The qb, the voice of Queensland Baptists by Queensland Baptists

The voice of Queensland Baptists April 2013

Malyon celebrates Sacred spaces

Our foundation is prayer

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Comment: David Loder Speaking out: John Sweetman Baptisms Around the regions Milestones Extending God’s Kingdom series Persecution brief Reviews Fun zone Classifieds

In this issue

24 5 6 8 9 12 16 29 44 45 47

QB ministries

Leaders to go: leading in a ‘TGIF Generation’ (QB kids & their families) Sacred spaces (QCCC) She is... light (QB Women) Unlocking hidden potential in churches (MTQ) QB Archives Malyon celebrates (Malyon College) Board nominations (QBC) Cutting-edge skills for churches that have stopped growing (CALAM)

20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34

QB partners An ounce of prevention saves lives! (BWAA) Will we respond afresh? (Global Interaction)

36 37

Articles

Our foundation is prayer True friends: ‘knit together in love’ The prodigal son’s journal Reflections on the NCLS for Queensland Baptist 2011

19 38

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41 42

Our cover: Graduate Andrew Robbins shares his testimony at Malyon’s Commencement and Graduation Service on 4 March 2013. See article, Malyon celebrates.

News, views and issues The qb is a member of the Australasian Religious Press Association, published bi-monthly by Queensland Baptist Services Group in February, April, June, August, October and December. Editor: Robynne Milne Advertising: Emily Twible Design: Shell Graphix Print: Printcraft This magazine is printed with soy based inks and paper from sustainable forest plantations.

From the Editor As I write, the observance of Easter has passed and it’s not yet time for the Ascension. I can’t begin to imagine how the disciples must have felt after Jesus died, and how awesome it must have been for them to see his resurrected self, and to hear him say, ‘Peace be with you’ (John 19:21). Before he was crucified he said, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful’ (John 14:27). And now he has returned, in the flesh, to tell them again. Our pastor reminded us on Easter Sunday that this peace, God’s peace, is the ‘real deal’. It’s ‘quietness of the soul, unmoved by circumstance’. I’ve had cause to think a lot about peace over the past couple of years. There have been a few personal upheavals to deal with and I have to say, that like Peter walking on the water (Matthew 28:32), my peace stays intact so long as I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. And, just this morning as I was starting to write this comment, I read Karl

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Faase’s Daily Nudge: ‘ ... Jesus understood peace in different terms than what we do. In English, peace means the absence of war. For Jesus, peace was considered more from a Hebrew perspective. In Hebrew the noun “shalom” or “peace”, has the more literal meaning of being in a state of wholeness, or with no deficiency. ‘Jesus does not give us lives without tension, but he can give us internal wholeness and peace with God. While it may be difficult to experience external peace, we can know an inner calm built on our faith in God’ (www.olivetreemedia.com.au). It’s my prayer that you will know God’s ‘real deal’ peace in your life ... right now, today, and tomorrow. Enjoy this issue of The qb. Robynne Milne Editor qb@qb.com.au

Articles and advertising in The qb express the opinions of the authors, not necessarily the editor or publishers. Every effort is made to ensure the correctness of facts and information however we cannot accept responsibility for errors. The publishers reserve the right to accept or decline any advertising. Deadline for advertisement and copy: 10th of the month prior to the month of publication. PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Qld 4053 P 07 3354 5633 F 07 3354 5646 Advertising rates are listed 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. Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses appearing in The qb are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Comment

Jesus said to them, ‘Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass’ (Mark 1:17, The Message).

Loving others ... WIDER— Extending God’s Kingdom I wonder how business was going for Simon and Andrew? How many fish needed to be caught to be viable? A little farther around the shore is some of their competition—James and John. How is supply and demand? What price can be reasonably charged to make a living and yet not be undercut by the others also in pursuit of a living? Of course, it was a family business. Most people followed in their fathers’ footsteps. Then, along came Jesus. ‘Come, follow me,’ were words of authority. It was not a suggestion, or a recommendation, or an encouragement. It was a command. Immediately, they walked away from security, an income, familiar territory, to learn from the Master Teacher how to ‘catch’ men and women, instead of those gilled, scaly creatures. In the Gospels, we see Jesus as Instructor and Coach, at work with his pupils. We see their attempts to follow; sometimes feeble, other times making a complete mess of things. But mostly through this on-the-job learning, these apprentices continue to develop to the point where Jesus was able to commission them, and we see them fully engaged in ministry throughout the Book of Acts. Make disciples, by going,

baptising and teaching obedience to my commands, Jesus said. QB Board Theme: Extending the Kingdom of God Almost 280 people participated in the Board Focus Area Meetings this year. It was a delight to run these seminars, primarily for pastors, all around Queensland. Not only was it beneficial to meet up with many pastors, it was also inspiring to hear again and again recent stories of people coming to faith. God is moving in a special way in the lives of people of all ages, and we heard stories of young and very old giving their lives to Jesus. Fantastic! A recurring theme was that, as Baptists, we are very good at building bridges into the community, but we need to improve at bringing people in to share our faith with them. Have you heard of Plus4? If not, ask your pastor about it, or get her/him to contact your Regional Consultant. We are encouraging every Queensland Baptist to pray for four other people throughout this year. Imagine: if we mobilised 10,000 Baptists to be praying, 40,000 people would be brought before God in prayer. If we could mobilise everyone, then over

200,000 people would be prayed for on a regular basis! June 06 is Queensland Day. We are encouraging Queensland Baptists to pray for revival during that week. Of course, you can do that alone, but why not do it in your small group, call the church together, or join with nearby churches? Convention I do look forward to seeing you at this annual event when we will come together to listen to what God is saying to our movement. This will be a special time and I trust you will be able to make it. Finally… I am not a fisherman—never have been; never will be. But this I know... The command given by Jesus has never been withdrawn. You and I are a part of this. What were some key things the disciples learned? • God is at work in people’s lives • Everyone knows someone who needs Jesus • Through the Holy Spirit, he will make our paths merge for a time, for a God-encounter, and • Our attitude must always be one of gentleness and respect! (1 Peter 3:15). David Loder General Superintendent, Queensland Baptists gs@qb.com.au

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Speaking out

What’s changing at Malyon College? The times are changing and they are impacting theological education. Let me pose and respond to three questions and then make a few comments. Be assured that I don’t plan to write about theological education every issue, but I trust that this may be of interest to some. • 1. What are the students now like? • Student numbers are increasing quite rapidly. Although study is time consuming and expensive, there is a growing passion among evangelicals in Brisbane to invest in high-level theological study. • Students are getting younger. I guess Launch (our Gap Year) has had some impact on this, but while there are plenty of mature age students entering college, the fulltimers are generally younger than they were ten years ago. • While our proportion of female students still lies below the Australian College of Theology average, the number of women students is growing. For the first time last year, we had a class with a majority of female students. • Most of the new students are part-

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•

time. Many are taking just one unit a semester to complete a one-year award, but even those who intend to complete three-year degrees tend to only study two or three units each semester, compared to the four units of a full-time student. They are trying to work and study. Many new students do not have a strong understanding of Scripture. In first year, we cover the entire Bible, so this helps orient students to the basic issues, but some students are starting pretty well from scratch. Most students are not heading towards vocational ministry. Many are studying to enrich their biblical knowledge and ministry in their church, or to better understand and influence their work situation. Others are open to wherever God may lead, but are uncertain. The minority come with a clear vocational call to ministry, mission or chaplaincy. About 25% (and growing) of our students are now online. Some classes have as many online students as students face-to-face in the classroom.

2. How is technology impacting Malyon? • All of our units are now written for online delivery. This not only caters to students in any location, it has significantly improved our classroom delivery because in-class students get access to a full set of resources. • Most students now sit in class with their online notes on their computers. They can annotate the notes in class. Students have wireless access throughout the campus. • Every classroom is equipped with data projection and video facilities so that lecturers can offer visual experiences in their lectures. Smart boards are not too far away. • Online, students are provided with notes, PowerPoints, readings, videos, extra readings for assignments, links to other appropriate sites, journals, and extracts from books. • Our emphasis on the use of technology has produced a greater load on lecturers who now teach each unit in class and online, but we believe that it has had a significant spinoff for the students, and we can now offer our courses anywhere in

Speaking out

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the world. We continue to work on how to develop spirituality online without a real life community. We are fortunate in that the spiritual formation of our students occurs mainly within their church community (often through pastoral mentors), although the college community does contribute. The line between campus students and distance students is diminishing, with classroom students using distance notes, and online students coming to class when it is convenient.

3. How have the courses changed? • In every course we offer (even one-year courses), students have to study some Bible and some Christian thought (theology or history), so an understanding of Scripture still remains central to all that we teach. • There is a growing demand for shorter courses. For example, future cross-cultural workers are not keen to complete a threeyear degree for what might be just a few years as a missionary. So we now have one-year awards at undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels and even six-month awards at graduate and postgraduate levels. • From 2013, we are teaching a common first year so that undergraduate and graduate students will all be doing the same units. The common first

•

year gives a broad introduction to theological study for everyone, forges community and encourages integration. We have developed the practical ministry side of our curriculum to match the biblical side, and expanded the offerings. For example, we are now training school chaplains, and have just introduced a new online children’s ministry unit. We are continuing to expand our study options. In 2012 we added a Gap Year and in 2013 we added a Doctor of Ministry.

Other reflections • The government is constantly pushing all educational providers to ‘up their game’. This has a down side (e.g. extra reporting), but overall it has resulted in stronger teaching and better resources. We have to evaluate everything we do, including every unit we teach. Theological education does not offer Mickey Mouse degrees. The standards are high and the quality strong. • We struggle between the desire to forge a strong, committed Christian community and the need to offer options and flexibility to students. Some theological colleges continue to impose strong demands on students (e.g. set courses, residential living, many extracurricular activities). A few of these really thrive. Most colleges, including Malyon, have lowered demands and increased flexibility

•

(e.g. non-residential, online options, few extra demands outside chapel). This opens up theological study to a much larger pool of people, but tends to lessen the commitment of students to the college. We keep working to get the balance right. Generally, I have felt that churches in NSW have a greater commitment to theological education than those in Queensland. In NSW, the Sydney Anglican influence means that study of the Word is viewed as vital to Christian leadership; whereas in Queensland, it has sometimes been seen as an optional extra. This is changing. The number of students studying at theological colleges in Queensland is growing rapidly. I firmly believe that this will produce better equipped Christian leaders for the future of the church in Queensland and beyond. Malyon theological education is empowered by prayer. If you would like to know how to pray for us, just drop me an email and I’ll send you our monthly prayer update.

