The qb, The Voice of Queensland Baptists by Queensland Baptists

The voice of Queensland Baptists April/May 2016

Disciples mobilised Global Interaction ... what’s next? Marriage: ‘the other’ and ‘the same’ Print post approved ISSN: 100003837 The Queensland Baptist - first published in 1890. This series Vol 14 Issue 2.

www.qb.org.au

QB MINISTRIES 18

Ready to launch (QB kids & Youth)

Gathering at the campfire (QCCC)

She is... chosen (QB Women)

Shaping life and ministry (Malyon)

Let’s start the conversation (MTQ)

X marks the spot (QB archives)

Carinity Chaplain Grant Nelson (Carinity)

QB PARTNERS 36

Consumers urged to rethink their next gadget purchase (BWAA)

What’s next? (Global Interaction)

ARTICLES 40

Marriage

Protecting our children’s innocence

APRIL/MAY 2016 ISSUE 04 07 08 10

Comment: David Loder Knowing God Series Speaking out: John Sweetman Prayer

11 11 15 16

Baptisms Around the regions Milestones QB Convention 2016

Our cover: Our cover image was snapped at a tranquil spot on the QCCC Mapleton property while QB staff member Kirsten Bungey was roving with her camera to capture some great images at QB Convention 2016. It might have been tranquil in this spot, but it was ‘all systems go’ everywhere else as record numbers attended the event. Thanks Kirsten!

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Persecution brief Reviews Fun zone Classifieds

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COMMENT

DISCIPLES MOBILISED! ‘And he personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ’ (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Later this year your church will have the opportunity to participate in the National Church Life Survey. This can be a significant time for the church to do an evaluation on key areas in church life and to give cause to celebrate, reflect, and show areas that need attention. Each church will also have the opportunity to gauge how they sit in relation to all QB churches, all Australian Baptist churches and all other denominations. One question will be asked of the participants: what aspects of church life do you think needs greater attention in the next twelve months? This question was asked in the last

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two surveys held in 2006 and 2011. Surprisingly, the same response came out tops in both surveys for all Queensland Baptists! This was to encourage people to discover and use their spiritual gifts. A total of 38% in 2006 and 36% in 2011 listed this as the most pressing need. It seems significant that no real progress appeared to have been made in this matter in the five years, and that it remained the most pressing need in most people’s minds. There does appear to be some confusion here—at least anecdotally. A common anthem heard amongst pastors and leaders is the cry to the church to get more involved! Often the call goes out in churches for more help required in a range of ministries from religious instruction, Sunday School teaching, youth leadership, small group leadership and so on. Yet from the other side there is a plea from people to be helped to discover and use their spiritual gift.

Church leaders need to give serious consideration to this matter. God has called each of us to ministry and service, both within and outside the church environment. It is innate in the people of God to serve their King and Saviour in an effective and affirming manner. There are many reasons why people don’t get involved in church ministry. Some people have their lives so busy it is impossible to commit to anything else. Others are uninformed about ministry. Others feel undervalued by being offered menial roles. Others are unaware of the opportunities. Some are reluctant to ‘sign up’ for a role that seemingly will last into eternity. Pastors and leaders need to be aware of these findings and see how they apply in their respective churches. Many things can and need to be done to address the felt need of people to be able to serve the Lord Jesus, both within the church family and beyond. Preaching on the matter raises the

COMMENT awareness. Appropriate delegation mobilises the people. Assisting people to discover their spiritual gifts is essential. Creating opportunities to serve expands the church’s ministry. Doing an audit to match roles and people is recommended. Considering short-term ministries increase the likelihood of commitment to the task. These are a few of the possibilities that will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the church for the Kingdom’s sake! QB matters • Each year we have been holding Area Meetings around the State for pastors. These are held early in the year and a total of 311 attended the 12 meetings conducted. This remains the biggest event attended by pastors.

• Our Annual Convention was held in early April. There will be various reports in this magazine about this inspiring event. Our numbers continue to grow. Rev Dr Gary and Dr Carla Nelson from Canada were our guests and we were blessed, challenged and inspired by their presentations to us. We also hosted a number of pastors and leaders from the South Seas Evangelical Church who ministered in three of our churches following the Convention.

During my absence, the Regional Consultants will take on the extra load, or in urgent matters I can be contacted through my Personal Assistant, Ann Armour. Very much appreciated! It has been a busy start to the year! The load is much easier to bear as each person involves themselves in the ministry of the Kingdom. Let’s work together! David Loder General Superintendent Queensland Baptists gs@qb.com.au

• I will be taking a sabbatical from the 25 April – 01 August. Whilst I have a few goals to accomplish in this time, my key aim is to re-write my thesis in a publishable format for wider readership. I am grateful to the QB Board for their encouragement in this endeavour.

Q CCC

QUEENSLAND CONFERENCE AND CAMPING CENTRES

DISCOVER QCCC TAMBORINE Situated in the beautiful Gold Coast Hinterland, we have 4 venues that would be perfect for hosting your next family camp, youth retreat or men’s and women’s getaways. From delicious meals to comfortable accommodation, we have everything to provide your guests with a memorable experience. Contact us now!

www.qccc.com.au bookings@tamborine.qccc.com.au 07 5545 1417

NEWS, VIEWS & ISSUES

The qb is a member of the Australasian Religious Press Association, published bi-monthly by Queensland Baptist Services Group in February, April, June, August, October and December. Editor: Robynne Milne Design: Shell Graphix Print: Printcraft

FROM THE EDITOR In this issue we continue to highlight our QB Board theme for 2016, Knowing God: discipleship, with a special emphasis on time for action. David Loder (Comment) speaks about the need to help people discover their spiritual gifts, and Warren Crank (Knowing God series) encourages us to ‘close the gap’ between ‘what I know Jesus requires of me and my everyday behaviour’. There are some great images from QB Convention 2016 and we express our thanks to everyone involved in the preparation and conduct of this big event in our annual calendar. QB Regional Consultant Stewart Pieper (Prayerful ... Fearless) continues to encourage us to get involved in QB Prayer Focus 2016 between 5–12 June, QCCC (Gathering at the campfire) launches their CAMPFIRE

internship, and MTQ’s Colin Stoodley (Let’s start the conversation) brings us his second article about the phases that lead to church multiplication. And there is so much more for you to enjoy! As to me, after almost seven years as QB’s Marketing & Communications Manager, I have concluded that role but will continue as editor of The qb for a while yet. Welcome to my replacement, Linda Nevell who commenced just a few weeks before convention (i.e. was thrown in the deep end!) and has worked solidly with humour and good grace. Robynne Milne Editor, The qb qb@qb.org.au

This magazine is printed with soy based inks and paper from sustainable forest plantations. We welcome reader feedback and opinions about our articles. Remember to include your full name, email and postal addresses. Articles and advertising in The qb express the opinions of the authors, not necessarily the editor or publishers. Every effort is made to ensure the correctness of facts and information however we cannot accept responsibility for errors. The publishers reserve the right to accept or decline any advertising. Deadline for advertisement and copy: 10th of the month prior to the month of publication. PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Qld 4053 P 07 3354 5633 F 07 3354 5646 Advertising rates are listed in The qb Media Kit available at www.qb.org.au/news-media. Prices are also available on enquiry and advertising packages can be tailored to suit your budget. Reduced contract rates apply to three bookings within a 12 month period. Please contact us for details. A limited number of inserts are also accepted. Copyright © 2003 by Queensland Baptist Services Group. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without written permission from the publisher. Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses appearing in The qb are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

ISSN: 11323-7829

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KNOWING GOD

DISCIPLESHIP:

TIME FOR ACTION PART TWO

Close the gap Jesus said, ‘go and make disciples … teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you’ (Matthew 28:19-20). Obey everything that Jesus has commanded. That’s what disciples do. Hmmm. I’ll confess that there is a gap between what I know Jesus requires of me and my everyday behaviour. As a disciple, I’m committed to closing that gap! A year ago, my family and I moved from captivating North Queensland to the great South-East. While living in Townsville, I read books about the history of that city and region. Recently, I’ve been reading the book ‘Brisbane’ by Matthew Condon. In recounting the troubled European beginnings of this city and our state, Condon sites a series of five letters published in the Moreton Bay Courier (c. 1859) attributed to two indigenous people; Dalipie and Dalinkua. These co-authors (perhaps aided by missionaries) articulately criticised the Europeans for their treatment of the native population. They took aim at the gap between what the white man’s ‘book of books’ taught them

[laws and commands from the Great Father of love] and what they had actually regretfully endured from these so called ‘Christians’. [Their first letter cites ‘many and terrible counts in that indictment which shall be brought to the bar of the Judge of the Universe’.] ‘But, Sir’, a later piece protested, ‘these Anglo-Saxons have not behaved toward us as if they believed that His eye was on them … All the above laws have been trampled on.’ They pleaded for Christians to close the gap between their profession of faith and the practice of it. We’ve all heard of the government’s ‘Close the Gap’ initiative; that opportunities and outcomes for indigenous people reflect those of the wider Australian population. I certainly want to see that gap closed! And as Christians, isn’t there another gap that needs closing? It’s the same kind of closure that Dalipie and Dalinkua were appealing for—the reduction of the breach between a Christian’s profession of faith and their practice of it. For me, that’s what the call to discipleship is. It’s knowing what the commands of Jesus are—recorded in the ‘book of books’—and obeying them more and more completely. It’s closing the gap between my profession of faith

and my practice of it. God knows there is a gap. We should always be thankful that the Cross of Christ atones for us, bridging the gap between our sinful selves and our holy God. An honest disciple knows just how constantly we need the forgiveness available through the Cross of Christ! But the message of Christ to his disciples also includes this: ‘whatever you do, whether word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus’ (Col. 3:16-17). Obey everything. Do it all. This is the rigorous, high calling of every disciple. Dalipie and Dalinkua’s fourth letter concludes with this challenge: ‘Christians, you are here in this land by the inscrutable Providence of God! Have you brought your religion with you?’ In a way, that’s the challenge of discipleship. Have you brought your religion with you? Are you trampling on the commands of Christ? Or, with God’s powerful help, are you closing the gap between your profession of faith and your practice of it? Warren Crank QB Regional Consultant warren.crank@ qb.org.au APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

SPEAKING OUT

THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

legal and illegal churches would diminish and Chinese churches would be more unified in reaching China. The House churches would be able to own property. They would be able to establish legal theological training institutions for church leaders. Most important of all, they would be able to set up more effective structures and organisations for sending missionaries overseas.

