The voice of Queensland Baptists February 2011
Does God control natural disasters? Stop, drop and pray! God can do this Print post approved ISSN: 11323-7829 The Queensland Baptist - first published in 1890. This series Vol 9 Issue 1.
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Emergency Relief
Contents
In this issue 05 06 08 09 40 43 46
Comment: David Loder Speaking out: John Sweetman Baptisms Around the regions Persecution brief Fun zone Classifieds QB ministries
16 18 20 22 23 30
It’s all new! (QB Kids) New team leader (QB Youth) Flying in the No Fly Zone (QB Youth) Archives (QB Archives) Stop, drop & pray (QB Women) Sacred space (QCCC) QB partners
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Become a career cross-cultural worker (Global Interaction) Articles
Photo: Barron Falls, Nth Qld.
10 24 28 29 32 34 38 42
Does God control natural disasters? Imitating Jesus Overall Achiever, Lorraine Walker God opens doors New challenges for Wendy Out of the shadow Trust in God alone The change process
Flood Appeal We are heartened by reports of the work our churches and ministers are doing and the prayer offered for those who are affected by recent floods. Thank you for your interest, love and concern for your fellow Queenslanders. If you wish to offer financial support to those in need, the QB Flood Appeal has been established. Visit www.qb.com.au or contact the QB Office, ph 3354 5600.
Our cover: Like thousands of others, Lloyd Carter (National Director, SU Australia) donned the wellies to help with the disaster cleanup…which continues. Strangers became friends and neighbours met for the first time. There were plenty of tears, but lighter moments too. Compassion was plain to see. ‘Can we fix it?’ With God’s help, yes we can!
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New, views & issues
From the Editor As this issue goes to print, we are swamped by media reports that attempt to convey the ferocity of recent natural disasters, not just in Queensland, but throughout our beautiful country. We’ve witnessed, or been personally affected by, torrential rains, widespread flooding and devastating cyclones. And just today we are beginning to see heartbreaking vision of bush fires that are raging in Western Australia. It’s two years, to the day, since Victoria’s Black Saturday fires. For those affected, seeing the fires in WA will no doubt bring all the memories flooding back. Where is our God in this? Stephen Baxter quotes Isaiah 43:2, ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you,’ (Does God control natural disasters?). There are many verses that tell us God is with us, in every situation, and he knows and loves us. We can rest assured. And this is no time for us to be caught up in debate about whether recent events are the outcome of sin, in individuals or in communities. In John 9, Jesus healed a man who was blind from birth. The disciples asked whether the man was blind because of his sin, or the sins of his parents. Jesus replied that it was not the result of sin but, rather, the man was blind so that ‘the work of God might be displayed in his life’ (John 9:3). He went on to say, ‘As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world,’ (John 9:4,5). Many of our churches are being ‘light’ in their communities in special ways as a result of the current situation. We will never hear every story, and we will certainly never know the outcome of our ‘light shedding’ in Kingdom terms. But God knows! Being ‘light’ can be heavy work. Sue Peters (Stop, drop and pray) suggests we take a moment, take a breath and stop. And Jim Greenbury (Trusting in God alone) reminds us that ‘those who rely expectantly on the invisible God take hold of an irresistible power’. We grieve for those who have lost loved ones. We are uplifted when we see people rescued and share people’s happiness when they retrieve precious keepsakes. Our thoughts are with those suffering in other countries… Brazil, Egypt, Haiti (still so far from recovery); and others. We cannot understand or explain recent events. So, we trust in our Sovereign God and as Charles Spurgeon said so long ago, ‘When we cannot trace God’s hand, we must simply trust his heart’. Robynne Milne P.S. Bananas are a staple food in our home. We will keep buying our Aussie product if/when we can get it, but there will be no imported bananas on our table or in our lunch boxes.
The qb is a member of the Australasian Religious Press Association, published bi-monthly by Queensland Baptist Services Group in February, April, June, August, October and December. Editor: Robynne Milne Advertising contact: Robynne Milne Design: Shell Graphix Print: Fergies Print & Mail 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 and postal address. 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 qb@qb.com.au Ph: (07) 3354 5633 Fax: (07) 3354 5646 Advertising rates are listed at www.qb.com.au - follow the links to qb magazine. Prices are also available on enquiry and advertising packages can be tailored to suit your budget. Reduced contract rates apply to three bookings within a 12 month period. Please contact us for details. A limited number of inserts are also accepted. Copyright © 2003 by Queensland Baptist Services Group. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without written permission from the publisher. ISSN: 11323-7829
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Comment
DEEPER – Imitating Jesus ‘…for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus’ (Galatians 6:17). The church in Galatia was embroiled in a debate about how a person could be identified as a follower of Jesus. Paul gets straight to the core issue and exclaims that he has a marked body declaring Jesus’ ownership of his life. Elsewhere Paul identifies with Jesus. ‘I have been crucified with Christ…’ (Galatians 2:20). In the same verse he declares that ‘Christ lives in me’. Elsewhere Paul uses a key statement that we are ‘in Christ’. Not only is Christ in us but we are in Christ! Now that’s identification and intimacy. The marks (stigmata) to which Paul refers are most likely the scars on his body from wounds he sustained because he was tortured for being a Jesus follower. Slaves at that time were branded with their owner’s mark. At times, soldiers were also. Some were happy to be branded with the mark of the god or gods they worshipped. For Paul, it was scars from suffering. But I sense it was more than the physical. Again and again Paul talks about life transformation. We have been freed from sin and are now free to serve the living God through faith in the Lord Jesus. What a miracle! We are now free to live by the Spirit of Christ and to demonstrate his fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Now these are really marks of the followers of Jesus. A challenge for 2011! Living Jesus ‘Living Jesus’, an initiative of Brisbane Archbishop John Bathersby, is a series of gatherings to be held in various locations around Brisbane. Its purpose is to bring people together from all denominations to hear Heads of Churches talk about their personal journeys as followers of Jesus. The Board has agreed that I should participate, so I will speak at two sessions. I’d value your prayer for these times.
New Year Greetings! This year is already building up to be a busy one. This always brings the challenge of working out our priorities and learning to say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to the right matters. We all need the wisdom of God to live a fruitful life. On behalf of all who work for you here at Queensland Baptists’ Services Group, I extend New Year’s Greetings to you. We trust that you will know the presence of Jesus in a special way in this coming year! David Loder General Superintendent, Queensland Baptists gs@qb.com.au
Floods I am writing this article after the floods have dissipated but while the pain continues for so many. To those who have experienced loss through these devastating events, we extend our sympathy and want to assure you of our love, concern and prayer. It has been remarkable to see how some of our ministers and churches responded in this crisis, bringing practical, emotional and spiritual support to each other and to those around them! Fantastic! Thank you also for your generous support of the QB flood appeal!
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Speaking out
God can do this
I have been reading Deuteronomy lately. You might think that it would be a fairly dry book, but it isn’t. As the people of Israel stood on the verge of this new land that God had promised them, Deuteronomy records how Moses spelt out what God was offering them and what they needed to do in response to God’s commitment and call. It’s an exciting book for those who stand on the edge of God’s promises. One thing that Moses says is: ‘Remember today that your children were not the ones who saw and experienced the discipline of the Lord your God: his majesty, his outstretched arm; the signs he performed and the things he did...’ (Deuteronomy 11:2-3). In other words, the older generation had seen God at work and they needed to pass this on to the next generation. They were the ones who should have expectation and trust as God was calling them forward. The older generation may not be leading the fight, but they should be leading the faith. It’s time for them to stand up and call the new generation forward. The youngies hadn’t yet seen what God could do, but the oldies had. Moses sets the example by recalling what he has seen God do in Deuteronomy 1-10. In my 2010 QB articles, I spent a fair amount of time analysing the present situation in Queensland churches. Some readers felt that I was being a little negative, particularly when I touched on their particular interests. Perhaps I was, but really I was just trying to be honest - drawing out both positives and negatives. We can’t move forward until we acknowledge the truth about our present situation. But because I do believe that God is at work and wants to powerfully use us, I will try to do a ‘Moses’ in this article. As a member of the older generation, I will recall a few of the things that I have seen God do. I’m not trying to glorify the past, but to grow our expectation of what God is going to do in the future. I have seen God raise up a cohort of young men and women who were determined to make a difference for God longterm. I grew up at Ashgrove Baptist. It was a small church then, and most of the time we young people didn’t even have a youth leader. Oh, we had good Bible teaching and godly examples, so we received a strong foundation, but God did a work among us and 40 years later that
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had nothing at all to do with church. (We had to do bag searches at camp to make sure there were no drugs.) I just watched as many followed Christ. God can do this.
I have seen God transform a school. My first teaching I have seen God do incredible miracles. Where do I start appointment was at Baralaba in Central Queensland. It was here? There has been so much that has come clearly from far outside my comfort zone and the last place I wanted to God. Let me give an example. At a Bracko prayer meeting, go, but God put me there to show we got word that a young girl in me what he could do. In two years the area had been hit by a car and teaching at the high top (about 80 was dangerously ill in hospital. high school students), we saw God In fact, she was on life support touch the lives of lots of the kids. and there was no sign of brain I want to say to the Many of them had little church function. God called us to pray for next generation, background, but God worked the girl. Some had far more faith powerfully and we had the incredible than me. The next day she sat who may not yet privilege of discipling them - helping up in bed. Of course that didn’t have seen such them understand grace and follow happen every time we prayed. Jesus. We even started a little house But God can do this. things: God can do church in the town for teachers it. Our generation and parents. We didn’t know what I have seen God renew a we were doing, but God worked committed small church. When has seen it with our anyway. It was so exciting. God can I went to Bracko they were own eyes. Please do this. recovering from some very painful experiences, but they had don’t underestimate I have seen God grow a team a big heart. God touched that what God is going of leaders with an incredible heart and brought many people commitment to serving young into a renewed relationship with to do. It’s time to people. When I started as youth him. Sometimes we’d pray right pastor at Kenmore, we had a typical through the night. Sometimes listen to God’s word youth group with the youth pastor we’d worship for hours (‘lost in and his call and (me) as the leader and organiser. wonder, love and praise’ - for But as God continued to work, he those who remember hymns). step out in faith. called a whole lot of adults (mainly Sometimes we’d party. Oh there parents) and young adults who had were still lots of pain along the a passion to see young people follow way, but it was a great journey Jesus. They prayed, they served, God took us on. God can do this. they encouraged, they cared, they discipled, they opened I have seen God release financial resources many times. their homes, they led small groups, and they sacrificed - big When we planted City Life, I was excited about the possibility time. It was such a privilege to serve with them. They were of reaching young adults, but I never thought we’d survive incredible. We’d go away on camp with 200 young people financially. Every pastor knows that young adults don’t give and have 25 adult support members with us to serve the consistently to the church. They tend to give where they see kids. It was such a work of God. God can do this. the immediate need. But God has worked and City Life has not only survived, but has a budget of over $6000 from 200 I have seen God change the most unlikely people. Twice I’ve mostly young adults. That has to be God. God can do this. seen God touch and transform groups of young guys from substance abuse backgrounds. Many of my generation (especially those involved in overseas ministries) have seen God do far more than this. But I want Once was in my late teenage years at Petrie Terrace (I visited to say to the next generation, who may not yet have seen at times) where God did this powerful work - and lots of young such things: God can do it. Our generation has seen it with guys (in particular) turned to Christ. That was in the days of our own eyes. Please don’t underestimate what God is going fish-netted coffee shops, long hair and the Jesus revolution. to do. It’s time to listen to God’s word and his call and step It was so great to see God clearly at work converting those out in faith. who seemed a long way from him. John Sweetman The second was at Kenmore, when one of our young adult Principal, Malyon College small groups started attracting a whole lot of guys who had John.sweetman@malyon.edu.au
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Speaking out
group of young people continues to have a great impact on Queensland Baptist churches (as pastors and leaders) and beyond. God can do this.
