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Can Your Church be Missional and Attractional?
This article reflects a tension with which many Baptist Churches grapple. Our BUV Mission Catalyst and Church Health & Capacity Development Teams exist to support Victorian Baptist Churches to be more missional.
Karina Kreminski had a conversation with a few friends recently where this dichotomy came up yet again; Can we be both missional and attractional?
It seems like this is still a question that practitioners are wrestling with and I think that is a good thing. It’s not a simple question to answer but here is an initial thought to start discussion.
To think about this, maybe we need to ask two things; firstly, what do you think is the purpose of the church? Secondly, how would you then organise the church around this purpose?
To answer the first question, we need to think about who God is since he is the creator of the church and establishes the purpose. God is purposeful, intentional and missional. This is because God is love and the love of God always extends outwards rather than focuses in on itself. God created a world, people and gave them a mission; to take care of and steward the earth. God called one man, Abraham, to be a blessing to the families of the earth. We also see that God creates a nation, Israel to be a light to the nations. Ultimately God revealed his missionary heart when he came to us in the form of a human, for the sake of the world. And now, God has called a group of people who are in Christ, called out of darkness into his light in order to proclaim the marvellous and might deeds of God. This is the church. Mission seems then, to be not a compartment but an essential quality in God and we can even see this missionary nature like a thread woven in the story of God as portrayed in the bible.
Missional is not a fad word or a concept without theological weight. Biblical scholar Chris Wright in his magnum opus The Mission of God writes;
“The Bible renders to us the story of God’s mission through God’s people in their engagement with God’s world for the sake of the whole of God’s creation. The Bible is the drama of this God of purpose engaged in the mission of achieving that purpose universally, embracing past, present and future, Israel and the nations, “life, the universe and everything”, and with its centre, focus, climax and completion in Jesus Christ. Mission is not just one of a list of things that the Bible happens to talk about, only a bit more urgently than some. Mission is, in that much- abused phrase, “what it’s all about”.
The church essentially then is the expression of a missionary God who defines his church. The church is the instrument that God uses to accomplish his mission. We are outward oriented rather than inward oriented.
That does not mean that we cannot be attractive.
There is nothing wrong with making sure that our church services are welcoming, our preaching is good and any programs that we run are helpful. There is nothing wrong with inviting people to come to our church gatherings and small groups. Christianity is supposed to be attractive. Jesus said that as we let our light shine through our good works people will glorify the Father (Matthew 5:16).
To answer the second question, how would we organise the church if we believe that its purpose is to be externally oriented? It means that we would make mission the “organising principle” of the church. It means that our goal is not our own edification but everything we are and do is for the sake of others because we reflect a missionary God.
So all of our attractive programs, events and activities must be organised around this purpose. Our gatherings have the purpose of encouraging and equipping God’s people to be on his mission. Our gatherings, while they bring us comfort must never simply rest there. George Hunsberger, another theological heavyweight, puts this well;
“The church is the bearer to all the nations of a gospel that announces the kingdom, the reign and the sovereignty of God…it is not meant to call men and women out of the world into a safe religious enclave but to call them out in order to send them back as agents of God’s kingship”
So missional does not marginalise the church gathering, however, it does reorient the purpose of the gathering. We gather in order to be sent back out into the world. It is never solely for our benefit. So if we the church ask people to “come to us” it is for the purpose ultimately, of sending people out again into the world to live for the sake of others as Jesus did.
However, if our primary identity and function as the Church is for the sake of church members, we have a problem. If most people are primarily searching for a church to belong to which has good preaching, an attractive worship style and effective programs, rather than primarily a place where discipleship for the sake of others is practiced, we are in trouble. This sadly shows perhaps that the false narrative of consumerism threading our culture is still trumping the narrative of the reign of God which tells a story of cruciformity, radical discipleship and service for the sake of others.
Our responsibility as church leaders is not to pick paradigms, structures and models that are pragmatic, give “results” or make people comfortable, though these things are not always contrary to the reign of God. We are not owners but stewards of God’s church, so as a leader it’s worth wrestling with those two questions;
What do you think is essentially the purpose or nature of the church? Secondly, how would you then organise the church around this purpose?
