The Messenger Summer 2013

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 6 0 S u m m e r E d i t i o n 2 0 1 3
M E SSENGER
The
The Messenger
Content s
Volume 160 Summer Edition 2013 Features Missions Church News Youth & Family
4-19 21-22 23-27 28-29

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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.
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PHOTO ON COVER: Pg 3: Editorial
T h e M es s eng er Summe r 2013
EDITORIAL
What About Christmas?

Today there is a wide range of ways in which Christians view Christmas. Some simply ignore it and see the 25th of December as just another day. They dont think the Bible teaches us to observe Christmas Day as a sacred day. In fact they believe many of the traditions associated with Christmas have their roots in pagan beliefs. Others treat Christmas as a harmless tradition; a time for family gatherings, the giving of gifts and a useful time for preaching about the coming of Jesus into the world. They join in the general feeling of good will and the singing of carols. Still others think that it is a very holy day when no regular work should be done and a time for religious devotions; in other words a kind of Christian Sabbath. So let us look briefly at what the Scriptures teach us about Christmas. Strictly speaking the word Christmas is derived from the mass of Christ. In other words the mass the Roman Catholic Church observes which they believe involves the actual death of Christ. There are a number of good reasons why we as Protestants believe the mass is unbiblical but we will not go into that right now. So leaving that matter to one side should we view Christmas Day as a holy day? Some might argue that Paul is referring to the observance of such days as Christmas Day and Good Friday when he says in Romans 14:5, One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. But here Paul is talking about the observance of the Jewish sacred festival days held through Old Testament times. There were a number of festivals the Israelites were to enjoy and celebrate. For example, there was the Day of Atonement, Leviticus 16. But when Jesus rose from the dead these days were not to continue as part of the worship in the Christian church. However, there were some Jews who still felt the need to continue observing them. They were traditionalists. Earlier in the passage Paul argues that certain meats and drinks were matters of dispute. In other words like the sacred days of the Jews in the Old Testament times they were matters not fundamental to the Christian faith. Paul argues that these days should not be confused with the Christian Sabbath or what came to be known as the Lords Day. Paul also teaches us that the only holy day we are to observe since Christ rose from the dead is the Lords Day. The first day of the week became known as the Lords Day because Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week, John 20:1-9. In the Old Testament times God commanded His people to set apart the seventh day as a Sabbath each week. This followed the pattern set by God in the beginning of resting on the seventh day. But with the coming of the new covenant the Sabbath day was changed to the first day of the week. We read in Revelation 1:10 that the apostle John was in the Spirit on the Lords Day worshipping God. The details of how to worship God on the Lords Day are laid out in the Bible but how we are to rest, what are works of mercy and of necessity in our present day are areas where Christians can differ. The men who wrote the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms took a strict view on how to keep the Christian Sabbath, see WCF chapter 21: Of Worship, and the Sabbath. However, these rules do not apply to other days because they are not strictly speaking holy days. Today we have liberty of conscience and we can view Christmas Day and Good Friday in whatever way we see fit so long as we glorify God and enjoy Him. Please have yourself a blessed Christmas and a great New Year. ~ Clem White
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The
Fe a t u re s
A Defence of Six-Day Creation

