The qb August 2017

The voice of Queensland Baptists August/September 2017

A Godless Australia?

Protecting churches in the digital age of social media and defamation

How to read Proverbs

10

38

42

Print post approved ISSN: 100003837 | The Queensland Baptist - first published in 1890. This series Vol 15 Issue 4. | qb.org.au

Baplink

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Invest your money for future returns while making a real difference

Baplink was established in 1994 to provide investment accounts for individuals, churches and affiliated organisations.

As a Ministry of Queensland Baptists, we are not for profit. We use investor’s funds to offer churches preferential interest rates to fund the building of churches, youth camps, day care centres and facilities for other essential community ministries.

When you invest with us, your deposits are helping us to lend to churches.

You can make a difference by helping ministries grow and develop.

1800 650 062 baplink@baplink.org.au www.baplink.org.au Queensland Baptists is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Sentinel Private Wealth Pty Ltd | AFSL 344762

CONTENTS

QB MINISTRIES 19

QB Kids and their Families Meaningful conversations with our kids

22

QB Women Beyond expectations

30 Carinity

Cedarbrook opens on the

Gold Coast 28

QCCC Why hospitality matters

30 QB Archives ‘All the way’ 32

Malyon Better together

34

QB PARTNERS

REGULARS

34 BWAA

Be part of an

incredible story 36

4 From the General Superintendent

Global Interaction Serving the Yawo people

24

8

Knowing God Series

10

Speaking out: John Sweetman

12

Baptisms

14

Around the regions

18

God moments

20

Milestones

24

Queensland Baptist Week of Prayer 4 to 11 June 2017

27

Persecution brief

33

Called home

44

Fun zone

46

Reviews

47

Classifieds

ARTICLES

04 28

37

A small part in God’s plans

38

Protecting churches in the digital age of social media and defamation

40

A group of Baptists celebrate 10 years helping vulnerable children in Africa

42

How to read Proverbs One approach

43

The faith of a farmer

FROM THE GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3) This is a remarkable passage of Scripture exploring three phases of life. In chapter three verses four to six, the writer explores the matter of sin in a person’s life as one phase. Sin is lawlessness, chaos, unregulated and unrestrained. Jesus appeared so that this state of life outside of the Kingdom of God could be adequately dealt with. This is the way to God. A future phase is also described. Verses two and three acknowledge that we don’t have a full appreciation for what life in heaven will be like but this we do know, when Jesus appears, we shall be like Him for we will see Him in all His fullness.

It is the middle phase that I want to draw your attention to. This is the life with God. There are two points I wish to draw your attention to. The first is that of relationship.

The Father has lavished love on us and we are called His children. This is family! This is the ideal Fatherchild relationship! This is truly an expression of God’s love! Family offers at least three things. It gives identity. In some circles, I am known by who my father is. It is through him (and/or my mother) that I trace my family tree. Spiritually my identity comes from God, my Father. The family also offers security. From my birth, my family provided food and shelter for me. It provided a safe environment in which I was nurtured and grew. When I became a part

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Rev Bishop Lima and David Loder

of God’s family, the same has been offered. Family also gives likeness.

Every new born baby is carefully examined and opinion is offered whether they look more like mum or dad. We have a daughter who clearly resembles her mother. She in turn has a daughter who looks like her.

It is characteristic that we take on a family likeness. So, how much do you look like your heavenly Father?

How often do people comment about family likeness? How often do they comment about your Godlikeness?

This leads to the second part of this life with God. We not only have a relationship, but we have responsibility in the family. ‘Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies

themselves.’ Change is expected.

That is, change from who we are to be more like the Lord Jesus who is totally pure. The problem occurs in that appears that the onus is on us to do our own changing. Well, yes and no. A clue is given in 1 Corinthians 3:6 where Paul states, ‘I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.’ A few verses later Paul affirms that we are God’s fellow workers. It is a cooperative endeavour. In effect, I am to create the conditions for growth (planting and watering, for example), but it is God who does the actual growing.

It is important that we create the conditions that allows God to do the growing in our lives. A receptive heart, regular, systematic reading of

the Bible, prayer, engaging in God’s family, being involved in mission and ministry. These are basic and essential. Your pastor would be delighted to spend more time with you assisting you to grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus. This is discipleship!

John’s writing to the church challenges us to be moving towards Christ-likeness in every aspect of our character. In 1 Peter 1:16, Peter said the same thing but in different words.

Using words from Leviticus, he quoted our Father by saying, ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ As we create the right conditions, God will change us more and more into the likeness of His Son.

QC C C

Ministry Matters As Queensland Baptists, we have renewed our partnership with the South Sea Evangelical Church (SSEC) for the next five years. We had a partnership in place and, when it expired, both the QB Board and the National Executive of SSEC expressed a desire to renew it. The head of SSEC Rev Bishop Matthias Lima attended our Convention for the official signing here in Queensland and then recently I signed the Partnership Agreement at a meeting of the National Executive in Honiara.

QUEENSLAND CONFERENCE AND CAMPING CENTRES

DISCOVER QCCC TAMBORINE Situated in the beautiful Gold Coast Hinterland, we have 4 venues that would be perfect for hosting your next family camp, youth retreat or men’s and women’s getaways.

From delicious meals to comfortable accommodation, we have everything to provide your guests with a memorable experience.

Contact us now!

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

The Board has appointed Rev Stewart Pieper as Associate to the General Superintendent. It was my request to have someone formally appointed to take on some of my responsibilities and to officially deputise for me when I am unavailable. Welcome to the role Stewart!

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

FROM THE EDITOR a community that still desperately needs the peace and truth of the Gospel.

David Loder (From the General Superintendent) writes about the phases of life with God, and the identity and security that comes from being part of God’s eternal family. We also have the stories and photos from our recent Prayer Focus celebration as churches and communities came together to unleash the power of prayer across Queensland. What awesome change can come when Christ joins the people gathered in His name!

There has been a lot of media coverage and debate about the value of religion in Australian society after the 2016 census results were released, which showed a rise in respondents saying they have ‘no religion’. We can feel the spiritual state of the nation changing as we move away from a Christian—based society to one where God is not the main consideration anymore, from school curriculums to the shaping of government policy. John Sweetman’s article (A Godless Australia?) addresses both the positives and negatives of the results, and the important role of the church in showing Christ’s love to

We also have many changes across the churches (Around the Regions) with the retirement of three pastors.

We appreciate their faithful and compassionate service to their church families, communities and Queensland Baptists. We also honour and celebrate the life of Pastor Steve Goode (Called Home) who had a special heart for the Bowen community. Please pray for Steve’s wife Lois, and his family, and for the Bowen Baptist church.

Thank you for reading the QB magazine, I really appreciate the support, comments and feedback from all our valuable readers. I hope you find something in this issue that is of interest to you.

God Bless,

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: Linda Nevell Design: Shell Graphix Print: Printcraft 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/newsmedia. 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.

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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.

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1924

1935

KNOWING GOD

DISCIPLESHIP THROUGH EVANGELISM:

MAKE DISCIPLES

BY GOING & BAPTISING

SOCIAL ACTION, ENGAGEMENT AND EVANGELISM (AND COCA-COLA!) I was born and grew up in the Soviet Union. I saw with my own eyes the collapse of communism, and the chaos and anarchy that followed.

History deals with what happens, not with what might have happened.

We had what we had, and I believe it was part of God’s story of salvation.

One sequence of events from the USSR is worth mentioning here. It is a story about Coca-Cola. Did you know that Coca-Cola, for most of the USSR’s history, was a banned drink because of its association with capitalism? There is a story, that when Field Marshall Georgy Zhukov, who led the Soviet Army in the Battle of Berlin, met with the Supreme Allied Commander of General Forces, Dwight Eisenhower, Eisenhower offered General Zhukov some Coca-Cola. General Zhukov liked it so

8 AUG/SEP 17 QB.ORG.AU

much that he requested a supply of Coca-Cola to his headquarters but in a clear colour, so that is could pass for vodka. With the approval of President Harry Truman, Coca-Cola managed to produce a colourless version, and delivered 50 boxes of simple unlabelled bottles with white lids and star symbols on the bottles especially for General Zhukov. From that time on, and for many years, Coca-Cola tried to get into the Soviet market, without success.

The breakthrough came in the lead up to the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

Coca-Cola agreed to limited sales, changes in labelling, and returns.

It accepted all these conditions with a view to get a foothold in the Soviet market. American journalist, Tom Standage, in his book ‘A history of the World in 6 Glasses’ said: ‘When Coca-Cola gets imported into a country, you can tell with complete confidence that significant changes in that country are coming. That is because CocaCola is a quintessence of capitalism contained in a bottle.’1 Change did eventually come−both good and not so good.

Why am I telling this story in an article about evangelism and social action? Well, because they are contentious topics. They are contentious not in regards as to whether we, as the church, should be involved in social action, but rather of the extent of our involvement, and the centrality of Christ and the proclamation of the Gospel. The topic is also contentious because of the debate over whether evangelism and social actions are distinct and different activities. We are told that we have a great product, in fact the best, but we just do not market it well. Tim Chester, for example, states that

the attempts to merge social action with the proclamation of the Gospel usually ends with evangelism being lost.2 I try to approach this topic from two sides: (1) the Centrality of Christ as it is reflected in Scriptures; and (2) Contextualisation. A key passage for me is the well-known Mark 6:34-44.

Verse 34 says: ‘When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.

So he began teaching them many things’ When Jesus saw the large crowd, and had compassion on them, what did he do? He began to teach them. The Gospel message is essential and central to our ministry.

The Gospel has answers that are irreplaceable. Nothing, absolutely nothing can be a substitute for the Gospel. And likewise, I agree with Tim Chester that ‘without the communication of the Gospel message, social action is like a signpost pointing nowhere.’3 A time came when the crowd got hungry. Jesus led an intensive teaching period, with five thousand hungry people present. We could say that by that time, perhaps, he had built enough spiritual capacity in them so that they could go and look after themselves. However, after intense teaching, Jesus goes further and feeds them with bread and fish, so that they all ate and were satisfied (verse 42). The people were hungry, they were in a remote place, they did not have any food, nor the means to get food. Once again I would like to quote Tim Chester who said: ‘In our involvement in the lives of others we cannot choose to ignore their social needs. We cannot treat people in isolation from their context.

Evangelism alone might make sense

Tom Standage, A History of the World in 6 Glasses (2006).

Tim Chester, The relationship between evangelism and social action, < http://www.gcmcollective.org/gcm-collective/ evangelism-and-social-involvement-the-relationship-between-evangelism-and-social-action/> 3 Ibid.

4 Ibid.

in the lecture room. It may even just about make sense in a middle class suburb. But it makes no sense at all when working among the poor.

Mission takes place in and through relationships and relationships are multi-faceted. Proclamation should be central, but a center implies a context and our proclamation should take place in the context of a life of love.’4 That is why feeding the poor, raising social awareness on important topics, helping the disadvantaged, marginalised and persecuted, should be part and parcel of the Gospel message both in Australia and overseas, but never at the expense of the Gospel. Particularly with the freedom we have in our land, the presentation of our message ought to be clear and wise.

