The qb April/May 2017

The voice of Queensland Baptists April/May 2017

Missio Dei—being on mission like Jesus

This is discipleship

It’s a... miracle

Last words

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32

40

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Print post approved ISSN: 100003837 | The Queensland Baptist - first published in 1890. This series Vol 15 Issue 2. | qb.org.au

QB MINISTRIES 22

Now that I have seen, I am responsible (QB Women)

24

QB Convention Wrap

26

Do it again, Lord!

(QB Kids & Their Families)

28

Retreat 2017 (QB Youth & Young Adults)

29

Your job in God’s story (Malyon)

32

This is discipleship (QCCC)

34

A ‘once’ Baptist church in ‘Baptist’ suburb! (QB archives)

36

22

Grants 2017 (Carinity)

QB PARTNERS 38

With thanks... (Global Interaction)

39

More than anything in the world (BWAA)

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ARTICLES 30

All valuable in God’s service

40

It’s a... miracle!

36

41

Lost soles

42

Last words

APRIL/MAY 2017 ISSUE 04 07 08 10

Comment: David Loder QB Prayer Focus 2017 Knowing God Series Speaking out: John Sweetman

13 14 20 44

Baptisms Around the regions Milestones Persecution brief

45 Fun zone 46 Reviews 47 Classifieds

Our cover: Pictured is Pastor Geoff Eggins (Forest Lake Baptist Church) at Retreat 2017, the QB Youth & Young Adults’ event held recently at QCCC Mapleton. It was a time of real spiritual blessing and lots of fun for all the participants.

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COMMENT

an outward sign of an inward change That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means.

When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we’re going in our new gracesovereign country (Romans 6:3-5 The Message).

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What are you prepared to die for?

In 1526, the Zurich Council passed a law that made ‘adult re-baptism’ punishable by drowning. Ironic. You want to be baptised? We’ll execute you by really putting you under the water—until you die. How would you respond? Stand firm by your baptism, or soften your stance by regarding it as not that important? About 10 months after the law was passed, Felix Manz became the first Swiss martyr as a result of this law. He died in Lake Zurich. One account records that he was tied to a pole, submerged and then brought up and asked if he would recant and so save his life. ‘Each time the answer was “No! I will be true to my belief ”’. Each time he was

COMMENT So, how important does baptism figure amongst Queensland Baptists? The figures below are those that I included in my State of the Union address last year. These were the latest reported figures available at that time.

• In 2010 there were 766 reported baptisms • In 2015 there were 784 baptisms • Whilst most baptisms occur in the larger churches (as one would expect) if ‘baptisms per attendance’ were looked at, some of our smaller churches excel • 72 churches did not record any baptisms for 2015 • Around 30 have not recorded a baptism in the last three years • Around 18 have not recorded a baptism in the last five years.

We noted that there was little increase in the number of reported baptisms from 2010 to 2015. We wondered why? We had some ideas such as:

brought up, his mother, standing on the bank, called out to him, ‘Felix!

Do not recant! Do not recant!’ (The Indomitable Baptists: 23).

We dare not take lightly what others have been prepared to die for. But even more importantly than that, we dare not take lightly what the Bible takes seriously!

Jesus was baptised, His disciples were involved in baptising others, Jesus commanded us to baptise others as a part of the discipleship process. The early church both taught and practised believer’s baptism. It is clearly an essential part of our walk with God.

• Not all baptisms have been reported • Baptism is over-valued: need to know enough or be good enough • Baptism is under-valued: seen as an optional extra • People are not challenged to be baptised.

There are, no doubt, many more reasons.

The definition of baptism I learnt was, ‘Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change’. As Romans 6:3-5 teaches, it identifies us with the death of Christ. It pictures our dying to ourselves and being raised to the new life that we have in Christ. We need to re-state our commitment to the Great Commission—make disciples by going, baptising and teaching obedience to the commands of Jesus.

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It is appropriate that we highlight this command of Jesus and urge people to respond in obedience.

Ministry Matters Convention is over for another year.

What a great event this was! Pastors and their spouses sat under stimulating ministry from both guest speakers and some of our local pastors and leaders.

Stephen Baxter—part-time Senior Minister of the Hobart Baptist Church and part-time Regional Minister with Tasmanian Baptists, was the key speaker giving insights into presenting the Gospel in the Australian context. A variety of pastors and other leaders led our worship sessions.

The Leadership Day was a day of combining inspiration, prayer, information, networking, fellowship and business. This was well attended and appreciated by those participating.

Thank you for your support and participation. Planning is already under way for Convention from 4–6 July 2018 to be held in Cairns.

Edmund Chan will be our key speaker.

I look forward to seeing you there!

This edition of The qb marks the end of an era. Robynne Milne has been our Marketing & Communications Manager for many years. Robynne, and her husband Alex, are moving into the next phase of life—something akin to retirement. This edition is Robynne’s final in this role. Thank you Robynne for an outstanding contribution and we trust you will know God’s blessing in a special way as you move on from Queensland Baptists!

David Loder General Superintendent Queensland Baptists david.loder@qb.org.au

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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 I’ve been thinking a lot lately about seasons of life. This issue of The qb will be my last as editor and I conclude at QB around the time you receive your magazine.

What a journey!

I’ve been on an interesting journey over the past almost eight years since I took on the role of QB Marketing & Communications Manager. During that time, Alex and I lost our home in the 2011 Brisbane floods, we have both had major surgery because of cancer, and my dear Mum passed away. God has been gracious, loving and kind throughout.

I’ve met a lot of wonderful people over the years: people who are committed followers of Jesus. You know who you are, and I thank you for walking with me. Thanks especially to my ‘boss’, David Loder.

I have appreciated the opportunity to edit The qb, especially since I am

just one in a long line of editors going right back to the first publication in 1890, and I’m excited about this next season, even though I know I’m not so good at closing chapters in my life. I wait on God for guidance!

From next issue, the magazine will be compiled and edited by Linda Nevell.

I’m confident that Linda will be just as blessed as I have been by the people she meets during her time at QB. I trust you will be richly blessed as you read this issue of The qb.

Robynne Milne Editor, The qb qb@qb.org.au PS: I would also like to thank Michelle Beecroft of Shell Graphix who has worked with me since the beginning and consistently delivers great graphic designs for The qb.

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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For pricing and details contact Linda Nevell P 07 3354 5600 marketing@qb.org.au

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53 Prospect Road, Gaythorne Qld 4051 PO Box 6166, Mitchelton Qld 4053 P 07 3354 5600 F 07 3354 5646 admin@qb.org.au

QB PRAYER FOCUS James tells us that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16b).

Prayer is, indeed, a powerful activity, but not because there is any special power inherent in us as people. Prayer is powerful because of the relationship we enjoy with almighty God though our Lord Jesus Christ. While we are all invited to seek God in prayer as individuals, prayer is not just an individual activity. Prayer is a concrete expression of our corporate unity in the Lord Jesus; it is also a means of strengthening and developing that unity.

When we pray, we do not just grow in our relationship with God but we also grow in our appreciation of each other. United corporate prayer is a tangible indicator of our unity in Christ. The apostle John highlighted the positive effect of our unity as an impact on the world when he recorded these words of Jesus: ‘I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me’ (John 17:22-23).

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Praying for a

change

Through united prayer, as the body of Christ, we can come into alignment with the plans and purposes of God to see His will be done, His kingdom come, and demonstrate to a watching world the reality that God is powerfully present in our midst!

Prayer changes people, prayer changes circumstances, prayer changes us!

We are calling all QB churches to a week of focused prayer from 4 to 11 June to pray for those who do not know Jesus in our circles of influences. Please consider how you can pray as a church or join with other churches for cooperative prayer initiatives.

For more information about prayer week please go to Queensland Baptists’ events http://events.qb.org.au/ Let us all be praying for a change in 2017!

Stewart Pieper QB Regional Consultant Stewart.pieper@qb.org.au APR/MAY 2017 ::: QB.ORG.AU

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KNOWING GOD

DISCIPLESHIP THROUGH EVANGELISM:

MAKE DISCIPLES

BY GOING & BAPTISING

PART TWO: MISSIO DEI—BEING ON MISSION LIKE JESUS My Wife, Teresa, really enjoys the challenge of putting a good puzzle together. The larger and more complex the better! In starting the work of assembling the jumble of pieces that make up the puzzle, she first finds all the border pieces and puts them together. Once she has defined the bordering ‘framework’ of the puzzle, she begins the task of filling in the middle, from the outside in. Having a well-defined border helps to provide a reference point for how the pieces of the puzzle relate to each other and assists in making sense of the whole picture and how it all fits together.

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When it comes to understanding what it means as followers of Jesus to be involved in extending the kingdom of God though evangelism, discipleship and mission, I have found it helpful to employ a framework that relates to a term called Missio Dei. This is a Latin term that has come to be used to describe God’s missional activity in the world. Missio Dei expresses the idea that God is a ‘missionary God’. Throughout history, God has been at work in the world taking the initiative to draw people to Himself and redeem them from the futility of life outside of a relationship with

Him. The culmination of God’s missionary endeavour in the world is the sending of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1-3 says, ‘In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven’.1

KNOWING GOD

Central to the idea of Missio Dei and missional theology, in general, is the principle of relationship. God could be described as the ‘ultimate relational being’ in that God is love (1 John 4:8) and as the triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is in perfect loving relationship with Himself. Jesus is God incarnate, God in human form; therefore, in the sending of His Son to the earth, God was in reality sending Himself as a tangible expression of His love. In becoming incarnate, Jesus became the ultimate cross-cultural missionary! He took the initiative and left heaven’s glory to become a human being so that humanity could come into a right relationship with God through faith in Him. When we look at the gospel accounts, it is obvious that the mission of God dominated Jesus’ life and teaching.

When Jesus said, ‘As the Father has sent me, I am sending you’ (John 20:21b), He is, in fact, calling us as His followers to the same incarnational and missional life style that He had and to participate in the mission of God in this world. Similarly, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 tells us that just as God was ‘engaged in mission’2 through Christ, He likewise seeks to continue His mission through us as followers of Jesus.

All of this provides a framework and principles for how we might go about effectively extending God’s kingdom and making disciples within our communities and circles of influence, in a way that follows the pattern set by the Lord Jesus.

Drawing from Frost and Hirsch, Scott Nelson3 highlights six practical principles of missional and incarnational living that I have found helpful. You might consider putting them into practice.