This article is by Karina Kreminski and appeared on her blog. It is reposted with permission. You can read more from Karina here https://www.facebook.com/karinakreminski1/
News Update – 13 October – Homosexuality, Islam, Discrimination, Domestic Violence, Abortion and Persecution
News Update – 13 October – Homosexuality, Islam, Discrimination, Domestic Violence, Abortion and Persecution
On a wide range of topics this week…
Jenny
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News Update – 13 October
Australian News
1. Victoria gives ‘multicultural funding’ to LGBTIQA+ groups
2. Polls shows Australians concerned about the rise of Islamic ‘extremism’
3. Legal fund established to defend Christians against claims of ‘discrimination’
4. Two teenagers arrested in Sydney on terrorism charges
5. Senator Abetz: Speech at the Hobart launch of David van Gend’s book
6. Domestic violence – Sen Leyonhjelm questions expenditure and focus
7. Bills in Victoria
8. Senate passes CFA legislation
Overseas News
1. Abortion – being exposed to the facts beings revelation
2. USA: Chief Justice Roy Moore suspended for actions on same-sex ‘marriage’
News Update – 13 October
Australian News
1. Victoria gives ‘multicultural funding’ to LGBTIQA+ groups
The Victorian Labor government has announced that they will give more than $500,000 in funding to nine “culturally diverse” LGBTI groups. This is the first time that grants to LGBTIQA+ groups have been specifically provided under a ‘multicultural banner’. It seems like the Andrews government is trying to find even more ‘reasons’ to provide funding to a greater number of homosexual groups!
The government’s Media Release said, “The LGBTI Multicultural grants – the first of their kind in Australia – will be managed through the Community Harmony Grant and Capacity Building and Participation programs and will help unite and educate the community to allow all Victorians, of all backgrounds, achieve their full potential.”
See how the Ministers tried to link ‘religious and cultural diversity’ with ‘sexuality and gender’ diversity…
The Minister for Multicultural Affairs said, “Sexual and gender diversity is found amongst people of all faiths and backgrounds, and just as we respect and celebrate cultural and religious diversity, we respect the diversity of gender and sexuality in our community.”
The Minister for Equality, Martin Foley, said, “Strong communities should value and celebrate a range of differences. There should be no barrier to diverse genders and sexualities being counted and celebrated as part of our diverse multicultural community.”
The groups to receive funding include “Muslims for Progressive Values, La Trobe University, North Richmond Community Health Centre, the Greek Welfare Society (PRONIA), the Australian GLBTQ Multicultural Council, Switchboard Victoria, Drummond Street Services, Marhaba and Joy FM.”
Some of the groups to receive funding aren’t particularly ‘multicultural’ – including the homosexual radio station Joy FM! We’d also ask what part of Latrobe University is receiving funding. Is it the group that Roz Ward works for? The Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society is the group that already receives government funding for ‘research’ and running ‘Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria’!
Government Media Release: Supporting Culturally Diverse LGBTI Victorians
Article: Victorian LGBTI groups receive $500,000 in funding, Gay News Network, 5/10/2016.
2. Polls shows Australians concerned about the rise of Islamic ‘extremism’
The Australian National University conducted a poll in July – the poll found that “71 per cent of Australians were ‘very concerned’ or ‘somewhat concerned’ about the rise of Islamic extremism in Australia”.
One of the authors, Director of the ANU Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies Professor Amin Saikal, said that heightened discussion about terrorism under PM Tony Abbott contributed to the result. He also said that ‘issues such as Islamic extremism, terrorism and Islamist ideologies had been used interchangeably and blur the line between violence and terrorism.’
He said people conflated the ideas of extremism and terrorism: “While many Australians fear terrorist attacks and a majority are prepared to compromise their individual rights and freedoms in favour of living in security, they have at the same time conflated terrorism with extremism and have not been able to make a clear distinction between the two.”
Yet the “survey said 55 per cent of respondents were ‘not at all concerned’ or ‘not very concerned’ about being the victim of a terrorist attack.” Around 70% of respondents said “that the country’s Muslims should not be subject to additional scrutiny simply because of their religion.’
It seems that the respondents DID distinguish between ‘extremism’ and ‘terrorism’!
Article: ‘We are not being swamped by anyone’, says Shorten after poll shows majority fear Islamic extremism, SBS, 10/10/2016.
Article: Australia not being swamped by anyone, Sky News, 10/10/2016.
3. Legal fund established to defend Christians against claims of ‘discrimination’
In the USA, the Alliance Defending Freedom assists in defending people against claims of discrimination when they act according to conscience. ADF was actually formed back in January 1994 by a group of 30 Christian leaders from a wide range of Christian organisations, including James Dobson, James Kennedy, Marlin Maddoux, and Bill Bright. See here and here.
In the UK, Christina Concern provide similar legal support to people who are facing legal challenges on faith and conscience issues.
A new group has been set up in Australia, called the “Human Rights Law Alliance” which will help people who have claims of discrimination against them – like the florist or baker who refuse to do flower arrangements or bake a cake for a ‘same-sex wedding’.
The new group has been set up by ACL, and Martin Iles is running the new group. The Australian reported on the group in early September, and Martin said the new group had a ‘soft launch’ in April 2016. The Age just seems to have caught up – running an article this week, delving more into the background of the group, and its relationship and funding arrangements with ACL.
The Human Rights Law Alliance has a website – click here.
