ABOVE Scenes from May Assembly held at Newstead Baptist, 5th/6th May 2023
We areTasmanian Baptists
Well-Grounded . . .
. . . is the Theme for2023
The Gospel mission, Baptist structures, our changing society, our church responsibilities, our challenges as Christians and the escalating needs of our world were all highlighted at the May Assembly.
There was a strong sense of looking at how the here and now will affect the ongoing and future function of mission. There was an emphasis on harmony, working together, following Jesus and making him known.
What’s happening in the world
Strong messages about exploitation, the complexities of mission and current social attitudes were given by Paul Manning (Baptist World Aid), Geoff Maddock (Baptist Mission Australia), and Tas Baptists’ Mission Director Stephen Baxter.
Each invited us to consider what is happening in our immediate contexts and in the global context of social thought and business practices.
The changes in our society and world challenge the work of churches
Stephen Baxter spoke of the vacuum that is left in society when there is a deliberate move away from the values that formed it, a rejection of the idea of a higher authority, and no concept of God. He presented the heartbreaking outcome of this decline in terms of an increasingly individualistic society where there are rising levels of anger, violence, broken relationships and children in care.
Stephen challenged us to be Jesus-centred, committed to mission, building community and operating in freedom to be the best that church can be.
We heard elements of these principles in reports from the churches. It is always encouraging to see how people are addressing the issues in their context, working with what they have and seeing growth in attendance, ministries and impact.
[Continued below slideshow …]
Get a Glimpse with the Assembly Slideshow
May Assembly at Newstead
Friday night dinner
Dan Evenhuis on Friday night
Dan Evenhuis speak about the Nepali church
Saturday: The Band leads worship
Chair, Scott Ambrose
Stephen explains ‘Well-Grounded’
Jenna leads Communion
Lunchtime spread
Jenna and Thelma
Malcolm and Alan
The Two Dans
Janine, Peter and Anthea
Matt Garvin (for TB Council)
Paul Manning (BWA)
Stephen Baxter with newly inducted pastprs, Franz Brosch (with Heidi) and Anthea Maynard
God is good!
There was talk of sowing seeds of hope, faith, discipleship and the breaking down of generational and social barriers. The general message was that the work is hard and never ending but God is good. Geoff Maddock’s idea of inhabiting and living out the treasure of the Gospel is highly motivating and relevant to all of us as followers of Jesus.
There was a strong sense of looking forward
Throughout the day, there was a chance to catch up with others and hear about their journeys. There was a strong sense of looking forward, of continued commitment to mission, and of operating in the freedom of the gifts that we have been given for service.
Kairos education opportunity
It was good to hear about the planned Theological Education course through Kairos University, specifically structured for our Tasmanian context, to equip people for ministry. This also is consistent with the views expressed by the speakers of looking for a new approach to meet needs and building the strength of our spiritual witness in our State by enabling students to pray, plan and learn together.
We pray that this localised training will be transformational and, as Stephen said, that Tasmania will be, “not fragile because of numbers, but agile because of courage.”
Let’s boldly speak the name of Jesus
It was reassuring to see that the strategic plan that has had many hours of analysis, planning and discussion poured into it is leading us into a new phase described by Matt Garvin as ready to “…stop talking deconstruction and talk construction; move from closed to open; move from ideas to actions”. For what purpose? To speak the name of Jesus into poverty, rejection, abandonment, loneliness, disappointment and grief and to see healing and life emerge from the darkness.
Thanks to all involved in Assembly for the encouragement to stay well-grounded and outward looking.
This report of the May Assembly 2023 was written by Linda Guy, Gateway Baptist Launceston
Every two months you can catch up with the latest news in Tasmanian Baptist Churches.
North
GATEWAY
Combined service
On Sunday 30th April we had one of our 5th Sunday Combined Services in which people from Gateway, Agape and Gateway Nepali Fellowship join together. These have been so enjoyable in the past and we anticipate another great meeting.
Plans for May Mission Month
During the month of May we will have a variety of speakers sharing of a number of Missions Gateway is connected with, including Prison Fellowship, Shoe Boxes, Thailand, Haiti, Shekinah House, Rahab Ministry,
Stamps!
Gateway Ladies Pizza and Stamp Cutting Night took place recently, where they trimmed stamps in readiness to be sent to QLD to raise funds for Baptist Mission Australia. The used stamps, and national collection raises approx. $70,000.00 every year! Gateway member Jill Ashdown is the “Tasmanian Stamp lady”. Read how to participate in the Stamp ministry in the NEWS, next week.
Gateway Nepali Fellowship; Missions Stamp Group meet
CITY BAPTIST, Launceston
Easter | Your prayers appreciated!
We had lovely services over Easter – the Good Friday reflective service was a particular highlight for many, working through a Protestant take on the Stations of the Cross.
City Baptist is still prayerfully seeking a more permanent home to gather in – we would appreciate your prayers for/with us as we seek God’s guidance.
Impacting our community
Members in our community continue activism and pastoral work among migrant communities, the street community and with regard to climate action, representing Jesus’ (and our) heart for going to the margins.
Jeff McKinnon and Garry Billing have started a home-grown discipleship opportunity titled Learning Circles, for people of all backgrounds, who are interested in growing in discipleship, spirituality and mission – learning the ways of Jesus. If you would like to know more, please contact Jeff (jeff@citybaptistchurch.net).
IN OUR THOUGHTS
John Tomkinson passed away in late March. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Gwen and the family.
David and Pat Jacobs celebrated a milestone wedding anniversary.
