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Transcript of Connect Dec 12 PDF
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Connect
Published by the Baptist Union of Scotland, 48 Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G4 9TH, [email protected]. Charity Registration No:SC004960
December 2012
For the last 2 years I have
been gradually increasing
the font size on the sermon
notes, delighted at the Kindle’s
ability to change word size on
the screen with ease and I have
begun to use a larger computer
monitor screen. I have been
fighting against the reality that I
no longer have 20/20 vision
and it is time to put on a pair of
glasses when I want to read or
write anything, including this
article.
As Christmas approaches,
my prayer is to see Jesus more
clearly than before. I want to
grasp the nature of his coming
into this world with a new clarity
that I might seek to grow in his
refugee moved to Nazareth in
Galilee. He lived among the
people, mostly the displaced
and rejected people, the
looked down upon people,
those that others chose not to
see, not to care for, not to raise
up. The guests who welcomed
his arrival were the rejected
Jews (shepherds) and the
rejected foreigners(Magi). He
found life amidst rejection,suffering and pain. God sent
his son to those who were
devalued by others, who were
deemed without worth by
those in power. He was sent to
those who were shamed. And
he was numbered as one of
them. His later nickname
expresses the nature of his
coming with potent
transparency: "friend of
sinners."The story speaks of humility,
sacrifice and compassion.
These are not new sights for
me or for you but I pray that we
will have a new clarity this
Christmas. It is not enough to
do what we are commissioned
to do if we will not be what we
are called to be.
He was sent as the humble
friend of sinners with good
news to share, visiblydemonstrated in the
compassion and sacrifice
revealed on his birthday. "As
the father has sent me so I
send you."
“Heavenly father, give us a
clear vision of your Son this
Christmas and enable us to
live out that vision in our lives
among the people of your
world. Amen.”
Alan Donaldson
Be sure to follow us on
Facebook and at
www.scottishbaptist.org.uk
Photo courtesy of Chris Duffett
Clearer Christmas Calling
"As the father hassent me so I send you."
likeness as a disciple, follower
and imitator of Christ.
My text for reflection this
Christmas is John 20:21, "as the
father sent me, so I send you,"
the words
of Jesus at
Easter but
about
Christmas.
This is John's great commission,
shorter than Matthew's and
differing quite starkly in
content.
Matthew tells us that Jesus
calls us, "as we are going, to
make disciples." Matthew tells
us what we are to do. I like
knowing what I am meant to
do. I like to know what is
expected of me. Matthew
makes it clear I am expected to
make disciples, to participate
in the mission of God, call all
people to repentance and faith
in Jesus Christ the Saviour of
the world and teach and
baptise them in His name: be
committed to the ongoing
ministry of developing thosewho receive salvation to grow
in Christlikeness and the
understanding of what it means
to live under Christ's rule. I
think I see that clearly although
doing it continues to be a daily
struggle.
John in his commission, "as
the Father sent me, so I send
you," does not give me the
comfort of telling me what I
need to do but does call me todiscover in the Christmas story,
how I am to do it. I am sent to
make disciples in the same
way that Christ was sent to live
and die in this world.
Like Christ we are “sent
ones”, no longer choosing
selfishly our own destiny but
surrendering our will to that of
our Saviour, for whom we are
ambassadors.
But the question thatchallenges me most remains,
How are we sent? What is the
nature of
our
sending?
What are
the key
words that should captivate the
way that we carry out this great
commission as ambassadors
of Christ? What in the
Christmas story directs the way
I am meant to be as I do the
activity of disciplemaking.
It's all in the story: he is born
in the town of Bethlehem and
after a period of time living as a
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Connect December 2012
Published by the Baptist Union of Scotland, 48 Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G4 9TH, [email protected]. Charity Registration No:SC004960
The fellowship at South Beach Baptist
Church has been celebrating 68 years
of church life and work in Saltcoats and
the surrounding towns of North Ayrshire.
To coincide with 400 Years of the
Baptist Church in Great Britain and our
anniversary the fellowship used the month
of November to celebrate and give thanks
to God for his goodness, mercy and love.