BY
G.I. W ILLIAMSON
Its my conviction that we in the Presbyterian and Reformed community have lost credibility with respect to this.
I am now in my sixty-first year as a Reformed Pastor, and I am very much aware of the fact that I am not likely to have many more years of service. So, before the Lord calls me to come to his dwelling place I want to bear faithful witness concerning one of the foundational doctrines of the Bible. It is so foundational that it is the very first thing affirmed in the oldest creeds of the church: I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. The Greek word translated in English as maker is [poitn]. In Latin it is creatorem. And the Bible itself, before it says anything else, says in the beginning God created (Hebrew bara) the heavens and the earth. It also clearly says that he did so in the space of six days, and all very good. This doctrine of six day creation was also the consensus of the theologians, ministers and elders at the Westminster Assembly. And its my conviction that we in the Presbyterian and Reformed community of today have lost credibility with respect to this affirmation. We still say we believe every word of the Bible including what it says about creation. We also say that we subscribe to the Westminster Standards. But the truth is that we are no longer united in what we mean when we say this. And it is my conviction that this has seriously weakened our testimony to unbelievers. Im well aware of the fact that our tolerance of day-age, analogical, and framework views is seen by some as a very good thing. It shows that we are not stick-in-the-mud fundamentalists. And for this reason we can still be people who are respected by intellectuals and scientific people. We can even join with them in ridiculing people like Ken Ham for their attempts to uphold and defend a literal reading of the Genesis account of creation. I am willing to admit that at one time I felt attracted to this viewpoint. I also wanted to be respected. And there certainly have been aspects of fundamentalism that I disagree with. But when it comes to such a fundamental of the faith as the doctrine of creation, I am not ashamed to say that I have reached the point where, on this doctrine, I am more in harmony with them than with much of the material written by those who reject six-day creation. This is what troubles me. There seems to be more of a consensus in denial than in affirmation. There is much more said about what did not happen, than upon what did happen. Ive read material over and over again, defending the day-age view of creation. Ive also done the same with respect to arguments for the analogical view and the framework view. And I cannot say that I have ever been able to clearly understand any of these three concepts. The one thing that seems clear in all three of these views is their rejection of the view that prevailed throughout the history of the church until the rise of the theory of evolution. I therefore want to state why I no longer believe that these negative views should ever have been tolerated in the first place. Im convinced that the Genesis account of creation was given by divine inspiration; given by the one true God who knows all things, and that it was designed by him to be
clearly understood by his people through all generations. [1] My first reason is that Im convinced that the Genesis account of creation was given by divine inspiration; given by the one true God who knows all things, and that it was designed by him to be clearly understood by his people through all generations. This is why it is not given in technical terms, or what we call scientific terms, but is stated in words that can be understood by the unlearned as well as the learned. And it has been understood by people in all walks of life. This is possible because Gods work of creation is described as an ordinary man would describe it had he been there to see it happen. Whenever I think about this I also think about some of the creation miracles of Jesus. They are described by men who witnessed these events. Jesus created wine one afternoon. On another day he created food for thousands. We know these things happened because we have the testimony of men who were there to see it happen. There is no need to invent theories to try to help us understand what really happened because they happened just as the Bible says they happened.
even begin to understand much of what some of these people are saying. But Ive read enough to know that many times before in history people have thought that they had ultimate answers. They thought Paul was a fool for going on about Jesus and the bodily resurrection. But again and again scientific (philosophic) thought has changed its positions. And I can see no reason to think that even the most advanced thinking of today will retain its dominion in coming generations. Only God knows all there is to know, and he has spoken to his people. He has said that it only took him six days to create the universe that we inhabit. And I do not believe that there is, or ever will be, any scientific discovery that will be able to discredit what God has spoken. Yes, scientific theories do appear to discredit that creation account. But be patient. In time it will be seen that those humble Bible believers were right all along: it was a six-day creation.
Our fathers believed that the Bible was written in such a way that it is accessible to all of Gods people. It is not a book that only the scholars can understand. No, it was written by divine inspiration to be clear to ordinary people. The Westminster Assembly of theologians, ministers, and elders was an assembly of men who were Our fathers believed that the Bible was learned and brilliant. But they written in such a way that it is accessible were not men who looked down on people like you and me as if we to all of Gods people. were ignorant fundamentalists. Here is what they said about And I believe it is the same with Gods work people like you and I and understanding of creation. He has accommodated us by Scripture. describing in words that an eye-witness would use had he been there during the six-days of creation. And there is no more reason to doubt what he says about how long it took (days not years, and certainly not ages) to happen. Like the rest of those early chapters of Genesis these early chapters also tell us what actually happened, and how long it took to happen. And we have no more right to question what it says literally than to question what happened with the miracles of Jesus. [2] My second reason for affirming six-day creation is that I am not convinced of the finality or even the certainty of much presentday scientific thinking. Im far too simple to All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them (WCF 1:7). In my years as a Reformed Pastor I cant remember any older saints who doubted six-day creation. To the contrary, again and again, I heard them affirm that this was their conviction. And I also heard not a few
T h e Me sse n ge r S u m m e r 2 0 1 3
of them say something like this: I believe in six-day creation, and I cant understand why these learned scholars have so much trouble accepting what God has so clearly stated. The longer we have tolerated these other views the more evidence has accumulated to show that denial of six-day creation has been destructive. [3] My third reason for affirming six-day creation is found in the principle stated by Jesus. He said that we can judge things by their fruits (Mt 7:16, 20). And the longer we have tolerated these other views the more evidence has accumulated to show that denial of six-day creation has been destructive. There are people who no doubt sincerely desire to be Reformed who believe we had better stop our opposition to evolution. But if evolution is accepted as true it means that death is not a result of sin but is to be thought of as normal.
Churches today than to get back to the faithful testimony of our Fathers. One of the recent defenders of the Westminster Standards clear statement of the historic doctrine of creation is Dr. J. G. Vos. In his commentary on the Westminster Larger Catechism Dr. Vos makes these comments about the fruit of evolutionist thinking.
It is true that the acceptance of evolution as truth often, if not always, leads to a gradual deadening of the conscience and weakening of the sense of moral responsibility. It is entirely true that World War II was, in the deepest sense, a result of widespread acceptance of the doctrine of human evolution as the truth, accompanied by a gradual but very real rejection of the Bible, by highly educated people, as their standard of faith and life. The logic involved in this moral decline is really unavoidable when once the assumption of the truth of human evolution We should always realize that evolution is has been made. If we were not created by God, then we are not merely a biological theory; it is also a not responsible to God for our beliefs and actions. If we are philosophy of life held by many. not responsible to God for our beliefs and actions, then we are And what about Adam? Was there ever an responsible only to our fellow man and to individual by that name who stood there alone, before there was any other humanoid before ourselves. In that case there is no absolute, permanent moral standard; what is right there was even a single woman? Or does and wrong changes with the times and the the word Adam really refer to some tribal circumstances. From this position it is but assembly or someone singled out of some tribal a step to the ideology of Nazi Germany and assembly, etc. The speculation taking place Soviet Russia. The apparently innocent theory today is mind-boggling. Yet the whole structure of evolution has wrought tremendous havoc of Gods design for the history of mankind, in human life. We should always realize that according to the apostle Paul, can only be evolution is not merely a biological theory; it is rightly understood as the (true) story of two also a philosophy of life held by many.3 Adams.1 The literal, original, first-created man by that name, from whom all other human beings descended; and the literal, incarnate, Son of God who became a man in time and space in order to found a new human race through his work of redemption. In my reading in recent years I see the kind of fruit that shows what this concession has brought us. The denial of the Westminster doctrine2 is a bad thing as confirmed by the fruit it is producing. So I am persuaded that there is no greater or more urgent need in Presbyterian and Reformed
It is an amazing thing to see Reformed teachers now insisting that we must embrace this teaching even while admitting that it may well indicate that we will also have to make radical changes in our whole system of doctrine. Retired CRC Minister Edwin Walhout, for example, says this about Adam and Eve: Traditionally weve been taught that Adam and Eve were the first human pair, Adam made out of dust and Eve from one of Adams ribs. But sustaining this doctrine is extremely difficult when we take seriously the human
race as we know it today sharing ancestry with other primates such as chimpanzees. Where in the slow evolution of homo erectus and homo habilis and homo sapiens do Adam and Eve fit? We will have to find a better way of understanding what Genesis tells us about Adam and Eve, one that does justice to Genesis and also to what the Bible teaches about their connection to Jesus.4 And what about Original sin: According to this doctrine, the fall of Adam and Eve is an actual historical event that plunged the entire human race into sin. Ever since, both the guilt of sin and the pollution of sin, theologically speaking, have been passed on from parent to child in such a way that we all come into the world tainted by them. We say that our children are conceived and born in sin. But if Adam and Eve are not understood as real historical people, then there can hardly be an inheritance of sinfulness from parent to child all the way back to Adamin which case the entire doctrine of original sin falls by the wayside. We will have to find a better way of understanding not only what sin is but its effect on the population in general - a way that does justice both to the Bible and to science and that helps us understand how sin works in our own lives under God. It is my opinion that Rev. J. G. Vos was correct: even the slightest tolerance of evolutionist teaching produces bad fruit. [4] My fourth reason for affirming six-day creation is the fine work of its present-day
defenders. And here I will mention one who recently caught my attention. Dr. Jonathan Sarfati, Ph.D., was born in Victoria, Australia, but moved with his family to New Zealand as a child. He received university education in New Zealand, graduating from Victoria University in Wellington with Honors in chemistry, earning a Ph.D. While in University Jonathan became a believer in Jesus through the witness of Christian students there, and as a consequence was driven to investigate his Jewish heritage. As a Messianic Jew, he became a passionate seeker of knowledge about church history and theological issues. He also became interested in the debate over creation and founded the Wellington Christian Apologetics Society in New Zealand. (He also became national chess champion and even achieved a draw against former world champion Boris Spassky in 1988.) His writings on the subject of evolution and creation are some of the finest I have seen. I also find the writings of Dr. John Byl whose articles have often been seen in Christian Renewal very encouraging in their defense of six-day creation. Dr. Byl is a retired University Science Professor, and has served as an elder in a Canadian Reformed Church. Both of these men have shown that six day creation is capable of a vigorous and cogent defense. I have thought for some time that it is a pity that our Reformed Seminaries are failing to extricate us from the effects of the mistaken concession made by some truly great men in recent history, but Im also heartened to see a clear stand being taken for six-day creation at Mid America Reformed Seminary and even more since the Greenville Presbyterian Seminary has been willing to openly state its rejection of the concession of faith which has produced such bitter fruit. When I was a seminary student I became concerned to understand what well-known neo-orthodox theologians were saying. So I requested a special class for this since none was being offered at that time. Professor Addison Leitch agreed to provide this by assigning me reading in theologians such as Emil Brunner and Karl Barth. Well, I did my assigned reading faithfully, and then reported to Dr. Leitch. I told him it gave me a headache
because these men didnt make sense in what they were saying. They talked about things being supra-historical, and about people being both elect and non-elect. And then I would read the straight-forward teaching of Calvin (and other great Reformers). I could understand them. They did make sense. So I came to the conclusion that Gods truth, while not always easy to understand, does always make sense. It is something I can grasp well enough to then teach it to others. But I am sorry to have to say that when I read some of the long church reports defending day-age, framework, or analogical views of creation, I get the same headache I used to get reading the neo-orthodox theologians. They just dont make sense. They do not make me say yes, thats it; thats what the inspired writer was getting at.
science has now made that part of our Reformation creed (taken in its obvious sense) obsolete. I believe they need to consider is what God said to Job many centuries ago. Job asked in 11:7, Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? 8It is higher than heavenwhat can you do? Deeper than Sheolwhat can you know? And again in 38:4, Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5Who determined its measurementssurely you know! I take the last three words to be sarcastic! And the sarcasm was well deserved. We see this from the response of Job who was deservedly chastened!
42:1, Then Job answered the Lord and said: 2 I know that you can do all things, and that But that is the reaction I always have when I no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3Who is read what Dr. John Byl or Dr. Jonathan Sarfati this that hides counsel without knowledge? write to explain what they believe the text of Therefore I have uttered what I did not Genesis 1 and 2 is saying. understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4Hear, and The collective wisdom of the church, I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me. 5I under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, had heard of you by the hearing of has found expression especially in the the ear, but now my eye sees you; 6 therefore I despise myself, and great Christian creeds. repent in dust and ashes. I am more and more convinced that what seminary professors, pastors, and elders need today is a good dose of Job and Ecclesiastes, because (if they did have that) they would again be able to teach and defend what the Westminster Standards say about creation. The Standards say God created all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good. But in spite of some fancy footwork by adherents of these different views, what our standards clearly say is no longer what we really believe and uphold in all our Orthodox Presbyterian Churches and Presbyterian Church in America congregations. And I think the reason is that too many who profess adherence to the Westminster Standards have been seduced by the cultural consensus which says modern scientific people now know better than our Reformation fathers. They think modern What Job needed to learn was the infinite difference between man (the mere creature) and his creator. And that being true it will never be the case that man knows enough to dispute what God says about his own work of creation. As wise Solomon said, God made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into mans heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end (Eccles. 3:11). Or again, As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything (11:5). So here was Jobs conclusion: Then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a
wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out (8:17). Is it really true that the learned men of the 21st century have risen above this limitation? Is it really true that they now know enough to say it did not happen the way the inspired Moses says it happened, in Genesis 1 and 2? Scripture says, Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight (Isa. 5:21). If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know (1 Cor. 8:2). I am more and more convinced that many who think they are orthodox, and certainly intend to be, have nevertheless handled Genesis 1 and 2 in the same way the modernists handled other texts of the Scripture. This was not their intention. But it is the sad result. I therefore believe the time has come to simply say loud and clear the emperor has no clothes on. And one of the things that has driven me to this conclusion is what I learned from J. Gresham Machen: The Bible has been in the world for nearly nineteen centuries and during all those centuries learned and truly devout men have been searching the Scriptures and have been endeavoring to summarize what the Scriptures teach. It would be a very great mistake for a man who desires to present what the Bible teaches to neglect what the church has thought and done during all these centuries. The collective wisdom of the church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, has found expression especially in the great Christian creeds. Not only did the Reformers insist upon the authority of the Bible, but also, in their interpretation of the Bible, they agreed with much that had gone before. They maintained fully the truth of the great early creeds.5 We are living in a time of widespread intellectual as well as moral decadence, and the visible church has unfortunately not kept free from this decadence. Christian education has been sadly neglected; learning has been despised; and real meditation has become almost a lost art. For these reasons, and
other still more important reasons, I think it is clear that ours is not a creed-making age. Intellectual and moral indolence like ours do not constitute the soil out of which great Christian creeds may be expected to grow. But even if ours were a creed-making age, I doubt very much that the doctrinal advance which it or any future age might produce would be comparable to the advance which found expression in the great historic creeds. I think it may well turn out that Christian doctrine in its great outlines, as set forth, for example, in the Westminster Confession of Faith, is now essentially complete. There may be improvements in a statement here and there, in the interests of greater precision, but hardly any such great advance as that which was made, for example, at the time of Augustine or at the Reformation. All the great central parts of the Biblical system of doctrine have already been studied by the church and set forth in great creeds. We need not be too much surprised to discover that that is the case. The subject matter of Christian doctrine it must be remembered is fixed. It is found in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, to which nothing can be added. The truth is there can be no real progress unless there is something that is fixed. Archimedes said, Give me a place to stand, and I will move the world. Well, Christian doctrine provides that place to stand. Unless there be such a place to stand, all progress is an illusion. The very idea of progress implies something fixed. There is no progress in a kaleidoscope.6 That is the trouble with the boasted progress of our modern age. The Bible at the start was given up. Nothing was to be regarded as fixed. All truth was regarded as relative. What has been the result? I will tell you. An unparalleled decadence - liberty prostrate, slavery stalking almost unchecked through the earth, the achievements of centuries crumbling in the dust, sweetness and decency despised, all meaning regarded as having been taken away
from human life. What is the remedy? I will tell you that too. A return to Gods Word! We had science for the sake of science, and got the World War; we had art for arts sake, and got ugliness gone mad; we had man for the sake of man and got a world of robots men made into machines. Is it not time for us to come to ourselves, like the prodigal in a far country? Is it not time for us to seek real progress by a return to the living God?7 Machen himself was tolerant of the day-age view of creation. But his own arguments in his 1936 radio broadcast stand in opposition to this tragic concession of faith that he himself did not clearly recognize. But on the main point he was right: it is time to return to a humble submission to the word of God like that of our reformation fathers at the Westminster Assembly who said The work of creation is, Gods making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.8 References and notes 1. 2. Romans 5:1221 and 1 Corinthians 15:4549. The Westminster Confession of Faith 4:1 It pleased Godto create, or make of nothing, the world, and all things therein whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days; and all very good. Larger Catechism Q/A 15 The work of creation is That wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of his power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, within the space of six days, and all very good. Shorter Catechism Q/A 9 The work of creation is, Gods making all things of
nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good. 3. 4. 5. The Westminster Larger Catechism, by Johannes G. Vos pp. 42-43. From the Banner of May 3, 2013 as seen on the CRC web site. These quotations are from The Progress of Christian Doctrine, in the January 10, 1940 issue of the Presbyterian Guardian. A kaleidoscope is exactly what we have today in allowing a variety of views on the doctrine of creation. These quotations are from The Creeds and Doctrinal Advance, in the February 10, 1940 issue of the Presbyterian Guardian. The answer the Westminster Shorter Catechism Q. 9.
6.
7.
8.
Published: 22 October 2013 (GMT+10) Originally published by The Aquila Report, republished with permission. U
G. I. Williamson is a retired minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, living in the Orange City, Iowa area. He is the author of study guides on the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and the Heidelberg Catechism.
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Fe a t u re s
WATER CLOSET
In the days when you couldnt count on a public toilet facility, an English woman was planning a trip to India. She was registered to stay in a small guest house owned by the local schoolmaster. she was concerned as to whether the guest house contained a WC. In England, a bathroom is commonly called a WC which stands for Water Closet. She wrote to the schoolmaster inquiring of the facilities about the WC. the schoolmaster, not fluent in English, asked the local priest if he knew the meaning of WC. Together they pondered possible meanings of the letters and concluded that the lady wanted to know if there was Wayside Chapel near the house......a bathroom never entered their minds. So the schoolmaster wrote the following reply: Dear Madam, I take great pleasure in informing you that the WC is located 9 miles from the house. it is located in the middle of a grove of pine trees, surrounded by lovely grounds. It is capable of holding 229 people and is open on Sundays and Thursdays. As there are many people expected in the summer months, I suggest you arrive early. There is, however, plenty of standing room. This is an unfortunate situation especially if you are in the habit of going regularly. It may be of some interest to you that my daughter was married in the WC as it was there that she met her husband. It was a wonderful event. There were 10 people in every seat. It was wonderful to see the expressions on their faces. We can take photos in different angles. My wife, sadly, has been ill and unable to go recently. it has been almost a year since she went last, which pains her greatly. You will be pleased to know that many people bring their lunch and make a day of it. Others prefer to wait till the last minute and arrive just in time. I would recommend your ladyship to plan to go on a Thursday as there is an organ accompaniment. The acoustics are excellent and even the most delicate sounds can be heard everywhere. The newest addition is a bell which rings every time a person enters. We are holding a bazaar to provide plush seats for all since many feel it is long needed. I look forward to escorting you there myself and seating you in a place where you can be seen by all. With deepest regards The Schoolmaster The woman fainted reading the reply...................and she never visited India!!! ~ Author unknown.
I had been teaching my three-year-old daughter the Lords Prayer for several evenings at bedtime. She would repeat after me the lines from the prayer. Finally she decided to go solo. I listened with pride as she carefully enunciated every word, right up to the end of the prayer. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from Email.
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Fe a t u re s
Presbyterian Ministers, Marriage Redefinition, & Celebrants Registration