• Presence—living an intentionally ‘incarnational’ lifestyle, practising the presence of Christ within our circle of influence • Proximity—taking the initiative to go and immerse oneself in the culture and lives of people, sharing their experiences and spending significant time with others to build intentional relationships • Powerlessness—taking a posture of humility and meekness by giving up our inclination to maintain power and control in our relationships and interactions • Prevenience—being convinced that God is already revealing Himself to those who do not yet follow Jesus, discerning where God is at work and joining Him in what He is doing • Passion—taking up our cross to follow Jesus, paying the cost of discipleship through empathy, and experiencing the pain of those in broken contexts • Proclamation—proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God brought to actuality through the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ made available through the Holy Spirit.

To me the puzzle of evangelism and mission makes more sense when we see ourselves as participants in the mission

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‘In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven’ (Hebrews 1:1-3).

of God as missionary representatives of Jesus to those around us, not only incarnating the message of Jesus but ‘embodying the means by which He presented that message’.4 Stewart Pieper QB Regional Consultant stewart.pieper@ qb.org.au

Havenor, Bob. Alliance Life October 2009 www.cmalliance.org/alife/missio-dei-thesending-of-god/ 2 Hastings, Ross. Missional God, Missional Church, IVP 2012p 248 3 Scott Nelson, Culture: Living in the Places of God, IVP 2013 p27-28 4 Frost, Michael. The Road to Missional Baker Books 2011, p126 1

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SPEAKING OUT

OVER 15 YEARS Seeing I will be finishing as principal of Malyon at the end of the year, I will only have the opportunity to write a few more articles for The qb. What do I say in these last articles, my swansongs? I guess I will do some reflecting, as well as maybe a little thinking about the future of our colleges and our churches.

At our 2017 Graduation celebration, I gave my final Principal’s Report.

I reflected on the changes in, and development of, Malyon over the last 15 years (while I have been principal).

We had a great crowd at Graduation (over 500), but most of you would not have been there, so here are a few of my thoughts.

At Malyon, we’re excited about the future. We have a review group that is presently conducting an extensive review of Malyon. From this review will flow lots of ideas for the future and a new strategic plan for the next five years.

The future is looking good. There is so much promise yet to be fulfilled.

But here are a few highlights of what God has done over the last 15 years. I am writing about our achievements, but, of course, I realise that everything good comes through God’s grace, and is built on the shoulders of those who have gone before.

1. We have moved into the new millennium educationally. We have a more flexible and integrated curriculum. We offer almost all our units online as well as on-campus.

In fact, this year we have more distance students than on-campus students. Our students sit in class or work online with computers accessing a multitude of notes and resources. We’re beginning to explore mixed mode units that involve some attendance and some online delivery. We’re also

experimenting with more learnercentred approaches to teaching.

2. We have drawn a broader range of students. Fifteen years ago our students were mainly full-time, many of whom were training for pastoral ministry or missions. We still have lots of vocational ministry students, although quite a few are already in ministry and are studying part-time. We now have a greater proportion of women (about 40%), many workplace Christians (seeking to integrate their theology with their work), younger Launch students (getting a strong foundation), and lots of leaders growing their skills for church ministry. We have also developed our postgraduate Master’s program and introduced Doctor of Ministry degrees. We should have PhDs by the end of the year. All this expansion has produced numerical *Moodle is a learning platform designed to provide educators, administrators and learners with a single robust, secure and integrated system to create personalised learning environments.

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SPEAKING OUT

growth in the College. And we have increased our student body by over 50%.

3. We have developed an excellent campus. Fifteen years ago we were at Brookfield and the campus was struggling. It was beautiful and peaceful, but desperately needed an upgrade and was too isolated to be accessed by public transport. We couldn’t even run evening classes there because students thought it was too far out in the bush. We now have a very well-equipped, completely refurbished campus at Gaythorne with all the lecture rooms, staff offices, and student areas we need. We have even added a disability lift. It’s a great modern campus in a good position.

4. We have established and grown four centres to help equip Christians and churches beyond Malyon College. Our Leadership, Workplace and Traverse Centres have had a significant influence on churches and Christian leaders.

For example, many of our churches are now much more focused on equipping their people for ministry in the workplace due to the efforts of Malyon Workplace. Just this year we kicked off Malyon Preaching, our fourth centre, with a wellattended conference and new website.

5. Our faculty has grown, diversified and improved its qualifications (and research output). We have 10 full-time faculty members covering all our areas of major focus. We have a wide age span and background. Almost all our faculty

members have doctorates. In 2016, Dave Benson was awarded a PhD by The University of Queensland, and our faculty research output included six peer reviewed journal articles, two presentations at conferences, and two Bible commentaries (on Deuteronomy and 2 Peter) submitted for publication, as well as numerous other articles. Our faculty, together, even produced a whole copy of the Crucible Journal.

6. We’ve significantly increased the resources we offer students.

We now offer resources like 24hour access to the campus and library, a whole student floor on our campus, significant notes and online resources in every unit, and a burgeoning library of eJournals and eBooks. We have a well-developed online Moodle* site with all sorts of resources available. We have one of the best theological libraries in Queensland. We employ a tutor who provides free academic support for students, and we also have a chaplain for students.

7. We have greatly improved our governance. When I commenced as principal, I was the governance (with the administration support of Queensland Baptists, who made most of the financial decisions). We now have a very effective council and council executive with a wide range of expertise, as well as strategic plans and annual operational plans. We look after all our own finances and together we make strong, responsible, well-processed decisions.

John Sweetman has had a long relationship with Malyon College from first studying at the, then, Queensland Baptist College in the early 80s to teaching in the 90s. He commenced as principal in 2002. When he steps down from his role, John will be remembered as a servant leader. Through his humble, approachable nature, he always has time for students and staff, and with his eager smile he takes genuine interest in sharing burdens, celebrating successes and encouraging Christlikeness. He has mentored many young pastors over the years, sharing practical, tactile ministry, in particular many protégés attest to his deep wisdom on preaching.

John has an anointed teaching gift and has continually sewn into ensuring Malyon students are known for their heart after God. He maintains a vision for Malyon to be a relevant and modern theological college that still values relationship above all else—with God and with others.

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8. We have grown our relationship with the Australian College of Theology (ACT), our accrediting body. All our accredited awards are now through the Australian College of Theology (which could be an Australian university by the end of the year). Our faculty are all qualified to teach through ACT and some are involved in various ACT groups that support the theological teaching and learning in other ACT colleges. Many of the significant changes in the ACT curriculum in the last 10 years have come with Malyon’s sponsorship.

9. In all of these changes, we have maintained our theological conservatism. We believe strongly in the authority of Scripture and are passionate about the gospel and its saving power. None of that has changed.

All this and much more has taken a very capable and hard-working team, as well as a gracious God. It’s been an exciting journey that I have mostly loved, and I believe that Malyon is well-placed for the next season of its equipping ministry. There is still much to do and many improvements that can still be made, but that’s for the future. I want to thank God and all those involved in our incredible journey over the last 15 years.

It’s been a privilege to lead the team that has seen such significant development of Malyon’s ministry in developing Christians of influence.

John Sweetman Principal, Malyon john.sweetman@ malyon.edu.au

If John inspired you, Malyon would love to hear from you.

Please share your story by emailing Krystal Lopez-Barahona, krystal.lopez-barahona@malyon.edu.au or mail Krystal C/- Malyon College PO Box 6166, Mitchelton, Q 4053.

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BAPTISMS

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Please pray for those baptised recently in all our churches around Queensland, including: Boonah Baptist Church Mr Lindsay Heit

Flash Frost

David Morris

City North Baptist Church David Spence Fay Spence City South Baptist Church Ethan Farley Maura Ryan Adeline Wright Ebonnie Wright

Christy Morris

Lois Shann (Living Water North Lakes Baptist) writes: After worship on Sunday 30 October last year, many of our church family gathered at the home of a couple of our members who were honoured to open their house (and swimming pool) to the church.

Following some great fun and fellowship as we shared lunch together, we celebrated the baptisms of two of the church family—Tony Quinn and Joy Turner. Both Tony and Joy shared about their walk with the Lord over many years and their call to obedience in being baptised into the body of Christ. It was a beautiful, hot sunny afternoon so neither of them, along with Pastor Phil, minded being fully immersed in the waters of the pool.

Later, Tony commented, ‘When Bron and I married almost 45 years ago, it was to celebrate our commitment to each other and to God in front of those we love. My baptism is my personal and public commitment to God and His Church again in front

Jared Leota, baptised by his Dad, Keneti, (at right)

of those I love and worship with’. Joy said, ‘My baptism was so meaningful to me because God has been changing my life so much lately. I felt that being baptised was just another one of these things God wanted from me. As we walk with Jesus, following in His footsteps and obeying His instructions which lead to baptism, having the church there behind me with all the love I felt was one of the most special times in my life’.

Both Tony and Joy are fully involved in the ministry of Living Water and we pray God’s continued blessing on their lives.

City Tabernacle Church Iryna Gordon Minsun Jung Adam Preston-Smith Xiao Hu Clontarf Beach Baptist Church Aiden Casey Laura Cuerden Mitchell Dean Melanie Griffith Steven Griffith Samantha Hallam Wez Holmes Kandece Lester Alexandra Oehl Coral Coast Christian Church Michael Drewett Dalby Baptist Church Erin Hansen

Christine Leota (Mount Warren Park Community Church) writes: David Morris, Christy Morris, Flash Frost and Jared Leota were baptised

by Pastor Keneti Leota and Phil Wheatley on 12 February in the ocean at Southport beach, Gold Coast. We enjoyed some singing together before proceeding down into the water, in a very public declaration by these four people that Jesus is their Lord.

Baptisms at City South

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AROUND THE REGIONS

BAPTISMS Gateway Baptist Church Sofia Barbato Bronte Elsmore Mia Giles Sonia Ossenberg Luke Van Diermen Mikaela Williams Ella Wilson

AROUND THE REGIONS

Innisfail Baptist Family Centre Ruben Crea Jonah Crea Andrew Davis Emily Farnsworth Kruger Parade Baptist Church Bethany Dixon Jason Lennox Joel Maddox Logan City - Image credit: Igor Corovic / Shutterstock.com

Living Water North Lakes Baptist Tony Quinn Joy Turner Mount Warren Park Community Church Flash Frost Jared Leota David Morris Phil Wheatley South Redland Baptist Church Alexandra Blachford Sarah Ritchie Isabella Unkles

Cyclone Debbie Please continue to pray for everyone in North Queensland affected by Cyclone Debbie, and those further south as ExCyclone Debbie dumped extraordinary amounts of rain and wreaked havoc.