NEWSTEAD
Hutchison Family Update
Newstead Baptist Church is very pleased to announce the safe arrival of its newest member, a baby boy, Rafael (Raffy) Warren Hutchison. Raffy was born at 1:56pm on 3rd April and weighed 9.8 pounds (4.46 kgs).
Congratulations to Dan and Maria, Skylah, Octavia and Boaz for this exciting addition to the family. Pastor Dan is on leave until May 17 to be with his family.
Dan with Skylah, Octavia and Raffy; Playing Scrabble at the Drop-In Centre
Drop-In Centre
Our Friday Senior’s Drop in Centre has recently dropped the “Senior’s” from their name in order to better align with our Strategic Plan.
People of all ages are now welcome to attend the Drop-In Centre each Friday from 1pm until about 3:30pm. Activities include good conversation, tea and coffee, yummy food (cake on special occasions!), darts, eight-ball, and a range of board games including scrabble and upwords.
We really appreciate the willingness of the older members of our congregation to embrace change and the future vision of our church and we look forward to what is in store for this special ministry.
Family Fun Walks
Newstead Baptist Church has partnered with Scripture Union to promote a series of Family Fun Walks. These monthly, short family-friendly walks, are on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 4 pm, and easy to get to for those in or near Launceston.
All walks are manageable for families with young children, although not all are pram/stroller-friendly. Our walks so far have been a great opportunity to meet new people and create deeper conversations around our discussion topics. For example, “Are you feeling full or empty?” for recent Trevallyn Dam walk.
All northern Baptist Churches are invited to join us at any of the upcoming walks listed below. This list of walks, along with Scripture Union’s bushwalk series, can be found at https://bootsnall.sutas.org.au, including some useful preparation and safety tips.
Anyone from other local churches or the surrounding community are also welcome.
Upcoming walks
4th June Youngtown Regional Park
2nd July Lilydale Falls
3rd September Gorge Circuit
8th Octobe Tamar Island
10th November Old Macs Farm
THE POINT
Baptisms
The church was blessed with the baptism of the Cousens family at Greens Beach on the 24th of March: Adam, Sarah, Erica and Tom. So great to see the family growing in the Lord.
Passovercelebrated
On Palm Sunday, The Point Baptist Church welcomed Mark Rogers from The Friends of Israel, who conducted a Passover Seder meal as part of the Sunday service. The event was greatly appreciated by the church, and helped understanding of the significance of the Passover event.
Baptisms at Greens Beach; Mark Rogers of Friends of Israel
Northwest
LATROBE
Harvest Festival
On March 19th we celebrated our Harvest Festival. The bread, water and the sheaf of wheat along with the Bible, were centre of place, as they remind us of the basic things needed for life.
Food items were brought and displayed, and Pastor Ralph shared with us a reading from Leviticus reminding us of the need to be continually thanking the Lord for all our provisions.
The food was available for purchase after the service and the money raised along with remaining items was given to Gran’s Van. Gran’s Van operates in Devonport to help feed the homeless and people struggling to feed themselves.
SASSAFRAS
Please pray!
Although it would be true to say our congregation is “getting on”, we have suddenly experienced quite a few ‘sickies’!
Please pray for David’s back op; Sheryl’s leg op; Gordon’s cancer struggle; Jean and Karl’s Covid attack and Frans’s back attack! That is a third of our church! Join us to pray for their rapid recovery in every aspect of this attack. We ask in Jesus’s Name:
“Ask in my Name and I will do it”!
John 14:14
WESTBURY
Welcome little Macey
On 18th March, Pastor Matt Holloway, Lacey and big brother Larry welcomed Macey Kate into their family. Let’s celebrate with them for a safe arrival.
Matt and Lacey with Larry, and Macey
WYNYARD
Strengthening our community
Recently, 17 of our ladies enjoyed a day out with JUST GIRLS to Stanley, where they visited Highfield House, and Joe Lions cottage.
Many people attended a day of fun and fellowship at the Church Family picnic at Railway Institute hall in April..
Due to inclement weather, the combined churches Good Friday service was held in our church rather than in Guttridge Gardens as planned.
Chat n Choose continues to meet on Thursday morning in the school term.
Wednesday Get Together meet on the first and third Wednesday of the month when people meet for morning tea ,and fellowship and carpet bowls and table games.
The Food Hub continues to operate on Monday and Friday.
Franz and HeidiBrosch
Franz and Heidi Brosch
We are pleased to have welcomed our associate Pastor Franz and Heidi Brosch into our church family,
They input into our church services, with Heidi in the worship team and Franz on the keyboard.
Around the Churches Apr-May 2023
South
CITYWIDE
Clean Up Australia
On 5th March again participated in the Clean Up Australia Day, this year at three different locations. We did not hold a service at Mornington that day, and at Lenah Valley had a prayer time for those not in the field, linking into some of the sites for a report on what was happening. Evaluation of the day will see some changes for next year.
Renovations
There has been some energy and money expended in our first stage of some renovations. We painted our front rooms, and refreshed with new carpet, windows and blinds. Also there has been significant hours and work effected on our roof in a bid to fix numerous leaks. Fund raising is underway for stage 2.
Mission Partnership
Our BMA grant towards outreach to the Hindu community in Hobart has seen the purchase of a 12-seater bus and employment of a coordinator for two-days per week. to facilitate community services. This is now up and running. Praise God.
Anzac Day
In conjunction with the local RSL, we’ve had another exciting Anzac Day in the Park at Lenah Valley. This has grown to be a significant annual community event, this year with an estimated attendance of 800.