In the past, I’ve written a lot on church ministry and on personal spirituality. I’ve tended to focus on our needs and efforts in Australia. In this article, I want to consider the persecuted church. Of course, this is a huge issue for a short article, so I will focus on the situation of the church in two challenging contexts— China and Syria. Most of my information comes from the January 2016 edition of the Lausanne Global Analysis. The Chinese Church The Chinese church is divided into two major groups: the state-recognised Three-Self Patriotic churches (which have significant property and church buildings) and the illegal House church movements (which operate underground, largely in homes). At the moment the government is sending mixed messages to the Chinese church. In some places, the Three-Self church buildings have been attacked and damaged by government forces, with some being demolished completely. On the other hand, in the middle of 2015 in Beijing, high-level government officials met with recognised leaders of the House church movements for the first time. Analysts are unsure whether the Neo-Maoist nationalistic direction APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

China appears to be taking will lead to renewed persecution of the church (including the official church) or whether it will result in a greater effort by the government to legally incorporate the House churches, thus eliminating their underground nature and perhaps watching, or even controlling, their growth. Legal status would have some significant advantages for the House churches. The divide between the

And China’s House churches have a big vision for a Chinese missionary force that will evangelise the world. However, legal status would be divisive among the House church leaders with many probably opting to keep their churches outside any form of government recognition or control. So if the government moves in that direction, it will be a complex issue for the churches and may cause tension between evangelical Christians who

SPEAKING OUT

will be divided over their responses. They will need great wisdom. Certainly, the Neo-Maoist direction of China means that it will largely remain off-limits to the involvement of Western missionaries who would be seen as meddlers in domestic affairs. Whatever happens there will probably be a mixture of good and bad news

The Syrian Church The rise of Islamic State (IS) and the other Islamic terrorist groups (about 45) in the country caught the Syrian church by surprise. They had enjoyed a peaceful, even privileged, position and were not ready to deal with such dreadful persecution. As a consequence, the church has struggled and almost half a million Christians have left the country. But those who have stayed are, of necessity, developing a Syrian theology around the vital issues of persecution, resistance, reconciliation and forgiveness. The Syrian churches were never big on social action, but now they are caring for the poor and displaced, no matter what their faith. The churches are not just focusing on survival, but on how they can serve the people of Syria. Consequently, there is a new spirit of unity among the churches.

for the Chinese church. But God is at work. The persecution of the ThreeSelf churches has actually strengthened their churches spiritually, and House church leaders are beginning to stand beside their former adversaries. There also appears to be a spiritual awakening among some of China’s top leaders. It looks like God is preparing China to have a significant role in global mission.

The atrocities of IS have a significant impact on Muslims as well as Christians. While some Muslims are attracted to the power and influence that radical Islam affords them, others are horrified by the excesses and question the teaching of Islam that they have believed and followed. This makes them more open to the Christian gospel and some are coming to Christ. It appears that more Muslims are becoming Christians than ever before, especially in the refugee camps. Of course, it remains incredibly difficult for many Christians, particularly for those in areas controlled by radical Muslim groups. The persecution is often violent and frightening. In many places, the devastation of war has deeply impacted lives and livelihoods. The Syrian Christians need to know

that they are not standing alone, but are cared for and supported by Christians throughout the world. It’s easy when you are a shrinking, persecuted minority to feel isolated and abandoned. We must stand with them in prayer. However, many leaders within the Syrian church are emphasising that this is not the end, but rather that the church still has a vital future. Christians have always been a minority in the Arab world and yet they have had great influence. Even in the dreadful suffering they are encountering, many Christians are resolute in their determination to stand firm and serve their people. They want Christians throughout the world to know the good news of God’s grace at work in Syria as well as the bad news of persecution. But they certainly would appreciate financial support to rebuild their homes and to offer aid to their struggling communities. Many are destitute. In writing this article, I’m reminded of both the horror of persecution with the dreadful damage it causes to God’s people, and the potential that persecution has to refine, even empower, the church. Paul described his own passion: ‘I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death’ (Phil. 3:10). May that be our cry, as well as the cry of the persecuted church. John Sweetman Principal, Malyon john.sweetman@ malyon.edu.au

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PRAYER

PRAYERFUL… FEARLESS QB PRAYER FOCUS 2016 We live in a world that at times seems to be out of control. News of tragedies, disasters, crises and catastrophes can cause us to feel as though we are caught up in events that we powerless to do anything about. It is true that we live in a country that enjoys a great measure of peace and prosperity and we are somewhat insulated from particular world events. However, we are not immune from being impacted by occurrences and social developments that might disturb and unsettle us. It is easy at these times to respond with fear and anxiety as we contemplate distressing events and uncertainty about the future.

each other but we make a real difference in the world around us. Paul did not see prayer as a passive activity but as a tangible means of help and an expression of our sure hope in our all-powerful God. Knowing that he had prayerful support gave him confidence for the future. It seems to me that when we pray more, we fear less!

It was in the context of a dire situation that could easily have caused fear and anxiety, that the Apostle Paul wrote these words: ‘On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers’ (2 Corinthians 1:10a–11).

How can you and your church be involved? You might consider holding prayer walks around your community, conduct prayer vigils, set up prayer stations, or join with other churches in your area for combined meetings.

Most followers of Jesus would acknowledge that prayer is a concrete way for us to express our faith and to put our hope in God when we personally face challenging and uncertain times. But there is an aspect to prayer that Paul is highlighting here that we would do well to note. It would seem that Paul was of the opinion that the ongoing deliverance and help he received from God was somehow directly connected to the collective prayers of others. When we gather to pray we not only support

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Oswald Chambers said, ‘We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there’s nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all’. Through prayer circumstances change, though prayer other people change, though prayer we are changed. Your prayers matter to God! Your prayers offered in and through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ make a difference, not just in your own circumstance but also the circumstances of others. Queensland Baptists are calling churches to a time of focused and collective prayer during the week coinciding with Queensland Day (5–12 June 2016).

For more information, go to events.qb.org.au. To register your event email susan.harris@qb.org.au When we are prayer-ful, we fear-less!

Stewart Pieper QB Regional Consultant Stewart.pieper@qb.org.au

AROUND THE REGIONS

AROUND THE REGIONS Above: Tom Lindsay’s baptism — Living Temple Baptist Church

QB Regional Consultant Pieter Henning writes: Cairns Northern Beaches Baptist Church (CNBBC) is a small, friendly church family situated in the northern suburbs of Cairns. Merilyn Hill is currently the overseeing leader, and together with other leaders and the congregation, they are enthusiastic as they endeavour to explore ways to connect with the broader community. Laurie and Viv Wallace (now serving in an interim capacity at Stanthorpe Baptist) did a great job when they served in an interim capacity at CNBBC, and are greatly missed by the CNBBC folk. For them, as a church, prayer is the main focus— praying for churches as well as for folk

in the broader community— and they are seeking ways to make this prayer ministry much more accessible for the community. In regard to their future, CNBBC is keen to retain their own sense of autonomy, and are praying for either another interim lead pastor, or for a pastor who would be willing to serve in a part-time employment capacity until such time as this can be reviewed and made full-time. While this side of Cairns is experiencing expansion and growth, some of the challenges for ministry pertain to the very distinct sense of autonomous identities of the separate beach communities. The congregation embraces and celebrates their diverse doctrinal backgrounds and multi-cultural profile, which in turn, allows for a variety of Christian expressions when they gather together for church on Sundays.

BAPTISMS

Exploring ways to connect with community

Please pray for those baptised recently in all our churches around Queensland, including:

Birkdale Baptist Andrea Brook Angelica Correia Moreira Caitlin Simmons Bundaberg Baptist Alex Maggacis Caitlin Muller Cleveland Baptist David O’Brien Hayden Pike Gladstone Baptist Ross Cullen Living Temple Baptist (Tugun) Tom Lindsay New Heart Baptist (Rochedale) Madelle Niemann

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AROUND THE REGIONS

God is moving in the north! Ps Ben Pearson (Northreach Baptist Church) writes: God is doing a new work in northern Queensland! After a difficult year in 2015, northern Queensland is witnessing God’s strong hand of blessing as we move forward into 2016. It’s not been an easy time for Townsville, or the surrounding region. The impact of the general economic downturn has been strongly felt with many job losses. Most recently, the redundancies at Queensland Nickel have impacted Townsville, and there are ongoing concerns over the widespread drought. Ignoring all this, God has been moving and blessing the people of Townsville and the surrounding region.

Upper Ross Baptist Church. As I write, this coming weekend we will be having seven baptisms across our Northreach and Northreach Upper Ross churches. Praise God! There are more on the way too, as people hear the call of God and begin to make steps towards outwardly professing their faith at baptism. Many of these baptisms will take place within our churches, but sometimes people choose the Ross River or the sea looking to Magnetic Island to be baptised. We are blessed by our beautiful location! Townsville welcomes people from around the world. At Northreach Baptist we host Indian, Karen Burmese and Chinese fellowship groups, and have a large cross-cultural ministry. We expect an influx of Syrian refugees to join us in the coming months. In Townsville, we are praying for the re-establishment of a local ministry

training centre to serve the north. We see this as an ideal means of being able to train local people for our churches and ministries, as well as the international mission field. In January, Northreach Baptist commissioned a young family to work with Global Interaction on the mission field in Kazakhstan. God is moving in a new and powerful way! Join us and pray for the work God is doing in northern Queensland and further afield as we listen to God and act on his calling.

Rev Bugriyev (second from the left) with leaders of Slavic Baptist churches in Australia

Slavic Baptists meet in Melbourne QB Regional Consultant Emil Rahimov writes:

In Townsville there are four Baptists churches affiliated with Queensland Baptists: Northern Beaches Connections, Fairfield Baptist Church, Northreach Baptist and Northreach

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The 63rd Annual Slavic Baptist Convention in Australia was held from 28 December – 1 January this year. Slavic Baptist Churches across Australia came together in Melbourne for spiritual fellowship, training and exchanging different experiences and ministry strategies. The guest speaker was Rev Nickolai Bugriyev who is the one the leaders of the Pacific Coast Slavic Baptist Union of the USA. The union’s head office is in Sacramento, California and consists of 37 churches and around 8,000 adult members. Rev Bugriyev shared their experiences in reaching second and third generations of migrant descendants in the States, and about their missionary endeavour both among Slavic people and non-Slavic people in countries of Latin America, South Sudan, Philippines and others.

AROUND THE REGIONS

Rosewood Baptists welcome new pastor QB Regional Consultant Stewart Pieper officiated at the induction service on 14 February 2016 for Daryl Russow, new pastor at Rosewood Baptist Church. Daryl’s wife Leanne will minister with him at Rosewood.

Easter event welcomes community Charlotte Wells (Kruger Parade Baptist Church) writes: Kruger Parade Baptist Church put on their fourth Easter Festival on Easter Sunday and this has become a popular community event in the Redbank region. People from all different cultural backgrounds were welcomed and came together to celebrate the event with over 1000 people in attendance. Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale came along to the festival and mentioned that he had attended services at the church in the past. Cr Pisasale was delighted that people were coming along to the festival, saying ‘A church extends its hand out to families and they really need that love and compassion at Easter’. The Ipswich City Council contributed funds to the event and has been a long term supporter of these community activities. The festival was free with many different activities for kids; the bucking bull and animal farm being the most popular with families. There was also live music including singers from the African church, Voice of the

Lord Assembly, who were a big hit with the crowds. Local resident Rachelle McGregor said she knew about the festival through her daughter’s school. ‘The pastor’s wife is my daughter’s RE teacher and she invited us to come along,’ she said. ‘The kids had a lot of fun and it was good because it was free.’ Pastor Matthew Anstey said the main reason for the Easter festival was to engage with people from the community and highlight this great day on the Christian calendar. ‘Ultimately we wanted to share God’s love and highlight the importance of Jesus’ resurrection to those who don’t yet know Him,’ Matt said. Kruger Parade Baptist Church runs different public outreaches every week, with church services on Sundays, friendship group on Monday, play group on Thursday and primary school and high school groups on Friday nights. Cr Pisasale said he meets with pastors each year to ensure they’re all a part of the same team. ‘I believe they need to help share our vision of care and compassion to the community,’ he said. ‘I could not run this city without the support of its churches.’

A new pastor for Clontarf Beach QB Regional Consultant Warren Crank writes: On Sunday, 14 February, Pastor Andrew Otte was inducted into his new role as senior pastor of Clontarf Beach Baptist Church. It was a great occasion with a packed, combined morning service. I was privileged to conduct the induction ceremony with Rev Dr Jim Gibson praying and preaching. A simple ceremony also took place during the Sunday night service.