There are places, suburbs and cultures where it is extremely hard for the Gospel message to be presented openly, and it may take time and energy before a vibrant and witnessing Christian community is established. So, let’s not be judgmental of what churches or mission agencies do, if they do not appear to be bold or open in regards to the Gospel Proclamation. Sometimes it is important to secure a foothold, so that later we may have a chance to proclaim the Gospel, very much like CocaCola did in the USSR to secure later opportunities. The resulting changes will only be good ones.

Rev Emil Rahimov Regional Consultant for Ethnic and Multicultural Churches. emil.rahimov@qb.org.au

1 2

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SPEAKING OUT

A Godless Australia?

Over the last few months, two important sources of facts about religion in Australia have been released. The first was Faith and Belief in Australia: A national study on religion, spirituality, and worldview trends by the McCrindle organisation. The second was the results of the 2016 Australian Census. In this article, I would like to comment on a few of the implications of these studies for Christians (and particularly Baptists) in Queensland.

First the Bad News As I’m sure you’ve already read in the media, religion is Australia is dying. The number of Australians identifying with ‘no religion’ increased from 22% in the 2011 census to 30% in the 2016 census.

I’m sure that much of this increase was not people ditching their faith, but just people being more honest

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about what they believe. However, a growing proportion of Australians are clearly stating that they do not believe in religion.

In the past, Australian Baptists have generally been spared from this decline in faith. For example, in the 2011 census those identifying with the Baptist denomination increased by over 11% in the previous 5 years.

While most Christian denominations were in decline, we were leading the way forward. This was certainly true in Queensland where our numbers grew by 17% (compared with a State population growth of 11%) between 2006 and 2011. You probably don’t remember it, but I even wrote an article celebrating this growth and offering reasons for our significant success.

Well this is no longer the case.

In Australia, those identifying as Baptist in the 2016 census (which is probably the best indication we have

of overall Baptist numbers) showed a 2.8% decline in five years (a loss of 7347 people to be precise). We did slightly better in Queensland with a 0.4% increase (from 87271 to 87640) between 2011 and 2016. But seeing Queensland’s population is growing at about 1.5% per annum (that’s over 7% in 5 years), Qld Baptists appear to be a shrinking proportion of the population.

This is bad news indeed. Baptists are now included in the steady decline of religious affiliation in Australia. We can no longer pride ourselves on bucking the trend.

It appears that if we do nothing intentional, the decline will continue.

The Good News McCrindle’s research comes to a similar conclusion about Australia’s declining religious identity with 45% claiming to be Christian, 14% identifying as spiritual but

Some Implications for Concerned Christians If you are concerned about the decline of religion (and Baptists) in Australia, then it’s time to do something about it. Here are a few simple suggestions. There is nothing particularly new here, but the above research calls for the following actions.

Pray. There is clearly a spiritual battle for the hearts of Australians and it starts in prayer. There is no time to lose.

We are clearly on the slide.

We desperately need God to work in power. It’s encouraging to see a growing heart for prayer in our churches. This is paramount.

not religious, and 22% with no religion. Of those who identify with Christianity, 15% go to church at least monthly including 7% who are actively involved. Taking a glass half full perspective, this means that while only 7 out of every 100 Australians are very active in their church, almost 60% would see themselves as religious or spiritual in some way. (This does not include those who follow other faiths.) So, we still have an open mission field.

But it gets better. Consider the following statistics in the infographic (right).

Sorry for all the statistics, but I wanted to show that Christianity is far from a lost cause in the minds and hearts of secular Australians. They are watching and there is interest. I know that the perceptions of church abuse (73% say that this is massive or significant negative influence) are a big challenge for us, but many Australians are searching and observing and sometimes talking about faith and meaning in life.

Live. People are watching us and they do notice. We need to expand our ministry to the disadvantaged (this is God’s heart) and to show the love of Jesus to those we share life with. They are looking for care and love and we can express it. Our life message must counteract the damaging church abuse message so prominent in the media.

Talk. Most Aussies are at least occasionally talking about religion and faith. Surprisingly, it’s not a taboo subject. If conversations are the biggest prompt for people to consider faith, we must get Jesus into our conversations.

It’s time for gentle, but courageous words.

Find. 1 in 10 non-Christians are open to exploring faith. We must find these people and encourage and assist them. This means providing ways to explore Christianity (e.g. Alpha), offering invitations to church events, experimenting with different models of church, and consistently inviting people to follow Jesus.

We’ve had a warning shot across our bow. We can no longer be complacent.

The church in Australia is slowly dying. The harvest is waiting.

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

QB.ORG.AU AUG/SEP 17 11

Reema Chand Baptism - Photo by Sam Porter

Baptisms Caboolture Baptist Church Reema is a 19-year-old Fijian Indian girl, who last year completed her formal schooling in Fiji. She comes from a Hindu background, but during the last year of schooling had an interest in Christianity, and was secretly going to a Christian Church on her way to school. Her aunty here in Australia recently lost her husband, so the aunty paid for Reema to come to Australia, to provide comfort and support. Whilst in Australia, Reema brought her aunty to Caboolture Baptist Church and enquired further about Christianity. Her aunty was already a committed follower of Jesus. One of the ladies took Reema through the Christianity Explained Course, and through this Reema became a committed follower of Jesus also. It was her desire to be baptised before she returned to Fiji. Thus, it has been our joy to share with Reema in this public profession of faith, and pray for her as she returns to Fiji, to share her love of Jesus with family and friends.

(from left) Elder Dionas Guartero, Mark Squires, Pastor David Champness

Clayfield Baptist Church Clayfield Baptist Church celebrated the baptism of Mark Squires at their favourite baptismal place, Shorncliffe foreshores. Pastor David said ‘We give thanks for Mark’s declaration of faith and that, in this public space, many other people observed the baptism, which led to interesting conversations with some onlookers. God is always at work through His Spirit, and we pray those conversations bear fruit in God’s timing.’

Prayer is Powerful Please set aside some time to pray for the people recently baptised. They have taken a courageous and life changing step in their walk with Christ. Baptism is an important event in the believer’s walk with Jesus Christ. The Bible talks about water immersion baptism in which a believer makes a public confession of their faith. Jesus led the way in example of water baptism!

1 Corinthians 12:13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Agnes Waters Baptist Church • Donna Haggith Bridgeman Baptist Community Church • Laura Howard Biloela District Baptist Church • Matt Austin City Tabernacle Baptist Church • Liberata Macumi Clontarf Beach Baptist Church • Laurie Arkinstall • Elysha Eckersley • Joie Edu • David Gates • Joseph Otte

Daniel and Melinda O’Connor

Charters Towers Daniel and Melinda O’Connor said ‘We wanted to get baptised because we both knew it was the next step in our journey. We knew that making a public declaration of our faith would be a demonstration of our words being backed up by action.’

‘Leading up to the move to Charters Towers at the beginning of 2016, we were facing two paths, one that led to a shallow Christian life that was easy and without sacrifice, the other was a life of dedication in all areas, laying down our own life so we could be used by God.’ ‘The months leading up to this wonderful event we both individually grew closer to God, but also grew closer as a couple, as we put Christ as a foundation for all areas of our lives. So when our pastor suggested we get baptised at the same time we both leapt at the chance!’

‘We are both so grateful to God for leading us to Charters Towers Baptist Church, led by Pastors Doug and Anne Reid.’

Coral Coast Christian Church • Alice Daniels Forest Lake Baptist Church • Brianna Clark • Joshua Riek • Xavier Watson Hervey Bay Baptist Church • Michelle Collison • Howard Johnson • Elaine Vernon • Bob Cole Kingsridge Baptist Church • Linda Chum • Caleb Hill • Jamie Japin

‘Looking forward, we are both so excited to see where the Lord leads us, as we make the transition into ministry. We know and pray that God has his hand over our lives, as we answer his calling.

Daniel is starting the Master of Ministry in the second semester of 2017 Malyon College.

Matt Austin left and Associate Pastor John Spranklin on the right.

Laura Howard

QB.ORG.AU AUG/SEP 17 13

Around the regions

Mick and Rachel

Everything...AND the Kitchen Sink

Rosedale Community Bush Dance

Ps Rev Andrew Otte | Clontarf Beach Baptist Church clontarfbaptist.org

Pastor Adrian Iles | St Johns Community Church (Rosedale) | pastor.adrian@optusnet.com.au

The new Tuckerbox Ministry at Clontarf Beach Baptist Church was launched earlier this year, and is already making an impact, feeding the homeless on the Redcliffe Peninsula. It is fully equipped and licensed as a food van, and provides a nutritional breakfast to a growing number of needy people. This will only increase as the word spreads.

With the goal of ‘building bridges with the local community’, Adrian and Narelle ILES together with the St John’s Community Church congregation, held a bush dance in the local Community Hall.

The original van was donated to the church by the Rotarians at Sandgate. It was then substantially upgraded and fitted out, thanks to some generous donations, a government grant, and the efforts of the Clontarf Men’s Shed. Pastor Cam Bennett oversees the whole project, and works with an enthusiastic team of volunteers who prepare and serve the meals.

After coordinating with the ‘The GINN GANG’ to play live and call the dances, all the local folks from the Rosedale district were invited.

Everyone was asked to bring a plate to share, and the local Rosedale Tiny Teahouse provided freshly made sandwiches and savouries, which were delicious!

Bales of hay helped to create the atmosphere, and everyone was encouraged to dress up. Over 70 folks came of all ages. The band effectively included the children and youth in the program. Despite the cool winter temperatures we all worked up a sweat. There were laughs all round, friendships forged, and funds were raised for the fortnightly Rosedale Youth Program.

All glory be to God for such an occasion. The frequently asked question concluding the night was ‘Thanks for tonight...when is the next one?’

Thank you to David Loder, the QB Regional Consultants team and Cairns Baptist Church for organising and hosting the event.

14 AUG/SEP 17 QB.ORG.AU Whitsundays

Pastor Robert Howells | Leichhardt Baptist Church | www.leichhardtbaptistchurch.org We live in a world dominated by sin, which is keeping people separate from the love of God and from loving one another. However, Marley Hooper from Leichhardt State School, has been working with her art students to develop their artistic skills, by working together on indigenous paintings. Many different nationalities and backgrounds are represented in her art room, and each is given the chance to try their hand at Aboriginal artwork.

Mariam Sifa, Alexia Upkett, and Marnie Beck spent many months together working on a Torres Strait Islander painting. Their completed work now sits in the foyer of the Leichhardt Baptist Church, having been donated to the church by the girls. It is a reminder to the church that many obstacles can be overcome when people work together, and that reconciliation is achievable when we have a common interest.

Over the past few years, the Leichhardt Baptist Church and the Leichhardt State School have partnered together to bring better outcomes for the children and their families. Ladies from the church spend time with the Grade One students each week, reading with them and engaging in conversations. Others spend time helping out the teachers with their classes, or chasing after kids in the playground. Although we are there to bless the school community, we are often blessed even more by them.