BY
C AMPBELL B. D. M ARKHAM
Should Gospel Ministers of the Presbyterian Church of Australia resign their celebrants registration if the Commonwealth redefines marriage?
Abstract The Australian Government appears likely to redefine marriage, perhaps within 5 years. We need to prepare now for our response. To freely choose to be a legal celebrant of a government institution is manifestly to endorse that institution. Redefined marriage will be an inherently immoral institution. It will not therefore be right for Gospel ministers to retain their formal link to this institution. In which case we will have to develop other ways of marrying our people. This may involve civil disobedience. We stand in a long line of courageous men and women who suffered persecution for their principled stand against evil. We may well be called to exhibit soon the same Gospel courage and principled behaviour. Presbyterian Ministers, Marriage Redefinition, & Celebrants Registration Should Gospel Ministers of the Presbyterian Church of Australia resign their celebrants registration if the Commonwealth redefines marriage?
1
This paper was commissioned by the national Church and Nation Committee. It interacts with an electronic straw poll conducted by the author in June 2013. There were 72 responses at the time of writing, and the numbers per state can be seen in the chart below. At least 65 of the respondents were registered celebrants.1 1. Our duty to fight same-sex marriage Same-sex marriage has careered from nowhere in 2009 to be arguably the most hotly debated social issue of the Western World. Most English speaking governments, including Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and 12 states of the U.S.A., have either redefined marriage in their laws, or are on the cusp of doing so. Most PCA pastors think that the same will happen soon in Australia (See Chart A), and the Committee believes that it is wise to prepare now for this eventuality. Up front, we must remember that marriage itself can never be changed. Marriage is an objective reality. It can be counterfeited or
The raw data can be accessed at this Google spreadsheet site. docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key =0AmG6Fo2N3vxHdGN2TkVydUtZX05McUhjekpvWnFLWWc#gid=0
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mutilated, but it cannot be changed any more than a circle can be changed into a cube. This gives great comfort. The word marriage may be appropriated for an evil, but we cannot lose the wonderful reality. Yes there will be massive community confusion about what marriage is. And yes our nation will move further and further away from the reality. Untold harm will be done as the idea and structure of family further disintegrates. But the gift itself will remain, there to be cherished or despised as we will until Christ returns. Given the Bibles numerous and very clear
sex sexual pairing. Marriage redefinition will: Unjustly redefine the meaning of existing marriage covenants; Legitimise unnatural, harmful, and immoral homosexual conduct; Further erode the concept of family: a husband and wife joined for life, caring for the children they bear. (And as family breaks down, women and children will suffer the most.) Legitimise the procurement of children by same-sex couples from third party gamete donors, and therefore legitimise the unnecessary and monstrously unjust removal of children from natural parents. As conscientious citizens living in a democracy we cannot remain silent in the face of such an injustice. Moreover, the Gospels call to love our neighbour, and widows and orphans in particular, compels us speak out. It is perverse to think that love means caring for the broken, and not speaking against policies that cause brokenness. Its good to have ambulances parked at the bottom of cliffs, but even better to warn people about the cliff in the first place. Thus Pope Francis has recently said, in effect, that political action can be one of the noblest forms of charity. As leaders of the community of salt and light, only fear, confused thinking, or laziness could cause a Christian leader to do nothing in the face of the push for marriage redefinition. We must speak with grace and love and point people to Christ, and above all we must speak. Bonhoeffers famous maxim says it all: Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.2 2. How will we respond to marriage redefinition? But what should we do if and when redefinition takes place? It goes without saying that we could never recognise let alone celebrate such an arrangement. The fact is, however, that PCA ministers are formally tied to the Commonwealth Marriage Act as registered marriage celebrants. And so the question is: What should our relationship to the Marriage Act be if ever it was changed to allow same-sex
condemnations of homosexual conduct, Gospel ministers can only be appalled that the word that has so long been used to describe Gods beautiful union of a man and woman for life could be applied to the perversion of a same2
I am unable to find the original source of this quote. If it is pseudepigraphical, it is nonetheless true and well put.
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marriage? In same-sex marriage Denmark, state Lutheran church buildings must be made available to same-sex marriages. Individual pastors may refuse to conduct the ceremony, in which case the bishop must provide a willing celebrant. In other countries and states secular celebrants have been compelled to marry homosexuals. Ministers however, as far as I am aware, have been left to marry only those whom they want to marry. Of course if all registered marriage celebrants in Australia were forced to marry same-sex couples then Gospel ministers would either have to resign, or suffer prosecution for refusal. But the more likely scenario is that we will go on being able to choose whom we will marry or not marry. What should we do in this case? Should we maintain or resign our celebrants registration? 3. Arguments against resigning our marriage licenses Some point out that marriage in Australia has already moved far away from Gods reality. No-fault divorce, for example, introduced by the Family Law Act (1975), denies the permanence of marriage. And yet, under this broken conception, we continue to help people to marry. We prepare willing couples, whether Christian or non-Christian, for marriage by teaching them what the Bible says about marriage. We conduct weddings using biblical vows and exhortations. And from Gods Word we teach people how to strengthen their marriages. Can we not continue to do this if marriage is redefined? Isnt it better to maintain the ability to marry non-Christian couples from the community? This is after all a powerful opportunity to share the Gospel as we take them through marriage preparation. And there is no doubt as to the legal status of the couples we marry under this system: their marriage will be registered and recognised by the Commonwealth. Retaining our registration does not mean that we have to formally approve of homosexual marriage. We can continue to work under the flawed system in the same way that we work under the current flawed system. This is the argument for business as usual if the Act is changed. Most respondents (70%) said that they would keep their registration if the Act is changed (see Chart B). Here are some of the stated reasons: Why would I give up marrying people as God
intended just because the secular state also allows the marriage of people I wouldnt? the state embraces whats bad? Why would I give up whats good just because the secular state also allows the marriage of people I wouldnt? the state embraces whats bad? Would we need to [resign our registration] as we could still marry heterosexual couples as we wished? We are not under any obligation (as far as I am aware) to marry anyone anyway The Marriage still has to be recorded by the Commonwealth. No matter my opposition to same sex marriage in whatever way it is re-caste, as a Christian I know what marriage means and those who seek that I conduct their wedding know what it means. That is what matters.... If I relinquished my Celebrants Number I am denying those who may request that I conduct their wedding the opportunity of being married by me. No compelling reason to forfeit it when it can be used for a legitimate purpose and not being compelled to use it in a non- biblical way. 4. Arguments for resigning our marriage licenses Registration to a non-marriage institution irrelevant If the Commonwealth redefines marriage to mean the lifelong commitment of two adults no matter their sex then the Commonwealth Marriage Act will no longer refer to marriage, but something else: non-marriage if you like. The survey found that 86% of our pastors agree that a redefined Act will refer to the true institution of marriage either hardly, or not at all (Chart C).
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Our registration will, therefore, no longer be linked to marriage, but to non-marriage. We will no longer be authorised to preside over marriages, but non-marriages. In which case it could not be wrong to resign our registration numbers on the grounds that they are irrelevant. The original purpose of state involvement will be lost, and in fact undermined Why have governments concerned themselves with marriage in the first place? In a word, children. When men and women have sexual intercourse, children tend to be conceived. It follows that the state has a strong interest in binding together men and women and the children that they bear. When families are not bound together, men (as is their fallen tendency) begin to leave their women and children, and the community shoulders the massive social and welfare burden that fatherlessness causes. The Commonwealth Marriage Act has served the community, therefore, by endorsing and strengthening and formalising marriage, by binding fathers to mothers and children, and by shielding the community from the social and economic catastrophe of fatherlessness. The church has therefore been right, so far, to support the Commonwealth Marriage Act; because its definition of marriage is fundamentally biblical, and it serves the community in manifold ways. A redefined Act will fundamentally break from its original purpose. No longer will state recognition of marriage be, at heart, a mechanism for binding together men and women and the children they bear, but a
formal public recognition of a couples love and commitment, whoever those couples may be. The church must therefore ask, Will the new definition still serve the community? Does the state have a genuine interest in maintaining its connection to marriage? These questions are complex, and the answers may well determine our ongoing relationship to the states marriage laws. On the one hand, state non-marriage may still have some residual effect in binding together men and women and the children they bear. But because this wont be its purpose, the effect must surely fade over time. In any case, as the church considers its connection to Commonwealth marriage law, it must look not at the variegated and unpredictable effects of state involvement, but its purpose. If the Marriage Act no longer has the purpose of binding and protecting natural families, then wouldnt affiliation be at best irrelevant? But when we remember that marriage redefined actually breaks, by its new definition, the nexus between men and women and their children, then wouldnt it in fact be wrong to recognise and support such an institution by our affiliation? Registration to an immoral institution communicates endorsement of that institution What kind of institution will the Commonwealth recognise if the Marriage Act is redefined? It will no longer be the good institution of marriage, but a counterfeit and perversion of marriage. An institution that recognises the lifelong sexual relationship of any two adults regardless of their gender is an institution that endorses homosexual sex, and is therefore an immoral institution. It is doubly immoral because it legitimises and sanctifies itself with the sacred term marriage. Whats more, it is an institution that will legitimise the profound injustice of unnecessarily removing children from their natural parents. Such a Marriage Act would not be amoral. It would instead be an essentially immoral institution. Most respondents (69%) thought that keeping ones marriage celebrants registration would not be understood to be an endorsement of same-sex marriage. The author, however, contends that to freely choose to be a registered celebrant of an institution is to say I endorse this institution. It is very difficult to see how this
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could be otherwise. I may say although I am a registered celebrant of this institution I nevertheless fundamentally disagree with core aspects of this institution. But if I have freely chosen to become or remain a registered celebrant of the institution then do not my actions speak louder than my words? In the June 2013 edition of Quadrant journalist Christopher Akehurst said that, in the event of marriage redefinition in Australia, Christian ministers should withdraw from acting as a delegate of the state in conducting wedding ceremonies. To continue to do so would imply... acceptance of the new state-imposed definition of marriage. Indeed. If we do nothing and retain our celebrants registration then how are we not telling the community that we endorse the new definition of marriage, and that we are not complacent in regard to the social evils that it entails? The Bible on the Appearance of Evil There is no need to rehearse the Bibles teaching to flee from evil. But Scripture has much to say also about acting in a way that appears right to the community. Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 1 Corinthians 8:9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this
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knowledge eating in an idols temple, wont he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall. 2 Corinthians 8:21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. It may be possible for us to remain formally linked to an immoral institution in a way that doesnt compromise our personal convictions about marriage. But if our link is seen by the community as a tacit endorsement of genderless marriage, or if it causes others to question the meaning of marriage, then our link becomes a (scandal), and immoral. Here are four comments from the survey that concur to some degree: I dont think it will be viable for ministers to maintain marriage licences given that the new institution will be even less like the Biblical definition than it is now (things like no fault divorce notwithstanding). The state has no role in defining marriage, and a minister has no business mediating the states civil frivolities. Keeping our registration would be an endorsement of the governments sovereignty over what we understand to be an ordinance of God. As marriage as defined by the government is no longer true marriage I would not wish to perform legal marriages. I heard a minister say that this is not the issue to draw the line on. To me, thats the frog in the pot not realising that the water is boiling. PCA needs to be absolutely clear about this - not as a threat to the parliament, but as a fact - that it will have nothing to do with any redefinition. If the definition of marriage is wrong, its not marriage at all. Im not going to marry two adults no matter their sex. Its perverse, and I wouldnt have a bar of it. The Bible and Holiness The Bibles teaching on holiness is relevant to this discussion. For 1,500 years the Torah
The author acknowledges that Sections 7 and 8 of this paper are speculative, and trusts that the main argument, summarised in Section 6, will not be disregarded on that account. These latter sections are merely a first glance into what might have to happen if our consciences compel us to give up our celebrants registration.
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trained Gods people to be different to the nations around them. Deuteronomy 26:19 He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised. Daniel exemplified this holiness. He served the state faithfully, but separated himself utterly from a law of Darius that would have involved an unholy compromise. Gods command that His people separate themselves from all that is wicked applies just as much to His postPentecost people: 1 Peter 1:14-16 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy. It is impossible to see how Gods call to holiness would allow us to keep one foot in an institution that stands for all that God finds immoral and unjust. 5. A comparison with the Family Law Act (1975) When the Family Law Act was introduced the definition of marriage in the Marriage Act (1961) did not change: The union of a man and woman to the exclusion of others, voluntarily entered into for life. No-fault divorce made a mockery of that definition, however, by allowing couples to break on the grounds of Irretrievable breakdown of the relationship, demonstrated by 12 months separation. Some say, If marriage was in effect redefined then, and we stayed in, why would we leave now if marriage is redefined again? Yet there is a fundamental difference. Because the definition of the Marriage Act itself remained consistent with the Bibles definition it was not inconsistent for a Gospel Minister to maintain his formal connection to the Act. This will not be the case with same-sex marriage, for the definition of marriage in the Act will constitute a perversity of marriage. Some may argue that we should have gotten out in 1975, in which case how much more would we need to get out in the event of same-sex marriage. 6. Conclusion so far This paper contends that in the event of Commonwealth marriage redefinition, it will not be legitimate for Gospel Ministers,
pledged to the public proclamation of the will of the Holy and Living God, to maintain their celebrants registration. That is because freely maintaining such a registration will communicate, in the eyes of any reasonable person, an endorsement of that institution: an institution that legitimises what we know is abhorrent to Gods revealed will. 7. Without registration, how would we conduct weddings?3 Since Napoleon Bonaparte religious couples in France have been registered at a civil office, and then married by a priest or pastor in a wedding service. It is much the same for Singaporean and Dutch Christians, and for non-conformists in the U.K. We could do the same. We could instruct couples that we are willing to marry to register at a civil office, and then come to us at a later time to be married in a Christian wedding service. Should this be the system we adopt if we feel compelled to give up our marriage registration numbers? The author confesses that we are treading into murky waters, but we must put on our waders and bog in. A number of respondents foresaw the civil then sacred scenario as a future possibility: I understand that in France, the state completes the legal documents outside the church while the church performs the marriage ceremony at a different time. Perhaps this could be considered if the State were to impose penalties for non-compliant celebrants - if I was to keep the celebrant registration. The day may come when we have Christian marriage recognised only by the church and have a second government approved legal marriage at the local court house. I understand this happens in France now and is effectively how Islamic marriage happens now in Australia - especially when they take on more than one wife. Until that day comes I see no reason to step outside of the present system until we are taken to court for refusing a gay couple. On that day I will hand in my celebrants number. Christian churches could keep their own register of marriages celebrated according to Christian rites; couples thus married in the eyes of the church could then, if desired, have their marriage recognised through civil registration. I am aware of the separation of civil and religious services that exists in other countries like the Netherlands and New Zealand. These may provide a means of easing the conscience of those who could no longer operate under a
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redefinition of marriage. If things change it may be that we go down the way of some other countries where the state conducts weddings and the church engages in a blessing of marriage ceremony. However, because the word marriage will be used in the registration process, it could be argued that even civil registration could count as endorsement of non-marriage. Should sensitive Christian couples, keen to maintain a visible separation of their union and the states non-marriage union, be forced to go through with this? Should they have no option other than to have their marriage certificates filed alongside those of homosexual couples? Should we not be considering an entirely separate system of marriage? One respondent said, I would ask the Public Worship & Aids to Devotion Committee to come up with suitable ways to formalize marriages outside the Commonwealth system. I have a responsibility to Christian couples. In fact the number of respondents who were willing to consider ways of formalising marriages outside of the Commonwealth system was high (See Chart E).
MARRIAGE ACT 1961 - SECT 101 Solemnisation of marriage by unauthorised person A person shall not solemnise a marriage, or purport to solemnise a marriage, at a place in Australia or under Part V unless the person is authorised by or under this Act to solemnise marriages at that place or under that Part, as the case may be. Penalty: $500 or imprisonment for 6 months. MARRIAGE ACT 1961 - SECT 103 Going through ceremony of marriage before person not authorised to solemnise it A person shall not go through a form or ceremony of marriage with another person knowing that the person solemnising the marriage is not authorised to solemnise it and having reason to believe that the other party to the marriage believes that the person solemnising the marriage is so authorised. Penalty: $500 or imprisonment for 6 months. These sections are not being questioned in the current debate, and are unlikely to be changed in the event of marriage redefinition. If before God it becomes our duty, as pastors, to sever our connection from the Marriage Act; and if before God we continue to have a duty to marry our people, then civil obedience may become necessary. As one brave respondent said: If I resign my status as a marriage celebrant, I would happily conduct illegal marriages (that is, marriages not in accordance with the Act) using Scripture and orthodox Presbyterian forms of liturgy. The Bible describes numerous examples of godly civil disobedience. In defiance of Pharaoh the Hebrew midwives spared the sons of Israel. In defiance of Nebuchadnezzar the Three Children refused to worship the golden image, and suffered the consequences. In defiance of Darius Daniel prayed in an open window, and suffered the consequences. When the Sanhedrin prohibited evangelism Peter and John replied: Acts 4:19 Judge for yourselves whether it is right in Gods sight to obey you rather than God. If godly civil disobedience becomes necessary, then we will need a measure of their courage, and a determination to rest on Jesus blessing of the persecuted. Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are you when people
In this case we could consider issuing our own marriage certificates, and keeping our own marriage registers, in the same way that issue certificates and keep records in relation to church membership and baptism. 8. The question of legality The current Marriage Act prohibits unauthorised people from solemnising marriages, and prohibits couples from having their marriage solemnised by an unauthorised person.
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insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. We cannot help but admire our brothers and sisters through the ages who refused to compromise with immorality, and who suffered persecution for their principled conduct. We think of John the Baptist, who refused to be quiet about Herods immoral marriage. We think of the martyrs under the Roman persecutions, who refused to burn incense to the Emperor. We think of Chrysostom speaking out against the excesses of fourth century Constantinople. We think of Wycliffe and Huss and Savonarola, the fearless proto-Reformers. We think of Luther at Worms, to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. We think of the sixteenth century, and the Huguenots of France and the Covenanters of Scotland. Their tender consciences and iron courage inspire us. Could it not be that God is now calling us to take a similar principled stand? In Hobart there now exists a memorial to homosexual activists who fought for law-reform in the 80s and 90s. Many were arrested and prosecuted. The memorial reflects community admiration for their (misplaced) courage and conviction. Shame on us, who profess to be filled with the Spirit, aliens and strangers on earth, worshipping and fighting under the banner of the Lord of Glory, if we will not show far greater courage and principled conduct in the impending battle. 9. What to do now 1. Pray for our governing authorities. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 2. Do not use the compound terms traditional marriage or natural marriage. Marriage needs no adjectives. Using adjectives only reinforces the idea that marriage has a nose of wax. 3. We should refer to the other thing as so called same-sex marriage, nonmarriage, or genderless marriage. 4. Be clear about the arguments against so called same-sex marriage.
5.
Continue to communicate our views to politicians, and urge your people to do the same. 6. Continue to foster healthy marriages in your congregations, beginning with your own. 7. Hold out the Grace of Christ to all sinners, with sincere love. 10. Possible Future Deliverance for GAA If the point of view of this paper was to be accepted then a deliverance such as this could conceivably be put forward: 1. We resolve, in the event of marriage redefinition, that the PCA will sever its formal links to the Commonwealth Marriage Act (2004), by instructing PCA ministers to resign their marriage celebrants registration. 2. We will begin immediate dialogue, through the Church & Nation Committee, with representatives of other Gospel denominations, and urge them to do the same. [Rationale, if we think that it is morally untenable to maintain formal links to the Marriage Act, then it would be unbrotherly to not lovingly explain our convictions to our sister denominations.] 3. The Law Officers will revise marriage forms, and prepare certificates and registration to be utilised by PCA officers in the event of withdrawal from the Commonwealth Marriage Act. 4. The Law Officers will concurrently assess the legality of such marriage forms, certificates, and registration; to see whether we will in fact be forced into the position of law- breaking for the sake of the higher principle of obeying God rather than man. Soli Deo Gloria Rev. Campbell Markham, Hobart, June 2013
Campbell pastors two churches in Hobart: Cornerstone Presbyterian Church and SOUL Presbyterian Church. Cornerstone is a family church, SOUL is predominantly students, with a large number of mainland Chinese students who had never before heard the Gospel. Previously Campbell pastored the Kingsley Community Church, WA.
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Missions
Whats happening in Japans tsunami-disaster zone?