One point made by Martin is that “unfortunately, the human rights law centres are part of the problem”. As we’ve repeatedly reported, those centres are taking cases based on enforcing the anti-discrimination laws, not supporting freedom as a whole, and then do not assist the people who are defending themselves against those complaints!
Article: Christian fighting fund to bankroll legal action for same-sex marriage objectors, The Age, 5/10/2016.
Article: Human Rights Law Alliance formed to fight for essential freedoms, The Australian, 2/9/2016.
4. Two teenagers arrested in Sydney on terrorism charges
The ABC reports, “Two 16-year-old boys facing terrorism-related charges after their arrest in Sydney yesterday have been refused bail, with NSW Police saying they were about to commit an Islamic State inspired attack.
“The teenagers were arrested by the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team at Bankstown in Sydney yesterday, in the lane behind a Muslim prayer hall. They were found in possession of two large bayonet-style knives, bought earlier that day, and religious notes that allegedly pledged allegiance to Islamic State.”
“One of the boys is the son of a convicted terrorist, the ABC understands. The pair did not appear in Parramatta Children’s Court this morning and did not apply for bail, and it was formally refused. They are due to return to court in December, unless they apply for bail before then….”
Article: Terrorism-related charges laid against 16-year-olds after Sydney arrest, ABC, 13/10/2016.
5. Senator Abetz: Speech at the Hobart launch of David van Gend’s book
Senator Eric Abetz gave an excellent speech at the Hobart launch of David van Gend’s book, Stealing from a Child: The Injustice of ‘Marriage Equality’ on 7th October.
You can read Eric’s speech online…
After noting that every sentence in the book is ‘meaty’ and is worth underlining, Eric stated, “In David van Gend’s masterful work, “Stealing from a Child – The Injustice of ‘Marriage Equality’”, we are treated to a tour de force which steps through an issue of current media interest with genuine sensitivity combined with unassailable hard evidentiary support which comprehensively debunks the glibness, the shallowness, and the hollowness of the case which seeks to deconstruct our society’s foundational institution – an institution which pre-existed the nation-state, parliaments and courts – an institution which has the same basic components of father, mother and child in all cultures, be it our own Judeo-Christian culture, the Indigenous culture, the Pacific Islander culture, or the Muslim world view.
“The threat to our society and the irreparable damage to the next generation are well set out, in language easy to understand, and backed up with 463 footnotes. Those 463 footnotes highlight the depth of reading and research undertaken by our author. Those 463 footnotes provide the support and underpinning to his 236 page treatise. …
Read the rest of his speech!
6. Domestic violence – Sen Leyonhjelm questions expenditure and focus
Senator Leyonhjelm has questioned the money spent, and the focus of the actual programs, on dealing with ‘domestic violence.
Senator Leyonhjelm planned to ask questions about the spending at Senate Estimates hearings.
He is concerned that the domestic violence framework is based on an “ideologically-driven agenda which denies female participation in family violence, contrary to a vast body of research both here and overseas.”
Senator Leyonhjelm also criticised the ‘ever-expanding definitions’. He cited the ‘announcement of new domestic violence guidelines for magistrates and judges released last week by Attorney General George Brandis. These include criticising a partner’s appearance or housework skills or even remaining silent’. He said, “The ludicrous, ever-expanding definitions of domestic violence make a mockery of this serious social problem.”
We regularly hear how the courts, including the Family Court, regularly take the woman’s side even when there is compelling evidence that the man is innocent and that abuse has been meted out by the woman.
We’ve also mentioned the ‘One in Three’ website, which shows academic research that finds one in three victims of domestic violence are men.
Article: Vested interests ‘have taken over domestic violence debate’: Leyonhjelm, Bettina Arndt, The Australian, 26/8/2016.
7. Bills in Victoria
As I write this, I haven’t heard there has been no news about whether the Legislative Council has considered either of the TWO Bills that we are concerned about.
One is a Bill to allow people to change the ‘Sex’ on their birth certificate, and also to allow them to use any ‘Gender description’ they choose. If passed, there would be NO requirement for sex reassignment surgery, or hormones or even counselling. The description could be changed every 12 months, and there would be no requirement for a married person to divorce before being allowed to legally change their sex on their birth certificate.
The second Bill is the one relating to the REMOVAL of exceptions for religious organisations and Christian schools that allow them to apply their Christian principles of faith and sexuality in employing people.
See our Latest email on contacting your FIVE Members in the Legislative Council, on these two issues, complete with contact details.
8. Senate passes CFA legislation
The Turnbull government has now passed the legislation, with the support of crossbenchers in the Senate, which restores some rights to volunteers in the Country Fire Authority in Victoria. This is about enabling volunteers to have some say, over a policy from the Andrews Labor government that put the unions and professional paid firefighters first.