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

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Baptisms

‘We would be still and know that You are God.... We stand in awe of You..., Your awesome holiness, majestic splendor, blazing glory, limitless power, and unquestionable sovereignty. We worship You for Your flawless character, Your infinite knowledge and wisdom, Your absolute justice, unswerving faithfulness, unending mercy.... We bow our hearts and bend our knees before... Your dazzling beauty, Your fascinating personality, Your incomprehensible humility, Your unsearchable understanding, and Your unfathomable love.... Our greatest need is to have a far greater revelation of what You are really like. We ask You to meet that need.’ ( Joy Dawson, Youth With A Mission http://ywam.org)

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

New Heart

Lynette Donders

Larissa Du Preez

Dianne O’Dowd

Ashlee-Rose Jefferson Anthony Porter

Everyone has a story to tell Words have the ability to lift us, enlighten us and inspire us. What would your story be? Reflect who you truly are by pre-arranging your funeral.

Caboolture Zara McBunker

Stafford Heights

Lydia Reeves

Julia Angalo

Stephen Tuckerman

Bushara Angalo Koko Brobi

Cleveland

Alireza Rizvandi

Joshua Crawford

Mehdi Mohammed Sadegh

Kieran Eskdale

Lu Taw Sa

Matthew Gillam

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Josh Goleby Brittany Howarth Marnus Labuschagne Grant McMurray Mitchell Tattersal

We’ll know what to do. 8

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Around the regions

Around the Regions The kids are up and running! Christine Leota and Hiwot Tan, playgroup leaders at Mount Warren Park Community Church Playgroup, write: We have just had our first playgroup for 2013—and how exciting it was! Our church playgroup only started last August with a small group of ladies and young children getting together each fortnight in parks and homes. Then, what a blessing and a delight to receive a grant from Baplink! We are a young church plant and we do not have our own building, so the Baplink grant enabled us to pay a year’s rent for a hall in Eagleby. We have also been able to buy much needed equipment.

In early March, Lois Downes (Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle) said: ‘I took this photo this morning at church, where it has hardly stopped raining on and off for almost a week. As you know, it has been VERY wet up here. This is a very rare sight in Rocky!’ Recovery from natural disasters is very slow, and emotional scars are hard to see. Please continue to pray for those affected by recent wild weather (in our state and elsewhere).

We ran an advertisement in our local newspaper—the community responded, and our little group almost doubled. We are very, very excited about what God is going to do with our playgroup this year. We are using this opportunity to tell these precious young children about God through stories and songs, and we are trusting that playgroup will be a stepping stone to Sunday School and church. Thank you Baplink!

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Around the regions On the move • • • • • • • • • • • •

Rev Ian Wright’s Interim ministry at City Tabernacle has been extended Rev David McMahon accepted a call to Acacia Ridge Pastor Jason Fiddes concluded at Cleveland Pastor Stuart Batterham concluded at Mt Isa Pastor Nathan Stanley accepted a call as Associate Pastor to Biloela Pastor John Sheen concluded at Lifepointe and has retired Rev Darren Muller concluded at Goondiwindi and accepted a call to Warwick Pastor Karen Haynes concluded at North-East and accepted a call to Windsor Rd Rev Rhys McFadden concluded at Birkdale and accepted a call to Longford (Tasmania) Rev Stephen Hendrick concluded at Bundaberg and accepted a call to Ulverstone (Tasmania) Rev John Kim concluded at Somang Korean and commenced missionary service in Thailand Rev Jacob Kim concluded at Han Maum Korean and commenced at Somang Korean

It’s never too late! A very elderly lady who was baptised at Kenmore Baptist Church recently proved that you are never too old to take your next step with God. Ninetynine year-old Thelma Sparks, a resident at QBC’s Brookfield Village, overcame a lifelong fear of water to be baptised. ‘I’ve been a practicing Baptist all my life and I’ve always done the right thing, but I was never baptised because I really dislike the water and can’t swim. But as soon as I stepped into the water today I had no fear, no fear at all,’ Thelma said. The chatty and popular resident was baptised by Brookfield Village chaplain,

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Thelma Sparks

Stephen Ball speaking at Keperra

Area meeting (Keperra)

Lyndon Niemann, assisted by QBC’s Chaplaincy Coordinator, Rev Don McPherson.

the Lord over the top of her fear’ and that enabled her to overcome her anxiety on the day.

Lyndon Niemann said that Thelma broke the record as the oldest person he had baptised, and he felt her story brought an Easter message of hope, showing that people can make a statement of their faith at any stage in their lives.

Originally from Melbourne, Thelma was married to Alfred and has two sons and several grandchildren. She is looking forward to her 100th birthday in September.

‘Thelma was listed to be baptised as a young lady but backed out at the last minute because of her fear of water,’ Lyndon said. ‘But it’s something she has always wanted to do. Today is a special day for her. She is making a statement of her faith and love for Jesus, and she wants to make sure that everything she does honours him. Going through the waters of baptism is a testament to what is happening in her heart.’ Thelma’s friends and QBC staff were amazed at how well she managed to overcome her fear of water and walk down the steps to the baptistery. She said that she was encouraged to ‘trust

QB Area meetings David Loder and the Regional Consultants have completed a round of Area Meetings designed to bring pastors together for fellowship and networking, and to present the QB Board’s annual theme for 2013: Extending God’s Kingdom. Twelve meetings were held, commencing on the Gold Coast on 6 February, and concluding in Maryborough on 14 March. Overall, 279 pastors and key leaders attended. We are sincerely grateful to the churches who hosted these events.

Around the regions

Blessing our sons Ceremony, when heartfelt and not reduced to form or repetition, can be of profound value in people’s lives. The men of Forest Lake Baptist Church report: The men of our church want to share something with others in the Baptist community and beyond. We have been on a journey, and along the way we have recognised God’s leading for growing our next generation of young men. The journey has been exciting, and we entered into it fully in February this year.

biblical approach of blessing sons as witnessed by God’s public blessing of Jesus at the river Jordan: ‘This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased’ (Matthew 3:17 NASB). We would be delighted to share the ideas we pulled together from our reading. Feel free to contact Pastor Mark Mackay (Mark.Mackay@forestlakebaptist.org.au) or Greg Burns (Gburns@anglicanbrisbane.org.au) for more information.

We held what we called a ‘Baruch Blessing’ (Hebrew for ‘a good word’ or ‘to bless’) for the sons of our church. Fathers, mentors and sons came together for a weekend program out in the country. They participated in a series of symbolic experiences and practical challenges wrapped around instructions from the men of our church. A time of reflection initiated through solitude and questions was also included. The culmination was a ceremony on the Saturday night which involved each father or mentor speaking out a previously prepared personal blessing to their son (sons were aged 16 and older). The ceremony involved handing over a number of items based on our interpretation of Nehemiah 4:17-18, and Charles Spurgeon’s Sword and Trowel magazine. The week-end event ran from 8:30 am Saturday to 10 am Sunday and followed 18 months of planning. We are seeking to instil certainty in heart and mind in the next generation of young men: certainty that they are beloved sons in families, in the community of men in God’s church and beloved by God himself. Having considered a variety of approaches, and knowing that we needed to do something, we settled on the

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Milestones

MTCQ launches The Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle congregation is thrilled that their longheld dream to establish a bible college in Central Queensland has been realised with the commencement of Ministry Training Central Queensland (MTCQ).

year is offering the Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology. This year’s intake was 13 students, some of whom are studying full-time with study assistance from Centrelink. Some are studying part-time and others are attending classes without assessment because they feel it will help them in their ministry within the church.

MTCQ will enable people to undertake in-depth training for ministry roles in the church, such as Growth Group leadership, chaplaincy, teaching RE; or it will simply help people be better equipped servants of Christ. MTCQ is a CALAM Training Centre, and this

In the past, students in the region have had to travel south or north for training, or do the ‘hard yakka’ of Extension study. Now they can have great student support and excellent teaching by well qualified staff—right in Rockhampton. Rocky Baptists

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dream of one day having student accommodation available so that people from other Central Queensland churches can come to their beautiful city to become better equipped to serve in their home churches. The exciting thing about CALAM training is that it is hands-on, ministry-centred study. Much assessment comes from actual ministry events and is not just a sterile classroom examination. Rocky Baptists are grateful To CALAM for its partnership in developing leaders in Central Queensland.

Milestones

Crusade Choir concludes To God be the glory At the conclusion of the Billy Graham Crusade in1966, several members of the choir suggested continuing on under the leadership of Harold Carothers. As a result, some 200 members formed what became known as The Crusade Choir. In June 1969, the choir’s constitution was completed, approved by the Queensland Council of Churches and adopted, and the motto became CHRIST IN SONG. Over the past 46 years, the choir has presented many programmes in retirement villages, nursing homes and churches in Brisbane and its surrounding suburbs, as well as in Southport, Burleigh Heads and at various country locations. Each February, the choir presented a programme in Toowoomba for

the Bible Society, and substantial funds were raised through these presentations. Countless numbers of people have been touched and blessed through the singing of the wonderful old Crusade hymns, and choir members praise God that they were able to bring so much pleasure to so many people. On Christmas Eve, every year since 1963, the choir visited the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and, together with hospital staff, patients and visitors, sang Christmas carols. This always brought much joy and encouragement to those who were unable to be home for Christmas. The choir’s conductors were: • • • •

Harold Carothers Harold Carseldine Eric Horsey Ruth McCracken

1966–1978 1978–1979 1979–1983 1983–2012,

ably assisted by Gordon King as Deputy Conductor. The choir was privileged to have had the services of May Whittingham as accompanist from 1980–1996. From 1996, Jeanie Cotterell, accompanist from the very beginning, was ‘recycled’ and served 27 years in total. After the choir’s final performance at South Bank Baptist Church on 8 December, 2012, a choir member said: ‘As we sang our theme song, How Great Thou Art, at the close of the performance, we had lumps in our throats and tears in our eyes. The Crusade Choir was a unique choir of choristers from all denominations and all walks of life, yet all one in Christ, and the fellowship and joy experienced in singing for his glory will remain with us.’