The anniversary celebrations started onthe weekend of Friday 2nd November with
a fun filled evening and fireworks display.
It was an encouragement to welcome
over 100 people to this event, a large
proportion of which are not regular
'Sunday attenders'.
On the Saturday morning we met for a
time of prayer and reflection followed by a
traditional Scottish breakfast.
The Sunday evening service wasentitled, 'Looking back, moving forward'.
The epilogue was based on the Baptist
Union's 'Invitation to a Journey' where the
vision of Intentionally Relational,
Unashamedly Missional and Creatively
Rooted was interpreted locally to the
hopes and aspirations of the on-going
work of a community focussed ministry
within the Three Towns of North Ayrshire.
The church family retreated to New
Lanark as the penultimate to the
anniversary celebrations, focussing on the
theme Intentionally Relational. In
concluding our month of celebration, 12
people were welcomed into membership.
In God we trust and we press on towards
the goal to win the prize for which God
has called us in Christ Jesus.
Andrew N Swanson,
Church Secretary
Introducing the Baptist Union of
Scotland’s new Mediation Team
Finding aBetter Way
When you are hurting to the extent that it
affects your lifestyle and relationships you
usually involve someone from a medical
team to improve the wounds or disability.
Unfortunately when relationships in church
groups or individuals deteriorate, help is
not often sought for healing and
reconciliation. The hurts linger and the joy
of life, worship and effectiveness of service
are hampered and for some faith is thrown
away.
Nearly all of us on the mediation team,
which has recently been set up for the
Baptist Union of Scotland, have been
wounded by conflict in churches or have
seen the results of such conflicts. We have
all sought the answer to “there must be a
better way” and so we have all pursued
training in mediation.
We are happy to help in mediating
(within a strict confidentiality code) in
whole church conflict, leadership conflict or
personal differences, following the Biblical
principles, so that the hurts have a better
chance of being healed. Reconciliation can
take place, emotional turmoil be
acknowledged and proper function restored
to individuals and congregations.
Mediation does not involve disciplinary
matters.
Too many people, from pastors to regular
members have left the church because of
issues which have not been addressed. The
outsider looking at the conflicts which tear
people apart, asks “Where is love in all
this?” There is a better way which has
helped many. You can receive advice over
the phone initially or the parties (if both
agree) can have direct advice to resolve the
relationship.
There are always two mediators involved.
We can be in touch with the network of mediators in Scotland if members of our
own team are not available.
The team members are even more happy
to be invited to teach Biblical principles to
encourage healthy attitudes in conflict (it is,
after all, part of daily life). Following good
procedure can avoid serious consequences.
It is our desire to major on the preventive
methods rather than the resolution methods
so the church can concentrate on core
issues. We can do this teaching as part of
worship, seminars with the membership,
pastors or deacons.
Churches should be models of conflictresolution to each other and the people
round about us.
In the first instance, please contact Jim
Purves, Mission and Ministry Advisor or
Alan Donaldson, General Director, who
will put you in touch with the Team.Ken Russell
Simply ChurchAre we making things too complicated? This
one day event takes place on Saturday 19th
January, 2013, from 10am - 4pm at Erskine
Church of the Nazarene, Rashielee Avenue,Erskine, PA8 6HA
Trainers include: Stuart Murray Williams
(Urban Expression) and Trevor Hutton
(Momentum UK). Cost is £20 if waged (£12 if
unwaged) and includes lunch and coffee/tea.To
book by e-mail: [email protected] To
book by ‘phone call 0782 591 5092.
Notice
Board
Bathgate NoticeJust a brief notice that “for an experimental
period” Bathgate Baptist Church has changed its
meeting time to 4pm on a Sunday afternoon,
including tea together, to make it easier for
families with young children to attend. Visitors
are welcome, but are advised to check our
website (www.bathgatebaptist.com) for any
further alterations. We continue to meet in the
URC hall in Marjoribanks Street.
