A Time to ENGAGE

Oct 23, 2024
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Tasmanian Baptists Gather with Purpose

What Happened at Assembly?

At the recent Assembly, Mission Director Stephen Baxter launched a new theme for 2025 – Intergeneration – challenging us to reimagine TasBaptist churches as truly intergenerational spaces. 

God is Doing Something Special Here

There’s something special about the Tasmanian Baptist Assembly at Riverlands. The moment you step through the doors, you’re surrounded by a warmth that goes beyond friendliness – it’s a genuine spirit of connection that transforms strangers into conversation partners, and solitary attendees into active participants of a vibrant community. 

This energy was clear at our recent gathering on Saturday, October 19, so much so that it caught the attention of our keynote speaker, Andrew Turner, Director of Crossover.
“God is doing something special here,” he observed, capturing an emotion that vibrated throughout the day.  

In an era where churches often feel isolated in their mission, these connections across Tasmania create a vital support network for leadership teams facing the challenges of our increasingly un-churched society.

Our new theme for 2025 

Mission Director Stephen Baxter struck at the heart of our current challenges in his opening address, posing two critical questions that would shape the day’s discussions: How can our Union of churches better engage with our local communities? And perhaps more crucially, how do we nurture and connect with young people, both within our churches and in the broader community?  

These questions launched us into our new theme for 2025 – Intergeneration – challenging us to reimagine our churches as truly intergenerational spaces. 

The day brought inspiring proof that this transformation is already underway. We heard stories from Riverlands, Wynyard, Newstead, and Claremont churches, the latter having recently merged with IC Church. These congregations are finding creative ways to engage with their communities, offering hope and practical examples for others to follow.

Jenny Baxter (Hobart) and Wendy Marston (Newstead)
Dan Hutchison (Newstead), Louis Fife (Ulverstone)
Burnie contingent-Matty Coppin with Kathy and Dierdre
Overseeing up the back, Karla, Anna-Maree, Rodney
Nicholas Alexander, Lifeway Devonport, in the kitchen
Andrew Turner and Stpehen Baxter
Matt Henderson (Hobart), Maddy Svoboda (Summerhill)
Liam Conway, Riverlands
Stephen speaks
Hazelyn Mohan (Claremont)
Stephen speaks
Andrew Turner
The Wynyard attendees
Dan Hutchison talks about Newstead
Sue Fifield (Coastlands) and Jenny Baxter (Hobart)
Franz Brosch-Wynyard

Private vs Public church 

Andrew Turner’s keynote sessions provided valuable insights into the distinction between “private” and “public” church spaces. His fresh perspective challenged us to reconsider how we present ourselves to newcomers (no longer “visitors”) and how we use our spaces – including the radical suggestion of leaving those back rows free as a comfortable vantage point for those new to church life.  

Andrew advocated for a balanced approach: maintaining public spaces for welcome and introduction, while creating separate opportunities, “private church”, for deeper discipleship and prayer.

Meaningful Engagement

The business portion of the Assembly, though brief, included meaningful discussion about the Mission and Leadership Development Fund (MaLD). The fund realigns resources to support churches in their community engagement efforts through both small and large grants. All leadership teams must do is ask – and the sooner the better! Operations Manager Rodney Marshall suggested there is a limited pool available each year. 

The election of Council members saw the return of Matt Garvin (Vice-Chair), Wendy Marston (North), Louis Fife (Northwest), and Mark Harris (South); while welcoming new member Elysia Cunningham from Penguin church, whose story will soon feature in reCharge. 

As the day drew to a close, the energy remained undiminished. Cars pulled away from Riverlands filled with individuals inspired not just to connect with each other, but to reach beyond their comfort zones and engage meaningfully with their local communities. The Assembly had done more than just discuss engagement – it had modelled it, inspired it, and set the stage for the next chapter in Tasmanian Baptist life.

Jenny Baxter is the state leader for EmpowHer and a member at Hobart Baptist church. She and husband Stephen live in Sandy Bay and they have five adult children, and seven grandchildren. Jenny loves to watch the sunrise when she is out on her morning walks, and enjoys a good chai latte while chatting with friends.

A Time to ENGAGE

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