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Milestones

Evelyn Shepherd, wife of first manager, Garth Shepherd

y r a s r e v i n h an 30t Kerry Neill performs welcome to Gubbi Gubbi Country

QCCC Mapleton celebrates On Sunday 7 April 2013, Queensland Camping & Conference Centres (QCCC) celebrated the 30th anniversary of the commencement of their Mapleton facility. An excellent welcome to country was given by Kerry Neill. His words struck a chord. He issued a challenge: ‘As visitors to country, will you be like the earliest visitors—taking, and then leaving in their boats? Or, will you bring something of value to benefit others?’ QCCC Manager (and MC) Andrew Maynes reflected on his delightful

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telephone call with Lady Flo BjelkePetersen who officially opened the facility in 1983, and he read out her greeting. Ross Pritchard and Evelyn Shepherd took the assembled guests back to the early days and we caught glimpse of the big vision that started and carried the project.

QCCC Director, Andrew Grant, shared some of the vision for the future at Mapleton and acknowledged the pioneers of the ministry by drawing our attention to Sir Isaac Newton’s quote: ‘If (I) we will see further, it is

only by standing on the shoulders of giants’. QB General Superintendent, David Loder, prayed a prayer of recommissioning, emphasising that the facility was much more than buildings and programs; it is about people and changed lives. An excellent smorgasbord lunch followed the anniversary celebration.

Milestones

Ross Pritchard talks about the early days

Bradley Van Der Fleit, faithful volunteer for 28 years. Pictured with his mum and dad, Joan & Tony Van Der Fleit

Andrew Maynes, QCCC Manager

LtoRâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Ben Cann, Josephine Maynes, Andrew Maynes, Cheryl Robinson, David Loder, Jeanette & Bernie Tane, Andrew Grant

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Extending God’s Kingdom series

Extending God’s Kingdom God is King; he is a Supreme Ruler, not a figurehead God is King! It’s impossible to speak meaningfully about extending God’s kingdom until we understand what God’s kingdom is, which in turn requires that we understand who God is. George Eldon Ladd writes, ‘If the Kingdom is the rule of God, then every aspect of the Kingdom must be derived from the character and action of God’ (A Theology of the New Testament, p 81). So any discussion about extending the kingdom of God must begin with God. The stress in the expression ‘the kingdom of God’ falls on God. God must be our starting point. The whole Bible, of course, is about God, and one of the most sustained themes in the Bible about God is that he is king. God rules. Our God reigns. After witnessing, at first hand, God’s mighty deliverance of his people in the Exodus, Moses and the Israelites sang, ‘The Lord will reign for ever and ever’ (Exodus 15:18). God’s reign is repeatedly celebrated in the Psalms: ‘How awesome is the Lord most high, the great King over all the earth! ... Sing praises ... to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne’ (Psalm 47:2, 6-8). Jeremiah insisted, ‘But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King’ ( Jeremiah 10:10). ‘For I am a great king,’ the Lord declared through Malachi (Malachi 1:14). God’s people are called to recognise and submit to his kingship: ‘I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever’ (Psalm 145:1). Nothing lies closer to the heart of the faith of God’s people in the Old Testament than that he is king. Significantly, God’s kingdom is also the main theme of Jesus’ preaching in the Gospels: ‘I must preach the good news

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of the kingdom of God ... because that is why I was sent’ (Luke 4:43). Christ’s followers are to ‘Seek first [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness’ (Matt 6:33); the central petition of the prayer he taught his disciples to pray to their heavenly Father was, ‘Your kingdom come’ (Matthew 6:10). After his resurrection, ‘he appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God’ (Acts 1:3). Not surprisingly, the early church picked up on exactly the same theme: in Samaria, Philip preached ‘the good news of the kingdom of God’ (Acts 8:12); at Ephesus, ‘Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God’ (Acts 19:8). And so on. Pointedly, the very last verse of Acts summarises Paul’s ministry in Rome, the imperial city: ‘Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ’ (Acts 28:31). The reign of God as king is clearly central to the gospel message and the church’s proclamation. As it has to be! Extending God’s kingdom can only happen on the basis of the deep-seated conviction that God— the seeking, inviting, fatherly, judging God of the Scriptures—is king. He commands our obedience and invites our co-operation in his great mission to redeem his creation. Jarrod Cooper pens the only possible response: Your Majesty, I can but bow, I lay my life before you now; In royal robes I don’t deserve, I live to serve Your Majesty! D Morcom Vice-Principal, Malyon College d.morcom@ malyon.edu.au

Extending God’s Kingdom series

Citizens of the kingdom As citizens of the kingdom, we model, act and speak the message of the kingdom in the power of the Spirit. On the night of the 25 January 1985, I became an Australian Citizen. This was not simply a matter of birth, for I was born in another country. My citizenship was the result of a conscious decision to pledge my allegiance to my adopted country. I had been not only accepted, but welcomed as a valued member of my new country. It wasn’t about collecting a certificate—it was a conscious decision about how I was to live my life, and where I would give my allegiance. This year, one of the seven key challenges identified as part of extending God’s kingdom is the call that every follower of Jesus needs to take their citizenship of God’s kingdom seriously. In Philippians 3:12−4:1, Paul encourages Christians to press forward in living for Christ, and serve him faithfully where he has placed them. How were they to cope with the challenges and difficulties of a world which, in general, did not acknowledge the Lordship of Christ? They were to recognise that there are struggles of

this world, but Jesus is coming again and there is a wonderful future: ‘But our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ’ (Philippians 3:20). They were to learn from the example of Paul when he lived amongst them, and to grow and become mature in their faith.

like, ‘You know that I just found out XX goes to our church. I know her from work and she is the last person I thought would be a Christian!’ Or the businessmen who told me he doesn’t like to supply some churches because they always want everything for nothing, and are usually the hardest to get to pay their bills.

In Philippians, Paul is encouraging followers of Jesus to live in the light of their citizenship of heaven. This should impact every area of life including how we speak, act and behave.

You know the world gets its ideas about God from the way in which people, who are called by his name, live. Jesus knew that how we live has the potential to change the world. People are looking for authenticity and genuineness in those who call Jesus their Saviour.

God’s great future should motivate us to give all of our efforts to live in a way that will bring glory to him. Paul says to the Philippians, ‘Follow my example, take note of those who live according to the patterns we have given you’ (Philippians 3:17). Paul calls them to stand firm in their faith and live a life that will be a testimony to others. Peter also encouraged the followers of Jesus to realise that how they lived was their testimony: ‘Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us’ (1 Peter 2:12). Does the way we live bring glory, or dishonour, to our Lord? I am disappointed when I hear things

We contribute to extending God’s kingdom when we live as citizens of his kingdom. We are to be a blessing—‘salt’ and ‘light’ so that people might see Jesus in us and through us. As citizens of God’s kingdom, we are called to model the kingdom through every word and action. Stephen Ball QB Regional Consultant Stephen.ball@ qb.com.au

www.qb.com.au 04/13

TESOL Courses TESOL Training Centre, Windsor Road Baptist Church, Red Hill, Brisbane e:admin@interculturaltraining.com.au

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Praying for revival!

Our foundation is prayer Praying for Revival! Queensland Baptists’ Annual Prayer Focus Around Queensland God is stirring the hearts of his people to pray that God will extend his kingdom and bring many to faith in Jesus Christ. There are already many stories of churches being led by God to pray seriously for revival. There are also many stories of God’s Holy Spirit at work, bringing people to the place where they seek and find Jesus as Saviour. Prayer changes things ... but it also changes us. Be encouraged to be a part of what God wants to do in 2013, and let the foundation of your involvement be prayer. Each year Queensland Baptists set aside a week for a special focus on prayer. This year the focus week will be 2-8 June, with a special emphasis on Queensland Day, 6 June. We ask that people pray individually, in their local churches, and gather together in special meetings to pray for the people of Queensland.

Our 200 Baptist churches and congregations are grouped into 18 areas. In most of these areas, the pastors gather regularly. This year, each area is being asked to hold a combined prayer gathering for all the churches in their area on Queensland Day (6 June) or during prayer week, to pray for revival in Queensland. Your local church will provide details closer to the event. It would be wonderful if large numbers of Queensland Baptists around the state joined together to pray for the extension of God’s kingdom. It would be such a blessing if the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14 became the testimony and story of Queensland in 2013: ‘If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.’ More information will be distributed to churches in due course, and feedback about your event will be welcomed. Let’s take this opportunity to bring our hearts together to pray for a great movement of the Holy Spirit across our state.

www.qb.com.au 04/13

QB kids & their families

Leaders to go: leading in a ‘TGIF Generation’ Are you a team leader in children’s and/or families’ ministry, excited and ready to learn, connect, and be challenged? Or is your church interested in providing professional development opportunities for its children’s program leaders? Here is an opportunity to engage, converse and hear from other energetic and passionate team leaders over four exciting days. Leaders to Go is a national conference dedicated to leaders of leaders (paid or voluntary), in children’s and families’ ministry. When: 28–31 May 2013 Where: The Tops Conference Centre (one hour south of Sydney). The event is themed lost in transition and will focus on how to connect with the current ‘TGIF generation’ (Twitter, Google, iDevice, FaceBook). This younger generation is more connected and more isolated than the generations before them, and they are walking away from church and/ or faith in their early adolescent years.