We offer various crafts and activities to suit the whole family, all with an Anzac Day theme. We gave away Sausages, drinks and Anzac biscuits. The public were involved and everyone has a fun time. Conversations take place, and links are established. Citywide is blessed by serving.
Good Friday dawn service; Lenah Valley clean-up team; Anzac Day in the Park
CLAREMONT
Garage Sale
Claremont Baptist members cleaned out their garages and storerooms to hold a very successful Garage Sale.
While we benefited financially the purpose was to open our doors to our community. We offered a free sausage sizzle and tea and coffee which gave us time to chat to people. At least four people told us they never knew there was a church on the corner (it is a quite inconspicuous building!) Church families got to socialise too and there was a wonderful atmosphere.
Unfortunately, the event also proved to be a Covid super-spreader! So, by Easter Sunday we only had eight attending.
A moving and intimate service, a wonderful time of rejoicing that Our Lord has Risen! On Good Friday we were also able to share in coffee and buns at Edge Anglican as has become our tradition.
Garage Sale Day at Claremont
HOBART
Sanctuary Sunday
On Sunday 19th March, Hobart Baptist celebrated Sanctuary Sunday when all our congregations gathered to worship together. This includes the Karen Community, Mabuhay (Filipino), Vietnamese Fellowships, as well as Hobart Vision Church (Korean). During the service, Yvette Ambrose was baptised.
The Vietnamese Christian Fellowship National Conference
From 11-14 April, almost 200 registrants from the mainland and Vietnam took over the building for their annual conference. Our Vietnamese Family Fellowship hosted the visitors.
Karen Wedding
Congratulations to Karen couple Pan Tay and Nya Le, who were married on Saturday 15th April by Joel Ortiz.
Pray for Christians in Kyiv
Pastor Anton, who we support in Kyiv, sent this message on 1st May. Please pray for him and the faithful people there who are providing hope, help and lodging for refugees: There was a missile attack 25km south of our refugee centre. Some of our men have been working in the rescue team and were able to help save some of the people in the attack.
SANCTUARY SUNDAY: Korean Youth dance; followed by a wonderful morning tea; Vietnamese Conference; Karen Wedding
Associate Pastor Matt Henderson was inducted at Hobart Baptist Church in February 2022, so it’s high time to find out about him. Read on to discover where he came from, and what his ride has been like over the last year.
I was born in Fairfield, Sydney but I’ve lived in Tasmania since I was very young. My family moved around a lot and we lived in many homes right across Hobart. I also spent a lot of my childhood on my grandparent’s farm in Geeveston. Tasmania was a wonderful place to grow up, and although I considered moving interstate as a young adult, I’m now very glad that I stayed here.
I love the ‘smallness’ of Tasmania. Our community here in Tasmania is still small enough that it is possible to build and maintain strong and close-knit communities. We are so blessed to live on an island with so much natural beauty, and because Tasmania is so small, all of that natural beauty is accessible in a way you can’t find in many places in Australia, or anywhere else. Kylie and I believe that Tasmania is the best place in the world to raise children.
I grew up in a very loving family. My older sister has a disability, and because of this I grew up with a different perspective about diversity, inclusion and people with special needs. My wife, Kylie, and I met at a young people’s Bible study, eventually marrying in December 2006. Kylie and I have two boys, Daniel (15) and David (10). Both of our sons are on the Autism Spectrum. I also have an older son, Isaac (23). Kylie and I recently became grandparents. Our granddaughter’s name is Dawn.
Kylie works as Citywide’s Accounts Manager, and does similar work for HBC as a volunteer. Kylie feels led to serve churches in the area of finance, and she also assists a couple of other churches in the Baptist Union in this area.
The Henderson family at Isaac’s wedding in 2021
Growing Up
I was raised in a Christian family and became a Christian when I was nine, on a children’s camp at the Blue Lagoon Christian Campsite. Unfortunately, I had negative experiences of churches as a child, and did not attend a church for a long time. I became serious and committed about my faith and working for Jesus in my mid-twenties when I became involved with a community of Christian young adults and families and got involved with children’s ministry and camps.
Growing up, my family attended very traditional Brethren churches. I was attending Eastern Shore Brethren Assembly when I met Kylie, who was a new Christian attending there because her mum attended there. After we got married, we attended another Brethren church in Hobart, where I worked for a year as the Sunday School coordinator. However, we became increasingly uncomfortable with the teaching around the role of women in these churches. Then, after Daniel was born and began exhibiting early signs of being on the Autism Spectrum, we felt increasingly excluded from that community.
We spent a lot of time un-churched, as we didn’t know how to navigate fitting into a church community as a special needs family.
Finding a Church Home
We really struggled to find a church that was accepting of a special needs family. However, when we visited Citywide’s Lenah Valley campus in 2015, we were immediately blown away by how welcoming and accepting the people there were. We became part of a church family there for the first time. When Matt Garvin arrived in 2017, he showed both myself and Kylie a way of following Jesus that lit a fire for both of us to become more active in serving.
At Citywide I discovered, developed and built my skills, stepping into areas of service and leadership I had previously shied away from. While there, we experienced Christian community in a very different, and much more fulfilling way, than I had ever experienced before. We became more open as individuals, more open as a family, and more willing to share with others.
Matt and Kylie, 2023
As a result of encouragement at Citywide, I got some theological training. This challenged me to develop and practice leadership skills While there, I learned a lot about being part of a community of Jesus followers. I learned that I had leadership skills and I learned a lot about teamwork and church governance.
