film goes back to an elderly Aboriginal man in Kalgoorlie, whose eyesight was failing, but wanted to hear the story of revival among Australian Aboriginals.

The documentary is the work of Perth man, John Blacket, his wife, June, and retired Christian

film producer, Es Giddy.

The Converge program concluded with a Celebration of the Nations service in St Georges Cathedral.

Hundreds of people from many countries of the Commonwealth welcomed the vibrant flags of the Commonwealth as they proceeded through the cathedral

to open the service.

With prayers, music and reflection, the congregation thanked God for answered prayer of safety and peace during CHOGM. Perth radio presenter, Graham Mabry, a Pastor at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, was the speaker at the service.

Supporting mental illness The Rainbow Group that meets at Claremont Baptist Church (CBC) is preparing for their annual Christmas festivities.

Breaking news Australian Baptist Ministries National Council has announced that Rev. Keith Jobberns will be the new National Ministries Director. This follows the departure of Brian Winslade from this role at the end of March. Keith will assume his new position at the beginning of April 2012 after concluding his current role as General Director of Global Interaction in February 2012.

New pastor Eh Htee Kaw was inducted as the new pastor for the Perth Karen Baptist Church on 16 October.

Pastor Eh Htee Kaw studied at the Karen Baptist Theological

Coordinators Chris Warnick (CBC) and Marian Hillam (Nedlands Uniting Church) have been running the group to support people with mental illness for six years. Both women have a child with mental illness.

The Rainbow Group program is under the umbrella of UnitingCare West. There are six groups meeting across Perth.

“We meet fortnightly for a

cup of tea, then lunch and most times a circle where we all get to speak, if we want to and tell some news, or a joke,” Chris said. “This helps us to get to understand each other’s lives and feel closer.”

Mrs Ruth Reid, wife of the former WA Governor, is the group’s Patron. Now aged 90, she is the oldest of the dozen or more volunteers who serve the group.

Nedlands Uniting Church

supplies the majority of the volunteers while CBC provides the venue. Staff members from CBC also support the fortnightly gatherings for up to 60 people.

“Our Christmas party is the highlight for our friends. We decorate the downstairs hall with a Christmas theme and do ham, turkey, plum pudding and more.”

The celebration is funded through money the group saves

during the year. UnitingCare West sometimes provides Christmas gifts and hampers.

“It’s such a worthwhile group meeting a unique need in our community,” Chris said. “We’d be very happy if more people volunteered to help.”

For more information, contact Claremont Baptist Church on 9385 2607.

Institute in Burma, pastored a Baptist Church on the Thai/ Burma border and then in the Maneeloy Refugee Camp in Thailand. He came to Australia in October 2003 as a refugee and has been at the Perth Karen Baptist Church since then.

members in more than 35,000 churches, or approximately 22 percent of BWA membership.

The regional body facilitates communication, network and partnership amongst Baptist churches in Africa in order to promote evangelism, discipleship, leadership development, planting churches and the development of strategies for cooperative social action.

in decades, and the verse was Jeremiah 29:7. “And seek the peace of the city ... and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.” The Bible Society is also putting together a publication to be distributed during the traditional forty day memorial service that will be held for the victims of the 9 October Maspero massacre.

materials on a school computer.

Reports say Kakkattu accidentally transferred material from his flash drive onto the school’s computer.

Police raided Kakkattu’s house and discovered a Bible and other Christian materials. They then charged him with preaching the Christian faith in the Muslim nation of Maldives, which recently tightened restrictions on preaching and practicing non-Islamic faiths. Police took Kakkattu to another island for interrogation and held him for 15 days before deporting him back to India.

Africa gathering Scores of Baptist leaders and delegates from across Africa gathered in Lagos, Nigeria, for the assembly of the All Africa Baptist Fellowship (AABF), from 16 to 20 November. The AABF is one of six regional fellowships of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) and has the second largest membership in the BWA, comprising 9.4 million

Egypt opening For the first time ever, the Egyptian Bible Society has been allowed to publish public advertisements quoting the Bible.

The ads were run in the wake of the worst attack on Christians

Teacher deported Kakkattu, an Indian Christian had been a teacher in Maldives for two years when he was deported.

His crime: owning a Bible. A co-worker reported Kakkattu to the National Administrative Centre after finding Christian

news

7

December 2011

YouthCARE — 40 years on

Heather made history in 1983 when she became the first paid school chaplain on a part-time basis in a WA public school. She started at Willetton Senior High School (SHS) on 4 February and is still employed as chaplain at the school.

“My son was accepted into a Gifted and Talented Program and that meant that I needed to supplement our income. Until then, I was a volunteer with the Churches’ Commission on Education (CCE), more widely known as YouthCARE. I was a CRE coordinator, leading a team of seven scripture teachers at Burrendah Primary School, which coincidentally shares a common site with Willetton SHS. I was also an inaugural member of the Willetton YouthCARE Council.

“I called Margaret Williams,

the then Executive Director of the Churches’ Commission on Education, to enquire about any vacancies in the office, thinking they may need an office assistant.”

“Imagine my shock when Margaret subsequently invited me to become the CCE’s first appointed, paid, school chaplain.”

“I was dumfounded, because my understanding of a chaplain included a grey haired old gentleman in a Reverend’s collar and I bore no resemblance to that!”

“I initially worked for three days a week, which quickly developed into four days a week.

As I am also a qualified nurse, the school asked me to watch out for students needing nursing support when the school was without a nurse.”

New Harvey councillor Anita Shortland is no new-comer to serving in her local community at Australind, where she is a school chaplain, Occupational Therapist and now, shire councillor.