“The changes will make it unlawful for enterprise agreements to “undermine” volunteers in favour of professional, unionised workers, as the United Firefighters Union was accused of doing in Victoria.”
Article: ‘A dark cloud has finally been lifted’: Country Fire Authority legislation passes Senate, The Age, SMH, 11/10/2016.
Overseas News
1. Abortion – being exposed to the facts beings revelation
Often when people really face the truth of an issue they can change their position.
This article by Ann McElhinney reveals how that change occurred for her.
Ann is a documentary film maker, along with Phelim McAleer – I have previously seen her film relating to global warming… so a film on abortion is not her regular sort of film.
Ann reveals how talking to people who had abortions and finding out what REALLY happens in an abortion shocked her and changed her view on the issue.
The film is about Kermit Gosnell, “who was convicted on three of the murder charges, 21 felony counts of illegal late-term abortion, and 211 counts of violating the 24-hour informed consent law, in May 2013.” (info on Ann and the film at Wikipedia.)
Article: Ann McElhinney – “Making a film about abortion in the US opened my eyes.”
From the email I received from the group:
“The article details some of the facts about abortion she has learned in making the Gosnell movie and writing the Gosnell book. The op/ed contains no opinion — just facts — horrific facts that many in the pro-choice lobby would rather not publicize. Please read and share and don’t forget to leave a comment in the Irish Times comment section.”
Ann spoke at the Pro-Life Campaign conference in Dublin on Saturday, Oct 8th. See details.
2. USA: Chief Justice Roy Moore suspended for actions on same-sex ‘marriage’
Over the years Chief Justice Roy Moore from Alabama has stood up for Christian principles. He previously refused to remove a Ten Commandments statue.
Now he has been suspended for the rest of his term, WITHOUT PAY, because of his position on same-sex ‘marriage’. . .
“A complaint was filed by the Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission charging Moore with violating judicial ethics in issuing an order in January stating that probate judges in the state “have a ministerial duty not to issue” marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
“In a 50-page judgment Friday, two days after Moore appeared for a hearing in the case, Alabama’s Court of the Judiciary found him guilty of failing to comply with the law, uphold the integrity of the court and “perform the duties of his office impartially.”
Mat Staver, from Liberty Counsel, said, “To suspend Chief Justice Moore for the rest of his term is the same as removal. Staver said that because the commission lacked the votes to fully remove him, “the majority instead chose to ignore the law and the rules.”
In June, Roy Moore spoke at a public meeting about the case… “Welcome to the new world. It’s just changed for you Christians. You are going to be persecuted…”
Now he has seen the result of that persecution.
Mat Staver from Liberty Counsel has written a piece THIS WEEK about the exile of Chief Justice Roy Moore. He gives some key details of the case and some quotes – and announces that Chief Justice Roy Moore will APPEAL against the decision, with the FULL support of Liberty Counsel. [Final article – please read!]
Article: Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore suspended for defiance over same-sex marriage, Washington Post, 30/9/2016.
Article: Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore says Christians will be ‘persecuted’ after same-sex marriage ruling, Altoday, 29/6/2016.
Article: Chief Justice Moore: Exiled, Liberty Counsel, 10/10/2016.
Violence Against Women – Dowry Related Abuse
Our BUV is a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) union of churches. As we consider how we create safe spaces for those who are victims of Family Violence, we need to give special consideration to other cultures where particular customs and attitudes to women create environments of abuse.
The story below is by Dr Ree Bodde from ‘Think Prevent’ the Victorian Anglican initiative to combat and prevent Family Violence. Think Prevent is committed to being an active bystander against discrimination, sexism, sexual abuse and violence whether at home, on the sports field, at work, in houses of worship or out with friends, family, colleagues or workmates. You can learn more and find some great resources from Think Prevent here.
A Dinka (Southern Sudanese ethnic group) riddle poses that “If you were crossing a river with your cow and wife and there is danger of drowning and you can save only one of them, which one would you save? The answer is “that you save the cow because with it you can marry another woman.”
The practice of dowry (bride price) though seldom discussed, flourishes across certain cultures in Victoria and elsewhere in Australia. Dowry related abuse toward women and children is a problem that has existed for some time. Recently, law makers and practitioners have begun tackling this social problem impacting families and communities.
A Sudanese faith leader recently explained to me the logic that informs dowry “a daughter has been brought up by her family and is their source of income. The only property parents have is their daughter. You give away your daughter for dowry and then you are financially set,” he said.
Another spoke of a direct connection between dowry and domestic abuse. “In paying for dowry,” he said, “a wife is the husbands property and can beat her for not being good at chores, for answering back, asking for financial support.” He added, “wives under the dowry custom become a slave to the husband’s family, so that even if the husband dies, the wife cannot remarry without the consent of the husband’s family. "
In a visit to a South East Melbourne faith community earlier in the year, I was shocked and profoundly saddened to learn that 3 women had been murdered as a result of dowry-related violence over the last 5 years.