Developing a relationship with your local school and engaging them with the love of Christ will bring opportunities for reconciliation, just as 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 reminds us to do.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

Pictured: Ps Robert Howells, Mariam Sifa, Alexia Upkett, Marnie Beck

Far North Queensland Area Pastors Mini Conference We have many pastors and spouses serving in rural and remote locations. They can often find themselves facing loneliness and isolation from family, close friends and colleagues in pastoral ministry. The idea of a Mini Conference was adopted to inspire, inform, encourage and equip. The first of these conferences, was held in June this year, and opened with an Appreciation dinner. Cairns Baptist church hosted a series of electives and sessions. Pieter Henning (QB Regional Consultant) said that ‘many pastors expressed their appreciation for this event for the skills, insights, inspiration, and encouragement received.’

The conference was also an excellent opportunity for people based in Brisbane to hear about the unique challenges of our rural and remote pastors. Brent van Mourik (QLD Baptist World Aid State Representative) said ‘As someone based in Brisbane, I really value the opportunity that these mini conferences afford, to touch base with pastors from all over our vast state all in one place.’

Pastor John Whyte from Atherton Tablelands Baptist church summed up the event, ‘Our Atherton team attended different electives, and bought some insights back to our team.

Personally, I was blessed to have input into my life, without the expense of time, accommodation and travel to attend similar events in South East Queensland. In a way, it was a foretaste of things to come with the Annual QB Convention taking place in Cairns in 4—7 July 2018’.

Thank you to David Loder, the QB Regional Consultants team and Cairns Baptist Church for organising and hosting the event.

QB.ORG.AU AUG/SEP 17 15

Teens transformed through Teenstreet Hannah Burstow | City North Baptist Church | teenstreet.org.au ‘Life changing. There is no other way to describe it,’ says 17-year-old Cody Skinner of Warwick Baptist Church. The ‘it’ is TeenStreet, the annual discipleship camp for Christian youth, which was held in July 2017 by mission organisation, Operation Mobilisation.

Cody was just one of over 605 TeenStreet participants who journeyed to the University of Queensland Gatton campus, for the week–long camp that aimed to equip and empower youth and their young adult leaders to live for Jesus and impact their world.

It was a vibrant and energetic week, teens were challenged to grow in their relationship with God through teaching, fellowship, worship and local outreach, while having plenty of fun along the way.

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Cody says that TeenStreet has, ‘… guided me over the past five years to connect with God on a whole new level. It has ignited a fire deep within my heart to love and serve God, and to share the Good News with everyone I interact with.’

First-time TeenStreet leader Hannah Edwards, said, ‘I was so impacted by the heart of the youth to come to TeenStreet, and be impacted by the living God! He did not disappoint and we were able to hear so many stories of God setting youth free. Praise the Lord for His mighty acts!’

Impressively, within the 133 churches represented at TeenStreet, participants from 45 Queensland Baptist churches attended the camp.

TeenStreet Director, Andrew Carnell, reflected, ‘It is quite amazing what God is doing among the young people. This year specifically, it was impressed upon my heart that there is a blessing that comes when many churches come together as one to pursue Jesus. I think God has honoured that heart, and we look forward to what He will do in the future.”

Praise God for His almighty power that moved throughout the week of TeenStreet, and pray that His deep and powerful works would continue to transform the youth of this generation.

With many of these churches having partnered with TeenStreet over the years, more are always welcome. For more information or to get in contact, head to https://teenstreet.org.au/.

Baptist Pastors Rural and Remote Retreat at Lake Tinaroo, Far North Queensland Pastor Steve Ballin Sugar Reef Baptist Church Steve@sugarreef.org Pastors gathered from far and wide. They came from Longreach, Mackay, Whitsunday Islands, Ingham, Townsville, Innisfail, Charters Towers, Cooktown, Atherton and Brisbane. With a limited program, the weekend allowed for plenty of relaxing and informal connecting—be it chatting around the fire or over a meal, resting in a hammock or kayak, out in a boat or just standing next to a swag or caravan. There was

openness and honesty and no matter where you were from, everyone connected; adults and children alike made time for each other.

This year’s Rural and Remote Retreat was hosted by John and Cheryl Whyte from Atherton Baptist Church. It was held on the banks of the beautiful Lake Tinaroo. While some may think it was a bit brisk, the location, and especially the company, truly made up for the cooler climate.

I’m not sure how far you would travel for a weekend camp, but we were humbled by the commitment we saw as people travelled huge distances to be a part of this weekend. For example, one family from Longreach clocked up about 2300km, for the round trip to attend. So, what is the big attraction and why would anyone travel that far for one weekend? We

know it wasn’t the fishing! For all the time spent on the water, there was not a single fish or yabby caught.

It may have been the scones from Lake Barrine Teahouse. More than likely, it is our commitment to each other. It was an opportunity for those families who are in rural and remote contexts (and sympathisers) to build relationship and enjoy a supportive network. The decision to come to this weekend isn’t made by assessing what we will get from it, but how can we encourage and support others. That is worth the distance.

We are now looking forward to putting together next year’s retreat.

If you would like to be a part of it and/or know a great location, please feel free to flick me an email (Steve Ballin).

QB.ORG.AU AUG/SEP 17 17

god moments

The grit and pearls of life

A night I’ll never forget

SHARON HUMPHREY NORTH PINE BAPTIST CHURCH

HARTLEY WINDOW BROWNS PLAINS BAPTIST CHURCH

I had one of those moments the other day. As rough as your life may get, God can always cut through.

He takes you by surprise, but you just know it’s one of those God moments.

I was not old and the truth be told ‘Bout a night I’ll never forget.

I gave my life to Jesus Christ, And that, I’ll never regret.

My life at the moment is gritty and uncomfortable.

I have a beautiful family whom I love dearly, but life is just plain gritty and uncomfortable. I’m not liking it at all!

Sitting there, in my comfy chair Half listening to the speaker, I woke from my doze and my body froze And my knees grew even weaker.

We have devotions at my workplace, and the person that was taking it one morning was mentioning ‘grit’ and ‘pearls’. Apparently, grit makes the pearl, and this was not what I wanted to hear, as I had enough of grit in my life!

On that night, when I gave my life Two voices I could hear.

One said go and the other said no, They both were very clear.

We are so eager to get the pearls, without the pain.

But pain or ‘grit’ helps us to lean not on our own understanding, but on God’s Proverbs 3:5-6. He helps us through and we will finally be the pearl.

We are constantly being transformed. 2 Corinthians 3:18 ‘And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with every increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit’.

So up I stood, just like you would And to the front I went.

As hard as I tried to keep my feelings inside Floods of tears and joy were spent.

My life was changed and I felt strange I couldn’t understand it.

My sins released and I found peace It was just how God had planned it.

On that night, I saw a sight, Beside me stood another.

Through tear filled eyes, to my surprise, There stood my older brother.

That cross PETER J HALLORAN WARWICK, QLD Young man all alone No love to be found at home On the street he turns to crime Very soon he’s doing time Young girl barely in her teens Parents too busy to care where she’s been Her body is found in the street Needle lying at her feet People just rush on by No time to stop and hear their cries Don’t matter if could be their daughter or son Too busy looking out for number one Man hanging on a cross Dying for a world that is lost No-one asks why he’s there Seems no-one really cares Oh! what is happening to this world in which we live?

Everyone taking, none wanting to give How many lives must be wasted and lost Before we see the truth behind that cross

So on that night, to my parents delight, Both their sons found a brand new dwelling With GOD at the helm, of this Heavenly Realm, To all of their friends they’d be telling.

My eyes oh they cried, on the night that I died And took Jesus as my Brother, My mate’s shirt got so wet, from the tears that I wept, That he had to go change for another.

A new path I walk, to my Father I talk, My choices He helps me make.

A new life I found, now I’m homeward bound As He guides each footstep I take.

So this night to me, in seventy three, Is the night I know I met, My Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ my brother, It’s “A night I’ll never forget.”

What you say matters. How you say it matters. That you say it matters. We know our calling is more than just to teach kids about Jesus, but to lead them in a growing relationship with Jesus for themselves. In fact, we even know that one of the main reasons young people walk away from church and faith, is a lack of talk about their big questions.

But we also know, that often, in order for kids to know God, and have a personal relationship with Him, they need to know someone who has a personal

relationship with God. They need to hear from someone who’s heard from God. They need to be loved unconditionally, by someone who knows what it’s like to be loved unconditionally

by God. We know this. We believe this. That’s why we’re partnering with Orange Australia to bring our parents and leaders an event on how to have meaningful conversations with our kids. Come join us for an evening with Marg Spicer, and discover how to create meaningful moments through simple conversation. When parents, leaders and children are in meaningful conversations, life transformation happens.

We hope to see you there!

For more information contact: Queensland Baptists at admin@qb.org.au or call 3354 5600.

Sally Contessi Team Leader QB Kids and their families sally.contessi@qb.org.au QB.ORG.AU AUG/SEP 17 19

MILESTONES

Opening of the new building – Boonah Baptist Church 1927

All day picnic and Sunday School Concert – First Baptist Church Boonah April 1919.

BOONAH BAPTIST CHURCH – 130 YEAR CELEBRATIONS Boonah Baptist Church recently celebrated their 130th Anniversary. Queensland Baptists General Superintendent David Loder and his wife Ann joined them for this special milestone. Boonah’s sister church Beaudesert Baptist Church also joined the party, along with one of the past ministers, Reg Niebling. The local mayor for the Scenic Rim, Greg Christensen, and others from the surrounding family of churches also attended this historical event. It was a great day of celebration and an opportunity to stop and reflect on the goodness of God. “We continue to look forward to the future, and what God will do in and through His church here at Boonah”.

QUEENSLAND BAPTISTS HEAD OFFICE – A DECADE OF SERVICE! Congratulations to Ann Armour, Personal Assistant to the General Superintendent and Susan Harris, Personal Assistant to the Regional Consultants team for their dedicated service over ten years. Susan and Ann were treated to a congratulatory morning tea by the team at Queensland Baptists head office, and each received a lovely flower arrangement and bag of gold coins (chocolate!) in appreciation of their ‘gold standard’ of work. Well done Ann and Susan!

From Left Ann Armour and Susan Harris

AGNES WATER BAPTIST CHURCH COMES OF AGE! Agnes Water Baptist Church recently celebrated the 21st anniversary of the opening of their church building.

This was a joyful time that was well attended by past and present members of the community, located north

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Minister’s past and present with new Youth Ministry Coordinator (from l-r: Ps. Dennis Prince, Ps. Bruce Wilding, Josh Hinds, Ps. Iain Russell, Ps. Ron Holley and Ps. Dan Bassett)

of Bundaberg, near the town of 1770. It started off with a BBQ, Bonfires, and a bush dance on Saturday night, where over 150 people came along to party.