Anita’s election to the Shire of Harvey Council is part of a journey that began 28 years ago. “My earliest recollection of interest in local government is from a school project when I was ten. We ran mock elections and attended a local council meeting.”

The mock elections all those years ago recently became a reality for Anita; however, she points to her faith as the real driving force behind everything she does.

“As a Christian, I want to develop and refine the skills and abilities God has given me.”

Anita also has a great deal of support from her local church.

“She’s part of the leadership team at Australind Baptist Church, and I believe her experience in community leadership, her intelligence, professionalism and compassionate nature will be a valuable asset to our local council,” Pastor Wayne Field said.

Anita may be new to her role as a councillor but she senses a big “calling” going forward.

“Finding ways of helping our sporting clubs, youth centre, community day care, service groups and churches to work together to achieve a greater positive impact in the community will be part of my work on the Council.”

As a Christian, I want to develop and refine the skills and abilities God has given me.

“I want to be a voice for those in the community who find it difficult to be heard, such as people living with disability, low income families, children and youth, and our older residents,” she said.

Photo: YouthCARE

Heather Gare, a member of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, recently took a trip down memory lane talking about her chaplaincy experiences. Her journey coincided with the launch of YouthCARE’s ‘Wanted’ campaign, inviting people to share their stories about YouthCARE chaplains, Christian Religious Education (CRE) teachers and YouthCARE Councils spanning the last 40 years.

The dual role as nurse and school chaplain enabled her to build positive relationships with students and staff during the first eight years at the school.

“I was not only helping to sustain healthy bodies, but also encouraging healthy ears and spirits,” Heather said.

“It’s quite mind blowing to think that today I am one of more than 300 chaplains in WA public schools.”

YouthCARE is planning several celebratory events in 2012 when the organisation celebrates 40 years of CRE teaching and 30 years of school chaplaincy in WA public schools.

People are encouraged to share testimonies, photographs and stories about their experiences as voluntary CRE teachers, YouthCARE Council members, YouthCARE school chaplains, school principals, parents or pupils whose lives were touched through these initiatives.

For more information, visit www.youthcare.org.au.

Heather Gare, YouthCARE’s first paid school chaplain, pictured with marketing material for YouthCARE’s ‘Wanted’ campaign, launched during November.

Esperance under the clippers Some have baldness thrust upon them. Some choose it because they care.

Pastor Chris Boland from Esperance Baptist Church joined the Restore Hope Foundation Esperance and lost his hair and beard as a way of showing solidarity with cancer sufferers in the region.

The campaign, No Hair Because We Care, raised close to

$7,000 to help Esperance people living with the consequences of undergoing cancer treatment.

“I see many people in our community who are experiencing the traumas that come with dealing with cancer,” Chris said.

“Often with big fundraising events, the money raised leaves town as it goes to research projects. We want to support local people, the ones we see struggling from day-to-day.”

On 18 November, in the middle of town, Chris and several others from the church and local

community went under the clippers.

Community groups set up stalls and the Foundation hosted a sausage sizzle with food donated by a local business.

Local businesses are offering specialised services for people the Restore Hope Foundation is working with.

“This is a great opportunity for us as a church to show leadership and God’s love and compassion to our community,” Chris said.

Miracle heart attack survivor Doctor Sean George celebrated his third birthday on 24 October. He works full-time as Consultant Physician and Head of Department at Kalgoorlie Hospital.

On 24 October 2008, Sean was driving home to Kalgoorlie from running a clinic in Esperance when he suffered a heart attack at the Kambalda

clinic. He returned from the dead to amaze colleagues who had battled for almost 55 minutes to revive his lifeless heart.

“Lord Jesus, Sean is only 39, I am only 38, we have a ten year old boy, I need a miracle,” Sherry, Sean’s wife prayed.

Immediately, breath returned to Sean’s body.

“Even though I had been dead for 1 hour 25 minutes my heart beat returned,” Sean said. ”No one can deny that this is a miracle,” Sean said. “People in the scientific arena all admit that this can’t be explained medically, but not all will give the glory to God.”

“Since my cardiac arrest and return to life, God has given me a real passion to share the gospel to as many as possible.”

“I travel as much as possible to share this all over Australia and internationally,” Sean said. “I believe God allowed me to come back for His glory and perhaps my story could help others on their faith journey.”

“Michael, our son was baptised earlier in the year. This miracle has really strengthened him in his faith and he has joined us twice since that time on mission trips to Vanuatu. He’s grateful to have his father back.”

8

feature December 2011

Christianity: good, bad or irrelevant?

By Dr Brian Harris Is Christianity good or bad news? My once ‘obviously good’, answer has changed to a hesitant ‘it depends on which version of Christianity you embrace’ reply. ‘Why?’ you ask ...

I grew up in South Africa during the Apartheid era. Deeply conscious of the injustice of that age, I encouraged fellow Christians to work together to bring about political change.

Time and again I was fobbed off with the sentiment that the most effective way to bring change was to point people to Jesus. I was assured that once people came to faith, it was simply a matter of time until there would be societal change. But it wasn’t really true. Large numbers of Christians uncritically supported the government of the day. As I reflect back on that era, I saw two

versions of faith lived out. One was deeply compassionate and engaged in the issues of the day, the other was piously irrelevant.

By its indifference to the injustice of the time, it helped to legitimise it. Put differently, enormous good flowed from the one version of Christianity, while the other was used to prop up a terrible evil.

Perhaps more than in any other era, Christians have to face the mixed harvest of faith. While in the past atheists were usually content to justify their lack of belief in God’s existence on the basis of ‘intellectual’ objections, it is now increasingly common for that justification to be based on ‘moral’ objections. To quote from the title of Christopher Hitchen’s bestselling book, it is alleged that, ‘God is not great’ and that ‘religion poisons everything’.