Lossiemouth SecretaryThe Secretary of Lossiemouth Baptist Church,
is having to demit office unexpectedly and so
former Secretary, Mr John Simmonds, 21
Kinnedar Street, Lossiemouth, IV31 6AS, 01343
810089, [email protected], will be re-
assuming the role on a temporary basis.
In the spirit of discovering the past, a
number of people dressed in themed
costumes and shared stories relating to
the work and achievements of Baptistsover four centuries.
The topics covered were:
c17th – Religious freedom and liberty;
c18th – Baptists and their hymns;
c19th – The life of children;
c19th – The Haldane movement;
c20th – Time line of South Beach
A selection of old and new songs
were also sung.
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Connect
Published by the Baptist Union of Scotland, 48 Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G4 9TH, [email protected]. Charity Registration No:SC004960
December 2012
An appreciative client!
Dave Bookless
Prayer Link for December
Sunday 2nd
Rev Chris Withers: Please pray for Chris in hiswork as Chaplain to 1 Rifles, Chepstow.
Oban: Rev Ian McFarlane. We are celebrating anew season in the life of the congregation as RevIan McFarlane and his wife Rosamund join usafter 21 years leading a church in Surrey. Ian will be with us for about 3 years to help us consolidateour membership and develop vision andmomentum so that we can move towardsestablishing solid leadership for the future. Wewould value prayer for a number of current needs.
• Clear vision, especially regarding our Kingdom contribution within the town andwider locality.
• Grace and wisdom to deal with some of thefractured relationships from the past.• More people with musical gifts to helpsupport worship.• The breath of the Holy Spirit to revitalise prayer, bring a desire to live naturallysupernatural lives and provoke us to beintentionally missional.• Better communication of our presenceespecially to the many visitors through thenew web site.• Development of discipleship opportunities.
Thank you for remembering us before the Lord.
Sunday 9th
Paisley Central: Rev Graeme Clark. We are blessed by an increasing number of Africans inour church and are challenged to look at how wedevelop our worship and how we integrate our leadership.
Work with overseas students had a strongstart this year. This week we began a Christianity Explored group mainly with Chinese studentsand are praying that these students will come toknow Christ for themselves. We continue to bedeeply involved with the Preshal Trust in Govan,through May Nicholson, who is one of our members, and are encouraged that more peoplefrom that work are becoming part of our
congregation.Pray for our work in engaging the community
through the Community Council that meets inour community hall and through the minister’sinvolvement in the Education Committee, PaisleyVision Board and other community projects.
Partick, Glasgow: Rev Gordon Jones. Pleasegive thanks to God for His ongoing ministry herethrough the activities of the congregation, such asour recently formed youth group, and the variousexternal Christian ministries we support by providing accommodation - Torch Fellowship andTelephone Prayer Chain Ministry among them.
We are grateful that non-churched children areenthusiastically attending the youth group,reading God's Word and praying regularly. Please pray that they grow in faith and knowledge of the Lord Jesus and are able to make the transitioninto the church fellowship. Pray too for memberswho have recently experienced significant illhealth and members who have been bereaved.
The minister and deacons ask for prayer thatthey receive an abundance of wisdom so thatthey might effectively and faithfully serve thecongregation and the Lord Jesus.
Sunday 16th
Peebles: Rev Ian Gray. We ran out of seats lastSunday! The Victoria Park Centre was crammedto capacity, as three people affirmed their faith inJesus and were baptised. Throughout this year,we’ve regularly been overwhelmed with gratitudeto God. Just some of the more obvious signs of life and growth: steadily rising attendance atSunday services; increasing membership; a regular nucleus of young children, clearly enjoying being part of church; more (and very gifted) peoplewilling to “roll up their sleeves”, to contribute toestablished activities like Vicky’s Tearoom andthe Men’s Group, as well as to support newinitiatives such as summer barbecues,CaféChurch, and (in partnership with other
churches in the town) the imminent launch of Messy Church.Lots of activities, and numerical growth,
aren’t the whole story. We also give thanks toGod for clear, compelling, biblical teaching everySunday, and for faithful pastoral care. Threehousegroups reflect a widespread, genuine desirewithin the congregation to learn, pray, serve andgrow together.