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Baptisms
DOUBLE DIPPING Normally the worst thing you can do at a party is to double dip. But, on Sunday 5 December, double dipping was the height of the celebration and the cause for the party. Kathryn Buchanan and Katherine Griffin from Glasshouse Country Baptist Church were both baptised in a church member’s swimming pool as a public confession of their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. The girls are both 18 and although they share a similar first name and are good friends, they came to their decisions to be baptised separately and have different life journeys. Kathryn Buchanan grew up in a Christian home and remembers understanding that Jesus loved her when she was in the playground at four years old. However, it wasn’t until Kathryn was 13 years old that she realised the amazing power of God’s forgiveness. ‘I’d never done anything terribly wrong,’ she said, ‘just stolen the odd cookie from the cookie jar while mum wasn’t looking, but I never pulled a gun on anyone. Being a Christian at school was hard and it was only when I searched for God’s help in the Bible that I realised that being good didn’t save me; it was only God’s grace that saved me’. Katherine Griffin’s journey began three and a half years ago when a stranger walked out of a shop and handed her a brown paper bag saying, ‘I hope this helps’. Inside the bag was Ms Griffin’s first Bible. ‘That was the beginning of my walk with God’,she said. ‘I read his Word and learned of his amazing grace and today I want to publicly confess my faith in Jesus Christ, to live my life the way God wants and to show others just how amazing he is.’ Both girls have just completed their first year of university and look forward to what their future journeys, walking in Christ, will bring. Sandy Johnson
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Please remember these newly baptised believers in your prayers. Annerley Mandy Nisha Bao Emmanuel Gabriel Birkdale Maddison Young City North Emma Burstow Gwilym Higgs Tim Nakhla Angus Pyott Joanna Town City Tabernacle Noush Afarin Ghavan Lou Simone Barbosa Grant Chalmers Cleveland Sammy Butcher David Cooper Michael Kelly Emily Pounder Amy Thirlwell Ashley Wetering Fraser Coast Chloe Hinton Russell Pawley Fairfield Megan Murray Gateway Jared Bazley Samuel Eames Deborah England Diana Ilies Josephine Johnson Terrence Jonathon
Gateway (Cont.) Ben Jones Santino Kut Renee Lamberth Benjamin Parry Lavinia Pitic Isaac Ravji Keperra Danielle Carey Josh Herron Daniel Hodges Ben Middleton Sam Morris Stephanie Smith Ashleigh Suffolk Kruger Parade Kieren Day Nikita Pacey Longreach Ben Edwards Camilla Hearn Reece Hearn Toby Whip Jack Zischke Riley Zischke Maroochy Daniel Alan Mat Daniel Tim Gill Chloe Grehan Jacob Grehan Donna Lewis Stafford Heights Wei Gough Nasma Kodi Matthew Nicklinson Yunis Tutu
Around the regions
The Paech family.
Return from Kazakhstan Jim Johnson, Annerley Baptist reports: ‘In 1999, the Lord led Annerley Baptist Church to adopt the Kazakh people as an unreached people group. The “adoption” included a commitment to: learn about the Kazakh people something of their history, culture and religious beliefs; seek God’s guidance and provision to express his love for them, and see his Kingdom come through the gospel of Jesus Christ. ‘The Lord raised up and set apart Michael and Chasely Paech to go, live amongst, love and share the gospel news with the Kazakh people. ‘In 2004 Michael and Chasely, with Hannah, Rachael and Alicia (Joshua was born later) were commissioned and sent out to the mission field in Kazakhstan. ‘In November 2010 we celebrated their return after having served for almost seven years. We give thanks to the Lord for the mighty work he has done through Michael and Chasely and the children, for the ongoing work of the team in Kazakhstan and for the privilege of praying, giving and serving in this way.’ ‘It is good to give thanks to the Lord. You have made (us) glad by the work of your hand’ (Psalm 92:1,4).
Sue McGinty, Cairns Baptist reports: ‘During December, Gwennie Simpson from our church, contacted many of the local businesses and with donations from members of the congregation as well, raised nearly $8,000 at our AUCTION NIGHT! It was a great night with many non-church people attending. The youth groups cooked food and sold drinks and all-in-all, it was a very successful evening. The money raised will be used to support the Chaplain at Cairns High School, Youth Group and Kids Club throughout the year. ‘On 19 December, over 200 people attended our Carols Service. We began with a couple of well-known carols then our famous puppet “Splatt” (alias John Greenhalgh) appeared from behind the piano to help tell the Christmas story. The service stopped while everyone enjoyed a great meal cooked and served by our Chinese fellowship – apart from yummy Chinese food, we had prawns and ham. More carols followed, Leslie McGinty and Matt Cook sang a duet, and then coffee and cake were served for supper. It was a fantastic night!’
Manger in the Bush Sandy Towell, Nanango reports: ‘The 2010 combined churches’ Christmas Tree Festival was hailed as a great success by the organisers. This year the community really got
behind the festival with more entries and visitors than ever before. There were bus loads of visitors from Karinya, Castra (Murgon) and SB Care as well as families, schools and Kids Klub. There are some truly talented and inspired people who put together outstanding displays, all featuring the theme ‘Manger in the Bush’. ‘We saw baby Jesus in a bark humpy in a feather-lined manger being attended by a kangaroo and emu. Then there was the gum tree with a large windmill, lights and handmade ornaments and rough hewn manger. There was a large landscape display with travellers, swaggies, Aboriginal camp and animals showing the dry land and blue hills in the distance. All was explained in some attached poetry. The gum tree in a tin bucket decorated with a koala and foil caused the older visitors to remark, “That’s how Christmas used to be – we made do with whatever was around; no fancy tree and decorations back then!” ‘It is amazing what people can do with palm pods, gum nuts, gingerbread, popcorn and butterflies. It was a great display that created a lot of conversation and reminiscences and will be even bigger next year. The organisers want to thank all those church groups who were involved in some way, especially the Baptist church for the use of their building. The event culminated with the ever-popular Nanango Community Christmas Carols at the Cultural Centre on Sunday night.’
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Does God Control Natural Disasters? ‘It is the reality and good news of God’s love that inspires Christians not to wonder what flood victims may have done to bring the wrath of God upon themselves, but instead join in bringing comfort and relief to the afflicted.’
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I’m sure most of us have watched with near disbelief the news of the effects of devastating floods that engulfed towns and taken lives across Queensland this week. No one could have anticipated the so-called inland tsunami in Toowoomba, nor the flooding of Brisbane. It was shocking to see land, houses, cars and people simply swept away in the torrents. In the face of such tragedy we can easily say, ‘I am not affected; who cares? It’s just another natural disaster;’ turn over and go back to sleep. Yet, I’m sure we were driven to pray. Many of our fellow Aussies are in great trouble right now and we cry out to the Lord to watch over and protect our nation. Some of us will also give. It is good to see Australian Baptist Ministries (BUA) opening its National Disaster and Relief Fund to channel specific giving to local Queensland Baptist Churches and their care initiatives. What these disturbing natural disasters remind us is that we have little control over the circumstances of life. We can’t control the weather or the economy. We can’t control what other people say about or do to us. They also raise again questions like, ‘Does God control natural disasters?’ and ‘If God is behind such disasters, how can such a God be either just or loving?’
Despite what many believe, that poverty, disease, and natural disasters are the just punishment of a righteous God, Jesus taught otherwise. In his famous Sermon on the Mount, he urged people to look beyond the surface of circumstance to see God differently. Rain, natural disasters, and the weather don’t discriminate between good and bad people (Matthew 5:44-45). Jesus taught that God is exactly the opposite to the expectations of many people. God loves and cares for all. The prophet Isaiah also saw this hundreds of years earlier when he endeavoured to comfort the people of his day with the assurance rather than seeing the hand of God in every misfortune, they should be assured of God’s presence guiding them through the eye of any storm. Isaiah writes, ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you’ (Isaiah 43:2); a very apt verse for our brothers and sisters in Queensland. It is the reality and good news of God’s love that inspires Christians not to wonder what flood victims may have done to bring the wrath of God upon themselves, but instead join in bringing comfort and relief to the afflicted. So let’s be diligent in our prayers and our giving for the many people facing uncertain futures today - that in the midst of their misfortune they may discover a God who cares and understands. Stephen Baxter, Interim Pastor Hobart Baptist Church https://stephenlbaxter.wordpress.com/ Reprinted with permission
Updates on the floods and clean up… For full text and more information, go to www.qb.com.au 27/01/11 Pastor Des Limkin, Moura Baptist Church reports: ‘We received a call from the person overseeing the evacuation of people from Theodore. He requested the help of the counsellor and pastors in Moura to be on site when the evacuees arrived that morning. They were being flown out by four helicopters to the Moura airstrip where they were met by buses and conveyed to the quarters. Many arrived with just the clothes they were wearing and were wet, hungry and confused. From my perspective, the real heroes of this evacuation were the helicopter pilots who flew in atrocious conditions to evacuate between 350-400 people without incident. God was indeed watching over us during those two days of evacuations.’ 27/01/11 Pastor Mark Westhuyzen, Enoggera Baptist (Brisbane) reports: ‘We cleaned a house at Goodna with high pressure hoses, shovelled mud and offered support in one of the worst hit streets in Brisbane. It took five hours to clean the mud from one wall using the high pressure water cleaners! The flood water was so high that the gutters of the house were a metre under water. One of our guys who was cleaning up said that the whole area reminded him of a rubbish dump with heavy machinery, mud and the smell of trash, except that people’s houses were in the middle of it all!’ 27/01/11 Elissa Macpherson, Stanthorpe Baptist reports: ‘The church building was able to act as an evacuation centre , providing food and supply packages to those in need. Approximately 40 homes were flooded seriously. All contents were lost. Many roads were damaged and houses in outlying areas were cut off from town. The church had recently established a ministry called “The Pantry”, a bank of food, clothing and crisis resources. Providentially, someone had donated www.qb.com.au The qb FEBRUARY 11
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Floods
a fridge and freezer two weeks before the flood. Frozen meals were prepared and were ready to give to those who were in flood affected areas and those isolated by flooded roads. The church is continuing to supply packages to those in recovery. Our focus now is on providing for those affected families with children returning to school. The church is relying on continued donations of cash and supplies to top up the resources of “The Pantry”. There are grave concerns for the economic ramifications to industries, including farms, which have sustained long rainy periods which have affected the quality of harvest. Tourism which relies heavily on customers from Brisbane and the south-east of Queensland has also been affected.’ 27/01/11 Rose Neumann, Leichhardt Baptist reports: ‘The Leichhardt/One Mile suburbs of Ipswich were cut off by flood waters for three days. About five years ago, they built a new, much higher bridge across the Bremer River at One Mile but it was two or three metres under water at the height of the flood. There were houses in One Mile, Leichhardt and Wulkuraka with water in them and an evacuation centre was set up in a local hall. Many of these homes are new and they have had to be stripped inside. Many people will be unable to return to their homes until they are repaired. 27/01/11 Pastor Bruce Pringle, Taringa Baptist Church (Brisbane) reports: ‘Many at Taringa Baptist were affected by the flooding; some in minor and others in major ways. Fortunately no one was physically hurt although quite a few have had to deal with loss and trauma and are still coming to terms with what happened. On the Wednesday of the flood we turned the church into a mini evacuation centre. Fifteen people escaped the floods and came to the church. Some near the river had to be evacuated by boat. Seven people stayed at the church for several days. One family is still using the church as a temporary home.’ 25/01/11 Pastor Chris Gant, Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle reports: ‘Around 200 homes and 400 businesses were affected here in Rockhampton. Up to 180 evacuees were accommodated at the Central Queensland University sports hall. Three meals a day were provided there by the Red Cross with the help of the Salvation Army. Rocky Baptist folks were pleased to be able to step in towards the end of the crisis to give the Sallies a much needed break.’ 25/01/11 Pastor Alan Grieve, Stafford Heights Baptist, reports: ‘We have seen some terrible sights as we’ve moved around locations during the Brisbane floods. It was a privilege to partner with our Rosalie Church as we set up our catering trailer around Milton (Brisbane). Nice things happened too. Someone drove down from Hervey Bay, buying watermelons from roadside stalls and loading them into his ute. He gave them to us and we cut them into bite size chunks. You can imagine the state of people’s hands – they were covered in mud, so we simply popped the slices straight into countless hot and weary mouths. A big, tough bloke gratefully chewed up a slice of melon, and said: “I take back everything I’ve ever thought about you people!”’