Hitchen’s suggests that religious faith is an evil akin to greed, poverty and disease and that it is a significant social problem to be obliterated if we are to attain a more utopian existence.

Others suggest that Christianity has led to: • Religious warfare • Colonial exploitation

• • • •

Racial bigotry The oppression of women Homophobia The exploitation of the environment • Retarding the progress of science, especially medical science • Academic censorship with a resultant intellectual dishonesty • Intolerance of anything new • Hypocrisy Clearly there is nothing attractive about this list.

In Unchristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity, David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons study the attitude of 16 to 29 year old Americans towards Christianity and suggest there are six recurring themes. Christians are considered: • Hypocritical • Interested in ‘saving’ people rather than in relating to them • Anti-homosexual • Sheltered • Too political • Judgemental Again, the list is far from winsome. It is also very far

removed from the way Jesus’ ministry was experienced by his peers — ‘sheltered’, ‘too political’, ‘judgemental’ — well that’s hardly the way anyone at the time would have described Jesus and His disciples.

... Christians know that ultimate victory belongs to the people of God. This should give the courage to live in the light of God’s coming Kingdom in the present.

We could argue that these negative images are the fruit

of the Christendom era, when membership of the Christian faith was assumed for almost all who lived in the Western World.

Christendom was often more about sanctioning the status quo than following Jesus, and we could be hopeful its demise might free the church to find more authentic expressions of faith in this ‘after Christendom’ era. If the harvest of Christendom was the poisonous lists above, is it possible that in the post Christian era a Christianity that more closely represents and reflects the life of Jesus might emerge?

For this to occur, it is important that we recognise and renounce those elements of religious belief that leave us vulnerable to developing a toxic faith.

To be fair, not all the fruit of Christendom was negative.

Christians can claim credit for many of the positive social advances made in the last 2,000 years. While multiple social factors are invariably at work in societal evolution, it is not fair to explore the abolition of slavery, the protection of the rights of women and children,

feature

9

December 2011

be eschatologically oriented.

Allowing the future to guide the present will see a radically new form of Christianity birthed. Imagine, for example, if we lived backwards from the Pauline insight that the ultimate reality is that in Christ, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” — to quote Galatians 3:28. This would lead to an infectiously different Christianity, one worth following, one with a significant apologetic impact.

We need to be alert to the potentially abusive nature of faith.

the development of the welfare state or the shift in focus from retributive to restorative justice, without repeatedly referring to the Christian faith that motivated and inspired most of those who championed these causes. And they represent a small selection of an impressive array of humanitarian achievements.

Sadly, there is also a shadow side. There have been many times in the history of the church when it has been supportive of an oppressive agenda, which on occasion has revealed itself in racism, sexism, homophobia, militarism, ecological and economic exploitation, cultural insensitivity and more beside.

Faith can easily wear unattractive masks. There are three that disappear when the incarnated Jesus serves as our model.

First to go is faith as escapism.

While it is understandable that African American slaves longed for the day when the sweet chariot would swing low to carry them home, it is more difficult to understand why those whose lives are saturated

with material abundance are sometimes so heavenly minded that they are of little use to those on the fringes of life.

An incarnated Christian faith will ensure that eschatology is used not as a crutch justifying escapism, but as a motivator of daring obedience. As people who

have been privileged to see the end of the story, Christians know that ultimate victory belongs to the people of God. This should give the courage to live in the light of God’s coming Kingdom in the present. Baptist theologian Stanley Grenz suggests that all theological construction should

A second caricature left over from the Christendom era is that faith is often confused with the status quo.

This mask bears no resemblance to what is required to be an authentic Christ follower, but for many people things are good provided they’ve been around for more than 20 years.

Nostalgia, rather than a commitment to a daring faith agenda, is the driver. Perhaps we should stop thinking of ourselves as Christians, but as Christ followers. This is not a pedantic quibble. To stop viewing ourselves as static nouns and to introduce images of action might help to remind us that the Christian vision is of a daring journey of discipleship.

It is a journey that does not bypass the cross and it is one that would never be undertaken without the assurance that resurrection follows crucifixion.

If this sounds like the status quo, then the status quo is not what it used to be!

A third mask to denounce is faith as smugness and selfrighteousness.

While most have renounced the wagging finger, the image of Christians as people who see themselves as morally superior to lesser mortals, persists. Not that Christians are without a moral vision. However, a thoughtful Christianity is not proclaimed in ‘thou shalt’ terms, but invitationally. It recognises that it is one vision amongst many and that it needs to woo others by the winsomeness of those who have been captured by its contours.

These three false masks — faith as escapism, the status quo or self-righteousness — alert us to an important truth. Faith can spark life’s loftiest journeys, but paradoxically, can also accompany and bolster its most misguided detours.

We need to be alert to the potentially abusive nature of faith. Danger signals include an insistence on unquestioning faith, or faith as compulsion instead of faith as invitation, or where there is legalism with neither love nor grace, or any form of faith that aims for power and control, and attempts to justify the unjustifiable in the name of God. So back to our opening question. Is Christianity good or bad news? It really does depend on which version of Christian faith you embrace ...

Dr Brian Harris is the Principal of Vose Seminary and the Senior Pastor of Carey Community Baptist Church. This is an edited section of a paper he presented at a Baptist World Alliance Conference in Malaysia in July 2011.

10 news December 2011

Enslaved to money sharks Satyavir Chakrapani, Managing Director of Shikhar Microfinance, observed that although the situation in rural areas is improving, poverty in major cities is escalating.

“As I talked with people, I heard so many stories about people borrowing from money lenders in their village to go to New Delhi, arriving in the city without work and finding themselves trapped,” Satya said in Perth recently.

