The Witness in Our Midst

On this, our final printed edition of the Witness, we thought it fitting to print a piece about a 'hidden servant' as it were, a short profile piece about those that serve and build up our churches in their own humble way. In many ways this profile sums up the typical Baptist, many Witness readers, and the many whom we have met in the Witness pages through long years.

It is the story of the living stones*, whom God builds daily into His church, and who seek not their own kingdom, but to build the Kingdom of the one that saves, forgives, and brings hope to us all. Just as the servants play this 'building' role in our churches, so too has the Witness played this role to us all within the larger Victorian Baptist family.

Heralding good news; a testament to the Baptist pastoral heart that beats so strong; a mirror to the changes, directions, needs all around; a bridge of unity between myriad differences; sometimes a how-to of ministry, life, teaching, living; a beacon shedding light on the many multicultural expressions of following Jesus in our midst. The Witness is all this and more and ultimately a monthly reminder of the need to witness this life of grace to those living with us, close to us and far away...

May you, faithful Witness readers, continue to bask in God's grace, to guard the good deposit and to be encouraged that He is always faithful. From one grateful witness to this online Witness and to you – both the readers and the wonderful Witness team – thank you from Witness writer Anita Walker.

A Summary of the October 2011 BUV Annual Gathering Conference

by Alison Sharma, BUV Events Coordinator

As we look back on this Gathering, I’m already beginning to look forward to 2012 and what it will hold. But before we move forward too quickly, let us remember what God has done.

Once again we want to thank Syndal and Sydenham Baptist Churches for hosting our events. We are so grateful for their hospitality and desire to serve.

This year, Nourish looked a little different, with Tony Campolo being our speaker for the whole day. Many were inspired by Tony’s challenging words. He told many engaging stories and finished off with a call to sponsorship of children around the world. Lunch was also a highlight – catered for by Syndal, no one went hungry!

Verandah Café

by Elizabeth Butare

Perched aloft the classical temple facade of 174 Collins Street is a café that offers a space in the city for hospitality, conversation and reflection.

The Verandah Cafe, on the front portico of Collins Street Baptist Church, was created three years ago with Heritage Victoria approved glass panelling making it an ideal space to relax and watch the city life unfolding on Collins Street.

“I’m at that gorgeous place on Collins Street: The sign on the front said ‘Seek Peace’ and so I walked in to seek peace,” a café customer was overheard to say.

The practice of hospitality at the Verandah Cafe is like a dance: the cafe entrance also marks the initial church entrance – before another set of doors leads into the narthex and Sanctuary – and the art of welcoming guests is indistinguishable between those coming to the cafe or those visiting the church.

The following article was written with the intention of being published in The Age. When they declined to print it, it was provided to the Witness instead. Please be warned: This article and the original article it responds to contain explicit sexual language.

Thanks Bettina, But Don’t
Swallow the Porn

by Rev Nathan Nettleton

I am usually a fan of Bettina Arndt’s writings. She is one of the few female commentators who really gets male sexuality. Like many men, I read her books and articles and find myself repeatedly wanting to cheer out loud: Yes. That’s exactly what it is like for us. Thank God someone understands and doesn’t condemn masculine sexual appetites.

But when I read Porn is not a dirty word (The Sunday Age, 16th October 2011, accessible at: http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/porn-is-not-a-dirty-word-20111015-1lqqe.html#ixzz1b0L0Szih), I began to wonder whether she had crossed an important line and just become an uncritical apologist for everything men do in the name of sex. Like some of her opponents, she seems to want to treat it as all good or all bad, and unfortunately such a simplistic approach won’t help any of us negotiate our way through the realities were facing.