At the time of writing, residents in Rockhampton are only just getting back into their properties to start the heart-breaking clean-up.

Craig Yeomans, pastor at Whitsunday Baptist Church comments: ‘In these early days, people are motivated by adrenalin, even desperation, as they try to re-establish their lives.

‘Initially, people do not always realise their losses or the trauma of their experience. We know, from experience, that after disasters it is days and months after the event before the emotional and spiritual needs of those affected will surface. We are preparing now in order to be ready for this.’

You can help. WBC has established a Cyclone Debbie Disaster Relief Fund, visit www.wbc.org.au/debbie so that people can contribute to the ongoing needs of the Whitsunday community.

And because the damage around Queensland has been so widespread, if you or your church has a linkage with a church in an affected area, this would be a great time to reach out to them to see what help they need.

Whitsundays

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AROUND THE REGIONS

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From Broken Dreams to New Beginnings Les & Esther Ross

A blessed people Lois Shann (Living Water North Lakes Baptist) writes: Living Water birthed as a church on 1 October, 2016. We are a church family ranging in age from two years old to almost 90 years, and we are thankful to our faithful God for His many blessings to us. Since we birthed, we have moved location to North Lakes State College as we are a church that rents space for worship in the local area. We have also had two baptisms (see Baptisms) and two acceptances into church membership.

As a church, we rejoice in these acts of obedience to our Lord.

On Sunday, 5 March, many of our church board visited with two of our oldest church family members Les and Esther Ross in their retirement complex. For health reasons, Esther can no longer attend church services, but Les regularly attends and blesses us with his love for God and the wisdom that God has given him.

To include Esther, we met to spend time worshipping our Lord, sharing communion, and welcoming Les and Esther as official members of Living

Water. These two stalwarts of God’s church have spent all their lives serving Him in ministry and mission work, and the board was blessed to hear stories of their walk with the Lord. Les and Esther may be more advanced in years now but their ministry continues in their constant loving support of their Living Water family, and their non-stop prayer for us and many others whom they love. We are a blessed people.

Joy Baptism

Tony Baptism

On Saturday 20 May, Oxford-based Australian author, speaker and broadcaster Sheridan Voysey will be back in Queensland for From Broken Dreams to New Beginnings conference. Articles written by Sheridan Voysey have been reprinted in The qb from time to time and many readers will be familiar with his writing.

‘The conference is for anyone who wants to see how God can redeem a broken dream, whether they’ve experienced one or not’ Sheridan says. ‘It’s for the girl who longs to be married but is single, the guy whose career dreams haven’t worked out, the friend who has lost a loved one, the couple who’ve been unable to have a child (or a second child, or a third), for family and friends who want to help, and everyone in between. I hope the conference will help us all see that a broken dream doesn’t have to define one’s life, and that while God is sometimes silent, He’s never absent and has a clever way of turning these trials into rich service to others.

From Broken Dreams to New Beginnings will be held at Lifepointe Baptist Church, 186 Wises Rd, Buderim on Saturday May 20. Admission is free but bookings are required: www. ourdailybread.org/newbeginnings

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AROUND THE REGIONS

God leads and provides Bill Hughes (City South Baptist Church) writes: The new City South Baptist Church has raised funds and arranged a bank loan which will enable them to move into their own premises this month (April). They have purchased the former Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church building in Cavendish Road, in the heart of Coorparoo.

At present, City South meets on Sunday afternoons in the Coorparoo Presbyterian Church, and on taking possession of the Cavendish Road building they will hold Sunday services at 9.30 am. Prayer, Bible study, family and youth ministry will also take place.

The air-conditioned building has a baptistery and comfortable seating upstairs and modern facilities downstairs. A chairlift is available for use by our seniors and people with disabilities.

Our new facilities will help us, under God, to grow the congregation with newcomers from the local community, and we are looking forward to the challenge in the knowledge that we are being guided by the Holy Spirit.

In our first full calendar year (2016), we had an average of 64 people at our Sunday services. Our largest service was on Sunday 4 December 2016 when Pastor Ian Wright spoke on Mark 6:14-29, ‘The Gospel calls for a decision’, after which we all moved to the home of Russell and Wendy Conwell where Pastor Ian baptised four of our folk in the Conwell’s swimming pool (see Baptisms).

We give all praise and thanks to God for how He has led and provided and especially for the way He has moved in the hearts of folk to want to ‘be a church’ before He gave us a building.

Photo credit: Steven Bostock / Shutterstock.com

Beyond Gold Ken O’Rourke (Crosslife Southport) writes: The Commonwealth Games is coming to the Gold Coast 4–15 April next year. This is a God-given opportunity to reach thousands of people, from countries all around the world, with the gospel … without leaving home!

So that we don’t waste the opportunity, the churches of the Northern Gold Coast have formed a group called Beyond Gold to help us make the best of what’s coming. Some of our plans are inspired by what was learned when some pastors visited the Edinburgh games to see what the churches did there.

Ipswich/West Moreton QB Area Meeting

QB Area meetings QB area meetings have been held around the state since early February, with the final two to be held in Far North Queensland, and North/Central Queensland in June and July.

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Our hope is that during the games, and for as long as we can sustain it, we will have street pastors in Surfers Paradise. You don’t have to live here to realise what a crying need this is!

Surfers is a great place for families during the day but when the nightlife kicks in, it has all the same problems as any party precinct in Australia. The street pastors will also operate at the

AROUND THE REGIONS

Churches with multicultural congregations will hold community festivals for people from different ethnic backgrounds, providing food and crafts.

Training will be held for those wishing to be involved in chaplaincy to sporting teams. If you have a passion for sports, go to BeyondGoldGC. com.au to enrol for sports chaplaincy classes.

If you’re not on the Gold Coast, here are some things you can do:

games village. If you would like to get involved, you will need to undergo training later this year.

Opportunities for evangelism abound.

YWAM will be helping provide personnel and with the Gideons’ help, we expect hundreds to be taking to the streets and giving away Bibles, pointing people to Jesus and praying for people they meet.

It’s hoped that in the three months leading up to the games there will be a 24-hour prayer ministry operating as a roster among the 230 churches in the region. The Athlete and Volunteer Homestay program offers the church a unique opportunity to welcome, meet and have input into the lives of the athletes’ families and games volunteers. This will require registration and various checks, but we believe it will give us an opportunity to make a difference to a family, particularly from a developing nation.

Homestay guests are expected to pay around $50/night but whether the host charges the fee, and how much they charge, will be up to the host.

1. Pray that God will bring success to all that’s planned—especially for the ongoing blessing of the churches working together, and the work of the street chaplains.

Ask God to bring revival to the Gold Coast (we need it) and to use the churches to bring positive change to every country represented at the games.

2. If you have a passion for evangelism, contact us or YWAM or Gideons and see how you can be involved.

3. The Queen’s baton relay, launched last month, will travel through all Commonwealth countries in the lead-up to the Games opening ceremony. Perhaps you (or your church) would like to pray each Sunday for the country where the baton is that week—that God would bless the churches there and bring blessing and revival.

4. If you have ethnic groups in your congregation, organise a festival during the games with medal updates, food, celebrations and lots of fun and quizzes about their country of origin.

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Open.Church Michael Trafford (Rivers Baptist Church at Lawnton) writes: If we take seriously Jesus’ command to go make disciples of all nations, what does this look like in our local neighbourhood? At Rivers, we acknowledged that the vast majority of the people in our local neighbourhood were not likely to engage with our church in one of our programs without first having a personal connection with someone from the church. This led us to question, ‘How do we create space where we can intentionally connect with people in our neighbourhood?’

This then led us to explore Dennis Pether’s (UK Evangelist) teaching on the rooftop experience. Essentially a rooftop gathering is an invitation to meet as a community of faith at a highpoint in your local neighbourhood, to look out on your neighbourhood and to ask God to help you see it as He sees it.

As we stood as a small core group on a winter’s night, overlooking our area, we felt God calling us to create a space where those who may never feel comfortable walking into a typical Sunday gathering could come and feel welcomed. And from there, the vision of Open.Church gained momentum. With the support of Wheelhouse Coffee, a local coffee shop who were willing to allow us to use their space on a Sunday night, we began to explore what our attempt at a neighbourhood gathering space could look like.

Open.Church is our attempt to create a welcoming space where people from all walks of life can share their views of life, faith … and everything in between. A place full of good APR/MAY 2017 ::: QB.ORG.AU

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AROUND THE REGIONS call ourselves Open.Church because we simply wanted to convey that this is a space that is open to anyone and everyone.

At the end of 2016 we were fortunate enough to receive a generous grant from Baplink to cover the cost of providing a community meal as part of Open.Church each month, and we thank Baplink for their generosity and support.

The next challenge for Open.Church is how to ensure that we don’t just create an attractional event each month.

music, good food and great company.

We’re not convinced we’ve got it right yet, but it certainly has been a lot of fun. There is something about

hearing a coffee shop rumbling with conversations as people get to know each other, laugh, and listen to each other’s stories that is contagious. We

Whilst we hope the feeling of welcome at Open.Church attracts others, we do not desire to simply create an event, but instead provide ways for people to be connected to a community of faith.

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MILESTONES

FAREWELL

NEW PASTOR FOR NEW BEITH On Sunday 29 January 2017, Rev Matthew Littlefield was inducted as the new pastor of the New Beith Baptist Church, Greenbank, Brisbane.

Matt and his wife, Kirrily, said that they were excited at the prospect of working with the congregation in helping grow the church in the days ahead.

The service was dynamic and Rev Luther Ramsay (Matt’s mentor) of the Kingsridge Baptist Church brought a stirring message from Ezekiel, which challenged all present. The induction was conducted by Rev Peter van Donge, who was the church’s intentional interim pastor over recent months. David Ham, a member of the Spiritual Oversight Team, warmly welcomed Matt and Kirrily into the membership of the church.

The congregation is convinced Matt and Kirrily are God’s appointed spiritual leaders for them into the future.

L-R: Luther Ramsay, Kirrilly & Matt Littlefield, Peter van Donge, David Ham

For five years prior to coming to New Beith, Matt was the youth pastor at the Beenleigh Baptist Church.