“The desperate need for assistance for these people provides us a unique opportunity to intervene before people become destitute,” Satya said.

Creating enterprises for jobs to help the urban poor is one way Shikhar Microfinance is helping the three million urban poor in an area of the capital Delhi.

“Even with work opportunities we discovered this did not help many people because their families were enslaved to money lenders back in their villages,” Satya said.

“Ninety percent of people who send a family member to the city to find work get a loan from a village money lender for transport costs. The interest on such a loan can be as high as 804 percent.

Photo: Equal Health 2001 Volunteer

Microfinance is significantly decreasing poverty in rural India.

Many Indian families are desperate to escape the money lenders in their villages.

The average is 120 percent.

“All they need is for the one who is repaying the loan to fall ill and not be able to work and they’re then enslaved to the money lender.”

One family borrowed a small amount for medical costs when the bread-winner in the family became ill. After seven years they have paid $170 in repayments and still owe $110.

“We developed a new type of

loan for urban poor,” Satya said.

“It’s called a ‘Redemption Loan’ and it’s designed to help you get free from the money lender.”

Between 70 and 75 percent of first loans provided by Shikhar Microfinance since they started in December 2007 are for Redemption Loans.

“These loans are for $60 to $100,” Satya said. “As little as that can help free a family from being in debt to a money lender, then

they are able to start working towards financial freedom. So far we’ve helped 15,000 families be redeemed.”

In Delhi’s slums Shikhar Microfinance is developing community building projects, working with small groups of people who help keep one another to be accountable in their financial saving and support one another in literacy, sanitation and water ventures in their local area.

“This is the work God has called me to,” Satya said. “I spent 12 years in banking before I started at Shikhar Microfinance.

What we’re doing is helping transform communities.”

“There are many ways Australians can work with us.

Through donations, volunteering and we need your prayers too.

Working with the urban poor in slum areas is definitely challenging,” he said.

Photo: Jill Birt

Sexualisation of youth ever increasing

Wendy Smith believes families need to be pro-active to curb the influence of the community’s early sexualisation of children.

Christian Conventions of Western Australia brought Wendy Smith, a Bible teacher, youth worker and scientist from New South Wales, to conduct seminars in Perth on 12 November. The seminars aimed to raise awareness of the prevalence of early sexualisation of young Australians and encourage people to act to protect children and young people.

Forty people attended the seminar at North Beach Baptist Church and about 60 attended Riverton Baptist Church. She also conducted community seminars in Geraldton and Carnarvon before returning to New South Wales.

The most significant sources of premature sexualisation are girls’ magazines and advertising material. Television programs, in particular music video programs, teen soap operas like The O.C. and reality television shows such as Big Brother also play a role.

“I suspect many people are either not aware of the issues, or if they are aware, may not be aware of the implications for our young people,” Wendy said.

An increase in child abuse cases, mental health and anxiety issues, physical illnesses, sexting and sexual activity at an earlier age are just some of the negative side effects seen as popular culture continues to base young girls’ identities on narrow stereotypes of female sexuality.

“I want to encourage people to think through the issues and be proactive in their own communities and families.”

“Be aware, be informed, be involved. Talk with your kids, be careful about what products you buy, and be aware of your child’s internet usage.”

“Technology itself, like sex, is not a bad thing. Both, when used appropriately are great, but when abused become very dangerous tools,” Wendy said. “To cope with the ever increasing and fast paced technical world we can only do our best to keep up and be informed.”

Parents can help their children develop healthily, by regularly engaging young girls in skill-building, practical activities such as sport, music and outdoor activities.

“There are plenty of resources

to help families. Faking it magazine by the Women’s Forum Australia; Getting Real by Melinda Tankard-Reist and What’s happening to our Girls (boys) by Maggie Hamilton.”

For more information, visit www.collectiveshout.org and www.womensforumaustralia.org.

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news 11 December 2011

Construction in Africa

Recently, a group of men from the church took that invitation a step further — forming a team that would set out to provide more than financial support from a distance.

Team leader and KBC elder, Maurice Crook says the group of eight men drew up plans to do more than just visit — but to give practical support to their friends in Mozambique, despite the rough conditions they knew they would experience.

“The team went over to help build a home for the Smith family, who are preparing to work with the Cranes.”

“Andrew and Tania [Smith] will be with the Yao people along the outlying roads in the Northern Mozambique out of Lichinga,” Mr Crook explained.

The KBC team worked alongside John Lawrence, an Australian builder, who has been called to assist people working in Africa by doing construction work that would normally consume the time and energy of families such as the Cranes and

Photo: Chris Braid

Jono and Heather Crane signed up with Global Interaction to work with Yao people in Mozambique several years ago. They went with the blessing and financial support of the Kalgoorlie Baptist Church (KBC), and have held an open invitation for members of the church to visit ‘at some point’.

Builder John Lawrence fits the central roof beam to the Smith’s house with help from the Kalgoorlie Baptist Church team.

the Smiths. “We worked on steel fabrication, electrical fitting and wiring, developing water supply systems, timber framing of doors, windows and roofing,” Mr Crook said.

“John was our building manager and we also worked closely with Alan McGrechen, an electrician from Parkerville, who had already gone over to

Mozambique to work with the Crane and Smith families on a longer term basis.”

At the centre of all this activity were the Yao people, who became part of the project, employed to help construct the concrete brick house structure.

“The local works-foreman spoke a helpful amount of English to help us understand some of

Brutal crackdown in Papua Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) urged the Indonesian Government to take urgent steps to address the grievances of the Papuan people after tension escalated in West Papua in late October.

West Papua has a strongly Christian population.