The last year has also seen deepeningrelationships between local clergy, and the potential for a number of new co-operativeventures. The possibilities seem many – please pray that we will be given discernment, to engageonly in those areas of service to which God is
calling us. We’d value prayer, too, for continuinggood relationships with the staff and service-users of the Victoria Park Centre, as our need touse their premises increases.
We are very grateful indeed to the BaptistUnion for its continuing support.
Perth: Rev Charles Young. We are grateful toGod for every opportunity given to us to serveChrist on the western edge of Perth. Followingcompletion of a two stage building project, theextended premises now allow our congregation tomeet together at one time for worship and toreach out more effectively to our community.The building is well used daily, with a wide range
of activities including Mother and Toddler groups, weekly Café and Friendship lunches. Weare hugely encouraged by the number of young people around our church especially attendingthe Area 1 youth group. For many of theseyoung people, Area 1 is their first contact withChristians.
Over the past two years we have developed ateam who run the CAP (Christians againstPoverty) money course. People contactedthrough our regular weekly ministries have beenable to benefit from this. Recently we haveformed a team working with Bethany ChristianTrust “Pass the Baton” project which involvessupport and help for people setting up home
again after a period of homelessness.Summer holiday clubs and Activity days run
on in-service school days have now become aregular feature in the life of the church and provide a valuable contact with families.
Pray for the Church as we explore the possibility of running the Holy Trinity Parenting
Children course. Pray too for our new YouthWorker, that God will bless his ministry withyoung people in and around the Church andthrough partnership ministries with localsecondary schools. We are continually looking toGod to help us identify ways to engage with our community in order that we might share our faith
in relevant and supportive contexts. Pray too for God’s continued help and blessing as wefellowship and learn from His Word together.
Sunday 23rd
Peterhead: Rev David Wilson. Like everychurch today we face real challenges as we attemptto communicate the unchanging message of theGospel to a fast changing society. Recently westarted a breakfast club in partnership with one of our local primary schools. Pray with us that thiswill lead on to other opportunities to shareChrist’s love in our community. Pray also that wewill take every opportunity this provides to share
the message of the GospelIn the coming months we have some bigdecisions to make: the appointment of a newchildren’s and youth worker; and what to do withour building to make it a real resource for 21stCentury ministry. Pray that we will have thevision to see God’s way, and the faith to walk in it
Pitlochry: Rev David Barrie. We have much tocelebrate in the life of those called to be part of our family in PBC and in which you can stand with usin thanks and praise: for those coming to faith or recommitting their lives to God; for a growing anddeepening of faith amongst those who are joinedtogether in our family; for those contemplating
whether here is where God calls them intocommunity and fellowship; for the growing youthinvolvement in our ministries, where friendshipsare being forged and maturing of faith throughdiscipleship is evident. But we don’t want tosettle for that. And so we ask you to stand with ustoo in all our needs, struggles and difficulties as weseek what God is calling us to today. And in thatwe find no better, surer way forward than prayer.We know what it means to fail and see no way of dealing with our difficulties. We are learning to liftour eyes to God, cup our ears to listen, believingthat He will provide for us as He sees best. This iswhere we “are” as a church leadership and family,and it is this that undergirded our recent sermon
series and the theme of our November churchweekend away at the Abernethy NethybridgeAdventure Centre.
Continued overleaf >
PLEASE NOTE: The events metioned in our publications or on our website or social media can cover the wider Christian scene in Scotland and
do not necessarily reflect the involvement or endorsement of Baptist Union staff nor any specific knowledge about content.
Engagement Diaryfor December
1 The National Team is involved in a
Journeying Together weekend, meeting with
church leaders in the Dunfermline area.
3 John Greenshields joins the Tayside ministers
as they have lunch together.
5 Our Union’s DNA group meets this afternoon.
6 The National Team meets.8 The joint BUS/Scottish Baptist College
“Initiate” training course meets today.