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Floods
25/01/11 Pastor Jay Beatty, Pastor at Chuwar Baptist Church (North Ipswich) reports: ‘We’ve seen terrible flood damage in our part of the state. 30 homes were inundated in one street – Queensborough Parade. Families, some with children who can’t swim, were caught at home and had to scramble onto the roof to escape the rising floodwaters. Power was out so rescues took place in deep darkness. It was a scary time. People assembled in the shopping centre car park and we invited them to the church building which was unaffected. Several families took refuge there and last Sunday, because the church was still full of beds and food, and more, we held our church service in the church house. It was a special and moving time. ‘I must pay tribute to Pastor Wayne Alcorn and the wonderful people at Brisbane City Church. It wasn’t easy for them to get to us – they took “the long way round” but they arrived and their support has been tremendous. And, I have nothing but the greatest admiration and appreciation for all those from Chuwar Baptist who helped in the cleanup. They were amazing!’ (The Beatty’s own home was flooded above ceiling height. They had storm insurance for house and contents, but not flood. They waited until all the people staying in the church were re-housed and they have now moved to a temporary home kindly offered to them.) 20/01/11 Ian Lumb, Helensvale Baptist, (HBC) reports: ‘Over the last week we have seen depart from HBC over 100 volunteers for the flood areas and tonnes of urgently requested supplies. The church has been a depot and a jump off point for the Christian Radio station Juice fm and their Convoy of Hope initiative. Many local churches provided supplies and people, and we also saw many people from within our local community. The church has been manned by volunteers from YWAM who have collated the goods and arranged for them to be despatched to 12 churches in the affected areas who are coordinating help for their local people. 20/01/11 Kenmore Baptists are in the thick of things ‘http://www.kbc.org.au/news/feature/flood-recovery/ and this weekend’s Jan Camp has transformed to become a ‘Love invasion’. On Saturday 22 January, the whole Kenmore church community will muster their forces to help out wherever needed in the Brisbane area. http://www.kbc.org.au/yya/madshack/love-invasion/’ 19/01/11 Rev Phil Gibbs, Ipswich Baptist, reports: ‘A number of our church family have been badly affected by the floods including one couple in an area which has never before flooded. These people are all through the heavy part of the clean-up thanks to considerable volunteer help. We are providing on-going pastoral support.’ 19/01/11 Pastor Neil Pattemore, Fairfield Christian Family (Brisbane) reports: ‘Our local community is decimated in many areas. We are endeavouring to help through visitation, providing food and furniture etc.’ www.qb.com.au The qb FEBRUARY 11
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Floods
Litres of antiseptic hand cleaner dispensed.
Sandbags everywhere!
Hot food; gratefully received.
Milton, Brisbane.
Donated goods collected at Helensvale.
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And now‌ Yasi
Yasi Retired Baptist pastor, Fred Annersley in his backyard, Bushland Beach, Townsville. Photo courtesy of Phil Smith, Journey (QUC)
2/02/11 Cyclone Yasi hits North Queensland: Cyclone Yasi, a severe category five storm, crossed the north Queensland coast at Mission Beach about midnight (AEST) on 2nd February. Torrential rain and gusting winds battered Townsville but the city coped well. All over the city, large trees were uprooted, blocking streets. Some houses were damaged and heavy rain caused localised flooding. Although the eye of the cyclone missed Townsville, locals were stunned by the ferocity of the storm. Like so many other parts of Australia, North Queensland has started a massive clean-up and recovery that will take years. Images show fallen trees and some damage at Townsville Baptist Church. News from the church on Monday 7 Feb is that they have had a ‘huge working bee’ and the church and grounds are in much better shape. With power and communications so badly affected, we are waiting to hear confirmed news of other affected congregations (we have some unconfirmed reports that most have fared well, given the harrowing circumstances).
Photos: Northreach Baptist Church (Townsville)
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QB kids and their families
It’s all new! New books, new teachers, new milestones to reach... 2011 begins for a child. There is excited anticipation of the year ahead and tears when it all gets too much.
How is 2011 looking for the children in your local context? For the little ones who race in the door of your church each Sunday morning? For the noisy crew that ‘terrorises’ the building each Friday night?For the children who hear about Jesus in your local school when RE teachers walk through their classroom doors?
The QB Kids and their Families team exists to resource and support Queensland Baptist churches to minister to children and their families. This year we plan to do that by: • promoting four key events we believe are worth attending • responding to requests sent to our email address qbkids@qb.com.au • building our database of children’s workers across Queensland • ensuring we are a voice for children in our adult world. We will be constantly looking for new resources and best practice for children’s ministry and we will let you know what we find! We smile when we hear stories of Jesus touching the lives of children and weep when we learn of the struggles and challenges facing so many little ones. Let us share the journey of the child in your church this year. The QB Kids and their Families Team
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Date Claimers for 2011
I’d never heard the term, ‘recycled children’s worker’ until the other day, but I suppose it is quite an apt description of my husband, Murray, and me. After starting out making memory verses in the sand with ‘minimites’ at the age of 18, I progressed through catering at camps, teaching Sunday School and RE, involvement in family services, back to catering for Youth Group functions, and finally, I thought, on to a good rest.
IGNITE 2011(Brisbane) www.igniteexpo.org.au/brisbane2011 Saturday 5th March at Citipointe Church, Wecker Road, Carindale.
QB Kids Connect www.qb.com.au/our-ministries/qb-kids Saturday 16th July at QB Centre from 2.00pm – 4.30pm Cost $10
For leaders of leaders, leaders and junior leaders. Mark Griffiths from the UK is the key note speaker plus heaps of electives. This is an inspirational training event. Come and meet us at our QB Kids display. Mark your diaries now and plan to bring your team.
An opportunity for Baptist pastors and children and families’ workers to network and connect. Tim Hanna (Compassion Australia) will provide an impetus for discussion as he explores how attending to the needs of children is a reflection of Jesus’ heart for the least.
But, of course, then the grandchildren started arriving, and as I prayed for their life journey with Jesus and affirmed my commitment to other little ones who were brought for dedication, I couldn’t ignore the call to be a part of their nurture within the church family.
Leaders to Go 2011 www.leaderstogo.org.au
So here we go again! This time around, instead of writing kids’ songs on calico, I’m downloading from itunes or youtube. But some things never change. I love building relationships with the children and seeing them get excited about Jesus. I’m encouraged to see them form a friendship group that I hope will grow with them through the years. And if I ever get tired, I look to my motherin-law who, as a great-grandmother, still fronted up to make morning tea for Kids’ Games last September.
The 7th Leaders to Go Conference will be held at the Alexandra Park Conference Centre, Sunshine Coast from Tuesday May 17th – Friday May 20th. Leaders to Go Conference is designed for paid and volunteer team leaders of church and school based, children and families’ ministry.
QB kids and their families
Recruit, Reuse, Recycle
IGNITE 2011 (Townsville) www.igniteexpo.org.au Held in October – date to be confirmed Children’s Advocacy Forum Term 4, 2011 Date to be confirmed The inaugural forum was held in 2010. Sponsored by Kids Ministry Qld it helped participants to consider what God is saying to us individually, corporately and denominationally. It was an excellent day.
Jesus ‘called the children to him’ (Luke 18:16). It’s wonderful to see vibrant young people ‘taking children by the hand’, but maybe we recycled models have something to offer too. Jenny and Murray Wright are KidzBiz Leaders at Toowoomba Community Baptist Church.
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QB youth
A new Team Leader for QB Youth Karen Haynes writes: ‘It is with sadness that I tell you of my conclusion of employment with Queensland Baptists. Since 2007 I have been on team as the Youth Ministry Facilitator. It is my hope that I’ve been able to do that. I’ve loved talking with you on the phone, emailing coaches, organising events and generally trying to connect people together, so we can minister to young people more effectively. ‘In 2009 I commenced a Youth Pastoral position at North-East Baptist. North-East now needs me on deck full-time, and thus the conclusion of my time at QB. The Youth Pastors’ retreat in early February will be my final event. Thank you so much to those who’ve called, provided ideas and resources, donated their precious time and simply believed in us. You know I’ll see you around, and I’ll still be excited to hear what is happening for you and your ministry.’ Mark Westhuyzen responds: ‘Karen has done an outstanding job in her role as Youth Ministry Facilitator for Queensland Baptist Youth Ministries. She has essentially run our operations: all our events, websites, databases, projects and contacts; releasing me to focus on my role as Team Leader. We always knew that her time as the YMF was a season in Karen’s life as she first prepared for and 18
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then grew into pastoral ministry. Over the past couple of years Karen has scaled back from three days per week to two days per week, then from two to one, and now she is full time at North-East Baptist: great for Karen but a loss for us. Karen has been diligent, creative, enthusiastic, and basically excellent in her role. It has been an enormous privilege to have her as an employee, fellow youth pastor and friend.’ Mark continues: ‘It is also with sadness that I announce my resignation from the role of QB Youth Team Leader, a position I began in mid 2007. The reason for my conclusion is not that I feel I have done all I could do or that my time is done - far from it. Rather I feel that God has directed me to lead my own church, Enoggera. I have been Associate Pastor there for six years and now am moving into the senior/solo role. Unfortunately, I feel that I don’t have the time, or maybe the vision, to lead two separate ministries. ‘When I told our QB Youth team, we had a good chat about what to do next. We all felt that our vision of helping Queensland Baptist Youth Ministries achieve their own Christ-given vision was still clear and compelling and should be pursued wholeheartedly. We also felt that bringing a new leader into our team was the best way forward. Together we tossed around ideas and felt that Dave Morrow from Victoria Point would do an outstanding job. Dave has been on staff with the Baptist Union of Victoria in the past and
is a gifted leader and an experienced youth pastor. He is also an outstanding barista – which is obviously the most important thing! Once our team decided that Dave would be a great replacement for me, we begun conversation with David Loder, the QB General Superintendent, and together we put together a plan. I have been so encouraged by the support, empowerment, trust and care that David, the QB Board and the Ministry Team have shown me specifically and QB Youth in general over the past few years. ‘So the plan is for Dave Morrow to commence on 28 February and for me to conclude on 8 April 2011. This overlap will facilitate a smooth handover and, hopefully, we can continue serving the Youth Ministries of QB. If you have not had a lot to do with us personally, and are wondering, ‘Who is this guy anyway?’ that was kind of the plan. Back in 2006 we felt that the best way to help youth ministries achieve their own Christ-given vision was not through one full time guy, but through a team of senior coaches (experienced youth pastors) and an even bigger team of youth coaches (experienced youth pastors). Hopefully you have had some significant contact with someone representing QB Youth, whether it has been Karen, Emily, Tash, Stef, Tim, Dan, Josh, Peter, or someone else.