Some men’s willingness to break the silence about dowry-related abuse against women and girls is significant as it embodies the fundamental recognition that it is a problem overwhelmingly for which men are responsible.
Men have a moral obligation to change attitudes and behaviours that are negative towards women and girls. Specifically, that females are property and, replace these with norms of respect and equality.
While some men are part of the problem, all men are part of the solution.
Dowry and the ownership of women by men is not unique to South Sudanese culture. Indian women face similar issues, where this is common practice and where women and girls are vulnerable to culturally sanctioned exploitation and abuse. See recent media here
For help or information regarding domestic violence, call the Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800 737 732, or visit 1800respect.org.au
Lifeline: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
White Ribbon www.whiteribbon.org.au
God’s solution to our problem
Does Jesus give us hope for the future?
Rich partnerships
How does Jesus help us to develop deep connections with people?
Kilsyth South – Expanding for Mission
The Kilsyth South Baptist Church (KSBC) has been truly blessed by God in the planning, development and building of the new Worship Centre, new offices and meeting rooms which were officially opened in February, 2016.
During our time of reflection on this project, we have seen God’s plan unfold on something that was started over 22 years ago where He has led us and provided for us in such a rich way we want to share the good news story with others.
Kilsyth South Baptist Church – Stage 1 and 2
KSBC was planted from the Heathmont Baptist Church led by their Senior Pastor, Rev John Wright, and 23 other committed Jesus followers back in 1989. The church started meeting at St Mary's Anglican Church and later at the Progress Hall in The Basin. With financial support from the Heathmont Baptist Church and the Baptist Union of Victoria, a 5 acre block of land was purchased in Liverpool Road, Kilsyth South.
The design for a new Worship Centre was undertaken, to be completed in three stages. The first stage was completed in 1994, then several years later the second stage known to us as the “ children’s wing” was completed.
Stage 3.
In 2004 the leadership group believed the time had arrived to commence stage three. An appeal for finance was made to the members with the result some $45,000 was pledged. This was not enough to commence Stage 3, so it was decided to use the generous, financial gifts to purchase 2 portables to be used for Youth and Children’s Ministries.
In 2010 it was decided to once again visit the building of stage three and a number of meetings were held within the church and KSBC home groups to discuss the plans for the Worship Centre along with other building work and the financing of the project. A cost of $1.7million was agreed upon for the project which generated a positive response and a sense of excitement from the members and regular attendees. The leadership group then decided on a plan to raise finance through pledges and fundraising.
The first pledge brochure was given to members with a range of financial commitments to choose from and within two weeks pledges totalled $770,000. Three years later in 2014, a second round of pledges took the total to $1 million dollars.
The Time to Build Committee then began working with the architect, tenders were called for and builders interviewed. However in our church were a number of professional builders and the members decided at their meeting in February, 2015 for KSBC to become the owner builder, led by a team of professional and dedicated church people. This was not an easy decision to come to, but in looking back it was the right one for KSBC to choose for stage three to be built.
The Church employed a builder as the Project Supervisor, who led and worked with our team and the Worship Centre was first used in December, 2015 for the local primary school’s graduation. The all-purpose building, offices and new car park were completed in March, 2016.
The Good News
As owner builders we have been able to complete the task with a saving of over $400,000 over the lowest tender and complete it within a time frame of less than twelve months.
It’s not only about the cost savings. It brought people in the church together. Strong unity was seen and people of all ages were involved in the many working bees, preparing morning teas for workmen and being part of the number of groups needed for a building project like this to be undertaken.
It has given us a Worship Centre in our community that is a light to all who are seeking help and wanting to know the message of hope that is Jesus Christ. We have had the local primary school using the centre, over 480 people attended a concert in April with Silvie Paladino and the Salvation Army Brass Band , major youth events and other community gatherings have taken place in the short time since work has been completed.
God's Leading
As we consider what has been achieved we have seen God’s hand in the building of the Worship Centre
- The money pledged was at the right time in God’s plan for this building work
- The church folk have been generous in their giving of money and time
- God brought into KSBC, over a period, people who had building and planning skills to do His work and allow us to go down the track of owner builder
- The project was completed without injury, disagreement or building problems with the council
- The financial support of Baptist Financial Services was a blessing and they were very co-operative and easy to work alongside, throughout the project.
The new Worship Centre will allow Kilsyth South Baptist Church to continue to expand its mission of Sharing Jesus, Caring for People, and Encouraging Christian Growth within our community and beyond.
News Update – 7 Oct – PC Governments, Bills, gender ‘equity’ and plastic bags…
News Update – 7 Oct – PC Governments, Bills, gender ‘equity’ and plastic bags…
More news. More political correctness. More bad laws…
If our governments focused on goodness and righteousness, and on God’s laws instead of making up their own, what a different world we’d have!
