Together in Mission | October 2019

TOGETHER

IN MISSION

October - November 2019

IN THIS EDITION Opening Up Spiritual Direction What’s happening at Victor Harbor Baptist Church Updates from our churches Global Interaction Family News

A movement of local churches thriving in Jesus transforming the world.

FOR PRAYER

Bittersweet

14-20 October

Dr Karen Walker

•

West Beach: Pray for the young people (grades 6-12) who attend our fortnightly Youth Event on Friday evenings, ending with devotions several are from non-Christian families.

•

GIA: Pray for the people of Malawi with political instability. Pray also for Ian as he supports the dictionary team and they get closer to completing this project.

The 23rd psalm uses a wonderfully rich image of a cup that is filled to

•

Pray for the establishment of the new ‘Tumbelin Farm’ service that will provide a place of restoration for young people struggling with drug and alcohol issues.

that is simply beyond their finite capacity and the blessings bubble

President

overflowing. The psalmist experiences such an abundance from God over. The psalmist wrote ‘my cup overflows’ – it is a delightful picture of abundance, and of plenty and being located within the body of the 23rd

21-31 October

psalm it is also one of peace and rest.

•

Pray for Baptist Care SA staff who support children and young people living under State Care.

•

25-27 Pray for the Growing Together in Marriage at Barossa Weintal Resort, Tanunda.

•

GIA: Praise God for the way the Hutchinson children are settling in Cambodia and making friends.

The psalmist (75:8) wrote “in the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming

•

Pray for Global Interaction as they continue conversations in seeking a new General Director.

wine mixed with spices. He pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth

•

Praise God for Bruce Tudball, providing support as Interim General Director.

The image of the cup is scattered throughout our Bible and does not always have such a positive tone.

drink it down to its very dregs.” With the red wine representing the blood, the spices the wicked actions of people and ‘very dregs’ referring to the cup being fully emptied – what a powerful image is found in this

1-10 November

psalm of praise. The judgement of God on the wicked is bitter, it has to

•

Give thanks for encouraging outcomes for people through Churches undertaking Collaborative Community Projects with Baptist Care SA.

•

Pray for youth groups transitioning year 6’s in term 4.

•

Pray for year 12’s transitioning into young adult ministries.

In the story of Joseph there are two cups. In Genesis 40 a cup of was

•

GIA: Pray for Grace and Daniel as they recommence school.

Praise God that Dema has been able to complete his studies.

part of the dream of the Pharoah’s cupbearer which Joseph was able to

•

Pray for Hien, Hoa’s wife, as she takes on more responsibility in Vietnam.

11-17 November

be fully tasted and consumed. This is such a contrast to Psalm 23 with its image of abundance, generosity and grace overflowing.

interpret. As a result of the pharoah’s servant’s experience in the prison he recommended Joseph to pharaoh in order that his dreams could be interpreted. These events resulted in Joseph being restored to pharoah’s court in a senior role. Later in the narrative we encounter the cup of

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GIA: Praise God for the relationships Catherine has with Khmer women and the support she provides them.

•

Seek blessings of insight for Churches participating in Connections Workshops to create inclusion opportunities for people living with disabilities.

brother’s bag after his brothers came to Egypt seeking food). Great fear

•

Salisbury: For the church to grow and be effective in evangelism & making disciples.

total powerlessness in the presence of such power and abundance. The

•

GIA: Pray for David and Susie, that God would provide the people needed to partner them to go to Malawi in June 2020.

trickery (Joseph’s silver cup was planted in the bag of the youngest and consternation was experienced by his brothers as they experienced ultimate outcome of the cup of trickery was the reconciliation of Joseph with his brothers and his father, and the saving of his extended family during a time of harsh famine and drought. Here we see a cup as a tool

18-30 November

used by God in the cupbearer’s dream and later used by Joseph as a

•

Prayerfully give thanks for those who put the needs of others before their own.

•

Pray for the President, Dr Karen Walker.

•

Pray for Mike Mills and staff.

When Jesus spoke about the cup it was of bitterness and despair –and

•

Pray for our pastors.

his friends couldn’t take it from him because he needed to drink from

means of effecting reconciliation and peace with his brothers.

its bitterest depths.

