P u b l i s h e d b y We s t m i n s t e r P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h | Vo l u m e 1 5 6 S u m m e r E d i t i o n 2 0 1 2

M E SSENGER

The

The Messenger

Volume 156 Summer Edition 2012 Missions Features Youth & Family Church News

Contents

4-8 9-17 18-20 21-25

Aims
To uphold the teachings of Scripture as summed up in the Westminster Confession of Faith. To assist the WPC churches in their congregational life and witness. To foster a spirit of unity amongst WPC churches.

Contributions, Letters, etc.

All materials for the editor, such as contributions, letters and comments about The Messenger should be directed to: Revd Clem White, 10 Melaleuca Terrace, HALLS HEAD, W.A. 6210 Phone: (08) 9535 3301 Email: candpwhite@bigpond.com.au

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and addressed to Rev. Clem White at the contact address or email above.

The Messenger Committee

Clem White (Editor) Sandra Wilson (Treasurer) Pam White (Secretary) Ray Wilson (Proofing) Roy Lim (Designer)

PLEASE NOTE: ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS DUE IN ADVANCE.

Opinions expressed are those of the contributor and not necessarily those of WPC, the editor or the committee. Submitted articles are welcome. You can help make your denominational journal a success by subscribing and contributing to it. We cordially invite you to do both.

PHOTO ON COVER: Pg 20: Putting It Together

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Editorial
A SAD DEPARTURE
On the evening of December 5, 2012, the Kingsley congregation of Westminster Presbyterian Church voted in favour of leaving our church. Since then the leaders have made their severance from WPC public. The main reason they give for leaving WPC is because we only ordain men to the eldership who hold to our position on baptism. We believe that the Bible teaches us that infants of believers as well as adult believers should be baptised. But the Kingsley leaders wish to have the freedom to ordain men, no matter which view they hold on baptism. They believe that the WPC stance on baptism is a hindrance to the spread of the gospel. To my mind this is a rather strange position to take when we consider that until the Anabaptists emerged as a fringe group in 1521 the orthodox view of the church was to baptise infants of believers. This obviously did not hinder the spread of the gospel. The following are eight reasons, in brief, why we should baptize infants. 1. All of Gods covenants include families. 2. The sign of Gods ownership was circumcision in the OT 3. Baptism of infants has taken the place of circumcision. Both baby girls and baby boys are baptized in NT times 4. The church in the OT times was very much the same as in the New Testament times. 5. God would not withdraw from the N T believers the privileges of the O T believers. 6. Whole families were baptized during the days of the apostles. 7. Infants of believers have been baptized right through the history of the Christian church. 8. There is a God-given natural relationship between parents and their children. At the same time WPC accepts all into membership who give a credible confession of their faith and have been baptised in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We believe, with the Apostle Paul, that baptism should not hinder the preaching of the gospel nor be a cause of division, 1 Cor. 1:1317. We are very sad that the leaders have changed their views since joining WPC. We will miss them and our Kingsley brothers and sisters in our assemblies and times of worship. We pray that although they have separated from us in this way, they will be used by God to preach the gospel far and wide. U C lem W hite

For further details please go to Church News on page 24-25

THE MESSENGER ON
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The

Missions

What do you do, and why?

B y W endy M arshall

t is relatively easy to sprout off all the stuff we do that makes up our ministries, but I need to take one step back to help you see the context of what were doing. Were missionaries with OMF International. OMF has over 1,400 missionaries reaching out to East Asians. One step closer to us, OMF Japan has about 120 missionaries working in church planting, evangelism, training, student ministry, and support ministries.

Missionary Association, an association that OMF Japan is a part of. This job takes up quite a lot of my time. Answer the email enquiries that come from the OMF Japan website, providing information or directing traffic to the appropriate persons. Blog and freelance writing seeking to encourage and educate others with the stories God has given me. Edit and produce an annual prayer calendar for OMF Japan missionaries to use as gifts for supporters. We help out at Sunday School at our local Japanese church once a month (David teaches and I play the piano). Earlier in the year I taught a bimonthly English Bible Study that is where the church directs people looking for English lessons. Occasionally I use my Occupational Therapy skills to assess or advise CAJ families on issues related to their children. I keep up with the Japanese friends God has given me. They dont know the Lord yet, so we pray and mobilise prayer for them. These are the main things I do, there are others, but they are quite small roles at present. Not much of what we do is directly involved with the above vision statement, however, our roles support those who do work on the front line of ministry. Therefore we feel a tremendous sense of ownership of the vision. We are team players. Being a part of that team, as opposed to just being a teacher and his side-kick editing-writing-emailing wife. What we do is part of a bigger vision of reaching Japan for Jesus. U This was part of a series of posts on Wendys blog answering questions for a friends Bible College assignment about Wendys life as a missionary. Here is the link to see the other posts in the series: http://tinyurl.com/wm-blg-series12

Callum, Wendy and David Douglas and Jamie

Through Gods grace we aim to see a vibrant, biblical church, reproducing in Japan and reaching out in mission to other peoples. In that context, David and I are support workers. We support other missionaries who are working on the front line in church planting and evangelism. OMF considers our main ministry to be with the education of missionary kids. David works full-time at the Christian Academy in Japan teaching maths and science to high schoolers, plus mentoring new teachers, and heading up the maths and science departments at the school. My ministries are not so easily described. I have several hats, besides supporting David and our three boys. Managing Editor of Japan Harvest, a magazine that is for and by missionaries to the Japanese. It is the publication of the Japan Evangelical 4
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Missions

Old enough to train teachers?

by

D avid M arshall
with this statement. I see this as being a gradual process, and Jesus very much taking an active role in it. He helps us to grow step by step. And after each new step, there is another one to take. It is often larger, more challenging than the previous one, but with each new step, we grow a little more. Before we realise it, we have come a long way. Typically, the people around us notice this growth more readily than we do! So they begin to ask us to take on more responsibility. They look to us to be wise. If we are walking with Jesus, particularly in humility, we still think we have so much to learn, and such requests take us by surprise. Maybe this is what happened to me, and maybe it has happened to you. Maybe it is about to happen to you. Do you find yourself in a position of being asked to lead, and not feeling up to it? Maybe you are looked to for wisdom when you do not feel very wise. Consider these things as another step in Jesus plan to help you grow. Remember that Gods calling is the only truly necessary qualification for service in his kingdom. The rest is on-the-job training. I have enjoyed having a student teacher. I have not always known all the answers, but that is okay. I hope she is feeling like it was worthwhile to spend these few weeks learning from me. U

When did I get to be old enough or wise enough to be allowed to train a new teacher? I find myself mentoring a student teacher from the United States and I also find myself wondering how this happened. I think back to when I was a student teacher, and how much older and wiser my mentors seemed to be. They were calm in the classroom, while I was nervous. They knew what was happening like it was second nature, and I had to plan every step or I would be totally lost. Teenagers were not at all threatening to them, whereas I was terrified of all the potential disasters that could happen with these potentially volatile alien beings. So when did things change? Like all personal growth, there is no particular point in time. Human beings grow and mature at all aspects of their lives. We may officially become adults when we turn eighteen, but most of us who dimly remember that time know that waking up on your eighteenth birthday does not make you an adult. There is a way of thinking, an attitude toward life, and a collection of character traits that make a person adult. Lacking these things, we are still children. So I grew as a teacher. I have continued to grow as a teacher. I want to keep growing, and one of the next things on Gods list appears to be helping me to pass what I know on to another generation of teachers. I am reminded of Jesus teaching in Luke 12:48 when he told his disciples, From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked (NIV). He was talking to them about being a faithful servant, always doing what the Lord Jesus has entrusted you to do. He finished