BY
W ENdY M ARSHALL
safest option would be to relocate people to safer situations, however that isnt easy in mountainous Japan. Much of the habitable land is right next to the ocean and walled in by mountains. Additionally, many elderly Japanese people dont want to change location and move away from the people they know at this stage in their lives. Many who lived in the flooded area before were farmers and fishermen. Farmers have struggled to return to work because their land was inundated by salty water that changed the soil. Many fishermen lost their boats and gear in the tsunami, the ports they worked out of were also devastated. Those farmers and fishermen around the Fukushima area have additionally faced a market suspicious of radiation contamination. There are so many barriers to rebuilding. Nuclear power debate The Fukushima disaster stirred up the nuclear power debate in Japan. Some members of the Christian community have come out as strongly against nuclear power. Former popular Prime Minister, Koizumi, has recently been urging the current Prime Minister to push ahead a zero-nuclear policy. Other popular figures, like anime maestro, Hayao Miyazaki, have also added their voices to the anti-nuclear power debate. About 52,000 of those yet to resettle after the disaster are from the evacuation area around the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. There is talk of resettlements further from the polluted area, but it remains to be seen if this goes ahead. Christian input Our church in Tokyo continues to send shortterm volunteer teams to Tohoku, doing a variety of tasks including helping farmers with
Its been more than 2 years since the triple disaster hit north-eastern Honshu (an area called Tohoku). Whats happened since then? The Tohoku region has a total population of around 9.6 million and over 400,000 people were displaced following the Great Tsunami and Earthquake. Many of these were elderly folk who lost their families and property. Many also lost their livelihoods. Entire communities were devastated by this disaster.
Picture from soon after the disaster
There are still about 290,000 people living in temporary housing, its expected that this situation will continue for the next couple of years. This housing is tiny, less than 30m, and poorly insulated. Many feel stressed, not just from the above-mentioned losses, but also because their accommodation is much smaller than their previous dwellings. Rebuilding Most who remain in temporary housing are elderly. Many dont have the funds or land to rebuild their homes. There also has been uncertainty from the government about where people will be allowed to rebuild. The land that was inundated by the tsunami is obviously at risk for another disastrous event in the future, something to be avoided if at all possible. The
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manual work, organising parties for those in temporary accommodation, and encouraging local Christians and missionaries. CAJ has also taken classes of high school students up to help in the area, as recently as October this year, during their leadership training week. Volunteers gradually disappearing The volunteers who stayed the longest in relief work were Christians, the community has noted this. But now that much time has passed since the disaster, few volunteers are left. One of OMFs missionaries reported that this makes locals feel abandoned and alone. Church unity One positive thing to come out of this disaster is that Japanese churches worked together in relief work. That unity isnt something that has come naturally in the past, so it is something to be very thankful for.
OMFs work OMF was working in Tohoku prior to the tsunami. One of our missionary couples, who live just outside of Sendai, witnessed the tsunami waves from their house on a high point on the coast. They were isolated, power and water-less for several days after the earthquake. Since then theyve continued their church planting work, but also been very involved in relief and outreach work to those affected by the tsunami. Many OMFers have participated in or taken teams to the area to do relief work over the last 2 years. OMF was given many funds in the aftermath of the disaster. One way theyve used this considerable money was to begin a ministry in the more isolated northern part of the Tohoku coast. This has been more a ministry of presence than of church planting or evangelism. One thing they did was establish a caf where locals were welcome. It became of point of hope for one community. A place they could gather, could talk and be listened to, or just be. Many disasters have happened around the world since March 2011. There are needs in this world beyond the means of any one of us to help or fix. It can be overwhelming and push us to the point of not caring. However, we can lift these matters up to the Lord in prayer. His shoulders are broad and can carry these cares. Please dont forget Japan as the country and some of its people struggle to recover from 2011s disaster. U
This is a piece of jewellery from a ministry initiated by missionaries called Nozomi Project (nozomiproject.com) which employs women who lost loved ones in the disaster. They use crockery smashed by the tsunami to make jewellery.
Mission This disaster has put Tohoku on the map for missions. Previously Tohoku was a much neglected region of Japan in terms of mission work. Now many missions are sending missionaries. The long-term outcome of this influx of missionaries is, of course, not something we know yet. However we can praise God that his name is being proclaimed in this previously neglected rural area of Japan.
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
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Church News
SUNSHINE COAST THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE Dear Brothers and Fathers, The last year has been a time of excitement and challenges. At different points along the way, I thought that our plans may come to fruition, but it seems that we make our plans and God directs our steps. Of course, the most important point is that the Lord is building his church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. In that line of thought, it seems that God may use us in the promotion of his kingdom. While the enrolment statistics are a bit low, the students are doing well. Final examinations will take place in a few days, and then I will grade papers. One of our students will be traveling to Kenya for a summer mission trip. The others will continue to serve in their local churches and ministries. As previously reported, our students are telling other potential students about SCTC, and this may lead to additional enrolments. Then some of our previously enrolled students will be returning next year. This may bring our enrolment in first semester to four or five fulltime equivalents. The makeup of our student body and potential student body is also a source of encouragement. One young man wants to be a pastor or church planter. Another young lady is taking steps towards becoming a pilot with Mission Aviation Fellowship. The others are involved in a range of ministries or want to serve amazing ways (e.g., RAAF chaplain, street evangelist, and medical mission in Vanuatu). Please pray for the makeup of the student body, as this is as important as the total number. You see, students can learn from other in ways that we cannot teach them in class. As you know, the college is a critical part of what we want to see happen in Queensland and around the world. The college does train laypeople, but at the forefront of our mission is to be the unofficial training institution for their future pastors and church planters in the WPC. Of course, four churches cannot do much, but I think that together we can do more than we can do separately. So, please continue to pray with us that our relationship will continue to grow in a way that leads to WPC churches planted, pastors trained, and missionaries sent out. Sunshine Coast Theological College Principals Report Just this month we received a gift of $8,500 from a church to be used for our library. This will enable us to subscribe to an online database of journal articles for one year. This is the gold standard for online databases for theological studies, and our students, faculty, board members and library members will each be able to access this from any computer with internet access. Please pray with us that our relationship with the church that supplied these funds will grow. While there are several other things that may happen in the intermediate term, I will wait until we have more information before going further down that track. As for me, I plan to drink 50 cups of coffee with 50 people (one cup per person) this summer with a view to building relationships that will advance the work of the college. The idea is to find out what they envision for the work of the kingdom, and then see if there is any overlap with the vision of the college. Please be in prayer for this effort, and please introduce me to people who may become friends of the college. Yours in Christ, Terry Clarke, PhD Principal, OT Lecturer U
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I had been teaching my three-year-old daughter the Lords Prayer for several evenings at bedtime. She would repeat after me the lines from the prayer. Finally she decided to go solo. I listened with pride as she carefully enunciated every word, right up to the end of the prayer. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from Email.
OTHER CONTACTS: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 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 GRACE THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE c/- 30A Montilla Place, Manurewa, Auckland, 2102 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: Clint, Phil or Paul 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
GRACE FELLOWSHIP Address: The RISE, 28 Eighth Ave, Maylands WA 6051 Meets: Sundays 10 a.m. Mob: + 61 402 433 320 Pastor: Rev Julian Bull Postal add: 141 Joel Terrace Mt Lawley WA 6050 E mail: julianbull@optusnet.com.au Web: www.gracefellowshipperth.com Home: +61 89471 1433 DECEMBER 2013 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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Church News
Ministry Apprenticeship Program - Bull Creek