1-8 December •

•

GIA: Pray for Rob and Deb as they prepare to return to Australia for 6 months Home Assignment beginning this month.

When I hold the cup at communion I remember these images, I am

Pray for our young people and their leaders. Thank God for the saving of many lives at the camps.

Jesus. I remember the reconciliation of Joseph with his family and the

touched by their witness to the holiness of God and the faithfulness of bitterness of Israel living under the judgement of God. Such a simple object, the cup, with such potent images associated with it.

TiM

What’s happening at VICTOR HARBOR BAPTIST CHURCH Victor Harbor Baptist is a growing faith

many people, we run a weekly Care and

community where Riley Smith and Tony

Share event that includes an enthusiastic

Ling are the pastors. It extends from

group of retirees that enjoy friendship and

Currency Creek to Normanville and Mount

learning something new. Additionally, we

Compass. Their passion is to love God, His

visit those in regional nursing homes who

Word, and their neighbour. As their web

are unable to come to worship and once

site states: God has not retired to the

a month the ‘Out and Abouters’ organise

Fleurieu and neither have we. Their key

outings for those that are more ‘house

areas of ministry include:

bound’.

Intergenerational worship: each Sunday

Local Mission:

23 people aged between 55-64 years old.

A) Main Street Easter Hunt: this year

Over the past two years the leadership

VHBC partnered with the Christian Book

have been developing a concept plan

Store in the main street where each

for a new facility that will allow their

Little Steps Playgroup: a space operating

family was greeted, and each child given

ministries to expand and deepen. This has

each Wednesday morning with 15-20

one of Andrew McDonough’s Lost Sheep

included purchasing adjoining blocks that

families represented, predominantly

books.

has increased the church’s footprint to

morning there is a more traditional service then another that reaches across the generations.

made up of people that have no other connection with the church.

coffee for the Police over the weekend.

C) Partnering with the Fleurieu Community Foundation: financing an early intervention worker that will assist with preventative measures towards homelessness. In the past 12 months Junction Australia worked with 340 people on the Fleurieu, with 41% of those suffering with mental health issues, and

cater for the required parking spaces.

B) Schoolies Festival: Involved for the past twelve years, Schoolies is always a

Fellow Baptist members can pray for all

Men’s HUT group: supported by Southern

highlight for VHBC. Pastor Tony Ling in

the above, but specifically the Property

Fleurieu mental health and other

his role of SAPOL chaplain does food and

team.

community groups and organisations facilitating programs and a weekly event on site for men struggling with their mental health.

CONNECT Youth: open to all young people in year 7-12 and meets every Friday night during the school term from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Seniors: As loneliness is a key factor for

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST Chief Executive Officer -

to expand beyond the valuable food

strong relational, program development

Baptist Care NT

security work and contribute to meeting

and management skills, ideally developed

a broader range of social needs. In

in the social services sector. They will be

partnership with the Board and member

able to effectively manage the finances,

churches, the new CEO will be charged

business opportunities and existing food

with establishing and developing these

security programs of the agency, while

new programs.

progressively expanding the range of

The Board of Baptist Care NT is seeking to appoint a CEO who can embrace and give effect to the vision of the Board for the agency to be a dynamic influence

person

appointed

The

need across the Northern Territory to

strategic thinker by nature and a

live with dignity and hope and encounter

leader by example, who can build new

Expressions of interest are invited, by Oct

God’s love in action. The appointee will

services from the ground up, through

7th 2019. For further information please

demonstrate strong personal alignment

mobilising and unifying a wide range

contact Lee Haakmeester:

with the faith tradition of the member

of

Baptist Churches, their values, beliefs

government and the wider community

and practice. The Board has a vision

in pursuit of the vision. They will have

stakeholders

from

will

the

be

a

services into identified areas of high need

in creating opportunities for people in

church,

within the community.

e:lee.haakmeester@tasmanhr.com.au t: 08 7220 8695 m: 0488 067 485

TiM On mission

ADVOCACY IN OUR CAPITAL: CONVERGE & MICAH AUSTRALIA Our political leaders are just people like the rest of us, and they go into their roles looking to make a difference in our communities, to lead our nation to be the best they believe it can be. Remembering these two things is helpful when we have the opportunity to meet with, advocate to, and pray for, our elected representatives. We can also be grateful for the freedom we have to participate in our democracy, recognising that for many people around the world this is not the case.