David and Wendy Marshall have served as missionaries in Japan with OMF International since 2000. Wendy writes almost daily on her blog about ordinary life as an Australian family in Japan: www.mmuser.blogspot.com. E: themarshalls@omfmail.com

Men are like wine. Some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age

~ Pope John XXIII

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Missions

Phils Story
by

P hil , C athy & J oshua S tuart

new stuff because I didnt want to, I had lost complete interest. I would reuse old stuff & it was clear I was getting worse & would not be able to drag myself out of this black hole without help & I finally let Cathy in & shared my problem with her. I tried to protect her by not letting her in & also because I felt like a failure. Of course, she also felt helpless. I even hated going to the Baptist church Sunday nights. In late September I shared my problem with a friend (one of the Baptist ministers here) and we started having weekly couch time and in it, he encouraged me (and Cathy) to join a local Bible Study group. I didnt want to, and avoided it for a few weeks, but Cathy twisted my arm and made me ask a group leader if we could join his group. We went on the condition no one asked me about work. But from that first night onwards, I regained my joy of salvation and wanted to help dig my way out. I could see light at the end of the tunnel. Now it is not all beer and skittles, I still have my good weeks and my bad weeks, but on a whole, things are on the improve - but not in all areas. I am still struggling with regaining my love for Aboriginal people and Aboriginal ministry. We need time away from the ministry here. I should have taken it when I was at my lowest, but due to Yirara and their preference to come to AIM rather than the Lutherans or the Catholics, I persevered. It was not easy, and before and after church I did avoid people (especially the non Yirara weeks). But now Yirara have had their last week with us for the year, we are now on a ten week break from AIM until the 10th Feb when they come back. We have had to shut the church doors for most of that time (to Caths immense disappointment) as we couldnt find help. Mid

t was during August that I hit rock bottom in my walk with the Lord, the ministry full stop (not just here in Alice), and my view of Aboriginal people and I hated myself for it. I had also lost the joy of my salvation. Preparing for Sunday and Bible studies and then doing the Sunday service and Bible Study was like pulling teeth - I hated it, to put it bluntly. I had been struggling a bit for a while (for many reasons), but it was nothing out of the ordinary. This is Aboriginal ministry in Alice Springs. We thought moving away from the church (and therefore the grog shop) would help, but each time I had to go back to the church I entered the same depraved scene again which just brought up those feelings. What tipped me over the edge was when we went to the Hospital to do our visits one day in July, we had to wade our way through the huge amount of rubbish leading to the front door that the Aboriginal people were just throwing on the ground. I just snapped inside. A few days later I left for conference and I fell into a huge hole (metaphorically), and the downward spiral began in earnest and I hated myself for it.

So for a few months I really struggled to remain positive about ministry here in Alice. I was just going through the motions. For church & Bible Studies, I couldnt even write
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January my parents are coming over to house sit so we can go away and they will reopen the church. Then Cath and Josh will run it until I come back on board. We have never had more than a few weeks away from ministry in 18 years and when we left Spinifex for AIM we still had 148 days leave owing us (just from Spinifex) that just got wiped away, and we havent had a break from the church here in 2.5 years, so this is a much needed rest. When we come back and I will see how I go and then we will reassess as to whether we stay in ministry or consider bowing out. I am not fit for ministry if this attitude continues. OCTOBER & NOVEMBER October also saw the arrival of the 14th Masters Games to Alice Springs. Oh what fanfare, and it was truly bigger and grander than I imagined. As the Ghan was a sponsor, we had to set up a Ghan info stand at the registration centre and answered hundreds of questions during the registration period. All competitors got some GSR (Great Southern Rail) brochures in their promotional back packs. Then it was time for me to attend the sponsors lunch on my own where I mixed with the CEOs and managers of big sponsors as well as celebrities such as Dawn Fraser, Daryl Somers & the speaker for the event - Basketballer Andrew Vlahov. I was truly overwhelmed!

We attended the opening ceremony as a family but as Josh was under age we did not make use of the VIP tent I was invited to. The fireworks were great but the warm up bands not so, so we did not stay for the Vanessa Amorosi concert later in the evening. The closing ceremony was starring Icehouse and Phil and I were not missing them for anything! Since Josh was NOT interested in an 80s band, we left him at home and Phil and I made a night of it in the VIP tent. The fireworks were even better, the warm up bands great and Icehouse was fantastic live! All up, we had a great night. So I finished my part as a VIP at the games, was inspired to do some sport, but unfortunately still not motivated. During October we painted the front and back doors of the house along with one side of the house and the fascias. As I write this, we have one side of the house left to paint as well as all the exposed eave rafters. We had hoped to have it finished in time to participate in a small outdoor Christmas lights display for the first time. We scoured the post Christmas sales last year and got ourselves some bargain lights and Phil could not wait to use them. We spent the last Saturday in November putting up our lights and they look great! November started with a rude awakening one Wednesday morning at 1am with a phone call from the security people looking after the train station. A big storm had gone through earlier in the evening and a tree from the Ghan side had fallen down across our train line as well as a freight line. A quick call to the freight line company to see if any trains were due in and unfortunately a train was due in at 3.30am, so no chance of a few more hours sleep. Phil and I went to the terminal and used the 10T forklift to successfully lift the tree off the train
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I also presented around 150 medals for the Cycling and Indoor Beach Volleyball events!

lines. We crawled back into bed at 2.30am to hear the freight train come in an hour early! Good timing, but the adrenaline rush meant no more sleep for Phil & I that night! The following Wednesday we were greeted at the train station by a grafftti attack. Over 100 tags and scratched windows meant a busy day with the security company screening CCTV footage and dealing with the police. Then the next Wednesday (see a pattern of disturbing Wednesdays?), I was rung by security again saying the fire alarm was going off at the station and the fire brigade were waiting to get in the building. A quick trip to the train station saved a glass door being broken for access, but it did not save the locks on the front gate. A faulty sensor was to blame, and I was beginning to wonder if Wednesdays were out to get me! Our friend Jodie came during this time to visit for a week with her beautiful 10 month old daughter. We had a great time & loved the special week with her, and we thank her hubby for letting them come. This week Joshua finished year 11 and at the end of the week he will go for his learners permit. Nothing like an event like this to realise you are getting old!! Phil then has the task of teaching him to drive. Unfortunately Josh doesnt want to drive, but at least we have CATHYS UPDATE

the train station and its roads, roundabouts, and carparks to teach him on before he has to tackle the traffic. So that brings us to late November where there are some big changes happening. Please read Phils story on page 6 to help understand better the reason behind our next few months plans... Done? Now the future, well firstly we have our trip to Adelaide for my 6 month cancer check up and while we are there Phil, after ten years of a shoulder bursitis is finally getting operated on. It has become a chronic and limiting condition and has been living on medication for it for months. So its finally going to happen. With ten weeks off from the church & with the Ghan only operating every 2nd week through December & January, we have plenty of guilt free time to get away. So ten days in Adelaide for medical reasons plus some family time, then it is a few weeks over Christmas which we will be in Alice Springs, then in January we are going to Qld for a holiday with a few days visiting Cathys Grandma in Brisbane. U

Phil and Cathy Stuart are missionaries with the Australian Indigenous Mission in Alice Springs. Phil is a teaching elder of WPC and both Phil and Cathy are members of Kelmscott WPC, WA.