Queensland Conference and Camping Centres. A ministry of the Queensland Baptists, QCCC operates some of South East Queensland’s most sought after camping and conference centres. Breathtaking scenery, modern facilities and dedicated staff will make your next event easy and memorable.
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QCCC Brookfield (Brisbane) - capacity 144 QCCC Mapleton (Sunshine Coast Hinterland) - capacity 240 QCCC Tamborine Mountain (Gold Coast Hinterland) - capacity 250 Booking and contact details for each site can be found at www.qccc.com.au
‘I am looking forward to a strong finish with QB Youth and commencing the next chapter of my ministry at Enoggera Baptist Church. I have loved filling this role and have found it an honour and a privilege to serve in this way.’ Dave Morrow writes: ‘I have one wife, two kids, two guinea pigs and a couple of gold fish. When I’m not either drinking coffee or playing golf, I am an Associate Pastor for Youth & Young Adults at Victoria Point Baptist Church where we have been for the past two years. Previous to this I was Youth Pastor in Melbourne (yes I’m another Mexican/ Victorian, please don’t hold it against me) for two Baptist churches for six years and was on the Youth State Team for the Baptist Union of Victoria. ‘2011 is going to be an amazing year. God has incredible things in store for our denomination and in particular our Youth Ministries. After being involved in Youth ministry in a paid and voluntary capacity for over 10 years, I am now more passionate about youth ministry than ever. ‘Over the past couple of months I have met with the QB Youth team in discussions about 2011 and my involvement as I commence as Team Leader. I can’t wait to begin in this role and taking over the massive reigns from Mark Westhuyzen aka Westy has left behind. He and the team have done an incredible job! As I come in, the vision and mission remains the same: “To assist local youth leaders in realising their God-given vision for their church’s youth ministry”. ‘As I tell my young people, they are the turbocharger for our church; they bring a life, vibrancy and passion and as the young people of our denomination we bring life, vibrancy and passion to our denomination!’
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QB youth
Flying in the No Fly Zone Some dinner party conversation topics have traditionally been a ‘no fly zone’. Topics such as politics and religion will, generally, either kill the mood or start heated arguments, and sometimes no-one is left to sample the host’s Crème Brulee. You need to be pretty gutsy to ask someone if they believe in God or why they haven’t chosen to serve him. However, it is my perception that times are changing; well at least with regard to Generation Y. I have found that young people today are very open to discussions on topics from which their parents shy away. In fact, I think that the youth of today are not offended by bold questioning of their religious belief and practice; in fact they are actually searching for it - they even expect it. And I don’t think this is because of my outstanding ability to ask questions, or my unbelievable gift of social perception (please line up for autographs in one straight line, and if you have questions talk to my manager!)
Jokes aside, I don’t think bold questions like, ‘Do you believe in God?’ ‘What do you think of Christianity?’ ‘What is stopping you following Jesus?’ are solely the territory of Youth Pastors and Youth Leaders. The taboo around religion does not exist for Gen Y as it did for their parents and older siblings. Therefore, I believe it’s time to think and act differently. All of us who love and follow Jesus have an opportunity to act boldly and ask the ultimate questions of the young people around us (and they expect it of us). You might be a parent whose children have non-Christian friends. As you drive them around to sporting events or other activities, be bold; ask the big questions and you will be surprised by the results. You might ask if they believe in God, or what their view on Jesus is, or whether they follow any religion at all. You might be a grandparent or have neighbours who attend a local high school. Again the same rules apply: Be bold, bring up the topic of faith and go for it. Be bold. With exposure to our increasingly postmodern society and its proliferation of different worldviews, and growing multiculturalism, the youth of today are generally searching for answers. Other vendors in the faith marketplace are forthright in explaining what they offer. Surely those who are told they are the ‘Light of the world’ should be bold in seeking to help a searching generation find the God who created them. It’s time to get the blow torch out and set fire to the Crème Brulee! Ok, maybe I am stretching the analogy here a little, but have a go: be bold. Mark Westhuyzen
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SO MUCH MORE THAN GLOWSTICKS!
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Slaves, Deaconesses and a Royal Death!
Searching for Missing Queensland Baptists
What do the following have in common – the emancipation of slaves, the ministry of deaconesses and condolences on the death of King Edward VII? Answer: they are just three of many topics included in statements made by Queensland Baptists over the years. The documents containing these statements are now part of a large collection recently compiled by the Baptist Church Archives.
The qb is one of the most valuable information sources for those researching the history of Baptists in Queensland. The journal began publication in 1881, and except for the year 1889 and the period 1913-1923 (the first years of the Australian Baptist), it has been published ever since. Due to good detailed reporting during most of this time, The qb contains information about much of the history of the Baptist Church in Queensland.
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Bill Hughes, ph 07-3256 8897 Email roslynbill@bigpond.com The Baptist Archives, QB Centre, PO Box 6166, Mitchelton Q 4053.
E
The next phase of the new documents project will cover the period from 1977 to the present. The success of the project reflects the good recording keeping that took place in earlier times when virtually all the vital documents of the denomination were carefully preserved and have been retained in excellent condition.
Senior Girls Missionary Union (SGMU) provided an enormous amount of prayer, financial and personal support to Baptist missionaries over an extended period. We are currently compiling its history and are keen to record as much. Were you an SGMU member or office bearer? Do you have documents, photographs or information relating to its work? Do you have information on any of the women missionaries supported by the SGMU? Would you be prepared to read through a draft of our record so far and provide your comments on its accuracy, content and scope?
aptist).
Baptist Heritage Queensland has already published books containing actual documents from the earliest pioneering days of Baptists in this state. This new collection continues the process although the individual documents will not be published. However a full listing of the collection will be available for consultation in the Archives and is available on request. The collection will be appreciated by those interested in learning about the rich and varied heritage of Baptists in Queensland, while people researching particular topics will be able to locate information more readily. Other statements and reports which have appeared in the Queensland Baptist (The qb) are already easily accessible through searchable CD format, available in the Archives, where they are also open for purchase.
Senior Girls Missionary Union
nsland B
Some of the documents reflect the vigorous growth that took place at different times in the life of the denomination and the re-structuring required, while others discuss pressing social issues like state aid, unemployment, apartheid and world peace. There are documents about housing sponsored migrants and others on the administration of the Home Mission department, loan fund arrangements and the introduction of area superintendents.
The Archives hold most copies of The qb, but there is a significant gap (1931-1950) which creates a big problem. Can you help? If you have any issues for this period we would like to talk to you. You will not only be helping us to complete our holdings of this valuable resource, you will also be assisting people who research their local church history or the broader Baptist history. Those who are seeking other information such as biographical material on Queensland Baptists of the past will also be assisted. We can copy and return them to you quickly if needed.
b (Quee
There are about 140 documents altogether in the group covering a 100 year period from the formation of the Baptist Union to 1977. They illustrate the fascinating breadth of the life and interests of Queensland Baptists during that time, and have been assembled in a special collection for ready access and study. Other topics covered include: the formation of the Baptist missionary society, the ecumenical movement, evangelistic campaigns, planning for church planting and outreach in the north of the state, the roles of deacons and elders, training for the ministry, hospital visitation and patriotic loyalty.
eq es of Th arly issu
QB archives
ARCHIVES
Overwhelmed. It’s a feeling I often experience. Too many jobs on the ‘to do’ list, too many kids asking me too many questions, too many people expecting too much. Or of recent weeks in Queensland - too much water, too many people hurt, too many upsetting images on TV. Feeling overwhelmed has almost become a way of life.
QB women
‘When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth’ Ephesians 3:14.
Stop, drop & pray
It’s feeling overwhelmed that leads me very quickly to the next thought: inadequacy. I feel overwhelmed because I know I’m inadequate. I can’t meet everyone’s expectations. My home will never go back to normal, I’ll never complete all of my jobs. I’m just not enough. When I feel like this, usually my response is to shut down: shut out people and shut out God. I think that Paul, sitting in his jail cell writing a letter to the Ephesians, may have felt inadequate and overwhelmed too. But his response is different from mine. In Ephesians 3:14 Paul says, ‘When I think of all of this, I fall to my knees and pray’. When we’re overwhelmed, feeling inadequate or under the pump, Paul’s advice is vital: stop, drop and pray. Stop what you’re doing. Take a moment, take a breath and stop. We don’t have to rush around like headless chooks constantly. Stop, let go, and breathe. Stop trying to control, stop taking on too much, and stop pushing God away.Drop all your negative thoughts. Drop those unholy thoughts that tell you that you will never complete everything or you’re just not enough. Drop the thoughts that are negative and counter-productive. These thoughts are not from God; they are not part of his plan. And pray. Ask for help, guidance and intervention from our God who says that in him, all things are possible. Ask for wisdom. Praise God for His goodness. Acknowledge his hand in your day and be comforted by his sovereignty. When I feel overwhelmed by the world, my new response will be to stop, drop and pray. How about you? Sue Peters sue@qbwm.org is the State Director for Queensland Baptist Women http://qbwm.wordpress.com/ www.qb.com.au The qb FEBRUARY 11
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Going deeper
Imitating
Jesus
‘The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation (character) of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word’ (Hebrews 1:3).
a genuine encounter with God and for it to have no impact on lives. The change is transformation, not legalism. Legalism leads to moralism; grace results in holiness. When considering this theme, the QB Board defined our intention as, ‘We want to imitate the God we encounter in Jesus by doing what pleases him and see transformation in ourselves, our churches and our community in our relationships and activities’. In the coming year, we plan to focus our attention on the following key lifestyle practices as we imitate Jesus.
‘Genuine imitations!’ was the cry from the marketeer as we made our way through crowds wanting to grab a bargain at the local markets. We were overseas and, on this part of our trip, were looking for a genuine bargain to save ourselves some money. Some sellers were overt in their declaration of their counterfeit goods. With some products, claiming to be genuine, the deal seemed to be the proverbial ‘too good to be true’. Even to our untrained eye, some fakes were so obvious. Counterfeit, forgery, fake, sham, phoney – all words that highlight an attempt to mimic the original article at a far lower cost. Appearance, quality and cost – choosing two of the three criteria will determine the third. The same goes for our lives. Queensland Baptists have ministered under the banner ‘Following Jesus’ for some time now. We don’t want to change that! Component parts of this theme have been ‘Encountering God’, ‘Imitating Jesus’, ‘Intentional Ministry’ and ‘Extending God’s Kingdom’. Whilst all four elements need to be always present, we have chosen to emphasise one each year. This year, we are focusing on ‘Imitating Jesus’. Whilst there may be a temptation to fake it –for whatever reason - we are going for the genuine experience; an authentic journey with Jesus. It is true that God will accept us as we are, but he loves us too much to leave us that way. From the moment we become a part of his family, he begins a transforming process in our lives. It is not possible to have
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We desire to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Worship as Christ worshipped Pray as Christ prayed Love as Christ loved Serve as Christ served Think as Christ thought Talk as Christ talked Go as Christ went.
The Board urges Queensland Baptists to engage with this emphasis in the coming year. It is anticipated that helpful resources will be made available in the coming year. Key Queensland Baptists have been asked to address this major theme in coming issues. All ministers are encouraged to attend area meetings where the General Superintendent, David Loder, will address the topic. Churches are encouraged to appeal to
Going deeper
This daunting list comes as a challenge that cannot be achieved on our own. It is only by cooperation with the indwelling Spirit that there will be a shift within us.
