Getting Together
As the smallest of the Australian States, it is easily possible for Tasmanian Baptists to come together on a regular basis as a 'family' of churches. Representatives from each of the churches have the opportunity to fellowship together at Assemblies which are held at least twice each year.
The Annual Assembly is held in September or October and the Mid-Year Assembly is held early in July. These are usually one day events, but in recent times we have held larger weekend Gatherings, three years apart, from Friday evening through to Sunday afternoon. One at Camp Clayton at Turners Beach, and one at Citygate Church on the Eastern Shore of Hobart.
There is always some business which must be attended to at the Assemblies, as this is where new policies and major decisions that affect our association of churches are discussed and put in place. But Assemblies are not all business and time is given for creative and meaningful worship, prayer together and listening to a variety of informative, inspirational and challenging speakers.
ANNUAL ASSEMBLY 2007
Delegates came together on Saturday 27th October at Riverlands, the home of Longford Baptist Church. After sharing a time of fellowship over morning tea, they gathered for worship. We heard of the 'Dangerous Stories' being lived by those living and working in areas of outreach.
Delegates heard of the ways the 'RAPID' team are working with the Youth Leaders in our churches and a time was spent in 'brainstorming' the future of 'RAPID' and Youth Ministry amongst Baptists in Tasmania.
After fellowshipping together over lunch, we turned to discussing the Motions before us, under the heading of 'Tending the Mission Support System'. After lengthy debate, the following motions were passed by Assembly -
1.a. That churches associated with the Baptist Union of Tasmania be known as Tasmanian Baptists, (where appropriate, with the by-line, Partners in Christian Mission."
b. That the Ministry Team be renamed Mission Leadership Team.
2. Constitution Section 1. Interpretation -
a. That the current paragraph be deleted, and
b. That the following be substituted -
"Church" means any biblical expression of the life of Jesus in communal form. It comprises those who, affirming Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, give evidence of New Life. The main functions of a healthy church are: worship, fellowship, discipleship, servanthood and mission."
3. Constitution Section 1. Interpretation -
That the following definition be added:
"Baptism" means the total immersion in water of a believer, who in accordance with the Scriptures, gives public profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."
4. Constitution Section 2. Constituents -
"That the following words in 'b' be deleted: "or fellowships", and that item 'c' be deleted and the following inserted:
"Tasmanian Baptists may admit to the Association, Churches:
i. upholding and proclaiming the Scriptural teaching of believers' baptism by immersion on profession of faith;
ii affirming a renewable covenant of commitment based on the doctrinal statement and objects of the Association; and
iii practising either an 'open' or 'closed' membership tradition or other approved partnership model of belonging.
5. Constitution Section 9 "President" and 10 "Superintendent"
"That the Superintendent be recognized as leader of Tasmanian Baptists and the Presidential role be redefined as Chairperson of Assembly, Council and Executive."
6. "That approved motions and any other related amendments incorporated into the revised Constitution become effective from the date Assembly approves the revised Constitution."
ANNUAL ASSEMBLY 2008
The venue of the 2008 Annual Assembly held on Saturday, 25th October, 2008 was the "Riverlands" complex of the Longford Baptist Church. As delegates gathered they were able to enjoy fellowship over morning tea prior to commencement of the morning business session.
Mr. Ivan James was elected as Chairman of Assembly and he welcomed delegates and church representatives. After the presentation of reports, the Secretary/Public Officer, Mrs. Agnes Webb, read a statement on behalf of the Council of the Baptist Union of Tasmania which announced the pending retirement of the Superintendent, Rev. Garry Billing. This has prompted a review of leadership models for Tasmanian Baptists by Council. It is anticipated that, as a consequence of this review, a proposal will be brought to the 2009 Mid-Year Assembly.
Following this announcement, Rev. Dr. Brian Winslade, recently appointed National Ministries Director, shared his vision for Crossover with the meeting.
The main Focus of this Assembly was the adoption of a new Constitution for the Baptist Union of Tasmania. Copies of the draft Constitution had previously been circulated amongst the churches and had already attracted some amendments in response to comments received prior to Assembly, However, after considerable debate, further alterations were suggested and referred to the Resolutions Committee to consider during the lunch break.
After fellowship over lunch those gathered joined together for worship when Rev. Dr. Ross Clifford, National President of the B.U.A., spoke about discovering and obeying the voice of God. At the conclusion of Dr. Clifford's address, the Assembly celebrated the Lord's Supper together.
Rev. Jeff Ireland, Director of Partnership Development for Global InterAction, then addressed the meeting speaking of changing times and the impact they were having on the mission.
Assembly then completed consideration of the new Constitution. It is pleasing to report that the draft Constitution, as previously amended and following the further changes made after the morning debate, was unanimously adopted by the delegates.
A copy of the new Constitution is published on the web-site for your information. (Refer to "Who we are" then "Constitution")
Live the Mission 2006
Friday 13th - Sunday 16th October 2006 saw more than 300 Adults, Young Adults and Children from tiny tots to teens come together for a weekend of Celebration, Worship, Building Relationships, Learning and Fun. The Sunday morning finale saw an additional 300 Baptists from churches from all parts of Tasmania join those already present, to experience the joy of worshiping together and hearing the final message on Contextualised Mission from Rev. Keith Jobberns, General Director of Global interAction.
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Worshiping together |
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Rev. Keith Jobberns
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For some helpful reading, see documents -
'Baptism and Church Membership',
and
'Church Membership and Baptism Reports'