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



Connect December 2012


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.



Connect


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.



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

connect dec 12 pdf

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