Baptist people historically have loved to talk about "congregational governance" and the fact that we try to "discern together the mind of Christ". These ideas are not uniquely Baptist, however they are certainly not held by all Christians. In the past these ideas have been expressed primarily through the "Member's meetings" and democratic voting practices. However, I wonder if we should value the idea more highly than its normal expression in practice.

Back in the days when "Baptist" was a fledgling movement in England, the Churches started to do something that was completely counter-cultural and frankly quite shocking! At a time in history when less than 20% of the adult population had democratic voting rights, the Baptist church said "No! - we believe everyone should have a say!" They introduced voting for Church Member's and thus allowed all voices to be heard in major decision-making, not just the voices of the rich and influential. This was a revolutionary practice that uniquely expressed the idea of "discerning together", at a time in history when decision making in Churches, like most organisations, was more likely to be dominated by a select group of individuals.

This history makes me proud! It also makes me question: what might be an equally radical and counter-cultural way of claiming back the idea of "discerning together" at this time in history where everyone has rights to democratic processes, and yet many voices remain unheard? Rooted in a history of radical and counter-cultural activity, that exposed the weaknesses of the power processes of the day, can we find a better way that will help us to "discern together the mind of Christ" in this time in history? Are inherited models of "Member's meetings" and democratic processes effective for us anymore? Should we be looking at new ways that can help us to gain back this idea of true input and participation in finding God's will together as a community of faith? Does a Baptist Church in Hawera have a role to play in these things?

I think that we have already started doing this. We are exploring different ways of doing "Church meetings" (eg. forums; preliminary discussions; prayer oriented etc.). We are trialling new leadership structures (eg. Focus areas and the “Champions” concept). In the midst of all of this we remain “Baptist” and so continue to value the idea of “discerning together the mind of Christ”. Our practices should therefore allow everyone the potential for participation in decision making. This is a challenge that sits alongside another: how do we allow our chosen leaders to lead well? These are tricky issues, however I believe we are navigating these things right now! Pray, with God's help, that together we will navigate well.

Arohanui, Pastor David Auty

I can just picture some of you squirming in your seats at the very question! Most people in Protestant/Evangelical churches these days would be much more likely to identify as "Christian" than as "Baptist" or "Presbyterian" or something else.  In that sense the "days or denominationalism" are gone.  This is a good thing if we are thinking about denominations in a "we're right and they're wrong", or in a possessive/exclusive way (which I think has sometimes been the case).  However, I do wonder what this means for us as part of a local Baptist Church.

The reality is that as a Baptist Church we do have a distinct flavour, we do have unique ways of doing things, we do look at the world in different ways - in short, we have distinctive ideas that are important to us!  This is true for "Baptists" as a denomination, but it's equally true for us as a local Church.  So what are the important bits?  Over the next few weeks I'd like to explore this question.  For some it will serve as a reminder, for others it may be the first time you've thought about these things, either way, I think these are distinctive Baptist ideas that it would be sad to lose:.
1. Our understanding of decision making
2. Our belief in the "Priesthood of all believers"
3. Our theology and practice of believer's baptism.
4. Our concept of Membership: the good, the bad and the ugly.

We may find over the next few weeks that there are others things that should be included here so please engage in a dialogue if possible.  These articles will be posted onto our facebook group every week, and of course I'm always available for a chat if that's how you prefer to dialogue. I'm looking forward to looking at these ideas with you over the coming weeks.

I've had rather a strange thing happen to me over the past few months - I've started listening to classical music! To some of you that may not seem that strange, but the truth is that I've never really listened much to classical music before, so why the change now? It all started one day when I noticed the very non-christian world view promoted by many pop songs that play on the radio. I'd never had that much of a problem with it before, reasoning that I could filter out the trash and just enjoy the music, however that day it really got to me and I changed my car radio to the concert program, and so far I haven't looked back. Now, not only do I listen to classical music in the car, but I find myself downloading Bach and Beethoven onto my smart phone and listening to it in the background when I'm working away on my computer. What has happened to me? I think two things have happened:

The first thing relates to how classical music is so full of passion and power. You are able to "feel" the music without being told how to feel it (particularly when there are no lyrics - or perhaps Italian lyrics). I have found this fact to be quite therapeutic...it's almost like having permission to express the emotions on the inside in a healthy and God focussed way, without the distraction of words.