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David Kinnaman author of You Lost Me comments: ‘This dropout problem is, at its core, a disciple-making problem. The church is not adequately preparing the next generation to follow Christ faithfully in a rapidly changing culture.’ Delegates will have an opportunity to explore this issue and look at strategies to reverse the trend. The diverse and incredibly passionate keynote speakers include: • Dr Michael Frost (founding Director of the Tinsley Institute) • Andrew Ball (Executive Ministry Director for Churches of Christ in NSW) • Paul O’Rourke (Leader of ForKidsSake) • Tammy Tolman (Pastor of ICentral 3:16) • Terry Williams (Children’s Ministry Specialist with Scripture Union International). • Together they will explore topics shaped around the acronym LEAD (Leadership, Evangelism, Advocacy and Discipleship).

A sample from Leaders to Go keynote speaker Mike Frost: Out of the Aquarium Much youth and children’s ministry seems to be aimed at keeping kids ‘out of the world’. Our churchbased programs for young people make the assumption that we can create safe alternative ‘Christian spaces’ that protect them from the dangers and influences of the world. It’s like raising fragile tropical fish in an aquarium where the water temperature and Ph balance are carefully monitored. We all know if tropical fish were released into the ocean they would die almost instantly. This presentation will question whether our ministries are like aquariums, and whether we need to foster a more robust missional spirituality among our young people, so we can release them into the world— younger and stronger.

QB kids & their families

The conference will include workshops and forum sessions on a broad range of topics from child theology to longevity in ministry, as well as a Ministry Market Place and Expo. Leaders to Go focuses solely on team leaders working in children’s and families’ ministry. Established in 1999, the conference is held every two years at different locations across the Australian eastern seaboard.

to connect is a major motivating factor; the conversations over coffee, shared meals in an accommodated conference environment are just as valuable as the workshops and the keynote addresses,’ one of the event organisers, Phillip Day from The Victorian Council of Christian Education, said.

‘People come from across Australia and New Zealand and return to the conference year after year. The chance

The QB Kids Team exists to support and resource leaders at the coalface of ministry to children in their local church

For registration and more information: www.leaderstogo.org.au.

and community. Contact us qbkids@qb.com.au. We exist to challenge and inspire leaders to put into action the dreams God has placed in their hearts. Who are the little ones God has placed in your corner of the world? Love them. Pray for them. Share Jesus with them. Do whatever it takes to see them enter the Kingdom of God. www.qb.com.au/qb-kids

leaderstogo.org.au

Stay over for the Collide Conference. Extra special rates for L2g delegates More details here>

www.qb.com.au 04/13

QCCC

Sacred spaces During the weekend, Emily (one of the daughters of a staff family at QCCC Mapleton) decided she’d like to be baptised. There’s a window of opportunity to do this at the onsite pools on Sunday afternoon, so her church family and the QCCC family gathered around to witness this significant part of her life journey. The pool complex at Mapleton opened with the site in 1983. Whoever approved the complex showed a lot of foresight—the complex is comparable to any of the resort pools being constructed at the time. Thirty years on, it’s still one of the signature attractions for the property. It’s located in a beautiful part of God’s creation and is frequently used for baptisms by groups staying onsite.

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On this particular afternoon, the pools ended up playing host to five baptisms. Emily’s witness and testimony was followed by four others who decided to take their step of identification with the death and resurrection of Christ; the pastor declaring them a ‘new creation’ as they emerged from the crystal waters. Two were children of QCCC staff—it was a wonderful afternoon. So many people have done serious business with God at campsites. I am one of them. I came to faith as a young child at a campsite in the wilds of Africa, Shalom Campsite, in Matobo National Park. Last year I took my family back to the country of my birth; my first return there in 25 years. And on our ‘to-do’ list was a visit to Shalom, still operating as a campsite.

Nearby, the campsite owners have also established an agricultural project, training villagers in sustainable subsistence farming. I hadn’t expected the visit to Shalom to be as emotional as it proved to be. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as we approached an immense granite outcrop (kopje), on top of which is located a stunning thatched chapel—the location where I came to faith. The long walk up that rock traverses rocky hollows where, as a child, my dad would sit with me and read me bible stories. Towards the top of the hill is a stone altar with the words inscribed: ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help’ (Psalm 121:1). The altar enjoys sweeping views over riotous African bushland careering menacingly to a line

QCCC

of granite mountains in the distance. Matobo National Park may be the spiritual stronghold of the ancestral worship of the Ndebele nation, but in the midst of it, Shalom and its sentinel chapel sits as a sacred Kingdom venue. My parents’ photo album is laden with photos of years of youth camps there. Over the years, hundreds of people made commitments of faith, rededications or decided to join missions or ministries when at Shalom—I’m just one of many who had my life irreparably altered at Shalom. Baptisms at Shalom occurred in either a rustic swimming pool infested with water-spiders, or in a bilharzia-infested river nearby. A significant part of my baptism took place at a campsite too. I was baptised at Dicky Beach, Currimundi, but before going down to the beach for the ceremony, my niece and I had a service in the outdoor chapel at Camp Cal. Sadly Camp Cal is no more—it was sold to developers and the stunning

rainforest chapel, and the memory of all the special moments it hosted, has been erased to accommodate units. I confess sadness that this significant piece of terra firma, which hosted a very significant life moment, is no more. It would be lovely to return to it, sit in silence and let the memories of that moment, and all it stood for, soak over me. So it is with QCCC Mapleton and the other two QCCC sites which both pre-date Mapleton in terms of their Baptist longevity. For many people they are sacred spaces, alive with memories of significance and life. Mention Tamborine and people immediately speak of massive conventions and exciting, inspiring times with friends. Brookfield had thirty years as a bible college before it became a campsite. The memories attached to it are slightly different, but no less significant. As the Mapleton community celebrates thirty years of ministry, they will do

Images (L to R): The chapel at Shalom. Andrew Grant and his sister Morag Roy stand at the altar.

so in the knowledge that they’re the caretakers of a significant site: a site where people can return to remember God at work in their lives and the community of others who have also played a part in it—as iron sharpens iron. What a privilege it was to see five more enter that number so recently, particularly when they’re the ‘Generation Next’ of camp kids, blessed to grow up where they do. Please remember to pray for each of our sites in the daily business of ‘creating life changing experiences through excellence in hospitality, service, teaching and outdoor education’. Andrew Grant Director of Queensland Conference and Camping Centres andrew.grant@qccc.com.au www.qccc.com.au

www.qb.com.au 04/13

QB women

The She is… conferences were created to gather women together with purpose: to tell each woman that she is valuable and worthy in Christ, that she is significant to his plans, that she has the capacity to do amazing things and that she is deeply loved by her Heavenly Father. I would like to invite you to share in our fourth year of She is… conferences and camps. As a group of women who love God, we get together to worship, laugh and cry as we share the precious journey of life. It is my deepest desire to gather women together to a place of rest and restoration for a precious heart-toheart moment with God, and to rest in his glorious light. Join us at one of our six events to share this one heart.

What happens at She is…

She is...

LIGHT 24

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Our day can take different forms in our different locations, but it will always include: God-inspired speakers, heartfelt worship, divine-deliciousdelightful food, unplanned moments of silliness, moments of blessing, and moments of heart connections. We offer value to each woman who attends because she is of infinite value to God. We present the timeless messages of God in a relevant and understandable way. We are always thinking about those who have never connected with God because we just want to love them.

We are compassionate and will always show this through our relationships with our community and our world. We are multi-generational—we welcome young women (high school age+), our ‘vintage’ sisters in their older years and every woman in between! We offer heartfelt encouragements all day because we believe a smile goes a long way… because at She is… you are already loved!

Speakers Suzie Botross (Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast) Suzie is a wife, mother, church planter, author, speaker and Learning and Development expert. She has impacted thousands of women through her unique, inspiring and lifechanging teaching aimed at equipping women with the skills to be their very best. Suzie is totally sold out for God and loves to use his word to equip and mobilise women to live out their ultimate call and destiny. Suzie is the author of She Will Run and Four Keys to Freedom from Motherly Guilt.

Elissa Macpherson (Biloela, Innisfail, PNG)

Eustacia Yates (Townsville)

New in 2013!

Eustacia is a former lawyer who now divides her time between studying theology at college, ministering to women, and attending to the needs of her young family. She lives in beautiful Brisbane with her husband, two sons and rambunctious dog. Her passion is studying the Bible and helping other women discover the liberating truths contained in it.

Our brand new elective for High School aged girls will be held at Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Brisbane She is… events. This new elective is designed to connect our high school girls with the wider She is…gathering, while still having some special times engaging with issues specific to their age group. Led by Brooke Jackson (Toowoomba Community Baptist Church) and in partnership with Bella magazine, our Neon Girls are in for an amazing elective. We look forward to spoiling our Neon Girls with encouragement and extra special blessings.

For more information: contact registrations@sheis.net.au Sue Peters State Director, Queensland Baptist Women www.sheis.net.au

Soul Sisters Leadership Network has been revamped and

‘... because at She is... you are already loved!’

now includes blogs and online groups specifically for networking, resourcing and encouraging leaders. A special leadership elective will be held at the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Brisbane conferences facilitated by Catherine MacKay (Forest Lake). Email ssn@sheis.net.au for an application form to join this free networking group.

Elissa Macpherson is an international speaker and author of the devotional book Beautiful, and the teaching book Mirror,Mirror: Revealing the God Colours of You. She lives to lavishly pursue the beauty of God and infuse that truth into the lives of women. She has been married for nearly 25 years and is mum to two delightful teenage boys and a 10-yearold princess adopted from China. Her family lives on a vineyard in rural Queensland.

www.qb.com.au 04/13

MTQ

who are prepared to be engaged. The question posed was, ‘If you had the opportunity, would you support and/ or become an active participant in the planting of a new church?’ The results are encouraging.