In September, members of our movement had the opportunity to do this as part of Converge, an annual gathering of Baptist leaders from across the nation in meeting with our federal representatives in Canberra to discuss issues of justice. It’s an opportunity for us to use our voices to speak up for others. In previous years we’ve advocated for refugees and asylum seekers, people living in poverty, and people whose lives have been marred by domestic and family violence.

This year, the focus of Converge was on the wellbeing of children in our nation, after the release of Baptist Care Australia’s report “Australia’s Kids – The State of the Nation”. Mike Mills, Melinda Cousins, Karen Walker, Mike Bartlett and Julie Gardiner from Baptist Churches, along with Graham Brown, Ally Ions and Rachel Kemish from Baptist Care, made up the SA delegation. We had meetings with MPs and Senators discussing effective policy options for improving the circumstances of children living in disadvantage and poverty. We were received positively and with a listening ear, as well as robust discussion in some cases. We trust that our voices were heard and we pray that as we continue to speak with gentleness, respect, and compassion, we may influence our leaders in their decision making over the long term.

Melinda had the opportunity to return to Canberra the following week as part of a group of 40 women leaders from across denominations organised by Micah Australia. They were advocating for women and girls in the Pacific region, urging the government to keep the vulnerable and marginalised at the centre of our foreign aid priorities. They also spoke to our elected leaders about opportunities to partner with Pacific and Australian churches in seeing communities transformed.

Many of our political leaders are used to people coming to ask them for something for themselves. We have the opportunity to live out our faith by taking up the cause of the most vulnerable.

(Isaiah 1:17). If you would like to find out more, Baptist World Aid have resources on their website about how to meet with your local MP, or participate in advocacy through Catalyst Groups and Voices for Justice.

Women from across denominations (including Melinda Cousins) meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison

Sacred Agents

Are Autonomous Vehicles Safe?

By Andrew Turner Church Development Facilitator

It’s the question everyone’s asking. They’re asking it about cars, but I’m asking it about churches. The world’s been talking about autonomy for the last few years. We Baptists have been talking about it for over 400!

The Autonomy of the Local Church is one of the key ideas in the Baptist genius. It keeps us as a grass-roots movement rather than a top-down empire. It allows for flexibility and contextualisation instead of each church being a McFranchise. It provides the Body of Christ with something of an immune system: Bad ideas don’t automatically spread across the system, but can be challenged in each location. And there’s another huge one I’ll get to in a minute.

But the word Autonomy always sits awkwardly, doesn’t it? The idea of ‘completely ruling ourselves’ should always raise Christian eyebrows. Isn’t Jesus Lord? Imagine a vehicle that was truly autonomous and just drove wherever it felt like! Hardly useful.

So sometimes we say Independent, but similarly we must qualify it by affirming that the Body of Christ is actually interdependent. Imagine a vehicle that drove you from A to B without reference to all the other vehicles. Highly dangerous!

Another alternative we reach for is Competent.

But can each church be pronounced competent to organise itself in one sweeping statement? Does every car run like a beauty? Are there really no lemons?

It surprises me, then, that we don’t just say Responsible. Instead of affirming that each congregation has ‘the right’ to do whatever it feels like doing, it would seem far preferable to affirm that each church has ‘the responsibility’ to discern how best to serve and represent Christ locally.

And this is the huge benefit I hinted at. It’s more efficient to simply receive the right answers and the right orders from some sort of HQ – but that leaves us as children. Having to do the work of discernment together, weighing up what’s wise and what’s dangerous, what’s Gospel and what’s fad, what’s fruitful and what’s a waste of time – these challenges form us and grow us up into responsible adults. At least they should. To represent Christ well, we don’t just need answers and instructions like robots. We need wisdom and grace.

When we affirm that all believers are priests, we are speaking not of a right to disregard others, but of the duty to live out the holy ministry that the Lord has entrusted into our hands. We can’t do what we like with it. Or let it run into disrepair. Each church needs to responsibly convey Christ’s kingdom to those to whom we’re sent. Sacred agents indeed.