Its been a struggle having overcome the stress of cancer and rediscovering the joy of life and a renewed enthusiasm for evangelism to find Phil in a state of discontent about the ministry here and him being generally miserable. If it were not for the love and care of great friends and us joining the Lovers Bible Study group (for married couples) I would have struggled more. It was so great to have people come alongside us with a fresh perspective to be able to help me. This year has been a tough year with moving house, the cancer and then with Phil so I am personally so very much looking forward to our family trips away. I have planned the trips but not the itineraries so we can have days when we just sit and read or relax somewhere together doing absolutely nothing! Bring it on as I am very ready for some R & R! ~ Cathy
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EIGHT WAYS TO RUIN A FIRST CHURCH VISIT

by

T homas R ainer

When I led a church consultation company, one of the more common facets of my consultation was an on-site visit to a worship service. Let me share eight of those events in eight different terrible church visits. 1. I was asked to introduce myself in the worship service. There were probably 150 or so present, so all the members knew I was a guest. I had no choice but to speak up and tell them something about me. I felt so uncomfortable standing up and speaking to everyone present. 2. I had to walk fifty yards in the rain. There was no guest parking. No one offered me an umbrella. Apparently the members got there early so they could get the best parking spaces in the inclement weather. 3. The preschool area was dirty and not secure. I took my 2-year-old with me, but I would not leave her in the churchs preschool area. You could tell they didnt care about the cleanliness and the safety needs of little children. So I took my child to the worship service. That proved to be another headache. 4. Everyone talked in code. I had no idea what the preacher and the members were talking about. What in the heck is a WMU? What is a time of intercessory prayer? I figured out the responsive reading thing when I saw people reading from their hymnals. 5. Someone told me I was sitting where their family sits. That really ticked me off. I didnt see a reserved sign there. If I was not getting paid to do this, I would have said a few words to them and walked out of the service before it ever began. 6. No one spoke to me. They certainly spoke to people they apparently knew, but I was not a part of their cliques. I felt badly just being there. I wanted to get up and leave on the spot. 7. The preacher screamed the whole time. He had one tone and one volume: loud! Why do these preachers think their voices and their decibels have to change when they begin preaching? It seems so inauthentic. To top it off, I had a terrible headache after enduring 45 minutes of his screaming. 8. They had a business meeting during the worship service. Now that was awkward. I really got uncomfortable when some of the members began disagreeing. It was tense. I will never, ever, ever go back there again. In each of these cases, the mystery church guests assured me the visit was so bad and so uncomfortable, they would never return. Could some of these experiences happen at your church? Do you know of other terrible church visits? U Editors note. Please dont take this too seriously!
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From a Pub to the World: John Newton and the Eclectic Society
S ubmitted
by

L es P almer
As Aaron Belz has put it recently: Instead of a synod, Newton hosted a salonthe kind of intellectual club that had been so effective in focusing philosophical ideas in France during the previous hundred years.5 The impact of the society was enormous, the reverberations still being felt. In 1786, the society considered the question, What is the best method for planting and propagating the Gospel in Botany Bay? The answer to the question: send a minister to plant a church in Australia. A few years later, in 1799, the Church Missionary Society (CMS) was established and a CMS auxiliary was set up in Sydney in 1825.6 Interestingly, William Wilberforce was the first vice president of the CMS. In 1789, the society took up the question: What is the best way of propagating the Gospel in the East Indies? and in 1792, the slave trade arose for discussion. Twelve years later there were two full-time missionaries in West Africa. In 1787 a colony for freed slaves had been started by Granville Sharpe . . .7 In 1834, Parliament passed the Abolition of Slavery Act. Belz observes that in 1799, a young clergyman who had been recently recruited to the Eclectic Society, Josiah Pratt, proposed the following question: How far may a periodical Publication be made subservient to the interest of Religion? In 1801 Pratt founded the Christian Observer, which throughout the nineteenth century served as a valuable organ for evangelical ideas.8 Missions, magazines, and manners were reformed through the work of that small group of menthe precursor to and inspiration for the later Clapham Sect. God is able to accomplish great things through the faithful obedience of courageous, reflective, and innovative pastors and Christian leaders whose minds and hearts are tethered to Scripture. Blessed is the pastor who can find kindred spirits in his area with whom he can pray, discuss, learn, and strategize about how best to transform their neighborhood, city, state, and world for the glory of God and the good of their neighbors. Do not underestimate small beginningsespecially when pastors are willing to move beyond discussion to strategizing.

Taken from a free online journal for pastors called Kairos. They met every two weeks in a pub in London. Their mission was the transformation of the world through biblical preaching and faithful pastoral care. They adopted the inauspicious title: The Eclectic Society.1 Their founder was the man who wrote the most famous hymn in the history of the world, Amazing Grace. John Newton founded the Eclectic Society in 1783, three years after becoming rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, Lombard Street, London. Newton and his colleagues2 first met at the Castle-and-Falcon Pub, just across the street from the Moravian meeting hall where the Wesleys were converted. They began each meeting with tea and a short prayer, then for three hours discussed a subject that had been proposed at a previous meeting. They held each other accountable to the meetings, even John Newton levying a fine (two shillings and six pence) on those who were absent. According to one historian, Most of the questions concerned Biblical exposition, the personal life of the clergy, preaching and pastoral care: How may we suppose St. Paul would preach if he were now in London? How far public protest against sin from the pulpit will excuse silence in the parlour? A brother going to settle where smuggling abounds, proposed, How he should direct his preaching against this enormity. In fact many of their sessions were concerned with social, moral, and political questions of the day, the French Revolution, the attitude of members to the war and the question of whether a minister should bear arms, Roman Catholic Emancipation, the Slave Trade and the Lottery; others were given to discussing the Christian family and the bringing up of children both in the home and in the Church.3 While obviously interested in politics, Newton wrote to a new member, The Society . . . espouses no party.4 10
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Footnotes: 1 Much of the content of this account of the Eclectic Society comes from Michael Hennells account in John Venn and the Clapham Sect (London: Lutterworth Press, 1958), 219-224. 2 Other founding members included, Richard Cecil, minister of St. Johns Chapel, Bedford Row; Henry Foster, who was William Romaines curate at St. Andrew Wardrobe; and the layman, Eli Bates. Later, in 1786, they were joined by Thomas Scott the commentator and chaplain at Lock Hospital. 3 Hennell, 221. 4 Ibid., 219-224.
OTHER CONTACTS: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 TRINITY THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE WESTERN AUSTRALIA Postal add: PO Box 115, Leederville, Perth, WA 6902 Add: Level 2, 632-634 Newcastle Street, Leederville, WA 6007 Telephone: +61 8 9228 9067 Email: reception@ttc.wa.edu.au Website: www.ttc.wa.edu.au AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS MINISTRIES ALICE SPRINGS Postal: PO Box 31, Alice Springs, NT 0871 Telephone: (08) 8955 5271 Contact: Rev. Phil & Cathy Stuart Church Service (winter): Meets: 20 Parke Cres, Alice Springs Time: 10.30am Email: stuartmob@stuarts.id.au Stuarts web: www.stuarts.id.au AMERICA Revd David and Barbara Cross Email: d.cross1942@gmail.com PROVIDENCE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Pastor Christopher Seah Mob: +65 9139 4654 Meets: 350 Alexandra Road, Level 3 (Next to Princess House) SINGAPORE 159946. Time: 9.30am Bible Study/Sunday School: 11.30am Postal: c/o Apt Block 1D, Pine Grove, #0815, Singapore 593001 Email: provrpc@gmail.com Website: http:www.providencerpc.org

Aaron Belz, Not a Synod but a Salon, Christian History, 23:1 (Winter 2004); 40, http://www. christianitytoday.com/ch/2004/001/14.40.html. 6 See the online history of the Church Missionary Society of Australia, Our History, Church Missionary Society of Australia Website, (2004), http://www.cms.org.au/ about/history (accessed July 10, 2004). 7 Hennell, 223-234. 8 Belz, 40. U
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Les and Roger Palmer are both involve in ministry in the Maida Vale WPC WA.

GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BELLMERE, QLD 4510 Contact: Email:

Revd Bill Ham (07) 5428 1797 billham@powerup.com.au

GRACE THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE c/- 36 Balaclava Street WYNDHAM SOUTHLAND NEW ZEALAND Contact: Revd Andrew Young GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Contact: Email: PO Box 31-210, Ilam, Christchurch 8444, NEW ZEALAND Trevor Webb webbt@paradise.net.nz

CHURCHFREO

the gathering 5:15 pm Sunday 408 South Terrace SOUTH FREMANTLE, WA Contact: Chuck Linkston Email: churchfreo@live.com.au EASTGATE BIBLE CHURCH Meets: Time: Contact: Web: 52 Herries Street - TOOWOOMBA, QLD. 10am Dave Kiewiet (07) 4636 5438 www.eastgatebiblechurch.net

DECEMBER 2012 Please note: While every care is taken to ensure the information on these pages are accurate, it is the responsibility of each church or organisation to inform the editor of any changes.
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Fe a t u re s

FREE WILL FOR DUMMIES

by

M att W aldron

A consideration of chapter 9 sections 4 and 5 of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF); part of a series of articles written by various elders of WPC.
Free will is a very popular idea, primarily because freedom is a concept we like, and our will is a foundational part of our person. So to oppose free will sounds like support for brainwashing. But on the other hand, the myth that science can explain everything, is leading to an increasingly popular determinism. That is, the idea that everything, including the wills of people, are completely determined by the laws of physics, and therefore people do not have free wills. I have written here previously on the relationship between Gods sovereignty and human agency. To put it in a nutshell, both are true. God exercises ultimate control over everything that happens and yet not in such a way as to be the source of sin. Rather, people make real decisions, for which we are responsible. This article is more specifically to do with the will towards good or evil. So to give a negative example, prison is a punishment because it restrains the freedom of the prisoners. That is to say, the prisoners are physically restrained so that they cannot live wherever they like. They do not have the freedom to exercise their will in that decision. But they still have a will. And they can still want to live elsewhere. It is not their will that is being restrained, but the exercise of the will. So when people usually speak of Living life our own way rather they measure that freedom than Gods way, is by definition freedom against the will. The prisoner is free the exercise of our wills. to live in prison. But we wouldnt usually call that freedom, because The Problem with Defining Free Will they are not free to live wherever they decide. The big problem with free will is defining what we mean. When we usually speak of freedom, So then, the question is, what would it mean for such as freedom of speech, we mean that we are a will to be free? Our usual way of speaking is free to do as we will. So freedom of speech is not redundant at this point. Is a persons will free when someones mouth is outside of their control to follow their will? Well, it is their will! This and freely making all sorts of unintelligible question doesnt mean anything. Are you free to noises which they find very frustrating. Rather want what you want? Well you cant want what freedom of speech, is where people are free you dont want. Because then you want it, and of impediments that would stop them from then it is no longer what you dont want. Of saying what they want to say. Freedom is usually course you can change what you want. That is freedom from external pressures or restrictions obvious and no-one disagrees with that. So what that stop me from exercising my will. is freedom with respect to the will?
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What is Real Freedom? Sometimes the exercise of someones will does not look like freedom. So in the case of addiction, the person decides what to do, but they may have mixed feelings about the decision, and the behavior may damage their health, their relationships and their achievements. In short, the exercise of their will, is not straightforward, and does not lead to them flourishing. This is how sin works in all of us. Living life our own way rather than Gods way, is by definition the exercise of our wills. God does not prevent us from exercising our wills against him. We are in this sense free. But God knows us and loves us so his way is best. Going our own way does not lead to us flourishing. It leads to slavery. It is not the slavery of being forced to do something we dont want to do. Rather it is the slavery of doing what we want to do, but that being bad for us. Of course the addict feels that their addiction is justifiable, they may even feel they dont have a choice. But no-one puts a gun to their head and makes them do what they do. It is their own choices that enslave them. The choice to drink rather than to be stressed. The choice to shoot up rather than to be physically ill. The choice to gamble rather than to feel unimportant. It always comes down to a choice. And it is the same with all sin. We think we are free because we spend our money how we decide. But we always need more to keep feeling secure and significant. We think we are free because we choose how to gratify our sexual desires. But our

pleasures are fleeting, and our relationships are shallow, so we are always looking for someone or something better. Freedom in Christ So free will is not wanting what we want, since that is true by definition. Free will is wanting what is actually good. And none of us, left to ourselves, actually want to love God and love others as we ought. The good news is that God gave his only eternal Son, who voluntarily suffered the ultimate consequence of our slavery to our selves, to pay the price to set us free. So now as the Westminster Confession of Faith puts it: When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, He frees him from his natural bondage under sin; and, by His grace alone, enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good; yet so, as that by reason of his remaining corruption, he does not perfectly, or only, will that which is good, but does also will that which is evil. The will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to do good alone in the state of glory only. U

Matt Waldron is the pastor of Murdoch Three Crosses Church, WA.

God will not give you a burden you cant handle. So, if you find yourself in a mess thats impossible, take it as a complIment God thinks you can do it!

A Sunday School teacher asked the little children in her class, And why is it necessary to be quiet in church? One bright little girl replied, Because so many people are sleeping.
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Fe a t u re s

THOMAS WATSON PURITAN DIVINE

by

B arbara C ross
his care of his flock. One wrote of him, He was well known in the city for his piety and usefulness a popular and judicious preacher. A story is told of him that a famous bishop of the Church of England came to hear Watson preach at St. Stephens. The bishop was impressed with his preaching but especially with his prayers. After the service the bishop asked Watson for a copy of his prayer. Watson answered, Alas that is what I cannot give, for I do not pen my prayers. It was no studied thing but uttered, pro re nata as God enabled me from the abundance of my heart and affections. The bishop left wondering how any man could pray in such a way without a written prayer. Sometime around 1647 Watson married Abigail Beadle who was the daughter of a puritan preacher in Essex. Over the years they had at least 7 children but sadly, as happened to many in those days, four of them died while very young. Watsons ministry took place within a time of great spiritual and political upheaval. God raised up many godly men like Watson who wanted to see the Church of England purified and the reformation completed. In this desire there was union among these puritans. However, in political matters there was division. There were those led by Oliver Cromwell who saw King Charles I as a tyrannical despot believing himself to have the divine right to rule the nation independently without the aid and approval of Parliament. This led to the first English Civil War between Parliament and the Royalists. This conflict ended with the beheading of Charles I. However, Watson, along with other Presbyterians, protested the death sentence for Charles I. Because of his commitment to the monarchy Watson, along with many English and Scottish Presbyterians, became involved with a plot by Presbyterian Christopher Love to restore Charles II, the son of the beheaded king, to the throne of England. Watson, along with other ministers were briefly imprisoned but later released. Christopher Love, who led the plot, was accompanied by two of the Westminster divines, Simeon Ashe and Edmund Calamay to Tower Hill where he was executed. His funeral sermon was preached by another godly puritan, Thomas Manton.

