REPORT OF THE BAPTIST ASSEMBLY IN BLACKPOOL
This report covers the 2nd to 5th of 2008 Baptist Assembly in Blackpool. Arrived Blackpool at about 4pm and immediately signed the children in for their programme. By 7pm Sharon joined the youth for her first meeting.
We attended the Opening ceremony where John Weaver was inducted as President of Baptist Union of Great Britain for 2008 /2009 followed by an interview with Sir John Houghton and an address.
Saturday:
The kids attended their various groups while I went for the Bible study. It was based on an opportunity to share and explore prayers together by Elaine Storkey. She also spoke about:
1. God’s love and who deserve what, this has no difference in the face of God. Mentioned the little girl called Maria and how her smile and enthusiastic willingness to help touched her.
2. Healing the broken hearted -in Congo where she noticed all the kids (mostly orphans) were not smiling due to their witnessing of their parents being killed during the war.
3. God’s promises of Hope for the future which she used Isaiah 65:17-25 to comfort and gave us hope.
Focus on world Mission:
Started with Martin Pearse stepping down after 6 ½ years as Chair of Trusties and worked in 40 countries in the world while Jeff Taylor takes over as Chair of Trusties.
The BMS Annual meeting report:
It was mentioned that income is not meeting up with expenditure. Reports from all the missions were briefly given and it was mentioned that there is a new TV reality programme coming up from Baptist Mission in France called L’EGLISE which is to reach out to people and it is another avenue through which we can see the work God is doing. First episode will be released on the 1st of June.
There was a preview of ‘Future Shape?’ - a major new resource production looking at issues of climate change and our Christian responsibility to care for creation by BUGB and BMS World Mission, together with the Baptist Unions of Scotland and Wales.
We are encouraged to pray 24-7 for mission and for God to use most powerful and dynamic situation to affect His people.
On Harvest 2008, more emphasis would be on food, it should be shorter and interesting.
Alistair Brown preached to round the session up reading from 1Corinthians 6:9-12. He pointed out that ‘when you give your life to God, He is giving you your life because He owns your life’. He points us to three facts;
1-our lives belong to God
2-our focus to Church –how does it square up with Jesus, problem starts when we are the centre of focus.
3-doing things together –there is strength in us as a Church working together.
Alistair Brown is leaving BUGB for Northern Seminary in Chicago after serving from 1996 to 2008. A tribute was made in his honour and lots of testimonies were given about him. We thank God for his life and services.
4th of May
Morning service was attended with the PRISM- an Alternative Assembly Strand. Reading was from Isaiah 26, opportunity was given for testimonies from attendees.
Encouraging Missionary Disciples:
This session focuses on mission where we were reminded that Christ knows what it is like, to be me and you, this God know me in the humanity of my life. 3 things that concerns God are,
· Church
· Faith
· World.
We have a God given ministry - a ministry of reconciliation and communion was shared.
Annual General meeting:
Annual reports were given. Careful consideration was given to Church Action on Poverty’s (CAP) call for churches to ensure that all their employees receive a ‘living wage’, have written contract of employment, terms and conditions that comply with legal stipulated requirement as the assembly believes it is our duty to follow good employment practices, so that all our employees are treated fairly and justly, and so enabling us to be a credible voice in campaigning for an end to poverty in the UK.
There was introduction to the constitution, the office of Vice President, this was recommended for association decision and that the President elected should be included in clause 8. There was the suggestion that the period in office by the President is too short as they leave the office just as they are about grasping the full knowledge of their position.
New mission personnel going into mission fields were called and prayed for. 9 new churches joined the BUGB and among those given Ministerial recognition were 2 Revd(s) from South Eastern Baptist Assembly. They are from Oasis Christian Fellowship, Hove and Downs Baptist church, Brighton.
There were issues of Global warming brought to our knowledge and we are encouraged to take this serious as this is part of God’s creation which is our responsibility. During the world mission celebration, we were told the 2 challenges that we see in the birth of Christ are:
Cultural and Religious pluralism -do we suffocate others
Justice - Christ justice is generous and non discriminatory.
There was the Sunday afternoon free Family festival where Assembly members and neighbours attended. Lots of games, face paintings, art works hot drinks and snacks were shared. Among the people present were Muslims in the neighbourhood and they joined in the activities.