We wait with
anticipation to see what God may do in and through
our lives as we become more and more
like Jesus!
all Baptists to take this request seriously through preaching, small groups and in other appropriate ways. Life transformation is a key theme throughout the Bible. This is not radical or bizarre thinking but foundational to the purposes of Christ in our lives. We wait with anticipation to see what God may do in and through our lives as we become more and more like Jesus!
wors love se h ip rve thin pray lo k ve serv p r serve e think ta think talk talk go a y worship lk go wor w go wo rship p ship talk go pray love serv orship p r a wo e ra y think ta rship pray lo think talk go w love serve th y love ve serv lk go w in o r k talk g s h ip e thin orsh pra serve th o ink talk ip pray love s k talk go wor y love serve th ship pr erve th in pray lo go wor k ay in ve ship pr ay love k talk go wors love serve worship serve think ta hip p serv lk g p think ta ray love serve o worship pra e think talk g ray love o wors lk go w y th lo ink talk ve serv hip orsh love se e think rve thin ip pray love s go worship talk go p k e ray lov rve thin talk go worship e k talk g wors pr o worsh serve serve th ay love serve hip pray love ip pray serve th ink talk think ta go w ink ta lk g worship pray lo orship pray lo o worship pra lk go ve serv ve serv y love love se e thin e think rve talk go think ta think talk go w k talk go wors lk g hip orsh talk go o worship pra ip pray love s pray y love e worship serve th rve pray w serve th ink orship ink talk pray lo go w serve th ink talk orship pray lo ve ve go wor love se ship pr rve ay worship think talk go pra serve th y love ink ta s e r v e lk x
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Imitating Jesus
1. We desire:
To worship as Christ worshipped Jesus was a true worshipper of God. He worshipped in ‘spirit and truth’. His followers are urged to be true worshippers like Jesus. Paul summed up worship in Romans 12:1 when he penned the words, ‘I urge you therefore brethren by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good acceptable and perfect’. Jesus lived this throughout his life, demonstrating that spending time with his Father was his number one priority. It was out of these times that all decisions and ministry flowed. We tend to be spasmodic in our worship of God depending on how we feel. Our ‘spiritual service of worship’ should not be an activity that we choose to do from time to time but rather, a lifestyle choice. We have tended to see worship as a specific time on Sunday mornings when we sing songs and hymns to God to tell him that we love him. To truly worship is far deeper. It is not words but actions. It is not at set times through the week but continually; in the decisions and choices we make daily. It is far easier to present ourselves in church on Sunday morning and give God lip praise than it is to present ourselves as a living and holy sacrifice on a daily moment to moment basis, making right choices and choosing him above the world! The biggest challenge of worship is consistency. Jesus
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himself demonstrated consistency in the way that he spent time worshipping the Father. Even in the toughest times he would find a quiet place and pray. The Garden of Gethsemane demonstrates his commitment to be with his Father, even in one of the deepest and hardest decisions in his life. This begs the question, ‘No matter what circumstances and challenges arise, are we willing to live with a heart that will worship and honour Jesus?’ Our worship needs to be from the heart and not only in response to outward circumstances. Paul says ‘to present your bodies’… I believe this means all of us; our mind, soul and spirit. True worship will come from the depths of our being, not as a reaction to external circumstances. The Bible says ‘out of your innermost being will flow rivers of living waters!’ When worship is a moment by moment lifestyle choice and comes from within and not as a response to external circumstances, then we are beginning to comprehend the term ‘a living sacrifice’! There are three practical aspects from Romans 12:1 that help us to understand worship and how Jesus wants us to worship. The first is that our worship needs to be living. I have found that over the years it has been easy to get so familiar with aspects of worship that I have allowed them to become ritual rather than alive. Don’t get me wrong, these aspects did start out as fresh, but ritual has taken away the cutting edge. I have found that I have needed to reinvent my times with God and the aspects of my daily rhythm with him!
• Is my time with God alive in the day to day? • Do I talk with him and journey with him? • Am I setting my mind on whatever is true, honourable, just and pure? • Do I allow him to inhabit my praise no matter what the outward circumstances? (It is our love relationship with him that makes our worship alive!) • Is he still the apple of my eye? You are his; nothing has changed from his perspective! Jesus set the example with the priority he put on spending time with his Father alone. The hours on a mountain or across the lake in the most hectic times of ministry demonstrate the importance of making our times with God a priority, even when we are busy. Our worship needs to be holy. The word holy simply means ‘set apart for God’. Is my life set apart for God or am I living out my plans and purposes and asking him to bless me? The big picture is about God, not me. Even though I am the recipient of his love I can be confident that his plans and purposes for me are good. I need to trust and celebrate his leading and worship him even though, from my perspective, I don’t fully comprehend what he is doing when times get tough. When you find it hard to trust his will, trust his heart. He will always do what is good and right! Jesus certainly was holy, set apart to
do his Father’s will, enduring the cross to achieve his Father’s plan. Our worship needs to be a sacrifice. Let me be totally honest. There are times when I just don’t feel like worshipping God! When the old devil is prowling around and circumstances are not looking good and someone else has left the church and finances are stretched, you know what I am talking about…It can be a real sacrifice to keep worshipping and praising. It is in these times that I remind myself that the deepest worship that blesses God is when I bring a sacrifice of praise to him above my circumstances and disappointments. To praise him for who he is and not because of how I feel! Jesus performed his whole ministry with one thing in mind… his eyes set on the goal. To achieve the Father’s will through worship and obedience and go back home. Jesus summed it up when he said to be in the world but not of the world (John 17:1317). John added if we love the world, the love of the Father is not in us (1 John 2:15). When we let go of the world and the things of it, we find it is so much easier for our worship to be a holy, living sacrifice. Remember we are not home yet! Keep worshipping as Jesus did! Phil Greenbury Maroochy Baptist
Imitating Jesus
The questions we need to ask are:
PHOTO: Associate Professor Vonau presents award to Lorraine
Profile
Overall achiever On 25 November 2010, former QB President, Lorraine Walker attended an awards ceremony at Royal Brisbane Hospital where she works as a Senior Nurse in the Intensive Care Ward. It was an occasion when Associate Professor Marianne Vonau, the Executive Director of Critical Care and Clinical Support Services presented her annual Executive Director Awards for outstanding service. About 30 nurses and other health professionals were recognised and awarded certificates, but the final award was for ‘Overall Achiever’ and that award was presented to Lorraine. Nominations for these awards may be made by any staff member, and Lorraine was told later that several of her co-workers had nominated her. In presenting the award, Professor Vonau made reference to Lorraine’s caring attitude to patients, families and fellow-staff members ‘over and above the call of duty’. She also acknowledged Lorraine’s contribution to the establishment of a new Toastmasters’ Club at the
hospital. She also spoke of Lorraine’s role as President of Queensland Baptists and her five year term as President of the Baptist Women of the South-West Pacific. Amongst so many highly qualified and dedicated health professionals, the recognition as ‘Overall Achiever’ by the Executive Director is indeed high praise. In receiving the award, Lorraine paid tribute to her co-workers for their encouragement and support. Lorraine’s desire to imitate Christ in every aspect of her life is no doubt a major contributing factor in her achieving this award. When asked about this, Lorraine said, ‘This award reinforces the importance for Christians to shine the life and compassion of Jesus to a world, a society and a workplace that is seeking answers in alternative ways such as Eastern and Middle Eastern philosophies, homosexuality or drugs’. As an imitator of Christ, Lorraine shines as an ‘overall achiever’.
Congratulations to Max and Meryl Horton who celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in December 2010. Max and Meryl, of Ambassadors for Christ, were married at the City Baptist Tabernacle. Many Baptists will remember the Horton’s ministry in SE Queensland with their group ‘The Christian Chords Evangelistc Team’. Before Meryl met Max, she spent two and a half years in the USA as soloist with the first Aussie Youth for Christ team to visit that country. Max came from NSW where he was involved with the Sydney Evangelistic Crusade from the age of 15 years, and on moving to Brisbane, he became a voluntary worker with Open Air Campaigners (OAC ministries). This is where they met. During the past 55 years, they have travelled with Baptist teams to the USA, and in the last 25 years they have worked with Ambassadors for Christ Int. and for many years, Meryl was Music Director for CWCI (Christian Women Communicating Int.). For over 24 years, the Hortons travelled to Victoria for chapel ministry at Mill Valley Ranch each January.
A long partnership
God opens doors Q2 How do you know for sure that God loves you? The Bible says ‘God IS love’. That means he deals with everyone, including me, out of love. I prove his love and presence every day as I walk with him. Q3 Please share some outstanding moments. Preaching in some great churches in the USA and other countries was wonderful but the greatest moments for me are when I lead people to personal faith in the Lord Jesus. Nothing beats that! Q4 What guidance can you offer young people? The words ‘availability’ and ‘obedience to the Word of God’, and having a close relationship with the Lord are paramount… responding to opportunities he gives and to opportunities to ‘take off your coat and get to work’. If young people are serious about it, God will open the right doors.
Although they were not there this year, Max still writes to many campers who have made commitments over the years, encouraging them in their Christian lives. Although Max had a heart triple by-pass in 2000, they both give praise to God for their continuing health and strength. Even at their age, they continue in a vibrant ministry in churches, schools, camps and prisons, preaching and singing at every opportunity. Max and Meryl have three children and six grand children and have been members at Carey Baptist Church, Balmoral for most of their married life. Q1 Max, what drives your passion? Mankind is spiritually lost without Jesus. This has been my motivation and passion in preaching over the years.
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QCCC
Sacred Space This year is going to be exciting for Queensland Camping. For a start we’re piloting a new initiative that will equip our staff in ministry but we’re also entering the year with a renewed vigour and purpose, reflected in our new vision and mission statements. QCCC exists to create life-changing experiences through excellence in hospitality, service and teaching. We will do this by: • exceeding guest expectations; • partnering with guest groups to facilitate and empower their programs, obtaining mutually beneficial outcomes; • providing cost effective programming for sustainable ministry; • valuing and empowering an enthusiastic staff body to pursue a positive work environment which models the values of the Kingdom of God and makes them attractive; • caretaking the natural environment of our facilities and interpreting its beauty. In camping we’re certain that we provide people with the opportunity to get away from it all, to have time and space to reflect and have fellowship with others. It is the intangible secret ingredient to our ministry and it has worked for many years (even Jesus was partial to the occasional retreat). Take a straw poll of people in your circles and see how many have been profoundly impacted, or have made life-altering decisions within the context of camping. We think great camping is reliant on the three spiritual gifts we’ve included
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in our vision statement – hospitality, service and teaching. Let me explain. Hospitality (Philoxenia – ‘Lover of strangers’) So much of Jesus’ teaching and ministry took place around the table. Food is the basic staple of human survival but it’s so much more than that. Historically, food and hospitality have been a potent ministry weapon, in fact the origins of the English word ‘ministry’ derive from Minestrone soup given to travellers. In camping, today’s act of hospitality is one of welcoming, clothing, feeding and sheltering strangers from the rigours of their life journeys. Excellence in hospitality creates time to linger over a meal table for hours, enjoying good food and fostering the kind of unhurried fellowship where relationship is built and deepened. David McCasland could have been talking about camping when he suggested, ‘Hospitality means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place’. Service (Diakonia - ‘to attend to anything, that may serve another’s interests’) The English word deacon derives from the NT Greek word for service. An attribute that sees all of life’s little details diligently squared away is no easy thing. It requires an other-centredness which considers the needs and requirements of others and sets out to achieve them. In camping that means working towards a win/win partnership where our guests’ every need is facilitated. When all the little details of a camp are taken care of, our groups can maximise the time they have towards relationships and outcomes.