B Y J OSH V AN D ER K OOIj
ANd
D AN B RAITHwAITE .
Josh: I was approached by our pastor (Craig Newill) and asked to consider whether I would spend a year as an apprentice. Having been involved in ministry already at the time (helping lead a Young Adults Bible study) I was keen to give this a go and spend a year dedicating my time to learning more about Christ and serving him throughout our church community. Q: What sort of things have you been doing this year?
Josh Van Der Kooij and Dan Braithwaite.
Our Ministry Apprenticeship Program (MAP) aims to entrust the Gospel to people from our church who have proven themselves to be of godly character, have a servant heart, are convicted by the essential doctrines of the Gospel and have shown themselves to be competent bible handlers. The program allows them to develop ministry ability as well as give ministry a trial run to see whether they are suited for it and should advance to theological college. The Ministry Apprenticeship Program consists of formal training through lectures, set readings and assignments as well as through informal input from working alongside the staff at Bull Creek in practical ministry. This year our Apprentices are Josh Van Der Kooij and Dan Braithwaite. They are both nearing the end of their one-year apprenticeships, and so we asked them both some questions about their experiences - here are the questions and their answers; Q: Why did you decide to do a Ministry Apprenticeship? Dan: At both university and more recently at Bull Creek WPC various people have encouraged me to consider a ministry apprenticeship and theology college. I also have a desire to go into full-time Gospel work, and so this Apprenticeship year is a great opportunity to test my gifts in this area.
Dan: A range of activities from giving short talks, leading Bible studies, evangelism, 1-1 ministry through to putting the church bins out each week. I have also been attending training with the Perth Gospel Partnership. If I was to divide up my week I would say that about 30% of my time is me being trained, 30% is preparing to do ministry, 30% is actually doing the ministry and 10% is administration. Josh: So many things! Running our YA ministry (along with my co-apprentice, Dan Braithwaite), leading church services, teaching Sunday School classes (year 2), managing PM services (scheduling), running evangelistic courses (eg. Christianity Explored) as well as giving some short talks (including some mini-sermons). Ive also been getting regular training from both our pastor and also Tim Thorburn (via the PGP). Q: What has been some of the highlights of the Ministry Apprenticeship? Dan: Discussing who Jesus with a group of nonChristians was one of the highlights. People who had never read the Bible were engaging with parts of Marks Gospel, discussing the text, asking lots of great questions and ultimately understanding that the Bible clearly says that Jesus is God. Another highlight has been doing 1-1 ministry. I have been meeting with three young men 1-1, reading the Bible together, sharing life and praying together. It has been really encouraging to see each of them grow throughout the year.
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Josh: One of the highlights for me has been learning more about Biblical Theology how the whole Bible fits together. Throughout the year, Ive been learning how the Bible is the progressive revelation of Gods plan of salvation through Jesus. This has been particularly helpful in tying biblical ideas together, as well as helping me to explain those ideas more clearly to others. Another big highlight has been seeing some of our young adults grow in their understanding of Jesus and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus - as weve spent the year going through the gospel of Mark. Q: What has been the most challenging part of the Ministry Apprenticeship? Dan: I have found that preparing Bible talks to be one of the most challenging aspects. Learning to write these talks in spoken-English does not come naturally after many years of technical writing, and then it is a real art to be able to make a talk relevant, interesting and challenging to the hearer. Josh: In all the word ministry that Ive done this year, one of the hardest parts has been ensuring that it is applied correctly to those who Im engaging with. This is something Im still learning how to do effectively particularly with Bible studies and talks. Practice will help, as well as further study, but at the end of the day it is the Holy Spirit that will bring understanding as God shapes me to be more like his Son.
Q: What are you plans for next year? Dan: At the moment my plan for next year is to go to Trinity Theological College full time to study for a Masters of Divinity which is a threeyear full time course. Josh: After more discussions with our pastor, Im now planning on attending Trinity Theological College for further study. My aim will be to complete the course and then see what God has in store for me next! Q: What would you say to someone considering a Ministry Apprenticeship? Dan: I would say that if you are undecided if a Ministry Apprenticeship is for you then the only real way to find out is to do one. Even if you decide not to go onto theological studies afterwards you will grow a lot as a Christian through such an Apprenticeship. Josh: It has been an eye-opening experience for me thus far, but - as God has revealed more about himself and how I can serve him and those around me - I can unequivocally say I have benefited greatly from the apprenticeship. I also think one of the most important functions of a MAP is that it allows you to test the waters of full-time ministry, and here in Perth we definitely need more men and women dedicating their time to the spread of the gospel. So give it a go itll be challenging but greatly rewarding!
The Messenger committee wish all A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

