Monthly Archives: July 2019

Baptist, News

Views from the Manse: A teeny bit of history

Views from the Manse 

A monthly series showcasing different expressions and experiences of the role of a Pastor’s spouse. Stories span from the archives to the present.  We invite you to contribute your story by emailing John Sampson at jcsampson406@gmail.com

Episode 2  – A teeny bit of history

Ken Manley, in his history of Australian Baptists entitled ‘From Wooloomooloo to Eternity’, records what it was like being a Baptist minister’s wife around the time of Federation. 

Here are some examples of what he had to say.

Charles Carter, a layman showed considerable insight when he raised this topic during an ordination address in Ballarat in 1896.

‘How often is a minister’s wife tacitly appointed co-pastor without a salary? She must receive numerous visitors and entertain them, some angels and some not; she must attend every meeting; she must promote every work of the Church; she must sing in the choir; she must visit the sick, and even nurse them; she must weep at every funeral and be simply charming at every marriage; she must listen to everyone’s tale or opinion, and agree with them all; and she must do a host of other things too numerous and too tiresome to even mention….

Let every minister’s wife firmly refuse to undertake church work to the hurt of her family; her first duties are defined by the relations she holds as wife and mother, and she has no right to neglect these for any supposed church duty.’

The topic was particularly pertinent as Victoria was gripped by a severe depression at the time. 

A correspondent (to the Propagandist) in 1893 noted that inadequate salaries paid to Baptist pastors deprived the churches of the services of a minister’s wife. 

'How is it possible for her to go among the people, visit the sick, and attend the various meetings of the Church when her whole time has to be given to domestic duties because she cannot afford to keep a help?'

A minister in a large city church, like Silas Mead at Flinders St in Adelaide had a sizable stipend and so would be able to afford home help. But even so the demands on his wife Annie were considerable. She was cut off in her prime after a short bout of Typhoid fever but she had been very active in the church and the city even though she had four young children. Among her many activities she helped with the Sunday School, was a leader of the Mother’s Mission, and did a lot of visiting while distributing food and clothing to the poor. In addition she was an active member of the Female Refuge and Reformatory Committee. This meant that she also spent time visiting women in prison.   

On the other hand being a pastor’s wife in a small country town could be very hard, with the Pastor needing to travel long distances to keep in touch with is flock and the wife left at home alone with the children, of which there were many. And even when he was home he would often be out for many nights of the week. In addition financial insecurity was common as stipends were often more wishful thinking than realities and she had the additional anxiety of not knowing if the money in the plate on Sunday would last the week. 

What is your experience of being a pastor’s spouse? If you would like to contribute to this series, please email jcsampson406@gmail.com

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

True Justice: Why Study the Book of Amos Part 01

INTRODUCTION
He came from the humblest of professions: Caring for the sycamore-figs and the sheep. His town was an obscure village called Tekoa at the edge of the Judaean wilderness. No formal training, no recognised credentials, no great connections. Yet God appointed, anointed, and sent him to a neighbouring nation with heavy tidings. Their bribery, corrupt legal system, and failure to righty distribute wealth – not to mention their gross idolatry –  was causing them to head towards judgment. He accurately predicted the exile of that nation (7:11; II Kings 17). His prophecy and writings have an honour place among the Old Testament prophets and have greatly influenced our attitude towards justice – God’s way.
The man and the book is called Amos. We are going to learn why this book is worth studying.
‘Justice’ is a notion being thrown around in our age. Though it speaks about fairness and equality, it has all the hallmarks of redistribution of private property and retribution for the ‘sins of the fathers.’ True justice must be all the way, God’s way. In Amos, we will see how that plays out.
HEBREW NAME
Amas and it means the ‘burden-bearer.’
AUTHOR
Amos is the author of the prophetic book that bears his name. He came from the Judean village of Tekoa, 20 kilometres south of Jerusalem, not far from Bethlehem. Tekoa was at the edge of the Judean wilderness. He tended sheep and as a vine-dresser, he punched holes in the sycamore figs so that the bugs would come out. From this humblest of professions, God raised up Amos to visit the Northern Kingdom of Israel and deliver a heavy word of judgement. Though Israel was prosperous, it was heading towards famine, plagues, conquest, exile, death and destruction. Why? Because of their various sins, including idolatry and injustice.
In addition to the ‘call of God,’ Amos had something else going for him: he knew the Word of God and, more importantly, He knew God Himself. This alone makes all the difference, giving him authority to deliver a word that lasts forever.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the restorer of His people.
THEME
When prosperity is accompanied by apostasy, then judgement will come, despite the illusion of peace. The Northern Kingdom’s idolatry, apostasy, materialism, greed, injustice, and arrogance, was causing them to race towards the proverbial brick wall.
KEY VERSES
Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, 2You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities — Amos 3:1-2
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets — Amos 3:7
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: 12And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it — Amos 8:11-12
DATE
The early part of the 8th Century BC, a few decades before the deportation of Israel by the Assyrians in 722 BC. Estimates are from 775-755 BC. It was the time that Amos’ king, Uzziah, ruled in Judah and Israel’s king Jeroboam II ruled from Samaria. Both kingdoms were prospering economically and under Jeroboam II Israel’s borders expanded greatly, even beyond Damascus (II Kings 14:25). Yet both kingdoms were in serious trouble with the LORD and Israel’s peace and prosperity would turn into a nightmare of conquest and deportation.
HOSEA & AMOS
HOSEA
AMOS
Israelite
Judean
Anti-idolatry
Anti-injustice
Spiritual sin
Social sin
National prophecy
International prophecy
Invited to know God
Invited to seek God
Familial prophecy
National prophecy
Wrath
Tender mercies
Grace
Righteousness

