theadvocate.tv SEPTEMBER 2015 In Conversation Australian author Naomi Reed talks “Not drowning, just waving: Six thoughts on serving without about The Plum Tree in the Desert. PAGE 12 >> sinking in your local church.” RORY SHINER PAGE 13 >> 4 Leaders’ mission Global Interaction and Baptist World Aid Australia in Malawi >> 5 Sexuality discussed Vose Seminary Principal speaks at seminar hosted by BCWA >> Photo: Baptist World Alliance Vibrancy and diversity left wonderful memories for delegates at the 21st Baptist World Congress held in Durban, South Africa. Jesus is the gateway Keith Jobberns Other Australian Baptists that count, from every nation and all 8 Bordered by love are members of Committees and tribes and peoples and tongues, Australia’s treatment of Commissions included John standing before the throne and refugees and asylum Over 2,500 delegates from more than 80 countries Beasy, Rod Benson, Bill Brown, before the Lamb, clothed in seekers >> came together for the 21st Baptist World Congress in Ross Clifford, Heather Coleman, white robes, and palm branches Durban, South Africa in July. Ken Edmonds, Brian Harris, were in their hands; and they John Hickey, Keith Jobberns, cry out with a loud voice, saying, Sue Peters, Frank Rees, “Salvation to our God who sits African Baptists hosted and the quality of the preaching. Mark Wilson and Stephen Vose. on the throne, and to the Lamb.”’ welcomed the delegates and the The sermon can viewed on the The 22nd Baptist World [Revelation 7:9-10] induction of Rev. Paul Msiza from BWA website. Congress will be held in Rio Preceding the BWA Congress Building South Africa as the President of Forums covered topics de Janeiro, Brazil in 2020. a group of Australian Baptist the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) including human rights, However, regionally all eyes are leaders had the opportunity to healthy added to the African flavour of evangelism, peace building, now focused on the Asia Pacific visit Malawi. While the need for the first BWA Congress held on gender violence, relief and Baptist Conference to be held in community transformation was churches. the continent. development, preaching with Yogjakarta, Indonesia in 2017. most overwhelming, the group Over 30 Australians attended imagination. These topics The overarching experience reported coming away from the the Congress and participated provided a glimpse of the breadth of any BWA Congress is to Malawi visit with a deep sense of in the four day program. Each and depth of the world Baptist participate in a worshipping gratitude of the contribution the BAPTIST CHURCHES day commenced with a worship movement and its engagement in community that stretches Australian Baptist movement is WESTERN AUSTRALIA service followed by Bible Study the contemporary world. us beyond our own local making, through the support for sessions conducted in five A meeting of the General experience of being a follower Baptist World Aid Australia and major languages. Council was also held during the of Jesus. To share a series of Global Interaction in the lives of The theme of the Congress Congress. The Council affirmed worship events with fellow Malawian villagers in bringing was ‘Jesus the Door’ and the the appointment of members believers from a variety of hope through the love of Jesus. final session was presented of the BWA Commissions and different languages and More about the visit can be by Rev. Dr Joel Gregory, Committees for the next five ethnicity is a foretaste of the read on page 4. Professor of Preaching at Baylor years. Australian Baptist Miyoh eschatological event highlighted University’s Truett Seminary in Chung was nominated for the by the apostle John, ‘… a great To view Baptist World Congress Texas. His sermon underscored role of Vice-President. multitude which no one could videos, visit www.bwanet.org 2 my view SEPTEMBER 2015 The ultimate host Jesus’ disciples’ stress levels were peaking. Matthew and Judas were 23; from the Promised Land to anxiously doing a second head count and James was mumbling about the the Last Supper; from breakfast lack of planning. Here they were kilometres away from the nearest town, it on the beach to the marriage supper of the Lamb; we are was getting dark with no plan for feeding thousands of hungry people. confronted with the ultimate host who invites us to eat with A few of the disciples agreed Then Jesus asked a couple of the situation under control. Him, then offers something we that the best plan would be to the disciples nearby. What