Our time at Citywide was a pivotal time of personal growth for both myself and for Kylie. We grew up spiritually there, and some very special people mentored us. Citywide is a place and community we will always have tremendous love for.
What Matt does now
Now, I am the Associate Pastor at Hobart Baptist Church. I wear many hats, and it’s both challenging and a lot of fun. My first job is to learn. This is my first time serving in pastoral ministry, and there are a lot of mistakes to be made, and a lot of learning to do. I see my most important task as building relationships within the church community.
Our senior pastor, Stephen Baxter, has a lot of big picture stuff to do with Tas Baptists, so I try to handle as many of the small picture, but just as important, details at Hobart Baptist Church (HBC). Much of my work involves liaising between different teams.
I oversee HBC church service planning, including our livestreaming, and a lot of our social media interactions. As well, I work with Stephen on our vision and direction for HBC, and our teaching plan and roster. I also do fairly regular preaching at HBC.
Leaving a church community like Citywide where we had built up deep roots over seven years was a very costly and difficult change for us. However, we have found the community at HBC to be welcoming, accepting and full of wonderful people. The culture is very different and adjusting has taken a little while for us.
I am still adjusting to working in pastoral ministry. Thankfully, I love the challenge and it is a blessing to have a great mentor to work with in Stephen. I am quite introverted, so there are many aspects of my work I find challenging, but also rewarding.
From a family standpoint, working pastorally with special needs children is a different kind of challenge. It would be fair to say that even after a full year here, we are still adjusting – but its been largely positive.
It’s all about P-E-O-P-L-E
What’s the best piece of advice I’ve been given? Building a strong church community is not about structures or programs, it’s about the people and what Jesus is doing in their lives.
Kylie and I would both appreciate prayer for managing the balance between our ministry work, and the needs of our family.
Short ‘n’ Sweet
I am looking forward to . . . seeing people grow in their relationship with Jesus.
I am worried about . . . how negative the public voice of Christianity often is.
I am confident that . . . as I learn, I will make a lot of mistakes.
I am joyful about . . . the rich diversity at Hobart Baptist Church.
I would like to change . . . how we think about disability and inclusion in the church.
As the State Leader for Tasmania, it is my privilege to relocate to Tasmania for the month of May to walk alongside* our Baptist churches.
First and foremost, I seek to listen and learn what God’s people in Tasmania are experiencing as they step out in mission – across the street and around the world!
I’m also honoured to be sharing in church gatherings each Sunday across May and attending pastors’ gatherings and Tas Baptist events throughout the month.
I’m also honoured to be sharing in church gatherings each Sunday across May
I would also hope to visit with anyone interested in intercultural mission (local and global) or curious about the work of Baptist Mission Australia as we adapt our organisation to a rapidly changing world mission context.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with a phone call, text or email to arrange a time with me. I will be in the North West for the first 10 days, then around Launceston for the next 10 days, finishing my time with just over a week in the South of the state.
In the Northwest (Ulverstone). 30th April to 10th May
30.4.23—Wynyard Baptist Church
5.5.23—Tas Baptists Assembly (Newstead)
6.5.23—Tas Baps Assembly (Newstead)
7.5.23—Ulverstone Baptist Church
In the North (Launceston – Worldview Centre for Intercultural Studies). 10th to 22ndMay
10.5.23—Launceston Pastors’ coffee catchup
14.5.23—Newstead Baptist Church
17.5.23—Launceston Pastors’ coffee catchup
21.5.23—Gateway Baptist Church
In the South (Hobart). 22ndto 29thMay
28.5.23—Citywide Baptist Church
I am looking forward to meeting with as many Tasmanian Baptists as possible, and walking alongside during May.
VIDEO: Watch below to find out more about Alongsiders.
*ALONGSIDERS
Baptist Mission Australia is intentionally developing an “alongsider”approach.
We do this around the world as our intercultural team members come alongside people in their local communities and embody the good news by word and deed, in ways that make sense in that culture.
We’re also committed to doing this as we come alongside mission partners across the world and in Australia. This is identified in our 2021-2025 Strategic Roadmap where we envisage “new dynamic missional-focused partnerships with Baptist associations and churches across our Australian movement.”
Following conversations with Tasmanian Baptist leaders, engagement with churches and our own discernment processes, we sense God’s Spirit encouraging us to make ourselves available to journey with Tasmanian Baptists on your missional reimagination journey.
[From the ‘Tasmanian Baptists Alongsider Statement’, May 2022]
As the Baptist Mission Australia State Leader for Tasmania, it is my privilege to relocate to Tassie for the month of May to walk alongside our Baptist churches.
First and foremost, I seek to listen and learn what God’s people in Tasmania are experiencing as they step out in mission – across the street and around the world! I’m also honoured to be sharing in church gatherings each Sunday across May and attending pastor gatherings and association events throughout the month.
I would also hope to visit with anyone interested in intercultural mission (local and global) or curious about the work of Baptist Mission Australia as we adapt our organisation to a rapidly changing world mission context.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with a phone call, text or email to arrange a time with me. I will be in the North West 30th April-10th May. Then around Launceston 10th May to 22nd May. And will finish my time in the South of the state from 22nd May to 29th May.
Following conversations with Tasmanian Baptist leaders, engagement with churches and our own discernment processes, we sense God’s Spirit encouraging us to make ourselves available to journey with Tasmanian Baptists on your missional reimagination journey.