ome forty years ago a small booklet was given to me entitled A Divine Cordial (now titled All Things for Good). Like many Christians, I knew and loved Romans 8:28, which promises, All things work together for good. In reading this booklet I was given both a deeper insight into the riches of that verse, and also an introduction to a man, who in my opinion, is the sweetest of the Puritans and the easiest one to read - Thomas Watson. The date and place of Watsons birth is uncertain but it is thought likely to be 1620 in Yorkshire, England. We do know for certain that he attended Emmanuel College in Cambridge where he was prepared for his lifes work. Emmanuel College had been founded by a Puritan, Sir Walter Mildmay, who was Chancellor of the Exchequer to Elizabeth I. His purpose in founding this college was for the training of puritan and protestant preachers. Though he had obtained a license from the Queen to establish this college she was not in full agreement with his purpose. After the college was opened the Queen said to Sir Mildmay, Sir Walter, I hear you have erected a puritan foundation, to which Mildmay replied: No, madam; far be it from me to countenance anything contrary to your established laws; but I have set an acorn, which when it becomes an oak, God alone knows what will be the fruit thereof. The fruits from this Emmanuel College include, according to one written list, eightyseven names of well-known Puritan preachers. It was among these men that Thomas Watson studied and with whom he found fellowship. He was known as a very serious scholar earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1639 and Master of Arts degree in 1642. He graduated with honours. Following his time at Cambridge he lived for a time in the home of a Puritan, Sir Horace Vere, who had been a very distinguished military leader. In 1642 he was called to be the rector at St Stephens Walbrook in London. Here he happily ministered for 10 years to a packed congregation. He was known not only for his preaching, which went to the heart of his hearers, but also for 14 T h e M es s eng er Summe r 2012

Upon being released from jail, for his part of the Presbyterian protest against the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell, Watson was restored to his ministry at St. Stephens. Sadly, it was under Charles II, the very man that Watson and the Presbyterians worked to restore to the throne, that the infamous 1662 Act of Uniformity was passed. This act required all ministers to follow certain approved forms for prayers, administration of the sacraments and other required ceremonies. Without subscription to this Act one could not hold office in the government or in the Church of England. It also required that no one could be a minister who had not submitted to episcopal ordination. It was an Act to counterbalance many acts of the National church during the Civil War which freed subscription to the Church of England. Thomas Watson, along with over 2000 other godly ministers, could not sign the oath agreeing to this act and so he and they were forced to resign their livings as pastors. They were also forbidden to meet together for worship with more than five persons who were not in their family. They were prohibited from coming within five miles of the town or the place where they had pastored. Along with these restrictions they were not allowed to teach in schools. With much sadness on the part of Watson and his congregation at St. Stephens he was removed from his ministry to them. In the three farewell sermons that he preached he commended the church members for their love shown to him, their attention to the Word of God and their zeal against error. After he was removed from the parish church he preached wherever he could do so without the force of the law brought against him. This meant he taught in barns kitchens, outhouses, or dells and woods. Change came in 1672 when Charles II, in an attempt to give Catholics the right to worship openly, granted The Royal Declaration of Indulgence. This allowed those like Thomas Watson, as a non-conformist to the Church of England, to preach more publically. The great hall of Crosby House in London became a place where nonconformists could come to worship under the ministry of Thomas Watson. Along with Watson was another great Puritan, his co-pastor, Stephen Charnock. Charnock became well known for his classic work, The Attributes Of God. Spurgeon commented on this partnership, Men of such most extraordinary gifts and graces were seldom, if ever, united in one pastorate.

After this extraordinary pastorate Thomas Watson, when he was declining in health, moved to Barnston, in the county of Essex, where his father-in-law had served as pastor. There he died while at his private prayers in 1686. While he wrote and preached on many topics his most well-known and enduring work is The Body of Divinity. It is a series of 167 sermons based on questions and answers on the Westminster Shorter Catechism. While a great theological work it has retained its popularity because of its readability and his use of illustrations. Today The Body of Divinity is usually divided into three books the last two being on the Lords Prayer and the Ten Commandments. It was this work, though I have enjoyed several others, that especially engaged my attention and warmed my heart. For many years I read the writings of Thomas Watson but found concerning his last years only the information that he died at his prayers in Essex. Finally, I discovered where he had spent those last years in ministry. It was a great highlight of my 20 years of residence in England to turn up the country lane going from the village of Barnston and find the ancient Norman church where he ministered. I had feared that there would be no remembrance of this great man. What a pleasure it was to find that a plaque had been put in the church some years ago commemorating his ministry and his great work The Body of Divinity. Along with his Body of Divinity I would especially commend his books titled The Art of Divine Contentment, Heaven Taken by Storm and his commentary on The Beatitudes. In the preface to A Divine Cordial Thomas Watson clearly states the purpose of this booklet. It is perhaps a summary of his desire for all of the sermons he preached and all that he wrote, There are two things, which I have always looked upon as difficult. The one is, to make the wicked sad; the other is, to make the godly joyful. These goals are met in the writings that he has left us and which make Watsons writings so worthwhile to read and contemplate. U

Barbara Cross is a retired MTW missionary living in Carlisle Pennsylvania USA. Preferred Phone: 717 713-0905 Cell Phone: 717 713-0907 Address: 917 Forbes Road, Carlisle PA 17013-1722, USA
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MUSIC IN WORSHIP
PART 4 OF 7
R obert C lements
Synopsis: This is a 7-part series looking at the role of music in worship. Part 1 outlines some general principles which guide our thinking on worship. In part 2, we look at how worship has been organised in practice. Part 3 discusses the Regulative Principle. Part 4 touches on the Westminster Confession of Faith. In part 5, other principles of worship are looked into. Part 6 examines some frequently asked questions and part 7 closes with a look at some nitty gritties to do with how we set about putting it all into practice.
In part 4 we have a brief look at the Westminster Confession of Faith, WCF. The WCF? What then of the WCF? We are WPC folk, the big W at the front of our name doesnt refer to a supermarket chain! The WCF says worship should include the singing of Psalms with grace in our hearts in chapter 21.5. So shouldnt that be our standard? For those of us in our fourth or fifth decade, think back, way back to the 1970s. Forget the lousy dress styles and remember what evangelicalism was like then? Remember all those short choruses in Scripture in Song we the Psalms and suddenly bang, a Scripture in Song tune (or Keith Green classic) pops into your head for that bit of verse? Now fast-forward to the 1990s remember that decade? When Star Trek changed from going where no man has gone before, to going where no ONE has gone before? In Presy circles in the US, the revised Trinity Hymnal appeared on the scene. The Presbyterian Church in Australia opted for the Rejoice hymnal (a little before the 1990s).

If you have a Trinity Hymnal, have you ever had a look through it to see just how many Psalm and Psalm fragments exist in it? (Check out the first 100 or so hymns its a real eye-opener!) Most hymn books would A good hymn will contain deep share this trait of embedded spiritual insight, reflect Christian Psalmody.

experience, and contain sound theology in a clearly understood manner that ever ybody can react to, and also act upon.
would sing around campfires, at beach mission, at Youth for Christ conventions or AFES Uni groups and camps? Do you have an S in S songbook at home? In use at church? Do you know how many of those were straight from the Psalms? Heaps! How often do you read through
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Psalms built into hymns occur more frequently than you would first think, and an interesting way to spend an hour or so one day would be to have a look through the hymnbook you are using and work out just how many Psalms are represented. The Trinity hymnal publishers nevertheless released a Psalter of their own containing all verses of all Psalms, even the imprecatory ones which never made the cut for Scripture in Song.