The second thing follows on from this and I have found that it gives me space to turn the music into worship. No longer am I bound to lyrics that say "forget you", or "*issing the night away" (btw, the * is not a "k"), but I can make my own words of praise to God, or simply allow the silence to minister deep inside me and allow for a worshipful response "from the inside out".

I am so excited about this new thing that I have even taken a break from listening to my favourite bands (from the 80s and 90s) and am now almost exclusively classical. Who knows how long this lasts, but I hope that somehow I can weave in the principles of this "classical worship" into the fabric of my life.

Arohanui,
Pastor David Auty 

Olya shared with us the other week about how God is already speaking to us through this years Prayer and Self Denial. Over three Sundays, without any prior knowledge or planning, three things happened:

1. I preached on Acts 16 (as part of our Acts series);

2. the next week Pastor Mark Trewavas came and shared about their journey to Thailand to work amongst the Isaan people

3. the next week Olya was introducing this years Prayer and Self Denial and what was on the introduction page? Acts 16 AND a project with the Isaan people in Thailand! Wow!!

I really want to encourage every one of us to engage in this years appeal with open ears, arms and hearts. Listen for what God is saying to you, to your family, and to us as a church family. Use the weekly handouts as a prompter to prayer and engagement, remember that 7-8am on Tuesdays we'll be praying down here at the church prayer room...and please try to make it along to each of the next three Sunday mornings as we explore together what God is saying to us.

The theme for the 2012 Prayer and Self Denial campaign is Are You Ready? Are you ready to Reach?

Are you ready to Redeem?

Are you ready to Restore?

Over the three weeks we will be looking at Paul and Silas' mission journey in Acts 16.

The receptacle this year is an integral part of tranzsend’s reaching, redeeming and restoring. Made in the Kalasin province of Thailand by the Isaan people, it is part of a project bringing economic help to a poor region, and providing opportunities for the local churches to reach out to the majority Buddhist population. There will be one large ‘family’ container for each church, as well as a small container for each family.

I can't wait to hear what God is saying to us during this years Prayer and Self Denial appeal!

Arohanui,
Pastor David Auty 

As Christians we talk a lot about "working together". Actually, the whole world seems to be talking about it! Whether we're: facing a global financial crises; creating a new "Super -Ministry" of Business, Innovation and Employment (Mobie) to centralise resources and services; responding to "zero-budgets" and "all doing our bit for the economy"; or simply striving for "collaboration" in all its iterations. The talk about working together is pretty constant.

The trouble is that the old saying "better together" is only half true. "What?", I hear you say....it almost sounds like treason doesn't it, but I think it's the truth. Things are better together when we have the same vision, goals and aspirations. When we can agree on something and find the corporate will to make it happen, then collaboration and working together is fantastic! - I love being a part of that stuff! However, when we are driven by conflicting motivations, or working to partisan agendas, then sometimes it's better, and more productive, for us to act separately.

"But...", I hear you cry, "as Christians aren't we meant to be all about unity?" Well, yes, we are about unity, but unity does not mean uniformity. It doesn't mean that we necessarily look like, act like or even think like others. The kind of unity that Jesus talked about was far different - on a whole different level from the talk of collaboration that often surrounds us. For Jesus unity was rooted in truth and holiness and modelled after the unity shown through His relationship with the Father. Take a look at part of Jesus' prayer in John 17:17-21:

"Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me."

Unity rooted in truth and holiness and modelled after the unity that God the Son, and God the Father shared - a unity found in the Triune Godhead of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Any other form of unity is ok(ish)...it can help us achieve a goal or perhaps accomplish some outcomes, but it is nothing like the REAL unity Jesus talks about which is only found in intimate relationship with and through God.

So let's not try to look like everyone else and call it unity, instead let's strive to be united in love with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Let's seek to live out truth and holiness as we relate to God and others expressing the kind of unity that can change the world. What do you think?

Grace and Peace, Pastor David Auty