On the move

• Pastor Stuart Russell has concluded at Rivers • Pastor Dave Morrow has concluded at Victoria Point • Rev David McMahon has concluded at Acacia Ridge • Rev David Toscano has concluded at Beacon Community • Pastor Matt Hanlon has commenced, part-time, at Gracemere

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AROUND THE REGIONS God’s call for us into the future and to serve his church knowing that we can trust him for every step of the way’.

(L-R) David Loder, Nathan Harris & Peter Sweetman

New senior pastor for Bridgeman QB Regional Consultant Stephen Ball writes: The Rev Nathan Harris was inducted as Senior Pastor at Bridgeman Baptist Community Church on Sunday morning 7 February. Large numbers of people joined in at the 8 am and 10 am services. The formal induction took place at the 10 am service with the General Superintendent David Loder taking part.

The service also recognised and gave thanks to the Rev Peter Sweetman and his wife Maree who planted the church 23 years ago. Peter served as the senior pastor during that whole period.

In his final bulletin article as senior pastor, Peter wrote: ‘We thank God for the humble obedience of Nathan and Andrea to respond to the call God has placed on Nathan’s life to serve this church and community as the senior pastor. Today we are setting Nathan apart for this holy calling and committing ourselves to follow him as the one Jesus has raised up to lead us as a people of God.’

He is taking three months of sabbatical and will then resume ministering at Bridgeman in a new role called ‘Founding Pastor’ with possible responsibilities in the areas of prayer, helping to mobilise people in ministry, assisting in welcoming, and general pastoral work. The church is providing Peter a day a week for wider ministry. Nathan is not new to Bridgeman having commenced ministry there as a pastoral intern in 2004. He became a full time pastor in 2007 and has been serving as executive pastor, working very closely with Pastor Peter since 2009. Nathan said, on behalf of himself and his wife Andrea, ‘Our heart as a couple is to be obedient to

Great fellowship at QB Area Meetings

Looking forward As outlined in the last issue, QB Regional Consultant Col Peaker will conclude in his role on 16 August. Above, QB leaders pray for Col’s future ministry.

Prayer chain at Brisbane North Area Meeting.

Between 22 February and 23 March, twelve QB Area Meetings were held around our state. A total of 311 people attended this year, representing 128 churches. The meetings provide a great opportunity for networking and fellowship. APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

MILESTONES

There has been a long historical connection between the two churches that dates back more than 70 years. Ps Colin Christian writes: Sunday 21 February 2016 was a significant milestone for the Boonah and Beaudesert Baptist Churches as they came together to form a partnership.

Colin & Rebecca Christian and family

The Boonah congregation received Colin Christian and his wife Rebecca and children into the pastorate of the Boonah church. The occasion was marked by a formal signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two churches, along with an induction service with Rev Stephen Ball from Qld Baptists and Pastor Josh Cocks from the Beaudesert Baptist Church. There has been a long historical connection between the two churches that dates back more than 70 years, when the Rev. E V Keith of the Boonah church travelled to restart the work of the Beaudesert Baptist Church after it closed at the beginning of the first world war. This historical partnership is now being revived.

(L-R) Stephen Ball, Rebecca & Colin, Josh Cocks, and Meg Hassan

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QB CONVENTION 2016

Record numbers attended this year’s Pastors & Spouses Retreat and accommodation was booked out at QCCC Mapleton. Couples and families ‘spilled over’ to the caravan park across the road and others stayed elsewhere. We think the word is out among the kids! We were blessed by almost 90 children involved in the kids’ programs for ages up to 16. It was a real joy to see many of them sitting at meals together as friendships were formed, or renewed. It was a great time for the adults too. From the start of the retreat, when Steve Grace and Sky Pilot presented at the P&S Appreciation Dinner, through the main sessions and electives, and concluding with QB Leadership Day, there was plenty of opportunity for growth and refreshment.

We sincerely thank everyone who worked hard to make convention the blessing it was!

SSEC team blesses us with their music

QCCC kitchen staff were outstanding

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David with Steve Grace at the Appreciation Dinner

Electives were well attended

L-R Ann & David Loder with Gary & Carla Nelson

Steve Grace with Sky Pilot

Guest speaker Gary Nelson and his wife Carla made an immediate connection. How close we are to our Canadian brothers and sisters in Christ. We appreciated their open, friendly manner, their humour, their willingness to join in, and of course, we appreciated their ministry to us. (Gary, however, did not appreciate the size of some Mapleton spiders!) Gary led us through his presentations themed Rhythm and Reign: Living a Dissident Discipleship in Disorienting Times, and Carla led an elective, Facilitating Adult Learning. We were blessed by their ministry to us and sorry to farewell them. A group of leaders from the South Seas Evangelical Church, including Bishop Matthias Lima, also attended convention and they blessed us during prayer times, in sessions and just by being among us. Others contributed by leading sessions and electives, and we were blessed by the worship sessions led by Cathy Knechtli, Jabin Mills and Colin Stoodley. QCCC staff members did a fabulous job at accommodating and feeding us, and their older kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; program was a hit! The younger kids had a separate program full of fun and activities. Thanks to Jo and John Stotschek who cared for this group; they see it as their way of blessing the pastoral families who attended. APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

QB KIDS & YOUTH

READY TO LAUNCH Sally Contessi (QB kids & their families) and Aaron Fozzard (QB Youth) join together to present this resource review. Being a parent is hard work. From the moment our children are placed in our care by our Creator, our priorities and plans are turned upside down in a blur of sleepless nights, soiled clothing and tiny hearts that come pre-programmed for rebellion. And yet, God’s word describes our children as being a ‘heritage’, a ‘reward’ and a ‘blessing’ from him (Psalm 127). A quick search for the most popular parenting books on Amazon.com will reveal numerous strategies for teaching obedience to our little ones. For many Christian authors, it even seems that our goal as parents should be to raise children that behave in a way which is morally compliant; something which is backed up by several wellintentioned and behaviour-focused

APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

bible studies. ‘Ready to Launch’ by J. D. and Veronica Greer is not one of those courses. I have personally fallen into the trap that my role as father is to coach my three children towards Godly behaviour; that if my children were compliant and obedient, I will have succeeded in my role as father. Instead, as ‘Ready to Launch’ reminds me, my purpose as a father is not to force morality upon my children, but to see to it that my children know, receive and share the grace of God demonstrated to us through Jesus Christ. My first goal should be to see my kids living with the love of Christ in their hearts. This is more important than them cleaning up their toys when they are finished with them or even their capacity to endure a five-minute car trip without screaming at each other. ‘Ready to Launch’ is a seven-week bible study that focuses squarely on the

importance of being a living example of the Gospel in our children’s lives. All Christians are commissioned to share the ‘Good News’ of Christ and my first mission field, as a father, is my family. Whilst each day brings practical parenting challenges to my wife and I, when our goal is the salvation of our children, rather than their obedience, our approach will change. Rather than desperately trying to teach my children not to sin, I need to tell them of the God who conquered sin. Over seven weeks, this series provides instruction from Ps J. D. and his wife Veronica of The Summit Church in North Carolina, USA. In your small group, you will discuss each topic, ending with resources to put the principles learned into practice in your own family. Whilst the purpose of the series is rightly centred on the Gospel, it remains practical in application for a broad range of parenting challenges. The series would work best in small groups of 2–6 couples (or singles) and

can be easily led by one of the couples, without a great deal of preparation. As someone who has studied, and even led, different Bible studies relating to parenting, I can say that ‘Ready to Launch’ is the best study I have seen to emphasise the importance of the Gospel in parenting. Whereas many other studies seek to answer the question of how we parent, ‘Ready to Launch’ instead answers the more important question of why. One weekly session which I found to be especially challenging was called, ‘Preparing our Children for God’s Mission’. The importance of involving your children in the mission of the church, as a means for practically demonstrating the Gospel, was something which I had not found in any other study. The importance of our role to lead and teach children within the community of Christians is also emphasised, including establishing other Christian role models in our children’s lives. As a father and husband, I would strongly recommend ‘Ready to Launch’ to churches and community groups. It is a seven-week investment that may well have eternal rewards for your family. There is no greater privilege and joy, as a parent, than to see our children living in God’s grace. The blessings promised to parents in Psalm 127 are not received by having children who obey our instructions, but by having children who call on Christ as Saviour and Lord. Steven Tye worships with Mackay Baptist Church Sally Contessi Team Leader, QB Kids & their families sally.contessi@qb.com.au qbkids@qb.com.au http://kids.qb.org.au/ Aaron Fozzard QB Youth & Young Adults’ Ministry Team Leader aaron.fozzard@qb.org.au

QB KIDS & YOUTH

Introducing Faith in the home, a new blog post series for QB kids & their families! Written by our very own Kids & Families pastors, this first one is contributed by Ps Tracy Valentine, mum of three and Kids & Families pastor at Gateway Baptist Church.

TAKING EVERYDAY OPPORTUNITIES TO PRAY We, as families, are busy. In addition to working long hours, our schedules can be full of homework, sports, arts, and music. Many parents are exhausted! The very last thing we want to do is to make them feel guilty about yet another thing to have to fit into their busy family life. The solution is to equip parents to take opportunities that they already have in the time they spend with their children to teach them the importance of prayer and how to pray. As we get them up in the morning, drive them to school or other activities, as we sit around the table for dinner and as we

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tuck them into bed, we can be praying for and with our children, all the while building and strengthening their faith. Praying with our kids about things that really matter to them shows them that the great big God of the universe cares for them. When kids get in the car after a full day of school, they often have a story about something. Sometimes, it’s a fight with another child, a hard project they need to complete or news of a sick classmate. Praying about these things before bed at night, or better still, then and there, not only sends a message that the

parents care about what is going on in their child’s life but that God cares. When a child understands that God in heaven cares about their ‘little’ (big to them) problem at six, they also learn that he will certainly care about the bigger life issues at 18 and beyond. Recognising and celebrating when God answers prayer is also an important way parents can be intentionally pointing to God. Sometimes when God answers a prayer, we ring a friend, and make sure we tell the pastor on Sunday, but do we celebrate it with our children? Do

QB KIDS & YOUTH our kids witness God at work in our everyday lives? Sometimes God comes through with an answer for a family in a really BIG way and this creates a rich opportunity for families to not only celebrate it when it happens, but to mark the anniversary in years to come. When miracles happen to parents, children in the family also own that faith story. Just as the people in the Old Testament remembered Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faithfulness, celebrating his faithfulness reveals his relevance for our children today. Noticing the big and the little answers to prayer teaches

our kids to trust our faithful God. Being intentional about looking for opportunities to pray with our children, and encouraging them to pray themselves, empowers them to develop their own deep relationship with God. It gives them confidence in being able to open their heart to God at any time, day or nightâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;not just on Sundays. When we habitually pray for and with our kids, it is only natural that they will want to pray for us. Allowing them to do this and telling them our prayer needs (being age

appropriate), we are sending a valuable and strong message to our kids that we not only trust them, but we affirm their faith is real and God hears their prayers as much as he hears ours. Developing the confidence to pray for others empowers our kids to have faith and equips them for a lifetime of relying on God. Prayer in the home is central to building families with strong enduring faith. From Ps Tracy!