TiM

Who Do You Talk To? Opening Up Spiritual Direction Russell Bartlett - Head of Spiritual Direction - Tabor Adelaide

on a regular basis with another (the directee) with the primary purpose of listening to the story and experience of the directee. The term ‘spiritual direction’ is in some ways a misnomer. It’s not at all about telling a person

OPENING THE DOOR TO

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION Explore being formed as a spiritual director

what to do, but rather drawing the person’s attention to God’s presence, workings and invitations in the reality of their life. A spiritual director listens with one ear to God and the other to the directee, always encouraging the directee to recognise where God can be found

INFORMATION NIGHT Thursday, 24 October 2019 7:30pm – 9:00pm | Tabor (Room 2) 181 Goodwood Road MILLSWOOD 5064 Please RSVP Monday, 21 October Michelle Ellis mellis@adelaide.tabor.edu.au For more information call: (08) 8373 8777

Consider how Eugene Peterson expresses the appeal of spiritual direction*: A spiritual director is someone who is able to hear the distinct uniqueness of my spirituality, not imposing an outside form on me A spiritual director expresses interest in who I am (more than what I do) and directs attention to what is (not what ought to be), thus enhancing my reflection In spiritual direction we cultivate an attitude of awe,

Who do you talk to … about the important things in your life? … the dynamics in your key relationships … the sense that there’s a | Leaders innot Tertiary calling to something yetEducation realised |…www.tabor.edu.au the struggles that invade

your thought processes … the discoveries that you’re finding

we develop a capacity for adoration and joy, we grow in our orientation towards God, looking for God’s grace Spiritual direction is conducted in a growing

in the scriptures … the longings for more spiritual reality … the

awareness that it takes place in God’s active

highs and lows of your actual prayer experience …

presence, that our conversation with our director is

It’s possible to be talking with many people in the different

therefore always conditioned by God’s own speaking

arenas of our lives – with family, friends, work colleagues,

and listening, His being there

even pastors – and yet these important questions don’t get

*Adapted from https://imagodeicommunity.ca/on-spiritual-

expressed and explored. There IS one particular ministry that

issues/on-spiritual-direction-by-eugene-peterson/

provides a safe place where these important issues are the focus of the conversation.

Learn more about spiritual direction at our event this month or call me to discuss further – 0403 177 157

It is the ministry of spiritual direction.

Russell Bartlett In spiritual direction, one person, the spiritual director, meets

UPCOMING EVENTS

TiM On mission

How Can We Make Health Choices Easy Choices for Vulnerable & Homeless People?

Graham Brown Chief Executive Officer Baptist Care SA

This is a question that Baptist Care SA is currently exploring by speaking with people that come into our WestCare Centre each day. An interview with a 50 year old Aboriginal man who is currently sleeping rough revealed a tragic insight into his story: John (not his real name) has had 3 admissions to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in as many weeks due to his chronic liver cirrhosis caused by 20 years of alcoholism. Each separate hospital admission follows the same pattern whereby the medical team investigates his current presenting symptom and come to the eventual conclusion that John’s alcohol abuse is the root of the problem and discharge follows.

As John has no place to go, each discharge results in him returning to the streets and his alcohol, until the next time he requires hospital admission. The multiple ambulance callouts have resulted in a debt of over $2000 which John is unable to pay. Legal action from the government is to follow regarding the debt.

When asked about the reasons for his alcohol habit, John explains that in part he self-medicates with alcohol for pain management for hip and pelvis injuries sustained when struck by a car, however, the primary reason is that it helps mask the pain of his broken heart following the death of his wife from cancer. Whilst he has been to detox for his alcoholism multiple times, after each successful detox he is discharged back onto the street where he consistently falls straight back into his 1 bottle of port a day habit.

Reflection: Please pray with us that ‘light’ will ‘shine in the darkness’ of the tragic circumstances of vulnerable lives and that people will find grace and encouragement through the services that Baptist Care is able to provide on behalf of the Baptist churches of SA. A rigorous, structured consultation is being undertaking with government agencies and many other community organisations including Aboriginalled organisations, in order to gain deeper insight into how Baptist Care SA might respond to the needs of people like John in the future. We trust that this work will enable us to further develop the range of services that can be offered from our ‘sanctuary in the city’ as we plan for future development of the service and facilities at WestCare.