The Indonesian military and police brutally suppressed a peaceful Papuan People’s Congress after delegates raised the Morning Star flag, a symbol of West Papua’s resistance to Indonesian rule, and declared independence.

At least six Papuan people were killed and six have been charged with treason. Several hundred were initially arrested, although many have since been released.

Reverend Socratez Sofyan Yoman, Chairman of the Alliance of Papuan Baptist Churches, told CSW, “We call on the Indonesian authorities to open the door for peaceful dialogue between the Papuan representatives and the Indonesian government.

Dialogue must take place without preconditions and be mediated by a neutral part. The Indonesian military and police must respect the Papuan people’s dignity and rights, and stop the violations.

As church leaders we strongly support genuine dialogue between the Indonesia Government and West Papuan leaders to solve West Papua’s problems.”

“Indonesia has a responsibility to uphold the rule of law, protect human rights and respect international law. The tragic and bloody escalation in tensions serves as a wakeup call to Indonesia and the international community, that the grievances of the Papuan people must be addressed,” CSW’s Advocacy Director Andrew Johnston said.

the customs and to communicate with the local workers. We also did our best to learn some of their language,” Mr Crook said.

Mr Crook believes there is a role for everyone to play — as the Crane and Smith families, and others like them go forward in their work in Africa — some providing the support from home and others picking up tools to

work ‘on site’.

“It’s worth the expense and hurdles to offer ourselves as servants to the people who themselves are called to serve.”

Book raises over $650 In her book Adventure with a Glass Eye, Perth author, Julie Raymond, tells the inspiring story of Graham Laycock, a renowned Christian teacher and Western Australia’s first blind physiotherapist. Graham lost his sight when he was nine years old.

“I wrote the story to encourage people to make the most of their opportunities and go after their dreams, no matter what the obstacles might be,” Julie said. “I especially tried to make the book accessible to anyone over 11 years of age as I was only 15 when I first heard a dynamic talk from Graham.”

Julie took three years to publish the book.

“Graham’s widow, Peggy Laycock supported me all the way,” Julie said.

Julie heard Samuel Gan, the Principal of a Christian school in Kalimantan, Indonesia speak about how the children’s dreams were small until education became available to them. She decided to use Graham’s story to help.

“So far we have raised over $650 from the profits of book sales and some extra donations to send books to the school in Kalimantan, a girls orphanage in Manila, Philippines and some Bible College libraries in India,” Julie said.

“The Kalimantan school is in a little village. Because the last part of the journey to the school is by river boat, I carefully wrapped the books in plastic and prayed the box wouldn’t end up overboard. It did arrive safely.”

12 in conversation December 2011

The issues of fatherhood

Photo: Todd Stone

Following the huge success of the movie Fireproof, film makers Stephen and Alex Kendrick have hit the mark again with their new movie Courageous. Stephen shares with journalist Kerryn Bricknell how this movie was created to inspire men to be courageous in their roles as fathers.

Alex and Stephen Kendrick on the set of Courageous.

Stephen, you’ve had such amazing success with the movie Fireproof, how did you as film makers go back and regroup after that to start the process of your next film project Courageous?

Movies for us are such a stewardship. We know our movies shouldn’t be based on just a good idea but it needs to be a God idea. After every movie we enter a season of prayer and we spent months asking God to show us what the next movie needs to be about, what was on his heart and what this generation needs to hear now. After Fireproof, God clearly led us to focus in on the issue of fatherhood. The more we unpacked that issue, the bigger it got.

In the past month, Courageous has been a box office hit in the USA drawing large audiences.

Why do you think people are responding in this way?

I think multiple reasons.

Firstly, we’ve had a growing audience that trusts us because they have seen our first three movies. So many people have been waiting for clean movies to come out that are engaging and challenging. Alex and I have never claimed to be academy award winning producers, but we are trying to make the movies that we wish somebody else would make so we can take our families to see them. I want to go to the theatre and watch a clean movie that does not trample my faith or my values, but I can laugh and cry and be inspired to go on a journey and see twist and turns.

What are you wanting the audience to walk away with after watching the Courageous movie?

We want them to be courageous for the sake of their faith and their families. We want them to deal with their own fatherhood issues. In the movie the four central characters discuss how their own fathers influenced them. We want people to forgive their dads if their dad has wounded them or been a bad example. We hope that people are able to break the chain in their families and to begin to leave a new legacy of faithfulness in their home. To get involved not only in their kid’s lives just with time, but with intentionality and purpose to their parenting, and letting God’s work guide the decisions they make in their homes. As a result of seeing the movie, we want the next generation of kids to grow up with great father stories and to have a closer relationship with their Heavenly Father.

Your brother Alex has co-written this movie with you. How do you go about the writing process together?

We try to integrate not only entertainment, action, humour and drama, but also truth that will inspire and hopefully change people’s lives. We actually have never been trained in screen writing and so we really do it like we do everything else. We spend a lot time praying and then we will research the subjects we are talking about and talk to people.

For instance with Courageous we

talked to single mums who are trying to raise children without the dads. We talked to people who have lost children because there is the issue of the loss of a child in the movie storyline. We talked to people who have grown up without dads and what that was like and how that affected and influenced their lives. Alex and I will pray and then write.

We are very critical of our own work. We don’t let the mediocre ideas survive and so we will both critique one another’s work and then hopefully collaborate into something that we believe will work for our audiences.

Is the storyline from your personal experience, or from people who are close to you or a combination?

It is definitely a combination.

With Courageous our own father was so pivotal in our lives. He was a chain breaker in his own home. His father was seven feet tall, an alcoholic and was unfaithful to his wife. Our dad grew up in poverty, very insecure, afraid and didn’t know how to do things because his father was not training him as he should have.