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QCCC

GATHERING AT THE CAMPFIRE Acclaimed Management Analyst Karl-Erik Sveiby partnered with Noonghaburra elder Tex Skuthorpe to write an important text Treading Lightly on the management and leadership approaches of Aboriginal Australians and their relevance to our rapidly evolving world. Sveibyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thesis is Aboriginal culture has proved its sustainability over thousands of years on an apparently harsh continent, and this success gives us clues as we attempt to build a truly sustainable society on earth.

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QCCC

Glen Tindall (Australian Institute of Company Directors) endorses the book suggesting that ‘from a Western standpoint we are accustomed to a hierarchical management style, with all decision-making power concentrated at the top. Organisations with this type of structure may not survive several key losses in the upper parts of the hierarchy. Treading Lightly shows us another model, whereby different knowledge areas are championed by various parties within the organisation. A key feature of Aboriginal society relates to sustainability and interconnectedness, currently something about which we in the mainstream are only now really becoming aware. For anyone interested in reshaping or transforming an organisation, this is a book that will expand your horizons.” The Bible speaks a lot about sustainability (starting from the Creation Mandate given humanity in Genesis) and interconnectedness as a continual theme of Jesus’ teaching in the gospels (including the Great Commandment). QCCC were always going to commence the CAMPFIRE Internship because there has not been a Christian Camping Internship program on offer in Queensland. However, the endorsement and involvement of Billy Williams and other Aboriginal elders is an important development in the authentic delivery of the program. God’s desire for humanity is our participation in the process of reconciling all things

unto himself. The internship is for all Australians, black and white, but the focus is on Reconciliation: CAMPFIRE is about the reconciliation of Creation and Community to God and is also about Reconciliation within our nation. I endorse the program to the young people of Queensland Baptists, and hand over this article to my brother Billy Williams to share his passion. DHIRRA-LI is my GAMILARAAY language word that means ‘to teach’. There are, of course, many different ways to teach, but all teaching should have as its focus the transference of knowledge with a view to giving life. An ancient Aboriginal perspective is that there was/ is One Great Teacher. The Bible gives this same perspective. His teaching, his knowledge is essential for true life. This has always been my position and it’s always exciting to find partners who acknowledge the same and think similarly. The Teacher did not bring a cultural message—The Good News is a universal offer of an eternal relationship with the Creator. Jesus, however, was a cultural man. By this I mean to say that Jesus was clearly born as a Jewish man, into a Jewish family, who lived out Jewish culture as they understood it. Culture is a very complex, comprehensive and sometimes controversial force. Every person has a culture, and the challenge for the Good News of God is to be able to be offered and applied to people in and for their cultural framework. This is a strong desire of this internship—to have

people understand and apply the Good News to their own lives, and then to share it with others. Today, Australia is known as a multicultural country, and in fact it always has been! There were hundreds of different tribes that existed. These tribes included different language groups, clan groups, totem groups… There was always a mix of unity and diversity. This is still a key to life, particularly as it applies to the Family of God. We are united as sons and daughters of the Living God, but we acknowledge that we come from, and live in, diverse cultures. The CAMPFIRE internship seeks to take ancient Aboriginal principles and frameworks that align with God’s Kingdom and use these as the basis for teaching about the Creator and his Way. These will be applied by different people in changing times for their day, but in doing this I hope it will meet what The Teacher stated when he said, … ‘every student of Scripture instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who brings out of his storeroom what is new and what is old’ (Matthew 13:52 HCSB) baiame yalwungu baiame Andrew Grant Director of Queensland Conference and Camping Centres andrew.grant@qccc.com.au www.qccc.com.au

The CAMPFIRE Internship is a two-year, live-in program at QCCC venues. Interns will receive a trainee wage and receive a Certificate III or IV in Outdoor Recreation and Christian Studies. At the end of the internship they will be equipped for employment in Outdoor Education, chaplaincy and capable of vital participation in Youth Work or Church Planting. Enrolment for the 2017 CAMPFIRE Internship is open. Applications will close in September 2016 and successful applicants advised by early November. For application forms please email chris.erb@mapleton.qccc.org.au

APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

THE FANTASTIC TEAM OF WESTERN AUSTRA

We believe God’s greatest gift is a life-transforming relations Our passion is to share the gift of Jesus and see Him embra With deep compassion and cultural sensitivity, Global In own distinctive ways of following Jesus.

Global Interaction is the international cross-cultural mission organisation of Australian Bapt and nurture faith communities and provide Biblical training and leadership development.

Operating for over 130 years we have been known as Australian Baptist Foreign Mission (A

Odi Odi SCOTT AND BEK, along with their three children Levi, Josiah and Katelyn live in a rural village in Mozambique. Developing a deep understanding of language and culture, building relationships and sharing God’s love are the cornerstones that Scott and Bek hope to build on for many years as they live and serve among the Yao. As I (Bek) prepared lunch one day a familiar voice was heard calling out ‘odi odi’ in the front yard, the local alternative to knocking on the door. As I went outside to greet our visitor I was delighted to see my Yao friend Larni, a woman I have known well for eight years. She is on a journey of faith, believes in Christ and is grappling with how her faith is expressed in her community. Larni is growing in her understanding of God and reliance on Him. I have seen God’s healing power in her family and spent many hours sharing Bible stories, talking through issues and praying with her. We have grieved, laughed and learned together. This particular day Larni was upset and wanted to talk. For the past week she had been having disturbing dreams that her mother, who had passed away a number of years earlier, was visiting her and trying to speak with her. Larni wanted advice as to what she should do. Due to a cultural belief that the dead appear to people who have failed to put them to rest properly, Larni’s family was pressuring her to consult traditional healers about performing rituals at her mother’s grave. As a follower of Jesus she wasn’t keen on performing the rituals yet she still desired the dreams to cease and also appease her family. We talked about how she felt about it and I shared some Bible passages with her. It was so encouraging that Larni asked us to pray with her for God to intervene. She resolved to pray nightly before going to sleep that God would be present with her and in her dreams. She told her family that she would pray to God to bring peace and He did.

CAM AND KATH and their children, Jack, Matilda and Sydney, have been living in Mozambique since April 2012 working with the Yao. We’ve had a great time on home assignment visiting friends, family and some of our partner churches and small groups. While it’s been a bit hectic we’ve loved just about every minute of it! When we return to Mozambique we will move to a different village, Massangulo. A huge thanks to all of you who have helped finance the building project – the house is nearly complete! In addition to being an incredibly beautiful part of Mozambique and already home to teammates Scott and Bek, it’s right in the heart of where rural Yao people live. Our focus will be make some new friends, continue with language learning of Chiyao and start to explore ways to share about God’s love within this community. We are looking for a few more people to join our partnership team so that we can get our flights booked and leave ASAP!

JONNO AND HEATHER, along with their kids Sam been serving in Mozambique amongst the Yao p about doing life with the Yao people and see th This is at times a daunting task and not possib

It was the evening of the 23rd of December, j each armed with an AK47, dismounted from a truck and surrounded our house. This would on this occasion. The men were the advance security detail for the Governor of our provinc house whilst the Governor, his wife and son had dinner with our family!

Our role here is to walk alongside people like Larni, encouraging them, equipping them with the Word and empowering them to make decisions about how to follow God in their communities. Our heart is to see communities of faith rise up that can encourage one another and grapple with the implications of following God together.

We had invited him as a gesture of thanks for his help in the Visa processes that allow the serve here. We had been ready to accept the devastating outcome that we’d need to leave bribes and engage in the corruption of a high level official. But at the very last minute God through the help of the Governor. Now, the Global Interaction team enjoys a good reputatio through the accusations of the corrupt official.

Scott and Bek would love to share their story with you, your home group or your church. Contact the WA office for more info.

We are so incredibly grateful for the support of all those in WA who prayed for our situatio we would not be in Mozambique today. Thank you!!

Jesus calls the church to mission that is both local and global. Global Interaction partners with Australian Baptists to equip,

encourage, mobilise and enable churches to participate in ground-breaking and effective global mission. And experience shows that what we learn in our shared global experience can inspire and transform a church’s mission in our local Australian settings too.

ALIANS SERVING WITH GLOBAL INTERACTION

ship with Jesus.

In the middle of last year Global Interaction candidates Sally Pim and Glenn and Liz Black and their boys were given the opportunity to move in together. Sally’s getting used to the early wake-up call of three little boys ready to play, and Glenn’s enduring living with a Sydney Swans fan!

aced by all people around the world.

nteraction exists to empower communities to develop their

tist churches. We send people to share the message of Jesus, establish

ABFM), Australian Baptist Missionary Society (ABMS) and now Global Interaction.

BEN AND SAM with their daughters Elizabeth and Anna are serving the Yao in Mozambique. Our family is coming to the end of our first three year term, made slightly shorter than planned so we can be in Australia for the birth of our third child in May. We spent the first 14 months in Malawi learning the language and understanding more about the culture while waiting for Visas for entry into Mozambique (ask us about the miraculous story during our Home Assignment). We’ve been living in Mozambique now for over a year. Most of our time here has been focused on learning Portuguese (the trade language, used alongside Ciyao) helping with administrative tasks that keep the team functioning and schooling our two girls. It has certainly been challenging. We are excited that understanding Yao language and culture means that deep, Gospel-centred relationships with our Yao friends can soon become a reality.

m, Caleb, Hannah, Micah and Josiah have people since 2002. They are passionate hem grow in their relationship with Jesus. ble without prayer and the power of God.

just 2 days before Christmas. Ten men, d normally be cause for concern but not ce. They formed a cordon around our

e Global Interaction team to continue to the country because we refused to pay d showed us his favour and intervened, on which had become so tarnished

on. We have no doubt that without you,

We’re In It Together This is another step in their journey of being involved in one another’s pathway into cross-cultural mission. Sally visited Mozambique on a Global Xposure in 2012 and spent a further nine months serving there short-term. The Black's interest in Global Interaction also began on a trip to Mozambique in 2013, and later that year Sally joined them on a short trip to Thailand. They all hope to head overseas at the beginning of next year, the Blacks to Thailand and Sally will join the team in Mozambique. This year they can support each other as they complete their studies, undergo training courses and make preparations. They are also building partnership teams of individuals and churches who will join them in the vision of seeing communities develop their own ways of following Jesus. They are excited to share what God is doing among the leastreached people in Thailand and Mozambique. If you would like to know more about either the Black's or Sally’s future plans or join their partnership teams, they would love to get in touch. Contact Global Interaction’s WA State office or visit the website for more information.

LUCY served in Central Asia for 16 years in various teaching capacities and developed relationships with young people. As well as watching them mature from teenagers to adults, she has had the joy of seeing some of them commit to following Jesus. God determined that after 16 years of serving in Central Asia, teaching English, ministering to students, their families, local colleagues, team members, whomever He brought alongside to share the journey, would finish this year. My final months deepened many of the friendships with my students, colleagues and team members. Packing up and being able to give away some of my things brought wonderful closure. Affirmations from supporters and faithful prayer partners undergirded the steps as the time to leave drew nearer. Sharing God’s Christmas hope, joy, peace and love with six groups in my home was incredible, however I heard His voice still calling, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen.” There are many precious people who need acceptance and reconciliation through Jesus. Could you consider joining the team in Central Asia? I know a group of wonderful people who would welcome you into their lives. Lucy is available to share her story with churches, home groups and individuals in WA. Contact the office for more info.

CONTACT COLIN OR PAM at your state office and get involved in God’s exciting mission. There is a place for you!

