The qb, the voice of Queensland Baptists

The voice of Queensland Baptists April 2012

Call to prayer 20-26 May ‘Tree change’ or ‘sea change’ Let’s not chase our tails!

Print post approved ISSN: 11323-7829 The Queensland Baptist - first published in 1890.

This series Vol 10 Issue 2.

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Contents

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32

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In this issue Comment: David Loder Speaking out: John Sweetman Baptisms Around the regions Milestones Intentional ministry series QB Convention 2012 Persecution brief Reviews Fun zone Classifieds

05 06 08 09 12 16 23 36 44 45 46

QB partners Hearing God’s call (Global Interaction) Their hope is not misplaced (BWAA)

34 35

QB ministries It works! (QCCC) What happens at home... (QB kids & their families) Plugged into Jesus or plugged into Apple? (QB Youth) She is... made with love (QB Women) ‘Tree change’ or ‘sea change’... why not? (MTQ) Saved! (QB Archives) Harald’s House offers hope to homeless kids (QBC)

18 20 22 27 28 31 32

Articles Call to prayer 20-26 May Charity drove supports school chaplains Fragile and fractured Indescribably precious!

Reserve graders God is with you in your struggle

14 37 38 40 42 43

Our cover: Baptisms are always joyous occasions and this one is no exception!

Richard Clear was baptised in the beautiful waters at 1770.

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News, views & issues

From the Editor Last Sunday I was reminded about the ‘now and not yet’ nature of the Kingdom of God. As I listened to the sermon, I thanked God because we are so blessed to be living in this Age of Grace. And yet, we know that our lives and our world aren’t perfect - only Christ’s return will usher in perfection. We hold, in tension, the ‘now’ and the ‘not yet’.

On Monday I was reminded again about the pastor’s message when I heard that a friend had passed away. There’s no doubt in my mind that we worship a God of miracles. My friend needed a miracle to get well, but God chose to take her home to glory. Miracles happen, but not everyone is healed.

That’s a very tough concept to balance; to hold in tension.

But we can praise God for his provision of the Holy Spirit who is always available to help and guide us as we struggle to understand. John Greenbury’s thoughtful article (Indescribably precious!) helps us to unpack a little of what it means to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and just how precious the gift of the Spirit is to all believers.

The ‘now and not yet’ also reminds us to seize the day; to make the most of every opportunity to share the love of Christ with others. With Convention coming up soon in Rocky (14-20 May), we’ve added a little bush flavour to this issue. Ron Turner’s article (Fragile and fractured), describes the upheaval being caused by mining in many outback towns and the vision he and others have to minister to the people there. James Baker (Tree change or sea change) picks up the theme and expands on the needs of people living in rural and remote areas.

Finally, don’t miss John Sweetman’s article (Speaking out). He shares some very interesting data on trends in the Western Church as presented at a recent Bill Hybels workshop.

The qb is a member of the Australasian Religious Press Association, published bimonthly by Queensland Baptist Services Group in February, April, June, August, October and December.

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Comment

At home

Loving God... BETTER - Intentional Ministry

Area Meetings For the last three years I have travelled around the State to speak to our ministers (and a few others) about what the QB Board believes God is saying to Queensland Baptists. My presentations issue out of the Annual Board Retreat. The area meetings have been extremely well attended and feedback is positive—thank you to all those who participated. Your pastor will have information about these sessions but the material is also being replied, disseminated through The qb.

There is something about ‘home’. That’s where we relax and be ourselves. It is our comfort zone. It is the place where we know we are accepted—no matter what. It is the place of familiarity, understanding and relationship. A good home is the place of intimacy.

These descriptive words also apply to our desire for closeness with the Lord Jesus. We long to know ‘Jesus him; not merely know about him. We have this inner desire to be intimate with him. Some people think anyone who loves this is impossible. Others agree that it can happen me will obey my and it occurs as a result of some ecstatic experience. teaching. My Everyone has an opinion!

Jesus said it is possible to know him and he outlines the process for this to occur. It is all there in John 14:23. We can experience the love of the Father and Son. They will make their home with us. This sounds great. The process? Obedience to the teaching of Jesus. We can baulk at that. First we need to know the teaching of Jesus, and then we need to obey it. It doesn’t always feel comfortable. We are tempted to substitute our own belief system or at least to ‘fudge’ the teaching of Jesus to suit ourselves; and then we wonder why things don’t work out how we would like.

Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them’ (John 14:23).

Partnership SSEC As I write, three of our Regional Consultants are in the Solomon Islands engaged in ministry as a part of our partnership with the South Seas Evangelical Church.

We look forward with anticipation to their report in the next issue of The qb.

Finally…

My prayer is that you will be refreshed in your knowledge and experience of the Lord Jesus at this Easter time. We are so glad that he was obedient— even to the point of death—so that we might experience eternal life. This message is too good to keep to ourselves!

For most of us, it is not knowledge of Jesus’ teaching that is the issue, but rather the application of it in our lives. I know that he will grant the grace and courage for us to be what he wants us to be, and to do what he wants us to do. It’s our intentional choice.

Just as Jesus was obedient, we must also be obedient. The result is that he makes his home with us. Does Jesus feel at home in your life right now? Easter is a good time to recommit ourselves to him. Your pastor would be keen to assist you if required.

Ministry Matters: Convention 2012 The date for our Convention in Rockhampton is drawing closer.

This will be a time of blessing for Queensland Baptists in fellowship together. I do hope you will be there.

David Loder General Superintendent, Queensland Baptists gs@qb.com.au

www.qb.com.au April 2012

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Speaking out

! s l i a t r u o e s Church n a r e t s h e W c on the s n o i t a v r ’ Obse

Let’s not Hybels

I recently attended a Bill Hybels’ workshop in Sydney with 70 other church leaders from across Australia. I’m not really into these sorts of things, but it was an informative day and I had a chance to catch up with some long lost friends. Bill Hybels certainly has his finger on the pulse of the church in the West, so I thought that it might be helpful in this column to comment on some of the trends he has observed in the Western church over the last 10 years. This is not a comprehensive list. It just includes the issues that Hybels raised.

1. There is a huge move in the church to support compassion and justice issues. Hybels reckoned this issue is white hot.

Most churches are getting on board. Whether it is the poor in our own countries or the poor overseas, Christians are now heavily investing with money and personal involvement. Hybels himself makes sure that he travels among poor in the two thirds world at least once a year to experience the desperate need of people and to allow God to grow his compassion and determination to make a difference.

I can see this happening everywhere. For example, all my boys have overseas children they are sponsoring and two have been on mission trips to help orphanages in Thailand.

At my own church, projects to help the local poor are often oversubscribed. Compassion and justice have moved way up the agenda of the church. We are finally heeding the call of God’s prophets to care for the poor.

2. The church is taking spiritual formation more seriously.

Hybels didn’t elaborate on this, but I think that he means that there is a growing interest in spiritual disciplines like Scripture reading, prayer and fasting. Many new movements have these emphases.

3. Hybels observed that congregations are cooling towards small groups. While most churches still have small groups, the proportion of the congregation involved has decreased. Hybels identified a number of factors that may have contributed: a) People are increasingly more busy and pressured b) The leadership of small groups has not always been effective c) Mature Christians tend to find their own community and don’t always get involved in church-sponsored groups.

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‘

We do need to balance this with an ear to what God is saying and where God is leading. If we only listen to people and their desires, we will inevitably breed consumerism in the church and end up chasing our tails.

’

Speaking out

According to ‘Reveal’, Hybels’ own sponsored research, organised small groups remain vital for those exploring Christianity and those in the early stages of growing their faith. Discipleship and connection are difficult if they rely primarily on the Sunday service.

So churches that are moving away from small groups need to find effective ways to disciple and build what Hybels calls ‘high-touch’ community.

4. Evangelism has always been close to Hybels’ heart, but he mentioned that churches generally are doing less direct evangelism and that many churches have given up completely. The interesting reason he gave for this was the emphasis churches have had on friendship evangelism. He said that Willow put all their eggs in this one basket. The result was that when Christians no longer had any prospects in their pool of friends, they could do no more evangelism.

Hybels did not give any other reasons for the neglect of evangelism, but here are two of my guesses: a) I think the ‘kingdom’ emphasis that has produced a greater concern for justice and service has also led to a de-emphasising of the cross and personal salvation b) A reaction against the seeker movement where the whole focus of church is on the non-believer has led to a diminishing passion for evangelism.

Hybels’ solution is to try lots of different approaches to evangelism. In Jesus’ parable of the sower, the seed is sown broadly, knowing that some will fall on good ground. Similarly, a range of evangelistic methods will reach a greater number of people, some of whom will be good soil in which the seed will grow.

5. An issue that Hybels raised and that I have written about was the future direction of worship.

He said that our complete dependence on singing was strangling our creativity and starting to bore people. He wondered whether there would come a time when people just didn’t want to sing any more.

They would be sung out. He wasn’t sure what the next wave of worship would bring – perhaps a return to more traditional ways of worship, but he thinks it will be more holistic, involving more than worshippers singing.

Hybels’ church is experimenting with a 10 minute creative, non-singing segment each service. It’s taking a lot of his time as he works with the team, but he is committed to moving worship past singing. It’s hard to see how most churches will find the resources

to do this without help. While singing is backed and resourced by the huge Christian music industry, other forms of worship have little support. Maybe the resources of large churches like Willow will be needed to help smaller churches diversify their worship.

6. When asked a question about church budgets in tough economic times, Hybels said that no churches were anywhere near receiving the financial resources that are available in their congregations.

Because of high debt, people are just not able to be generous. So people need personal help with organising their finances if they are to be released to give. He mentioned one large church that has four staff members working in financial training. His argument was that because parents are not teaching financial responsibility, the church has to do it.

7. Hybels said that multi-site church planting has taken off all over the world. That is, churches clone a new church like a franchise with the vision and values shared with the ‘mother’ church. Whereas normally 50% of church plants fail long-term, by far the majority of multi-site plants have continued to grow. Many of these campus churches use video for the preaching with the main pastor’s sermon being beamed in from the mother church.

Hybels reckoned that the campus pastors have the ideal job – church leadership without preaching. I’m not convinced biblically that church leadership should be split from preaching, or at least the ‘ministry of the word’, but using video for preaching certainly is the way to maintain quality. While the multi-site idea is beginning to take off in Australia, so far, I don’t know of many churches using video for preaching at their campuses.

There is plenty to be both excited and concerned about in this list. I appreciate Hybels’ desire to be intentional and to constantly evaluate what the church is doing with a view to greater kingdom effectiveness and responsible use of God’s resources. But we do need to balance this with an ear to what God is saying and where God is leading.

If we only listen to people and their desires, we will inevitably breed consumerism in the church and end up chasing our tails.

John Sweetman Principal, Malyon College John.sweetman@malyon.edu.au www.qb.com.au April 2012

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Baptisms

Image: Richard Clear’s baptism at 1770

A new life ahead!

‘On Sunday 18 March, excitement filled the air as Richard Clear publicly stated his wish to change direction by being baptised in the beautiful waters of 1770. The past is gone ... a new way of life is ahead! As Richard closely identified with his Lord, it was no wonder heaven smiled!’ Adrian said.