During the service, greetings and affirmations were read by Rev Steve Twible, on behalf of the Beenleigh Baptist Church, and QB Regional Consultant Stewart Pieper, on behalf of Queensland Baptists.

Jock and Lynn Whittaker farewell

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Rev Jock and Lynn Whittaker’s farewell service took place at Mackay Baptist Church on Sunday 29 January 2017. It was a moving service as the couple was honoured for their faithful ministry. Jock and Lynn are ‘legends’ as far as pastoral couples go. They have served well and done a great job during their many years at Mackay Baptist Church.

It was a special day with many visitors in attendance—a reflection upon the extent of Jock and Lynn’s pastoral reach. Church elder Vince Tye led the service which included a time of reflection on Jock and Lynn’s time at the church. Rev Alan May brought a great message on ‘David’, and QB Regional Consultant Pieter Henning shared greetings from Queensland Baptists.

As the couple move into retirement, they plan to enjoy some extended time away on holiday, and then to continue living in Mackay, where they have family close by. They have finished their ‘race’ at MBC well. May they enjoy their new season, and a different pace.

MILESTONES

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Josh Tan inducted at Hertford Street Baptist Church

HERTFORD STREET INDUCTS NEW PASTOR ‌ PLUS February 5 was a day of great rejoicing at Hertford Street Baptist Church.

One hundred and fifty members and friends participated in the induction of Pastor Josh Tan. The church has been without a pastor for 18 months, and Josh’s induction happened after three years of persistent prayer by the congregation, and the signing of an agreement with Sunnybank District Church last June.

upon at least a dozen Sunnybank people to relocate and participate in the life of Hertford Street so that the ministries there can be redeveloped.

We are looking for great things to happen at Hertford Street in the coming years as Sunnybank Church and Hertford Street work together in Christ.

Rev Daryl Evans, Senior Pastor of Sunnybank Church, charged Ps Tan to be a man of, and preacher of, the Word of God. The church was greatly encouraged and praised the Lord for His goodness.

Sunnybank has agreed to support Hertford Street in various ways.

Pastor Tan grew up and was trained and nurtured in the pastoral role through Sunnybank Church. Initially he will be working three days a week at Hertford Street and two days at Sunnybank.

However, there is a plus to this event.

Through the leadership of Sunnybank Church, the Lord has put His hand

Dave Herron, pictured with his wife, Kelly, inducted as Associate Pastor at Caboolture Baptist Church on 5 March 2017

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QB WOMEN

Now that I have seen, I am responsible Imagine finding a note written by your teenage daughter. Imagine reading that note and, as you read, slowly understanding that your daughter was planning to take her own life. You would be heartbroken, devastated, shocked.

Would you know what to do?

Of all the stories I was told during my trip to Cambodia, it is this one that has touched me the most. Hosted

by Baptist World Aid Australia, and joined by an amazing group of Christian women in leadership from across Australia, I was there to see how the money that we raise through the She is… camps and conferences is making a difference in the lives of people struggling with poverty.

Every one of us shed sorrowful tears as we heard the story of Dara, the girl who wrote a note to her mother telling her she planned to end her life.

You see, Dara had a skin condition that marked her body and face. In some communities, even today, these conditions are something to be ashamed of, with people assuming you are cursed or being punished for wrong-doing. So, as a teenage girl, Dara was ostracised by her friends

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and neighbours. Feelings of shame and sadness overtook her, and she decided to take her own life.

Even now, recalling Dara’s story makes me cry. I’ve had to start over again and again just to get through this article.

But this was just one of many stories shared by Cambodians that have left a profound impression on me. Little did I know that in just 10 days I could be so impacted by the things we saw, the stories we heard, and by the people we met; that I would come home forever changed. I have a whole new perspective on what it really means to live in poverty and how we really can make a difference in the lives of children, families and whole villages.

We journeyed from Siem Reap and spent time with remote villages and indigenous minority communities in the north-west (near the Thai border)

and the far north-east (near the Vietnam border).

There are so many things that the people in the villages don’t have, or don’t know about, or are only just learning about. Things we take for granted. For example, there are whole villages in some areas of the country where there is not one toilet and no access to clean water.

Village elders, community members and the youth spoke of the difficulties they face. Struggles with disease and ill-health from open defecation and lack of basic hygiene, child mortality, alcohol abuse and domestic violence, illegal logging and land grabbing, loss of identity, climate change, human trafficking ... the list could go on, and I haven’t even mentioned the pain still felt from the impact of the civil war and the reign of the genocidal dictator, Pol-Pot.

QB WOMEN Despite all that Cambodia has been through, Cambodians are a beautiful people—friendly, and incredibly resilient. And while it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and burdened by the complexities and challenges of this injustice, we’ve seen such hope and progress. The changes that are being made, through our financial and prayer support, are huge: health and sanitation workshops leading to a reduction in preventable diseases; literacy programs capturing indigenous languages (writing down languages previously only spoken); and agricultural training helping farmers to cope with the impacts of climate change. We met people who have started savings groups where they pool their small amounts of money and then loan it to buy seeds, buy a pig, even to buy resources to build a toilet. We saw how they are now self-sufficient, growing vegetables and breeding pigs and chickens to support their families.

None of this would have been possible without the projects that are funded and supported in part by what we give at She is… to Baptist World Aid Australia’s Vulnerable Children Fund.

In many cases the impact is more than material. You see, after Dara’s mother

found her note, she got in touch with the organisation that Baptist World Aid partners with in her area.

From that moment, staff visited Dara regularly. She was loved, encouraged and in a practical sense taught how to deal with her condition.

We heard Dara’s story as we stood in a tiny little room that serves as a library for a children’s group. Dara is now the much-loved and respected volunteer teacher working in the Baptist World Aid funded project. From being a young girl who thought the only way out was to take her life, to becoming a vibrant and encouraging young woman, Dara is a fantastic example to the young girls and boys she teaches.

She now knows what it is to be loved and is engaged to be married.

Dara’s story touched my heart, but it is just a tiny snippet of what we saw in Cambodia. I look forward to sharing more stories at our conferences and camps this year!

Just like the verse from Proverbs 31:8-9, that says, ‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves’ and ‘defend the rights of the poor and needy’, the words of the Brooke Fraser song Albertine now have a far greater impact on me than ever before:

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Now that I have seen, I am responsible…

I can no longer say that I didn’t know, that I haven’t seen, that I haven’t been told. I am responsible to do what I can, to give what I can, to pray, to spread the word, to defend the rights of the poor and needy, and to speak out for justice.

At She is… this year we will again be raising funds for Baptist World Aid Australia’s Vulnerable Children Fund.

Will you join me this year, and in the years ahead, to do whatever it is you can to give, pray, defend and speak out for justice?

Together, let’s see what we can do in the fight against poverty and injustice in our world.

Cathy Knechtli State Director Queensland Baptist Women cathy.knechtli@ qb.org.au

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QB CONVENTION 2017

QB CONVENTION WRAP

It’s a wrap!

Stephen Baxter

QB Youth & Young Adults Leader Aaron Fozzard leads worship

Worship led by Cathy Knechtli

Stephen Baxter (Senior Pastor, Hobart Baptist Church) and his wife, Jenny, were guest speakers at the retreat.

Stephen spoke about the courage he believes we need to bring the gospel to Australians. Drawing on three incidences in the life of Peter: his recommission by Jesus recorded in John 21; his rebuke

by Jesus in Mathew 16; and his meeting with Cornelius in Acts 10, Stephen encouraged us to do the hard work, and let Jesus teach us how to make the Good News good news for Aussies.

On behalf of the couple, Jenny Baxter said: ‘It was great to meet fellow pastors, and we felt very cared for by David and Ann Loder in particular and welcomed by everyone we met. It was particularly encouraging for Stephen to get such a good response to his sessions, as it was the first time he had presented his thoughts on the Australian church to a large group of peers.’

Worship

On QB Leadership Day, it was a highlight when Queensland Baptists and the South Seas Evangelical Mission (SSEC) renewed their partnership agreement designed to build a relationship whereby each denomination encourages the other to grow in their relationships with God and with the ministry to which God has called them.

QB General Superintendent, Rev Dr David Loder, signed the agreement on behalf of Queensland Baptists, and Bishop Matthias Lima signed on behalf of the South Seas Evangelical Mission.

Also attending convention with Bishop Lima was the SSEC General Secretary, Jesimiel Wale.

The QB team ready for Leadership Day registration

A gift for speaker Jenny Allen

The QCCC camp site at Mapleton was packed again this year as QB pastoral families came from far and wide for the Pastors’ & Spouses’ Retreat, followed by an even bigger gathering on QB Leadership Day.

Jenny Baxter

Next year’s convention will be held in Cairns on 3–6 July, when Edmund Chan will return as our main speaker. Mark the date in your calendar now!

QB CONVENTION WRAP

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P&S Appreciation Dinner

L-R: Mathias Lima, David Loder and Jesimiel Wale

Some of the children and youth at convention

Images: Chelsea Armour & Kirsten Bungey

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QB KIDS & THEIR FAMILIES

, N I A G LORD! DO IT A I have been spending quite a lot of time in our church’s preschool ministry lately. I have learnt a few important things. First, always, always have stickers on hand. In the toddler economy, stickers are pure gold; extra points for sparkly ones. Second, the value of moments. You really learn to count your wins when you’re in the room trying to teach a group of two-year-olds about the majestic love of God, and it takes about .03 seconds for it to go from peaceful wonder to jealous tears of anger over who took the green crayon. Thirdly, toddlers really do emulate what it looks like to live a life of joyful worship.

At this age, everything they learn is brand new and exciting. Their

them. They never tire of laughing at the same things—over and over again.

In a sermon I heard from The Village Church on family discipleship, Ps Matt Chandler references this quote of GK Chesterton1, approach and response to the world and everything in it is wonder—just ask any parent of a child this age how many times they’ve been asked ‘Why?’ today. There is a sense of awe in each of them about all that they hear and learn. They are like sponges, soaking up every bit of the truth, and they love what Jesus has for them. I love it.

I love that the stories we tell and the words that we sing never get old to

The Village Church: Family Discipleship Sermon Series http://www.tvcresources.net/resource-library/sermons/series/family-discipleship?nav=p-493443&clickpath=resourc es&wildcard=/series/family-discipleship

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‘Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, “Do it again”; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, “Do it again” to the sun; and every evening, “Do it again” to the

moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.’