Unlocking the hidden potential in churches I’ve always had a sneaking suspicion that in every congregation there’s hidden potential. As a pastor, I certainly know that some Christians are under-utilised and that can lead to boredom. Boredom often breeds an unhealthy focus on peripheral issues. So what can unlock hidden potential and add a new sense of adventure to bored Christians? The latest research gives us a clue. Crossover invested heavily in the 2011 National Church Life Survey to commission research to help understand the potential and

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opportunities that exist for evangelism and church planting within our movement of churches. In addition to the standard NCLS questionnaire, Crossover commissioned a further ten Baptist specific questions. The answers were revealing. The findings will help leadership, at all levels, to understand more about how we are doing as a movement and what opportunities we can grasp. The good news on the question of church planting is that we have plenty of potential represented in the significant amount of people in our churches

When you add together the ‘yes, definitely’ (12.5%) and the ‘yes, probably’ (25.6%) respondents, they represent an enormous potential. I have no way of quantifying the exact amount of churches who are planning to engage in church planting, but I do have a good idea, thanks to the excellent church planting representatives from our respective State denominations on the Crossover Task Force. I’m sure they would agree that supply far outstrips demand when it comes to church planting. In other words, no doubt there are more people in your average church who are willing to engage in church planting than the leadership would imagine. Let’s drill down further into the statistics. Queensland led the way with a high composite score of ‘yes, definitely’ and ‘yes, maybe’ (40.5%). This shows the huge potential of prospective church planters lurking in Queensland Baptist congregations. When it comes to church planting support by ethnicity, those born in Australia lag behind new arrivals. The most willing church planters, by ethnicity, are those born in non-English speaking countries. The church in Australia has been blessed by new arrivals, and in regard to church planting, they have shown the way. My own observation is that new arrivals are keen for a fresh start and keen to make a contribution in their new home. Churches can harness this energy and allow such people to reinvigorate the church.

When it comes to age, there is an even spread and an encouragingly high percentage of older people willing to put up their hands to be engaged in church planting. This represents further potential which our churches are increasingly laying hold of. Some of the most energetic new evangelists and pioneers are retirees with time on their hands and a passion for God in their hearts! Finally it comes as no surprise that there is a direct correlation between frequency of devotional practice and willingness to engage in church planting. The challenge for our churches is to find ways of engaging fringe believers who have become disengaged from church and devotional rhythms, or those within who have become passive in their faith and rarely step out of their comfort zone. In terms of re-engagement, what better adventure can you embark upon than to assist in a church plant? And what better candidates to take on this adventure than those who are represented in the statistics who are keen to be involved in new church plants. Those churches that participated in the NCLS are able to review their own church specific statistics. What is the potential in your church for church planting, and how are you using that information? Stan Fetting Operations Manager, Crossover www.crossoveronline.com.au Crossover is a national initiative of Australian Baptist Ministries (Baptist Union of Australia) and is committed to resourcing churches in effective communication of the gospel, equipping pastors and leaders and facilitating mission.

Theological and leadership education for the 21st century. www.malyon.edu.au ...developing Christians of influence for the 21st century. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understandingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (Jeremiah 3.15).

QB archives The cabinets are being used to display the Archives’ artefacts and book collection. Another cabinet donated earlier houses important Minutes of the Baptist Union of Queensland.

New publications

Memorial display cabinets Two attractive display cabinets have been placed in the Baptist Archives as a memorial to Rev Mel Williams, one of the keenest supporters of Baptist Heritage Qld (BHQ). The cases have been donated by Mrs Madeleine Williams as a fitting tribute to her husband, who died in 2011 after a long ministry, at the age of 86. Mr Williams was trained at NZ Bible Training Institute and the Baptist Theological College of NSW. He served in several pastorates in NSW before coming to Queensland in 1970 where he led churches at Nundah and Bundaberg. He was also interim pastor at several other churches. As well as his original BSc degree, he gained his BD and researched Pentecostalism for his MA. Mr Williams was a long time member of BHQ and wrote two of its popular books—Cameos of Baptist Men in 19th Century Queensland, and Mission to Queensland, as well as many articles for the Society’s newsletter. He was also deeply involved in numismatics (the study/collection of currency). He had a good collection of items, and wrote many articles and won awards for his work in this field.

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Two new publications have been launched by BHQ—both updates of earlier works. Baptists in Queensland is an information book about the practical aspects, beliefs and history of Baptists in Queensland. This 52-page book is aimed at new and existing members, students and enquirers. The original version was the first book published by BHQ, and it was reprinted and revised several times. It is now updated and appears in a full colour cover featuring four Queensland churches. BHQ acknowledges the help of Queensland Baptists in circulating this book. Additional copies are available from BHQ for $5 plus $2.50 p&p. The other book, The National Guide to Australian Baptist Historical Resources and Services, includes information from every state and the national Baptist bodies about their records, with contact details of archives and libraries from which more information may be obtained. It also contains a

list of Baptist periodicals in Australian libraries. It has information about Baptist logos and advice about how to obtain and use Baptist records. It is available at an introductory price of $5 plus $2.50 p&p.

Mystery Photo The Baptist Archives contains a large number of photographs; some going back to the earlier days of the denomination. There are traditional photos, line drawings, etchings and a considerable number of colour slides. There are even very old 2-inch glass ‘lantern slides’, but without a projector! More recently, we have accumulated many digital images. Thankfully, many are identified, but some are not.

We are particularly intrigued with this ‘mystery photo’ showing a small but very highset church (with a good text painted at the top!) and a group of children with teachers and a (Bedford?) truck. We would love to know more about it! Can any readers of The qb help us? If so, please contact us. The Baptist Church Archives, archives@qb.com.au Ph 07 3878 3178 07 3354 5642 07 3256 8897 The Baptist Archives, QB Centre, PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Q 4053

Persecution brief

Please pray!

Christianity in Libya threatened as Islamists grow in strength February 2013 marked the two-year anniversary of the commencement of the Arab Spring in Libya. In this issue we look at how the Christian community is faring. Is it a Spring or an Autumn for our brothers and sisters in Christ? When the ‘Arab Spring’ reached Libya and led to the overthrow of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi, some commentators heralded the advent of religious freedom in the overwhelmingly Muslim country. There were some early signs of hope. Islamists fared much less well than anticipated in the country’s first general election since the revolution, taking just 17 of the 80 seats available to political parties. Meanwhile, the National Forces Alliance (NFA), a coalition of broadly liberal and secular parties, won almost half. And while, under the draft constitution, Islam is the state religion and sharia the principal source of legislation, a

measure of freedom is granted to non-Muslims to practise their beliefs; discrimination on religious grounds with regard to legal, political and civil rights is outlawed. Some of the restrictions imposed by the Gaddafi regime have also been relaxed. But a number of recent incidents have seen Christians and Christian targets coming under attack, and the future of the Church in the country looks more threatened than ever before. The Libyan Church is composed almost entirely of expatriates, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, India and the Philippines; there are very few indigenous believers, all converts from Islam. Before the revolution there were around 100,000 Christians in Libya, but many thousands fled when the uprising against Gaddafi turned violent. Now, more are leaving amid opposition, Islamist threats and violent attacks. It is becoming more and more apparent that Christianity is not welcome in the new Libya. On 12 February, four foreign Christians, a Swedish-American, Egyptian, South African and South Korean, were

arrested on suspicion of proselytising and distributing Christian literature. Police said that they found 45,000 books in their possession and another 25,000 had already been distributed. Evangelising Muslims is a crime in Libya that is potentially punishable by death. This was the case under Gaddafi, and the law has not been amended in the apparently liberated Libya. The arrest of the four foreigners on proselytism charges is the first known case of its kind since the 2011 revolution. Security official Hussein Bin Hmeid said: ‘Proselytising is forbidden in Libya. We are a 100% Muslim country and this kind of action affects our national security.’ ‘Threat to national security’ is a pretext often used by Islamic regimes to justify restricting religious freedom and Christianity in particular. Source: Barnabus Fund www.barnabusfund.org

www.qb.com.au 04/13

Malyon

Left: Student Testimony given by Michael Mumford Below: B.Min & B.Th students (back row from left): Aaron Fozzard, Andrew Robbins, Charles Harrison, Lucille Lennon, Kerrie Lumb, Debra Hobbs , Gary Toms, Daniel Rodgers, Jonathan Lilley, Won Sook Park and faculty (front row)

Sam Swadling receiving his M.A. Theol.

Maylon Celebrates On Monday 4 March 2013, more than 250 people attended Malyonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Commencement and Graduation Service at Bridgeman Baptist Church. It was a great night of celebration for the 36 graduands, their families and friends, and college staff. Principal, Rev Dr John Sweetman, preached from Ecclesiastes, reminding those present of four principles to be applied to life and ministry: smell the roses, fell the giants, dwell in the pain, and tell the story. Also, in his Principalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Report, John noted the high number of students at Malyon this year, and exciting developments with regard to additional faculty, a new curriculum and more offices at the college. The Service concluded with Rev Stephen Ball praying that we go into the world as the people of influence that God has called us to be. The Graduands

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Malyon

The congregation at the Commencement & Graduation Service, Bridgeman Baptist Church

Rev Dr John Sweetman

M.Div students: Michael Mumford, Joshua Diyn, Nathan Stanley, Adam Gallagher, Andrew Carnell, Rian Roux

www.qb.com.au 04/13

QBC

Board nominations Queensland Baptist Care is calling for new Board members to add diversity and varying skill-sets to the organisation, at a time when it is undergoing huge growth and expansion.

the community. I’m very encouraged by a lot of the positive things that Queensland Baptist Care is achieving at the moment, and it’s an organisation that’s moving forward and continuing to grow,’ he said.

As highlighted in the Strategic Plan 2011-2016, the organisation has identified growth as a significant strategic objective which ‘is indicative of the evolution and progress of Queensland Baptist Care over the past few years’ according to Board Chairperson, Gavin Hulcombe. He added that the Board vacancies provide an opportunity ‘to be involved in an organisation with revenue of $62 million, employing over 1,000 staff, and which provides practical help and assistance to people in need—touching some 11,500 lives on an annual basis’. ‘As a Board and organisation we remain very focused around our Christian values. It’s an opportunity to invest back into the community and act as the hands and feet of Christ in

The Queensland Baptist Care Board comprises a group of professionals who, as part of their service to Christ, use their talents and skills in a voluntary capacity to serve Queensland Baptist Care. The Board’s role is to oversee the strategic direction of the organisation, providing assurance of organisational performance while maintaining a high standard of ethics and prudence as determined by Board policy.