Articles, Education, Prayer, Prophecy, Teaching

How to Practically Respond to the Call of God? Part 08 of the ‘Call of God’ Series

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up — James 4:6-10 (emphases mine)
In our previous article, we began to look at how can we respond to God’s call in a practical manner. It was and still is based on James 4:6-10. Key points so far included grace and submission to God. In this, the 8th and final article of the ‘Call of God Series,’ we continue and conclude learning the practical steps to responding to the Lord’s call in an honourable and effective manner.
1.       Humble yourselves (4:10): We are back to that initial character trait of humility, however, we are given more details in the previous verse (v. 9). Be afflicted, mourn, weep, trade in the laughter for touring and joy to heaviness. This may be dramatic and reserved for special occasions, but these are practical steps of humility, especially if one  faces big issues and needs more grace. Anyone who does these things from the heart is demonstrating the ultimate of humility and with it comes a special promise: as you humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, He will lift you up.  This is consistent with Psalm 75:6-7 promises: For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. God is the one who promotes and He also demotes, lifts up and casts down. That is why if you are going to find favour with anyone, find it with God.
2.       Last, but not least, obedience: You can fulfil every other step to the letter, and in the Spirit, and still fail the course. Obedience is what separates the called from the chosen, the men from the boys, the honourable servant from those who went AWOL. The prophet Samuel told a wayward king Saul: Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams I Samuel 15:22ff. Peter responded to the menacing Sanhedrin: We ought to obey God rather than men – Acts 5:29. Jesus gives a very timely warning on this point in Matthew 7:21: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. It couldn’t be clearer – it is not the person who merely gives lip service to the Lordship of Christ who will enter the kingdom of heaven. It is the doer of God’s will who will be warmly welcomed. Obedience is not an optional extra for the super-spiritual – it is mandatory for all who call of His name. Part of the impediment to obedience is fear that God will ask of us something terrible or undesirable, that somehow we will miss out of life’s best if we obey Him. The devil would dearly love for you to think this way. No, you can trust God that His will and direction are the very best thing for you, even if it does not appear so at first. Remember the promise of Proverbs 3:5-6!
In summary, to the submitted, committed, and obedient, who have done everything in their power to draw close to God, be assured that you have embarked on the greatest adventure of all – knowing and serving God. You will have no regrets; only blessing, honour and promotion from on high.
Now is the time!
Summary of Practical Steps in Responding to the Call of God
1.       Recognise the mercies of God (Romans 12:1-2).
2.       Consecration – present yourself, including your body, to God (Romans 12:1-2).
3.       Be a living sacrifice – your life will be dedicated to doing God’s will not your own.
4.       Forget the world – don’t let it bend you into its mould (Romans 12:1-2).
5.       Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:1-2).
6.       You will be able to understand God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2).
7.       Walk in grace (James 4:6).
8.       Submit to God (James 4:7).
9.       Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
10.   Draw close to God (James 4:8).
11.   Cleanse and purify (James 4:8).
12.   Humble yourselves (James 4:10).
13.   Obedience (Matthew 7:21; Acts 5:29).