QCCC
Teaching (Didaskō – ‘to impart instruction, instil doctrine and explain or expound a thing’) Our teaching can be an art - intuitively identifying the sweet spot in the lives of others where, with a quiet word and the right nudge, they can have a profound impact. Camping is also about being sensitive to the life and spiritual journey of our guests and pro-active about using God-given sweet spots for profound impact. Romans 12: ‘For just as you have many members in one physical body and those members differ in their functions, so we, though many in number, compose one body in Christ and are all members of one another. Through the grace of God we have different gifts. If our gift is preaching, let us preach to the limit of our vision. If it is serving others let us concentrate on our service (diakonia); if it is teaching (didaskō) let us give all we have to our teaching.’ ‘Give freely to fellow-Christians in want, never grudging a meal or a bed to those who need them (philoxenia).’ Andrew Grant Director of Camping for Queensland Conference and Camping Centres, a ministry of Queensland Baptists. His role is to grow the ministry of Baptist camping in the State. The QCCC blog can be found at www.thegreatbanquet.com.
QCCC operates three unique and versatile conference and camp facilities in Brisbane (Brookfield), the Gold Coast hinterland (Mapleton) and the Sunshine Coast hinterland (Tamborine) complemented by an expeditions program. The leading provider of school camps in Queensland, our facilities are perfect for your next Queensland conference, retreat and special interest getaway too.
As the curtain closed on 2010 it was a good time to reflect on a record year of camping and conferencing for QCCC. Here’s a little of what our great team managed to achieve last year: • Hosted over 500 individual groups across our three sites (average 10 groups each week using our facilities) • Provided a quality accommodation experience to more than 35,000 people (average 700 people each week staying with us) • Served more than 200,000 meals • Facilitated more than 10 outdoor education instructors as they provided programs for more than 200 schools • Made great progress in building partnerships with like-minded organisations, the fruits of which will start to be seen in 2011 as we roll out new services and programs • Developed a pilot theme for all of our Centres that will add significant value to the programs and outcomes of groups using our facilities • Further developed our Expeditions program and took several groups through their Duke of Edinburgh Award • Kicked off our training program for future staff – providing a Certificate III in Outdoor Education • Had an awful lot of fun in the process!
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Salt and light
New challenges for Wendy I am probably best known to Queensland Baptists because of my time as editor of The qb magazine. My husband Peter is Pastor at the City Tabernacle in Brisbane. We have three married children and ten grandchildren. I have recently become the Queensland State Director for the Australian Christian Lobby. This role involves lobbying politicians and liaising with the church. Working towards getting the government to uphold marriage as being between a man and a woman is a major focus as I start my new role. A Greens’ motion was passed in Parliament in the last sitting in 2010 calling on MPs to consult with you on whether Australia should introduce homosexual marriage. While this may look democratic on the part of the Greens, their real intent is to build pressure to undermine marriage. I will value your support as I tackle this critically important issue. Visit www.makeastand. org.au - from this website it is quite easy to contact your local politician – just put in your postcode for your MP’s details and suggestions on what to do. It is vital that we make use of this ‘consultation’ to tell our local MPs that marriage is too important to society to be redefined. I commenced my new role in mid January. It’s a full time position and I’d love to visit your church group to explain more fully what the Australian Christian Lobby does and to encourage your people to have a voice for godly values in Australia. I am based in Brisbane and available throughout Queensland. I will be lobbying both State and Federal politicians and keeping in touch with every interested Queensland church. WHY? I believe that Christians are called to be ‘salt and light’. We should naturally be bringing change to the nature of the environment where God has placed us. The word politics comes from the Latin word ‘Polis’ which means ‘a structured social body’. We are all part of the political process – even as we vote! Politics is a part of our life, and every part of
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our life as a Christian is sacred. CS Lewis said, ‘I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else’. However, rather than being involved, I believe that the Christian West often exhibits a dulled consciousness that is overrun by our culture that constantly communicates
messages both overtly and covertly through film, magazines and advertising. My desire is to be a co-worker under the headship of Christ in the outworking of his Kingdom here on earth. I know I will not always be successful, but I am not called to be successful, rather to be faithful. Dietrich Bonhoffer said, ‘Only the obedient believe, and those who believe are obedient’. ‘Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes’ (Nehemiah 4:14). ‘Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us’ (Nehemiah 4:20). Wendy Francis Qld State Director, Australian Christian Lobby wendy.francis@acl.org.au
Christmas/New Year of 2010-2011 will be memorable for a large number of us! Experiences of flood and rain impact are continuing to be recounted. Will farmers be able to recover from this, on top of years of drought? The massive task associated with the stench and mess of cleaning out a house after the inundation of floodwaters dents hope - especially if you are just recovering from a similar event a few months previously. What was that we celebrated a few weeks ago? How does that reality apply for us now? Some friends of ours live in a country in Central Asia where Christmas celebrations in the community were a major event. All the trappings: Christmas songs, commercialisation, crowds of people to community events – even the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus! Did the people know what the celebration was about? It seems not. My friends had opportunities to tell the story of ‘God with us’. I reckon all reading this article would enjoy being asked to explain what Christmas is really about. But what proportion of our wider community could explain the key message of Christmas? Global Interaction offers opportunities for many to tell the lifechanging story of Jesus. As the world changes so does the context of our work. Lyn and I, together with our three small children, went to Papua New Guinea in 1977. The challenges were learning a new culture and language. We lived in an isolated setting with a weekly food order (most weeks) with only snail mail and rough roads. People were eager to learn. Yes, relationships are still the key. Nowadays there is still the need to take on the long process of learning the language and in some areas, the constant frustrations of the ever changing bureaucratic regulations. Perhaps the greatest challenge is the persistence and patience needed to get beyond the superficial in
Global Interaction
Become a career cross-cultural worker
relationships so that the sharing of the most important can take place. Gone are the days when our Good News could be shared in any other way. Time! How much time? If a true cross-cultural friendship in our own country takes years to form and consolidate, how long will it take when you are living in a totally different environment and must learn one or more new languages? Our kids have all grown to adulthood and their lives have been
enriched by living in a situation like they did. Global Interaction gives opportunity for workers, including families, for periods long and short. The big need is for those who will go longterm. Will you consider having a conversation with me about what you might be able to do? Join a team, learn the language, become part of a local community, offer something to assist local communities and make true friendships. Will you become a team participant to empower communities to develop their own distinctive ways of following Jesus? We need people to be career cross-cultural workers. Will you pray about how you can participate? Geoff Cramb State Director, Queensland - Global Interaction www.qb.com.au The qb FEBRUARY 11
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Out of the shadow
Living in a shadow isn’t easy. And I had a large shadow to contend with. My Dad is a well-known and respected Pastor of a Baptist Church. It’s effortless to like him and he has a soft spot for the youth of Australia. Adults look up to him, teenagers love him, and, after the initial shock and fear wears off, young children adore his presence. Many people have said that my dad reminds them of the BFG (Big Friendly Giant), and I must agree with them. Equipped with broad shoulders, large arms and legs, and a long beard, my dad could have slid up through the ranks of a bikey gang or even be a bodyguard. But even though he might have suited it, these roles didn’t draw him. Instead, he has made a career out of serving others. But acts of selflessness and sacrifice can cost, and not only the person. The family also has to carry some of the load. Duties, responsibilities and commitments became something I grew up with, not to mention a title to go along with it. Whenever I go somewhere new, I am once again reunited with my second and probably better known name - my father’s ‘youngest’. When I was younger, this didn’t bother me too much. It wasn’t until a few years later that I realised what being
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his daughter really entailed. I became aware that responsibilities, onuses, and expectations followed me around everywhere I went. When my sister and I went to a new church we would always be introduced the same way, no matter where we went: First our names, then ‘They’re HIS Daughters’. I started to realise that I was often watched. I soon learnt how to hide my real feelings around people and to always be polite, tolerating their preconceptions about how I should act. Then one day, my parents gathered my sister and me into their bedroom and sat us down. They had decided to call a family meeting. It’s not often that we do this, and I realised that something unusual was going to happen. They looked at us and with sad but assured voices they told us the dreaded news. Even though they asked us to pray about it I felt I had no choice: we were moving.
’
took up another church I still felt some expectations about being the Pastor’s kid but this time, no one knew Dad’s reputation. I was not known for being Dad’s ‘youngest’ but for being me and being a teenager. I started to be measured by who I was; not who my parents were. Today I only feel the pressure of being a teenage girl. There are still some instances when I feel the shadow’s return, but I no longer see it as a duty. I see it as part of who I am, as part of my heritage. Looking back, I can confidently say that moving was the best thing for me. I made new friends and have had more chances to experience things.
God was calling us to a different place. But because I had lived in one place all my life I didn’t want to leave. All my friends were there and I remember crying myself to sleep that night asking God repeatedly:
The more I grow up, the more I realise that I don’t have to be confined by what people think I should be. If they don’t like me for who I am, then that’s not my problem. I can never be exactly what they imagine. In God I can be free to be myself and I can be confident. I can now look back on my life and be thankful because living under the shadow has made me who I am. I think I’m starting to grow out the shadow.
‘Why?’
Jas
I began to look down upon my dad. I felt that all this was his fault, and I blamed him for the move. When I told my friends the news, I felt like crying my eyes out. Sadness, fear and worry shone in their faces, but also their look of undying friendship. In that moment, I realised what I was leaving behind, and I hated him all the more. My life had become a toppled sandcastle under the shadow of his umbrella. I felt trapped in the shadow. Grudgingly, I sat back in defeat and let the shadow take me to my unwanted new life. On the first day at the new church, I felt that all the preconceptions from the people around me who knew of Dad were there. I still couldn’t get away from the pressure. I was aware of the ever present shadow. Whether it was shown in the slight tilt of the eyebrow or the tone in someone’s voice, I realised over and over that I could never live up to people’s expectations. When Dad
Out of the shadow
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Looking back, I can confidently say that moving was the best thing for me. I made new friends and have had more chances to experience things.
Providing Christ like care for grieving families Personalised care & support Pre-paid Funeral Planning
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Women of purpose Photo courtesy of Timothy Nakhla
Hungry for the WORD Picture a church packed with a sea of women eagerly anticipating a day’s event. It is a sight to behold that has been repeated in March each year for the past seven years as women gather for the annual Women of Purpose Conference at City North Baptist Church. Whilst the singing is beautiful and the fellowship a blessing, it is the Bible teaching from gifted women that draws attendees of all ages (16+) and denominations, from as far north as Rockhampton and south as northern New South Wales and everywhere else in between. This year the event will be held on Saturday 12 March and it promises to be another spiritually encouraging and challenging day.
the church office, City North Baptist Church, 52 Yiada St, Kedron 4031. For those unable to attend the conference, the talks are available to download from the City North Baptist Church website or CDs can be purchased by contacting the Church office. The website also holds an archive of past talks that can be downloaded. Anne-Marie George City North Baptist Church www.citynorthbaptist.com
Maxine Cook, wife of the Principal of Sydney Missionary and Bible College (David), and Gillian Davis, wife of the Australian Director of Christian Surfers International (Brett), will be speaking on the theme, ‘Living Grace’. Maxine will deliver two talks entitled ‘Walking by Grace’, while Gillian will address our responsibility to bear grace to a lost world. The day is designed to provide women with an opportunity to sit under quality Bible teaching without the usual interruptions or responsibilities associated with a normal Sunday program. A team of male volunteers from City North Baptist Church will help facilitate the day, eager to encourage the women in their faith. The event spans the day, although half-day attendance is also available, with lunch and morning and afternoon tea provided in the registration fee. Registrations are now open online through the church website, www.citynorthbaptist.com. Alternatively, please phone the office, 3256 4822 for a brochure. Completed registration forms can also be mailed to 36
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Hi ‘The qb’ team
h g l
Many thanks for a great magazine. My husband and I get our copy from WORD Bookstore in Alderley and love reading it.
or pect f ee res ociety s o t s hard home and s e. It’ u alled l a v ’s in the nner and c ugh person er’s role a o m this has en ed th the fa stroyed in ussie male u la gh de being at A e t r u g being o h h day t r th wi rs eac ’. Ou ‘funny ith self wor down for hou dren! Is w put chil issues wing ed and ront of our t a i l le gro em i b m f u u o h n r i , t at ve mes to th own ho oys ha s fed i in our onder that b t a h w s is w it any en thi ale is? h w n e into m o an adult m hanks wh eful t And t t a u r o g b a y cle? s on m se pas r this arti agazine. a e l p you eat m ne fo Would ohnsto ch for a gr nd may ‘The J n a s u so m to Su 2011 a ople that thanks ou all for , n i re pe a g y a ach mo ne who loves ess e l r b d d n o a May G the o grow ow and to know him; qb’ gr e ay com more m them.