‘An engraved plaque was presented during a BBQ Lunch back at the church as the local community joined in the celebration.

Richard’s potential is huge; he has a compassionate and patient disposition that God is sure to use! Richard is excited to see God opening doors of opportunity for him to support and bless our needy community. We are behind him all the way!’

Please pray for those baptised in all of our churches around Queensland, including: Agnes Waters/1770 Richard Clear Birkdale Nathan Holland Caylah Kareko Charters Towers Burt Allen Gateway Jeremy Bowler Sonia Farrow Zoe Larwill Amanda Parker Gladstone Samantha Daley Silkstone Felicity Dor Stephen Haldane Jess Riddell Lachlan Ross Jordan Ross

Image: Burt Allen being baptised in Charters Towers. From darkness to light!

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Baptisms

Pastor Adrian Iles and the congregation at Agnes Waters Baptist Church are in the business of helping people to turn their lives around.

Around the regions

Tasman Street Men’s Shed now open for business!

Barbara’s efforts recognised Australia Day 2012 was a proud day for Barbara from Acacia Ridge in the southern suburbs of Brisbane, when she received an Australia Day Award for Community Service at the Acacia Ridge Community Centre.

Barbara, who is a carer for her legally blind son, Skip, moved to her home in Acacia Ridge in 2010 after living in Ireland and Melbourne.

They looked around for a church, and because they were involved in a Baptist Sunday School in Ireland, Barbara and Skip turned up at Acacia Ridge Baptist Church, where they received a warm welcome.

The church meets in the original 1970s building, which is a hive of activity on Sunday mornings. Sunday School classes are held in the church hall, the kitchen, and a neighbouring home, while the adult Bible school meets under a large tree when weather permits. Others are taught on a one-to-one basis wherever space for a few chairs can be found. The activity continues on Sunday afternoons when Congolese and Tongan congregations use the building for worship.

Barbara soon became a part of the multicultural congregation from countries as diverse as Liberia, Sudan, Burundi, New Zealand, Germany, Australia, Ireland, Iran and Tajikistan. The pastor and his wife were missionaries in Thailand for many years, and another family worked in the Czech Republic. The congregation reflects the multicultural nature of the surrounding suburbs, which have changed dramatically from the early days of the church’s history.

Although languages and cultures abound, there is a spirit of oneness as the congregation worships the Lord and works together in the local community.

Barbara and Skip soon joined others from the church who helped out at the local Community Centre. Beginning a few hours a week in the Food Co-op, Barbara was soon managing the program which expanded from one to three days per week in order to meet the many needs in the community. This Award is a fitting tribute to the dedication, hard work and loving care that Barbara has extended to many in the local area and beyond – love and care which demonstrates in some small measure the character of our Lord.

It was great to see guys come together with a common interest when Team Leader, Rev Bob Rogers, used bolt cutters instead of scissors to cut the ‘ribbon’ (a huge chain) at the official opening of the Tasman Street Men’s Shed, a Stafford Heights Baptist Church initiative, in early February.

Men from the local Rotary Club and a group from a neighbouring church that is considering starting up a Men’s Shed joined guys from the church for a barbecue dinner that was served from plates in hub caps to give it a real ‘blokey’ feel. Everyone enjoyed the casual atmosphere and company and the men were entertained by the Rev Peter Holmes from the Rock Community Church at Capalaba as he demonstrated his illusionist skills.

The church is extremely grateful to the Brisbane City Council for its $20,000 grant, which enabled the shed to become a reality, and was delighted to welcome Colleen Kelly, Community Development Co-Ordinator North for the Brisbane City Council, to the opening. The support of local Rotarians is also very much appreciated. All the tools and benches have been donated and this has given the Shed a really good start.

At present the Shed will be operating each Tuesday evening from 5 – 9pm but may open other hours as time progresses. Graham Lane is providing oversight for this ministry. Any guys who are interested can just turn up on any Tuesday evening. If you would like to know more, please contact Graham Lane, ph 3261 2639 or the church office, ph 3359 6855. www.qb.com.au April 2012

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Around the regions

Christmas among friends

Blessing others

Paul Dare, Pastor at Mundubbera Baptist, sent his thanks for a recent BapLink grant:

It all started when Steve and Gail Boevink (Brackenridge Baptist) were out on one of their regular weekend drives. They started to talk about how wonderful it would be if they could take other people with them. In 2010, Gail’s mother passed away and left Gail some inheritance. After some discussion, Gail and Steve felt that they could bless people who were unable to go on outings because they were alone, or didn’t have the finances. Gail’s mother was always helping others, so using the funds she had left to Gail was a way to do something in memory of her.

‘First of all let me say thank you. It occurred to me that we do not thank you or appreciate you and your staff enough for the things you do, without which Queensland Baptists would find life that much more difficult.

‘We applied for and received a grant for $400 prior to Christmas to help put on a luncheon for the islanders who were away from their families for Christmas Day. God was obviously in this luncheon! First of all, the PNG islanders were very grateful to have somewhere to spend Christmas lunch. For many of them, it was their first time away from their families and by Christmas they had been here for four months. But what started off as a lunch for them, ended up being a lunch that was attended by more than 70 people, with the majority being from outside the church.

‘There were elderly singles and couples who would have been stuck in the same routine for this special day if not for the church’s event. Struggling families and young people also had somewhere to go. It was truly inspiring to see God at work, because not long after the funding was received and the dinner was announced publically, there where offers from others in town to help with donations of food and other items. As a result of this, most people also got to take home a meal for tea.

‘On behalf of the church and myself, I cannot thank BapLink enough for being willing to do God’s work and blessing the people of Mundubbera.

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Their first thought was to buy a mini bus, but because Steve had worked for Cross Country Tours, they decided it was more cost efficient to hire one of their buses. Then, when Cross Country heard about what they were doing, they offered the bus for only the cost of fuel. This allowed Steve and Gail to put enough money away to conduct monthly trips for two years.

Their first trip, in September last year, was called ‘On the Move’, and trips for up to 50 people have been organised since then, setting out on Saturday mornings to places of interest including Stradbroke Island, Toowoomba, Christmas lights, all the dams just after the floods, Mt Tamborine, Manly and Byron Bay. Gail bakes morning tea (she is a great cook) and the group brings or buys their lunches.

Steve and Gail don’t see what they are doing as a ‘big deal’; they are a great team working and serving God and are appreciated by so many. Gail says they are not special, they just use their skills: Steve has a wealth of knowledge about travelling and loves to talk, and Gail is good at organising and cooking. They truly have blessed so many.

This is just one of the many wonderful ministries happening at ‘Bracko’.

Around the regions

Counselling services expand at Gateway The Gateway Counselling and Wholeness Centre (GCWC) officially opened its doors in May last year. Gateway Baptist Church has long enjoyed a rich relationship with the community, bringing help and hope to those in need. After years of dreaming of providing professional and affordable Christian counselling to the community, Sue Sharp, Gateway’s Community and Care Pastor, and Marcia Watts, Counselling Centre Coordinator, saw that dream become a reality.

Ten months later, the GCWC has expanded to include six counsellors and social workers with university and postgraduate qualifications. Karen Conwell, the current Counselling Centre Coordinator, said, ‘We are thrilled to be increasing our clientele base and advertising our services with additional staff this year. There is such an enormous need for accessible services, and we believe that the centre is a safe place where everyone is welcome to share their journey and grow through their challenges.’

GCWC offers personal and relationship counselling for adolescents, young adults, and adults, with counsellors specialising in grief and loss, depression and anxiety, parenting, abuse issues, eating disorders, addictions, and marriage and family counselling.

Agnes Waters/ 1770 Men’s Shed 15m x 8m of community support space waiting to happen - and the team is almost ready to start mentoring local guys and youth with basic wood turning, small engine maintenance, basic car maintenance... and more!

Image: (L to R) Back Row—Richard Fay, Darren Abrahams; Front Row—Robyn Goodwin (Office Manager), Helen Wilkinson, Marcia Watts, Sue Sharp, Karen Conwell

On 26 May 2012, GCWC will sponsor a men’s workshop with Peter Janetzki called the ‘Good Blokes’ Conference’, wrestling with the conflicting roles and expectations placed upon men and encouraging them to be authentic Aussie blokes.

‘This year we’ve seen God changing lives and can’t wait for where He takes us in 2012,’ Karen said. ‘Please contact us, ph 3291 5963, for appointments and referrals. We’d love to partner with you and support your journey of change and growth.’ For more information visit gcwc@gatewaybap.com

On the move • Rev Jeff Baills has concluded at Warwick • Rev Ross Blunden has concluded at Bayside • Pastor Alan Frankham has concluded at Silkstone

• Pastor John Gallagher has accepted a call to Coolum • Rev Phil Gibbs has accepted a call to Murwillumbah (NSW) • Pastor Deb Hobbs has concluded at Narangba

• Rev Peter Richards has commenced as interim Senior Pastor to Warwick • Rev Laurie Wallace has accepted interim calls to Belmont and Kariong (NSW) • Pastor Ashley Withers has resigned from Gateway www.qb.com.au April 2012

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Milestones

Rockhampton Tabernacle 150th Anniversary celebration The 150th anniversary of the commencement of Baptist work in Rockhampton was given official recognition on Wednesday 29 February when the Mayor, Councillor Brad Carter, hosted a Civic Reception at the city’s Art Gallery.

The ceremony was attended by a wide range of church members, local civic officials and friends from other denominations. Councillor Carter congratulated the church for its involvement in the community and presented the pastor, the Rev Dr Chris Ganter, with a plaque to mark the occasion. Chris Ganter responded, thanking the Mayor and Council, and gave an overview of the history of the church since its formation in 1862.

Guests at the event received a coloured folder prepared by Baptist Heritage Queensland that lists more than 30 Baptist heritage sites in Rockhampton and nearby. Chris Ganter said that it was appropriate that the church had been called the ‘Tabernacle’ because like its namesake in the Bible, it had been continually on the move!

One of the key people in the formation of the church was William H Buzacott who also founded the city’s first newspaper which is still operating, and marked its own 150th in 2011. A plaque, dedicated to Mr Buzzacott on his death in 1880, was re-dedicated by the church in November 2011.

Image (top left): Unveiling the Buzacott plaque: Historian and retired medical doctor, Dr Raymond A Wilson with Chris Ganter; Image (top right): Mayor Brad Carter with Chris Ganter

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One church - two campuses On Sunday 27 November 2011 and Monday 5 December 2011, the Stanley River Valley Community Church (SRVCC— Woodford) and the Bible Methodist Church of Australia (BMCA—Kilcoy) congregations passed an historic vote to merge and become one church. Rev Doug and Noela Baigrie of BMCA had faithfully established and pastored their church for nearly 37 years and were looking to take a step back from their roles. The Lord spoke to them and Rev Stephen Thomas of SRVCC, and conversations began about the possibility of a merged church. Many discussions by the leadership teams followed, regarding constitution and the practicalities of combining two denominations. Things progressed well, and by a unanimous vote the merger was passed.