State Director: Colin Meadows 21 Rowe Ave, Rivervale WA 6103 P PO Box 57, Burswood WA 6100 T 08 6313 6300 E wa@globalinteraction.org.au

www.globalinteraction.org.au

QB WOMEN

Have you ever had someone, when you are in your time of greatest need, heartache, or are standing on the edge of despair, quote you a verse of scripture and found yourself wanting to scream at them? Or, is that just me? And yet, a totally different person can quote you exactly the same scripture and your reaction is totally the opposite, because they quote a verse that you know they have lived through, and you are reduced to tears in their arms of understanding. I found myself called to prison ministry APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

in one of the world’s most famous and notorious prisons, and I realised, very quickly, that giving these women a scripture verse alone was not enough. Sweaty, stinky shoulder to shoulder on a crowded dirty floor, I would sit with women who are serving sentences ranging from 15 years to life. Imprisoned in a foreign country, far, far away from loved ones, families, children, their native tongue, culture and those little things that make life bearable—favourite food, the

place they go to unwind. Some of my imprisoned friends will never see outside the walls of their confinement. What could I possibly say to them? I could only listen and talk with them as I would with you if I visited your home. I began to think about scripture verses that I held onto and how these women could hang onto the same verses in their imprisonment. The word ‘freedom’ consumed a lot of my thoughts and pondering with the Lord. What is freedom? How can these women be free when the reality is they are in a prison where the only ways of survival are by having a means of making money? Having something to give in return for money, food and being looked out for. The prison does not provide for inmates’ physical needs and there’s definitely no provision for their mental state. If you do not have money, you do not survive.

QB WOMEN

Through my seeking and waiting on the Lord to show me scripture that would speak to these women and men, to speak to me about freedom, I was taken on a journey that has given me a greater depth of personal understanding and revelation of scripture in my own life. Our experiences and knowledge of life shape our understanding and revelation of scripture and the outworking of it in our life. Our understanding of words and circumstances are different to another’s because of our life experiences. My understanding of freedom had been limited to being free in a physical sense, so when my weekly life involved visiting women in prison, my concept of freedom was challenged. They aren’t free to do what they want each day. There are no shopping trips, no visiting family or friends, no quiet place to retreat to, no walks in gardens or along the beach. They don’t have freedom to choose for themselves. Freedom begins in our minds and in who we are. They have the freedom to think, feel, believe whatever they want, and they can have freedom in their minds.

better with the realities of prison life. They took the opportunities that presented each day with joy and gratitude. We are taught to pray ‘Give us this day our daily bread’ (Matthew 6:11 NIV). These words became real to me and I received a new understanding of these words in this prayer. All we have is today, we do not know what tomorrow will bring and we are told not to worry about tomorrow. ‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own’ (Matthew 6:34 NIV). There is so much goodness in every moment of every day, if we change the way we think and how we view things. I began to look at my every day through the lens of my imprisoned friends. How do I see God’s love for me, how do I see his glory? Could I be content and grateful for today only? Could I not worry about tomorrow? Well, if I am honest, yes I do still worry about tomorrow but I see God’s love for me in unique and beautiful ways: the clouds, the different colours of a sunset or sunrise, the breeze on my face, the rain, my breath, the beautiful flowers that

bloom gloriously, without fail. I felt like I was in a waterfall of his love in my every day in the ways I saw and felt his love for me, and these were the same things my imprisoned friends get to see and experience. I just had to change my view. Wherever you are, and whatever your circumstances, will you pray with me, give me ‘this day my daily bread’? Will you live in each moment today brings and allow God to shower you with all he has for you this day, and see and feel his unrelenting love for you? Find the joy in the blessings he has for you, and do not be looking to tomorrow’s blessings to be joy filled and loved today. Melissa Geltch worships with Good Life Church on the Sunshine Coast. Don’t miss She is … CHOSEN! Register online at http://sheis.net.au Cathy Knechtli State Director Queensland Baptist Women director@sheis.net.au

For all the physical freedom I had, I realised that I didn’t have freedom in my mind. There were voices from the past filling my mind and consuming my thoughts, the lies I believed about myself. I, with these women, learnt how to have freedom in our most powerful tool, the mind. I discovered that the women who focused on their sentence, and the hopelessness of never getting out, had a miserable time, and my heart breaks for them having to face the very real consequences of their actions in losing their physical freedom. The women and men, who chose not to think and dwell on their sentence and focused on the present, today, and chose to enjoy what today bought them, coped APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

MALYON

SHAPING LIFE AND MINISTRY Dave Evans joined the Malyon team in 2016 as the Academic Tutor. In this role he assists students in all areas of academic skills so that they can engage in their theological study at greater depth. Having previously worked as a high school English teacher in Brisbane, David served as a pastor in a Baptist church in rural NSW. David is married to Erin and they have four great kids. He is currently completing a Master of Arts (Theology). APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

A couple of weeks ago at chapel I suggested that the gospel should be the framework by which Christians shape their life and ministry. The way we do everything should be changed by the gospel. Here are a few ideas of how the gospel may shape our approach to theological education: 1. The gospel calls us to build our identity on the perfect love that God showed us in Jesus’ death and resurrection, therefore, we don’t come to Bible College to earn God’s favour or justify our existence. We don’t need to earn God’s love through theological study, he has already given us his love

in Jesus. As theological students we are free to use this time at Bible College to revel in the glory of Jesus, growing to know more deeply—the one who has sacrificially given himself to save us— and grow in our ability to serve him. 2. Since the gospel calls us to build our identity on the perfect love that God showed us in Jesus, we will not be crushed if we get lower marks than what we expected. The gospel frees us to work hard to achieve well in study without the anguish of our identity being at risk if we don’t achieve our desired level. God’s love is not determined by GPA.

MALYON

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The Transforming Work: ‘One Caller, Many Callings’ conference is an initiative of Malyon Workplace, a Malyon College ministry centre.

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3. The gospel reveals the God of the universe leaving his glory, humbling himself, and serving others by giving up his life for them. Those who have trusted in this God are called to imitate him. Therefore, we do not study theology to build up our own status. We do not gain more knowledge so that we can be better than others. Rather, we engage in theological study so that we can serve the church by sharing this deepening knowledge, helping others to know Christ more deeply too. 4. Jesus said that all of the Old Testament Scriptures pointed to him (Jn 6:39; Lk 24:27). The themes and promises of the Old Testament find their fulfilment in him. If we want to have a robust understanding of Jesus and his gospel, we will endeavour to choose subjects that will equip us to engage at depth with both New and Old Testaments. 5. The gospel shows us we are sinners saved by grace. We are aware that we have fallen short, are not perfect, and desperately need that grace. This is true of everyone in the college community (faculty, staff and students). Therefore, extend grace to one another. We urge one another to cling more closely to Jesus and his grace. This same grace will temper discussions around theological issues.

Are you wondering if God is calling you to a life of vocational ministry? If you would like to explore your options for ministry and theological training, come along to Malyon’s Open Night 10 May 2016 | 6.30pm Malyon College, 53 Prospect Road, Gaythorne www.malyon.edu.au

APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

MTQ

LET’S START THE CONVERSATION! The phases that lead to Church multiplication— Part Two (The second of three conversation starters outlining the key features in the process of beginning new faith communities that lead to multiplication.) I mentioned in the first article that the phases of church planting have been discussed before and I am not introducing anything new to you in these articles. But as I mentioned, from my reading and researching of church planting in Australia, and especially the time spent with the leaders of these new works, I have come to the conclusion that there are some key features that give a church plant (or new faith community) the momentum that it needs to multiply. In phase two, the key (but not the only factor) is leadership development. I recall a conversation with the senior pastor of a church that had a great APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

commitment to planting. Indeed, it had already planted three, and there was a fourth underway. This is truly a great commitment because it is a commitment to church planting that is actually expressed in planting. The conversation was very positive except at one point. He said that the biggest problem he and his leadership faced was that every time they sent out a team to establish a new faith community, they sent their best—this is always the case of course. But that meant that they unwittingly created a leadership vacuum in the ‘mother’ church that took some time to fill. That vacuum also slowed the growth and health of the ‘mother’ church and delayed the next team going out. In the end, decisions were made to reverse this trend by addressing the issue of leadership development in the ‘mother’. It is my view that the key to momentum towards multiplication in the second phase (once a strong conversion rate is perpetuated), is the development of between 200 and 250% more leaders than are required to maintain the effective soul winning ministries of the church. This means

that when the team is sent to establish the new work, there is no vacuum in the ‘mother’ and, instead, the ‘mother’ church maintains its momentum toward multiplication. It means that a church with momentum towards multiplication will bed down a culture of leadership development that will match its commitment to soul winning. This is an on-going commitment. You cannot see the task of leadership development as a seasonal one. If you have consistency in soul winning, but not leadership development, a significant problem will emerge at some stage. The nature of discipleship will gradually change from learning in community on mission to a desire for leaders to come who are already mature and capable. This is fine on the surface but has the problem of being a subtle shift of focus away from, and therefore obedience to, Biblical discipleship that is about learning in community on mission. This is the elephant in the room for us in the West. Don’t misunderstand—I am not against learning and maturity and the value of leaders who are

MTQ

already there—I’m just for learning in community on mission, along with the culture of leadership development in local churches. Another problem that emerges is that the churches can tend drift slowly off mission and begin (over time) to see their first responsibility as existing for themselves. This, in turn, impacts the drive to engage in evangelism and disciple-making that results in multiplication. Again, this change will be incredibly subtle and slow and difficult to recognise, until the momentum is lost and the congregation is passive; which is another issue in itself that is worthy of examination. The third problem to emerge is that the church will talk and talk and talk about planting or starting a new faith community, and it will never do it. However, they will seem to feel that as long as they are intending to do it, that will suffice. This leads to an incredible sense of frustration among those who have entrepreneurial vision. It is an insight for me that the church, at the height of revival and strong

soul winning, has strong entrepreneurs leading it. Right now the majority of them are either outside the church looking in, or sitting in the back rows frustrated at the pace with which the leadership team deals with things. That may be neither fair not right but, in my view, the frustration is there. But, where there is a consistent commitment to leadership development, there is momentum that leads to multiplication. Check out the story of Richmond AOG for an example of multiplication over a long period of time. I believe you will find that consistent soul winning and leadership development are key features of the way they did the mission that God had entrusted to them. In the next article I will address the momentum issue for a phase three faith community. Colin Stoodley Leader, MTQ colin.stoodley@ qb.org.au

Degrees in theology and ministry Diploma | Bachelor | Masters | Doctoral

developing Christians of influence “Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding” Jeremiah 3:15

Where are tomorrow’s leaders? It’s clear we are losing young men and women and their families from many of our church congregations. Who are they? They are probably time poor; perhaps they don’t engage with ‘normal’ worship and church, or they feel they are spiritually fed through online resources. However, one thing is clear: they know God’s call is upon their lives. Do you know someone like this? Sam Brewer (assistant to Colin Stoodley) would love to start a conversation with them. Phone Sam, 0419 506 074.

www.malyon.edu.au APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

QB ARCHIVES where the first German Baptists in Queensland erected a church to the glory of God and for their use as centre of witness and fellowship. Many of them have their last earthly resting place a little further along the road at the heritage German Baptist cemetery. There are other places in mind to mark as well. For example, the location of first baptisms in Queensland dating to 1857, which is now decked with a busy road intersection and flyover at the corner of Roma and Turbots Streets in Brisbane. The location of the first Baptist church (1859) at the corner of Wharf and Adelaide Streets is a building site.

Toowong Baptist Church circa 1900

X marks the spot Do you like to go back to places that were special to you—a childhood home or school, or the place where you proposed, or were married? On the spiritual level, is it where you were converted or were baptised, or made a particular act of faith? It is good when places like this are marked in some way, especially if the original building or feature is no longer there! The Bible certainly talks about this sort of thing—a pillar or a monument of stones, or an altar, marking the place where the people had some important experience of God’s grace and power.