Jenny
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News Update – 7 October
Australian News
1. Victorian government – focus on the ‘trivial’ issues (and social change) instead of CRIME
2. Vic: ACTION needed on Two Bills – ‘Gender’ & Birth Certificates / Removal of religious exceptions
3. Is it good to ‘discriminate’ regarding employment?
4. Queensland: More PC – STUDY on ‘Quotas for women’ on government Boards
5. Federal push for ‘gender equity’ for women on Boards
6. Vic: Greens introduce Bill to ‘restrict’ sales of plastic bags
7. Queensland: Abortion law proposal – LNP commit to oppose legalisation
8. Kameel Majdali – On the EU, Brexit, Turley and Israel… Next Monday 10 October
9. Plebiscites on other issues
Overseas News
1. Good news! The UN did NOT declare an ‘International Safe Abortion Day’
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News Update – 7 October
Australian News
1. Victorian government – focus on the ‘trivial’ issues (and social change) instead of CRIME
Rather than focusing on the economy and other important matters, such as dealing with CRIME, the Victorian Labor government is putting forward various left-wing proposals. Columnist Rita Panahi has written about the left-wing policies of the Victorian Labor government, and their focus on the ‘trivial’ rather than on the important issues affecting our state.
Rita highlights the high crime rates that aren’t being addressed and mentions that the government’s focus is on matters like the ‘gender and birth certificates issue’. She writes, “The twisted priorities are best illustrated by the government’s celebration of legislation that leaves many utterly bewildered. Ministers have trumpeted the virtues of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Amendment Bill, which will allow Victorians to choose their sex on birth certificates without undertaking gender reassignment surgery or clinical treatment.”
Article: Daniel Andrews government ignores big issues like crime, while focusing on the trivial, writes Rita Panahi, Herald Sun, 4/10/2016. [Google title if link goes to subscriber article.]
2. Vic: ACTION needed on Two Bills – ‘Gender’ & Birth Certificates / Removal of religious exceptions
We’ve already commented on the removal of religious exceptions regarding employment, and the ‘birth certificate’ Bill where anyone can change the ‘GENDER’ on their birth certificate with NO requirement for surgery, hormones or counselling. Those TWO Bills have been passed by the Legislative Assembly and goes to the Legislative Council NEXT WEEK.
If you live in Victoria, please see our email post from earlier this week and CONTACT the FIVE Members in the Legislative Council for your region – and POLITELY ASK them to vote AGAINST these Bills, on ‘gender identity and birth certificates’ and the ‘removal of religious exceptions regarding employment.
The two BILLS are:
Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Amendment Bill 2016
Equal Opportunity Amendment (Religious Exceptions) Bill 2016
Click here and scroll down to title of BILL, then click to get full details, actual Bill and progress.
To write individual letters, click here, type in suburb/postcode, Search, then go to the PINK box where your FIVE Members will be listed.
See our email post from Tuesday for details on the BILLS and comments on where the political parties and Independents stand on these issues.
3. Is it good to ‘discriminate’ regarding employment?
There used to be a time when a business or organisation could employ who they WANTED to employ! But with today’s discrimination law, employers could be subjected to a complaint – and have to justify their decision to a Tribunal – if an applicant feels aggrieved. The person might claim to be ‘better qualified’. But the employer should be able to consider many things – not just ‘qualifications’, but how the applicant will FIT in the organisation.
In the current situation in Victoria regarding discrimination and employment, political parties are exempt. The Greens don’t have to employ a climate change denier, and the Labor Party doesn’t have to employ a Liberal Party member.
Rightly so! The same, of course, should apply to religious organisations – AND it should also apply to everyone. Why shouldn’t the employer to able to employ WHO they WANT to employ?
As Vickie Janson pointed out at the Briefing this week, it is really about FIT – which applicant is the best ‘fit’ for the position AND for the company. This has always been standard recruitment practice.
Andrew Bolt highlighted an interesting twist on this recently. The Adelaide Feast Festival, an LGBTIQA+ festival, recently sacked their Director, who was ‘straight’.
Andrew Bolt asked, “So can no gay or lesbian person represent straights? Do these champions of identity politics really want to go there?’ Adelaide’s Feast Festival co-founder Helen Bock believes a straight person leading a queer festival is equivalent to a white person leading an indigenous organisation and supports the decision to suspend the festival’s general manager.”
The lesbian artistic director was made redundant two years ago, and some on the Board felt the festival was ‘too heterosexual’! Not all the Board agree with the sacking – four resigned after the meeting!
Andrew concludes, “Why are taxpayers funding this exclusionary nonsense?”
Article: Queer group sacks straight, Andrew Bolt, Herald Sun, 11/9/2016.