A call for prayer via Australian Baptist Ministries
The Asia Pacific Baptist Federation condemns in the strongest terms possible the recent aerial bombing of civilian villages in Pazikyi, Kanbalu of Sagaing region in Myanmar, which resulted in the deaths of over 100 innocent civilians.
This attack is a gross violation of international humanitarian law and a blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life.
As members of the Baptist World Alliance, who stand for justice, peace, and respect for human dignity, we are deeply saddened at this heinous act. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have lost their loved ones, homes and belongings in this inhumane attack.
We ask our member conventions and churches to pray for the people of Myanmar during these difficult times and to stand in solidarity with them as they seek justice and peace.
There is so much going on at Longford! To find out more, or to attend/participate in any of these ministries please check their website (riverlands.org.au), call 6391 2202, or email admin@riverlands.org.au. Office hours are 9am-12pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.
10-11am Mondays and Tuesdays, Libraries Tasmania, Adult Literacy – during school term)
11am-12pm Mondays, Prayer Group
10am-12pm Tuesdays, Threads of Friendship
5.30-9pm Tuesdays Young Adults Group – off site
10am-12pm Wednesdays, Bible Small Group
9.30-11.30 am Thursdays, Stay & Play – during school terms
3-5pm Thursdays, Girls Youth Group – during school terms
11.30am-1.30pm. Thursdays, Bible Discovery Group
7-8.30pm Thursdays, Bible Small Group – fortnightly, off-site
10.30am-12pm Fridays, Neighbours – fortnightly
7-9.pm Fridays, Riverlands Youth group – 3rd Friday of each month, during school terms
11am-1pm Fridays, Meals on Wheels – operate Monday-Friday each week
Snr Pastor Rodney Marshall, Meals on Wheels, Stay & Play, Associate Pastor Liam Conway
Grief Companion Training
Do you know people who are grieving? Would you like to learn how to support them? You could attend this seminar, being run by New Mornings at Ulverstone Baptist.
WHEN 9:30am-430pm, Saturdays 20th May AND 3rd June 2023 COST Day 1 only – $75 (Conc. $55) ) | Days 1 + 2 – $120 (Conc. $85) WHERE Ulverstone Baptist Church Hall, 60 Alexandra Road, Ulverstone, 7315 INFO Contact New Mornings: griefsupport@newmornings.org.au | 03 6411 6212 OR download the flyer:
More than ever, the people of Myanmar need to know that others stand with them. They need to know they are not forgotten.
Two years on from a military coup, Myanmar is rocked by violence, oppression and instability. The economy has collapsed, there are severe shortages of food, fuel and other basic supplies. Families are forced to separate, churches continue to be damaged. Pastors have been arrested. The military continue to ignore basic human rights.
Since the coup, more than 3000 people have been killed and 16,000 people detained. Almost 1.6 million people are displaced within Myanmar and 1.1 million refugees and asylum seekers from Myanmar live in refugee camps on the Thai and Indian borders and within other towns in Thailand and India.
Please invite your faith community in sacrificially giving to ourStand with Myanmar appeal, so that together we can make a tangible and practical difference in the lives of people who continue to live with trauma and uncertainty.
What’s Going on – City Baptist
City Baptist Church in Launceston has people, as well as activities that people can connect with relationally.
Street chaplain (Stephen Avery), coming alongside those in need on our streets
Advocacy
Housing provided for refugees (Ivan James)
The homeless and those fleeing Family and Domestic Violence (Kay Hunter)
Climate activism (Sally Staley, Wendy Miller and friends)
Drop in Centre in the Red Dove Café 6pm-7pm Saturdays, 52 weeks per year (Jeff McKinnon).
City Baptist Community Garden – 69 Station Rd, St Leonards (Steve and Marie Pearce)
Learning Circle (hosted by Garry Billing and Jeff McKinnon) for those wanting to grow in discipleship, spirituality and mission (three-week sessions)
Young adult dinners with Jenna Blackwell
Friday Frolics – Intergenerational social outing on last Friday of the month (Merelyn Briton)
Friday/Saturday 5th/6th May, Newstead Baptist (NB new venue!)
The May Assembly is coming up very fast! All Tasmanian Baptist churches are eligible to have at least two voting delegates in attendance, plus pastors and Tas Baptist Council Members. As well, interested individuals are welcome to attend. However, all attendees do need to register.
Assembly papers will be sent to Church Secretaries via email on Thursday 6th April.
Payments and registrations will be due to the Tasmanian Baptist office by Monday 5th May 2023. As well as the regular registration process, we are trialing an online payment/registration system. So watch out for that!
This Changes Everythingis an Easter series that’s ready to go. There are message outlines that you can take, leave or adapt. But the bonus is the artwork for promoting and inviting, easily editable to include your church details. All free, because Crossover is here to help you share Jesus.
Ally & Sally is the shortest soap opera you’ve ever seen! 3x 1-min episodes you can show in church, or embed in your weekly email, or both. Each episode can stand alone, but the story builds – and twists – with a positive encouragement to share our great news. Perfect for showing right before promoting the Easter Offering in the three weeks leading up to Easter!
Michael Henderson, a member of the Tasmanian Baptists’ Mission and Leadership Development Team, gives insight into some key aspects of leadership.
One of the hardest parts of leadership for me is sustaining passion and perseverance. But they are both essential.
This is the call of leadership; to have both passion and perseverance. If you are to lead, you must have passion for what you do and some level of perseverance as you do it. Grit, in other words, as described in Angela Duckworth’s book “Grit”. (An excellent book by the way.)