How beautiful it is that in the same way that I admire a baby’s joy in Jesus, God sees my own wonder in His glory.

I believe this is part of what Jesus was teaching when He said in Matthew 18:3, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven’. He wants us to be endlessly and continuously amazed, in awe and in wonder at His great love.

I pray that my time with these little ones makes me more like this, that: • my approach and response to every work of God is wonder • there will always be a sense of awe in everything I hear and learn about His love • I will be like a sponge, soaking up every bit of the truth and love that Jesus has for me.

I pray this for my own heart, but also for the hearts of all those who love Jesus and serve these little ones; that we would never tire of the majesty of God’s love, but wake every morning with the words ‘Do it again, Lord’ on our lips and in our hearts.

If you would like help with your pre-school ministry or would like to know how you can best invest in the littlest lives in your church families, please contact us at QB Kids & their Families. We want to equip, empower and support you to show God’s love to all children, of all ages. Email us at qbkids@qb.org.au.

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!

Sally Contessi Team Leader QB Kids and their families sally.contessi@qb.org.au www.qccc.com.au bookings@tamborine.qccc.com.au 07 5545 1417

QB YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS

RETREAT 2017

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Firstly, QB youth has had a name change! Well … not really. We just added ‘young adults’.

a leader’s everyday walk; its necessity in ministry; and how to set a culture of prayer.

Also, this year has started off amazingly. Jesus has given clear direction and has equipped the team with capacity and competency to see it through. The return of ‘Retreat’ in March was highly anticipated. It didn’t take long for Retreat 2017 to kick off and for each of us to get a fresh reminder about how beneficial it is to meet and spend time with others in this ministry. Peter Sweetman (Founding Pastor – Bridgeman Baptist Community Church) came and spoke on ‘The place of prayer in ministry’: in

Aside from the great input and teaching, we shared resources, our stories, powerful testimonies and what QB youth and young adults could look like in the future. We had a great time at QCCC Mapleton who hosted us for an afternoon. Andrew Grant lead us through an overview of their facility and we had firsthand experience of the giant swing with their new interns! It was a great time of fellowship with lots of laughs, as well as a great space to talk all things camping with youth and young adults.

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Retreat 2017 was another one to remember and an encouraging time to be with our pastors and leaders in this incredible ministry. Please continue to be in prayer for this ministry and its leaders.

God is doing great things!

Aaron J Fozzard QB Youth & Young Adults’ Ministry Team Leader aaron.fozzard@ qb.org.au

MALYON

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YOUR JOB IN GOD’S STORY Every year the Malyon Workplace Centre hosts the Transforming Work Conference – an opportunity to explore what it means to live out our faith in workplace settings. This year we are excited to announce that the 2017 Malyon Workplace Conference, Your Job in God’s Story, will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Southbank on Saturday 17 June, 8.30am – 4.00pm.

Billy Graham said ‘the last great mission field is the workplace’ and with that in mind, Malyon Workplace seeks to equip the church for that mission. Malyon Workplace is an extension of Malyon College, assisting church leaders and members with resources to help Christian workers to partner with God, bringing people to Christ, and transforming their experience of work and their workplace culture.

There are several new features in this year’s Transforming Work conference that we are confident will make if bigger and better than ever! The

venue is right in the marketplace at Southbank. In response to feedback, Your Job in God’s Story will be more interactive and the content more integrated. And we have a great line up of speakers: (Dave Benson of Malyon College; John Beckett, founder and CEO of Seed; Kara Martin, author of Workship; and Andrew Laird of City Bible Forum) who will bring biblical insight, practical wisdom and an engaging approach to their presentations.

Your Job in God’s Story will focus on exploring how the biblical narrative (creation, the fall, Israel, Christ, the Church and new creation) can help us reimagine Christian presence and mission in the workplace. Malyon Workplace Director, Murray Wright, says ‘it’s not about crowbarring Jesus into every lunch room conversation on

the one hand, or just not stealing biros from the office on the other’. The Malyon Workplace vision is to help Christians see a bigger picture of how we can influence in simple, powerful and practical ways. We can all play a vital role in advancing the Kingdom – in seeing the Kingdom come on the factory floor, the hospital ward, the classroom and the office cubicle.

Your Job in God’s Story will be held on Saturday 17 June 2017 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Early bird registration starts from $55.

Conference registrations and payments can be made at https://www. trybooking.com/260662 Enquiries, please contact Murray Wright, info@ malyonworkplace.org.au or mob 0406 766 240.

Murray Wright Director, Malyon Workplace

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CHURCH LIFE

The Effectiveness of the Small Church: What the Statistics Really Say1 Most Queensland Baptists worship in small churches. However, some people wonder about the effectiveness and future of small churches. Small-church pastor and writer Karl Vaters identifies what he calls ‘the grasshopper myth’.2 When the people of Israel gazed into the Promised Land they remarked, ‘All the people we saw there are of great size … We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them’ (Numbers 13:32-33). Vaters argues that many small churches and pastors struggle with this ‘grasshopper myth’. He documents his own journey into wandering, whining and placing blame before he finally arrived at the place where he was willing to accept his call to be a small church pastor— and be proud of it!

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So what are the facts about the effectiveness and vitality of small churches? Crossover and Malyon College commissioned the NCLS to undertake a quantitative analysis of the vitality and effectiveness of smaller Australian Baptist churches.3 For those with a little knowledge of statistics, we asked the NCLS to check the correlations between church size and a range of other factors measured by the national survey in 2011. Correlations just measure how strongly things are related to each other.

The research showed that church size was positively correlated with: • Church growth (moderate correlation). In other words: Larger churches are more likely to be growing.

CHURCH LIFE

• The proportion of switchers (people who have transferred from another church in the last five years) (weak correlation).

Larger churches tend to have more switchers.

• Young adult retention (weak correlation).

Larger churches had a lower age profile, and a higher youth retention.

Church size was negatively correlated with: • The proportion of attenders who always or mostly seek to make new arrivals welcome (strong correlation).

Larger churches tend to have less people saying they welcome new arrivals.

• The proportion of attenders who agreed that they have found it easy to make friends in the congregation (moderate correlation). In other words: Larger churches tend to have less people saying it was easy to make friends.

• The proportion of attenders in a leadership role (moderate correlation).

Larger churches tend to have less people in a leadership role.

• The proportion of attenders who felt that leaders encouraged them to use their gifts and skills to a great or some extent (moderate correlation).

Larger churches tend to have less people saying they felt their gifts and skills were being used.

• The proportion of attenders who experienced strong and growing belonging (weak correlation).

Larger churches tend to have less people saying they have a strong and growing sense of belonging.

• The proportion of attenders who strongly agreed that they have a strong sense of belonging to the denomination (weak correlation).

Larger churches tend to have less people saying they have a strong and growing belonging to the denomination.

Church size did not correlate significantly with (that means it was not related to) the proportion of attenders who: • had been part of the church for less than five years and who had never previously attended a church • attended most weeks or more often • participated in group activities • had invited someone to church in the previous year

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• were certain or very likely to follow up a drifter • regularly gave 5% or more of their net income to the church • agreed that the congregation is always ready to try something new • agreed that leaders inspire them to action • agreed that leaders communicate clearly and openly • agreed that leaders encourage innovation and creative thinking • agreed that leaders help the congregation build on its strengths What does this tell us?

Well, larger churches are more likely to be growing numerically through having more switchers from other churches and retaining their young adults.

However, on almost every other measure of vitality or effectiveness (including converts), smaller churches are doing as well, if not better, than larger churches. Indeed, in terms of friendliness, making new people feel welcome and levels of involvement in ministry leadership, smaller churches are actually superior to larger churches.

In other words, the grasshopper myth is DEAD. Attenders of small churches should in no way feel inferior to those in larger churches. Both are equally valuable in God’s service.

Ian Hussey is a lecturer at Malyon College and a proud member of a small church.

This article is based on an article of the same name that appeared in the Autumn 2016 edition of PRAC. 2 Karl Vaters, The Grasshopper Myth: Big churches, small churches and the small thinking that divides us (Fountain Valley: New Small Church, 2012).

3 M. Pepper, S. Sterland, and R. Powell, Relationships between church size and church vitality for Baptist churches, NCLS Commissioned Report. (Sydney: NCLS Research, Australian Catholic University., 2015).

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QCCC

First day of the CAMPFIRE Internship L to R: Chris, Steve, Ned, Jed, “T”, Braden, Andrew

THIS IS DISCIPLESHIP… I was recently listening to a podcast detailing archaeological discoveries about the Sadducees in Jesus’ time, and the revelation of the great wealth they accumulated, courtesy of temple taxes. At the time, I was walking in the practically untouched wilds of Tasmania’s Cape Raoul. It made me contemplate how this land contained some of humanity’s most ancient civilizations, but the land doesn’t bear the scars of human ‘progress’ past the last 225 years.

Management expert Karl Sveiby writes that the early settlers who announced this continent Terra Nullius missed more than 80% of the economic activity of Aboriginal societies.

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wealth (like the Sadducees who Jesus criticized) but in a knowledge economy. In other words, Aboriginal societies placed a primacy on their collective wisdom, knowledge and community creativity.

I was reminded of this recently as I sat with our four QCCC interns in a discipleship group while our Aboriginal brother, Billy Williams, held them transfixed for over an hour as he exposited scripture with them. Billy describes his approach to scripture reading as ‘hunting’, a vigorous approach to God’s word, searching deep for wisdom and practical application. It’s reminiscent of the knowledge economy constructed by his forebears, and our interns are

privileged to literally gather around the campfire to benefit from his tutelage.

The QCCC CAMPFIRE internship launched this year with four fine young men, drawn from around the State and arriving from diverse pathways. They live onsite at Mapleton in their own house, and they’re receiving intensive discipleship from this community, as well as qualifications in Outdoor Education.

CAMPFIRE is essential to QCCC’s future development. As we grow our programs and ministry, it’s essential we have staff who are flexible, versatile mission operatives. With QB’s focus in 2017 on discipleship, it’s fitting we chose this year to launch the

QCCC

internship initiative—effectively an apprenticeship in the length and breadth of Christian camping ministry.

As director, my direct involvement in the program is acknowledgement that QCCC needs to be a discipling organization. As I’ve returned to the coalface of discipleship, I’ve been reminded that Jesus’ call to discipleship is not just for the benefit of others. I’m being discipled and challenged by this process just as surely as our interns are. Discipling others is what makes us come alive. It is an essential and sacred privilege of any follower of Christ.