During the night, longstanding member Betty Mergard was honoured. Betty started a Sunday school over 32 years ago, forming the basis of the current church community. She was was involved in bringing the church building up from Deagon, and still plays an active role in the church.

The most exciting moment was at the official induction of the new Youth Ministry Coordinator, Josh Hinds. Current pastor Dan Bassett performed the induction, welcoming the previous ministers on stage with the current leadership team. “Even though this has only been able to become a reality in the last few months, it is truly a culmination of the service of all of these people” he said.

Betty Mergard was once again instrumental in this regard, faithfully praying for a youth minister for the last 32 years, only now to see the result. The celebrations concluded after a community lunch, with the focus shifting to the accommodation of recent growth, whilst also preparing for the next 21 years.

HERITAGE PLAQUES PROJECT—WINDSOR ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH

building was erected in 1874 about 100 metres down the street from the present location.

The church was formed in 1877. Ever since it sent out the second Baptist missionary from Queensland in 1890, it has maintained a strong missions and church planting interest.

All are welcome to attend the dedication service. Earlier plaques have been installed at Toowong and City Tabernacle Baptist churches. Other churches interested in the ‘Heritage Plaques’ project are invited to contact Baptist Heritage Queensland on 07 3354 5642 or email archives@qb.org.au RETIREMENTS • • •

Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle: Chris and Jane Ganter Taringa Baptist Church: Bruce and Merryl Pringle Caboolture Baptist Church: Alan and Ros Grieve

We thank our pastors for their dedicated service to Christ and their continuing legacy.

We give thanks for servant hearts, wise leadership and compassionate love. We pray that God will continue to lead them in the next stage of their journey.

The third plaque in the Baptist Heritage Queensland’s ‘Heritage Plaques’ project will be dedicated at 10am on Sunday 13th August at Windsor Road Baptist Church. It commemorates the current church building, which was erected in 1888, and the Memorial Hall, opened in 1931 in honour of the long pastorate of Rev Thomas Leitch from 1878– 1929 (a record for Queensland!).

Windsor Road Church was initiated by the former Jireh Baptist Church with open-air services and cottage prayer meetings. The first

QB.ORG.AU AUG/SEP 17 21

QB WOMEN

Beyond Expectations Charissa Steffens

Once upon a time… I expected a lot from those around me.

I expected my husband to always be thinking of me—24/7. I expected my children to always be perfect and challenge free. I expected the Pastor to always want to talk to me. I expected my friends to always be available, and I expected my work colleagues to always consider me. My always expectations were not limited to my external world.

I had some pretty fanciful anticipations for myself as well.

As lovely as this fairy-tale would have been, it was just that—a fairy-tale.

The non-fiction version was stark by comparison and led to constant disappointment, frustration, and often wound up in comparison. These emotions wrote themselves onto each new page of my life, in a never-ending tirade that left me wary of others and just plain weary.

Then one day, I realised the problem. The only person responsible for filling my story with unhappiness was me. Not my husband, children, pastor, friends or colleagues. It was all me!

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It was not their responsibility to meet my expectations. Wowser! I mean, how could it be? Unless God has blessed us with mindreading skills, my expectations were mine and they were unrealistic. I had created a monster that was holding me (and everyone else) emotionally hostage.

It dawned on me that most of the conflict in my relationships had been self-fabricated.

You see, the problem was that I expected people to do for me what only God can. No wonder there were issues. It is only God that is thinking of me 24/7 ‘You know when I sit and when I rise’ (Psalm 139:2) and only God is perfect ‘Good and upright is the Lord’ (Psalm 25:8) and only God wants to talk to me all the time ‘Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you’ (Jeremiah 29:12). Only God is always available ‘I will never leave you and I will never forsake you’ (Hebrews 13:5) and only God fully considers me, ‘all the days ordained for me were written in your book’ (Psalm 139:16).

Did you know that Father God has a book that he writes for us? This book is better than any we could ever write, it goes beyond our expectations. His book overflows with love and goodness. It can’t be anything less when He is the author.

Yes, there are the challenges, there are the dramatic and devastating moments, but He, the greatest narrator of all, will ensure that it ‘all works together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purposes.’ (Romans 8:28) I began to follow Paul’s wise words in Colossians and set my heart and mind on heavenly things. I aligned my expectations with His revealed word; imbibing His compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. I allowed love, His love of me and my love of Him, to be the greatest emotion of all in my story, and I found it true that it binds us together in perfect unity (Colossians 3:1-2;12-14).

I stopped seeing relationships as something that I needed to receive from, and started seeing them as something I could give to. Out of an overflow of the Father’s love for me, I could think of others, I could talk to others, I could be available for others. All the things I expected from them, I could offer to them – not out of self, but as an excess of my heavenly relationship.

The day I decided to stop writing my story, and handed the pen to Father

God, I began to see a change. A change in my relationships, and a change in me. I stopped punishing myself and those I loved, for not fulfilling what only God could fulfil.

I began to trust God. I trusted that even if the story wasn’t going the way I wanted, it was okay, because the greatest author of all time, the one who began the story, would finish it; that he had something amazing waiting at the turn of the page.

For some time now, He has written my story, and the more I allow Him too, the greater the story becomes.

I have never been disappointed; His authorship over my life is well and truly beyond my wildest expectations.

By Charissa Steffens, who is a teacher, writer, and speaker. She is the former editor of Indulge Magazine and still enjoys writing about faith and family at her blog She Matters (www.shematters.com. au).

Cathy Knechtli State Director Queensland Baptist Women director@sheis.net.au

QB.ORG.AU AUG/SEP 17 23

Queensland Baptist Week of Prayer – 4 to 11 June 2017 It was great to see 84 churches register their involvement in the QB Prayer Focus this year. We noticed an increased number of cooperative combined prayer events organised between churches, and a rise in the number of churches involved in combined area events. It is encouraging to see churches across the regions coming together in accord to seek the Lord with one heart! Jesus indicated that expressions of unity, such as prayer, amongst those representing Him are a tangible witness of God’s love and reality to the watching world.

We have gathered some stories from across the week for you to enjoy.

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 Please claim the date for next year’s QB Prayer Focus 2018 in your planning calendar for 3rd-10th June 2018.

Let us keep us keep praying together for a change!

Stewart Pieper Associate to General Superintendent Regional Consultant

We had a fantastic time of prayer with 40-50 people in attendance and five churches in Ipswich represented, including ourselves (Beacon Community, Leichhardt Baptist, Silkstone Baptist, Springfield Central Baptist and Kruger Parade Baptist). It was wonderful to meet and encourage one another. We had worship time together, and heard testimonies of how God has been at work, answering prayer in people’s lives. We prayed in smaller groups of eight to ten, and it was wonderful hearing how others pray.

Allan Jones – Beacon Community Baptist Church

We held a day of prayer, and a non-stop seventeen-hour prayer meeting.

People signed up for an hour that suited them. This arrangement meant that, in some hours, there was only one person at the Church Centre praying, while in other hours, there was a group of three or four. In total, 21 of our people participated in the day of prayer.

Brian Robertson - Coral Coast Christian Church

Dalby Baptist and Chinchilla Baptist Churches met together for a night of prayer at Chinchilla Baptist Church. We had about 25 people gathered, broken into two prayer groups. Chinchilla had five pots of hot soup (of different varieties) waiting for us when we arrived…it’s cold out this way in winter!

Rob Rodgers - Dalby Baptist Church

Outlook Christian Church at Toowoomba, hosted a “Prayer Sunday” with 53 people participating. This was a family focused prayer event, designed specifically to involve children and those who have never prayed in public.

There were six prayer places, swapped at intervals, with each hosting an activity. An example of one activity was the making of ‘face’ biscuits.

Participants shared the name of a friend who didn’t have a relationship with God, and then everyone made a face biscuit to represent that friend.

Everyone prayed for the friend by name, that they would know Jesus. Other activities involved games and blocks. Most prayer places had cards with short prayers, making it easier for children and new believers to participate.

After the meeting, everyone held hands in a large circle and prayed together.

It was thrilling to see kids wanting to come and pray, and being disappointed if they missed one of our prayer nights.

John Merriweather – Outlook Christian Church, Toowoomba

Four churches, Nanango, Kingaroy, Wondai and Murgon met for prayer throughout the week, and for tea on Friday night.

Every church was represented, even though there are about 70km separating the furthest churches. We had praise and worship, as well as group prayer. On Friday, we celebrated the week with a dinner at Wondai, and a time of sharing testimonies. We are grateful to QB for organising the event and providing material. We are looking for another time, later this year, for the churches to gather together again.

Greg Carle – Murgon District Baptist Church

We held a week of prayer each day in our church building, where we had stations of prayer: Praise, Thanksgiving, Confession and Petition. People were encouraged to tick off prayer requests from a QB list, as well as write their own, and stick names of non-Christian friends on a tree stand.

We estimate about 40 people went through the building for prayer. Our church service at the end of that week was very rich and inspiring.

Brett Wilson – Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle Church

It was great to be able to gather as a family of churches from Acacia Ridge, Beaudesert, Boonah and Kalbar Baptist Churches for a time of corporate worship and prayer at Boonah, which was followed by supper in the hall together.

It was wonderful to have 50 folks from across the churches gathering together as one – to pray.

Colin Christian – Boonah Baptist Church

In a first for the Bayside area, pastors gathered together with their respective ministry team leaders for a combined prayer gathering at Gateway Baptist Church. We had approximately 45 pastors and leaders representing six churches. There was a strong sense of the presence of God as we worshiped together in unity. We interceded for our community, and prayed over maps of the area for more people to come to know Jesus through our combined ministries!

Stewart – Queensland Baptists

At Beachside Christian Church, we ran a 24/7 prayer roster, where we prayed in one hour timeslots, around the clock, for a week. There were many prayer requests, answers and even words from the Lord communicated through our text message prayer chain.

We also held a different prayer event each day, or night, during the week. These included a prayer walk through our neighbourhood, a public prayer and worship evening at the beach, and a dawn prayer meeting. It was a positive week, and we look forward to the next one.

Nick Tatlow – Beachside Christian Church

Carinity Cedarbrook Residential Manager Suzanne Norambuena is excited about the uniqueness of Cedarbrook.

Cedarbrook opens on the Gold Coast Nestled in the foothills of the Gold Coast Hinterland, Carinity Cedarbrook is a $25 million aged care community opening this month.

Residential Manager Suzanne Norambuena is excited to welcome residents to the brandnew community in sought after Mudgeeraba, opposite the Show Grounds.

‘The building is state-of-the-art with modern finishes and a hotel style interior, and the location offers the tranquillity of semi-rural living, with all the suites enjoying expansive views across the adjoining Cedarbrook Farm, and grazing horses and cattle’ she says.

‘We’ve already been welcomed into the local community, and have partnerships with the adjacent Mosaic Baptist Church, and the d’Arcy Doyle Art Awards. Building 26 AUG/SEP 17 QB.ORG.AU

these community links is vital, as residents may be in aged care accommodation, but they are still active in the wider community.’