7.7 Million Reasons To Be More Inclusive: New Resource Looks at How & Why Almost five million Australians are living with a disability, and 2.7 million are informal carers for someone living with a disability. Yet, the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelisation has identified people with disabilities as one the most unreached people groups in the world.

Sadly, one of the greatest challenges they face is from communities that don’t make them feel included.

A church’s theology influences the ways people living with disability are perceived and incorporated into the life of the church. It affects how they belong.

Part five of Baptist Care SA’s series on biblical justice ‘Belonging Together on Earth’ further explores the theology of belonging. Written by Reverend Scott Higgins*, it is a free resource which has a focus on people with disabilities and their carers.

There are wonderful examples of church communities who have taken conscious steps to be inclusive. Gwen’s Pantry, which operates from Edwardstown Baptist Church, serves the community by assembling free food hampers for locals who are struggling with unemployment, homelessness and isolation. They also employ people living with disabilities and their carers to deliver food donations to local schools. Gwen’s Pantry has become a communal space where people of all walks of life gather to socialise and support each other.

This nurturing of safe spaces where diversity and friendship is embraced is at the heart of inclusion. It is not just about programs, but about the language we use and the culture and accessibility of our churches.

“Everyone has different needs. Just because I use a wheelchair doesn’t mean that I have “special needs” in inverted commas. My needs are the same as yours, I just need a little bit of assistance to get some of my needs met.” - Jorja Denton, Baptist Care SA workshop presenter.

If you would like to learn about how your church can become more inclusive of people living with disabilities, visit https://baptistcaresa.org.au/belonging-together for your free ‘On Earth’ resource, or email the Baptist Care SA’s Church Support Team at churchsupporrt-team@ baptistcaressa.org.au

Blessings to you for taking the time to read and prayerfully consider the needs and aspirations of our state’s most vulnerable people. **Reverend Scott Higgins is a social justice and ethics consultant, educator and writer. He worked for Baptist World Aid Australia for over a decade, where he founded the Catalyst Program and the acclaimed Ethical Fashion Guide reports. He has since founded A Just Cause and initiated Converge, an annual gathering of Australian Baptist leaders who lobby Federal Parliamentarians on social justice.

TiM

UPDATES FROM OUR CHURCHES ONE FAMILY SENT, ONE FAMILY TO GO When I started as State Director last year, two families were accepted candidates to be sent to specific ‘least-reached’ people groups in Asia and Africa.

Sunday, 14 July, Commissioning/Induction service for Andrew Foster as the new Pastor at Broadview Baptist, campus of Rostrevor Baptist.

Sunday, 7 July, Commissioning/induction service for Malcolm Eberhard as the new Pastor at Millicent Baptist Church.

Sunday, 26 May, Adelaide Chin Christian Church celebrates 1000 members at their church in Elizabeth Park.

Wednesday 17 July, Zotung Family Church’s purchase of their own church in Hope Valley settled.

The Hutchinsons departed for Cambodia just over a year ago. With support at around 100% which God provided for them, Luke, Rachel, Isaac, Tahlia and Michaela thank you so much for your messages, interest, prayers, and support.

They wrote in a recent email: There have been the obvious things to learn – how to navigate traffic, where to shop and what is available, how to live with heat, humidity and mud, what to say and do, and what to not say or do. Yet there has been much more profound and deeper learning, too. We have learnt about the resilience of our children, about each other (and that we should not learn language together!), and about ourselves.

And we are learning to be humble in our abilities, to be ok with not knowing things, to not take ourselves too seriously, to question or put aside what we know as normal from our home culture (have you been asked how old you are and how much you weigh lately?), and we have learnt to be more thankful for our circumstances, friends and family. Perhaps most importantly though, we are learning to follow and trust God in circumstances we can’t control or understand; of the joy that comes from being invited into such a different way of life to that which we know best; and we are learning that God makes himself known the world over in such wonderfully diverse ways. Making the move to Cambodia a year ago and experiencing what we have, we have just now started to realise that we don’t even know what it is that we don’t yet know. It’s just as well that God is so gracious and patient!

The challenge continues, to see the Haydons receive the support required to depart in June 2020. Please join the state office to pray to the Lord of the Harvest, especially during the weekend of 8-10 November (Just Prayer 2019).