4. Queensland: More PC – STUDY on ‘Quotas for women’ on government Boards
The Queensland Labor government launched a report by Deloitte Access Economics this week – which purports to show that increasing the number of women on government Boards will have a financial benefit to the state of $87 million!
A lengthy statement was published by the government (link below).
The government has published a detailed outline of the program – click here.
The Queensland Labor government has been promoting this politically correct position for some time. In July 2015, Queensland’s Labor Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that Cabinet had decided to MANDATE that 50 per cent of board positions on state-owned corporations will be held by women by 2020. She also urged private companies to follow suit.
The Premier had been personally promoting this position – in May 2015 she complained that only 31% of Queensland government Board appointments were women – and saying that there should be “equal gender representation”. She said, it is “important that women are equally represented at all levels of leadership, on boards and committees for government bodies”.
The government is moving ahead with their plans to implement this policy by 2020.
This Report by Deloitte is one of the strategies being used.
What happened to MERIT?
Shouldn’t ‘merit’ be considered’ – as well as who will be the best ‘fit’ for the organisation?
Ironically, this affirmative action process seems to be in direct contradiction to the principle of the ‘best person’ or the ‘best qualifications’ for the job. Yet BOTH are based on discrimination law principles!
As for people being selected on a ‘quota’ basis, Ros Phillips, from FamilyVoice, writing in a Media Release, quotes Maggie Thatcher, former UK Prime Minister. Ros writes,
“Britain’s first woman Prime Minister would have been deeply concerned by yesterday’s media release announcing the Queensland government’s new policy of a 50% quota for women on all government boards by 2020. I would hate a person to ask me a question, ‘Are you a quota woman or are you a merit woman?’” she once told a journalist. “I would like the assessment (of whatever I did) to be because I was the right person for the job. It didn’t matter as a man or as a woman. I had the right qualities for the job. I had the right beliefs, the right principles. I wasn’t a quota.”
Sources:
DELOITTE REPORT: Research Summary – Toward Gender Parity: Women On Boards Initiative
Government statement: New initiative tackles Queensland’s gender inequality on boards, 5/10/2016.
Full program outline: Women on boards
Article: More women on Qld boards could deliver $87 million: Deloitte report, Brisbane Times, 5/10/2016.
Article: Half of Queensland board positions to be women by 2020, Australian Financial Review, 28/7/2015.
Article: Queensland Premier’s push for more women on boards, Brisbane Times, 22/5/2016.
FamilyVoice Australia, Media Release: Flaws in Queensland’s affirmative action plan, 6/10/2016.
5. Federal push for ‘gender equity’ for women on Boards
It isn’t just Queensland that is pursuing this ‘gender equality’ issue on government Boards.
Last year, the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee conducted a parliamentary inquiry into ‘gender representation’ on Australian Government Boards. A REPORT was published by the Committee on 10 November 2015.
The Inquiry followed the introduction of a BILL into the Senate, called the Australian Government Boards (Gender Balanced Representation) Bill 2015. The Bill was introduced by Senators Nick Xenophon and Jacquie Lambie. The Summary of the Bill says it “Requires Government boards to comprise of at least 40 per cent men and 40 per cent women; and provides for annual reporting requirements in relation to the gender composition of Government boards.”
The Bill lapsed when the election was held this year. But it may come back!
BILL page – click here.
Inquiry website – click here.
REPORT – click here.
6. Vic: Greens introduce Bill to ‘restrict’ sales of plastic bags
Another indication of the direction of the GREENS, and their politically correct agenda, is the Bill they’ve introduced to the Victorian Legislative Council about restricting the supply and sale of PLASTIC BAGS. An Inquiry is being held by the Victorian parliament.
The Greens have been talking about banning them for years. Now those plastic bags you get goods in are under threat. No-one stops to think that, if you don’t have plastic supermarket bags, you’ll have to buy plastic bags to line your rubbish bin! Or that they’re often re-used and recycled.
The official announcement said, “The Victorian Parliament’s Environment and Planning Committee is conducting an inquiry into the Environment Protection Amendment (Banning Plastic Bags, Packaging and Microbeads) Bill 2016.”
You can even have your say… submissions close on 21 October.
See overview and outline for submissions – click here.
[Bill on Bills webpage – More details on Committee’s website.]
BUT the parliament didn’t ask what we thought about birth certificate changes OR religious exceptions. The government is absolutely committed to them and are trying to push them through!
7. Queensland: Abortion law proposal – LNP commit to oppose legalisation
The Coalition for the Defence of Human Life (WA) recently reported on developments relating to proposed Bills to legalise abortion in Queensland.
IN their latest newsletter, they wrote,
“Great news! The Liberal-National Party has pledged to not support any changes to abortion law in Queensland., sounding a certain death knell for the two Bills introduced by Rob Pyne in May and August respectively.