‘There is a big focus on outdoor living, as we have a lot of space. Our “memory assisted activities zone” is dedicated to stimulating sight, sound and touch. With a central water feature, the sensory trail takes people on a journey through native gardens and activity stations, so they can experience aspects of farming, fishing, the beach and sport.’

‘The Residences incorporates the “Periwinkles” visitor lounge, activities areas and dining rooms, as well as an advanced 24-hour nurse call system and staff-to-resident communications, the ability to personalise air-conditioning, resident Wi-Fi internet access, an on-site commercial kitchen and laundry, and advanced security systems’ she says.

‘Residents themselves will ultimately decide on the sorts of activities we provide. From interacting with animals, to live music and fresh meals prepared daily by our on-site chef, there is so much to enjoy. I am excited to see how the residents shape the culture here in the coming months.’

The Residences is the first stage of a more comprehensive, integrated community. Another 88 two-andthree-bedroom retirement villas, and twenty assisted-living units on the 31-hectare site are planned for later stages in the development over the coming years.

Carinity Cedarbrook is now open.

To find out more information phone 07 3550 3783, email acs. enquries@carinity.org.au or go to cedarbrook.org.au.

PERSECUTION BRIEF

please pray

CYBER ‘BLASPHEMY’ FEAR FOR PAKISTAN’S CHRISTIANS

•

Pray that our Christian family in Pakistan will trust God for His justice. Pray that they will know that God’s purposes will stand (Isaiah 46:10).

Christians in Pakistan fear that sending a tweet or posting a comment on Facebook could now land them in serious trouble.

•

Pray that Pakistan’s Government will take firm action to tackle extremism and uphold religious freedom, for the sake of peace, justice and equality.

Under the country’s strict blasphemy laws, anyone found to have insulted Islam or the prophet Muhammad can be sentenced to death.

•

Continue to pray for the repeal of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, which are often used to persecute religious minorities such as Christians.

The Government has launched a crackdown on online content deemed to be ‘blasphemous’. Christians fear that extremists will make false accusations against them – and perhaps even set up fake social media accounts in their name.

Pray for our Christian family in Pakistan who are seriously concerned that this cyber crackdown could further limit religious freedoms.

Mobile phone users in Pakistan have received texts from the Government warning them against sharing or uploading ‘blasphemous’ content online. The messages also gave an email address for reporting such content, which Christians fear will be used against them.

Source: Releaseinternational.org Though Christians and other religious minorities make up only about 4 percent of Pakistan’s overwhelmingly Muslim population, they account for about half of the people charged with blasphemy. Critics point to this as evidence that the anti-blasphemy laws are tools of intimidation to settle personal scores that use religion as a pretext.

Source: worldwatchmonitor.org Photo credit: Shutterstock.com

QB.ORG.AU AUG/SEP 17 27

QCCC

WHY HOSPITALITY MATTERS The recent National Church Life Survey (NCLS) asked Queensland Baptist congregations to identify their spiritual gifts and skills. The top four gifts identified were all service and relationship oriented, and hospitality topped the list.

People placing such an emphasis on the spiritual gift of hospitality is in-step with the priorities of Jesus during his earthly ministry. Luke Bretherton suggests Jesus used hospitality as a means of demonstrating and achieving holiness: ‘Instead of having to be set apart from or exclude pagans to maintain holiness, it is in Jesus’ hospitality of pagans, the unclean and sinners that his own holiness is shown forth.’1 When I arrived in Australia thirty years ago, the ‘food industry’ was fast food outlets, grimy Chinese takeaway outlets and dingy pubs dominated by working class men.

28 AUG/SEP 17 QB.ORG.AU

Incredibly, given our climate, al fresco (outdoor) dining in Queensland was banned until well into the 1990s, because of conservative concerns it would lead to drinking in public spaces.

Since then, there has been an explosion in cafes, bars, and a literal smorgasbord of restaurants representing every global culture.

The hospitality industry has become the new congregating point of our society; where people are encouraged to linger, and relate.

What we are seeing in society, and particularly its embrace of hospitality and recreation, is the desire to seek out and construct a greater community focus in work, education and occasionally in church.

The construction of temporary community is no longer the core activity of Christian Camping.

Instead we accept existing communities into our midst and they offer our ministry the opportunity to bless and enhance them, sending them home refreshed, renewed and empowered.

Hospitality has become the fuel of societal interaction but much of our church infrastructure has not been built or purposed to embrace and deliver hospitality and community in a meaningful way.

So, it perplexes me that many operators in Christian camping still reference Slater’s decadesold temporary community theme.

Allowing the idea of temporary community to continue is oblivious to the significant change in the industry in Australia (but not North America) over the last two decades.

1

“To warrant hospitality, the stranger neither should be deserving in some way, nor must they possess some innate capacity that renders them worthy of acceptance among the human community.

To be a recipient of Christian hospitality one does not have to do or be anything; one’s status as a guest is received as a freely given gift from Christ.”

Crucially he describes hospitality as ‘a social practice central to shaping relations between the church and its neighbours.’ Therefore, it’s great that so many of our people are passionate about hospitality.

Hospitality is a core service, and foundational ministry of modern campsites. It’s our responsibility to be examples of the type of compelling hospitality our churches will need to invest in, if they want to continue to be relevant and accessible to their surrounding communities.

When QCCC Mapleton was opened with much fanfare in 1983, it did so as a family holiday centre, embracing a vision for Christian families to take affordable holidays.

At around the same time, Tom Slater published a book which became, and remains, influential for Australian Christian camping ministries, describing them as places of ‘temporary community’.

If QCCC Mapleton remained doggedly true to its opening vision of temporary community, it would have become unviable more than a decade ago. Instead, in the early 2000s, leadership embraced the inevitability of change, and re-fashioned Mapleton (and Queensland Baptist camping) into Queensland’s most successful outdoor education operator.

The glue that holds these activities together is hospitality. Bretherton aligns hospitality with grace:

Coming from Africa I was raised very close to the birthplace of the concept of ‘Ubuntu’. Michael Battle explains that Ubuntu is the ‘interdependence of persons for the exercise, development, and fulfilment of their potential to be both individuals and community.’

Brian McLaren encourages, as a church strategy, the establishment of zones of Ubuntu to ‘welcome all people to mature and advance in the human quest.’

It is within the space afforded by quality hospitality that Ubuntu grows.

As the church moves into a future where an events focus is replaced by hospitality and community, it’s encouraging to know our people are already passionate about the gifting it will take to realise it. The standard farewell in Ubuntu cultures is ‘Hambah Gahle’ which translates as ‘Go Well’. It sounds like the first part of the Great Commission, doesn’t it?

By combining inclusive community with life-affirming, community-building activities, modern campsites are lights on the hill, giving sustenance to the troubled, strength to the faint and hope to the disillusioned.

Luke Bretherton, Hospitality as Holiness: Christian Witness Amid Moral Diversity (Surrey: Ashgate, 2006)

Andrew Grant Director of Queensland Conference and Camping Centres andrew.grant@qccc.com.au www.qccc.com.au

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QB ARCHIVES

‘All The Way’ The Bible is full of the stories of people who loved and served God in their own days. Baptist Heritage Queensland (BHQ) has taken inspiration from these records in developing one of its newest projects called ‘All the Way’ (with acknowledgement to the words of a popular old gospel song!). The records consist of the collection, and publication, of short biographies of people who have seen many years of distinguished witness, service and ministry amongst Baptist churches in Queensland, or even further afield.

These stories are being published in BHQ’s newsletter, QB Forum, and deposited in the Baptist Church Archives, for future reference. The authors can be the subjects themselves or family members or others who know the person. The focus is on people who can look back reflectively on a significant period of service as pastors, missionaries or church leaders. Family groups would also be good subjects—especially going back through more than one generation.

As well as the historical facts and figures of the family, the emphasis is on the person’s spiritual life, ministry and service. There can also be a narrative about events, trends and developments that the subject has shared and witnessed.

If the person or family has already written a family history, this could be adapted for the project (and the Baptist Church Archives

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Blenheim Baptist Church – later relocated to Laidley

would be interested in a copy of the full version for its collection!). The story should be accompanied by a few suitable photographs, from which a selection can be made for publication.

Dr David Parker, Baptist Archivist, said, ‘A contribution to this project does not have to be a PhD in family history, but enough of a narrative and reflection to make a heartwarming, and interesting contribution to Baptist history in Queensland.’

Because of the publishing format, these stories cannot be too long.

For more information please contact Baptist Church Archives.

Pastor Carl Krueger – Kalbar 1886 - 1918

Heritage Bus Tour Baptist Heritage Queensland is partnering with the City Tabernacle OverFifties group to sponsor a bus tour, taking in many of the historic German Baptist sites in the Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim. The tour, organised by Bryan Laurens, will take place on Wednesday 6 September. Dr David Parker will provide a commentary on the significance of the sites visited, which include some of the earliest Baptist churches in the area, and one that was the second largest in Queensland at its peak.

The German-speaking Baptist churches, at places from Vernor to Boonah, were established by people who immigrated to Queensland from the 1860s onwards, taking advantage of generous assistance provided by the newlyestablished colonial government, to boost the economic strength and population of the region.

Many were Baptists from their fatherland (including a large group from at least one town), and others were converted upon arrival. The first preacher in the Harrisville area was lay-pastor J G Schneider, whose isolated grave near Mt Walker was re-dedicated by his descendants in August 2016.

There are 345,142 Baptists in Australia

Some of the churches have ceased to exist, but there are still thriving works at Minden, Laidley, Kalbar and Boonah. Many of the descendants of the original pioneer families moved to other areas of the state, including the South Burnett.

Over the last 150 years, members of these German families have made a distinctive contribution to Queensland Baptist life, and may be found in many churches.

The tour will also include opportunities to see some of the rich farmlands and beautiful scenery of the area. All are welcome to join the tour. The cost is $35.

For information about booking, contact Bryan Laurens at laurens@ bigpond.net.au, or phone 07 3846 7212.

Census Figures—The Early Picture An initial picture of the 2016 Australian Census figures recently released shows: •

• •

Queensland to be the most Christian state with 56% of the population (NSW was next with 55%) Queensland has a quarter of all Australian Baptists Baptists are the fifth largest Christian group in Queensland (or

• •

sixth if ‘undefined Christian’ are counted), ahead of Pentecostal and Lutheran There are 345,142 Baptists in Australia, down a little, which is 1.47% of the population But overall, the number of Australians professing Christianity has declined sharply in the last 5 years from 61% to 56%

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

MALYON

Better Together!

RECENT CHURCH MERGERS IN QUEENSLAND BAPTISTS

It was like something that would happen in the movies, not in real life.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; This was the way a member of the Living Temple church on the Gold Coast described the experience of being in a church merger. Given that the church is commonly understood to be a growing and spreading organism, many would say that churches should not be merging, but planting. This is certainly the case in much of the developing world, but in the Western world, many local churches are struggling to remain economically or socially viable. One option for them is to merge with another Baptist Church.