Our father came to know Jesus Christ, forgave his dad and then he began to leave a new legacy for the family. He began to model faithfulness to our mother, to the Lord and to us. That was huge.

At the same time Alex has six children and I have four children.

We are every day dealing with trying to learn how to be great dads for our kids. In ministry, we see both the wounded that can go from fatherlessness and then the

victory and the strength that can come from having a Godly father heavily involved in their life.

Do you feel that this experience has strengthened your relationship with your children?

I do. The movie and then working on the book Resolution for Men — that’s the follow up to the movie Courageous — both of those caused us to spend a lot of time praying and soul searching ourselves. It is convicting anytime you lift up a biblical standard because you realise how much you fall short on your own.

So Alex and I have both been challenged to step it up in our leadership of our families. One thing that has come out of the last few years focusing on this

issue is we have family devotions and bible study with our own kids. Now we are reading the scriptures at home during the week to our kids and praying with them. It is making a huge difference in our kid’s lives, in our lives, in our marriages and in our own leadership.

You have put together resources to go with the movie. Is it an intentional aspect of the total Courageous project?

It is definitely intentional really because we always talk about putting the Kingdom above money or fame or anything else. We know people are going to be moved emotionally when they watch these movies, but emotions will fade. They will walk out of the theatre and say, “I want to be a great dad” or like in Fireproof, “I want to go work on my marriage; it’s worth fighting for.” But those feelings will pass away. There is not a lasting long term change of thinking if we don’t get God’s word into their hearts and minds. True discipleship will not take place. With the Love Dare book following Fireproof and Resolution for Men, and Resolution for Women books following Courageous, it gives men and women an opportunity to live out the resolution in their own lives. The books are packed very strategically with scriptures that talk about God’s calling, and God’s commands for us as fathers and mothers in what our spiritual responsibilities are.

So have you started on your next project on asking God what it is?

We have begun praying and asking him what the next movie is to be about. We don’t know yet.

Alex has multiple movie ideas and I do as well. The Lord has surprised us with every movie, so far it has been different than what we anticipated. It is definitely a faith journey with us.

Courageous Competition The Advocate, in conjunction with Crossroad Distributors is giving you an opportunity to win a copy of the Courageous soundtrack and resource books. To be in the draw, simply answer the following question:

Question: What country has the film Courageous been a box office hit recently?

Answer: Name: Phone number: Please complete this form with your details and post it to: Courageous Competition 11 East Parade East Perth WA 6004 Entries close 12 December and all winners will be announced in the January edition of The Advocate.

leadership 13 December 2011

competition has benefits and drawbacks.

The upside of competition Competition provides feedback. Until we match our skills against a competitor, we seldom know the extent of our strengths and weaknesses.

Competition calls forth our best efforts. Runners don’t set world records in practice; they break them when racing against other elite athletes.

Competition provides feedback.

Leading across: from competing to competing

By John Maxwell Leading peers can be tricky since you’re simultaneously cooperating with and competing against them. For example, athletes on the same team contend for a limited number of positions in the starting lineup, yet compete together on game day. Musicians within an

orchestra vie for the first chair, but then harmonize their talents to delight audiences with their music. Coworkers jockey for prestigious assignments, but afterwards combine their skills to advance the mission of the organisation.

Healthy work environments depend on competition and cooperation. Both are necessary in order to win. Either too much competition or a deficiency of

it can damage team dynamics.

In an overly competitive work culture, the natural antagonism of competition turns teammates into enemies and deters cooperation. Conversely, in an environment absent of competition, the aversion to conflict snuffs out critical thinking and stifles initiative.

Arriving at suitable levels of competitiveness at work begins by acknowledging that

The downside of competition Competition can become personal. We use the phrase ‘friendly competition’, but often competition is anything but friendly and ends up fueling personal animosities.

Competition can warp our view of success and failure. In a culture obsessed with winning, we can be tempted to measure our self-worth by the outcome of competition.

Completing instead of competing To have the most influence with your peers, put completing fellow leaders ahead of competing against them. Endeavor to make your teammates better instead of trying to prove that you’re the best. If you spend time adding value to peers, you’ll eventually become very valuable to them.

The following tips will aid you in adopting a healthy perspective on competition in the workplace:

“I’m not in competition with anybody but myself. My goal is to beat my last performance.” ~ Celine Dion Reevaluate your definition of success and failure First, resist the temptation to define yourself by wins and losses. We can only control the effort we put in, not the outcomes we experience. Second, move from an individual to collective notion of accomplishment.

Rather than being solely preoccupied with personal advancement, learn to see success as helping others to victory.

“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of selfsatisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best that you are capable of becoming.” ~ John Wooden “You will accomplish more in the next two months, developing a sincere interest in two people than you will accomplish in the next two months, trying to get two people interested in you.” ~ Tim Sanders Adopt an abundance mindset There are many lanes on the highway to success. Search for win-win partnerships with fellow coworkers in which you both stand to gain something valuable.

Sharing resources or lending assistance to others enriches rather than impoverishes you.

“The more we develop an abundance mentality, the more we are genuinely happy for the successes, wellbeing, achievements, recognition, and good fortune of other people. We believe their success adds to … rather than detracts from … our lives.” ~ Stephen Covey

Switch your standard of comparison We tend to compare ourselves to other people, when we should compare ourselves to our potential.

Used with kind permission from The John Maxwell Company, www.johnmaxwell.com.

even though it feels like it.

So we can feel clear, but a calmer reflection reveals that we could only appreciate a narrow tunnel vision of the situation. It is not wise to be shooting arrows at apparent targets when we are upset. We risk shooting the wrong target.

The pea soup of conflicting data and stories can be crippling.