To register for this prayer event, go to http://www. globalinteraction.org.au/resources/pray/just-prayer

BAPTISMS

What’s on Enfield Baptist Church

Sept 22nd 2019, 5 young people were Baptised during a special family service - Lucian Webb, Harley Tuminello, Meghan Naden, Fero Doelu and Sebastian Townsend.

Copper Coast Baptist Church

Heidi Jamieson, Nita Tzanakis & David Ladner were all baptised on 24/3/2019.

IN OUR COMMUNITY GROWING TOGETHER IN MARRIAGE Take time out for a retreat weekend that allows God to work in your marriage helping it become the best it can be.

October 25-27

Morialta Charitable Trust Fund Morialta Charitable Trust Fund has been supporting disadvantaged Children, Young People and their families in South Australia through its annual program of Distributions for 40 years.

To enable the Fund to continue this support through Community Organisations in South Australia Morialta Charitable Trust Fund seeks donations from the public.

Held at Weintal Resort, Tanunda For more, contact Rob and Lee Allen 8331 7061 | 0438 892 980 Or visit gtimsa.org

EDWARDSTOWN BAPTIST CELEBRATING UNITY IN DIVERSITY Saturday 19th October Twilight Spring Fair 3:00pm – 7:00pm 35 stalls including 12 food stalls Sunday 20th October 10:00am EBC Annual Multi – Cultural Service Info: 8276 1040 or Kevin: 0412 996 519

COMPANY OF GRACE Hoa and Hien from Company of Grace share an update on our projects followed by afternoon tea (please bring a small plate to share) and market stalls.

Saturday 30th November, 1:30pm Enfield Baptist Church Contact David Richardson 0434 874 252

Together in Mission Issued By Baptist Churches of South Australia Inc 35–39 King William Road, Unley, SA 5061 08 8357 1755 tim.sabaptist.asn.au

Saturday 19th October BBQ NIGHT Dress for a yellow & green theme and bring meat and salad to share Place: Home of Helen Walker (address given when attendance confirmed) Time: 6:30pm Cost: $8 for drinks + dessert RSVP: Tuesday 15th October Saturday 16th November FOUR FUNCTIONS Lunch - Pancakes at the Port 1 Mercantile Dock Pt Adelaide 12:30pm and/or Afternoon Tea at Brian and Helen’s home 3:00pm

BLACKWOOD HILLS MENS BREAKFAST

Donations of $2- and above are Tax Deductible and can be forwarded to the Morialta Charitable Trust Fund at PO Box 92 Crafers SA 5152.

BAPTIST 40+ SINGLES DINNERS

and/or Tea Birkenhead Tarven 6:00pm

Speaker: Mark Morphett &

Mark Nankivell

and/or Fireworks Over Port River 9:00pm

Date:

Saturday, 2nd Nov

Time:

7:30 a.m. (sharp) to 9:00 a.m.

RSVP: Tuesday 13th November

Helen 0411 772 475 Brian 0411 772 457

Place:

Blackwood Hills Baptist 72 Coromandel Parade

Enjoy a breakfast including toast, cereal, pastries, juice and REAL COFFEE, followed by ‘A Journey of Healing’, an interview with Dr’s Mark Morphett & Mark Nankivell. Both Mark’s are practising Doctors of Medicine, devoted husbands and fathers, but their journey started on vastly different roads. Be encouraged and uplifted. Cost of only $8 or $5 concession, with all profits going to the ‘Movember Foundation’ for Men’s Health. Pay on day but RSVP to Michael Houston on 0403 656 537 or mjhouston7@gmail.com by 30th October 2019.

Articles And Advertising in this publication are the opinions of the authors, not necessarily the editor or publisher. The publishers reserve the right to accept or decline any advertising.

Mailing Address Baptist Churches of SA PO Box 432 UNLEY SA 5061 info@sabaptist.asn.au

BAPTIST HISTORICAL SOCIETY Friday 15th November 4:30pm at Flinders Street Baptist Church in the Raws Room.

Speaker Rev. Dr. John Beasy. He will speak about his ministerial career including the churches he has ministered in; Baptist Churches of SA; Australian Baptist Ministries and Baptist World Alliance. A light tea will be served and a donation would be appreciated.

Any enquiries please contact Marie Lines. Phone 8332 4887 or email linesmb@internode.on.net