Andrew Grant Director of Queensland Conference and Camping Centres andrew.grant@qccc.com.au www.qccc.com.au Stories and journeys are keys for understanding both my Christian faith and my cultural heritage. This country is literally connected by ancient stories (songs actually) that were essential for effective and respectful travel. Yet, it was more than merely knowing where to travel, it was also crucial to know the how and even why. This sounds a lot like the goal of discipleship; helping people to connect, not just with the where, but also the how and why of their journeys of faith.

assist the next generation to create and undertake their own—this prioritises discipleship.

The traditional role of an Aboriginal elder included looking for the next generation to carry on the crucial teaching held in the stories, songs and ceremonies. These wise ones would literally be asking, ‘who else can carry this?’ This was both a search for character but also an act of mercy—to pass on sacred knowledge to someone without integrity and ability would be foolish; yet, to pass the privilege and responsibility to someone not ready would be cruel. This requires discipleship.

It has been part of my privilege and responsibility to do this within the dhiiyaan context for 12 years. The landscape is not well known by many people but the context of Aboriginal Christian ministry is incredibly complex. Yet, we are starting to see amazing young people beginning to grow because of the discipleship they have received. Like that of Jesus and then Paul who followed (and as many reading also know!), these are journeys with many ups and downs, stories of breakthroughs and breakdowns, tears of joy and tears of trauma. Yet I am so thankful to be involved … this describes discipleship.

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I am now also part of the CAMPFIRE internship program. I sat in a Bible study the other night looking at those four young men, in many ways just starting their journeys of faith.

I thought of the stories that might make up their lives as they will live for Jesus. Then I looked at three older men (QCCC staff directly involved in the internship as ‘elders’) and I smiled to myself with a deep inner joy … this is discipleship!

Billy JANGALA Williams Most of QCCC’s expeditions programs are provided to Girls’ Schools and we think it’s essential to establish the Internship to encourage women into a career in Outdoor Education. The 2018 CAMPFIRE Intake at Mapleton is female only.

If you’re in Year 12, or on a gap-year, searching for (literally) the adventure of a lifetime, please apply.

Prospectus’ can be sourced from chris.erb@mapleton.qccc.org.au At the start of a pilgrimage on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk with Billy Williams and Gubbi Gubbi elder Kerry Neill

My faith community, dhiiyaan, recently celebrated our 12th year.

We are a family, that’s what the word dhiiyaan means in my Gamilaraay language. We are a family committed to exploring essential, ancient principles, and expressing them in a reconciled, contemporary community.

Part of the calling we know forms part of this is creating an environment that will pass on our stories and journeys to APR/MAY 2017 ::: QB.ORG.AU

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QB ARCHIVES

1953 Tarragindi

A ‘once’ Baptist church in a ‘Baptist’ suburb!

The Brisbane suburb of Tarragindi, situated south of Annerley—about 7 kms from the CBD—had a Baptist Sunday school and then a constituted church with a fine set of buildings from the late 1940s. Changing population trends and improved travel arrangements meant that a church in this location became less viable, so it closed in 1988. This was disappointing because there was no longer an identifiable Baptist witness in a suburb that had the unusual distinction of definite Baptist origins—even a Baptist bestowed name!

According to queenslandplaces.com, European settlement in this area started when the prominent Baptist William Grimes (of the famous pioneer family) took up residence in the vicinity of the present Andrew Avenue. He employed a Pacific Islander whose name was ‘Tarragindi’.

As that name meant ‘camp on a hill’, it became the name for the Grimes house and ‘Tarragindi, Cracknell Road, South Brisbane’ appeared in

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1949 Tarragindi hall

official Baptist documents over a long period. Mr Grimes, who died in 1937, served the Baptist Union of Queensland as president twice, as secretary for 18 years, and for 27 years was the secretary of the college. He was also a leading figure in the Queensland Ambulance Service as well as in other community organisations.

The Tarragindi area remained rural until well after World War I, but the Wellers Hill State School was established in 1926. There was much activity nearby at Salisbury during World War II, and public transport to the area improved. In the postwar years, many people moved into Tarragindi, other facilities opened up, and several churches were established.

In 1947, newly married couple Horace and Elaine Schneider moved into the district. With the enthusiastic support of Rev Chester Martin, of Annerley Baptist Church, they visited homes all around to canvass for a Sunday School.

Classes were held in the Wellers Hill State School from September 1947 with 10 children enrolled, but numbers grew very quickly. The following year, Mr Schneider’s father made land available at the corner of Fernvale and Weller Roads. Mr

Eric Jones, a deacon at Annerley and leading Baptist Union figure, procured a former billiard hall, which was shifted to the site and given a porch to make it look more like a church.

This two-level building was opened on 9 April 1949. Church services were commenced a week later.

The work flourished and there were plans to extend the building, but a generous offer from a leading builder, Mr Ron Scott, led to another plan—a new structure consisting of a hall with brick-fronted porch and an annexe for the kindy. The old building was removed and the new opened on 12 Feb 1953 by the President of the Baptist Union, Rev A J M Howard.

With the Sunday school flourishing (more than 200 children and 16 teachers), and the worship services growing, it was only three years later that a church was constituted—in August 1956. The first baptism was in 1959, the same year as a manse was acquired, situated next door. The work came under the ministry of Annerley church until about 1960, and at later periods was under the Home Mission, or it was independent or associated with Sunnybank or Greenslopes churches. It was led by

QB ARCHIVES more than a dozen pastors, and over the years, many evangelistic crusades and children’s missions were held; missionary and other activities were loyally supported as well.

A century of Baptist church buildings— Online Album

So a work commenced by the dedicated efforts of one couple (Mrs Schneider is still alive!) supported by a large church and its minister served its district with dedication, despite many changes and difficulties until its closure in 1988. (The buildings, virtually unchanged since then, are now used by the Elim Gospel Church.) However, it was never a strong church—its membership did not exceed about 40, and it was only a few kilometres from several other vigorous Baptist churches, which are now left to serve those living in this ‘Baptist’ suburb.

The first church building in Queensland, in which Baptists had a part, was the United Evangelical Church in William Street, Brisbane.

A plaque on the wall of the former Land Administration Building (now Treasury Hotel) marks its location and its opening on 13 April 1851.

Since then, there have been scores of buildings (churches, halls, manses, and schools) erected for worship, ministry and service. Many of them were notable buildings, especially the picturesque former Sandgate Baptist Church; some of them were the work of notable architects, especially Richard Gailey, William Richer, or WC Voller. In the mid-20th century, Ray S Smith drew up a plan for a standard Home Mission church, which was replicated in many parts of the state; he and others like Les Merrin also prepared individual plans for numerous churches.

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On the other hand, many of the buildings were basic and did not survive very long. Others have been modified and a surprising number have been relocated and re-cycled— not always as Baptist churches or even as churches!

Whatever the style or fate of these buildings, they have been places of high significance in the lives of people and communities. So, to commemorate these buildings and to honour those who have worked hard to construct them, Baptist Heritage Queensland is compiling an on-line album of photographs, arranged in order of their opening. Visit our website to see the project so far—up to 1955. Contributions and feedback are welcome. Go to http://bit.do/qbchurches.

Baptist Church Archives archives @qb.org.au Phone 07 3354 5642, 07 3878 3178

Second Baptist heritage plaque for City Tabernacle

Horace & Elaine Schneider 12 Sept 1944

The second plaque in Baptist Heritage Queensland’s new project will be officially launched at the City Tabernacle Baptist Church on Sunday 7 May, at the morning service. This plaque will identify the building (opened in 1890) as one of the significant churches in the Brisbane CBD. It was designed to be an impressive ‘cathedral’ type structure by the celebrated architect, Richard Gailey, who was a member of the church and who also designed several other Baptist churches. The launching date will mark 160 years since Rev James Voller of Sydney visited Brisbane to advise the first Baptists in the colony at a very critical time in the life of the congregation, and to encourage them to take positive steps to continue their fellowship despite the great difficulties they faced. He also performed the first baptisms in Brisbane. All are welcome to attend the launching of this plaque. For more information, contact City Tabernacle Baptist Church or Baptist Heritage Qld.

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CARINITY

OVERCOMING THE ODDS AT 87 When Geoff Lohse had a fall and broke his kneecap at 87, he was told he would never walk again and would need full-time care. Yet he was determined to stay in the home he and wife, Nancy, had built 67 years ago.

That is when Carinity Home Care stepped in. Carinity Home Care Lifestyle Coordinator Sandy Cain met Geoff and Nancy in the hospital.

‘Geoff wasn’t allowed to go home until we had a home care package in place. We helped them navigate the aged care system and were there when Geoff came home from the hospital,’ Sandy says.

GRANTS 2017 The 2017 Carinity Innovation Grants are now available to all Baptist churches in Queensland. A total of up to $50,000 is available to approved sustainable initiatives to enable Baptist churches to start a new community outreach or expand an existing ministry into a new phase of development.

Carinity supports churches across Queensland to work in their local communities to help people in need.

Sometimes the needs are obvious, such as homelessness, substance abuse and self-harm. Other times the needs are not so obvious. This may include people requiring counselling or assistance to help get over a rough patch in their lives. It could be the provision of food, furniture or other practical assistance. It’s about having the right program in the right place at the right time. It’s identifying emerging needs and responding innovatively.

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With grants of up to $7,000 Carinity can help you fund your bright idea that innovatively responds to emerging community needs. We’ll even consider a larger amount for significant projects that would have a considerable impact on the community.

Applications are now open and close at 5.00 pm on Friday 19 May 2017.

To apply or for more information visit Ph: 07 3550 3737 Email: marketing@carinity.org.au W: www.carinity.org.au/innovationgrants

‘He was using a walker around the home and a wheelchair when he went out in the community, which meant Carinity would need to be there every time to assist him. I suggested we use part of his Home Care package funds to purchase an electric wheelchair.’

Thanks to the electric wheelchair, Geoff can get out in his treasured garden independently again.

‘Gardening is part of me. I’d see something I think I could grow and I’d get a cutting or plant from the nursery,’ Geoff says. ‘I can get outside now, and it’s a whole different world.’

Geoff’s wife Nancy says they remind themselves every day they have a lot to be thankful for. ‘Every stick and stone of this house is part of us, and the lifestyle carers allow us to stay here,’ she says.