Celebrations were held on Sunday 5 February at the newly named ‘Stanley River Valley Community Church – Kilcoy Campus’. A capacity congregation filled the air with vibrant singing as invited guests including Somerset Regional Council Mayor Graeme Lehmann, Moreton Bay Regional Councillor Adrian Raedel and Regional Consultant for Queensland Baptists, the Rev Col Peaker, joined representatives of local churches and members of the community to celebrate the historic merger of the two churches.

Induction of Warren and Megan Kercher at SRVCC–Woodford Campus.

Milestones

Rev Doug and Noela Baigrie were recognised for their years of faithful service and Ken Rutherford was inducted in as Campus Pastor – Kilcoy. On the following weekend, celebrations continued at the Woodford Campus as Warren Kercher was inducted as Campus and Teaching Pastor – Woodford.

Exciting times are ahead as this newly merged church continues its task of fulfilling God’s mission which remains the same from the day in 2005 when the Rev Stephen Thomas and his wife, Pastor Toni Thomas, planted the first campus with Ken and Janette Rutherford. ‘The mission of Stanley River Valley Community Church is to bring people to a living relationship with Jesus, equipping them to serve the community and each other with love, so that God’s name is glorified.’ In his role as Senior Pastor, the Rev Stephen Thomas will lead both campuses as they strive to carry out this mission within the two communities that are spaced 20 minutes apart. Please join

the newly merged church community in thanking God for this wonderful opportunity and pray that they may be an effective, united force that reaches the whole Stanley River Valley area and beyond!

The Stanley River Valley Community Church is a growing church that is on an exciting journey of discovery. They recognise that there are many opportunities to serve the community and each other as they seek to share God’s love and the message of salvation. They welcome you to visit either of their campuses.

Regular Sunday Services are held at 8:45am Kilcoy Campus (30 McCauley St, Kilcoy) and 9:30am Woodford Campus (115 Archer St, Woodford). Details of activities such as Kids’ Club, Youth Group or any other information can be found on the website www.stanleyriverchurch.org.au or from The Bookstore (Shop 1, 115 Archer St, Woodford) phone 5422 9723.

Images (top left - clockwise): Stephen Thomas (SRVCC Woodford) and Doug Baigrie (Bible Methodist–Kilcoy) (LtoR) Stephen Thomas, Toni Thomas, Ken Rutherford, Ken Steer, Warren Kercher, Doug Baigrie Induction of Ken and Janette Rutherford at Kilcoy

www.qb.com.au April 2012

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Prayer

Call to prayer y a M 6 2 20 David Loder, General Superintendent of Queensland Baptists, is calling all church congregations to prayer. David says, ‘Prayer underpins everything we do. Open communication with the Lord of the Church is crucial. Prayer is hard work, but blessing flows from our vibrant prayer life’.

All Queensland Baptists are encouraged to intentionally set aside time during the week 20- 26 May to pray for the ministry of Queensland Baptist churches, for individuals in our state and people around the world. Of course, if the proposed dates don’t fit in to any church’s calendar, they are encouraged to set aside another week during the year.

It is also hoped that churches will consider some form of special prayer emphasis during that week so that the church can come together to pray. Some suggestions for corporate prayer include: • • • • • •

How you can be involved All Baptist Churches in Queensland are being offered enough prayer guides for each person in their congregations. Each person is encouraged to set aside some quiet time each day to pray using the guide.

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• • •

A special prayer time in the Sunday Service A special prayer event during the week A series of group prayer, one for each day of the week Development of a more specific, detailed prayer guide for the local context along the lines of the general guide A focus in a Sunday message on the place of prayer in ministry Sharing stories of God working through the prayers of his people Emailed prayer points from the church each day to remind people to pray A special emphasis on prayer during the week in home groups Teaching about prayer in the children’s and youth ministries of the church.

Prayer

Monday: Prayerful dependence As we pray today, let us focus on the truth that we can’t do effective ministry in our own strength, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. So let us bring our needs and the needs of our church and community before God and ask him to bring change and blessing in each situation and circumstance.

Tuesday: Dynamic leadership God’s church is a body where every person has an important part to play. Thank God for the gift of Godly leaders. Today, why don’t you make a list of all the leaders in your church and pray for them by name and for their ministries. Pray that each will know God’s strengthening and inspiration for the ministry that they lead.

Wednesday: Discerning our context God has placed every church in a unique context. Spend some time today reflecting on the nature and characteristics of your local neighbourhood. Ask God to show ways that you can build bridges into your community at both a personal and church level. Ask God to help you take the good news of Jesus into your community in a clear and relevant way.

Our prayer focus This year, the focus in Queensland Baptist churches is on doing ministry better through intentional ministry. Seven Key Transformational Principles have been identified as areas of church life that are important if a church is to be all that God wants it to be.

The prayer guides to be distributed through the churches choose one principle each day as a focus for prayer. Churches are encouraged to take the broad guide and develop a more comprehensive guide for their own context.

Prayer Points for each day Sunday: Connecting with God and expecting him to act Let us focus in prayer today on the nature and person of our great God. As we draw close to him be open to hear him prompting and guiding us. Our God is able to do immeasurably more than we expect or can imagine, so ask God to grow your faith individually and as a church.

Thursday: Healthy and vibrant relationships Jesus said of Christians that they would be known by their love. How we relate to each other in the church is a very important part of our testimony to the world. Ask God to bring a spirit of love, care and unity to your local church. Pray particularly for those in your church who may be marginalised, disadvantaged or involved in conflict with others. As well as praying, why not think of some practical ways you can encourage others today?

Friday: Appropriate and functional systems for effective ministry Churches are all different sizes, and there is no one way to organise church. Thank God for the structures you do have and especially those that have existed for a considerable period of time. Also ask God to help you and your church to change structures in this rapidly changing world so that the Good News of Jesus can continue to be shared effectively by your church.

Saturday: Active participation in mission Today, make a list of the ministries and people in your church which are actively sharing the gospel with those who have not yet decided to follow Jesus - both locally and globally. Pray for each one specifically, and also ask the Lord of the harvest to raise up more workers to be actively involved in mission.

Ask God how you, personally, can be involved in mission and ministry this week.

www.qb.com.au April 2012

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Intentional ministry series

Intentional ministry series

Thursday night events Michael Trafford (Youth Ministry in Gladstone) shares his thoughts about his church’s intentional ministry to local youth.

The concept behind Thursday Night Events was born out of the very simple realisation that a great majority of youth in Gladstone were never going to be impacted by the traditional youth groups in the area, mostly because they are located on church properties. What was to become Thursday Night Events began when two guys, attempting to launch a ministry intentionally, focused on connecting with the youth who usually hung out at the Gladstone mall on a Thursday night.

We believed that the first step was simply connecting to, and getting to know, this group of youth. So, for the next six months, every Thursday night Sean Pieper and I would head down to the mall to start conversations. In our first week we met a couple of mates from another local church who also felt led by God to minister to the youth at the mall (amazing how God works).

Our method was simple; in the beginning we just wanted to connect and build friendships with the youth. Initially, we were apprehensive about whether they would be willing to talk to a bunch of newcomers, but we found them very open and accepting. Before too long we were readily accepted as part of the group of youth.

Over the six months as we walked the mall, we realised that it would be great for the youth to have their own space where they could hang out on a Thursday night. These youth weren’t looking for a traditional youth group but simply a place that they could hang out with their friends. By walking with them for six months, we had come to know them quite well and believed that rather than a church or a group of adults trying to set something up for them, they were more than capable of doing it themselves—with a bit of support. So through empowering those we’d bonded with, a vision for Thursday Night Events was born. When talking about the aims and dreams of the group, one of the young leaders stated, ‘I think it should be a place where we are known by our love for each other, a community, so if one member of the group is hurting the rest can help’.

Six months after the initial conversation regarding connecting with the youth of Gladstone, Thursday Night Events was launched. Thursday Night Events is a collaboration between Gladstone Baptist Church, the young people of Gladstone, the Gladstone Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Co-op, The Queensland Police Service, The Gladstone Regional Council and the Gladstone PCYC. The youth of Gladstone are empowered to put on their own local youth events that attract crowds of 150500 youth each week. The concept is fairly simple: portable floodlights generously donated each week by a local sponsor; skate park lighting; a free BBQ (thanks to the generosity of Woolworths) and a stage, set up to provide free entertainment using a roster of local bands and DJs. It’s now almost 18 months after the first Thursday Night Event.

We have learned a lot and have plenty to celebrate. Watching youth realise that they have the potential to impact their own community has been incredible, and our church has developed many relationships in our local community.

Image: (LtoR) Rio Tinto Alcan cheque presentation - Guy Fortin, General Manager Boyne Smelters Limited; Mike Dunstan, General Manager Rio Tinto Alcan Yarwun, Sean Pieper and Jessica Wilson.

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April 2012 www.qb.com.au

Intentional ministry series

‘

Watching youth realise that they have the potential to impact their own community has been incredible

’

Michael Trafford

Tablelands Men’s Shed Pastor Allan Sharpe shares the journey involved in setting up ‘Men’s Shed’ to facilitate intentional ministry to men in his local community.

In 2009, Mareeba Baptist Church in Far North Queensland was looking for ways to connect with the community. As a church, we did not want to be involved in a ‘me too’ ministry. We were looking for an area of need that was currently not being addressed by any of the other churches in town.

Tablelands Men’s Shed had its beginnings when one man from the church, Cec Ayliffe, went to a forum held by the local council to discover the greatest needs in the community. One of the greatest needs that kept getting mentioned was men’s services. Services for men were thought to be lacking across the shire. Hearing this, and knowing that his church was trying to connect with the community, Cec approached me to talk about the needs of men in our community. He also mentioned he had heard about this thing called a ‘Men’s Shed’ but didn’t know much about it. Along with Bruce Marshall, another man from the church who was also keen on reaching out to men, we started investigating what a Men’s Shed entailed. As a result, we felt that the Men’s Shed movement was an organisation that we could join and roll out in Mareeba, in order to improve the wellbeing of men in our community without compromising our values.

We had God’s favour every step of our journey. Many other community organisations were more than willing to assist us. We received a small grant from the council to assist with start up costs, plus they leased the old scout building to us for the huge cost of $1 per year. Local print media has also supported us every step of the way and, from our beginnings, has been willing to publish regular stories and photos about what is happening in the shed. We have also struck up a strong partnership with an indigenous health organisation in town, who frequently uses the building.

The next step for the shed is to develop a separate workshop.

We have been blessed to be given a BapLink grant to assist in this development.

The shed is run under the auspice of Mareeba Baptist Church with a management committee of Allan Sharpe, Bruce Marshall, Cec Ayliffe and Tom Brown, who are all part of Mareeba Baptist. We are also in the process of developing an Operating Committee who will be involved in the day-to-day running of the shed.

In setting up the shed, we have been careful to ensure that its vision and direction is set by the Management Committee. We don’t want the shed to lose its overall objective which is to improve the wellbeing of men including physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspects.

The shed provides opportunities for men who know Christ to meet with men who, as yet, don’t know him. There are no Christian posters or rules about not using bad language at the shed. It is simply about followers of Christ living as salt and light in the community. It is about connecting with men as they journey through life and building relationships which, in time, can point them to Jesus.