food People were sitting down and, never expected. send everyone home, but when do we have? Can you ask around with the basket in His hand, As I have begun to appreciate they suggested it to Jesus His and see if someone has anything? Jesus was praying. this pattern something surprising reply was: “You feed them”. “At least He’s got the idea This story of the miraculous has happened. I’ve been This was crazy. They that something’s got to be done,” feeding of 5,000 is one among challenged to see myself as a host. were faced with a major Thomas grunted to Peter. many accounts that make up a Not a leader, or a manager, or a Rob Douglas logistical nightmare and The next thing Thaddaeus pattern throughout scripture. CEO, but a host who is learning Rob Douglas is the Pastor at Jesus was ignoring the is running down the hill with It’s a pattern that shows God as from the ultimate host how to Maida Vale Baptist Church problem and preaching to a basket. the ultimate host – a host who welcome, feed and provide spaces and author of He Speaks the crowd. Couldn’t He see “I’ve got a couple of fish and prepares a place, invites people where restoration can occur. Our Language. that if He didn’t come up with some bread, he puffed”. to join, Him and provides a safe something soon, there would Almost before they realised space in which people can be be a riot? what was happening, Jesus had restored. From Eden, to Psalm Sugar, fat and all that ... Due to a recent flight’s disappointing movie choice, I was reduced to watching we think in such legalistic Damon Gameau’s That Sugar Film which pontificates on the dangers of terms? After all, we are saved by consuming too much sugar. grace, not because we say ‘no’ to chocolate cake. True, but doesn’t grace work its way out in the The documentary alerts us to the Super Size Me, which tracked this month’s theological gem. stuff of life ... like the way I treat health epidemic likely if we don’t the man who ate nothing but How about this ... in ethical my neighbour and my family change our ways and say a solid McDonald’s for too long. Clearly reflection Christians have and my body. ‘no’ to sugar and spice and all those fats did him no good. never hesitated to condemn the The psalmist says we are things nice. It was probably even more misuse of the body. Substance fearfully and wonderfully made. I won’t be able to look at a disturbing than That Sugar Film, abuse, be it via drugs, alcohol Even atheists mumble an ‘amen’ glass of apple juice in the same but as I’ve never been a fatty food or tobacco has always been to this obvious truth. Should way, and whilst I have never been fan, I found it easier to dismiss. frowned upon. However, whilst it impact our eating habits? Dr Brian Harris a Mountain Dew fan, if I was, Trouble is, I’ve always had a bit of the church fathers regarded Or, would it be better to stop Dr Brian Harris is the I would be depressed for weeks. a sweet tooth. gluttony as one of the seven watching movies? Principal of Vose Seminary So which is worse for you Very interesting you yawn, deadly sins, it has been the and Pastor at Large for the – sugar or fat? Naturally that but you’re a theologian, not most respectable. Carey Group. depends on which movie you’ve a dietician, so why not stick Are there some vices not just watched. Do you remember to your knitting and pass on worth tackling? Indeed, should The strangeness of soccer and Peter’s life As a coach of my son’s soccer team, we won every game the first season. will ‘fail not’. The word for fail The next season, we nearly lost every game! I am always looking for ways to here is basically that his faith will encourage the soccer team. not ‘pass by’ him, it will not ‘be left out’. Peter was put through the furnace of pain and misery A great football coach once said, he was nonetheless devoted temptations, where we can easily and was then prepared and “You may fail a thousand times, to His Master, the Lord Jesus become too sure of ourselves. better equipped to help others in but success may be hiding Christ. There is hope for us if When examining the that position. behind the next step. You never we put our faith and trust in downfall of Peter, we see that it We need to be prepared, at know how close the prize is Jesus – despite our failures. We was an attack that came when he all times, for the sly attacks of unless you continue.” must constantly be aware of the felt he was strong. Despite that the evil one – even those on the Looking at Peter’s life, we warnings that come our way.