Baptists in Queensland met with other Christians to worship. In 1851, the United Evangelical Church was erected in William Street, Brisbane, and it quickly became a centre of bold Christian witness. In those heady days it was a monument to the truth of the gospel in a very difficult environment, but the site was taken over in 1905 by the old Executive (Lands Administration) building. The second place marked is in the country at Vernor near Lowood,

One of the aims of Baptist Heritage Qld is to identify and mark places of significance in the story of Baptists in Queensland, e.g. where a movement of faith started or where there was a special moment of pilgrimage. We are taking another step in this program soon by marking the oldest existing church building still in use as a place of Baptist worship and fellowship. We have already marked two other places. The first is where the first

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The plaque at UEC

But we would like to be able to mark the site of the former Jireh church in Gipps Street, Fortitude Valley (the second church in Brisbane), and hope to mark the third in Edward Street. Another is the site of the church in Fortescue Street; the building itself still exists next to North East church in Nundah. It had been used as the Nundah church for about 40 years. The Petrie Terrace church still exists as a dwelling.

QB ARCHIVES There are some other sites worthy of commemoration— the first Baptist Union of Queensland building, churches throughout the Brisbane suburbs, aged care and children’s homes, youth camps, not to mention many special places in regional and rural areas. (Ask about our guide to important Baptist places in Rockhampton, and our tour guide to early Baptist Brisbane.) There are many sites of public and community interest now marked by heritage plaques in our community, e.g. around Rosalie and Milton. Some other denominations have taken the trouble to mark theirs, but there are only a few heritagelisted Baptist sites identified. We would like to change this!

plaque on the front of their church to announce to passersby that this is the old Baptist church building, still in use. The church was opened on 4 September 1881seating 100 people at a cost of £250. The architect and builder was Mr William Richer who was also pastor and founder of the church. The main part of the building was enlarged and vestries added in 1884, doubling its size. It is recognised as a modest example of a timber-framed church in the Federation Carpenter Gothic style; these beautiful features are on view inside the main sanctuary. There have been additions to the rest of the property over the years. We encourage Baptists throughout Queensland to identify significant places and buildings in their areas. We hope they will take steps to have them marked as a means of witness and thanksgiving to God for his grace and faithfulness. We would like to develop an on-line map showing key Baptist sites in Queensland. We invite help with this project. Baptist Church Archives archives@qb.org.au, Phone 07 3354 5642, 07 3878 3178, or 07 3256 8897

The plaque at Vernor

So we welcome Toowong Baptist Church as they celebrate their 135th anniversary later this year. They have enthusiastically taken up the idea and will install a large

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APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

CARINITY

Students at Carinity Education – Rockhampton:

Rocky’s newest school Completing the first month at school might not seem like a reason for a celebration but for Carinity Education – Rockhampton, a newly opened school for disengaged youth, the first four weeks were the hardest. Carinity Executive Manager of Education, Michael Harding said setting up the school was a new experience for the teachers and students as none knew what to expect. ‘The teachers and students are settling in nicely and starting to get a feel for how the school community will be developed,’ Michael said. ‘We currently have 25 students ranging in ages from 12 to 16 and three specialist teachers, as well as three youth workers.’

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The school currently caters for grades 7 to 10 with Grade 11 being introduced next year and Grade 12 in 2018. Preparation for vocational education and training has begun with plans for a new hospitality centre, mechanical workshops and open-air gymnasium in development. ‘The Carinity Education model is based on individual support for a student’s educational and emotional needs which is why we have a combination of youth workers and teachers. We also rely heavily on the community for opportunities for development. The school has already done work with Meals on Wheels as part of their community studies,’ Michael concluded.

Carinity Chaplain Grant Nelson Exercise, cooking and sharing a meal are just some of the ways Carinity Chaplain Grant Nelson connects with people on a spiritual level at The Park Centre for Mental Health, west of Brisbane. ‘The Park’, at Wacol, provides a diverse range of adult mental health services, including extended inpatient care and rehabilitation and secure and forensic care. ‘People are often here for long periods of time as opposed to a typical hospital stay, so the diversity of the activities I do is both challenging and a highlight of my role as Combined Churches Chaplain,’ Grant said. ‘There have

CARINITY

been many instances where through God I’ve made a difference in someone’s life. ‘For me, things like sharing a meal can be incredibly spiritual. When I meet people in the wards sometimes we will just talk through their issues, pray or read scripture which is what people usually see chaplains doing. I also do things that are important to each person individually.’ Grant is one of 25 chaplains whose work with Carinity assists over 13,000 people annually in hospitals and residential aged care communities across the state. However, the road to chaplaincy wasn’t an easy one for Grant, who trained originally as a physiotherapist. ‘I came to a crossroads in my career. A friend suggested I try chaplaincy and I said I’d pray about it. And to my horror I felt God was asking me to look into chaplaincy. It wasn’t something I wanted to do at the time. I trained as a chaplain and I gave it a year. That was 16 years ago.’

with his family. He’d committed a grave offence which had resulted in his father dying. He came to church in the facility but would always just stare at the ground. After a while he started to look up occasionally and he’d always have tears in his eyes. We started speaking and we prayed together often. ‘He asked to be baptised because he wanted God in his life. His father had been a Christian and in a way he was honouring his father by going down this path towards God. His mother and sister came to the baptism and it was this incredible moment of being washed clean and starting a new life for him and his family. Just before he was discharged from The Park, he asked me to pray with him to see if he could go to an important family celebration. Due to the nature of the relationship of his family and other things, I wasn’t sure this was going to happen.

gathering, but that a family member had asked him to play a key role in it as well. It was an act of forgiveness and acceptance that I thought was incredibly powerful. ‘When you’re stretched to practice faith in the face of despair and hopelessness, God grows you and changes you and it’s a really wonderful experience. I’m very glad God led me into hospital chaplaincy.” Carinity is currently looking to train and place more hospital chaplains across Queensland. In conjunction with the Training Collaborative, Carinity is offering a new, completely online course in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care with volunteer positions available. Find out more at www.carinity.org.au/ certificateivchaplaincy

‘I spoke to him over the phone after he was discharged and he told me not only was he able to go to the family

He said many people thought of school chaplains when he mentioned his work but there were many aspects to chaplaincy especially across hospitals. People were also surprised to discover there is formal training for chaplaincy. ‘On an average day I make plans to see a variety of clients but I usually bump into someone I hadn’t planned on seeing or who I haven’t met and they are in need so often my plans get pushed aside. It’s the challenging part of the job but it’s also exciting. Flexibility and openness is very important in this line of work.

Aged Care • Education • Life

www.car

An outreach of Queensland Baptists

‘One particular story that stands out is when I helped a young man reconnect Chaplain Grant Nelson

APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

BWAA

CONSUMERS URGED TO RETHINK THEIR NEXT GADGET PURCHASE Over 50 electronics companies fail to make the grade on forced labour, child labour and exploitation • Of the 56 companies assessed, none received an A grade, the median score was C. • Garmin and Dick Smith* are amongst the best performers (B range), and the only two companies to demonstrate any measures to address poverty level wages. • Thermomix, Nutri-Bullet and GoPro amongst the worst performing at D• The report assessed many of the world’s most valuable companies including Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, Intel, and Sony. • No company provided evidence that workers were being paid a living wage. • 64% companies showed some improvement since the report’s release in 2014, however none had improved its practices and policies enough to earn an A grade. The 2016 Electronics Industry Trends report released 10 February by Baptist World Aid shows the electronics industry has not made sufficient progress in implementing steps to protect workers. ‘Forced labour, child labour and exploitation remain as significant problems in the supply chain of the

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electronics Industry. This is the most valuable industry in the world, worth in the trillions. If anyone can afford to ensure they have an ethical supply chain, it’s our big tech companies,’ said Gershon Nimbalker, Advocacy Manager at Baptist World Aid Australia. Now in its second year, the Electronics Industry Trends report graded 56 companies from A to F on the practices and policies they have in place to mitigate the risk of forced labour, child labour and exploitation. This grading reflects the levels of visibility and transparency these companies have across their supply chain.

While 64% of companies showed some improvement since the report’s release in 2014, not a single company had managed to improve its practices and policies enough to earn an A grade. The median grade for the 2016 report was C suggesting workers remain overworked and underpaid, working long shifts with no overtime pay, little rest and wages so low that families struggle to make ends meet. This lack of a living wage was a top concern as it meant workers still would not be able to afford the basics—food, water, shelter and electricity.

BWAA

Company

Grade

Company

Grade

Company

Grade

Acer

B+

GoPro

D-

Olympus

C+

Amazon

D+

Haier

D-

Oracle

D+

Apple

B+

Hewlett Packard

Palsonic

Arçelik A.Ş

D+

Hisense

Panasonic

B-

Asus

Hitachi

Philips

BlackBerry

B-

HTC

D+

Polaroid

Breville

C+

Huawei

D+

Ricoh

B-

BSH Group

B+

Intel

B+

Samsung

B+

Canon

D+

JVC Kenwood

D-

SanDisk

Capital Brands

D-

Kodak

C-

Sharp

C-

Dell

B-

Kogan

D-

Soniq

D-

De'Longhi

Leica Camera AG

D-

Sony

Dick Smith Electronics

B-

Lenovo

D+

Sunbeam

D-

Dyson

LG Electronics

B+

TEAC

D-

Electrolux

B-

Microsoft

B+

TomTom

C+

Ericsson

C+

Motorola Mobility

B+

Toshiba

Fujitsu

D+

Motorola Solutions

Vorwerk

D-

Garmin

Nikon

Whirlpool

D+

Google

C-

Nintendo

C-

Acer

B+

Consumers can order a digital copy of the 2016 Electronics Industry Trends report by visiting Baptist World Aid’s website www.behindthebarcode.org.au. The full Electronics Industry Trends report is also available to download from this website. The Electronic Industry Trends report is part of Baptist World Aid Australia’s Behind the Barcode project. In November, Baptist World Aid Australia was awarded a 2015 Freedom award by Anti-Slavery Australia for their research presented in the Australian Fashion Industry report.

*Baptist World Aid recognises that Dick Smith is in administration. We commend them for demonstrating that a number of their factories in China were paying wages significantly above the minimum, but also note that there is no negative correlation between strong labour rights management systems and financial performance, with many of the highest valued companies receiving some of the highest grades in the industry.

The second Electronics Industry Trends report significantly builds on the previous year, grading 13 additional companies with 61% of all companies featured actively engaging in the research. Of those surveyed two years in a row, Baptist World Aid applauds the progress of the 5 companies that improved the most:

Company

2014 Grade

2015 Grade

San Disk

C-

Dick Smith

B-

Asus

D-

Garmin

BlackBerry

C-

B-

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GLOBAL INTERACTION

Geoff, Linda and Karen

WHAT’S NEXT? The facilitator gave us a simple enough exercise: draw a clock face. Then draw the hands answering this question: What time on the clock is life for you? Then make notes about these points:

What does this mean for you? 1. It’s too late to … 2. It’s too soon to … 3. It’s the right time for … 4. I need time for … 5. An alarm is set for … which means that …

I found it a helpful exercise and I’ve found it’s the kind of exercise that is worth repeating at different times. I’ve been considering my current experiences. I’m about to retire from the Global Interaction State Director role after just over seven years. Matters of time and what is next for me, are real questions. It’s too soon for me to relinquish my Papua New Guinea involvement with the Baptists there. By year’s end we hope to recruit someone to take up a role in training pastors and reside in PNG to do so. And there are many opportunities to serve globally both for young and older. I’m spurred on by the commitment of new candidates, as well as those who are serving for a short term of four to 12 months. Have you caught up with the news from Rod and Kay in Central Asia?