We have been open since April 2011 and we are still in the connecting stage with many men. We know that even if some of these men come to faith in Jesus, it may not mean an increase in numbers at church on Sunday. We know that church may take a different form for the men from the shed. The Men’s Shed team of Mareeba Baptist Church is comfortable with this because we believe our goal is to be used

by God to grow his kingdom in Mareeba, even if that growth takes a different form.

Images (top left - bottom right): Magistrate Tom Braes / Mayor Tom Gilmour (Left) & State Member Jason O’Brien

www.qb.com.au April 2012

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It works!

QCCC

A little over a year ago, we launched an overarching theme for our QCCC sites.

Known as R1202 (Romans 12:2), it’s a bright, colourful hand that is now a visual presence at each site. The attributes in R1202 are drawn directly from the Beatitudes and it has multi-layering so that the interplay of colour, fingers (and thumbs) and words create up to sixty memorable object lessons that we can refer to, depending on the age and demographic of groups we’re working with.

After a year of use I thought I should briefly share a few of the amazing stories about how the hand has built into the fabric of visiting groups and changed lives, but first I thought I should set the scene and explain how and why we try to use it.

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In The Tangible Kingdom Hugh Halter writes, “If you go to Africa and hang out in a village of starving children you’ll get a heart for starving children. If you hang out with the mentally ill, you’ll get a heart for the emotionally imbalanced. If you want an authentic heart for people outside the church… you’ve got to be with them. As they grab your heart, your posture will change, your angle of approach will change, and the Kingdom of God will be a little more tangible’.

At QCCC, we get to hang out with more than 50,000 people each year; people who are hugely varied in age, needs and desires. This means we have a heart for people coming away from their everyday hum drum. It gives us a heart of service to make sure they have a wonderful time away, and a heart to see their time with us spent well. Often we don’t have a lot of time with people, but we’re just a small link in

QCCC

the chain of the Holy Spirit’s work and prompting in their life, which started long before they come to us and will go on long after they leave.

R1202 is part of that link in the chain, a multi-purpose teaching tool suitable to a wide range of guests and able to be used in a multitude of ways to help, encourage, challenge and give pause for reflection.

It works with Year Three groups visiting Mapleton who fill out a reflection sheet where they decide how they could take each of the hand attributes and practically apply them to their lives, relationships and future.

It works when a group of Year 12s from an elite Catholic school on a spiritual retreat voluntarily adopt the hand bookmarks and their scripture references from the Beatitudes as their camp prayer.

It works every time a school group sees how its kids connect with the simple visual attributes of the hand and approach us to take it back to their school context, for the long haul. They leave armed with bookmarks and posters to use in their classrooms, long after camp is finished.

It works when a weekend craft group is ensconced in one of our meeting rooms and talk turns to the images of the hand displayed around them, what it all means, and how it applies to them.

It works whenever it is used as a post-activity debrief when participants honestly and vulnerably tell what they’ve learned about themselves as they work together on a challenge.

It works every time our guests observe our staff members being true to the attributes of R1202. It’s often that the total sum of cleaners, administrators, managers, caterers and outdoor educators are described by organising teachers as ‘loving our kids’. (Every organisation or entity is encouraged to look for a

point of difference to distinguish itself from its ‘competitors’ – and this is the one we hope to make our own.)

This is just a sampling of the ways we see change happening.

There are many more we know of and no doubt many that aren’t broadcast. Like a mustard seed, R1202 is growing into the social fabric of South East Queensland and making a difference.

Elsewhere in The Tangible Kingdom, Halter writes on posture: ‘Posture represents the attitude of the body: the nonverbal forms of communication that accompany what we say.’

And elsewhere: ‘Focusing on what we say without regard to how we say it doesn’t work in marriage, with our kids, in politics, or in any social arrangement. So why do we think it would work with God? Do you think he is happy with us for alienating his world?’

‘The idea of posture helps us to realise that truth is important, but according to scripture, truth is not the only thing or the most important thing. The most important thing is whether or not people are attracted to the truth, drawn into the truth, and able to understand and receive the truth.’

We hope that R1202 is turning on the light of truth and prompting a heart response for change, guided by an attraction to the most important attributes taught and modeled by Christ.

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

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QB kids & their families

What happens at home...

Everyone involved in children’s ministry knows what a privilege it is to have the opportunity to nurture kids in a growing relationship with Jesus; to help them develop a growing friendship with God as they learn more about him and their place in his story.

This incredible privilege is usually restricted to approximately 45 minutes a week when kids attend the Sunday kids’ program.

Recently I asked a dad (of four) to estimate the number of Sundays in a year when he is able to get his kids to church.

He said, ‘Well, with holidays, sick kids and the like, I would say around forty weeks’. That means the church kids’ team has just over 30 hours a year dedicated to spiritual input for these kids. Thirty hours to impact a child’s life, their future, even their eternity. What an amazing privilege! And what an incredible challenge!

Save the date!

These statistics got me thinking. Even with the most amazing programs, environments, leaders and resources, we don’t even come close to having the opportunities that parents have to influence children spiritually. Imagine the incredible power produced by a family growing in relationships with God together.

Imagine if all Christian parents made the spiritual development of their child as much of a priority as academic, physical and social development. What a future and a present we could create.

What happens at home within families is, in many ways, more important than what happens at church. We need to find ways to empower parents, empower kids and, together, bring power to families and glory to God. Catherine Tallack Children’s Pastor – Gateway Baptist Church

Email: qbkids@qb.com.au

The average working parent in Australia will spend around six and a half hours of quality time with their children each week.

If you do the maths that means, on average, a parent has 330 hours to impact their child spiritually every year. That’s more

than ten times the opportunities available to the church. In fact, the average parent will have 10 times more opportunities to minister to their child in one year than the church will in 10 years!

presents

Connect 12

See: www.messychurch.org.uk

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April 2012 www.qb.com.au



Ignite!

Saturday 3 March was a great day to remember. So much fun; so much learning and lots of fellowship. Can’t wait for next year’s Ignite Expo 2013.

www.qb.com.au April 2012

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QB youth

Plugged into Jesus or plugged into Apple?

Two years ago I was convinced my life needed an iPhone, and in truth it has brought some great positives and made life a little simpler. However, the time I often spend on it, and how my kids see the time spent, is not healthy. This past year we decided that Christmas would be sponsored by Apple, so we purchased iPods for the kids. What a great idea! I don’t think the kids have jumped on the trampoline or played outside since Christmas. I came in the other day, and they were all sitting on the couch, ‘plugged in’. Straight away I thought, ‘This is me, I’m constantly checking Facebook, emailing or messaging’. So how do my kids and youth see me? Am I plugged into Jesus or just media?

a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize’ (1Corinthians 9:25-27).

As I look around I find that youth and adults are constantly plugged in, or on, some sort of electronic device. So do we just expect that this is the norm for our youth? For myself, I had to question my use of time and use of my phone. It really came down to an addiction; my phone was attached to my hand. I have to be willing to go without; I have to break away and have self control in order to be an example to my kids. Paul uses the example of an athlete, in order to demonstrate how to live in a healthy relationship with Jesus:

A simple thing like a phone or computer can often drain so much of our time that we have nothing left to give. As parents and leaders, we need to be displaying self control across every aspect of our lives. Change must start with us if we want to see our kids and youth maintain a healthy life balance in a world of over indulgence in the electronic age. Maybe there is opportunity for time with our youth and kids that doesn’t involve media. This, I think, will develop youth who are plugged into Jesus and relationships, rather than just plugged into a device.

‘Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.

They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get

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April 2012 www.qb.com.au

Athletes need to exercise self control across every aspect of their lives, disciplining their bodies to keep themselves under control. It comes down to self discipline and an attitude towards what is right for their peak condition. For those of us who pursue Jesus, it’s about focusing on him.

Kane Turner Associate Pastor Keperra Baptist Church kane@keperrabaptistchurch.org.au

QB women

‘You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb’ (Psalm 139:13).

This morning my daughter and I had a bit of head-to-head battle. Doesn’t happen often, but sometimes we butt heads as I try to convince her that my way is best. She had to recite a poem at school with, in her words, ‘enunciation, facial expression and hand gestures’. I thought it would be helpful to practise at home so I could offer her my wisdom, due to my many years of... ahm... poem reciting. ‘Mother knows best’, I said. So we battled on, and after many tears and tantrums, she finally practised, and I sent her off to school with confidence that I had done my bit to prepare my girl for the big wide world of school assessment.

Now, my daughter is different to me. She is soft when I can be hard; she is cute when I can be stern. She lacks confidence where I have enough for everyone. She is kind and caring and gentle, where I don’t always find empathy easy.

There is nothing wrong with how she is made; she is just different to me. There is nothing wrong with how I was made; I am just different to her, and different to you. When God made all the intricate and delicate parts that make up my daughter and me, he did it with intention and purpose, and above all, he did it with LOVE.

protect, always trust and always have hope. And best of all, his love doesn’t ever, ever, fail.

So when my beautiful daughter with her long curly hair (‘just like Taylor Swift, mummy!’), her brilliant blue eyes, her pale skin dotted with more freckles then there are stars in the sky, comes for her afternoon cuddle, I will be reminded that while very different to me, she is made with love by her Father in heaven.

Sue Peters State Director Queensland Baptist Women admin@sheis.net.au In 2012 the She is ... made with LOVE conferences and camps will be focussing on the redeeming, restoring and releasing love of Christ. Full details of the programs and speakers at each location are available at www.sheis.net.au

And he made us with the kind of love that isn’t transient and fallible, or jealous or proud; nor is his love dishonouring or selfseeking. He doesn’t anger easily, and he doesn’t keep a record of the wrong things I’ve done in the past, or the things I still struggle with now.

No, the love he made us with is patient and it is kind. It is a love that rejoices over truth. It is the kind of love that will always www.qb.com.au April 2012

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MTQ

‘Tree change’ or a ‘sea change’... why not?

There is no doubt that church planting opportunities abound in the SE corner of the state, but there is also huge potential in the rest of the state. In this article, I want to focus on the opportunities for extending God’s Kingdom through starting new faith communities in rural and regional Queensland.

Queensland is expected to grow by 100,000 people each year for the next 10 years and much of this growth will be in regional centres, especially those along the eastern coastline.

‘

Most of our coastal towns will experience significant growth, which provides an ideal opportunity to start new faith communities to connect with people...

’

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April 2012 www.qb.com.au

Projected population increases in regional centres over the next 10 years: Townsville Cairns Gladstone Mackay Rockhampton Fraser Coast Bundaberg Whitsunday Central Highlands Isaac Mt Isa Maranoa

53,900 33,740 22,700 (100,000 by 2027) 31,250 20,000 20,000 19,100 9,400 10,000, 5,600 2,500 2,000

Most of our coastal towns will experience significant growth, which provides an ideal opportunity to start new faith communities to connect with people as they move into a new area and make a fresh start.

Many of the churches already in these areas have been working on church planting strategies for their regions and beyond.

Others are praying for God’s leading on how best to respond in their context to this population influx. Research supports the fact that more people will become followers of Jesus if planting new faith communities is part of the strategy to reach them. Yes, we do need to strengthen and grow our existing churches, but unless we also start new ones, the potential for extending the Kingdom of God will be limited.