The point is, we actually do have access to a lot of the Psalms, and always have via great hymns. Not just famous ones like Ps 23 and Ps 100, but a host of others too. Now, some hymns are a lot like Psalms, in fact, when you think about it, the best hymns are structured like the Psalms this was the father of hymnody Isaac Wattss famous argument way back in 1719. A good hymn will contain deep spiritual insight, reflect Christian experience, and contain sound theology in a clearly understood manner that everybody can react to, and also act upon. In fact, when you stop and think about it, the qualities that make for a great hymn are very similar to the ones required to make a great

sermon. This is why we have hymns, and why a narrow application of the Regulative Principle (explained in Part 3 of this series) which rules out non-inspired hymnody is not as logical as it first might appear. Just as a sermon need not be a Bible reading, a song need not be only a Psalm, this is the logical position most evangelicals have arrived at over the course of the centuries since the Reformation Era, and one that is not necessarily at variance with the WCF. U
Robert Clements is a member of Belconnen WPC ACT

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Youth & Family Pages

E
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS WITH CHILDREN
ach time Each time Christmas has come around I have tried to think of interesting and creative ways to bring the true meaning of the season to our children. Last Christmas I worked with Esther (then 3 years old) to make and decorate a Jesse Tree. We made it with interesting sticks that had dropped from a gum tree that we then planted in a container of sand. The decorations consisted of pictures that were printed from websites or those that we made ourselves. Each of the decorations was a symbol or reminder of Gods plan of redemption. Im looking forward to repeating using the Jesse Tree this year with the anticipation that Esther will understand more than she did last year. We usually have a nativity scene of some description displayed in the house in the lead up to Christmas. Various kinds have been made and enjoyed by each of the children including shoe box scenes, toilet roll characters with plastic farm animals and scenes made using Lego. When my older children were in their late primary school years they made some fantastic models with Lego to summarise the events leading up to Jesus birth. Some of their ideas came from a website, The Brick Testament, which now has pictures/models made from Lego depicting much of the Bible - www.thebricktestament.com When our older children were very small we used to gather with extended family on Christmas day and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and cut a cake to enjoy together. We also enjoyed learning and singing together a song by Jenni Flack: Christmas is a Birthday Party
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Ideas gleaned from others include: n important tradition we have at Christmas involves our Nativity scene. The set is unwrapped on the first Sunday of Advent. The stable scene is barren; an empty manger, an ox, and a stable. The sheep and shepherd are nearby, but not at the stable. Mary and Joseph are across the room with their donkey. The Wise Men are in a different room. Jesus is hidden. As they travelled two thousand years ago, so they travel across our family room. Every day Mary and Joseph move a little closer to Bethlehem. The children take turns moving them and look forward all day to helping them on their journey. On Christmas Eve, Mary and Joseph arrive at the stable. On Christmas morning, baby Jesus arrives in the manger, the shepherd arrives with the sheep and the Wise Men start their journey. Again, they move a little closer each day of Christmas and arrive at the stable on Epiphany. In a concrete way, we are reminded daily of the journey made by Mary and Joseph. Goslow Family www.georgiabulletin.org/

hen setting your Christmas dinner table, set a literal place (chair, plate, glass, and silverware) for Jesus as an honoured member of your family. Place a golden paper crown on the place setting for Christ. Brenda J Verner www.crosswalk.com/ e purchased a Christmas Nail several years ago. Each year it is the first item to hang on the tree - before any other ornament. It hangs close to the centre of the tree where no one else can see it. It is a reminder to each of us as a family member that we celebrate not only the birth of Christ, but also remember that He lived a perfect life and died on a cross made from a tree to pay the price for our sins. Therefore, we can also celebrate the fact that He was resurrected and lives! Because it hangs close to the centre, it also reminds us that Jesus is to be the centre of our lives as well. Following is the story of the Christmas Nail: This is the Christmas Nail. It is to be hung on a sturdy branch, a branch near the trunk, a branch that will hold such a spike without being noticed

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by well-wishers dropping by to admire ones tinselled tree. The nail is known only to the home that hangs it. Understood only by the heart that knows its significance. It is hung with the thought: The Christmas tree but foreshadows the Christ tree which only He could decorate for us, with nails such as this. The Dicksons www.creativebiblestudy.com/ Chat to other people, see what ideas they have to share, and try to be creative with the youngsters in your family. I pray that your efforts will truly be blessed as you observe your children learning to love and rely on Jesus. ~ Sandra
Sandra Wilson is a member of Kelmscott WPC, WA

WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM

WITH THE SCRIPTURE PROOF

Q. 43. What is the preface to the ten commandments? A. The preface to the ten commandments is: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. [a] [a]. Ex. 20:2; Deut. 5:6 Q. 44. What does the preface to the ten commandments teach us? A. The preface to the ten commandments teaches us that because God is the LORD, and our God and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all his commandments. [a] [a]. Luke 1:74-75; I Pet. 1:14-19 Q. 45. Which is the first commandment? A. The first commandment is: You shall have no other gods before me. [a] [a]. Ex. 20:3; Deut. 5:7

SAY IT NOW
I would rather have one little rose from the garden of a friend, than to have the choicest flowers when my stay on earth must end. I would rather have a pleasant word in kindness said to me, than flattery when my heart is still and life has ceased to be. I would rather have a loving smile from friends I know are true, than tears shed round my coffin when to this world I bid adieu. Bring me all your flowers today, whether pink, or white, or red; Id rather have one blossom now than a truckload when Im dead. By an unknown author Submitted by Hetty McVey

PLEASE SEND US SNIPPETS FOR OUR MAG THAT YOU THINK ARE RELEVANT TO OUR YOUNGER READERS!

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Youth & Family Pages

A Letter from God
As you got up I watched and hoped you would talk to Me. Just a few words, such as thanking Me for something good in your life would do. But I noticed you were too busy selecting the right clothes for work. Then when you ran around the house collecting papers, I knew there would be a few minutes to stop and say hello, but you never slowed down. I wanted to tell you how much more you could accomplish if you would just spend some of your time each day with Me. At one point you waited 15 minutes in a chair with nothing to do. I waited to hear from you. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to Me, but you ran to the phone and called a friend. I watched as you went off to work and waited patiently all day long to hear from you. With all your activity you were too busy to talk with Me. I noticed at lunch that you looked around. Maybe you just felt embarrassed to talk to Me. You glanced three tables over and noticed some of your friends talking to Me before they ate, but you didnt. You went home and had many things to do. After they were done you turned on the T.V. and spent many hours watching it. I waited as you continued watching and eating your meal but again you didnt talk to me. At bedtime you were totally tired. After you said godnight to your family you got into bed and fell asleep. I had so much wanted to be part of your day. I love you so much and I wait every day for a thought, prayer or thanks. Well, maybe tomorrow! Ill be waiting. By an unknown author Submitted by Hetty McVey