I am moved to say ‘thank you’ to Susan Johnstone – Article ‘A Bit Partial to Cake’ in the December 2010 issue. Thanks for articulating what a lot of us, particularly mothers, feel but are ignored or laughed at whenever we express our thoughts on this issue. However, my husband and I would like to add one more issue we feel needs to be addressed regarding current TV advertisements. It seems to be that to ‘sell’ something, the adult male must be humiliated, belittled and generally made to look like an idiot. We have struggled with this scenario for years as we raised our son – he is 21yrs old now – and our daughter – she is 26yrs and married. We have tried and hopefully succeeded, to instil in them God’s love for them and that their ‘worth’/value is not in the world’s sense but as God sees them. We have tried to teach them about God’s beautiful creation of men and women separately but complimentary and each
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Think spot
Trusting iN
God alone Asa and the Cushite attack
After Asa became king of Judah and orchestrated a reformation of religion in the land, the nation experienced ten years of peace. Then, in the eleventh year of Asa’s reign, his country was assailed by a vast army led by Zerah. Zerah appears to have been a Cushite or Nubian from the Sudan, and he invaded Judah with an impressive army of a million soldiers and three hundred chariots (2 Chronicles14:9). Asa’s army was only half this size so, from a human point of view, his situation was desperate. When faced with these impossible odds, Asa uttered a fine prayer as he was about to enter the battle. ‘LORD, he cried, ‘there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you’ (2Chronicles14:11). This model prayer aptly portrays the ideal Christian attitude in the face of danger, opposition or threatening situations. Let us consider two of its important components. First of all, Asa was deeply conscious of his own helplessness and inability to cope. Though he marshalled his army to resist the invaders, he did not rely on the strength of his own forces. Rather, he was aware that he and his army were powerless in the presence of a greater foe. By simply looking at the size of the opposing force he could see clearly that, without God’s intervention, he was lost. The same is true of us in our walk with God and service for him. A necessary element of true 38
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faith is a deep consciousness of our own inability and inadequacy. If we think we need a little help from God to aid our own efforts we are far from receiving help. It is the person who feels utterly destitute, who realises that he or she has no power whatever to perform the task, who is in the right frame of mind to receive God’s enabling. When we consider the tasks and duties we have to carry out, it may not be as obvious to us that we are powerless to undertake them in our own strength. But the more we consider our human frailties and sinful tendencies, the vastness of the work we have to accomplish, and the unrelenting malice of the spiritual powers that oppose us, the more we will be able to form a just estimate of our own powerlessness and inability. The world tells us quite the contrary. It views self-reliance as a great strength in people and the opposite as a great weakness. Alexander MacLaren expresses it this way: ‘The world says, “Self-reliance is the conquering virtue”; Jesus says to us, “Self-distrust is the condition of all victory”.’ A difficulty often arises at this very point. While it is true that the first step to receiving God’s enabling is to feel our own inadequacy, the very consciousness of our weakness can easily unnerve us and lead to discouragement. The more I feel myself inadequate to the task, the more I am inclined to say: ‘It’s no use! I can’t possibly to that! What’s the point in trying? I might
as well give up!’ Self-distrust can so easily lead to paralysis and despair. That is the very reason why the world focuses on self-reliance. However, this is not God’s purpose in revealing our helplessness to us. The sense of our need and inability is not intended to drive us to despair, but to drive us to God. This was exactly what happened with Asa: his lack of self-reliance led him to rely on God. So this was the second aspect of his prayer. He cast his burden on God in a fine act of believing prayer, crying out, ‘Help us O Lord our God, because we rest on you’. The word for ‘rest’ means to lean on, to transfer the weight of our concerns to God. Asa’s conviction of his own utter helplessness and God’s all–sufficiency enabled him to rely entirely on God to defend and deliver His people. This is the kind of rest of faith we must seek to attain. We should not lean lightly on God but heavily on him, as people who desperately need his support and cannot survive without it. An incident in the life of Alexander the Great exemplifies this kind of trust. Once, when he was sick, a close friend of his who was a physician, prepared a potion to treat him. Before the friend arrived, a letter was delivered to Alexander saying that the potion being prepared for him was really poison intended to kill him. Alexander’s physician arrived and, without showing his friend the letter, Alexander took the potion in one hand, held the letter in the other, and drank the potion. It was only then that he showed his friend the letter. That was real trust! If his friend had failed him, Alexander would have lost his life. He could easily have shown the letter to his friend before drinking the potion and listened to the man’s explanation, but instead he trusted him absolutely. This is how we ought to rely on God. We rest the weight of our concerns on him, aware that if he fails us we will sink and be undone. After Asa had prayed, expressing his helplessness and his hope in God, he marched out against the enemy
Think spot
So when, with a sense of our own inability, we grasp hold of God’s great power with an expectant faith, we are enabled, like Asa, to do that which we could never do in our own strength.
with an undisturbed mind and a holy confidence. He expected that God would intervene on his behalf. Strong faith not only rests heavily on God, it also expects him to act. The combination of our self-distrust and our confidence in God should convey a sense of expectancy that God will act and, at the same time, give us a courage and boldness in our undertakings. The result is that those who rely expectantly on the invisible God take hold of an irresistible power. It was no longer Asa, but Asa’s God whom the Cushites fought against, and though they were a major world power, they could offer little resistance to the colossal force unleashed against them. So when, with a sense of our own inability, we grasp hold of God’s great power with an expectant faith, we are enabled, like Asa, to do that which we could never do in our own strength. Jim Greenbury jimncath@tpg.com.au
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Persecution brief
Please pray PAKISTAN: BOUNTY ISSUED BY MUSLIM CLERIC FOR AASIA BIBI A Muslim imam has offered a 500,000 rupee (US$5,800) reward to anyone who kills Aasia Bibi if the court fails to hang her. Aasia, a Pakistani Christian woman, was sentenced to death in November under Pakistan’s notorious ‘blasphemy law’ (see Prayer Focus Update, December 2010). She appealed to President Asif Zardari for clemency but the Lahore High Court subsequently blocked the government from pardoning her while the case is pending appeal in the courts. She will be executed only if the High Court upholds her sentence; no date has yet been set for the appeal hearing. Federal Minister for Minority Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti, who is also a Christian, said the bounty is ‘immoral, unjust and irresponsible’ and should be condemned in the ‘strongest possible manner’. In late November, a prominent government minster, Sherry Rehman, submitted a private member’s bill proposing amendments to the contentious blasphemy law, including a proposal that the death sentence be reduced to a 10-year imprisonment. Such a move is highly likely to incur the wrath of many of the country’s Muslims. In December, a number of political and religious groups in Pakistan announced that a campaign to protect the blasphemy law would be launched and called for countrywide protests. INDONESIA: WORSHIPPERS FORCED TO FLEE THEIR HOMES A group of Muslims staged angry protests outside a number of houses in Rancaekek Wetan village near Jakarta on Sunday 12 December. More than 100 members of the Batak Christian Protestant Church (HKBP) were forced to leave as the mob, backed by police, surrounded their homes to protest against ‘unauthorised religious services’.
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Local police chief Hendro Pandowo acknowledged that the situation in the village was tense. He said that the Christians did not have a permit to use the houses as places of worship, but the Muslims had obtained a permit to hold the protest. He added, ‘If the place was legally designated as a church, we’d provide security protection. Otherwise, we can’t do much as it’s against the law’. The Christians argue that they are forced to hold services inside their homes because local authorities have refused or ignored a number of requests to approve a place of worship for them. The Christians appealed to President Yudhoyono for protection; the congregation has been attacked a number of times as they have tried to meet for fellowship. In September, one of the church’s leaders was stabbed. A number of other churches in Indonesia have also been subject to threats or actual violence. In December alone, explosive devices were found at four Christian buildings; only two of these detonated. IRAN: PASTOR FACES DEATH FOR APOSTASY Youcef Nadarkhani (33), father of two and a pastor in the northern city of Rasht in Iran, has been sentenced to death for apostasy. He was arrested in October 2009 after he objected to the teaching of Islam to Christian children in schools and was held in detention until his trial in September 2010. He was formally charged with apostasy and has now been sentenced to death, receiving a written verdict and sentence on 13 November. Apostasy - or renouncing Islam - is not a crime under Iran’s penal code, but the system makes provision for judges to draw on fatwas and Islamic sources where national law is silent. Islamic law states that an adult male apostate should be given the death sentence. Youcef’s lawyer lodged an appeal against the sentence with Iran’s Supreme Court in December.
Egypt needs our prayers. Although born to Muslim parents, Youcef denies apostasy, saying that he accepted no religion before becoming a Christian aged 19. Nevertheless, according to Islamic law, the child of Muslim parents is considered a Muslim. The indictment against him states, ‘He has proven his apostasy by organising evangelistic meetings and inviting others to Christianity, establishing a house church, baptising people, expressing his faith to others and denying Islamic values’. Unless the sentence is overturned, Youcef will become the first person in 20 years to be executed for apostasy in Iran. The last person to be given the death sentence for apostasy was Hossein Soodmand, who was hanged in 1990. It is feared that this is part of a growing campaign against Christians and in particular converts from Islam, following a speech by Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Speaking to a crowd in Qom in October, Khamenei warned against the network of house churches that ‘threaten Islamic faith and deceive young Muslims’.
Jesus is both living and at work in our lives and throughout our state. He als
Jesus is both living and at work in our lives and throughout our state. He also lives his followers are called The apostle PaulPaul captures this life through who his followers who to areimitate called tohim. imitate him. The apostle captures thisconc when he concludes his letter with a reference to ‘bearing on his body the m concept in Galatians 6:17 when he concludes his letter with a reference to ‘bearing living as Christ lived,ofhold theChristians, potential to significantly transform on his body the marks Christ’. living as Christ lived,change hold the and potential to significantly change and transform our community.
‘Queensland Baptists - following Jesus’ captures the heart of our calling and
‘Queensland BaptistsThis - following Jesus’ captures focus the heart of our calling and mission Baptist churches. year our particular is ‘Imitating Jesus’. Of course as Queensland Baptist churches. This year our particular focus is ‘Imitating Jesus’.Church Of goes beyond the local Baptist congregation and the 190 or so Baptist course, God’s Kingdom work goes beyond the local Baptist congregation and the 190 heart is for all people in the community and he works through a variety of C or so Baptist Churches in Queensland. God’s heart is for all people in the community and he works through a variety of Christian churches.