Northreach will be developing some distance study options as part of the overall delivery strategy. If you know women or men who have a passion for seeing Queenslanders outside of SE Qld become followers of Jesus, why not tap them on the shoulder and encourage them to take it a step further. Suggest they explore the call and perhaps consider some training at Northreach as part of the discernment process.

Living outside of a very large population centre isn’t for everyone but too often when people consider it, they focus only on the negatives. However, there are many wonderful lifestyle advantages in small and medium sized communities.

These are easily researched elsewhere, but why not start praying about a ‘tree change’ or a ‘sea change’, not just for the lifestyle benefits but because God may want to use you to help establish a new faith community that will reach people for Jesus.

We can all be praying for a move of God’s Spirit to inspire and empower those he will be calling into these new ventures, and be open ourselves that he might be calling us. If you want to explore the possibilities of being involved in rural or regional church planting, I would love to have a conversation with you.

James Baker Leader of MTQ Coordinator Church Planting James.baker@qb.com.au Mob: 0418 124 862

Even if there were no new people coming into the area, the majority of people in every one of our rural and regional communities are still not yet followers of Jesus. Sometimes starting a new faith community with a different approach is needed to connect with them, as many have long ago rejected the existing churches.

There are some unique challenges, especially in the mining areas where high rents have squeezed many long term locals out and increased the itinerate population.

Fly in/fly out and drive in/drive out miners create social problems at both ends: for the miners grouped together at the mines and for the families left behind. For many, the dream of financial betterment comes at great cost of relationship stress and breakdown. How can our churches respond to this situation?

All profits support the work of missions

Northreach College in Townsville will be offering courses specifically designed to equip people from these regions to start new faith communities in rural and regional areas. Some of those being trained will have a vocational call to church planting; others will want to be equipped to be an effective team member in a new initiative where they can use their primary vocational skills to earn income to support the new venture.

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QB archives

ARCHIVES Saved!

In 2005, Gatton Baptist Church was in the process of moving from its original site to its new modern premises in William Street.

Long time member Mrs Eunice Cowell spotted some books and papers which were ready for the tip, and recognised them as the official records of t h e church – minutes, reports, music books and other items. So she rescued them, cleaned them up and sorted them.

The new church premises had a number of small rooms, one of which would be ideal as a Heritage Room — it even had a window into the main auditorium. Permission was given to use it, so Mrs Cowell began arranging the material for display. One wall displays the early history of the church, while at the back there are Bibles, music books and plaques from the old building. A special place was kept for the Minute Books and Church Rolls. Other places were found for memorabilia such as posters, collection plates, programs of events, magazines such as The QB and Vision, and official photographs. The third wall is covered with pictures and displays depicting the church at the time it occupied the new building; especially its missionaries. One item that holds pride of place is a small cross made of nails given to the church by the father of a Korean backpacker in grateful thanks for the church’s care of the young man.

Even though Mrs Cowell had successfully saved this valuable material and set up the display, there was one more step – writing up the story for all to read. Having already written her Mutzelburg family history, this was no problem for Eunice. She started with the pre-history in 1880s at Blenheim, and worked through to the beginning of the Gatton story in the 1930s when the work started with Rev Will Holmans. She had help from three other ‘oldies’ in the church, then in their 80s and 90s. Together they brought the story up to the present.

But this was no ordinary writing project – Eunice hand wrote the entire book in beautiful lettering! Also, many of the recent illustrations are photographs taken by her own film camera. Each year the history, which is on display in the Heritage Room, is updated, so it is an on-going project, and a rare one too – there is only the original and a few photocopies!

Image: (top left) Eunice Cowell in the Heritage Room

Something more than Gold A 200 page book telling the story of Baptists in Central Queensland will be launched on Friday 18 May at the QB Convention in Rockhampton.

Titled Something more than Gold, this book contains more than 100 illustrations and several maps. It covers the eleven churches that have existed in Rockhampton and fourteen in the region, as well as the CQ District Association, camping and QBC activities.

It is the first overall coverage of Baptist witness in this area which has seen dedicated work by a large number of people (not all of that work has survived).

Conditions during the 150 years have varied, and in some cases churches have declined and later revived, but in other situations, efforts came to nothing, or buildings and ministries passed to other denominations.

The book has been prepared by Baptist Heritage Queensland with the help of many people from the area.

In previous years, a few churches and other ministries have produced their own histories; details from these have been used, but a great deal of new information has been obtained from participants and newspapers and this has been incorporated into the book. A guide to more than 30 heritage sites in Rockhampton and nearby has also been prepared.

The book contains a Foreword by the Rev Dr Chris Ganter, Senior Pastor of Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle. It will be dedicated by the Rev Barry Downes, Associate Pastor of the Tabernacle, who ministered in the city in the 1970s and now has special responsibility for developing ministries in the region.

Pre-publication orders are now being received for the book which costs $15 plus postage. The 2005 history of Baptists in Queensland, Pressing on with the Gospel, is also available as a bundle at $25. Contact Baptist Church Qld Archives, PO Box 6166, Mitchelton Q 4053; archives@ qb.com.au or phone 07 3878 3178.

The Baptist Archives archives@qb.com.au Phone 07 3878 3178, 07 3354 5642, 07 3256 8897 Mail The Baptist Archives, QB Centre, PO Box 6166, Mitchelton Q 4053

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QBC

Harald’s House offers hope to homeless kids ONE man’s 20-year vision to ease the plight of street kids in Cairns and create a ‘home where they finally belong’ has come to fruition with the launch of Harald’s House this month. For the past two decades, Dr Harald Falge OAM and his Street Level Youth Care team have offered food, support and hope to young people who have no-one else to turn to.

Now, after years of community fundraising, his dream of creating a safe home environment for these kids has finally become a reality, removing them from the risks of living on the streets where violence, sexual abuse and drug addiction are not uncommon. Operated by Queensland Baptist Care, Harald’s House will be managed and run by Harald and a team of staff who are passionate about caring for young people.

According to Harald, God often has a chosen path for you in mind if you are open to it, and he received a lot of spiritual guidance with this project. ‘You often get little reminders or urges from God to steer you in the right direction in life and all of us need to be more receptive to God “whispering in our ear”. With Harald’s House I have been guided by God all the way through,’ he said.

We all see injustice and wrong doing in our society but few of us are brave enough to do something about it. In 1991, after witnessing an indigenous boy, who needed money to buy food, being solicited by an older white man, Harald has made it his vocation in life to help vulnerable homeless children. So moved was he by the plight of these homeless and disadvantaged youth, Harald and his family initially distributed homemade meals from the boot of his car. This grew to a fleet of mobile van units as donations filtered in.

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Queensland Baptist Care has always supported the Harald’s House project by offering tax deductibility to donors, which was vital to raise the funds to purchase the house. Now that the project is off the ground, it will provide management and administrative support to ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations and quality standards. Harald maintains that his vision may not have become a reality without the organisation’s help in negotiating the acquisition of the house, and he is grateful that it will operate the service.

The opening of the new youth shelter is particularly relevant in Cairns where homelessness rates are twice the national average—over 1,300 people according to the last Census. A critical shortage of homeless hostels and beds in Cairns also leads to more people sleeping rough on the streets. However, Harald’s House is the only home/shelter of its kind in Far North Queensland where residents are required to participate in schooling, training or work, enabling them to take the next step towards realising their potential and end the cycle of homelessness. And, most importantly, Harald’s House will be a home built on the strong foundations of unconditional love, support and Christian faith.’

After seeing children being exploited on Cairns Esplanade, Dr Falge felt that he was commanded by God to do something to demonstrate his Christianity more effectively. ‘There has been no funding from government, but my prayers materialised into a store room, two vans, a freezer room, microwaves to heat the food and meal donations from dozens of clubs, groups and individuals around Cairns. This also led to the fundraising and finally the realisation of Harald’s House. I had a dream and God provided everything for me. So I find that God will give you what you need if you are open to, and accepting of, guidance,’ he said.

Displaying huge empathy for these children, Harald admits that their plight has often reduced him to tears, and he is meticulous in recruiting volunteers that share his passion. ‘They need to have real love and affection for young people and be nonjudgemental. They also need to be able to impart the love of Jesus to these kids regardless of their background. They cannot be judgemental because Jesus died for every one of

Images: Harald Falge & Inside Harald’s House

How you can help!

Testimony to Harald’s good faith in the youth, many have gone on to finish university, becoming lawyers, teachers, chefs, tradesmen and more, as well as getting married and raising children. ‘Often they’ll come up to me in the street and I hardly recognise them because they have turned their lives around so much. But, for us, saving only one young life would make everything we have done for the past 20 years worthwhile. The main thing is that someone is there when they need it the most – someone who believes in them,’ Harald said.

‘One girl cried recently when I was giving her encouragement because it was the first time in her life that someone had

praised her genuinely. And I have always maintained that there are no bad kids, just bad deeds.’

Harald estimates that around 8,600 people have been helped by the service. Delighted with the impending launch of Harald’s House, the father of three said that he ‘always saw the potential in these young people. But we only had the facilities to feed them until now. I always thought if we could give them a place where they could do their homework and they were safe, they’d have a far greater chance to achieve their goals. And now my dream has finally come true.’

Mary Earls For more information go to www.haraldshouse.com.au

Help make Harald’s vision of breaking the cycle of homelessness a reality: 1. Become a financial sponsor by joining the ‘Sponsor a Bed’ program at Harald’s House for $42 a month - Ph 07 3550 3737 or email marketing@qbc.com.au for more information.

2. Become a volunteer youth worker - Ph 07 4033 5631 or email harald.falge@qbc.com.au for more information.

How you can help!

us and not just a select few. We want to show these kids that they aren’t invisible; they matter. That’s why I welcome these children with open arms,’ said Harald who also praised the local community for their tireless fundraising work.

Global Interaction

Hearing God’s call When we become followers of Jesus, invariably the next questions are, ‘What now? What do I do? What am I supposed to do with my life?’ The answers to these questions, when put up against the multitude of opportunities available to many Australians, leave us more confused than reassured.

• Others—receiving the wisdom that comes from other current and former cross-cultural workers • Information—understanding how Global Interaction works through teams of workers to see communities come to faith.

By reflecting on God’s word, we come to learn that God is far less interested in our QTAC preferences than he is in the formation of our character. He calls us to:

These elements and more come into play as people consider their future. Currently there are a number of people working through this process, with our support. In particular, some have committed to a ‘Year of Discernment’. This is a supported program, providing the information, networks and experienced fellow travellers that assist in discerning God’s direction. If you would like to know more about this program, please contact Karen Haynes, Global Interaction’s Young Adult Consultant.

• Worship him whole-heartedly • Tell others about him and • Become more like Jesus.

When we see this call through scripture, again and again, we can let go of our anxiety about the details. However, being faithful to all that God has blessed us with: time, relationships, skills and gifts, still requires some thoughtful discernment.

Global Interaction is full of people who are seeking to be obedient to God’s call in a way that makes the most of their skills, gifting and passions. There really is no ‘typical’ crosscultural worker. The thing that is ‘typical’ is a united passion for sharing good news with those people least likely to ever hear it.