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A member of the Board since 2004, Mr Hulcombe said that the sector has changed quite considerably over this time. ‘We’re very conscious that a lot of the areas that Queensland Baptist Care operates in are becoming more competitive. So the organisation

is working hard to make the shift from a cottage industry mindset to one that’s far more progressive and dynamic. Our strategic plan indicates expansion over the next couple of years in South-East Queensland and in regional areas of Queensland as we redevelop existing sites and acquire new ones. We have narrowed our focus rather than trying to be all things to all people and will be concentrating on the expansion of schools for marginalised youth, residential aged care, community aged care, retirement lifestyle and chaplaincy,’ he said. Queensland Baptist Care is currently looking for new Board members with diversity in gender, age, skills and geographical location. The opportunity to have some representation from the regional areas of Queensland would be advantageous. The Board is calling for nominations from anyone with business talent and/or expertise, especially those with skills in governance, finance, education or management at a board, executive or senior management level.

Mr Hulcombe is Chairman of Herron Todd White Australia, Australia’s largest property valuation and advisory company. He said that he initially joined the Queensland Baptist Care Board nine years ago because they were looking to acquire a few properties, and he believed his skills could add some value at that time. As a Board of Governance, members ensure that the organisation is achieving real positive results for people, by setting the strategic direction, developing policies and monitoring performance. ‘Our role on the Board is strategic rather than getting involved in operational issues, as we have a very strong Executive,’ Mr Hulcombe added. As part of Queensland Baptist Care’s commitment to modernise, the organisation also plans to change its name in May to better reflect

its diversified range of services and expanding geographical presence throughout the state. The decision to refresh its brand was made after more than a year’s research and extensive consultation with key stakeholders. Queensland Baptist Care’s brand refresh marks the start of a new chapter in its long and proud history, which started out in 1949 by offering aged care services and has since expanded to provide a broad range of comprehensive and integrated community programs throughout the state. The brand refresh will provide a more streamlined and united identity for all service areas and better reflect what the organisation is about today, whilst also increasing its profile and making the customer experience easier to navigate.

While Queensland Baptist Care’s name may be changing, service-users can be assured that the organisation will still continue to provide the same high quality care and services, retaining its sense of mission and strong Christian values, which are embedded in everything it does. Queensland Baptist Care’s services include the provision of care to the frail aged, shelters for homeless youth, helping families through difficult times, support for people with disability and alternative education for teenagers who struggle in traditional schools. A formal request for nominations will be sent to churches in April; however, anyone interested in becoming a member of the Board can contact Lesley Barber on (07) 3550 3702 or lesley.barber@qbc.com.au Mary Earls Queensland Baptist Care www.qbc.com.au

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CALAM training

Cutting-edge skills for churches that have stopped growing Leaders of churches that have stopped growing will have the opportunity to nurture unique leadership skills that will make a difference in the future. In cooperation with CALAM Training, Rev Dr Alan Gordon has developed a Vocational Graduate Certificate that integrates biblical principles and 21st century leadership research into a nationally recognised 18-month course to be offered later in the year. Alan states that 75-85% of western churches stopped growing or are in decline, and this poses a huge problem for the future of the Church. If a church is using ineffective, outdated models, and finds it difficult to attract new people, then this course provides information and skills to facilitate health and growth. In the past, leadership models were mostly ‘one size fits all’, but a model that works well in one type of organisation may, in fact, destroy another. In recent years, there has been a radical shift from emphasising ‘doing’ towards ‘being’. Recent research shows that greater results come from influencing values and culture (being), rather than implementing strategic plans (doing) based on vision and mission statements. However, when used together, both these approaches can bring positive change to struggling churches. The new course, 21st century growth skills for declining churches, is a powerfully simple, gentle and adaptable tool. It was created by the integration of hundreds of leadership models into four major archetypes, with the strengths of each archetype being harnessed and utilised. These were then matched with the four essentials of healthy, growing churches: mission, attraction, empowerment and organisation.

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CALAM training Participants in this course will learn the skills to turn around a declining church so that it achieves health and growth, and will develop communication and networking skills that assist in that transformation. They will identify where the greatest need of their community intersects with the greatest opportunity for the Gospel. They will use this knowledge to move their church into the community in such a way that the community, in response, will move into their church. Alan enthusiastically claims that ‘the world’s most-used change model will work in your church by integrating so many aspects that are essential to a successful change programme’. It is noteworthy that the new secular leadership models are in sync with biblical principles. Spiritual renewal must accompany organisational renewal. These transformational approaches for struggling churches were not properly understood until the 21st century, but they are now available to transform your church. Further information about the course, which is approved for VET FEE-HELP, can be obtained from Alan Gordon (Ph 3480 5859) or CALAM Training at admin@calam.edu.au. CALAM Training - www.calam.edu.au

TRAINING FOR LAY MINISTRY ... in your own church ... at your own pace ... in your area of passion • • • • •

Chaplaincy Children Christian Ministry Community Cross-Cultural

• • • • •

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STUDY • Gap Year • Post-Uni • All ages • Full time, part time or intern • In-house, distance or intesives FEE ASSISTANCE • Austudy, Abstudy & Youth Allowance approved • VET Fee-Help available for Diploma and above ALL Enquiries WELCOME P 07 5437 8402 M 0408 732 087 admin@calam.edu.au

www.calam.edu.au RTO no.3002

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BWAA ready to face future threats and prevent hazards turning into disaster.’ One of the first groups to benefit from the focus on disaster management is the famine-affected communities of Machakos county in Kenya. ‘During the 2011 famine we were giving them emergency food relief,’ Lana continued. ‘Now—just two years later—we are seeing the Machakos county becoming self-reliant and, more importantly, drought resistant, thanks to our community development training focus program which works with farmers to teach new agricultural techniques and ensure stable water supplies.’

An ounce of prevention saves lives! In 2011, the world was rocked by terrible images of famine coming out of the Horn of Africa. There was a mass of emergency aid donated which enabled agencies such as Baptist World Aid Australia to supply food, water and medicines to the worst hit areas. Thousands of lives were saved, but the scale of the crisis confirmed the need for a change in the way the aid organisation now responds to disaster. ‘As we watched the crisis unfold before us, we realised that a shift was needed in our approach to ending poverty,’ Lana Hanley, program co-ordinator at Baptist World Aid Australia said. ‘Droughts in North Africa are becoming more extreme in nature and, combined with increases

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in population and displaced people, those living in poverty are finding themselves more vulnerable. While our efforts in response to disasters like the 2011 famine have, in the past, been committed to relief and recovery efforts, we now prepare communities for the impact of disasters before they happen.’ ‘Preventative Disaster Management is moving to the centre of our work at Baptist World Aid Australia. We have just launched Disaster Plus, a program which maximises support for people who need it most. By investing $1 in preparedness before disaster strikes we estimate $7 is saved in emergency response and recovery costs. It makes sense to build resilient communities

Esther was one of the first in her area to participate in the new farmer training program. After spending time on the demonstration plot, she learned how traditional farming methods no longer worked in the new hotter, dryer climate of Kenya. She was taught about drought-resistant crops which give higher yield and need less water. And as part of the program, Esther was also given seedlings to help her get started. ‘I used to waste so much money on chemical fertilizers, but now I have been taught how to compost and make my own fertiliser,’ she said. ‘I also grow more than I need so I can sell the extra crops and use the money to buy chickens.’ Investing before disaster strikes is helping to end poverty for many of the most at-risk communities around the world. It is not easy work or without cost. However with Disaster Plus management programs we can show love, encourage resilience and self sufficiency, and help bring the fullness of life that God intends for every person. That’s how it should be. For further information about how you can be a part of Disaster Plus, please visit www.baptistworldaid.org.au.

Global Interaction

Will we respond afresh? ‘My best people! And what’s more, you’ll want some of our money to support them!’ Perhaps the pastor was speaking with tongue-in-cheek ... or was he? I’d been speaking to his congregation and later, in conversation with him, I mentioned a few people who’d spoken with me. Many opportunities exist for crosscultural workers, and in my address I’d painted a picture of how a person could explore if God might be calling them. I’ve discovered that some willing followers of Jesus baulk to offer crossculturally because they hesitate at the prospect of raising funds. Asking for support can be challenging and confronting. In 2013, Queensland Baptists are focusing on ‘extending God’s kingdom’. I reckon that it’s part of our DNA to share the Good News globally. Will we respond afresh? Our prayer is that God will call four new long-term workers from Queensland Baptist churches to go out with Global Interaction. What are the benefits of people contributing funds to support crosscultural workers? • • •

Those partnering form a base of prayer support Supporting cross-cultural workers stimulates and encourages vision in the church As the cross-cultural worker meets new partnership team members, a mutual commitment to fellowship in the Great Commission develops.

I have heard many of our staff testify how the Lord has provided and surprised them—beyond strategies they had developed.

The Old Testament book of Numbers outlines God’s way for his people to support their ‘full-time’ leaders. The tithe was established. Jesus allowed others to minister to him materially— and to the twelve. Dispatching the disciples on mission and the 72 (Luke 9 and 10), Jesus expected others would provide for them. Paul expected Christians to help him on his way to Spain to preach the Gospel; the Corinthians too. Raising support is a ministry; it is not begging people for money. It is partnering, in a genuine way, in the mission of Jesus. This does not detract from trusting God to supply all needs.

Ben & Petra and Bryce, preparing for the Silk Road

South Asia: Morris & Graeme

I was sitting in a group of twenty or so people and a mobile phone rang. The fellow beside me didn’t seem embarrassed about it at all! The time was 9:28 am. Rhys, the Mission’s Pastor, at my home church had picked up on the Senior Pastor’s idea: for a month, set a phone alarm for 9:28 (Matthew) and ‘pray for the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers into his harvest’. There’s an idea for Global Interaction May Mission Month (or whenever you have a focus). And you could partner with these Queenslanders in global mission. They would sincerely appreciate your support.

