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A Milestone for Baptists

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A Milestone for Baptists theadvocate.tv APRIL 2018 IN CONVERSATION Nikola Lewis talks about what led her to the “Jesus’ desire is not to hide His face from us, but Girls’ Brigade Western Australia State Commissioner role, and the to be found. His desire is greater still: that we Girls’ Brigade 125 year celebrations. PAGE 12>> might abide in Him.” SIMON ELLIOTT 13>> 7 Reaching out Riverton Baptist Community Church reach out to new Australians >> 8 No place for violence Helping churches better respond to the issue of domestic violence >> Photo: Hadyn Siggins Pastor Karen Siggins’ appointment as the first female Chair of Council marks a milestone for Baptist Churches Western Australia. A milestone for Baptists 11 Humble servant Billy Graham preached an unchanging, old-fashioned The 122-year history of the Baptist Church in Western Australia is rich with milestones. Formed in message in new ways >> 1896 by four churches, Baptist Churches Western Australia (BCWA) has grown to see over 120 churches planted, a seminary founded and aged care established. In late 2017, another chapter was “A Council Member circumstances, will help me to Karen also shared her hope added to the history books with the since 2011, Karen brings an serve the Council well.” for BCWA. appointment of the first woman abundance of experience to When reflecting on what “I want my faith to make a Generous hearts to lead the Council of BCWA – the role along with a deep the future for BCWA might look difference today, while I wait for Lead Pastor of Lesmurdie Baptist connection to Baptist ministry like, Karen said some of the all the things that I hope for. I committed to Church, Pastor Karen Siggins. in Western Australia,” Mark said. practices that would have been firmly believe that God’s love and BCWA Director of Ministries Originally a school teacher, revolutionary ten years ago, when the salvation Jesus offers does building the Pastor Mark Wilson said the Karen completed a Master of Mark first came on board, were change things today,” she said. Kingdom of God. appointment had been a long Divinity at Vose Seminary and now part of common practice. “I want to live out my faith in time in the making. has been pastoring at Lesmurdie “We’re in a good solid place to a way that people can tangibly Since BCWA’s beginnings Baptist Church for over a decade. ask ‘Now what?’,” Karen said. see and experience God’s love in 1896, there have been “We’ve been talking about “We have a strong vision making a difference right BAPTIST CHURCHES conversations about the role this for a year or two and the of being an empowering now in this heartache, in this WESTERN AUSTRALIA of women in ministry. At the big question was, ‘Do I have the movement, helping pastors, brokenness, in this situation.” Annual Assembly in 1992, BCWA skills to do the role?’ Secondary ministries, churches and their “As organisations, as local churches committed to provide was that if I did, I’d be the first communities say ‘yes’ to Jesus.” churches and as the broader opportunities for ministry based woman in the role,” Karen said. “Our responsibility is to ask Baptist denomination, we have on giftedness and character, “I hope that the things and answer, ‘What do we need an amazing opportunity to give regardless of gender. These are that are unique about me, my to look like in the next ten years people a glimpse of the hope we values Mark said BCWA wants to pastoral awareness and my to be relevant for our churches have in the way we live today.” teach and model to members of ability to determine whose and communities in seeing out its community. voice should be heard in various this vision?’” Author – Matt Chapman 2 my view APRIL 2018 In blessing others, we too are blessed During the past year, I have seen a number of churches engaging in go through them alone. The life beautiful ways with older people living in Baptistcare and other residential of another person affects us all in care facilities. varying degrees and that is why it is good to have loving people around us during the difficult Volunteers from churches have led Christmas. The gifts were from group with the couple over many challenges we face. midweek church services. In some women involved in Morley’s years. The meaning and emotion When we think of what God cases, children have come during Care2Craft ministry. created by us being there was has done to connect with us in their school holidays to play I also had the privilege of greatly evident. In blessing others, sending Jesus into our world, music at these services. There are singing Christmas carols at an we too were greatly blessed. to engage and redeem us, and numerous churches and speakers local aged-care facility with Creating and maintaining maintain relationship with us involved in blessing others a few people from Riverton connections with people takes through life in His Spirit, we can through such activities. They want Baptist Community Church. time and effort. It can be hard take great inspiration when we Wade Sinclair to demonstrate God’s love and The connection began through work. This is the work of our consider those with whom we Wade Sinclair is the Manager their own love for people. a couple (church members and chaplains and volunteers from might build strong connections. of Chaplains for Baptistcare. I was delighted when Morley residents at the facilty) who said churches who visit residents in What small acts of grace and Baptist Church Pastor Ann Clews there was a real need. Amongst Baptistcare’s residential care. kindness might you and your delivered Christmas gifts to elderly our singers, there were three I am reminded that as we face church consider this year to bless folk who do not receive much for couples who had been in a home life’s transitions, we don’t have to others? And to be blessed? Time to renovate? After almost a decade of neglect, we decided our home needed some sprucing Truth to tell, I’m not confident up. We created a list of things that needed fixing, though concluded it would about the answer. I suspect that have been quicker to cite those that don’t. spiritual growth is the opposite of home maintenance. After all, household goods wear out with With the ‘to do’ list firmly in place, with what you previously thought It creates a bit of a dilemma, use, while prayer and trust grow it only needed to be supplemented was perfectly satisfactory. (So doesn’t it? I mean what kind of stronger with practice. You can with a suitable budget. This what if the toaster overdoes it – I home do you actually want – a imagine yourself saying, ‘That required getting quotes for tasks prefer burnt toast.) And then our homely one, or one that sparkles chair has been sat on a few times outside of my skill level (the vast granddaughters came around for and glistens? too often’, but are unlikely to majority) and having survived the a visit. It was great fun. The older Being the person I am, I lament, ‘Bother, I’ve exceeded shock of the figure reached, we hid herself behind the curtains, broadened the question in my prayer quota.’ are at the stage of re-prioritising not seeming to mind the marks my mind. What about not just Good questions. Perhaps Dr Brian Harris and deciding what can be delayed (or mould?), while the younger, renovating the home, but also I’ll mull them over for another Dr Brian Harris is the Principal for another decade. (Are those being at the age where she throws the soul? Are there practices decade … of Vose Seminary and Pastor at curtains that outdated? Is that up most things, preceded to do so that need to be refreshed or Large for the Carey Group. really mould or just a bad stain?) over the settee. I heaved a sigh of reworked? Has the decade It isn’t a happy exercise to go relief that is wasn’t over the new taken a toll and what would a around your home finding fault one we planned to get. spiritual makeover look like? Trusting for willing troops I remember being a pastor in a church where we were really struggling to get It seemed like God had done workers on board to help with children’s ministry. the work. We found a Scripture that gave us confidence to ask God for willing troops. We believed that We had recently expanded our I thought, This is God, telling willing! Speak to the hearts of our situation was part of Jesus’ ministries to include two morning Jesus, that His troops would those who you would call to help. work, part of his battle for the services, both of which required be willing. Of course, it doesn’t Release the gifts you gave them.’ hearts of young people. When we more teachers and helpers. It directly say, ‘You’ll have plenty The deadline to find the asked, people responded. seemed a difficult task. How would of helpers for the new ministry.’ workers was approaching. I found There’s something distinctive we find the helpers we needed? But we did believe we were doing myself praying again and again about recruiting in God’s I quickly realised that flash God’s work. Could we apply the for the troops to be willing. Finally, Kingdom. We are partners with recruitment advertising or guilt- same promise to our situation? when it came time to ask people God.
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