For those considering if long-term cross-cultural work is for them, a number of elements come into the process: • Church—praying and discerning with leadership and members of their own church to discern if God is calling them into cross-cultural work • Skills—considering and potentially supplementing their current skills and qualifications • Bible—gaining a knowledge of the scriptures that will be needed for explaining the good news to people immersed in a different cultural context

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Karen Haynes khaynes@gloablinteraction.org.au Ph 3354 5603 Mob 0433 550 960 Melody, a young Queenslander currently in South-East Asia, explains part of her discernment process: ‘On my first trip to South East Asia in 2003, I expected to see God move in mighty ways in the places where we travelled. What I did not expect was for him to move my heart in the way that he did. I believe with all my heart that Jesus desires a full life, just as much for the people of South East Asia as he does for us.’ (John 10:10)

BWAA

T o n s i e p o h Their d e c a mispl I’m standing in a classroom with thirty young faces looking up at me. With their happy smiles, their chatter with one another and their eagerness to meet me, it’s hard to remember how difficult their lives are from day to day.

Seventy-five percent of the families in their fishing community, located right on the coast of Negros Island in the Philippines, are classified as living in poverty. Pollution is one of the overarching problems, with no system of rubbish disposal and minimal sanitation facilities compounded by flooding rains and high tides. This not only affects health—with diseases including diarrhoea, pneumonia and skin infections common—it also reduces incomes with fish driven away by the dirty water.

These thirty children between the ages of six and 18 are part of a newly formed children’s club with SAO Child Sponsorship. They have helped identify problems that concern children and they will be involved in coming up with ideas and activities to make a new beginning for their community. They also join together to learn about important issues that affect them such as hygiene and healthcare, for training and activities in leadership and team work and, as the project continues, to give their feedback on how their daily lives are improving.

One of the children, Julien, is 15 years old; he thinks he might like to join the army when he finishes school. He and the other children are looking forward to what the new program will achieve and the opportunities they will have to improve their community and build their confidence.

They also look forward to the work the project will do with their parents. The adults in the community will also learn about nutrition and healthcare and how to manage savings and small business enterprises to increase their income. Julien’s mother has already joined a share group where she has started putting aside savings

each week. She has also taken part in training in making fertiliser to increase the fertility of the sandy, coastal soil in her yard, and has begun making candles to sell for additional income.

As I sit and listen to the stories of these children and their plans for what their group can do, I’m overwhelmed by their sense of hope for a different future. Having just visited a number of other communities where SAO Child Sponsorship has been established for a number of years, I know that their hope is not misplaced. Children in other communities told me about how they, and the community, had carried out coastal clean-ups and mangrove planting which has resulted in improved fish stocks, protection from storm surges and a healthier environment. In one community, 40 families had taken a loan from group savings to begin small businesses and increase their incomes. And many parents and children had their home lives transformed through marriage enrichment and parenting sessions that help families understand their responsibilities and how to work better together.

SAO Child Sponsorship really does have the power to transform communities like this one. Spending time with the children, meeting their parents and speaking with the staff, I too, share their excitement about what this program has the potential to achieve. More than just improving statistics, I’m excited that this program will have a real impact on the lives of these children, giving them a voice and the power to change their world.

Katherine Roberts Baptist World Aid Australia Nine hundred children in the Philippines and in other countries need sponsors before July! You can be a part of the transformation by sponsoring a child today. Call 1300 789 991 or visit www.baptistworldaid.org.au/sponsor.

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Persecution brief

Please pray SYRIA - CHRISTIAN HOMES INVADED; FAMILIES DESPERATE TO FLEE

five of the families, who had not been involved in the dispute over the images, to their homes.

The situation in the besieged city of Homs, Syria, is horrifying and becoming unbearable for Christians who are caught in the battleground. Many thousands are trapped in the city, though others have managed to flee to the surrounding villages. Families are in desperate need of food and basics; prices have rocketed, supplies are running low, and it is often too dangerous to go out in search of food.

The commission referred a decision to the judiciary on the return of the three families related to Mourad Girguis and also the Muslims who burned down the homes of Christians.

Mourad was charged and released on bail, but there appears to be no evidence against him.

More than 200 Christians have been killed, and the community has been beset by kidnappings. Two bombs were discovered in a church yard in Homs, although thankfully they did not explode.

Christians were even blocked from leaving Homs by antigovernment forces who were keeping them there as ‘human shields’ in a bid to protect the areas they were controlling.

EGYPT - ORDER TO EVICT CHRISTIAN FAMILIES FROM VILLAGE OVERTURNED A parliamentary commission has overturned the ruling of a Muslim-led tribunal that ordered the eviction of eight Christian families from an Egyptian village.

The families were forcibly removed from Kobry-el-Sharbat in Alexandria in a ‘humiliating’ agreement made on 1 February to placate Muslims who had twice attacked Christian property there. The violence at the end of January was sparked by an unsubstantiated rumour that a Christian man, Mourad Girguis, had taken illicit images of a Muslim woman.

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Elsewhere in Egypt, anti-Christian violence rages on. In the village of Meet Bashar in Zagazig, Sharqia province, a church was torched, the church leader threatened with death, and the homes and vehicles of Christians set alight. In Nag Hammadi, a Christian man, Moawad Assad, and his 26-yearold son Assad Moawad were shot dead on 26 January when he refused to pay extortion money demanded by a Muslim racketeer who has been kidnapping Christians for ransom.

TURKMENISTAN - PRAISE GOD, PASTOR RELEASED Pastor Ilmurad Nurliev (46) has been unexpectedly set free from a labour camp in Turkmenistan. He was released along with around 230 other detainees in a presidentially decreed amnesty to mark Flag Day in February.

Pastor Nurliev was arrested in August 2010 and was given a four-year sentence in October 2010 on charges of swindling.

His congregation insisted that these charges were fabricated to punish him for leading the unregistered church. His wife Maya said, ‘His release was so unexpected… It is such a joy I can’t tell you’. However, Pastor Nurliev must still report to the police every Saturday evening.

SOURCE: BARNABAS FUND

Cash for Cows

Charity drove supports school chaplains School chaplaincy in regional and rural Queensland received a massive boost of funds and awareness thanks to a cattle drove through central Queensland at the end of 2011. The third biennial ‘Stock Up for Hope Charity Drove’, presented by Medibank, connected kids, chaplains, cattle producers, chefs and city slicker corporates to raise $300,000 for SU QLD school chaplaincy in October.

Among these part time drovers was Brent Sweeney, Senior Pastor at Brackenridge Baptist Church. Over 400 cattle, donated by generous cattle producers from around Queensland, went on the stock route from Bauhinia to Emerald, where the cattle were sold.

‘The Drove has captured the hearts of people from all walks of life, and while it can be difficult to get a cheque out of a cattle producer, we’ve found they’re often willing to donate a head or two of cattle for a cause like this.

‘One or two head of cattle may not sound like much to city dwellers, but that translates to a donation upwards of $700 per beast. When we get a mob together of 400, as we have this year, then it’s a great boost for school chaplains.’

Drove Director, Duncan Brown, said the Charity Drove was a unique way for the community in the bush to support their young people, many of whom are battling issues of isolation, family breakdown, depression and suicide.

The $300,000 raised will support individual chaplaincies as well as fund support workers throughout regional Queensland to ensure the longevity of chaplains in the bush. SU QLD is the largest provider of state school chaplains in Australia, with more than 500 chaplains in over 600 schools.

‘We recognise the incredible challenges the next generation is facing especially out in the bush and Stock Up for Hope is a great way for cattle producers and others to give back into their community, through school chaplains.

The event was the third Stock Up for Hope Charity Drove, which takes place biennially. The first Drove in 2007 went from Hughenden to Blackall, and in 2009 the mob moved from Mitchell to Roma.

More information at stockupforhope.org.au

Image (top to bottom): Neil Flynn (Casino NSW) on the stock route / Lyle Kent, Kent Saddlery

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Outback ministries

Fragile and fractured OUTBACK CONNECTIONS Connecting the outback with Christ

Over the past 10-15 years there has been a decline in community spirit in many towns throughout Western Queensland because of social, economic and spiritual issues brought about by changes in government, industry and in church denominations. Many of these towns are fragile and fractured. Fragile because of forced council amalgamations, resulting in local communities losing control to make decisions about future plans for their towns.

Also, the promised resource boom is causing concern about what changes may occur in their communities. In many towns, the transient nature of the mining industry is likely to diminish community ownership and prosperity rather than grow it.

usually have little or no connection with the towns; in fact, many of the mine towns are becoming mine camps, where families are being squeezed out.

These towns are fractured because they comprise three distinct people groups: the farmers and long term business owners whose families pioneered these communities; town’s people, including government workers and itinerants who may have little interest in the long term health of these communities; and the fly in/out mine workers who disappear on their days off back to their own home towns. The latter

For two decades, Ron and Paula Turner have been involved in planting churches throughout Queensland. Not long after they became Christ followers, they realised there was a huge gap between their network of friends and the church.

Along with this they were inspired by Luke 10:1-4 to ‘go’ and develop churches that would bridge the gap between Christ and the people outside his kingdom.

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Each group lives with uncertainty about their future and a growing sense of loss of control over their lives. As well, many church denominations have been unwilling to embrace the changes in their communities and have slid into irrelevancy. They have ceased being voices of hope; they have become voices of religion from a bygone era. To use the words of Jesus, ‘they are harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd’ and ‘the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few’ (Matthew 9:36-37).

Outback ministries

‘Church is people, ordinary people, living their lives for Jesus. No hype, not mad at anyone, no special revelation or new doctrine or wonder leader, just friends obeying Jesus together and intentionally reaching out to people who do not know Christ.’

living their lives for Jesus. No hype, not mad at anyone, no special revelation or new doctrine or wonder leader, just friends obeying Jesus together and intentionally reaching out to people who do not know Christ’.

The first and essential step in the game plan is to pray and fast over each community; then secondly, go and connect with that community, sowing the seeds of truth generously through action and word. The third step is to gather and equip those who are spiritually open (the ‘fertile soil people’) and intentionally disciple them to become followers of Christ. The final step is to release these new converts to reproduce and multiply out of the harvest field. This is a simple strategy that Jesus spoke about when he shared the parable of the sower in Mark 4, and it is the strategy he gave to the 72 when he sent them out in Luke 10.

God is at work in the regions: • Ron and Paula are based in Blackwater, a coal mining town, and are establishing some groups • Isaac and Jenny Wallin have just moved to Dysart, another coal mining town, and are working to start a group • Brad and Le-Anne Cowell are in the Gemfields and have a small group meeting • Tony and Billie Dodge are in Alpha, 450 km west of Rockhampton, and are working to establish a faith community • Chris and Sarah James have just moved to Burketown and are working to find their place in that small Gulf town • The Pierce and Knechtli families live in Hughenden, 450 km west of Townsville, and are working to establish connections in that town.

Over the past couple of years, God has been preparing a future for them that involves starting a network of small, simple churches that would connect the outback to Christ throughout Central and North-west Queensland, two massive regions with over 30 towns of varying sizes - some with less than 1000 inhabitants. Ron and Paula believe the time has come to start reaping the harvest that God is preparing in the west. So they, along with the Baptist Churches of Central Queensland and their personal supporters, have formed a partnership with a simple vision and game plan to connect the outback with Christ under God’s guidance.