To see the video story of Geoff and Nancy, visit CarinityHomeCare.org.au.

CARINITY

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into drugs after many years sober.

Eventually, his addiction cost him his job, so he started making drugs and dealing to fund his habit. The moment he was caught, he lost everything.

In jail, Jared looked around, and all he could see was desperation and sadness on the faces of his fellow inmates. He remembered how good everything was when he walked with God, and realised his ways were not getting him anywhere except jail. Gradually, Jared rekindled his relationship with Jesus but did not want to go back to church.

An Inside Out Prison Chaplain convinced Jared to come to services, and he rediscovered the joy of fellowship and worshipping with others. Most importantly, prison chaplains taught Jared the unforced rhythms of God’s grace (Matthew 11:28-30).

THE UNFORCED RHYTHMS OF GOD’S GRACE Jared* was a drug addict who had stumbled into dealing to support his habit. When a stranger in Toowoomba handed him a gospel tract, the words filled him with hope. He prayed the Sinner’s Prayer and then threw it in the bin when he felt nothing.

He went back to dealing without much thought about what he had just read. He was preparing drugs with his girlfriend at the kitchen table when she turned to him and asked: ‘Do you want to keep following me?’ Jared felt this wasn’t his girlfriend talking but a sign he was heading down the wrong path. The Holy Spirit filled him, and

he replied ‘No!’ He got up and flushed all his drugs down the toilet.

After this experience, Jared went into ministry, doing missionary work in the Philippines and Thailand. Although he knew the gospel message, Jared found his faith hard work. He felt like God was always disappointed with him because he could never measure up. After seven years walking with the Lord, he turned his back on Him. He got a job as a project manager consulting for multinational companies. The stress of this highpressure job saw Jared falling back

Jared has been out of jail for two years and is the full-time carer for his sick mother. He is also in his last year of Bible college and has settled into a great church community where he leads a men’s group, and he’s part of the music team.

During his time behind bars, Jared witnessed the transformation of many fellow inmates by prison chaplains through the message of salvation and grace. *name changed Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy has been providing effective and coordinated pastoral care in correctional centres for almost 40 years. It is supported by Carinity, an outreach of Queensland Baptists. To find out how you can transform the lives of people in prison go to www. insideoutchaplaincy.org.au. www.carinity.org.au

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GLOBAL INTERACTION

WITH THANKS …

At a recent ‘Global Exposure’ event, Global Interaction honoured Rod and Kay Bullpitt, who have returned from a ‘short-term’ (12 months!) placement teaching English with Global Interaction in Central Asia. The H people number 13 million, but very few have ever had the opportunity to hear the Gospel. In fact, only 500 H people are following Jesus. The H people are descendants of Persian and Arab traders who intermarried with local people and converted them to Islam. The Global Interaction team seeks to build relationships with this people group known as excellent business people.

The teaching of English has been an ideal way to enter into the lives of many H students at the university.

Six days a week, Rod and Kay taught at formal English classes.

During that time, they prayerfully sought relationships with students, many of whom are H people. These

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relationships were often developed through meeting together over a meal. Outside of university classes, ‘English Corners’ and home hospitality plays a large part in providing safe environments to discuss issues of life and faith, hope and love. Kay and Rod also built warm relationships with teaching staff. Teaching English involves explaining the culture in which the language is used. Often discussions revolved around day-today activities such as weddings and funerals, family relationships and business etiquette and many times, Rod and Kay found opportunities to share the reality of their own daily walk with the LORD Jesus. As they look back on their time in Central Asia, they see many times when

God answered prayers—prayers for individuals, and prayers for situations.

God also provided their every need.

Recently the Global Interaction team in Central Asia saw the return to Australia of several long-term staff. We are pleased to announce that Paul and Naomi (NSW) have been accepted as candidates to Central Asia. We sincerely thank Rod and Kay for their commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ by ‘standing in the gap’, ensuring the ministry can continue in Central Asia.

Bob Rogers, State Director Global Interaction qld@globalinteraction.org.au www.globalinteraction.org.au

BWAA

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MORE THAN ANYTHING IN THE WORLD May* is mum of seven, and she knows how important it is to speak out when she sees something that could threaten children in her community. Why? Because of her own experience … because of the life she was once forced to live.

May was just 16 when she was sold into prostitution. At a time when young girls should be going to school and spending time with their friends, May was already working as a domestic cleaner and bearing the burden of helping her family to survive. So, when the offer of a higher-paying job came along, it was just too good to refuse.

Sadly, it was also too good to be true.

‘It was only when I reached that place my heart sank,’ says May. ‘The job she was taking me to was prostitution.

When I arrived, I knew I didn’t have any way out … I cried a lot.’ May was forced to work in that brothel for more than a year—selling her body over, and over again so she could buy back her own freedom.

Thirteen years later, and the horror of what she experienced as just a young girl is still very real. But brave May is reliving it now so she can warn others.

‘It’s very embarrassing to tell you my story … (but) if I do not share my story … there will be many children who will be harmed,’ says May. Heartbreakingly, May’s experience is not unusual. Girls just like her, and even younger, are trafficked and sold into child marriage, prostitution and other forms of bonded labour every day. That’s why the Baptist World Aid Vulnerable Children Fund supports important work to help families protect their girls and boys from a fate like May’s … because no child should ever be made to live through the horrors of exploitation, slavery and abuse.

When you give to the Vulnerable Children Fund, you help to educate families so they won’t be taken in by the lies of child-traffickers. You also reduce the risk of trafficking by assisting poor and vulnerable families to increase their incomes, and provide for their children and keep them safe in school. And your generosity ensures that mums and dads are taught the needs and rights of their children. Thank you!

When May first met Chab Dai, Baptist World Aid’s Christian partner in the field, she understood immediately how important it was for her to keep her children safe and protect their rights.

But she also realised that by speaking out in her community, she could help to save other children from a heartbreaking fate, just like the one she experienced. ‘(Now) I help others by making them understand their responsibility,’ says May. ‘If I see someone doing the wrong thing, I need to warn them.’

May is a survivor. And thanks to the Vulnerable Children Fund, and the generosity of Australians like you, May is now using her experience to make sure other precious children do not live through the same horrors that she lived through. The cycle of abuse and poverty ends with May. Now she can be confident in giving her little ones a safer and more happy childhood than her own. And for a mum like May, that means more than anything in the world.

Help mums like May protect their children. Go to: baptistworldaid.org.au/ vulnerable-children-fund Samara Linehan Communications Coordinator Baptist World Aid Australia * May’s name has been changed for privacy and protection. This article was first published in Baptist World Aid’s supporter magazine ‘Be Love’.

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THINKSPOT

It’s a … miracle!

The nine-month campaign for life in Queensland

Over nine months, a battle has raged, inside and outside of Queensland’s Parliament, over whether to liberalise our abortion laws, culminating in a decision that surprised the nation. It started when Rob Pyne, Independent Cairns MP (having been expelled from the ALP), tabled a private member’s bill which most, if not all, MPs recognised as irresponsible. It removed all structure and protections from abortion in Queensland, giving no guidelines or procedures. However, the bill was given some scaffolding and sent to the committee process for consideration. Submissions were called for.

Clearly set before us was a choice between death and life. Queenslanders chose life. Overwhelmingly.

Thousands marched for life in Brisbane on one of the hottest days in memory. Thousands made submissions to the inquiry. Tens of thousands signed Queensland Parliament petitions calling on the government to reject the proposed laws that would allow abortion to birth.

What happened was a miracle. And only God performs miracles. He chose to perform this miracle through the unity of His people and through the love and compassion that His people showed to everyone who participated in the debate, no matter what their position was.

Queensland has a number of organisations advocating for women and babies in relation to unwanted or unexpected pregnancies. Collectively

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we oppose abortion as we believe it not only takes an innocent life, but it damages women and denies the impact that abortion has on spouses and family members, medical and other hospital staff and indeed, our entire society. Over 12,000 abortions occur in Queensland each year. Choosing abortion can seem to someone, at the time, to be their only option, but, in reality, it is choosing death over life.

Women who have had an abortion often feel that they were not truly given a choice and wish they had been offered support to keep the baby, or information on how to follow the path of adoption. Recent high profile cases have revealed that some women are coerced into aborting their babies.

value of life, and who want to be more responsible than the previous generation.

Social media made up for the lack of mainstream media coverage, with prolife messages trending, loud and clear.

The attempt to further weaken our abortion laws was a call ‘to the barricades’ for all who understood the value of every human life. And so, from all the prolife groups, a new identity was formed as an umbrella organisation— ‘Abortion Rethink’.

The committee recommended the first bill fail, and could not reach any recommendation on the second. Two days before the parliamentary vote was to happen, the LNP announced that their members had chosen to exercise their conscience vote to oppose the bills. The ALP were also granted a conscience vote with some members making it clear they would oppose the legislation. The Katter Party have always been prolife. One Nation’s member confirmed he would vote against the bill. Cook Independent MP, Billy Gordon, also announced he would vote against the bill. This sealed the bills’ fate. Rather than have them voted down, Mr Pyne withdrew them.

To start with, there was one poorlyconstructed bill, tabled by Mr Pyne.

Then, in a move that angered MPs and Queenslanders alike, before the inquiry into the first bill was even completed by the committee, Mr Pyne tabled a second bill, aspects of which did not even appear constitutional.

The government has now sent our existing abortion legislation to the Law Reform Commission for examination and recommendations. Queenslanders will go to the polls within the next 10 months and one thing is certain—the State’s abortion legislation will be an election issue.

Over 55,000 people signed petitions against the bills. Over 2,700 submissions were received with over 83% against the bills. Hundreds of letters and thousands of emails were sent to MPs. Over 3,000 people attended the March for Life with young people strongly represented.

A prolife generation is emerging who have seen ultrasound images on facebook, are more aware of the

‘I have given you the choice between life and death … Oh, that you would choose life …’ (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Wendy Francis is the Queensland Director for the Australian Christian Lobby and ACL’s Spokesperson for women and children. She and her husband, Peter, worship with City North Baptist Church.

THINKSPOT

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Lost soles Working in a Christian workplace, I quickly realised I could easily never engage with people outside the church, so I joined a golf club. If swearing worries you, don’t join a golf club. It didn’t take long for people to get used to a minister being a member of the club. Now I’m just one of the members, that is until another member is going through a crisis.

Over time my usual group has evolved into me and three cancer survivors. All three have, to varying degrees, sought my counsel. One introduces me to friends as his ‘pastor’.