“At the recent LNP State Convention, the motion was passed by a massive 95% to reaffirm the party’s policy that there should be no change to the Criminal Code regarding abortion.”
8. Kameel Majdali – On the EU, Brexit, Turley and Israel… Next Monday 10 October
Kameel Majdali, who runs Teach All Nations, is giving another of his talks about current trends – in MELBOURNE, 10 October at 7.30 pm.
Kameel writes,
“Recently, over a period of 1 month, I gave this message 25 times across Australia, from Sydney to Cairns, Brisbane to Perth. The tour was with Vision Radio – see details, and article.)
Now, I offer it to my home-town, Melbourne. It is called ‘The Great End-Time Shaking: The EU BREXIT, Turkey, and Israel.’ Why these topics? Because you will be hearing about them for a long time to come. Our goal is to help you to understand what is happening and why, so that you can become ‘Future-Ready.’ Also, as always, I will end with a note of great hope from the Scriptures.
BONUS: Due to many inquiries, there will be a (brief) commentary on Donald Trump and the US elections coming next month.
Mark your calendars: Monday 10 October. Venue: Grow Church, Ringwood (cafe will be open after 6 for those who want dinner or refreshments). See you there.”
Venue details – click //www.google.com.au/maps/place/Grow+Church+Melbourne/@-37.8211413,145.2174354,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6ad63966ed664523:0x2247ef8814ccd952!8m2!3d-37.8211413!4d145.2196241″ href=”https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Grow+Church+Melbourne/@-37.8211413,145.2174354,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6ad63966ed664523:0x2247ef8814ccd952!8m2!3d-37.8211413!4d145.2196241″ target=”_blank”>here.
9. Plebiscites on other issues
What else will we have a plebiscite on?
Recently a climate action group, calling itself CLEXIT, called on the Australian government to hold a plebiscite to withdraw Australia from the Paris climate agreement.
Posted at Clexit website – click here.
Overseas News
1. Good news! The UN did NOT declare an ‘International Safe Abortion Day’
We recently reported that the pro-abortion lobby sought to make the 28th of September an “International Safe Abortion Day” at the United Nations – we encouraged you to sign a petition against the move that was organised by Citizen Go.
They report, “Almost 450 pro-abortion organizations wrote a letter in support of this request, to make the 28th of September an “International Safe Abortion Day” at the United Nations, to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, UN Women, UNDP, etc.”
Citizen Go report, “But the story didn’t end there! Nearly 170,000 people signed our petition and wrote to Secretary Ban Ki-moo, asking him to refuse the request. Several media outlets reported on our campaign, which was launched in English, French, Portuguese, Croatian, Hungarian, Russian, and Spanish.”
They write, “What did we argue?
– The only certainty in abortion is the killing of an innocent.
– You cannot declare an “international day” to celebrate the violation of a fundamental right: the right to life.
– If the UN declared this day, it would be an illegitimate ideological interference in the politics of UN member countries who wish to protect unborn life.
The UN refused the request. Citizen Go thank all those who signed the petition, and encourage us all to be vigilant, and add our voices to such campaigns.
World’s Largest Church Life Survey Extends Reach in 2016
The survey will map the Australian church landscape and track changes over time. It will help church attenders and leaders to reflect on the health and vitality of their local churches. The NCLS Research team, responsible for the comprehensive survey, is an ecumenical group that aims to provide a credible evidence base to help churches build vitality and connect with the wider community.
“While we ask questions about a wide variety of topics, in 2016 we are particularly interested on how cultural diversity is expressed in local churches. It has been encouraging to see larger orders for surveys across nine different languages,” said Dr Powell. “We also want to learn about innovative practices in churches.” Another topic for the 2016 NCLS is ministry to children and young people. “Many churches are taking advantage of our Child Survey for 8 to 14 year olds. This will be the foundation for the future study of the role of family and church in the spiritual development of children over time,” explained Dr Powell.
Gaining feedback from churchgoers through survey results may help local churches to take suitable action in their own context. “We hope local churches will use the 2016 NCLS as a positive, inclusive process to build for the future,” commented Dr Powell.
Insights from the 2016 NCLS will also inform denominational leaders, staff employed by charities and community care agencies, international aid and mission organisations, church schools, social justice advocates, academic colleagues, media, and social commentators.
Further information on the 2016 NCLS is available at 2016.ncls.org.au, including endorsements from denominational leaders, resources that churches receive and stories of how local churches use the NCLS.
Background: The National Church Life Survey (NCLS), has been conducted every 5 years since 1991 in the same year as the Australian Government National Census. The 2016 NCLS is the sixth wave of the NCLS project. Over 20 Christian denominations partner with primary sponsors: Anglicare Sydney, the Uniting Church Synod of NSW and the ACT, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and Australian Catholic University.