We get the story with ‘spin’ attached, and we attach our own ‘spin’. Data is embellished with vagaries and generalisations. The leader’s emotive responses can add to the fog. It is hard to aim for the heart of a matter when you are hemmed in and wet with the fog.

We can clear the fog and aim well. How?

Collect the data in the fog.

Doing so methodically assists in clearing a real view. So does asking multiple perspectives.

Seeking to verify, quantify and clarify the issue warms the air and lifts the cloud. As you make genuine and thorough inquiry you can find your way to see where the energy should be placed. Take all the time you reasonably can to clear the fog before you take aim and fire off your response.

Happy leading!

Pea soup and pot shots

By Monica O’Neil It can be as woolly and cold as walking through a fog in the middle of winter. Not only are you drenched by the thick, wet air, but visibility is no further than the hand on the end of your arm.

You may not know how it got like this. There are mixed emotions, stress and pain all around, but the cause is masked and the future hidden from view, lost in the fog.

When things upset us, it can be clear as crystal what is wrong — some violation of basic human dignity,

some injustice against the marginalised, or an incorrectly loaded copier that is jammed in seven places. We know that something is wrong and a response is needed.

Sometimes however, you and I get annoyed because penchants have been denied and preferences ignored. The problem seems as clear as crystal. That person or action is wrong and we know it because we were ‘put out’.

Immediate action is necessary to restore our comfort. This is one type of response that can herald in the ‘fog’. We end up lost in the pea soup of self righteousness, confusion or both.

So what does a leader do when the fog has been allowed

in and an issue is now shrouded in confusion, cloaked in angry self orientation or muddied by conflicting stories and data?

The temptation is to take aim and fire because we feel clear and right. The trouble is that we may not be. When angered or threatened our body is designed to fight or run. We are beautifully endowed with a capacity to run like the wind and leap tall fences in a single bound. This is adrenalin at work. Being super angry or afraid gives us tunnel vision and lets us feel like we have everything in view and everything we need to move. And we do, if all we need is to move or to fight. We are not, however, usually being stalked by a lion,

Monica O’Neil is the Director of Vose Leadership.

14 the facts December 2011

events calendar December 3 December

International Day of People with Disability

5 December

International Volunteer Day

10 December

International Human Rights Day

14 December

Marketplace Ethics: Bribery and Corruption Seminar with Bishop Hwa Yung, 0433 284 629

19 January

National Day of Prayer and Fasting, www.nationaldayofprayer.com.au

6 March

Boards clusters begin (Tuesday nights), Vose Leadership, 6313 6200

23 to 25 January

Influencers Conference, Burswood Theature, www.influencersconference.com

8 March

International Women’s Day

13 March

Leadership Development clusters begin (Tuesday nights), Vose Leadership, 6313 6200

15 March

Leadership Development clusters begin (Thursday mornings), Vose Leadership, 6313 6200

20 March

Chairs clusters begin (Tuesday nights), Vose Leadership, 6313 6200

23 to 25 March

Mighty Mens Conference WA,

27 to 29 January

15 December

19 December

February

Rainbow Group Christmas party, Claremont Baptist Church, 9385 2607 IGA Carols by Candlelight, Supreme Court Gardens www.perthnow.com.au/carols

2012

8 February

Networking mornings begin (Wednesday mornings), Vose Leadership, 6313 6200

11 February

Passing the Baton, Vose Leadership, 6313 6200

18 February

Jazz at the Wood, Inglewood Community Church, 0406 073 690

January 2 to 7 January

Inters Camp, BCWA 6313 6300

8 to 12 January

Juniors Camp, BCWA 6313 6300

www.mightymensconference.org.au

24 March

Jazz at the Wood, Inglewood Community Church, 0406 073 690

24 March

Perth Children’s Ministry Convention, North Beach Baptist Church, 9341 1560

25 March

Moora Baptist Church 20 Year Celebration, Moora Baptist Church, 9653 1414

March 2 March

14 to 15 January

Wyld Adventure Camp for 10 to 15 year olds, 9525 5135

More Than Sunday Music Festival, Old Broadwater Farm Busselton, www.morethansunday.org

World Day of Prayer, Wesley Uniting Church, 9384 4480

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intermission 15 December 2011

browse

watch

Vimeo

Soul Surfer

Live to Forgive

Soul Surfer is the incredible true story of the courageous Bethany Hamilton, an avid surfer. At the age of 13, Bethany lost her arm (and almost her life) in a horrific shark attack accident. Despite this obstacle her feisty determination and unwavering belief in God spurred her on. You’ll be uplifted and inspired through the journey of recovery made by Bethany to overcome the physical and emotional trauma of the attack and her extraordinary return to the competitive surfing.

A true story of faith and redemption, Live to Forgive gives viewers the courage to free themselves of their own burdens and forgive past hurts. When his stepfather, Bob, kills his mother, Dean spends years plotting bitter revenge, but as his suppressed anger overwhelms him, Dean turns to God for help. This true story is one of the most powerful and inspiring films ever made about forgiveness. You will be glued to your seat as you follow this powerful ride of extreme love and compassion.

www.vimeo.com/plus Is your church or ministry using online video as a part of its communication strategy? Currently there are a number of providers who will host your video, but unfortunately they generally carry adverts which may not be consistent with your message. Vimeo has been offering video hosting for some time, but their Vimeo Plus service will be of particular interest as it removes the adverts from the screen. This combined with unlimited HD video uploading and embedding, full player customisation as well as a number of other features makes for a fully featured service which will assist your ministry. Vimeo Plus is available for US$59.95 per year, which is very competitive when compared to similar services.

win The Purpose Driven Life Rick Warren The most basic question everyone faces in life is, ‘Why am I here?’, ‘What is my purpose?’ Self-help books suggest that people should look within, at their own desires and dreams, but Rick Warren says the starting place must be with God and his eternal purposes for each life. Real meaning and significance comes from understanding and fulfilling God’s purposes for putting us on earth.