Luke & Belle Harland, preparing for Thailand

Jean-Claude & Joyce Manirakiza, Chris, Ornella, Venerande, preparing for Malawi

Silk Road Area: Ken & Roz left Australia on 10 April

Geoff Cramb State Director, Global Interaction Mob: 0438 879 838 qld@globalinteraction.org.au www.globalinteraction.org.au

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Thinkspot

True friends:

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;knit together in loveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 38

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Thinkspot

If your friends are humble, tolerant and respectful, it will be easier for you to become the same. If your friends are hard-working, it will encourage you to become diligent. But if they are lazy, you are in danger of becoming like them.

When a new era in humanity’s history began two thousand years ago, the angel Gabriel appeared first to Zechariah and later to Mary, the mother of Jesus. The third event in this unfolding history was Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, prompted by Gabriel’s disclosure that Elizabeth was pregnant. Elizabeth may have lived in Hebron, or in one of the neighbouring towns, but the town is not identified. It must have been at least 150 km from Nazareth, and Mary would have had to traverse Samaria. So this was no minor undertaking in those days. That she was willing to go on such an arduous journey, and did so in haste, testifies to her eager longing to spend time with Elizabeth and to discuss with her the matters that so greatly occupied her mind. There was, perhaps, another reason for Mary’s three-month visit to Elizabeth. Galilee was an obscure country held in contempt by the Jews (Isaiah 9:1), because it had been overrun by Gentiles, and was filled with idolatry. Within Galilee, Nazareth possessed a poor reputation. Nathanael, who came from a neighbouring Galilean town and knew

Nazareth well, would later ask, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ ( John 1:46). He was a guileless man, and the question he asked implied the simple truth: Nazareth was a town filled with corruption. So it is quite possible that Mary sought to escape the polluting atmosphere of her home town for a time. We, too, experience negative influences from society. Generally, at work or at school, we spend time with non-believers who, in one way or another, challenge our faith and sometimes erode it. This contact is something over which we have little or no control. However, we do have some say, at least, in deciding who will become our close companions. This is important because, if they are not Christians, they will have an adverse effect on our walk with God. The apostle Paul made this abundantly clear when he warned, ‘Do not be misled: bad company corrupts good character’ (1 Corinthians 15:33). Much earlier, Solomon expressed the same thought this way: ‘Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer

harm’ (Proverbs 13:20; ESV). If your friends are humble, tolerant and respectful, it will be easier for you to become the same. If your friends are hard-working, it will encourage you to become diligent. But if they are lazy, you are in danger of becoming like them. Wang Ming Dao writes: ‘If you habitually converse with believers who are strong in the faith, your own faith will grow stronger. But if you converse with those who are full of doubt, then it will be easier for your own faith to be shaken.’ We cannot avoid being influenced by the friends we make. We unconsciously become like those with whom we choose to spend our time. This means that we should strive to ensure, to the extent that we are able, that our closest companions are Christians. This is particularly important for young people whose friends have such a great influence on their developing minds—for better or for worse. However, it also applies to Christians of all ages. Of course it’s often practically difficult to have a large group of Christian friends, but we can at least have a few. Even during the dark era when Malachi lived, there were small groups

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Thinkspot

of people who sought each other out: they ‘feared the Lord and often spoke with one another’ (Malachi 3:16). We too can seek out like-minded people. Those who find they don’t have any such friends can pray and ask the Lord to give them at least one close Christian companion, if not more. Often he will grant these to us through the church we attend. During the time Mary and Elizabeth spent together, there’s no doubt these favoured women greatly encouraged and strengthened each other. Without this visit, Elizabeth might not have been filled with the Spirit and uttered the words recorded in Luke’s gospel (Luke 1:42-45). Mary might not have given to the church the Magnificat which is so well known (Luke 1:46-55). Certainly their time together would have confirmed their faith, encouraged their hopes, and awakened in each a deeper love for God.

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It is the same with us. Of our true friends, F.W. Robertson writes, they ‘find in our hearts a home’. Their hearts and ours are ‘knit together in love’ (Colossians 2:2). Christian friends depend on each another (1 Corinthians 12:21-23), and offer up prayers for one another (1 Timothy 2:1). They seek the best interests of each other (Philemon 2:4), both temporal (Romans 12:13) and spiritual (Romans 1:11). During times of difficulty and discouragement, true friends hasten to bring relief, as if they themselves were the subjects of the adversity (Hebrews 13:3). They show sympathy, support each other, and carry one another’s burdens (1 Corinthians 12:26). Even the most experienced Christians need encouragement. The apostle Paul, despite growing in grace to the limits attainable in this life, was not above receiving consolation from his friend Onesiphorus who visited and comforted him (2 Timothy 1:16-18). Even Jesus kept three of his disciples

close by him when he went to pray, in anguish, in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-37). Furthermore, Christians are examples to one another. ‘Exemplary behaviour is marvelously effective in attracting others,’ wrote a’Brakel. Christ is our perfect example, but Paul could say, ‘Be followers of me, just as I also am of Christ’ (1 Corinthians 11:1). You will learn more from Christian friends, by their words and example, than from your teachers. Mary’s haste to leave the stifling atmosphere of Nazareth and spend three months with Elizabeth provides an example of the importance of Christian fellowship. God may withhold many things from us, but let him not withhold Christian friends to support us when we doubt, comfort us in our sorrows, enliven us by example and encourage us by their confidence. Jim Greenbury jimncath@tpg.com.au

God’s perfect love

The prodigal son’s journal Day 1 I’ve had enough of living with this family. My father’s ways are oldfashioned and there are too many rules. Tomorrow I’m going to leave. I’ll ask him for my share of his estate so I can move away and live the life I want to live. Why should I do what someone else says, when I could be doing my own thing? I need to be free to make my own decisions and have my own fun.

Day 28 I’m amazed at how quickly the money has disappeared. Tomorrow I’m going to try to get a job feeding pigs. It’s my last hope. My friends have deserted me. It’s not much fun anymore. The women who flocked around me only a few weeks ago wouldn’t spit on me now. I can’t believe they only hung around for the money. I thought they enjoyed being with me. I feel old. Day 35

Day 7

I am hungry and lonely.

This is the life!

My father treats his servants better than this! I’m slaving away in this stinking pit, and the pigs eat better than me. No-one speaks to me and I smell worse than I feel. I’d be better off working for my father as the lowest of servants. I wonder, would he hire me if I begged his forgiveness and promised to stay out of his sight? Maybe I could work off some of my debt to him. He has given me so much—I dare not ask for this.

My dull family don’t know what they’re missing. Women love me. Every host wants me at their party. They appreciate me. These people allow me to be who I want to be. Life is not meant to be all work. I’ve earned this rest. It’s great to be finally having some fun. Day 14 The money is getting low. I’m hoping my new friends will help me out because I’ve been very generous since I arrived. I sense, however, that people are not so keen to spend time with me now that I have stopped spending my money.

But if I stay here I will die. I will face his wrath. I am humbled and alone. If he rejects me totally I’ll be no worse off than I am now. Day 40

I might have to look for work. Surely one of my friends’ parents will hire me?

I still can’t believe he welcomed me back! After the days of starvation, the

party he threw for me was nearly too much. He actually opened his arms to embrace me as if I was lost in the wilderness. I guess I was, in a way. Once I felt like I belonged here, as my right. Now I can’t comprehend the privilege of being in my father’s presence. He shows me so much love and forgiveness. He was actually happy to see me. He doesn’t want me to be a servant. He wants me back as his son. It’s too much. I will never understand this man. I want to serve him for the rest of my days. I want to be the man he wants me to be. He looks at me as if I am already that man, as if I already make him proud and glad that he gave me so much. I don’t deserve having him as my father, but I won’t waste time with regrets. I’m going to find out what I can do with my life that will best serve him. It saddens me that my brother is so miserable about my return. I wish I could share with him my joy and my terrible experiences, so that he could get a fresh understanding of the grace that is ours. He resents my returning and I don’t blame him. If only he could see that our father has enough love for both of us. He thinks that man is a fool—funny how I used to think that too. Fiona Sharpe worships with Mareeba Baptist Church

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NCLS

Reflections on the NCLS for Queensland Baptists 2011 In late 2011, 7919 people from 75 Queensland Baptist churches completed the National Church Life Survey. The survey gives us a snapshot of life in Queensland Baptist Churches.

General Demographics • • • •

•

The average age is 48 years (compared to 44 years in 2006) 56% are women 40% say they give 10% or more of their income to the church The percentage of attendees involved in leadership roles at church is falling (from 51.2% in 2001 to 46.1%) Of those involved in ministry/ leadership, 24% are involved in the worship services, 17% in children and youth, 15% in group leadership, 10% in admin or committees and 7% in pastoral care 12.5% said that if they had the opportunity, they would support

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•

• • • • •

and/or become an active participant in the planting of a new church 34.9% have not been directly involved in helping any nonChristians explore questions about faith at all in the last 12 months 26.8% would use social networks (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc) every/most days 13% were born in a non-English speaking country (up from 6% in 2001) 19% switched from another denomination in the last five years 15% transferred from another Baptist church in the last five years 7.7% are ‘newcomers’ (people who have joined their church in the last five years and were not previously attending a church—we would call them converts).

The Core Qualities The NCLS has identified nine facets of church life (their ‘core qualities’) which are indicative of church vitality. At a state level the scores for most of the core qualities have stayed about the same in the 2001, 2006 and 2011 surveys. However, some interesting trends are apparent. On the whole, worship services in Baptist churches are more inspirational than they were ten years ago. The percentage indicating ‘I always/usually experience inspiration during the service here’ has increased from 65.1% in 2001 to 73% in 2011. Those who usually or always experience a sense of God’s presence have grown from 73% to 76%. Queensland Baptist churches are also more innovative. People are more likely to say, ‘Our church is always ready to try new things’ (up from

NCLS following aspects of this congregation do you personally most value?’ In line with our Baptist heritage, the top response was ‘sermons, preaching or Bible teaching’ (49%). However, this was down from 54% in 2001. Other highly valued aspects included praying for one another (28%), small prayer, discussion or Bible study groups (27%) and a ‘contemporary style of worship or music’ (26%).