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Church News
REPORT FROM GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MORAYFIELD - NOVEMBER 2013 Over the past 12 months, a number of significant events have occurred in the life of the GPC Morayfield congregation. Of these, the most significant has been the passing away in June this year of our dear and long term pastor, Bill Ham. Bill faithfully laboured amongst the congregation at Morayfield for more than 18 years and since 1988 at Petrie to many in the congregation. The church commenced at Morayfield in 1992 bringing members together from Bribie Island, Caboolture and Petrie. In 1998, members of the Burpengary WPC joined with the congregation. The congregation continued by Gods grace to prosper under Bills ministry. The congregation is very supportive and aware of the needs within and involved in a range of ways with the local community. In addition, the Morayfield congregation has had a long term association with the WPC which included Bill Hams significant participation in the Queensland WPC presbytery. Over this period, both parties have discussed the long term future of this relationship which has now progressed to more serious consideration by the Morayfield congregation. In October 2012, Pastor Bob Burnett came to Morayfield as interim pastor and has supported the congregation during the decline and passing of our Pastor Bill. This has been a real provision by God in our hour of need and a blessing for the congregation providing ongoing stability. The congregation consists of around 95 members, 30 adherents, 8 elders, 7 deacons, a small Sunday School and youth group (and legendary interim pastor!) At a special congregational meeting held on 15 September 2013, the congregation elected a new deacon, Jason Thatcher, who will be set apart on Sunday 10 November. They also agreed to progress discussions with WPC to join following the invitation from the Queensland presbytery. As a result, the session confirms that we wish to progress discussion with the view of joining the WPC subject to successful discussions and passing such a move at a further congregational meeting. The session and congregation are trusting in God as we progress these discussions as we know the presbytery is. We look forward to positive and meaningful discussions and Gods blessing upon the congregation and the WPC as we continue these discussions. QUARTERLY CHURCH REPORT GRACE CHRISTIAN CHURCH BUDERIM - 07 NOV 2013 The last term has been a wonderful time of stabilising and looking towards the future as a church. Though we have had one elder, Mr Len Fittell, resign for family reasons, we have welcomed Mr Cameron Blue onto the eldership with a majority vote at our September AGM, and ordination service on 03 November 2013. The AGM in September was a good watershed for our church considering the challenges of the past year, and the congregation felt able to voice concerns as well as excitement about the future. At this meeting, a new vision for Grace over the next year was presented. The main challenge at Grace continues to be the rebuilding of the staff team, and currently our Pastoral Search Committee is investigating four possible candidates. These will no doubt be brought before the Presbytery in due course. The Lord continues to bless our church, and many new people have begun to attend over the last few months. There has been interest in membership from some as well. Our morning services have been greatly blessed by Ps Clint Lombards recent series Creation to Cradle: How The Bible Gets to Jesus in preparation for the Christmas period. Our evening services though also a blessing, present a challenge in finding men
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who can preach. We are very grateful to Ps Bob Burnett, Ps Dan Bosshard and others for helping to fill that gap. A steering committee has been established to help guide this services. On another note, the Lord has blessed us abundantly with 5 expectant families in our church over the next 6 months (including Ps Clint and Melissa Lombard). The first of these children was born to Jono and Libby Foley on 4 November, named Eliana Hope. The family is doing very well. Sunday Services. Significant Ministries and Bible studies. at least 8 home groups that meet across the Sunshine Coast. 3 Bible weekly Bible studies that meet at Grace, including a growing Young Adults
fellowship currently studying Romans with the RML material from St Helens, London. Pilot Christianity Explored program which has seen 18 people attend on our busiest night. Kids Club and Youth ministries. A growing Surf Fellowship on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Regular quarterly prayer meetings between our morning services attract between 25 and 50 people. 7.45am 9.30am 6.00pm Average attendance 50-60 90-110 30-40 U
MOST THINGS I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE, I LEARNED FROM NOAHS ARK: 1. Dont miss the boat. 2. Remember that we are all in the same boat. 3. Plan ahead. It wasnt raining when Noah built the Ark. 4. Stay fit. When youre 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big. 5. Dont listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done. 6. Build your future on high ground. 7. For safetys sake, travel in pairs. 8. Speed isnt always an advantage. The snails were on board with the Cheetahs. 9. When youre stressed, float a while. 10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
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Youth & Family Pages