The Purpose Driven Life takes the groundbreaking message of the award-winning Purpose Driven Church and goes deeper, applying it to the lifestyle of individual Christians. This book helps readers understand God’s incredible plan for their lives. Warren enables them to see the big picture of what life is all about and begin to live the life God created them to live.

The Hurried Woman Syndrome Dr Catherine Weber (a licensed marriage and family therapist) explores the Hurried Woman Syndrome and how to conquer stress and anxiety in everyday life. The Extraordinary Women series is designed to help women help themselves and others.

Women do more today than ever before in history. New issues confront them daily. How does a woman cope with the unique stress of motherhood, career, relationships, singleness, financial freedom, etc? This series helps women have a better understanding of how to handle the pressures and complexities of life and offers help and encouragement during these times.

read

The Advocate, in conjunction with Word Bookstore is giving you an opportunity to win a copy of The Purpose Driven Life. To be in the draw, simply answer the following question:

Question: Name the two books written by Rick Warren that have been mentioned in this review.

Entries close 12 December and all winners will be announced in the January edition of The Advocate.

The Grace of God competition winners: A Simpson, R Read, R Thyer

competition Answer: Name:

The Cause Within You Matthew Barnett Matthew Barnett discovered his own cause in life when he relinquished his dream of building a big, successful church like his father’s and began listening for God’s dream for his life instead. Sensing that God was calling him to serve the poor and powerless of Los Angeles, Matthew founded the Dream Center, a beacon of hope for people whose lives were filled with brokenness. Through his own story and the stories of others whose lives have been transformed, Matthew will lead you to the cause of your lifetime.

Behind the Veils of Yemen

God’s Story, Your Story

Audra Grace Shelby With only prayer and a faith, Audra Grace Shelby departed with her husband and four children on a one-way flight to Yemen ... deep into the heart of conservative Islam. “Women began to arrive in the entry hall, peeling away their black outer coverings … I looked at their faces; artfully painted with makeup … they were the beauties of Arab folklore. I was awed by the transformation …”

With honesty and passion, she shares her journey as a Christian woman thrust into a dangerously different culture.

Max Lucado Pastor and bestselling author Max Lucado reveals how your life’s story is part of a grand, overarching narrative, helping you see between the lines to witness God’s hand at work. “Your life emerges from the greatest mind and the kindest heart in the history of the universe: the mind and heart of God.” With contemporary anecdotes and New Testament stories, God’s Story, Your Story will help you trace your Savior’s loving pursuit through the chaos of life.

Phone number: Please complete this form with your details and post it to: The Purpose Driven Life Competition 11 East Parade East Perth WA 6004

Reviews and competition kindly supplied by Word Bookstore.

Website: www.word.com.au Locations: Morley - 4 Wellington Road, phone 08 9375 3722

Victoria Park - 359 Albany Highway, phone 08 9361 7899

16 sport & youth December 2011

Bibbulmum gets in your blood

Michael Carter is passionate about walking and the outdoors, so the Bibbulmun Track is like heaven to him. Michael is a member of North Beach Baptist Church and is the Administrator at Baptist Churches Western Australia.

“The track is like a magnet,” Michael said. “It draws you back again and again. I have walked the whole distance, but feel constantly drawn back to it as though pulled by an unseen force.”

“I’m a volunteer and look after two sections of the track down near Manjimup. This requires at least four visits a year, and when the time comes, I am itching to get down and clear my section and clean up the area.”

... God created its surrounds and everything that gives it its beauty.

The walk will take around seven weeks if done end to end at one time. Many people walk it in sections of three to six days at a time. Shelters with water tanks provide accommodation and water for walkers over the entire distance of the track.

“It’s not essential, but it is advisable to take water purifying tablets to treat the water,” Michael said.

Share Your Will Power Thinking about your Will?

Call 1300 789 991 or visit baptistworldaid.org.au/ bequests for a copy of Baptist World Aid Australia’s ‘Guide to Wills and Bequests’

“The wild flowers in the Connelly River to Walpole area are amazing in spring. Many walkers take to the track in autumn and spring when the weather is milder.”

“Winter, is the only month I am not inclined to walk unless I do short day walks,” Michael said.

“The day I climbed Mt Cooke, the highest point of the track east of Armadale, the weather in Perth was 39 degrees. In hindsight, maybe that wasn’t such a good idea.”

“I generally walk solo as I like to reflect on many things as I walk along. One summer I walked for five days and did not see another human being in that time. You’ll often meet wallabies, kangaroos, emus and snakes as they are ever present.”

“In the track log book, which hikers are encouraged to sign, I once summed it up like this: ‘In the Bibbulmun Track we have a wonderful asset. People designed the track; volunteers keep it going, but God created its surrounds and everything that gives it its beauty’.”

“As I walk the track I can’t help but be amazed at God’s handiwork. By day you admire his creation in the trees and flowers, and by night as you lay on one of the outside tables and gaze at the stars, free from any artificial light, you can but echo the words of the Psalmists when he says, ‘When I consider your heavens the works of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have made, what is man that you care for him and visit him?’”

Photo: Gordon Carter

The Bibbulmun starts at Kalamunda and follows trails through pristine forests including Jarrah, Marri, Karri, Tuart and Tingle, some country towns and coastal areas for 972 km to its southern terminus in Albany.

Michael Carter walks parts of the Bibbulmum Track several times a year when he volunteers to look after two sections of the track near Manjimup.