Conclusions

11.2% in 2001 to 15.2%). In a world which is changing at an increasingly rapid pace, this is an important attribute to ensure survival.

the next 12 months, the top response among Queensland Baptists (39%) was ‘encouraging the people here to discover/use their gifts’.

Queensland Baptists are increasingly likely to be involved in acts of service. The percentage indicating that they have informally helped others is steadily increasing (55.9% in 2001 to 62.6%). Possibly related to this is an increased inclination to ‘follow up someone drifting away from church’— up from 7.3% in 2001 to 13.6%. Queensland Baptist churches are also increasingly caring communities.

Queensland Baptists desire to have more help identifying and using their gifts, and it is crucial for church vitality, yet many would seem to feel underdeveloped. Clearly Queensland Baptist church leaders need to work harder at identifying, developing and utilising the gifts of their church members.

However, there are two trends in Queensland Baptist churches which are of concern. The first is in regard to leadership. The percentage of Queensland Baptists who say, ‘Our leaders encourage us to a great extent to use our gifts here,’ is falling (from 28.2% in 2001 to 21.9% in 2006 and 2011). This response indicates that less than one in four Queensland Baptists feel greatly encouraged to use their gifts. The average percentage for Pentecostal churches was 45% and for the Salvation Army it was 26%. Additionally, when asked what should be given greater attention in

The second trend is even more disturbing. The percentage indicating that ‘I invited someone to church here in the last year,’ has fallen from 47.2% in 2001 to 40.2% in 2011. Although this is better than most other denominations (although the Pentecostals scored 57% on the same question), the trend is troubling. Although people may be involved in personal evangelism through their own networks, invitation to church remains a key step in the conversion process.

Values

Queensland Baptist churches are clearly a good place to be. Look at your congregation on Sunday and note that, on average, a third (34%) of those gathered have switched in from another church and/or denomination in the last five years. Queensland Baptist churches are increasingly inspirational and innovative places where people care for one another and those outside the church. The preaching of the word of God continues to be the major focus of church life. However, there is an increasing reluctance to invite others to experience church. And there is a sense of frustration. Although desiring to use and develop their gifts in service, less are in leadership than previously and many feel that the leaders are not helping them with their gifts. This information presents an exciting challenge for local church leaders. Rev Dr Ian Hussey is a Lecturer at Malyon College and coordinator of the Doctor of Ministry program. He did his PhD on the NCLS research and is available to help local churches understand and use their NCLS results or to arrange for them to take the survey. Contact ian.hussey@malyon.edu.au

The NCLS posed a question which provides valuable insight into the heart of Queensland Baptists: ‘Which of the

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Reviews Books DVDs Music

aware of any rescue attempts. They spent a total of 69 days trapped underground. And it was there in that frightening cavern that one man took on the responsibility of encouraging the others, and used the tragedy as an opportunity to share his faith. Miracle in the Mine is the story of Jose Henriquez; the testimony of a man who was no stranger to danger even before he found himself trapped 2,300 feet under the earth. A man who has unequivocally demonstrated his integrity, courage, and moral strength both before, during, and after the mining accident, and who is now using this experience to inspire the world.

CD: Burning lights (Chris Tomlin) Price: $99.99 (at WORD)

Chris Tomlin returns with his latest album, Burning Lights. As the songwriter behind the worship favorites How great is our God, Jesus Messiah, Holy is the Lord, and Forever, Chris continues to write songs that connect people to the heart of Jesus and lead them to a greater worship of Him.

Max Lucado asks a deeper question: Have you been changed by grace? Shaped by grace? Strengthened by grace? Emboldened by grace? Softened by grace? Snatched by the nape of your neck and shaken to your senses by grace? God’s grace has a drenching about it; a wildness about it; a white-water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you. It rewires you—from insecure to God secure; from regret riddled to betterbecause-of-it; from afraid to die to ready to fly. Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off. Let’s make certain grace gets you. Endorsement: ‘Max Lucado has blended his creative writing style with honesty about how he has experienced God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness in his own times of failure and despair. You will find comfort as Max shines the light of the Word of God revealing that Jesus Christ is truly the only hope that brings everlasting peace’ (Franklin Graham, President and CEO, Samaritan’s Purse, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association).

BOOK: Miracle in the mine (José Henriquez) Price: $14.99 (at WORD) On 13 October 2010, millions of television viewers on five continents literally stopped everything to watch the amazing rescue of 33 men trapped underground in the mine of San Jose de Copiapo in northern Chile. What had seemed at first a hopeless tragedy, later became a triumph of human effort, courage, perseverance, and expertise. For 17 excruciating days, no one knew if any of the miners had survived the collapse of the mine shaft, nor were the surviving miners

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BOOK: Grace (Max Lucado) Price: $16.99 (at WORD) Grace. We talk as though we understand the term. The bank gives us a grace period. The seedy politician falls from grace. Musicians speak of a grace note. We describe an actress as gracious, a dancer as graceful. We use the word for hospitals, baby girls, kings, and pre-meal prayers. We talk as though we know what grace means. But do we really understand it? Have we settled for wimpy grace? It politely occupies a phrase in a hymn, fits nicely on a church sign. Never causes trouble or demands a response. When asked, ‘Do you believe in grace?’ who could say no?

BOOK: The purpose driven life: what on earth am I here for? (Rick Warren) Price: $14.99 (at WORD)

A fresh look at life from a treasured book of hope: this isn’t your grandfather’s Purpose Driven Life. Retooled for a new generation, this 10th anniversary edition includes all the wisdom of the original book, plus two new chapters and fresh insights Rick Warren has gleaned since he first wrote his #1 international bestseller. Discover God’s amazing plan for you both now and for eternity as you take a spiritual journey that will transform your answer to life’s most important question: What on earth am I here for? Also available as CD, DVD, and study guide.

Fun zone

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Solution: 02/13

Two correct entries will be chosen to receive a $30 Word bookstore voucher. Don’t forget to include your full name and contact details.

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Address Email Congratulations to Richard & Liza Fenwick and Jerusha Kolapudi a $30 Word Bookstore voucher is coming your way!

Last issue: “Escape to paradise!” Congratulations to Jean Sheehan.

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Subscription Form 2013 Order by phone: 07 3354 5633 Payment via credit card. OR Complete this form & post back: The qb Editor, PO Box 6166 Mitchelton QLD 4053 Australia Price: 1 Year $19.50 (GST inclusive) Personal Details Rev / Dr / Mr / Mrs / Ms / Miss (circle) Full Name Address

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VENUE HIRE QB Conference Centre Perfect for your conference, convention or training day. The Centre is located at Gaythorne, just 10 minutes from the CBD on the northside of Brisbane, Queensland. It offers state-of-theart equipment, two multi-purpose auditoriums, a boardroom and an attractive outdoor area. If you are seeking a professional venue, but do not have the budget to pay high hire rates, then the QB Conference Centre may be your answer. The facilities are wheelchair accessible and include hire of whiteboard, television, video or DVD, OHP, microphones, slide projector, PA systems and flip chart boards. Kitchen facilities are also available. External catering can be arranged by our staff. Please enquire about associated costs when booking the venue. Ph 07 3354 5600; Email admin@qb.com.au. QB CENTRE Main Auditorium

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Email Payment Details I have enclosed a cheque/money order for $19.50 payable to Queensland Baptist Services Group. OR Please charge my credit card Mastercard / Visa (circle one) Exp:

conventions and seminars. Extensive technical equipment including data projection, sound system, lighting is available. QB CENTRE Small Auditorium

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The main auditorium features tiered seating for approximately 290 in airconditioned comfort. Every seat enjoys an unobstructed view of the stage area. It is an ideal venue for concerts, graduations, or award ceremonies,

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The small auditorium features lecturestyle seating for up to 100 people in air-conditioned comfort. It is an ideal venue for workshops or smaller meetings/conference sessions. Technical equipment including data projection and mini sound system, and comprehensive lighting includes total blackout, faded lighting, spot lighting and full fluorescent lighting.

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ACCOMMODATION

QB CENTRE Boardroom Suitable for those times when it’s good it meet away from the office. With Brookside Shopping Centre just a five minute walk away, it’s easy to manage breaks for lunch.

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.

QB Retreat – The Open Door on Mt Kanigan near Gympie

CALOUNDRA - GOLDEN BEACH: Highset three bedroom holiday home. Weekends or weekly. Pets OK. Close to beach. Phone 0402 077 822 or lizottaway15@gmail.com. CALOUNDRA - KINGS BEACH: Rent from owner at very reasonable rates spacious 2 bedroom unit. Ocean views. Close to everything. Telephone 07 5445 8702 or email johngosney@optusnet.com.au. CALOUNDRA: Sunshine Coast, Qld, beachside units from $400/wk, phone 0427 990 161.

GENERAL CLASSIFIEDS Christian Boarder/s welcome New fully furnished immaculate private studio in The Gap. Separate commercially appointed office also available. A/C, pool, private courtyard, lock up garage, close to city bus. Terms negotiable. Contact Allan or Bev 07 3300 1442 or 0403 453 941 or email boasefamily@optusnet.com.au.

A will to end poverty POSITION VACANT Sunnybank District Baptist Church Associate Pastor

Do more than you ever thought possible by leaving a bequest in your will. Call us on 1300 789 991 or visit baptistworldaid.org.au

Sunnybank District Baptist Church (SDBC) is searching for a full-time Associate Pastor with a primary focus on youth ministries. SDBC’s mission is to work with God in transforming people into passionate followers of Jesus. SDBC is a church of over 600 people within a multi-cultural community located on the south side of Brisbane. The youth ministry has approximately 30 leaders and between 60 and 100 youth members across all youth programs. The successful candidate will have a Bachelor of Theology, or similar, or be completing such a qualification. Please send your resume and a statement addressing each of the selection criteria to pastoralsearchcommittee@SDBC.org.au. Job applications and selection criteria can be accessed online via the SDBC website at www.sdbc.org.au The successful applicant would ideally be able to start ASAP

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RELAX

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: Building 1, Level 2, 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