The overall vision is to plant relational based churches whose primary focus is to make disciples of Christ who, in turn, will make more disciples of Christ. Because of the changing nature of many towns in the west, Ron and Paula believe that the churches planted will be simple in design and flexible to change: meeting in houses, mine camps, farms or public places and built around genuine relationship with God, with those who do not know Jesus, and with other followers of Christ. Floyd McClung in his book ‘You See Bones, I See an Army’ puts it this way, ‘Church is people, ordinary people,

Each one of these people has courageously obeyed God and is taking steps of faith to connect their community with Christ.

These people are ‘point people’ for getting a movement going across the west. However, more ‘point people’ are needed; people who have a heart for the outback and a vision to be God’s representatives in one of these communities.

How about you? Do you see what God sees for the outback?

You do not need any special training, just passion driven by God’s call to the harvest and a desire to glorify God in all that you do with your life. You might be a government worker, a professional, a tradesperson, a mine worker, farmer, chaplain or handyperson. These are the types of people we need to start the simple churches God wants to build. If you sense God is leading you to the outback, please contact Ron and Paula or someone in your church leadership and start to explore God’s great adventure.

Outback Connections Ron and Paula Turner P – 07 4986 1704 M – 0407 028 545 rppkturner@bigpond.com PO Box 317 Blackwater 4717 www.qb.com.au April 2012

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Thinkspot

Indescribably

precious!

One of the greatest favours conferred on Christians in this life (or the next) is that they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

However, a question that naturally arises concerning this subject is: how exactly does the Holy Spirit live in a Christian?

Answers have varied, and we must be careful to avoid excess of statement on the one hand, and defect of statement on the other hand.

We know that the Holy Spirit is everywhere (Psalms 139:7-8).

As Augustine pointed out long ago, this means that when the Spirit comes to live in a person’s life, the Spirit is sent where he already was. But once this happens, he is present in a manner different from previously. How exactly? Now, it is easier to state what it is not, rather than exactly how this occurs. First of all, he does not become one person with us. A believer cannot say, ‘I am Christ’. The Spirit remains distinct from us and leaves our personality distinct from his, so that we retain our individual identities and the responsibility for our actions.

Secondly, some have erroneously suggested that the Spirit communicates part of his own divine essence to believers, so that when he enters our lives, a physical change occurs in our beings that makes us divine. However, there is

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‘It is indescribably precious that the Spirit lives within us.

After the gift of his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins, the Spirit is the greatest gift that God has bestowed on us.’

no warrant to believe this. Our essences are not mixed together as when water is added to wine.

The likeness rather should be to mixing rocks and water: in this case, the rocks and water remain what they were – their essences aren’t interspersed. So, the Spirit lives in us, in contact with us, and we with him by faith, but the composition of our beings is not altered by his presence.

What can be stated, then, as to how the Spirit indwells us? It has been pointed out that one important aspect of the Spirit’s essence is what is termed penetrability. He can penetrate mind or spirit and

Thinkspot

can completely intermingle with a person without expelling anything essentially human. When he does this, the integrity of the human personality and mind remain unimpaired. He somehow penetrates our inmost being, so there is a close communication between the Spirit and us. This is how he inhabits believers in a special way distinct from his being present everywhere and filling all things.

Of course, we do not know exactly how one personality can enter another. Long ago, Augustine wrote a tract to explain the doctrine of the Trinity. The story is told that, one day when he was walking along the beach, he saw a boy take a mussel shell and go out to the sea, fill it with water, bring it back and put it in a small trench on the beach. Augustine asked what the boy was doing. The boy replied that he was going to empty all the sea into the ditch. Augustine smiled and told him that it was impossible. The boy replied, ‘You are no more able, with the mussel shell of your understanding, to carry out the ocean of the Trinity in a small tractate and discourse of your own’. The same is true of the Spirit’s indwelling.

The mussel shell of our understanding cannot fathom the ocean of the vast mystery we are contemplating.

However, the inability of our limited minds to comprehend it should not concern or discourage us. We can’t understand how God does many things. If we did, he would not be greater than we are. Though we are incapable of grasping it fully, it is enough that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is clearly taught in the Scriptures.

The wonder of this truth Though this truth is shrouded in profound mystery, it should humble us, and excite our wonder and admiration. It is indescribably precious that the Spirit lives within us. After the gift of his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins, the Spirit is the greatest gift that God has bestowed on us.

When he was about to leave the world, Jesus explained to his disciples that the presence of the Comforter would more than compensate for his own absence. ‘It is better for you that I go away’ (John 16:7), he said. How beneficial and valuable is the presence of the Spirit if his residence eclipses our Saviour’s gracious and watchful presence! Consider what Christ was to the disciples: a beloved master, an unerring guide, a choice companion, a faithful friend and a mighty protector.

We might well ask: how could the Spirit more than compensate for the loss of Christ? The answer is partly that the Saviour was confined to one place at any given time, whereas the Spirit is everywhere at once. Most importantly, the Spirit’s actions internally more clearly illumine and comfort the mind, more strongly incline the will, and more energetically influence the affections than could any external words or actions.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones calls the teaching about the indwelling Spirit ‘the ultimate doctrine… the highest peak of the Christian doctrine of salvation’.

It is a great thing that God grants us his influences, but who can express the wonder of his living within us? In the early church, Ignatius was called ‘Theophorus’ (the God-bearer). When he stood arraigned before his judges, they asked what this title meant. He replied, ‘I am a God-bearer; God dwells in me’. His persecutors accused him of blasphemy, but Ignatius proceeded to explain that the Holy Spirit dwelt in him. He then went on to prove it: as they put him to a cruel death, he endured it with undaunted courage.

We talk of the greatness of those in authority and positions of eminence, of the fortunate conditions of the wealthy and those with great talents. But who is nobler than a Christian?

That which we carry within us is more valuable than a world. If this was really believed and often considered, what comfort, hope and joy it would instil in us!

Jim Greenbury jimncath@tpg.com.au

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First will be last

Reserve graders Recently I heard a talk by someone celebrating the faithfulness of an orphan mission in Central Africa which is totally reliant on donations and therefore operating ‘on faith’. The talk was of the numerous close calls and near misses, miraculous intervention and ‘God always coming through and rewarding the faith of the place’.

And it’s a fantastic story. I am in awe of people living on the edge like that, their bravery, their faithfulness and their ability to live completely reliant on God. But I did wonder. For every stunning story like that, how many mission outfits embark on a similar path and struggle for years or fall over? What thought do we give to the hundreds of faithful people who enter ministry with a full heart, wonderful intention, but end up burned out, broke or worse? Was it their faith that was lacking? I doubt we can judge, but I suspect not.

On a few occasions I have been in the presence of earned celebrity. And when that has happened I have often been struck by the star-power, or the extremity of talent that these people ooze. I’m talking of entertainment celebrities and the wattage of their star-power; celebrities that drip with extreme charisma.

I’m talking about the difference you see when you go to an NRL game early and see both the curtainraiser and the main event; the extreme jump in intensity and talent that is evident. It’s something I experienced when I had a brush with royalty, meeting a prince of one of the national royal families (which shall remain nameless) and his newlyminted bride. There was a stark contrast between someone whose celebrity was a birth-right (and a dull and unengaging fellow he was) and his hand-

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picked celebrity bride who was intelligent, articulate and worked the room masterfully.

We live in an age where many strive for celebrity.

If all who tried achieved it, celebrity would be devalued. By its very nature, celebrity needs the spotlight and it’s not something that can be shared around too much.

Going back to the NRL, the average number of games played by an NRL player in their career totals less than 50. So for every Steve Menzies or Darren Lockyer, approaching 350 games, there is a score of players who struggle to break doublefigures for number of games played. At an elite sporting level there’s a huge platform of ‘reserve graders’ propping up the pinnacle of the elite. Guys who would have played as long, trained as hard, sacrificed as much but just lacked the extra 5% of talent and instinct required to rise to the top.

I wonder if there’s not something similar in ministry circles. For every amazing tale of God’s bountiful blessing and provision we celebrate, how many struggling ministries are there faithfully serving but waiting in vain for similar provision? It’s not for us to question the ways of God, and maybe the hard road these people travel is a part of a divine purpose, God’s refinement of their life, and an integral part of the witness to the people they are called to serve.

There are a couple of observations I’d like to make.

The humble and enduring service of those struggling in ministry is something that lends ‘star-power’ to the amazing tales of success. These good and faithful people are the reserve-grader base that props up the pinnacles of Christian witness. It is their effort and commitment in tough places that provides the bench-mark by which the remarkable are judged. They’re an integral part of the story of success.

Secondly, very many of them don’t lack in effort, sincerity, dedication and talent. The spotlight might fall on the remarkable and the amazing, but that doesn’t mean that the humble effort and diligence of these reserve-graders is any less, albeit perhaps less glamorous. In the annals of eternity it might be these folks who join the firmament of heroes of the faith – the first being last and last first.

Andrew Grant thegreatbanquet.com

Easter morning

God is with you in your stuggle ‘Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognised him.

And at that moment he disappeared!’ (Luke 24:31 NLT) Ever feel like God is a million miles away? The truth is; he’s not. Whatever struggle you’re going through, you can rest assured you’re not alone. You have God in your corner.

But you’re not the only one who has ever wondered where God was during a struggle. On the very first Easter morning, right after Jesus’ Crucifixion, the disciples wondered the same thing. In Luke 24, we learn about one particular pair of these disciples who were walking down the road to Emmaus, talking about all that had transpired over the past few days Jesus’ arrest, beating, crucifixion - and trying to make sense of it all. They thought Jesus was the Messiah; their dream was crushed. They had heard reports that Jesus’ grave was empty. They were very confused.

Suddenly Jesus himself came alongside the disciples and joined them in their journey. Yet they were in so much grief, they didn’t notice him. Jesus asked about what they were discussing, and so the disciples let him in on the discussion.

Jesus went on to share Old Testament passages that explained the events of the past few days.

Imagine what that experience was like for these disciples. The guy they thought was God was crucified and dead. Then they hear he’s been resurrected, but they don’t believe it. Then a stranger walks along the road with them, eats with them, and suddenly they realise that it’s God himself! And then he disappears.

The disciples couldn’t see Jesus in their grief. They needed God to show himself to them. You do, too. I don’t know what you’ve lost this year - whether it’s a loved one, your health, your job, a relationship, or a really big deal. But, if you’ve had a loss like that, you may have missed the fact that God has walked through the entire experience with you.

You were never, ever alone during that time. You couldn’t see him, but he was there.

Ask God to show himself to you. He wants you to see him. He wants you to know you were never alone.

Rick Warren Reprinted with kind permission Daily Hope www.purposedriven.com

That night, as they ate dinner with Jesus, the Bible says that ‘Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognised him.

And at that moment he disappeared!’ (Luke 24:31 NLT) www.qb.com.au April 2012

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Share the stories of the bible in a language that kids understand - with cars!

by Paul Clark illustrated by Graham Preston

www.evenbeforepublishing.com www.carparkparables.com

by Paul Clark illustrated by Graham Preston

Share the stories of the bible in a language that kids understand – with cars!