THE TRUE CHRISTMAS STORY
Read: Luke 2:1-20 So this Christmas, bear in mind the True Christmas story, which led to the True Easter story. Let us give thanks and praise to our heavenly Father for these events, which have changed our lives forever. No matter how secular the world is becoming, disregarding the truth of Christmas, let us boldly proclaim the truth about the birth of Jesus as the reason for the season. Let us claim CHRISTmas back! By M.S.Lowndes For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ~John 3:16 Lord, we thank you for the events That led to our Saviours birth May we remember the true Christmas story And declare it to the ends of the earth. By M.S.Lowndes U
he events leading up to the birth of Christ werent coincidental, but were put in place by God, so that the prophecies of old would be fulfilled, inIsaiah 7: 13-14;Isaiah 9: 6-7;Micah 5: 2-5. Everything that happened, from the time the census was ordered, to everyone returning to their own city to be registered, and then the birth of Jesus while Joseph & Mary were in Bethlehem, was orchestrated by God. Out of Bethlehem, a small town in the City of David, came the Messiah. This event was the beginning of something so incredible. Jesus Christ left His throne in glory and took on human form just to bring us reconciliation to our Father God. He came into the world, miraculously conceived, and then born as all humans are. He was first a baby, then became a toddler, then grew into a child and went through adolescence before becoming an adult. He experienced humanity at all levels. He truly can identify with all people at all stages of life. This very first Christmas, God gave the greatest gift ever. His Son! And His Son gave the gift of His life - which was why He came. Because of this, we can have relationship with God as His children. Through Jesus Christ, we are Sons and Daughters of the Most High God. 28
IN THE BEGINNING QUIZ
On which day did this happen? Genesis 1 in the New International Version. Day ....... God commanded the land to give life to the living creatures Day ....... God separated light from darkness Day ....... God made the stars Day ....... God named the water seas Day ....... God commanded the seas to be full of living creatures Day ....... The expanse separated the water above it from the water below it Day ....... God told the man and the woman to rule over the fish, the birds and every living creature on the earth Day ....... God commanded the birds to fly above the earth
Day ....... God named the dry ground land Day ....... Lights that showed the time for seasons, special days and years Day ....... God looked at all he had done and all was very good Day ....... Light started shining Day ....... God blessed the living creatures Day ....... God commanded the land to produce living creatures Day ....... God created man and woman in his own image Day ....... Lights separated day from night Day ....... God made the expanse and named it sky Day ....... God commanded the land to produce fruit bearing trees U
WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM

WITH THE SCRIPTURE PROOF
Q. 53. Which is the third commandment? A. The third commandment is: You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. [a] [a]. Ex. 20:7; Deut. 5:11 Q. 54. What is required in the third commandment? A. The third commandment requires the holy and reverent use of Gods names, titles [a], attributes [b], ordinances [c], Word [d], and works [e]. [a]. Deut. 10:20; Ps. 29:2; Matt. 6:9 [b]. I Chron. 29:10-13; Rev. 15:34 [c]. Acts 2:42; I Cor. 11:27-28 [d]. Ps. 138:2; Rev. 22:18-19 [e]. Ps. 107:21-22; Rev. 4:11 Q. 55. What is forbidden in the third commandment? A. The third commandment forbids all unworthy use of anything by which God makes himself known. [a]. [a]. Lev. 19:12; Matt. 5:33-37; Jas. 5:12[c].
A CHILDS POINT OF VIEW
The story of Adam and Eve was being carefully explained in the childrens Sunday School class. Following the story, the children were asked to draw a picture that would illustrate the story. Little Bobby was most interested and drew a car with three people in it. In the front seat, behind the wheel was a man and in the back seat, a man and a woman. The teacher was at a loss to understand how this illustrated the lesson of Adam and Eve. But little bobby was prompt with his explanation. Why, this is God driving Adam and Eve out of the garden! U
PLEASE SEND US SNIPPETS FOR OUR MAG THAT YOU THINK ARE RELEVANT TO OUR YOUNGER READERS!
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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 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 Stringybark Rd & Toral Dr, Sippy Downs, SUNSHINE COAST, QLD Times: 7.45am, 9.30am, 6.00pm Chinese Church (Mandarin) meets 1.30pm English language class 4pm Postal: P.O. Box 7292, Sippy Downs Qld 4556 Phone: (07) 5445 8933 Contact: Pastor Clint Lombard 0478 578 152 Email: gracechurch@westnet.com.au Web site: www.gracechurchbuderim.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 GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MORAYFIELD QLD Time: Venue: Contact: Mob: Email: Web site: 10am Morayfield Community Centre, Morayfield Road, MORAYFIELD QLD (next to Bunnings) Pr Bob Burnett (07) 5442 1783 0400 798 151 bobandwendy1175@bigpond.com www.gpcm.net.au
PRESBYTERY OF QUEENSLAND Moderator: Rev. Daniel Bosshard Clerk: Rev. David Smith Postal: PO BOX 347 GOODNA QLD 4300 AUSTRALIA 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 BULL CREEK WPC Meets: 32 Bull Creek Drive, BULL CREEK Times: 9.30am, 6.30pm. Postal: 32 Bull Creek Drive, BULL CREEK, WA 6149
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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 Contact: Rev Tony Walker Telephone: (08) 9534 4145 Email: tonywalker1@hotmail.com.au
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: Elder Steve Heathcote Email: steveheathcote@amnet.net.au Phone: 08 9458 5449 Clerk: Revd Ray Wilson Postal: 105 Regency Drv, Thornlie, 6108 Email: halcyon@iinet.net.au Phone: 0421 903 446 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 23
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LEEDERVILLE, PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Need to be better equipped for Bible teaching or mission?
4 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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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 6 0 S u m m e r E d i t i o n 2 0 1 3

4-19 21-22 23-27 28-29

CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS, ETC.

DEadLINES FOR EaCH ISSUE

THE MESSENGER COMMITTEE

PLEASE NOTE: ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS DUE IN ADVANCE.

T h e M es s eng er Summe r 2013

What About Christmas?

A Defence of Six-Day Creation

T h e M es s eng er Summe r 2013

T h e M es s eng er Summe r 2013

T h e M es s eng er Summe r 2013

T h e M es s eng er Summe r 2013

Presbyterian Ministers, Marriage Redefinition, & Celebrants Registration

T h e M es s eng er Summe r 2013

T h e M es s eng er Summe r 2013

T h e M es s eng er Summe r 2013

T h e M es s eng er Summe r 2013

Whats happening in Japans tsunami-disaster zone?

Picture from soon after the disaster

T h e M es s eng er Summe r 2013

T h e M es s eng er Summe r 2013

Ministry Apprenticeship Program - Bull Creek

T h e M es s eng er Summe r 2013

The Messenger committee wish all A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

T h e M es s eng er Summe r 2013

Youth & Family Pages

IN THE BEGINNING QUIZ

WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM

A CHILDS POINT OF VIEW

Westminster Presbyterian Church

T h e M es s eng er Summe r 2013

LEEDERVILLE, PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Need to be better equipped for Bible teaching or mission?

T h e M es s eng er Summe r 2013

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