There have been several Baptist church mergers in the last decade, where two churches have joined together to form a new church. I visited four of these churches in 2016 to see how it happened and how it was now going.

1. Eastside Community Church is an amalgamation of a smaller (30 members), older church with property (Bayside) with a larger and younger church (Eastside) without property, but some money set aside for property.

2. Cannon Hill Baptist Church entered a partnership arrangement with the larger Birkdale Baptist Church in October 2013. A group from Birkdale committed themselves to the rejuvenation of the smaller Cannon Hill congregation.

3. Sandgate Baptist Church and Geebung Baptist Church combined in May 2012 to form Connect Baptist Church. Sandgate was a larger church, which had sold its property, and was looking

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to construct a new building on a vacant block of land that it owned. Geebung was an older and smaller congregation in a nearby suburb.

4. In 2014 the membership of the Tugun-Tweed Baptist Church voted to close and hand over the property of the church to the Living Temple Christian Church.

Living Temple was a church plant established in 2011. The Tugun church was comprised of about 50 older members who were incorporated into the larger and younger Living Temple congregation.

The recurrent theme that emerged from the focus groups in each church, especially from the smaller churches, was the message, ‘It wasn’t easy, but good!’ Participants indicated that although there had been some pain in the merger process, including loss of members, interpersonal conflict, and even grief, the benefits had outweighed the costs. The rejuvenation of the church, including the facilities, meant that participants felt a new hope and experience of church, which otherwise seemed impossible.

All could agree that the merger had been successful or very successful.

In each case, the motivation for the merger was largely spiritual rather than pragmatic. Participants indicated that one of the key motivators was a sense of God’s guidance and blessing. It was this sense which helped people enter the merger process, and persevere in church attendance, amid feelings of fear, grief for lost identity and friends, and a sense of being superfluous. Alongside this awareness of God’s guidance and blessing, was a desire to better serve God.

What a wonderful work of God, when two different congregations can come together and find a new ‘song’ in worship. The importance of finding a new identity, and embracing the culture, were overcome by trusting each other, even if they were strangers. They remembered that they were serving God’s will, and His desire was for the venture to succeed. Keeping that vision at the forefront, fuelled persistence and grace towards one another.

Bachelor | Masters | Doctoral

STEPHEN (STEVE) GOODE

Intentional communication helped unite disparate ideas about worship and church life. Interestingly, even if the churches were more similar in worship and culture, a negotiation process was needed, and the length of the “courtship” did not appear to be crucial for the success of the merge.

Church mergers are not necessarily easy, but with grace and persistence, they often result in rejuvenated and enriched churches, better utilised resources, reborn hope and enhanced missional effectiveness. It is these promises which should motivate churches to undertake the journey despite, and perhaps because of, the challenge it presents.

Ian Hussey is a lecturer at Malyon College. He is available to help churches considering mergers.

For a fuller version of the report, please contact him at: ian.hussey@ malyon.edu.au

Ian Hussey Lecturer, Malyon College ian.hussey@malyon.edu.au www.malyon.edu.au

Malyon College is offering ‘Leading the Small Church’ in online mode in semester 2 2017. If you are leading a small church and would like to learn more about the specific challenges and blessings of these churches you can take the assessmentfree (audit) option if you prefer. The same applies for the ‘Multicultural Church and Leadership’ and ‘Church Leadership and developing Christians of influence Management’ units. See http://malyon.edu.au/courses/units-2017/ or contact the College office (07 3354 5656) for details.

Degrees in theology and ministry

CALLED HOME

Pastor of Bowen Church since 2014, Stephen (Steve) Goode, was a great friend and mentor who unexpectedly went to be with the Lord. He impacted many families in so many ways, and that will never be forgotten. Prior to joining the Bowen community, Pastor Steve, his wife Lois and family served at The Gap Baptist Church for 13 years. It is a reminder that we never know how much time we have here on earth, and to make every day count, be humble and obedient in all things... and enjoy life and good coffee! To put in place what we have been taught and shown, Steve led by example, and was so generous with his time and talents. He was joy-filled, and always happy to try something new.

Thank you Pastor Steve for all you did, for valuing children and making them feel special, and building them up, and for being there through the good and bad times.

Please pray for Lois and family and may the Lord give them extra comfort and strength.

QB.ORG.AU AUG/SEP 17 33

BE PART OF AN INCREDIBLE STORY BE LOVE SPONSORSHIP SUNDAY

BY SAMARA LINEHAN

For Be Love Sponsorship Sunday Baptist World Aid is sharing Shanto’s incredible story.

Shanto* is 10 years old. He lives in Bangladesh with his mum and dad, and his two sisters.

When I met Shanto earlier this year, he was happy, healthy, and strong.

He goes to school and loves to spend time playing with his friends.

In short, Shanto’s life is everything that a young boy’s life should be, and that’s incredible… because just three years ago, things were very different.

Married when they were only teenagers, Shanto’s parents had always been very poor.

‘The financial condition was the main challenge,’ Shanto’s mother, Hana*, explained to me. “We could not earn daily.”

Without a regular income, Shanto’s parents struggled to buy vegetables for their children to eat. And that

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meant Shanto and his older sister were often getting sick and missing school. But then our Christian partner in the field, Baptist Aid, started a Child Sponsorship project in Shanto’s community, and when he and his sisters joined a child club… everything changed.

‘We are learning so many things,’ Shanto tells me, ‘We learned to wash our hands with soap. We learned that we have to put on sandals before going to the toilet.’

Shanto’s mum even received training of her own. She learned bookkeeping and management, and how to be a tailor—everything she needed to know to start her own business!

Now, Hana and her husband use their day labourer wage to buy food and vegetables to keep Shanto and his sisters healthy, so they can go to school. And the extra money from Hana’s business means they can afford school supplies and uniforms for all their children.

But when you sponsor a child like Shanto, your support means so much more than a happy and healthy family. Your generosity means children like Shanto can grow big dreams!

‘When I grow up, I want to be a teacher,’ says Shanto, ‘So that children can learn many things.’

Hana has seen the impact of education for her family. It protects her daughters from early marriage, and prevents sickness in her community… so she knows it can also help Shanto’s dream come true.

‘We will provide him everything he needs to one day be a teacher,’ she says, proudly.

And when he does, Shanto will be helping even more boys and girls to have a brighter future.

Shanto’s story truly is incredible.

It’s a story about the love of an Australian sponsor, helping to end poverty for not just one child, but a

*Names changed for privacy and protection.

whole family, an entire community, and the next generation –the fullness of life God intends!

Be Love Sponsorship Sunday is a chance for your church family to celebrate their combined impact for children around the world… as Kawana Life Baptist Church has done for the past 13 years!

‘Often, we’ve put a big map up on the wall and everyone from the church, through any organisation, would come and place a pin wherever their children are being sponsored,’ says Dony Johnson, Senior Pastor at Kawana Life Baptist Church.

‘I think it’s important because it’s about helping young people and children… but the other aspect of it is us being involved.’

‘There are times when we put our heads down and tails up, and are busy doing what we do, and sometimes if the issue of poverty doesn’t slap us in the face – we miss it. So, Be Love Sunday is an opportunity to have it become the reality that it should be.’

Over the next few months, Baptist churches across Australia will be celebrating Be Love Sponsorship Sunday and sharing Shanto’s incredible story… and you can be part of it. Register to host a Be Love Sponsorship Sunday at your church. Go to: baptistworldaid.org.au/be-love-sunday.

Manirakiza family

Downes family

Cross-cultural workers, Tim & Mel Downes, have been serving for several years with Global Interaction among the Yawo people of Malawi, Africa.

Tim, along with a Yawo believer, Waindi, recently visited a village group of believers.

While there, a woman asked if they could pray for her sick friend who had not improved after visiting the hospital and local witchdoctor.

Waindi boldly asked her, ‘Why have you come here today?’

SERVING THE YAWO PEOPLE Out of this time of testimony, the group leader expressed an idea that a few of them could visit the surrounding four villages, and share some of these stories. He said, ‘God hasn’t given us these stories just for ourselves. They need to be told!’

Praise God for the growing group of believers and the way they are recognising God’s power in their lives. Pray for God to reveal Himself to them, and strengthen their faith, as they seek to share what they believe with Yawo people in surrounding villages.

Meanwhile, Mel meets with a group of women each week to explore Bible stories and share life. Recently, she had prepared a session related to the story of the Prodigal Son. However, as they began to go through the story together, it became clear that the key themes the Yawo women took from the story were different from what Mel had prepared.

Her answer was equally forceful.

‘I have heard God does miracles in this group!’ Waindi explained to the woman how God gave power to Jesus, and through Him, we may have life. He also asked others who were listening, to share how Jesus has helped them. In their gentle yet powerful way, seven people offered testimonies of the power of God in their lives.

For the Yawo women the story was about parenting, while Mel had highlighted repentance and rebellion.

Even the pigs were not seen as real pigs to the Yawo women, but rather were understood to represent the evil spirits of anger, hate and fear.

Had the story continued, the Yawo women believed that the older brother, consumed with jealousy, would have ended up with the ‘pigs’, haunted by the evil spirits.

Yawo people are from an oral society so they are master storytellers. For 45 minutes Tim heard story after story of God’s goodness. Real life testimonies of sicknesses healed, relationships restored, evil spirits cast out and renewed peace—the peace that transcends understanding.

There was a good discussion and the Yawo women took lessons from the story. For Mel, it was a reminder once again of the importance of recognising her own cultural worldview, as she grows in her understanding of the Yawo. Praise God for the way He speaks through His word into all cultures.

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Some recent events have been encouraging – • Tim & Mel hosted a ‘Yawo Day of Prayer’. It was a very special day as many joined them to pray.

• An Adult Literacy training of teachers, the pilot program in Chiyawo, the Yawo language.

• Plans are well underway for a group of men from Queensland Baptist churches (and one from NSW) to travel to Malawi in August for the ‘Fix This School’ project. The team will be renovating a schoolroom by replacing the roof, repairing the floor and building classroom desks and chairs.

• The local Youth Group meets at the end of each month. The Yawo young people need to know God has a plan for them and there is hope for the future.

WHO ARE THE YAWO PEOPLE OF MALAWI AND MOZAMBIQUE Population 3 million Main Trade Agriculture Main Religion Islam influenced by traditional African and animistic beliefs Key Challenges Accessing safe water to drink, food to eat, healthcare and education Fact Property is usually passed from a man to his sister’s son The Malawi team is excited to hear Jean-Claude & Joyce Manirakiza’s prayer and financial support is rising. The family visited a number of Queensland Baptist churches throughout May. They are most thankful to God for the interest shown by churches and individuals, and the rise in their support. If you would like the Manirakiza family to visit your church or Bible study group, please contact Lynda at the Global Interaction Queensland office, on 07 3354 5603 or email lmcmahon@globalinteraction.org.au

A SMALL PART IN GOD’S PLANS I’m not a hugger. My mother is an excellent hugger, but this talent clearly skipped a generation.