In this regard the heads of Christian churches in Queensland meet regularly and one another in their service for God’s meet Kingdom. They have s In thisencourage regard the heads of Christian churches in Queensland regularly to pray to public witness toanother our wider community theirKingdom. own personal for provide our state,aand encourage one in their service forof God’s They fa haveled sensed to provide public witness to our widerEast community has to aGod’s seriesprompting of gathering beingaorganised across South Queenslan of their ownabout personal faithpersonal in Jesus Christ. This haswith led toChrist. a seriesQB of gathering will share their relationship General being Superin organised across South East Queensland where church leaders will share about be sharing at several of these meetings. The gatherings will provide opport their personal relationship with Christ. QB General Superintendent, David Loder, will and people from a variety of church backgrounds not only to hear testimon be sharing at several of these meetings. The gatherings will provide opportunities and ask questions of church leaders. These meetings are open to all who wo for community and people from a variety of church backgrounds not only to hear testimonies but also to interact and ask questions of church leaders. These meetings
Posters and are open to all handbills who wouldadvertising like to attend.these meetings are available from the Que Please contact Susan Harris, ph 33545601 or email susan.harris@qb.com.au Posters and handbills advertising these meetings are available from the Queensland Baptist office. Please contact Susan Harris, ph 33545601 or email susan.harris@qb.com.au
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Wise counsel
The change process Lately, I have found myself pondering the concept of ‘change’ and the place this has in the therapeutic journey. When clients present to us, they often arrive at the first session with a strong impetus to ‘change’. It may be the need to change old patterns and habits, outmoded ways of thinking, tired and damaging family scripts or the way we perceive ourselves and the future before us. Often these concepts are vague and difficult to articulate initially, yet so often I am humbled by the courage shown by those undertaking the journey to not only articulate what needs to be changed but to push on towards this goal. It is not an easy voyage. Often in moving towards change, we need first to identify what is not working in our lives and this cathartic process can feel akin to a peeling back of layers; layers of hurt and disappointment, sadness and grief. It can be hard to keep going and the temptation to stay with the tried and true, even if it isn’t working, is palpably strong. Yet I have been privileged again and again to witness many as they take those initial steps towards something new and their journey gains momentum. It is a powerful process to bear witness to and one which I feel honoured to be part of. As I have observed these journeys there are two dimensions to change which have been made real to me again and again. Firstly, to change a lifetime pattern, script or behaviour is akin to learning a new language. This is an analogy I use frequently in therapy because it has made sense of my own change process. Consider the way we learn another language. We think of what we want to say first in English then we translate it, often very awkwardly and incorrectly at first, into the new language. It feels foreign on our tongue. There is the temptation to give up. Yet we get better at it and before we know it the new language comes through to us with greater speed, we don’t make as many mistakes and we may even find ourselves falling in love with the beautiful sounds of the new language and the way those words can dance off our tongue.
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So too with change. To choose anew, to choose something healthier and congruent with the person we want to be can feel like learning a whole new language. It feels awkward and fumbled and requires many attempts to get it right. These, after all, are not small things we are changing. They are lifelong patterns which once upon a time were there for a reason but may no longer work for us and as such we need to be patient as we stumble in our attempts to do something different. We often need first to understand the old pattern well and the purpose it has held for us, before we can choose differently. Eventually we will learn the new language. It just takes time. And yet, here is the other dimension which I have found true for me. English will always be our first language. We may become fluent in another language but most often we still hear English first in our thoughts before the translated word appears. So too for psychological change. Paul Gibney, a social worker in Brisbane, has often been heard to say that in the change process ‘the new frame will always contain elements of the old frame’. My understanding of this is that we can make tremendous inroads in the journey towards a healthier way of being, and yet in times of stress and trauma we may find ourselves reverting back to the ways of old. This can cause many of us great distress. And yet, what it truly speaks to is not some great failure on our part to ever change but simply an acknowledgement of the strength that old patterns, traumas, scripts and behaviours can have on us. They will always remain part of us and I think deserve an acknowledgement as being the survival strategies that they often were in a specific time, when we had little else to help us survive. They just don’t work anymore. And in time, as I have witnessed again and again, their hold on us will lessen and the new language, a language of self care, renewed strength and insight, the words which once felt so foreign and strange, will truly dance. Not just on our tongues but in our hearts. Leisa Tanner is a Social Worker in private practice. www.integrateplace.com.au
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Sudoku Challenge Sudoku rules: Each row, column and block must contain one of the numbers from 1 to 9. No number may appear more than once in any row, column or block. When you’ve filled the entire grid, the puzzle is solved. Sukodu solutions to: QB Magazine, PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Qld 4053 Two correct entries will be chosen to receive a $30 Word bookstore voucher. Don’t forget to include your full name and contact details. Name
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Kids’ Corner
Hey Kids, Look for Lucy! Little Lucy is hiding somewhere in this issue of The qb. Tell us where she is hiding by snail mailing your answer, or emailing qb@qb.com.au
Congratulations! To all those who found Little Lucy sitting on top of the car on page 14 (Dec issue).
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Send completed entries to qb magazine, PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Q 4053.
Creative Captions Win a Word Bookstores Gift Voucher Submit your creative caption for the photo shown to the right via email: qb@qb.com.au or post to PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Q 4053
Last issue “Come on, step lively – it’s a long way to Bethlehem.” Congratulations to Lyn Blumel
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Kids’ Corner
Shining the light of Jesus all around you. How can you be like Jesus and shine his light - at school? At home? With your friends? Make a list.
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POSITIONS VACANT
DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP AND CREATIVE MINISTRIES MINISTRIES
Order by phone: 07 3354 5633 Payment via credit card.
Rostrevor Baptist Church is seeking applications for the position of Director of Worship and OR Creative Ministries. Complete this form and post back: Baptist Church seeking applications for the Full details of this positionRostrevor are available in theisPosition The qb Editor, position of Director of Worship and Creative Profile posted on the Rostrevor Baptist Church website at Ministries. PO Box 6166 Mitchelton QLD 4053 Australia www.rostrevorbaptist.asn.au/job-specs
Full details of this position are available in the Position Profile posted on the Rostrevor Baptist Church website at Please email enquiries to Ian Elliss, Senior Pastor, Price: 1 Year $19.50 (GST inclusive) www.rostrevorbaptist.asn.au/job-specs
Rostrevor Baptist Church ian@rostrevorbaptist.asn.au.
Please email enquiries to Ian Elliss, Senior Pastor, Rostrevor Baptist Church ian@rostrevorbaptist.asn.au.
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Full Time Pastor Required Goulburn Baptist Church Reformed Theologically. The role will have an emphasis on preaching and teaching. Concerned with all-age ministry and Church life to support a good fellowship with a good future. Goulburn is situated between Sydney and Canberra on the Hume Highway.
Accommodation - AROUND THE STATE CALOUNDRA: Seafarer Chase luxury 2 b/r holiday apartments on the Sunshine Coast. Ocean views, heated pool, BBQ, security parking, close to beaches, shops, cinema and bowling club. Contact Marianne/Martin Burton, phone/fax 5491 7155. CALOUNDRA - GOLDEN BEACH: Highset three bedroom holiday home. Weekends or weekly. Pets OK. Close to beach. Phone 0402 077 822 or lizottaway15@gmail.com
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CALOUNDRA - KINGS BEACH: Holiday unit, modern, pool, 100m from Kings Beach. From $390 pw. Phone Ray 0427 990 161.
Contact: gandk5@tpg.com.au or Allan McMillan 4829 0224
Assocate Pastor Pastor Assocate Birkdale Baptist Birkdale Baptist Church Church We are lookingfor for a a person to commence ministryministry with us early in us We are looking person to commence with the first half of 2011. Your role will be to facilitate, direct and earlydevelop in the the firstministries half ofof2011. Your roleChurch will be facilitate, Birkdale Baptist by to supporting, and guiding the strong team of ministry coordinators directencouraging and develop the ministries of Birkdale Baptist Church and leaders and equipping the congregation to minister in their own areas of influence. by supporting, encouraging and guiding the strong team of ministry coordinators and The successful applicant will haveleaders and equipping the anto active role in the leadership discipleship ministries congregation minister in their ownofareas of influence.
The •
(including small groups & mentoring) within our church. an active role in pioneering and developing opportunities for local applicant mission into our community. successful willlocal have oversight of Youth & Young Adult Ministries active within an active role in the leadership of discipleship ministries our church.
(including small groups & mentoring) within our church. Birkdale Baptist is a vibrant, growing, contemporary church with a of about 480 adults. Our vision is to “Love God more, • congregation an active role in pioneering and developing opportunities Love each other more, and Love the world more” in our local for local mission into our local community. community, nation and world through the ministries we operate or Birkdale is located in the Redland on the bayside • support. oversight of Youth & Young Adult City Ministries activeof within Brisbane. our church. If you are a proven leader, able to motivate and develop teams to meet the vision and mission of a medium to large church, Birkdale Baptist is a for vibrant, growing, contemporary church are eligible accreditation by the Qld Baptist Union, and believe God of is calling to this ministryOur opportunity, with a congregation aboutyou480 adults. vision is to then please contact davide@birkdalebaptistchurch.org, or phone “Love God each other more, and Love the world (07) 3245more, 1781 forLove an information pack and role description.
more” Expressions in our local community, nation and world through the to be received by of Interest by 27th March 2011. ministries we operate or support. Birkdale is located in the Redland City on the bayside of Brisbane.
If you • are a proven leader, able to motivate and develop teams to meet the vision and mission of a medium to large church; • are eligible for accreditation by the Qld Baptist Union, and; • believe God is calling you to this ministry opportunity, then please contact davide@birkdalebaptistchurch.org, or phone (07) 3245 1781 for an information pack and role description. Expressions to be received by of Interest by 27th March 2011.
COOLUM: 3 brm beach unit, new facilities, ocean views $250 w/e, $470 week *excludes holiday periods. Phone 0411 222 787, email rickn@activeforkliftservice.com.au. QLD layout
MALENY: Self catering fsc cottage, sleeps 4. Quiet. Walk to town. Phone 5462 2645 or email thecoles@uq.net.au.
FOR HIRE Large Auditorium: Seats 290. Qld Baptists Centre at Gaythorne. Phone Sandy or Emily 07 3354 5600 for more information or visit www.qb.com.au – venue hire.
HOUSE SITTING Peter and Barb Hewitt, retired Baptist Pastor, are available for house-sitting (preferably on Southside of Brisbane) for some months during 2011. For more information please call Peter 0409 357 202 or Barb - 0409 701 405.
ANNIVERSARY Congratulations to Laurel and Hugh Wardill who will celebrate their 60th Wedding anniversary. Laurel and Hugh were married at the Baptist Church in Maryborough on 17 March, 1951 and settled in Maryborough where Hugh worked at Walkers Limited. Both served their lord in the Maryborough Baptist Church and Hervey Bay Baptist Church before retiring to Warana Beach, where they worked in the Good Life Baptist Church. Laurel and Hugh have four married children, Dianne, Lorelle, Ross and Janette. They have 11 grandchildren and six great grand children. Friends both new and old are invited to attend an afternoon tea from 2.00 - 4.00 pm on Sunday 20 March. Please contact Dianne. mob 0421632657 or Lorelle, mob 0417636407 for catering purposes if you wish to attend.
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SOUND ADVICE
You can rest easy knowing your money is safe and working hard for you, and at the same time, helping to support much needed local projects.
Simply deposit your savings and investments in BAPLink, the investment fund of the Baptist Union of Queensland. BAPLink was set up to give people like you the opportunity to enjoy healthy interest returns, while creating a pool of funds from which Baptist churches and ministries can borrow to grow and serve their local communities. BAPLink provides: • Competitive interest rates • Security of a guaranteed return on your investment • Friendly service • No account keeping fees on savings and investment accounts
Facilities available: • Internet banking (for churches only) • Savings accounts at call and term • Partnership accounts - a new way of giving • Electronic transfers for both deposits and withdrawals • Deposit facilities through the Westpac Bank • Cheque accounts for churches • Loans to churches and ministers Join the growing number of ‘Baptists making a difference’ by depositing with BAPLink.
For more information or an application form contact BAPLink: Level 1, 53 Prospect Road, Gaythorne PO Box 6166, Mitchelton 4053 Phone: 3354 5611 or 1800 650 062 (outside Brisbane) Fax: 3354 5605 baplink@qb.com.au www.qb.com.au/baplink