Now, as my wife’s dementia worsens, I have started bringing her along. My usual group and the club have bent over backwards to accommodate her being there. I am humbled by the way I have been included. There are, of course, jokes at my expense; if I get a favourable bounce I’m apparently getting outside help. One day a discarded shoe sole was found, ‘Here’s a lost soul for you Andy’. It actually feels a lot like church should be.

Andy Coller is the outgoing State Representative (QLD) for Baptist World Aid Australia andy.coller@gmail.com

Andy adds: I have been a member of a golf club all of my time in ministry, for fitness, recreation and as a way to meet people who wouldn’t come to church. When I start at a new course it doesn’t take long to be asked, ‘What do you do?’.

My standard response is, ‘Promise to still talk to me if I tell you?’

Then, for a while they apologise when they swear in front of me.

To which I reply, ‘If swearing worried me, I wouldn’t play golf ’.

After I get known, people chat from time to time. I’ve chatted about marriage, illness, children, and spiritual questions. Some have booked me to officiate at their funerals when the need arises—I do tell them I’m not in a hurry to bury them!

The usual group I play with are genuinely my friends. We share each other’s struggles. I am blessed by my fellow golfers.

Reprinted with permission, Unofficial Chaplain https://www.facebook.com/unofficialchaplain/

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EASTER MEDITATION

Last words Last words While hanging on the cross, innocentbut-convicted Jesus uttered seven phrases which continue to give profound insight into His relationship with us—the real guilty party.

‘Father forgive them’ (Luke 23:34) Pilate consoles himself. ‘It wasn’t my fault.’

The Pharisees are triumphant. ‘The heretic is gone.’

The crowd goes home to make dinner.

Sabbath is coming.

A soldier washes blood from his fists.

The criminal is dead.

Everyone has a story. Few are worried by the consequences.

Only One sees the bigger picture.

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They were just fulfilling commands.

They were just upholding law and order. They were just one of the crowd.

They were just doing their job … which is all it takes to be on the path to eternal separation from God. So Jesus prays, ‘Father forgive them’.

They don’t know that one day the Father will ask all of them, ‘Is there any reason why I should not punish you eternally for crucifying My Son?’ When we have no clue, Jesus knows exactly what needs to happen.

‘Today in Paradise’ (Luke 23:43)

Two crucified criminals hurl insults at Jesus. Suddenly one criminal sees what the Sanhedrin, the crowd, and Roman justice have missed; Jesus is innocent.

Why the change? Something about Jesus, and His reactions to all injustice and hate, has made the man realise that Jesus is his only hope and only protection. So he prays, ‘Remember me’.

‘Today you will be with Me in Paradise’, Jesus responds. No longer will you be defined by your actions, your life choices, or your sin. You will be washed and renewed. You will see God face-to-face. You will have a front-row seat at My heavenly homecoming.

Even in the most chaotic of circumstances, Jesus has made coming to Him a very simple matter.

At any time; in any sin-filled circumstance; after any life-path, Paradise can be ours, today.

EASTER MEDITATION

‘Take a new son’ (John 19:26) The public spectacle is robbing a widow of her first-born son. Then Jesus gets her attention, not by saying ‘mother’ but by saying ‘dear woman’.

In these words, a new dynamic is happening. It’s as if Jesus is saying, ‘Dear woman. You gave birth to me, we share DNA. You taught me to eat, saw my first step and cried at my first day of school. But you can’t see me as your son any longer, you need to look at me as your Saviour and Redeemer.’

Not even Mary, in her position as the mother of Jesus, can bypass the need to confess faith in Jesus and the need to be part of the family of God. The process of salvation is the same for all.

Jesus must be central to all the needs of our lives.

‘Why am I forsaken?’ (Matthew 27:46) It is often called hell, but technically it is the lake of fire—that place of eternal separation from God—a prison for those who have rejected God, where fellow inmates include Satan and fallen angels. It is not a correctional facility with the possibility of parole. Rather, it is an eternity of no compassion, no grace, and no more second chances.

‘My God, why have you forsaken me?’ In this moment Jesus is going through hell. Why? The Son’s compassionate heart does not want us to endure eternal punishment, so He volunteered to take our place. The loving heart of the Father is that He does not want us to perish, but rather to repent.

This is the moment where both hearts connect. God the Son being forsaken

by God the Father … for us.

‘I thirst’ (John 19:28) The words seem so mundane … so ordinary … so human; which is precisely the point. Jesus is dying as one who completely identifies with us and our experiences. He identifies with this world of disappointment and decisions, frustrations and fear, brokenness and betrayal, isolation and loneliness. He has felt the path of temptation, the discouragement of betrayal by friends, the pressure of time, the burden of family dynamics.

He knows what we feel when the alarm goes off; when work is a chore; when weariness has overtaken us; when we have no reason to laugh.

‘I thirst.’ This is the voice of Jesus the carpenter, the Word made flesh—our Mediator, who has all the qualifications and experience necessary to bring us through each day into eternity.

‘It is finished’ (John 19:30) It started in the garden of Eden, ‘You can be like God’. In two bites of a piece of fruit the greatest act of the Divine Artist has been vandalised by sin. Now a massive cleansing effort is required, so Jesus takes on the task.

Jesus becomes our human representative.

Jesus becomes our obedience.

Jesus takes God’s wrath on our behalf.

After 33 years, Jesus has done all, paid all, performed all and suffered all that is necessary to satisfy the justice of God.

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‘It is finished.’ The history-long plan of God where He brings us back to Himself is complete. We don’t have to come up with the rest of the formula, or negotiate a 50-50 arrangement, or begin the clean-up process to make ourselves more presentable. Jesus has done it all.

‘Into Your hands’ (Luke 23:46) When Jewish mothers tuck their children into bed, if they pray a Bedtime Shema, they might include Psalm 31:5, ‘Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.’ Just before his last breath, Jesus speaks these words that He knows so well. There is no more broken intimacy between Jesus and His Father.

No more is Jesus at the mercy of the hands of mankind.

In the face of death, the Spirit of Jesus is confident and full of trust. The grave will not be able to hold Him. God will be dependable and trust-worthy … which is our greatest hope, since we are not so dependable. Indeed, we were spiritually dead with no relationship or fellowship with God. Yet, by committing our spirit into the hands of the Father, we can be resurrected from our spiritual death.

What to do now?

Seven phrases from the cross. Ponder them again. Share them with others.

For these profound words were spoken so that the very last words you hear from Jesus will not be, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!’

Allan Quak is pastor at Northside Evangelical Church (Northgate) pastorallan@nec.org.au

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PERSECUTION BRIEF

Pray for Christians who are being persecuted for their faith in many countries around the world.

North Korea The International Coalition to Stop Crimes Against Humanity in North Korea (ICNK), an alliance of human rights groups from around the world including Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), today (7 March 2017) announced its support for two new UN reports calling for the international community to hold the North Korean government accountable for crimes against humanity.

The Group of Independent Experts on Accountability, appointed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights at the request of the UN Human Rights Council last year with a specific mandate to explore approaches to accountability, asserted that ‘investigation and prosecution of serious crimes is critical’. They called for ‘measures to ensure the right of victims to reparations, the right of victims and society to know the truth about violations, and guarantees of nonrecurrence of violations’.

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‘The North Korea government and its leaders should face justice for their crimes against humanity, which continue to this day,’ said Phil Robertson, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch.

‘We urge the United Nations Human Rights Council to respond positively to the Special Rapporteur’s call that the recommendations of the group of independent experts be implemented without delay.’

The independent experts stressed the need to consider creating an ad hoc international tribunal even with a referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC provides an important way to hold accountable those most responsible for gross rights abuses, but given the pervasive impunity in the DPRK, the experts argued the prosecution of some highlevel perpetrators at the ICC should be complemented by other criminal accountability processes. “A dedicated international tribunal for the DPRK would allow the temporal, territorial, personal and subject-matter jurisdiction to be calibrated to meet the needs and aspirations of the victims,” the experts argued.

SOURCE: Christian Solidarity Worldwide UK http://www.csw.org.uk/latest.htm

Northern Nigeria Pray for Christians who are displaced in Northern Nigeria because of Islamic extremist group Boko Haram. Some are facing persecution in displaced person camps, and have been denied access to food and aid.

Uzbekistan In Uzbekistan, authorities are continuing to raid, arrest, fine and jail anyone who exercises freedom of religion. In particular, those who possess religious literature. Pray for Christians to stand firm in their faith in Jesus, and for boldness in their witness.

India Jeyram’s witness saw 50 families near his village come to Christ, but in November 2016 angry members of his village killed him. Please pray for Jeyram’s wife, Indu and their three small children as they mourn, that they would be strengthened in their faith in Jesus.

SOURCE: Open Doors We are very aware that persecution of our brothers and sisters in Christ happens every day in our world. We’re also aware that news reprinted in this regular article is not current when you receive your magazine.

We encourage you to visit the sites referenced for up-to-date information.

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CHRISTIAN SINGLES

PASTOR – CHURCH LIFE Cleveland Baptist Church on Brisbane’s bayside is seeking to add an experienced associate pastor to their team. The Church Life Pastor (full-time) will focus on strategy and coaching for the church and its ministries (particularly young adults) in helping people move along the discipleship pathway from making a connection with us, to deciding to follow Jesus, to loving and serving God and our world wholeheartedly. At Cleveland Baptist, we call this process the Discipleship Pathway, with four key words describing the path: Connect, Explore, Grow, Serve. This role requires a leader who is a good connector, implementer, coach, and who has a heart for evangelism and discipleship.

The successful applicant will have recognized theological training, pastoral experience in a church setting, and be (or willing to be) registered with Queensland Baptists.

For a full position description, church profile and application details please email Rev Mark Westhuyzen, email: mark@clevelandbaptist.com.

SENIOR PASTOR TARINGA BAPTIST CHURCH Located in inner city Brisbane, Taringa Baptist Church is a unique church, with people from over 15 different nationalities worshipping and serving together in a small church setting. We are seeking a new Senior Pastor who can support the Church’s vision to be a multicultural worshipping community serving others and helping people connect with Jesus. This new leader will work alongside an existing part time Associate Pastor and established leadership team. If you have a calling to multicultural and small church ministry we would like to hear from you.

Please contact taringabaptist@gmail.com to request the church information pack or contact Angela Tincknell on 0411 701 606 for further information.

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