A woman turned up at Mum’s church one Sunday looking for a church to call home. She later said it was the hug Mum gave her at the door that made her return the next week. This woman is now part of a very warm Christian fellowship.

All of us can do things of significance for God and for others.

But there is a balancing act. We bring certain talents or skills to the table (like hugging, in the case of my mother), but God is the one with the broader perspective to see where our energies are best directed.

For this reason, it’s important to ask ourselves: are the things I’m set on doing, things I’m looking to do in partnership with God, or am I only going to check in with God once in a while? Am I convinced God is okay with me doing my thing in my way, or are some of the things I’m focused on so important that I really want to be sure God is directing me?

Eddie Askew

Make me content with that, Lord.

Eddie Askew, former head of the Leprosy Mission, died in 2007 aged 80. Raised in The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom, Eddie devoting 50 years of his life to a disease that had caused trauma for centuries.

He became known for his innovative care for people regarded as unsafe to touch—and certainly to hug— finding inspiration from his Christian faith.

I love to tell you what I want. I enjoy giving you the fruits of my great experience. Sometimes I don’t know how you’d mange without the benefit of my advice! But I have to admit, Lord, there are times when I’m stuck. Times when I’m small and scared. Times when I’m bewildered, when my plans come unstuck, and I suddenly realise I don’t have all the answers …

Eddie knew it was good to plan, build and organise, but also that it was important to recognise God had plans to work out in the world. In A Silence and a Shouting, Eddie (who was a poet as well as a charity worker) offered some sound perspective:

Lord, it’s your world. Your plan, your time. And beyond space and time, greater than all my small infinities, you are in control. Lord, I am content.

Lord, it takes my breath away sometimes when I realise that I am a part of your plan for the world. A very small part, I know—save me from conceit, as well as false humility— but a part, nonetheless … But help me, Lord, to remember that it’s your plan not mine. And although I can contribute, you are in charge …

Hours and days and weeks and months lay ahead for most of us. God has given us talents and abilities for these days, and if we’ve put these at God’s disposal, that’s a wonderful thing. But even in our own planning, we want to recognise—as Eddie did—that ‘God’s plans are more glorious than we can grasp’.

By Christina Tyson Press Service International QB.ORG.AU AUG/SEP 17 37

PROTECTING CHURCHES IN THE DIGITAL AGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND DEFAMATION Social media and online marketing are powerful modern tools that many churches utilise to promote their activities. It allows rapid collection and distribution of information, and does so efficiently. Did you know that online tools can create problems for churches?

Individuals may take issue or offence with what is published.

This article discusses the many caveats when using social media.

We’ll look at how churches may unwittingly allow unconsidered, or even inappropriate, content to be published online, and thus reflect poorly on the church. To assist churches, we’ll suggest practical methods for pastors and leaders in their social media management.

CASE STUDY: INAPPROPRIATE POSTS ON THE INTERNET A father of a young child at a Queensland—based college had divorced from the mother, and relations between the father and the school had broken down.

The father published several articles on the internet regarding the college. They were untrue and

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slanderous. Some of the article headings were: • • • •

[the Principal] is an absolute idiot The college is an absolute joke The college is the worst school in Australia The college are agents of Satan and servants of the Antichrist

The matter was heard before a number of courts and it was incredibly expensive for the college. The Supreme Court ordered that the father be restrained from being on college grounds and publishing further objectionable material about the college. However, the father did not cease publications.

The father involved was finally prosecuted for Contempt of Court. He was given a twelve— month imprisonment sentence, suspended for three years.

This was of little comfort to the college, however, which had spent a great deal of time and money defending themselves against his actions.

ONLINE DEFAMATION While this case study illustrates the willingness of the courts to punish in instances like this, it also highlights the need for churches to carefully consider online content and whether their posts may be defamatory. In cases where a church is unsure, church leaders need to ask:

• •

What is the benefit/risk of this remaining publicly visible?

Assess: • Would this cause an everyday person to think less of someone?

• Is this true?

• Is it useful?

• Can we request it be taken down?

• What if this goes ‘viral’?

The wise option is always to err on the side of caution.

Pastors, staff and even volunteers must be very careful about what they ‘publish’ to social media.

Certain publications that mention the church, or ‘tag’ the church social media account could also be construed as coming from the church. A social media policy is the best way to combat this.

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY Robust social media policies allow a church to control its social media presence and importantly, reduce risk. A good policy should explain why a policy is important, detail the expectations, detail consequences of a breach and detail the requirements after the relationship with the church has come to an end.

As the church has several moving parts, those in church leadership may need to consider having a policy that covers employees, pastors, volunteer leaders and volunteers.

Conducting training sessions on the policies increases awareness and educates staff and volunteers. It is also the best form of prevention.

Usually everyone involved in the church wants to do the right thing, but they may not comprehend the risks.

Employees responsibility can extend to their own personal social media presence. While a social media policy should not restrict the ability of a staff member to engage in public debate on issues, it should be clear that they shouldn’t associate their views with the church.

TOP FIVE FACTORS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY IN CHURCHES Our top 5 Factors to consider for anyone on a church-related social media account:

4. Volunteers (especially leaders): Volunteers are still representatives of the church.

They should be made aware of responsibilities, and risks, before beginning their volunteer role. A leader should be provided with a social media policy, and it should be explained in regards to expectations for them; the reasons why it is important; and the leader should sign the policy. Policy should include not mentioning the church in any online debates or arguments.

Encourage leaders to keep an eye out for risky behaviour in those they lead. You can then empower them to discuss the risky behaviour with the congregation member directly.

1. General: Are the posts appropriate? Have we received permission from a person before posting about them? Should we be weighing in on controversial issues online? Does this really need to be shared publicly? Will this post be discriminatory (for example, ‘risk topics’ such as gay marriage), who can post, and on which accounts?

2. Pastors: Be aware that to most people, your posts are seen as the views of the church. This may include anything you re– tweet or re–post. Expressing personal views on a personal account may nevertheless expose the church to risk.

Consider who is seeing your posts, as your followers are not necessarily your congregation.

What may be fine from the pulpit may not be online.

5. If in doubt about an online post, use a ‘second set of eyes’ before it goes up.

Consider electing a responsible ‘moderator’ who oversees content across your platforms, and can react quickly to problems.

3. Church Employees: They may often use church social media accounts. There should be a policy which defines where boundaries are, and what types of posts are appropriate for their use of church-related accounts, i.e.: - Political posts?

- Posts about issues in society?

- Posts about people?

Matthew Shearing Lawyer Corney & Lind Lawyers www.corneyandlind.com.au

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A GROUP OF BAPTISTS CELEBRATE 10 YEARS HELPING VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN AFRICA Brisbane–based charity Droplets in a Stream (DIAS) started in 2007 to help vulnerable children in Uganda and Kenya. The charity works with African–based partner organisations to give children education and health care opportunities. They also work with child sacrifice survivors.

For DIAS Director Rodney Callanan, it’s rewarding to look back and see how far DIAS has come, but there’s much more work to do.

‘I vividly remember the moment God challenged me,’ Mr Callanan, an engineer, said.

into those resources and make a difference to vulnerable children in Africa.’

Mr Callanan shared his experiences from the trip with other members of his home church, Riverlife Baptist, and realised they could make a difference if they worked together.

Ten years on, DIAS works with three trusted partner organisations in Uganda and Kenya, to give children education and health care opportunities.

These partners are strong Christian leaders who have dreams to see their communities transformed.

‘I was walking down a crowded street in a small town called Bwindi, in Uganda, back in 2006 when I felt God touching my heart.’

One group of vulnerable children DIAS has been helping are child sacrifice survivors in a town called Kayampisi, in Uganda.

‘As I walked past beggars lining the road, I realised a life can change with just a few dollars.

In Australia, we have so many resources, so I wanted to tap

Rodney Callanan Droplets in a Stream co-founder and director info@dropletsinastream.com.au

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CHILD SACRIFICE IN UGANDA: ‘Witch doctors in Central African countries, like Uganda, use children’s body parts during spiritual rituals, believing the body parts will bring good fortune.’

‘Many business people are led to believe that if they sacrifice a child, their businesses will prosper and so they take this drastic and evil step based on greed and the belief that they will not be caught.’

‘It’s hard to believe that child sacrifice still happens, but it’s a growing problem in Central African countries, like Uganda,’ Mr Callanan says.

‘The practice is obviously unlawful, but due to extreme poverty, ignorance and fear it is persisting.’

‘DIAS partner with a Ugandan organisation Kyampisi Childcare Ministries (KCM), which cares for survivors, and also campaigns to expose this practice and convince the Ugandan Government to step up its fight against this.’

Earlier this year, DIAS and KCM worked together to bring three children to Australia for life-changing surgery, after finding surgeons at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle and the Mater Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, to operate free of charge. Have a look at the DIAS website for the full story (https://www.dias.asn.au/ australia-surgery). Mr Callanan said these children needed urgent medical treatment, but that wasn’t possible in Uganda, which is why DIAS looked for help in Australia.

CASE STUDY: ROBERT Robert was attacked by a group of men, and was found lying in a large pool of blood surrounded by witchcraft articles.

Robert was rushed unconscious to hospital with deep stab wounds in the neck, and an MRI scan showed damage to his spinal cord, which effected his ability to walk, stand and grasp objects.

In 2017, Droplets in a Stream raised sufficient funds and opportunities to bring Robert and another two people to Australia for life–changing surgeries. Through the donation of free flights from South African Airways and Virgin Australia, Robert was bought to the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, where Dr Sandeep Tewari and a team of doctors provided free surgery for him.

While here in Australia, an anonymous donor also agreed to sponsor Robert’s schooling! When he returns to Uganda, he will be able to start attending school.

Robert’s dream is to be a doctor when he grows up, and DIAS will be giving him every opportunity to fulfil that ambition.

A vital role for DIAS is providing funding for its partners.

Donations can be made at www.dias.asn.au/online-donations.

QB.ORG.AU AUG/SEP 17 41

HOW TO READ PROVERBS ONE APPROACH

By Allan Quak

This article is interactive, and needs to be read with your bible in hand.

Open your bible to Proverbs. Now read any 10 consecutive verses anywhere from chapters 10–30.

No matter which 10 verses you read, it is obvious that the book of Proverbs is unlike any other book in the Bible. Chapters 1–9 and 31 do have a systematic approach, but the best word to describe the rest of the book is ‘random.’ Random thoughts and ideas. Random situations and themes. One verse quite unconnected in theme, or situation, or concept to the next. Biblical scholars have varying views as to why this is the case. My personal theory, is that book of Proverbs was written in an unsystematic way to reflect the constant randomness of the wisdom we need to get through each day.

• • • •

Our five-year-old twins are fighting again, and it is only 7:03am Our best friend has just discovered she has cancer Our boss has just treated us unfairly again Our mate just admitted financial trouble because of a gambling addiction

All these situations need wisdom.