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GLOBAL INTERACTION

Will you join me and hundreds, even thousands, of Baptists around Australia in May to pray that the Lord will send out workers into his harvest? Here’s two ways: • Set an alarm on your phone for 10:02 (short for Luke 10:02) and pray every day, wherever you happen to be. • Take up a project with Global Interaction. Here’s one: Assist the Baptists of PNG to establish their own global mission. How exciting is that! (Contact our office for info which will also soon be on the web: www.globalinteraction. org.au ) The exchange rate of the Australian dollar over the last 18 months means 30% more dollars are needed to support a cross-cultural worker. There’s scope for upgrading our contribution. Like me, you may be challenged by God to consider ‘What’s next?’ For specific information on opportunities, gifting needed, how to partner with a candidate or worker, please contact the State Director qld@globalinteraction. org.au I have valued the opportunity to serve Queensland Baptists in a global mission focus. I encourage you to connect with the new State Director to discuss ways Global Interaction can serve you. Geoff Cramb

Appointment of State Director— Global Interaction Queensland It’s a pleasure to announce that Rev Bob Rogers has been appointed to the role of State Director of Global Interaction Queensland. He is an enthusiastic supporter of Global Interaction’s ministry, deeply committed to Queensland Baptists and passionate about the mobilising and equipping of people for mission. He comes with the support of both Global Interaction and Queensland Baptists.

and in earlier years led a national para-church agency for the welfare of Australian Military personnel.

Bob is currently the Pastoral Team Leader of the Stafford Heights Baptist Church. He has significant involvement in cross-cultural ministry in his local setting and a strong interest in global cross-cultural mission. He has served as an adjunct lecturer at Theological Colleges in Queensland, Thailand and Papua New Guinea

Bob replaces the retiring State Director, Rev Geoff Cramb. Geoff will continue in his role as Global Interaction Consultant for Papua and New Guinea until the end of the year. Bob’s appointment as State Director is for three days per week and he commences on 1 May 2016.

Bob has visited Global Interaction’s team in Cambodia and has been involved in a number of short term mission teams across the years. He is excited by the opportunities and looks forward to engaging with churches across the state.

APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

MARRIAGE

Marriage

‘THE OTHER’ AND ‘THE SAME’

What are we to think? Can marriage only be between a man and a woman? Isn’t it discriminatory to deny the institution of marriage to any two persons? If marriage is all about love, surely any two persons—regardless of gender—who love one another ought to be allowed to marry? And why stop at two? If it’s discriminatory to deny marriage to any two persons, isn’t it just as discriminatory to deny the institution to any number of persons who wish to be simultaneously married to one another?

of our minds (Romans 12:2). Our thinking on all topics is meant to be biblically-based. What our loving God has revealed in his Word is to be the basis of what we think. And even if everyone else, from the greatest to the least important, says the opposite of what God has said, the truth is not found in the majority, but in the words of God.

If we were to base our thinking on the ‘truths’ portrayed in the media and the entertainment industry, then we would conclude that same-sex ‘marriage’ is just as loving and natural as heterosexual marriage. In fact, we would wonder why our nation is so slow to embrace the legalisation of same-sex ‘marriage’. We would question the influence of the oldfashioned, bigoted, homophobic traditionalists who are resisting this recognition. We would be rushing to the ballot box at the promised plebiscite to tick the box that says ‘make it legal’.

Before we look at the question of the relationship between persons, we need to be reminded that, as human beings, we are created ‘in his own image’ (Genesis 1:26-27). What does this mean in the context of our thinking about relationships?

But as followers of Jesus, as people of the Scriptures, we are not meant to base our thinking on the ‘truths’ revealed by the media and the entertainment industry. We know the One who is the Truth, and we are ‘not to be conformed to this world’ but to ‘be transformed by the renewing’

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So what has God said? In his image

Well, from before time began, God existed in relationship. The Trinity is a difficult concept for us to understand, but God’s Word clearly affirms that there is one God who exists in three Persons—co-equal, co-eternal Persons who are in perfect relationship with one another. These three Persons are of the one nature or essence—the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Spirit is God. They are ‘The Same’. But the Father is not the Son, and the Son is not the Spirit, and the Spirit is not the Father. They are also ‘The Other’, in the sense that, although the Three are all simultaneously one God, they are distinct, and different.

So, since we are created in God’s image, we are designed to live in relationship, just as God exists in relationship. And that relationship is meant to reflect both sameness and otherness.

MARRIAGE Not good to be alone Genesis 2 expands—not contradicts— the account of the creation of the first human beings. In 2:18, we read of God declaring, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone’. That’s entirely consistent with a God who is in perfect relationship. The triune God had never been alone, and therefore he resolved to make the first man ‘a helper suitable for him’. God then brought a number of animals to the first man ‘to see what he would call them’ (Genesis 2:19), but from among those creatures ‘there was not found a helper suitable

for him’ (2:20). Of course, our omniscient God knew beforehand that Adam’s ‘aloneness’ would not be countered by relationships with animals. This naming process was an expression of human dominion over the animals, but it could not fulfil the deepest need within the man for profound and intimate relationship. The animals had the quality of otherness, but not the quality of sameness that was also required. So from a bone taken from the man’s side, God created the first woman, brought her to the man—God was acting as matchmaker—and, in a sense, ‘officiated’ at the first wedding ceremony. Adam’s statement, ‘This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man’ (2:23) was an acknowledgment that the first woman was both ‘The Same’ as well as ‘The Other’. Her bone and flesh were the same as his, but she was also ‘taken out’ of him and was therefore ‘The Other’. It is ‘for this reason that a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh’ (2:24). Marriage, with its inherent leaving, cleaving, and becoming one flesh, is about profound and intimate relationship between two persons who are both, at the same time, ‘same’ and ‘other’. For a relationship to be a marriage, it requires that two people—who are same and other—make a public commitment to one another and join their lives in a life-long monogamous union. That’s marriage! Implications People can form deep attachments to animals and express a great deal of love towards their pets, but those relationships cannot be described as ‘marriage’ because it is not possible to

have both otherness and sameness in a relationship between a human being and an animal. Likewise, people can have close friendships with other human beings of the same sex, but it is not appropriate to consider those relationships as ‘marriage’, even where there is a great deal of love and companionship. There is sameness in a relationship between two men or in a relationship between two women, but there is not the otherness. Same-sex ‘marriage’ is a contradiction in terms! Regardless of the length of a relationship between two people of the same sex, and regardless of the depth of love they may feel toward each other, their relationship cannot be a marriage. A majority of votes in a plebiscite, or the passing of legislation in a parliament, cannot change this truth. Marriage requires the union of two persons who are ‘The Other’ and ‘The Same’, and this can only be realised with one man and one woman. The foundational pattern of Genesis 2 has not always been followed throughout human history, but that does not mean that Genesis 2 is merely suggestive. God has not said, ‘Here’s a good idea, but feel free to redefine it however you like’. No, God’s truth is that marriage needs a man and a woman. And we mess with that at our peril! Brian Robertson is a member of the Queensland Baptists’ Board, and pastor of the Coral Coast Christian Church Pastor.Brian@CoralCoastChurch.org

APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

SALT

PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN’S INNOCENCE The God-given right of children to their innocence is fast becoming a casualty of our post-modern, digital age. While children are in the care of a loving parent or guardian it is possible, to a large extent, to shield them from violent or sexually explicit material. But outside the relative safety of home they are often confronted with inappropriate imagery and messaging—while travelling, shopping, visiting friends or even at school, on public billboards, shopfront windows, mobile phones, tablets, magazines, music videos or TV. Many readers will know that I have been an advocate to make our public spaces safe from sexualised advertising for many years now. As a grandmother, I believe it is important to be proactive in preparing our children to know how to respond when they are exposed to this kind of content. As parents and guardians, we teach our children in the ways of God, we encourage them to participate in various church activities and, above all, we pray for them. But, ultimately, the development of a person’s character lies in their own choices. Because of this, it is vital that children are taught while they are still young how

to make good choices for themselves in terms of what they allow to dwell inside their minds. Children naturally trust their parent or guardian to want what is best for them. We can equip them with the information they need to make wise choices and instil in them a conscience that is sensitive to righteousness, to help save them from a pathway leading to a lifetime of grief and regret. Let’s teach them, from a young age, what it is to guard our eyes and minds from material that hurts others and damages our own lives. I have suggested three simple choices starting with the letter ‘T’ to make them easier to remember, and the advice isn’t just good for our children!

mobile phones or tablets, on billboards, shop advertising, magazine covers or anywhere else. THINK about something good, beautiful or fun straight away—like playing games with your friends, a beautiful flower, a rainbow sunset, or maybe your favourite animal. TELL your parent or a trusted adult what you saw and where you saw it. If you are interested in a fridge magnet or a poster with this message on it, contact wendy.francis@acl.org.au

Wendy Francis worships with City North Baptist Church

TURN your eyes away from rude, unkind or angry images wherever you see them—on TV,

‘Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable; if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think on these things’ (Philippians 4:8). APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

PERSECUTION BRIEF

PLEASE PRAY!

FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH AROUND THE WORLD

Stories from Christians in the Middle East … A Christian brother from Northern Iraq who was a very wealthy businessman, owning three booming businesses, a large amount of property and on top of that, a nice government salary, lost all his property in three hours. What does he say? ‘ISIS is a lesson from God to us as church: not to put our fortune here on earth, but to put our fortune with God!’ A pastor from Baghdad voices this in another way, ‘The crisis around ISIS has taught us to discover our own identity as a church. It was a wake-up call. I hope that the influx of Muslims in Europe [and across the world] will wake up the people to also start searching again for their own identity.’ A displaced church leader in Iraq says, ‘The church will never disappear, though it looks like it. When Jesus died, everyone was thinking that it was over. But he rose from the dead and the church started to grow.