Leading must involve your passion. The person with the most passion is usually the leader. This is not the person with the biggest voice or most “charisma”, but with the most passion for the task at hand. Without passion, it is hard to have the energy to keep going.
AND FURTHERMORE . . .
Leadership must also involve your own perseverance. You need to develop perseverance in yourself. Can you see things through, or do you want to give up before we get somewhere? Do your interests change too fast, or can you maintain focus?
You must have both passion and perseverance to be a leader, a pastor.
AND, as a leader/pastor you must develop both passion and perseverance in your church, in the community around you.
Baptists expect the church to join with their pastors in leadership, decision-making and spiritual oversight. This demands, that as leaders, we have a vision of developing passion and perseverance in the leaders around us, and in the congregation who will make decisions with us.
Baptists expect the church to join with their pastors in leadership
IT GOES BEYOND YOU
Don’t just focus on developing your own passion and perseverance. Remember to develop it in your church, your community. Help them see how it all comes together in the vision and mission of your church.
If only the leader or pastor has passion, then this model will ultimately fail. If only the congregation has perseverance to keep going, then our model of church will fail.
It is only when we all have a developed understanding of what our collective passion and perseverance is that we will truly lead together. It is only when this happens that we will ultimately change our communities and world. Anything short of this is just survival.
BEING INTENTIONAL – WITH GRIT
None of this happens by accident, but it can be developed if you are intentional about it.
Download the series of questions to ask, “How gritty are you as leader?” And, “How gritty is your church community that is around you?”
Your answers, and how some leaders around you answer, will reveal a heap about your grit.
If you would like to speak to me about grit, and developing it in yourself or your local church, don’t hesitate to get in touch: michael@tasbaptists.org.au
Grace and Peace,
Michael
Michael Henderson Mission and Leadership Development Team
SACRED AGENTS is a blog by Andrew Turner, Director of Crossover
Ten or twelve years ago, while chatting socially with a woman who worked as a psychologist, I mentioned rather sheepishly that I had a fear of flying. “You should come and see me,” she said, “I can help with that.” Before I could deflect, she added, “You know, often it’s associated with a childhood trauma. Were you in an accident when you were young?”
Indeed I was. Intrigued, I asked what could be done, and to her financial detriment she just said, “Well, come and see me if you like. But you might find that just having had this conversation will have helped.” What? A passing conversation of all of two minutes?
But then the strangest thing happened. When I next flew – some weeks later – the fear was just gone. I am still absolutely amazed by this, that just a few words can have such power, power beyond argument or persuasion or logic. It’s like she had spoken directly to my nervous system.
It’s time to get your pen and notebook!
If you’ve been following Jesus for a while, Easter can be a little strange. We celebrate the heart of the good news, but it doesn’t seem like news anymore. We know how it goes. God bless all the preachers stretching their heads to come up with a fresh angle on this old story! But Easter can just come and go, if we let it.
So here’s a little exercise I’ve found helpful to keep the heart from dozing: Copy out Mark 14-16 and Isaiah 53. Copying Scripture* is slow.
Slow enough that sure, I notice little things I hadn’t considered so much before. But it’s not about that – it’s about letting the words hit me in a different way. I’ve just been immersing myself in the wonder of it all. Opening myself up to “just having had this conversation” with God.
Making a difference
My intention here isn’t to know more. Perhaps it’s to know better or deeper. My fear of flying wasn’t logical, and it wasn’t fixed by following logical steps. I did get information, but strangely sideways, so that it got deep enough in me to make a genuine difference.
This is not just something we can do for ourselves, but with others too.
Perhaps there’s someone in your life who’d be willing just to read through it with you? Not for analysis or explanation or even persuasion – you might find there’s other powerful ways that God works his healing magic both in and through you.
What are our youth up to in the north of the State? Roger Radford (Summerhill) fills us in on the unified approach taken by Launceston and Longford churches.
Launceston Combined Youth
7-9pm, 4th Friday every month
I am excited to share with you all the wonderful events that the greater Launceston area Baptist Youth has had in 2023.
It has been an incredible year filled with fun, fellowship, and growth. We have had the pleasure of coming together and enjoying each other’s company through a range of exciting activities.
The first event we had was Bowling, where we had a friendly competition and shared many laughs. We all appreciated the chance to let our hair down and relax in each other’s company.
Our second event was held at Newstead Baptist, where we enjoyed a range of games that challenged our strategic thinking and teamwork skills. It was great to see everyone working together and having a great time.
More recently, we had a Laser Tag event, where we gathered for an action-packed day of running around and dodging lasers. It was a great opportunity to let loose, have fun, and bond with each other.
Plans for the year ahead
As we move into 2023, we have an exciting lineup of events planned.
On the 28th April, there will be a Sports and Skate event. Then Basketball games on 26th May, where we can show our competitive spirit and have a great time cheering each other on.
There will also be a Trivia Night on 23rd June, which will be a fantastic opportunity to learn new things and share our knowledge with each other.
We are still planning our fourth event on 28th July, and will confirm the details soon. Be sure to stay tuned for more information about this exciting event.
Please come!
I am grateful for the wonderful year we have had so far and am excited about the upcoming events for 2023. I encourage all youth to come along and get involved in these events. They are a great way to meet new people, have fun, and grow in faith together.
Over the New Year period, two of our teams, a men’s and a women’s team, attended the 50th National Baptist Basketball Carnival in Adelaide. We also sent one junior player who had the fantastic opportunity to suit up and play with an Adelaide team.