Even in recent days how many different situations did you face where Christian wisdom was needed?

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God uses Proverbs to speak into these situations. However the Scripture is not a moment by moment playbook. The Scripture doesn’t say, ‘When your twins fight at 7:03am they need a time–out.’

Maybe one is sick. Maybe they are just hungry. Maybe the fight isn’t actually that bad, but you went to sleep at 2:00am and you’re a bit edgy. Just like the book of Proverbs, randomness is a daily ingredient in our lives–and God wants to help us bring wisdom into that randomness.

So how do we bring wisdom?

Wisdom comes by understanding how the book of Proverbs works: especially what it is and isn’t speaking into our lives.

Proverbs are not certainties We cannot use the book of Proverbs as a series of unbreakable promises, or sacred guarantees. Treating the Proverbs in this way will only serve to make us question the work and care of the Lord.

Look up these verses–Proverbs 10:27; 12:7; 15;19; 20:7 We know faithful people who have died young…too young.

There are wicked and lazy people who have everything.

Many righteous people have a hard life and their children are not always blessed.

The nature of Proverbs means they stand on their own, often unqualified or defined. In many ways, they are

truths stripped down to the core essentials. As such, the Proverbs call our attention, and expect us to unpack them by meditating on them in the fuller context of the whole Scripture. Similarly, each random moment in our lives also needs unpacking in view of a wider context.

Such wisdom does not guarantee a specific outcome, but it does give foundation to our life, as we live each day with Spirit-driven confidence.

Proverbs appear to be contradictory Make sure you read that heading twice. I’m not saying that Scripture is contradictory, but when you compare some Proverbs you can get mixed messages.

Look up these pairs of verses¬– Proverbs 11:16; 22:4 and Proverbs 26:4; 26:5 Does wealth come through being ruthless, or fearing the Lord? Do we answer the fool, or ignore them?

Sometimes, we need to have what appears to be contradictory wisdom, and the Proverbs puts one set right next to the other!

If you come to Proverbs looking for simple pragmatic answers you will be frustrated and disappointed. The Proverbs are not being contradictory, they are being realistic about the randomness of life, and the wisdom needed. All situations are not the same, and dealing with people and life is not a fixed set of responses.

Gentleness and firmness. Flexibility

and boundaries. Confrontation and letting it slide. The priority in dealing with the randomness is to have the Spirit–driven wisdom that suits the moment, not to pre–determine what we think the response should be.

Proverbs must be kept in context You can’t just pluck a Proverb out of context and make it work. If we are to use the Proverbs as they were intended, there are at least two contexts to keep in mind.

The first main context is what Solomon himself tells us about the purpose of Proverbs. Read this for yourself by turning to Proverbs 1:1-7.

Notice what it doesn’t say– … to make you confused. … to create chaos. … to cause you to feel inadequate. … so provided simplistic solutions.

None of these are mentioned.

Wisdom. Insight. Discernment.

Understanding. All of this begins however, with the fear of the Lord.’

In other words, no one has a chance to wisely navigate the randomness of life, unless they are first in a relationship with God. This leads to the second main context, which is to make sure we are reading Proverbs out of our relationship with Jesus.

It is because of God that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–1 Corinthians 1:24, 30 My goal is that … they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge–Colossians 2:2-3 Life without Christ perhaps makes a little sense, but often the randomness of all we face can be overwhelmingly difficult. Life in Christ, life in personified wisdom, makes much more sense—even when it appears to be random. The outcome of this context is, that when we confess Jesus as Lord, there is a sense where, as we read and meditate on the Proverbs, we become a living book of Proverbs.

That’s one approach to reading the Proverbs and applying wisdom to the daily randomness of life.

THE FAITH OF A FARMER Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 Within days of planting seeds in the rich black soil and dried debris of last season’s chick pea crop, the green shoots of wheat appear in their rows by the multitude. It is a miraculous sight, and a picture that inspires me for life. Zero ‘till’ farming is very common in these parts. The less you dig up the soil of last season, means you retain the precious moisture in the ground that sustains the new crop in its infancy. Paddocks of dead stubble from previous crops may look unattractive, but it all helps to produce a new harvest.

God is a farmer. He delights in planting a humble seed of faith in our hearts, and watching it mature into a bountiful harvest in our lives.

That is His plan for us. Not to give up in discouragement, or harden our hearts to His ways… But to pursue His best always, and believe He will Pictured: Dion and Ian ‘Sambo’ Sampson hard at work planting a wheat crop in the black soil of central Queensland.

help us achieve our dreams. After a few years of drought and setbacks, it takes a mountain of faith for a farmer to once again plant a new crop and believe for a better outcome. But without faith it would all become failure. Keep believing in your dreams, and keep putting God to the test in faith. He is faithful.

It was such a great joy to spend a couple days at Glenora Downs south of Emerald recently. The Sampson family have farmed this land for decades, and are a wonderful example of God’s steadfast faithfulness through good times and tough times.

Don’t ever give up on all God has called you to.

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 2 Corinthians 9:10

Steve Grace World Missions International PO Box 5650 Maroochydore QLD 4558 Australia www.stevegrace.com

QB.ORG.AU AUG/SEP 17 43

FUN ZONE WHERE IS THAT LITTLE PIGGY? Sir-Save-a-Lot the Baplink piggy bank is hiding somewhere in the magazine.

Can you find him? Congratulations! To all those who found Sir-Save-a-Lot hiding on page 30 (June/July Issue 2017).

CROSSWORD

WORD SEARCH

Can you find the hidden words?Word They may-­‐ August Search be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards or Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal backwards.

Agouti Anteater Antelope Armadillo Bear Bison Chipmunk Coyote Coypu Dingo Eland

Puzzle Choice www.puzzlechoice.com is the source of this Crossword.

44 AUG/SEP 17 QB.ORG.AU

Gazelle Gibbon Gorilla Hyena Ibex Impala Jackal Kangaroo Koala Lion Llama Lynx

Marmot Otter Panda Porcupine Puma Shrew Tapir Weasel Wolf Wombat Yak Zebra

www.bestpuzzles.com is the source of this word search.

SUDOKU CHALLENGE

REBUS PUZZLE

Sudoku rules: Each row, column and block must contain one of the numbers from 1 to 9. No number may appear more than once in any row, column or block. When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve filled the entire grid, the puzzle is solved.

Can you find the hidden word or common phrase in the picture puzzles?

BrainDen is the source of the puzzles - www.brainden.com

CALM SPOT - COLOUR Sudoku puzzle provided by www.sudokuoftheday.com visit them and get a new Sudoku every day!

WORD UNJUMBLE Setting Sail Unjumble the Words Relating to sailing.

Then unjumble the red letters to answer the clue.

C O A N E B

Clue: Where is a boat safe

N C O A R H N E O C A C Y H A T W H C I N U R F S O A L I S R W E R C

For solutions, visit Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GaythorneOffice/

QB.ORG.AU AUG/SEP 17 45

reviews THE CASE FOR CHRIST LEE STROBEL PAPERBACK: $17.99 AT KOORONG Lee Strobel’s phenomenal, awardwinning bestseller - now adapted into a critically acclaimed film investigates the biblical claims for Christ’s historical existence with point blank honesty. This updated edition includes new evidence, an interview with Strobel, responses to critics, and more!

- Koorong

www.koorong.com

THE GREAT MYSTERY: SCIENCE, GOD AND THE HUMAN QUEST FOR MEANING ALISTER E MCGRATH PAPERBACK: $24.99 AT KOORONG Following up on his critically acclaimed Inventing The Universe, Oxford Professor McGrath explores the question of human nature from both scientific and theistic perspectives, and weaves together the results to address the most profound questions of who we are, why we matter, and what our future might be.

- Koorong

PRICELESS DVD: $24.99 AT KOORONG From the Grammy Award-Winning Band, FOR KING & COUNTRY, comes a powerful film inspired by true events.

After the tragic death of his wife and losing custody of his little girl, James is at the darkest crossroad of his life. Angry, desperate, and unable to hold down a steady job, he agrees to drive a delivery truck on a shady, one-time trip across the country for cash - no questions asked. When he discovers that what he is carrying is actually a who, this unlikely hero must risk everything to save two frightened sisters who are unaware of the danger that awaits them. Stars Joel Smallbone, Amber Midthunder (Legion), Jim Parrack (Fury), and David Koechner (Anchorman).

- Koorong

SOUNDS OF WORSHIP: LION & THE LAMB (DOUBLE CD) CD: $19.99 AT KOORONG If you’re looking for inspiring praise and worship from the best in the genre today, look no further than Sounds of Worship! This double album showcases song highlights from the past year, performed by popular teams and songwriters such as Bethel Music, Rend Collective, Casting Crowns, Elevation Worship, Kari Jobe and more.

- Koorong

46 AUG/SEP 17 QB.ORG.AU

POSITIONS VACANT

CHRISTIAN SINGLES

Travel with no single supplement.

Register with Integrity Travel.

For more information go to www.integritytravel.com.au.

ACCOMMODATION BRISBANE: House available as a ministry for

WYNNUM BAPTIST CHURCH is seeking two pastors as

follows: • •

Full-time Families Pastor to disciple and equip families in the church to reach out into our community.

Part-time Seniors Pastor to minister to and support the seniors in our church.

Wynnum Baptist Church is a dynamic and growing congregation on the south side of Brisbane whose mission is Showing the Way. The Families Pastor and Seniors Pastor will work alongside the Senior Pastor, Youth Pastor, and other church staff to support the work of the church as we live, share, and know the Way. We are seeking people who are (or are eligible to be) registered with Queensland Baptists.

For a full position description and application information, visit http://www.wybc.org.au.

missionaries and church workers on the move.

Three bedrooms, fully furnished, everything provided. Bus stop at the door. Minimal rent.

Email: gtho4536@bigpond.net.au

CALOUNDRA - GOLDEN BEACH:

Highset three bedroom holiday home. Weekends or weekly. Pets OK. Close to beach. Phone 0402 077 822 or lizottaway15@gmail.com.

CALOUNDRA: Sunshine Coast, Qld, beachside units from $400/wk, ph 0427 990 161.

LOGAN VILLAGE: Room for rent on acreage at Logan Village, $140/week plus electricity.

Phone: 0488 863 462 FOR HIRE LARGE AUDITORIUM: Seats 290.

Queensland Baptists’ Centre at Gaythorne.

Phone Sharon, 07 3354 5600 for more information or visit www.qb.com.au – venue hire.

IT SERVICES: Do you have computer

issues? Do you need FREE help with audio visual equipment or software? MITAS (Mobile Information Technology And Support Ministries) can help you! Is this a Free service? Yes! The only cost is a donation towards either Accommodation or Fuel – depending on distance travelled. Call Brendan on 0419 673 389 to book a time or discuss your IT needs.

INTEGRITY TRAVEL

Book all of your holidays and travel with Integrity Travel and help missions.

Tours & specials at www.integritytravel.com.au Ph 07 3142 2242 for more information and bookings.