The church in Iraq has been facing persecution for over 2000 years. It might look as if we will be gone, but we will rise from this crisis.’ In more and more places we discover that churches become true churches, places of hope and compassion. Priests share with us that they have learnt to become true priests again. Pastors have learnt to bring Bible teaching in a fresh way as they show true care for their sheep. Churches have been transformed because of the influx of believers with a Muslim background. Churches have been pushed out of their comfort zone. That brings horrible suffering, yes, but it also brings growth. An Open Doors contact working in Syria shares, ‘We are one of the very few organisations still operating in Syria. That is not because of our impressive efforts, but only because, in a very special way, we were given access to an extensive network within the country long before the crisis manifested itself. We cannot walk away

from the responsibility that we have received. Providing aid to displaced Christians in Syria can only take place through local churches; there are no other responsible methods. The church in Syria is willing to take on this task, and it is up to us to serve them.’ Extremism does not make the church disappear, it transforms the church. The persecution we’re seeing in these places is actually driving believers to depend on Christ in a deeper way. Believers are uniting together and reaching out to their neighbours, many Muslims are coming to Christ. Pray that God would grow his church, that believers would have stronger faith, more confidence in his promises and that he would heal the heartache from their suffering. Excerpt: https://opendoorsblog.org. au/2016/03/01/islamic-state-bokoharam-the-church-will-the-church-bedestroyed-by-extremists/ Source: Open Doors Australia APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

REVIEWS: BOOKS, DVDS, MUSIC

BOOK (PAPERBACK): (UN)QUALIFIED STEVEN FURTICK $19.99 AT KOORONG

Do you feel unqualified to live out God’s calling? Steven Furtick delves into the biblical story of Jacob, helping us to discover who we truly are in God’s eyes. Our weaknesses are often what God uses to work in us and through us. (Un)qualified debuted on the Wall Street Journal, Publisher’s Weekly, Washington Post, and USA Today bestseller lists. - Koorong DVD: COMPELLED BY LOVE $19.99 AT KOORONG

Compelled by Love is a powerful, inspiring and definitive portrait of Heidi Baker, a modern day Mother Teresa, whose ministry is based in over 30 nations around the world. Shot on the run over a period of 20 years, in 10 countries and on four continents in war zones, brothels, bushes, and Ivy League campuses, from Hollywood to Mozambique, this film transcends all political, religious and social barriers. Follow Rolland and Heidi Baker’s journey into the world’s darkest and most desperate places, as their pursuit of the presence of God has transformed a nation through love in action. The film chronicles the power of one life fully yielded to God and the truth that love wins. 88 mins - Publisher

APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

BOOK (PAPERBACK): THE COMEBACK LOUIE GIGLIO $19.99 AT KOORONG

Have you ever longed for a comeback? We all know what it feels like to have life disappoint us and not work out as we’d hoped. We all know what it’s like to long for something different, something better, something more. The Comeback celebrates new beginnings. It offers encouragement and perspective, and it’s for you if you feel frustrated or confused, if you’re sorrowing or in pain, if you’ve made mistakes or are grieving, if you’re disappointed or feel as though life doesn’t make sense. The good news is that God is in the business of giving fresh starts to people. He gives hope to the hopeless. Direction to the directionless. Help to those who need help. God is always good, all the time, and God’s plans will always prevail, even when our plans don’t. God already knows what the solutions are. No matter what kind of disappointment or grief or pain or trouble or heartache you encounter, God always offers a new beginning, a change of heart, or a powerful spiritual turnaround. God offers the way forward, and his pathways are always good. Your current circumstances will not get the final say in your life. God is the God of the comeback, no matter what kind of challenge you’re facing. And your story can become a great comeback story too.

CD: BETHEL MUSIC - HAVE IT ALL $21.99 AT KOORONG

Bethel Music’s upcoming album Have It All features 16 new songs centered upon God’s nature, his promises, and his presence in our lives. Featuring 13 worship leaders from the Bethel Music Collective including Brian & Jenn Johnson, Jeremy Riddle, Steffany Gretzinger, Amanda Cook, William Matthews, Jonathan Helser and more, this album is the first to be recorded live during Bethel Church weekend services since For the Sake of the World. The album captures the refreshing essence of live worship and includes spontaneous moments as those gathered respond in his presence. The album’s heartbeat can be summed up by these lyrics from the title track: ‘You can have it all Lord, Every part of my world, Take this life and breathe on, This heart that is now yours.’ Have It All is a statement of surrender and hunger; to not just bring an offering of praise, but to become a living sacrifice of worship. Written from a combination of personal journeys that carried a common thread, the vulnerability, honesty, and resilience behind this project will encourage individuals and communities. Like the woman who broke her alabaster jar at Jesus’ feet, these songs exhort the corporate church to continue to live without reservation in bringing the Lord our best offering - our fully devoted hearts. - Koorong

- Koorong

www.koorong.com

FUN ZONE

EVERYONE … LOOK FOR LITTLE LUCY! Little Lucy is hiding somewhere. Have fun seeking her out. Oh dear! Apologies to readers who searched and searched for Little Lucy in the February issue. She wasn’t hiding anywhere at all!

SUDOKU CHALLENGE Sudoku rules: Each row, column and block must contain one of the numbers from 1 to 9. No number may appear more than once in any row, column or block. When you’ve filled the entire grid, the puzzle is solved. Sukodu solutions to: QB Magazine, PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Qld 4053 Two correct entries will be chosen to receive a Koorong voucher. Don’t forget to include your full name and contact details. Name Address Email

SOLUTION: 02/16

Congratulations to Martin Fleming a $30 Koorong voucher is coming your way! Sudoku puzzle provided by www.sudokuoftheday.com - visit them and get a new Sudoku every day!

APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

SUBSCRIPTION FORM 2016

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POSITIONS VACANT YOUNG FAMILIES AND YOUTH ASSOCIATE PASTOR BELLBOWRIE DISTRICT BAPTIST CHURCH

10:38 pm

Price: 1 Year $19.50 (GST inclusive) ORDER BY PHONE: 07 3354 5633 - Payment via credit card. COMPLETE THIS FORM & POST BACK: The qb Editor, PO Box 6166 Mitchelton QLD 4053 Australia PERSONAL DETAILS Rev / Dr / Mr / Mrs / Ms / Miss (circle) Name Address

Bellbowrie District Baptist Church (BDBC) is seeking a gifted and likeminded person to fill a parttime (0.6 FTE) position for the dual roles of Associate Pastor for Young Families and Youth. The position has been established to increase and support the number of young families attending BDBC and to nurture and disciple young family groups that function inline with the Church’s core values. We believe that God is calling us in a great adventure to create dynamic and novel bridges of connection between BDBC and the local community. A position description and selection criteria are available from Dr Stephen Johnston; Phone – 0408 280 963; Email – stephenjohnston7@bigpond.com

Our vision at TCBC, is with God’s help, to enable, encourage, and equip each other to be salt and light at home, in the marketplace, and to the margins. In order to implement our vision, TCBC are searching for an EP. Working collaboratively with the Senior Pastor and the Senior Leadership Team, you will be responsible for the strategic implementation of the church’s vision and goals, particularly in the areas of finance, administration and resource management. It is likely that you have had pastoral experience and/or experience in business administration and can build and maintain strong relationships, mentoring people to equip and enable them for ministry. Key responsibilities include: •

•

State Postcode Phone (

EXECUTIVE PASTOR TOOWOOMBA COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH (TCBC)

•

)

Email •

PAYMENT DETAILS I have enclosed a cheque/money order for $19.50 payable to Queensland Baptist Services Group. OR Please charge my credit card Mastercard / Visa (circle one) Number Expiry Date Signature

CHRISTIAN SINGLES

Travel with no single supplement. Register with Integrity Travel. For more information go to www. integritytravel.com.au.

Short and long term strategic goal setting and implementation, in line with the vision People oversight and development Operational oversight including communications, finances, property, assets and technology Development and enhancements of systems and processes to support church operations.

To apply for this opportunity or view more information, about our church and the position, visit tcb. org.au/executive-pastor Applicants should send a resume, references and a statement addressing the essential Selection Criteria detailed in the position description to: Vaughn Whittingham Email: VaughnDLW@hotmail.com

CLASSIFIEDS

POSITIONS VACANT SENIOR PASTOR POSITION BUNDABERG BAPTIST CHURCH The Bundaberg Baptist Church is currently seeking a suitably qualified person for the position of Senior Pastor for the commencement of ministry in 2017. Bundaberg Baptist Church is a vibrant growing church with a strong committee congregation. The congregation numbers between 350 to 400 people with an even ratio of age groups represented. A number of ministry groups operate catering for children through to seniors. There is a strong missionary focus within the church along with a community outreach focus. The person selected to this position will join a Pastoral team comprising of two associate Pastors. The Associate Pastor roles are Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care and Associate Pastor for Children, Youth and Young Families. Together the Pastoral team work in conjunction with the leadership team comprising of Elders and Deacons. Persons expressing interest in this position can obtain from the Church Secretary the Key Criteria required, along with an information pack detailing the church and the local community. Please send expressions of interest to Adrian Lambeck the Church Secretary care of Adrian.kym@ westnet.com.au

ACCOMMODATION FULL TIME PASTOR NEW BEITH BAPTIST CHURCH New Beith Baptist Church is prayerfully seeking a full-time Pastor called by God to lead and shepherd our congregation. We seek a Pastor with a heart after God who is a Christ-like servant, with strong leadership skills and who will bring the message of Christ to the community. New Beith Baptist Church, located in Greenbank, Queensland, is a bible believing family church of approx. 80 people. We approach worship as theologically conservative with contemporary expression. For an information pack or to submit your resume, please contact our Secretary, Deanne Schulz at newbeithbaptist@gmail.com

YOUTH & CHILDREN’S PASTOR LIFEPOINTE BAPTIST CHURCH Lifepointe Baptist Church is a contemporary multisite church on the Sunshine Coast and we are looking for a Youth and Children’s Pastor to start in the first half of this year. Experience with youth and children is essential as well as the ability to grow and develop leadership teams. This is a full time position and the successful applicant must enjoy working along with a progressive staff team.

BRISBANE: House available as a ministry for missionaries and church workers on the move. Three bedrooms, fully furnished, everything provided. Bus stop at the door. Minimal rent. Email: gtho4536@bigpond.net.au CALOUNDRA - GOLDEN BEACH: Highset three bedroom holiday home. Weekends or weekly. Pets OK. Close to beach. Phone 0402 077 822 or lizottaway15@gmail.com. CALOUNDRA: Sunshine Coast, Qld, beachside units from $400/wk, ph 0427 990 161. FAIRFIELD CHRISTIAN FAMILY: Fairfield Christian Family (www.fcfchurch.org.au) is located in a vibrant inner city suburb close to universities. There is currently one vacancy for a male (student or worker) in a share accommodation house adjacent to the church. Please contact Pastor Neil Pattemore, ph 0435 065 035 or tarragindipats@yahoo.com.au

FOR HIRE LARGE AUDITORIUM: Seats 290. Queensland Baptists’ Centre at Gaythorne. Phone Sharon, 07 3354 5600 for more information or visit www.qb.com.au – venue hire.

FREE FREE PEW CHAIRS: 20 Pews, five per row, Seats 100, fold up seats. Can send photo. Pick up preferred. Please contact Megan at Woodford Baptist Church 0419 797 318 or maggielk80@gmail.com.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST Looking for people willing to volunteer to lead, or be a team member, to cater for meals for Christian seminars or live-in camps and mission training events. Please prayerfully consider. Contact Roger Medland, 9070 3849 7874 or rogermedland@yahoo.com.au.

Please email reception@lifepointe. org.au for an application form, church vision and job description.

INTEGRITY TRAVEL

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APR/MAY 2016 ::: QB.ORG.AU

Everybody needs someone to talk to. Be that someone. Become a chaplain. During hard times, sickness or in times of joy, people need someone to talk to. Some people are lucky enough to have trusted family or friends near them. Others may not be so lucky, or might be looking for a greater depth of spiritual support. These are the times when chaplains are so important – but there is often more demand to talk than chaplains available to listen. Through The Training Collaborative (RTO30002), Carinity is now offering online training in Certificate IV in Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care. This nationally recognised course gives you the qualifications and experience you need to work or volunteer as a Baptist chaplain in a wide range of situations, including aged care, hospitals, and with some specialisations in prisons and schools.

CHC42315 - Certificate IV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care • Study online, anywhere, at your own pace with practicum experience in your local area. • Nationally recognised qualification.

ENROL NOW To find out more about how you can make a difference in people’s lives as a chaplain, call The Training Collaborative on 1300 774 531 or speak to Don McPherson, Manager – Chaplaincy & Mission Services at Carinity on (07) 3550 3719. The Cert IV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care CHC42315 is offered through The Training Collaborative (Provider No. 30002)