Although none of our teams made it to the finals this year, it was a thrilling experience to be back at the carnival after a two-year hiatus due to the global situation. The camaraderie, sportsmanship, and faith-filled atmosphere were truly inspiring.
In even more exciting news, the 2024 National Baptist Basketball Carnival will be hosted by Launceston! This will be a wonderful opportunity for our community to showcase our beautiful city and welcome fellow Christian basketball enthusiasts from around the nation.
Season news
Our LBA Baptist regular season has recently kicked off, and we have seen significant growth in participation.
This season, we have six A Grade men’s teams, four A Grade women’s teams. Plus ten B Grade men’s teams, and five B Grade women’s teams.
Games are on Saturday nights at Elphin Sports Centre and Newstead College, and we encourage everyone to come out and support our talented teams.
Associate Pastor Franz Brosch was inducted at Wynyard Baptist Church on Sunday 12th February, 2023. He will work alongside Senior Pastor Owen Muskett. Franz and Heidi are excited to be in Tassie, after God brought them on quite a journey!
A long time ago in a country far, far away . . .
I was born and grew up in a town in Southwest Germany called Mühlacker. It wasn’t exactly a rural setting, but still a reasonably small and well-connected community, with neighbours having chats across their fences. Our suburb was beautifully located, surrounded by fields and forests, and it had a river flowing through. It was a good place to grow up.
At the age of 20, I moved 40km away to Karlsruhe – a city of 300,000 – in order to study Computer Science at university.
My wife Heidi and I moved to Tassie after having spent the last eight years in the Camden area, near Sydney. It has been lovely to explore our new hometown, Wynyard, and its surrounds.
We love the stunning beauty of the sea shore, but also the rolling hills and mountains inland. We have also enjoyed getting to know the community here. People are friendly, and everyone has time for a chat!
Franz and Heidi Brosch
Both Heidi and I come from relatively small families. I have my parents and two older brothers living back in Germany. All of them have visited us at some stage after our migration to Australia in 2012.
Since it was only Heidi and me who came out, we are thankful for modern technology. It enables us to stay in touch through phone calls and video chats.
As far as I can think back, I have always believed in God. As a child I was part of the Catholic Church. However, in secondary school a group of evangelical students invited me join them. They met in the breaks between classes for prayer and Bible reading. Being part of this group greatly increased my understanding of the Gospel.
As an adult, I joined an evangelical church, where I was baptised. While I had been baptised as an infant, I took this step to make a conscious declaration of my faith.
The path towards leadership
My first career was in IT, working as a software engineer. I loved the work, yet over time it became increasingly clear I was not really passionate about it. I wanted to dedicate myself more fully to Christian ministry, but I did not know which direction to take.
After moving to Australia, the Lord brought us in contact with a number of Christian ministries and communities. This gave me a much better understanding of what it would mean to pursue vocational ministry. Looking back, I think all these experiences worked together to make me ready to accept leadership responsibility for a community of believers.
I think all these experiences worked together to make me ready to accept leadership responsibility for a community of believers.
Having served as a ministry intern at Narellan Community Congregational Church, near Sydney, for three years, I felt it was time to seek a new ministry position to broaden the scope of my experience.
I was hoping I would still be able to serve under a senior pastor, rather than on my own. Plus, I wanted to work part-time, to allow for the completion of my ongoing theological studies.
At Wynyard Baptist Church, exactly such an opportunity opened up! I am excited the church accepted me as their new Associate Pastor. Heidi and I moved to Wynyard in January 2023, and I started work in February.
Loving, teaching, serving
I have received so much valuable advice over the years, and it is impossible to single out one piece of advice above all others. But one that proved to be crucial was for me to take up theological studies. The advice came first from Heidi. Then from a friend who noticed my growing love for God’s Word, and my desire to understand it more deeply.
My Master of Divinity studies at Morling College have shaped me a lot. They have greatly increased my readiness for vocational ministry in the Church.
Having only just started the Associate Pastor role at Wynyard Baptist, the working out of my focus areas is an ongoing process that will still take time. At the moment, I am working three days/week, and spending time getting to know all aspects of the life and ministry of the church.
I love worship, and have been playing the keyboard in our Sunday services. As well, I am on the church’s preaching roster. More things will come in time.
I am greatly excited to see that God uses deep passions within me, such as worship and teaching, to serve his people and to bring fruit for his kingdom. I love the fact that I can spend my time and energy in ways that really matter and have eternal value.is becoming more and more post-Christian.
Many of the older ways of reaching the lost are simply no longer effective. Part of the challenge of ministry today is thinking of new ways to re-engage people with the message of Jesus.
My challenge
I feel the work of ministry can bring out the worst of our brokenness, both in myself as well as in others, as it is a ministry from and to the heart. The process of spiritual transformation can be frustratingly slow and suffer all kinds of setbacks.
The challenge, then, is to keep looking to Christ and trusting him to take our efforts, imperfect as they are, and use them to continue to build his Church.
At this stage, I would appreciate prayer for the continued process of settling in at Wynyard Baptist Church, as well as life in Wynyard.
Pray my ministry in the church will grow and mature over time, and that as a church we will be a blessing to the community, to all those whose lives we touch. Pray, too, we will cooperate well with other churches in the area in proclaiming the Gospel, and many in our town turn to Christ.
And briefly
I am looking forward to . . . the year ahead with Wynyard Baptist Church.
I am worried about . . . the increasing secularization of Australia and other Western nations.
I am confident that . . . coming to Wynyard was the right step to take.