9 John Greenshields preaches in Buckie Baptist
today.
20 The National Team meets today.
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Connect December 2012
Published by the Baptist Union of Scotland 48 Speirs Wharf Glasgow G4 9TH admin@scottishbaptist org uk Charity Registration No:SC004960
Please pray that with courage we will find the
right steps to take on our journey together as a
family. We are not the family that met 40 years
ago, nor are we the one that will be there in 40
years. So we need to find afresh the purposes
of God for our family in Pitlochry. We desire to
focus on the activities that we are called totoday. We do not want to sit back, settling for
the wisdom and decisions made in the past and
just enjoying the fruits of those labours.
“Making and maturing disciples”, reaching
those in our communities and further afield -
yes, absolutely. But practically engaging in
those ways that will be unique to us as a body
in the Pitlochry of today. We are also aware
that this means being responsible stewards of
all of our land and resources, making radical
changes where necessary. We desire the
boldness and commitment that, whatever the
cost to ourselves, we will indeed grasp thatvision for us, in these days, and so lay down
anything not consistent with God’s purposes
for us today.
Please pray with us that we will be daring in
love, willing to take risks and not afraid to look
foolish in the eyes of the world and for those
who perhaps may not understand.
Sunday 30th
Pollok: Rev Harry Thomson. We are
experiencing a lot of encouragement. Folks have
been saved on the Christianity ExploredCourse and we are embarking on the third one
in the New Year. Our weekly outreach team are
having great conversations on the doors. Quite
a few people contacted have come into Church
and are now attending regularly. They see the
Church as part of their community. Our Kids
work is blossoming and our Breakfast Bar and
'Wardrobe' continues to cater for needy Pollok
people. Valuable contacts are being established
every week. Pray too for the annual full house
on Christmas Eve!
Portobello: Rev Andy Scarcliffe. Give thanksto God for: a steadily growing congregation;
our first wedding, and plans for our first
baptism (since Andy came); God's provision
for renewing the frontage of the church; the
new-look cafe, situated strategically on the
High Street and drawing many interested
people to ask questions about faith and our
church; a sense of anticipation in the church as
to what God is going to do.
Pray for: guidance, as there are so many
needs to which we could respond; for
protection as we engage in turning around a
previous decline; guidance as to how we use the
refurbished cafe; creative, innovative ways in
which we can reach the community and make
disciples of those who have started to come
along; a planned open day for the community
to come in and see the historic church building -
that this will give new contacts and visibility in
Portobello.
The Forfar Files...
Balloons, balloons, balloons! As we went into
the opening week for the new building we
decided it would be good to have balloons –
big red ones with love hearts and ‘welcome’ onthem. It was a time to celebrate, a time to
party, a time to welcome others to join in with
what was happening.
On Saturday, November 10th, we had the
official opening by Isobel,
Chairperson of the Community
Council, who also lives next to
the building! Inside the building
local people had contributed to
displays of photographs and
memorabilia from the old life the
building had as a school. During
the following week the doors
were open for people to come
and have a look around and see
the changes that had happened.
A good number took advantage
of this including those now in
their 70s who used to go to the
school and those in their teens
and early twenties, On the Tuesday we had a
family fun day with bouncy castle and face
painting to which a good number of families
came and a great time was had by all. Peoplecontributed prayers to the Prayer Tree we had
set up and several people were touched by the
stories they read of some of our lives and how
God had transformed us.
This theme of transformation is one which
we pray will continue as we live out our lives
in the community of Forfar. Alan Donaldson
reminded those at the dedication of the
building, that wherever 2 or 3 are gathered
Jesus is present – be that in the new building
or perhaps more importantly the local cafe,
sports centre, or school. We give thanks that,
in that presence of Jesus, transformation of
lives and so a community will take place.Thank you for all of your prayers and
support – it’s great to be in this together!From all at Forfar Community Church
The church foyer - with prayer tree
in the corner and ... red balloons!
The crowds gather!
Prayer Link continued