B O O K S . DV D S . M U S I C

ISBN: 978-1-921633-71-3

www.evenbeforepublishing.com www.carparkparables.com

BOOK: ‘The Faith Effect’ Theologian Bishop NT Wright and Micah Challenge International Director, the Rev Dr Joel Edwards, have joined Australia’s the Rev Dr John Dickson and the Rev Tim Costello to inspire Christians in Australia to tackle global poverty. These and other high profile social reformers, theologians and practitioners are united by the belief that every follower of Jesus has the capacity to put their faith into action to make a genuine difference in the world.

The Prodigal Ute Old Mr T tells the story of the prodigal son.

ISBN: 978-1-921633-10-2

Car Park Parables These books are a great resource for any Christian children’s group, and especially suited for younger children. Collect your series now!

CALEB Reviews, www.omegawriters.com

The Strange Car Old Mr T tells the story of Zaccheus the tax man, except this car is owned by a parking inspector!

ISBN: 978-1-921633-11-9 The Good Wagon The Good Samaritan story with cars.

ISBN: 978-1-921633-34-8

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Follow Me When Jesus told the apostles to follow him they did, what does Old Mr T show the cars when they choose to follow?

ISBN: 978-1-921633-46-1

Car Park

The Faith Effect is available at Koorong stores nationally; the leaders guide and DVD are available for $29.95 and participant booklets for $4.95 each.

Publicity: Author and illustrator available for interview Review copies available on request Give away copies avaialble on request

Preston

For more information and to register study groups, visit thefaitheffect. com.au

The Missing Motorcycle It’s the lost sheep! Oh no - now it is a motorcycle.

ISBN: 978-1-921633-21-8

d by Graham

Hundreds of churches across every denomination are expected to engage with The Faith Effect, a five-week interactive bible study series which also includes contributions from Danny Guglielmucci, Senior Minister, Edge Church International, and Steve Chong, Lead Pastor, Kirkplace Presbyterian. The Faith Effect is designed to help participants understand God’s concern for the poor as revealed in the bible. The study explores how Christians have been tackling global poverty throughout history and today, and encourages participants to put their faith into action, locally and globally.

Sales points: Easy to read text, read to car loving boys Bible stories in a language boys can understand

Also available:

illustrate

Another contributor to The Faith Effect, Dr John Dickson, Director for The Centre for Public Christianity, admitted he had been wrong to once preach that every dollar given to the poor is a dollar less for evangelism.

Through his own journey of exploring the biblical basis for social engagement, he has come to recognise that, ‘Jesus was insistent on the humble service of the world’.

The cars in the church car park argue over what type of car Jesus would have driven into Jerusaleum. A Palm Sunday story with cars!

Clark,

by Paul

‘When we get our Christology right, we see the differences. John Wesley got it: he said, “If I die with £10 to my name the world can call me a thief”. So when I visit places like India, Sudan and Cambodia I see poverty and pain. And I think that if God hasn’t given up on this earth, then as a Christian I can’t give up.’

What would Jesus drive?

Car Park Parables: a series of Bible stories for kids told with cars in them!

Mini books, just $5.95ea

Car

The Rev Tim Costello, CEO World Vision Australia, said The Faith Effect would help Australian Christians understand God’s perspective on global poverty and the importance of centering lives on Jesus to see an impact of faith on society.

ISBN: 978-1-921633-71-3 Publication date: Easter 2012 Size: 155 by 155mm RRP: $5.95, paperback Extent: 32 pages Target Audience: Christian families and young boys

The Strange

The consistent message throughout The Faith Effect – a new church resource created by World Vision Australia – is that the Church is best positioned to break the cycle of poverty, with the capacity to see every person as made in the image of God, no matter their class, caste or colour.

April 2012 www.qb.com.au

Author: Paul Clark Illustrator: Graham Preston

Parables Car Park

‘God is on the move, doing stuff, transforming the world, healing the world and we get to be part of it,’ said Bishop Wright, Professor of New Testament at University of St Andrews (Scotland).

44

What would Jesus drive?

The Prodigal Ute

by Paul Clark, illustrated by Graham Preston

While the people hear Jesus’ story of the prodigal son, the cars in the car park have a different story.

When the prodigal ute ends up in the city broken and in the rain after driving too fast, he dreams of forgiveness and his home.

by Paul Clark, illustrated by Graham Preston

by Paul Clark, illustrated by Graham Preston

www.evenbeforepublishing.com www.carparkparables.com

CAR PARK PARABLES The Strange Car

The Prodigal Ute

The Strange Car

Share the stories of the bible in a language that kids understand - with cars!

Car Park Parables

Car Park Parables

CAR PARK PARABLES Nobody likes the tax collector, or the parking inspector! But when Jesus came to town he shows that he came to save everyone!

by Paul Clark illustrated by Graham Preston

What would Jesus drive?

Collect the Series NOW!

Car Park Parables

CAR PARK PARABLES

It is Palm Sunday in the Church Car Park and Jesus is riding into Jerusalem. The only problem is deciding what Jesus would have driven into Jerusalem. Was it a motorbike? Was it a truck? Perhaps a limo? Find out what the cars think.

Distributed by Rainbow Books in Australia Foreign Rights enquiries to info@evenbeforepublishing.com

by Pa ul Cla ated rk

by Gr aham Pres

illustr

ton

BOOK: ‘What would Jesus Drive?’

Even Before Publishing is excited to announce the release of a new Car Park Parable for children: What Would Jesus Drive?

This popular series, written by Paul Clark and illustrated by Graham Preston, tells the parables of Jesus from the point of view of cars in a church car park. What Would Jesus Drive? has the cars arguing over the kind of car Jesus would have driven into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. This story is aimed at pre-school or early school-aged children and Christian families, and will keep the story of Jesus’ journey in the forefront of a child’s mind.

Even Before Publishing has previously released five other titles in the Car Park Parables series: The Strange Car, The Prodigal Ute, The Missing Motorcycle, Follow Me and The Good Wagon.

Fun zone

LIKE A CHALLENGE? COMPLETE THESE TO WIN PRIZES!

February 2012 solution:

Sudoku Challenge Sudoku puzzle provided by www.sudokuoftheday.com visit them and get a new Sudoku every day!

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

Sukodu solutions to: QB Magazine, PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Qld 4053 Two correct entries will be chosen to receive a $30 Word bookstore voucher. Don’t forget to include your full name and contact details.

Name Address

Congratulations to Tony Woodward & Chandini Gibson.

A $30 Word Bookstore voucher is coming your way!

Hey Kids, Look for Lucy!

Email

Congratulations! To all those who found Little Lucy hiding at the bottom of page 8 (February issue).

Hey kids! Look for Lucy in this issue! Little Lucy is hiding somewhere. Tell us where she is hiding and snail mail your answer, or email qb@qb.com.au

Creative Captions Win a Word Bookstores Gift Voucher Send your creative caption for their image to admin@qb.com.au or mail to PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Q 4053.

Don’t forget, if you have a great photo that needs a clever caption, send it to admin@qb.com.au or snail mail.

Last issue: ‘I thought I was the only zebra in the herd!’

Congratulations to Kane Turner!

www.qb.com.au April 2012

45

Subscribe to Order by phone: 07 3354 5633 Payment via credit card.

OR Complete this form and post back: The qb Editor, PO Box 6166 Mitchelton QLD 4053 Australia Price: 1 Year $19.50 (GST inclusive)

Unit 29, 37 Mortimer Road ACACIA RIDGE QLD 4110 1300 138 076 or 07 3274 2530

STAGE LIGHTING Lights – the full range! Gels, Lamps, Dimmers, LED Par Cans, Power Distribution, Effect Machines, Effect Lights, Lighting Control – Desks, Software etc

Personal Details Rev / Dr / Mr / Mrs / Ms / Miss (circle)

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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)

INTEGRITY TRAVEL Make your travel and holiday bookings with Integrity Travel and assist missions.

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Interested in travelling to Israel during 2012... contact Integrity Travel to join one of their groups.

Expiry Date Cardholder’s Signature

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Also a 26 day African train tour for Sept/October 2012 Phone Norman 07 3863 1007 visit www.integritytravel.com.au Join Integrity Travel’s Christian Cruising Program today!

Classifieds POSITIONS VACANT

YOUTH WORKER PART TIME (2 DAYS/WK) Tent Hill Baptist Church (situated in the Lockyer Valley – 10mins from Gatton / 25mins from Toowoomba) Tent Hill Baptist Church is seeking an appropriate Christian person to develop and expand the congregation’s existing youth ministry.

Accommodation CALOUNDRA: Seafarer Chase luxury 2 b/r holiday apartments on the Sunshine Coast. Ocean views, heated pool, BBQ, security parking, close to beaches, shops, cinema and bowling club.

Contact Marianne/Martin Burton, phone/fax 5491 7155.

CALOUNDRA - GOLDEN BEACH: Highset three bedroom holiday home. Weekends or weekly. Pets OK. Close to beach. Phone 0402 077 822 or lizottaway15@gmail.com CALOUNDRA - KINGS BEACH: Holiday unit, modern, pool, 100m from Kings Beach. From $390 pw. Phone Ray 0427 990 161.

The suitable applicant will need to: • Relate well with teenagers both in the church and those in the local community.

• Work well with a team of leaders towards agreed vision and goals.

• Understand the needs and values of a rural ministry setting.

For further information please contact Pastor Iain Russell on 54627253 or iain.russell@bigpond.com

CELEBRATION Minden District Baptist Church would like to invite any past members or other interested persons to our 130th Anniversary Celebration on 22nd April 2012 at 9:30am morning service with guest speaker Stephen Ball. All are welcome to stay for a luncheon following the service. Please RSVP by 20th April to Audrey Kickbusch 5464 4561, Lorell Sippel 5426 1269 or Leonie Sippel 5426 1604.

FOR HIRE

INVITATION

2 - 3 JUNE 2012 Former Windsor Road-ites, you are invited to join us and meet up with old friends, or participate from a distance by sharing your greetings and memories in writing via Facebook and on our online photo gallery.

Contact us to receive details of the Anniversary weekend: Phone: (07) 3688 2822 Email: wrbc@bigpond.net.au Find us on Facebook: Windsor Road Baptist Church Find us online: www.windsorroad.com.au Find our online photo gallery: windsorroad.com.au/cpg (first register by emailing 135years@windsorroad.com.au) Remembering and thanking God for the past Looking to him to renew and strengthen us for the future 1877 – 2012

Large Auditorium: Seats 290. Qld Baptists’ Centre at Gaythorne.

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

GENERAL BOOKKEEPING: Brisbane based MYOB Approved Bookkeeper and registered BAS agent, member of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. Servicing greater Brisbane area. Andrew Richardson 0407 614 547.

FOR SALE Amanda Joy Horn has released her first album All I Am. Inspired

by God, these songs have been written to touch your heart.

For orders please contact Amanda on (07) 3802 0031 or horn_fam@hotmail.com. CD price: $22.00 including postage and handling (also available on iTunes).

www.qb.com.au April 2012

47

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