I am joyful about . . . the beauty of creation across Tassie.
I would like to change . . . myself to do more exercise and eat less sweets.
I am at my best when . . . what I do corresponds with the passion that God has laid on my heart.
This Changes Everythingis an Easter series that’s ready to go. There are message outlines that you can take, leave or adapt. But the bonus is the artwork for promoting and inviting, easily editable to include your church details. All free, because Crossover is here to help you share Jesus.
Ally & Sally is the shortest soap opera you’ve ever seen! 3x 1-min episodes you can show in church, or embed in your weekly email, or both. Each episode can stand alone, but the story builds – and twists – with a positive encouragement to share our great news. Perfect for showing right before promoting the Easter Offering in the three weeks leading up to Easter!
watch ally & sally
Mid-Year Assembly
Friday/Saturday 5th/6th May, Newstead Baptist (NB new venue!)
The May Assembly is coming up very fast! All Tasmanian Baptist churches are eligible to have at least two voting delegates in attendance, plus pastors and Tas Baptist Council Members. As well, interested individuals are welcome to attend. However, all attendees do need to register.
Assembly papers will be sent to Church Secretaries via email on Thursday 6th April.
Payments and registrations will be due to the Tasmanian Baptist office by Monday 5th May 2023. As well as the regular registration process, we are trialling an online payment/registration system. So watch out for that!
Views from Tas Baptist Assembly, October 2022
National Neighbour Day
Sunday 26th March 2023
REENGAGE, REIMAGINE, REALIGN. These are familiar words for Tasmanian Baptists! And what better day to reengage with your local area than on National Neighbours Day.
As you choose to connect with your local community, let’s be “Neighbours Every Day”, and celebrate National Neighbours Day.
The day comes up on the last Sunday of March every year. It is a “call to action for everyone in Australia (individuals, community groups, business and governments) to take everyday actions that create social connection and foster respectful relationships,” says Nick Tebbey, National Executive Officer of Relationships Australia.
Relationships Australia believe respectful relationships are essential for the wellbeing of children, families, individuals and communities. They advocate and promote the importance of respectful relationships, with respect to positive individual mental health outcomes and general community outcomes.
In the US there has been much talk about the revival at Asbury University in Kentucky. However, nearly a century ago, a revival happened here too!
Back in 1924 , Sheffield Baptist was the place where the Holy Spirit came with an outpouring over four years. Sadly, the revival then died out – some would even say it was killed. There is much we can learn from the story.
Tasmanian Baptist Historian Laurie Rowston speaks with Matt Garvin (Citywide) about this unprecedented, and never repeated, era in our past.
24th June 1948 – 7th March 2023, Brisbane, Queensland, after a long illness.
Richard Measham was born in Salisbury, England, and grew up in rural Tasmania in Smithton. In their youth, he and his brother Jack were befriended by the Rev. Bill Day of the Independent Baptist church in Smithton. They both eventually entered the Baptist Christian ministry.
Initially, Richard qualified as a diesel fitter. Then, in 1973 Richard commenced study at the World Evangelism Crusade in St. Leonards, Launceston, with a view to overseas mission work. However, the mission work was not to be. While on mission experience in Rosebery, on Tasmania’s west coast, he met Helen Smith, a Primary School Teacher.
Subsequently, in 1975, Richard went to the Petershead Baptist church in Adelaide and worked there part-time for 18 months, while Helen trained at the Sydney Missionary and Bible College. Richard then returned to Tasmania and became Assistant to the Rev. Robert Beeston at the Memorial Baptist Church (now Gateway).
Married life
Richard and Helen married on 17th January 1976. They began at the Claremont Baptist Church in February 1979. Richard was ordained to the Christian ministry on 15th September 1989.
In 1993/94, Richard was President of the Tasmanian Baptist Union. In 1993 he commenced at the Moonah Church and served there until it closed in 2003. He became the ABMS (Australian Baptist Missionary Society) Secretary of Tasmania. As a result he took a one-month overseas trip to China, Bangladesh and Hong Kong. Later, another trip, to Africa, both on behalf of the Society.
Helen died on 11th October 2013. They had two children, Andrew and Christy. Richard married again, this time to Nicola Stacey, and in 2021 they moved to Queensland. Richard is remembered has a man with a pastor’s heart.
Laurie Rowston
Memorial service: 2:30pm, Wednesday 15th March 2023, Philip Stephens Funerals, Rosny
Burial of Richard’s ashes: 1:30pm, Thursday 16thMarch, 2023, Circular Head Lawn Cemetery, Stanley
An endorsed project of Australian Baptist Ministries, The Safer Space Toolkit is aimed at resourcing pastors and church leaders to address domestic abuse and build relationally healthy communities.
This project started as a result of recognising domestic abuse resources were often available only by region, and there was a need to create a resource that could be accessed by any pastor anywhere, with access to the Internet.
The project working group is made up of Baptist women from around the country who have expertise in pastoral leadership, theology, teaching, domestic abuse and project management.
FIND OUT MORE: Preaching tools, training sessions, videos and user guide. WATCH the introductory video, below
Heartlands News – Autumn 2023
Heartlands aims to speak about things of the heart to women of our heart-shaped island.
A colourful portrait of brokenness, and hope of repair, this video assembles a narrative kaleidoscope of lost youth, drug addiction, refuge from war, disability and those searching for a brighter path through imperfection.
The 48-mintue documentary features Kay Hunter, Maddy Svoboda, Guy Barnett and Jeff McKinnon – and many other local Christian leaders.