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Church News

Putting it Together
by

C lem W hite
very hard going figuring out how everything went together. The next Saturday saw Arthur and Clem having a go. They too made slow progress. Then Brett came along on the following Saturday. Brett was brilliant with the help of Stephen. The ladies provided us with eats to keep up our spirits. Then late that afternoon, with loud shouting and cheers it was ready for the kids to play on. It made a good illustration for my sermon on the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. This took them 46 years! U

Recently we bought a put it together yourself childrens playground kit. When we opened the packages there were hundreds of nuts and bolts, screws, washers and bits of wood with numbers stamped on them. We stood there wondering where to start, then decided that reading the instructions might be a good idea. But these were just as complicated as the stuff we had in front of us. Anyway we pressed on and took up the challenge. Teeana and Raymond led the way. After a couple of hours they had some of it together while others helped as much as they could. It was all

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Church News

FAREWELL TO AUSTRALIA
B y B eth S choof
On the 17th of November it was 26 years since the Schoofs set foot on Australian soil in Sydney. The first assignment was planting a church in Penrith with a Mission to the World (MTW) church planting team. What a special little group formed there and we got the gist of being Aussie. After 2 two years we left for Canberra. During the eight years there, the Belconnen congregation was planted and Steve spent much time as MTW team leader and country director. In May of 1996 WPC Bull Creek in WA extended a call to Steve which we happily accepted beginning in November. These past 16 years have been full of the usual joys and sorrows of ministry to people, but we count them as a rich season of our lives. We are thankful to God and to the people who have been in our lives here in Australia for making us always feel like we were in the right place for ministry. We feel that God is calling us to respond to family concerns which we will do from the 14th of December. Then after a time of learning to be Yanks again we will look into options for pastoral ministry. Thank you to the folks in all the congregations who have made us feel so welcome here. We will miss being down under. ~ Beth Editors note We will all miss Beth and Steve too. May God continue to bless them as they learn to be yanks again.

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Church News

STILL ACTIVE IN THEIR 70S

B y D an B osshard
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength They shall mount up with wings like eagles They shall run and not be weary They shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31) We have a man in our congregation who is nearly 80 years of age and is still very active in the work of the Lord. He and his wife used to live in Sydney and Brian would go around to the outcasts of society in Kings Cross and share Gods love to the people on the street in word and in deed. He and his wife now live at a Retirement Village on the Sunshine Coast. Some of the people at their Retirement Village have come to know the Lord as their Saviour through their testimony and witness. One day, their cleaning lady looked very distressed and as Brian and Norma heard her tragic story, they were able to talk to her about someone who could pick up the broken pieces of her life and put them all back together again. This lady prayed, repented of her sins and invited Jesus into her heart. Below is an email that Brian and Norma received from their cleaning lady after she had committed her life to Christ: Dear Brian and Norma, Words truly cant express how grateful I am to you both. I have felt lost for so so long. Searching and searching for something. That something you helped me find. Yesterday was a gift I will remember forever. I was reading from Luke in the Bible yesterday evening. Will have to re-read as tears of joy and sorrow clouded my sight. I watched the sunset. I watched the last day of my old life fade into darkness. My new life with God in my heart and soul, welcomed with new found hope and love. I thank God. I thank him for having meet you both. I thank him that through you - I have come to know him again. Thank you! Eternally Grateful Angelique

Dan Bosshard pastor of Christian Community Church, Pacific Paradise, QLD

The Messenger committee wish all A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

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Church News

FURTHER NOTES ON THE EDITORIAL. B y C lem W hite and S teve H eathcote

in ministry displayed by the elders and leaders, then they were told that the elders were leaving WPC. The congregation was then confronted with a stark choice between following those elders out of WPC or remaining behind. The congregation was asked to base its decision on an incomplete and inaccurate account of the dispute that led the session to encourage the congregation to leave WPC, and a distorted view of Presbyterys activities and practices. Craig Newill objected to the Sessions claim that Presbytery divided on whether it ought to attend the congregational meeting without having been invited. Craig explained that Presbytery had agreed that it should be there. Craig also asked Steve Heathcote to quote the BCO on Presbytery being required to oversee the orderly dissolution of a church from WPC. This was all that the presbyters got to say at the meeting. This high handed behaviour was taken in spite of Duane having already promised to submit to his fellow elders and to abide by the Book of Church Order (BCO) which, amongst other things, gives the right and responsibility to presbytery to, Oversee the orderly dissolution of the relationship of a congregation and the While these things cause presbytery when there is a complete breakdown in us great sadness, we all relationships. BCO 7.3.03 (13). This sad saga started about two years ago must remember that God is two members of the congregation sovereign over all things, even when complained to the session about some over the stupid mistakes we all aspects of church life and ministry at that time. The session rejected the complaint make from time to time. and sent the letter on to presbytery. The complaint included serious allegations the opportunity to consider Presbyterys view of the matter. According to one Kingsley member, and Presbytery believed that it was bound to the three presbyters who attended the meeting investigate the matter and, if possible, establish on Presbyterys behalf were treated with total whether the allegations were true. It set up a Commission (comprised of three presbyters) to disdain. The congregation reached its decision after a investigate these allegations. very strange debate. The congregation was first The Kingsley session was annoyed by this reminded of the faithfulness, godliness and love proposed investigation because, perhaps amongst
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A SAD DEPARTURE.

t the risk of airing our dirty linen to the public the editor believes that WPC folk should have the other side of the story so that they can make up their own minds on this very serious matter. Three of our presbyters, Roger Palmer, pastor of Maida Vale WPC, Craig Newill, a pastor of Bull Creek WPC and Steve Heathcote, ruling elder of Maida Vale WPC and Clerk of Presbytery attended the meeting of the Kingsley congregation of Westminster Presbyterian Church on the evening of December 5, 2012. Duane Olivier, as Moderator of the congregational meeting, pointed out the visiting presbyters and told them and the congregation that they were unwelcome (a comment that was repeated several times over the meetings course) and that they were forbidden to speak. On the previous day, the session had rejected a request from presbytery to attend the meeting and to speak with the congregation allegedly because it was, ... unanimously decided, in the best interests of the members and for the meeting itself, that we will decline the request. This was an extraordinary response because the congregation clearly should have had

other reasons, they saw it as interference in a local churchs affairs. However, Presbytery believed this action was entirely proper in a Presbyterian denomination and was in line with our BCO to which all elders agree to abide by in our church life. This disagreement remained a sore point for the Kingsley session in the months that followed. Sometime later, the Presbytery learned of the Kingsley sessions intention to accept men as elders who do not hold to the doctrinal standards that are essential for eldership in WPC (they were not paedobaptists). After many conversations, emails and meetings, the Kingsley session informed Presbytery that they were not prepared to respect the doctrinal requirement, and that WPC would have to decide whether it could live with the Kingsley sessions new position. The Kingsley session insisted on its new position and that led to other points of difference including the importance of external accountability and adherence to the WPC BCO. At that point, its elders should have resigned from the eldership and from the Presbytery. Those resignations would not have required the elders to leave WPC or give up their local church membership or to stop ministering to the brothers and sisters at Kingsley. They could have made the right moral choice but they inexplicably chose to delay their resignations until they were ready to ask the congregation to leave WPC with them - that took

place on 5 December 2012. According to our BCO each local congregation has the right to leave the denomination if it decides to do so and they also may keep the ownership of all their property. That is a given. But what has become clear to the presbyters is that the congregation was not allowed to have more time to hear and consider other points of view than that of the session. It seemed to the presbyters and to some members of the Kingsley congregation that it was very unwise to make such a momentous decision without having more time for prayer and reflection. But this request was refused. This type of heavy handed leadership does not reflect that of the Good Shepherd. In 1 Peter 5:1-4 elders are given instructions about how to shepherd Gods flock. In particular elders are told, Be shepherds of Gods flock that is under your care not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. While these things cause us great sadness, we all must remember that God is sovereign over all things, even over the stupid mistakes we all make from time to time. Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. U
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Contacts

Westminster Presbyterian Church

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY BELCONNEN WPC Meets: 61 Templeton Street, (cnr Rowan St.) COOK, ACT 2614 Time: 9.30am and 6.30pm (every Sunday) Address: 61 Templeton Street, COOK, ACT 2614 Office Ph: (02) 6251 7727 Fax: (02) 6251 7737 Email: pastor@wpc-belconnen.org.au Contact: Revd Geoff Findlay Telephone: 0435 557 117 NEW SOUTH WALES S.E. AUSTRALIA PRESBYTERY Moderator: Revd Geoff Findlay Email: geoff@wpc-belconnen.org.au Clerk: Elder Perry Blackmore Email: Perry.Blackmore@optusnet.com.au QUEENSLAND CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH PACIFIC PARADISE Meets: North Shore Community Centre, David Low Way, PACIFIC PARADISE Time: 9.30am Postal: 119 Glenview Rd, GLENVIEW QLD 4553 Contact: Revd Dan Bosshard Mob: 0439 708 092 Email: danbosshard@bigpond.com GRACE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (BUDERIM WPC) Meets: Corner of Stringybark Rd and Toral Dr, Sippy Downs, SUNSHINE COAST Times: 7.45am, 9.30am and 6.00pm Chinese Church (Mandarin language) meets at 1pm. English Hour (free English classes) at 4pm. Postal: PO Box 346, BUDERIM, QLD 4556 Telephone: (07) 5445 8933 Contact: Revd Bob Burnett (07) 5442 1783 Email: gracechurch@westnet.com.au Web Site: www.gracechurchbuderim.com.au METROWEST COMMUNITY CHURCH (MT OMMANEY WPC) Meets: Mt Ommaney Special School, 94 Capitol Drive, MT OMMANEY Times: 9:30am & 5pm Website: http://www.metrowest.cc Postal: 2/101 Harts Rd, INDOOROOPILLY, QLD 4068 Contact: Revd Ian Spence Email: spence01@optusnet.com.au GRACE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (REDBANK WPC) Meets: School Road, REDBANK PLAINS Time: 9.30am Postal: P.O. Box 347, GOODNA, QLD 4300 Contact: Revd David Smith Telephone: (07) 3495 7051 Email: david@gracecc.com.au PRESBYTERY OF QUEENSLAND Moderator: John Hamilton Clerk: Ian Spence Postal: 2/101 Harts Road, INDOOROOPILLY, QLD 4068 Telephone: (07) 3371 2512 Email: john.h@bigpond.net.au WESTMINSTER THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE QUEENSLAND Principal: Revd Terry Clarke 10 Hollings Close, KURABY, QUEENSLAND 4112 Postal: PO Box 346, BUDERIM, QLD 4556 Telephone: (07) 5445 8501 Email: information@@sctc.org.au Web: www.sctc.org.au WESTERN AUSTRALIA ALL NATIONS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Meets: The Beaufort Centre, 74-82 Beaufort Street (2nd Floor), PERTH. Time: 10.00am Email: churchoffice@allnations.org.au Web site: www.allnations.org.au Telephone: (08) 9228 4951 Fax (08) 9228 4956 Postal: PO Box 8693, Perth BC WA 6849 Contact: Revd Simon van Bruchem Email: simon_vb@optusnet.com.au BROOKTON (CALVARY PRESBYTERIAN) Meets: Richardson St., BROOKTON Time: 10.30am. Postal: PO Box 99, BROOKTON, WA 6306 Contact: Revd Clem White (08) 9535 3301 Email: candpwhite@bigpond.com OR elder Arthur Slater (08) 9642 1231

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BULL CREEK WPC Meets: 32 Bull Creek Drive, BULL CREEK Times: 9.30am, 6.30pm. Postal: 32 Bull Creek Drive, BULL CREEK, WA 6149 Email: wpcbc@iinet.net.au Telephone: (08) 9332 6300 Fax: (08) 9332 1991 Contact: Revd Mark Vivian (08) 9455 3919 Email: pastormark@iinet.net.au Contact: Revd Craig Newill (08) 6161 0525 Email: craignewill@gmail.com Website: www.wpc.net Bull Creek WPC Indonesian Services Time: 4.00pm Meets: 32 Bull Creek Drive, BULL CREEK, WA 6149 Revd Paulus Surya Tel: (08) 6465 8763 Mobile: 0412 441 341 CANNING VALE COMMUNITY CHURCH (CANNING VALE WPC) Meets: Canning Vale Community Centre, Cnr Waratah Blvd. and Eucalyptus Blvd., CANNING VALE Time: 10.30am Postal: PO Box 5153, CANNING VALE SOUTH, WA 6155 Telephone: (08) 9256 4776 Contact: Revd Alex Nathan Email: alexandernathan@iinet.net.au KELMSCOTT WPC Meets: Lot 60 Centre Rd, (Cnr Railway Ave) KELMSCOTT, WA 6111 Times: Prayer 9.15am. Service 10.00am Postal: PO Box 305 THORNLIE WA 6988 Telephone: (08) 94954220 Contact: Revd Anton Noppers (08) 9498 3306 Email: wpck@iinet.net.au MAIDA VALE WPC Meets: 4 Old Maida Vale Rd, MAIDA VALE Times: 10.00am and 6.00pm Postal: 4 Old Maida Vale Rd, MAIDA VALE, WA 6057 Telephone: (08) 9454 7401 Fax: (08) 9454 4307 Contact: Revd Roger Palmer Email: wpcmv@myoffice.net.au

MANDURAH WPC Meets: The Nellie Reagan Hall, Peel St, MANDURAH Time: 10.00am Postal: PO Box 5875 Mandurah, WA 6210 See Kelmscott WPC for contact details of pastoral team. MURDOCH THREE CROSSES CHURCH Morning: 10am Mandala Hall, Mandala Crescent, Bateman at 10am Evening: 6pm Murdoch University, Murdoch Postal: 9 Johansen Promenade MURDOCH WA 6150 Contact: Revd Matthew Waldron Mob: 0438 021 286 Email: mattwaldron@bigpond.com Website: www.threecrosseschurch.com PRESBYTERY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Moderator: Revd Simon van Bruchem Email: simon_bc@optusnet.com.au Telephone: (08) 9228 4951 Work: (08) 9457 0107 Clerk: Elder Steve Heathcote Postal: 21 Carcoo Court BECKENHAM 6107 Email: heathcote.steve@gmail.com Telephone: (08) 9458 5449 SYNOD OF WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Moderator: Simon van Bruchem Clerk: Mark Vivian Email: pastormark@iinet.net.au Treasurer: Elder Dirk Soet Telephone: (08) 9444 7506 Continued on page 11

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LEEDERVILLE, PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Need to be better equipped for Bible teaching or mission?

3 Come and investigate study opportunities for 2012 contact 08 9228 9067 or info@ttc.wa.edu.au

www.ttc.wa.edu.au Preparing People for Effective Christian Service

Bachelor Degrees . Graduate Diploma . Masters and Research Degrees Certificate Courses . Pastors Days . Annual Public Lecture

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