BHSQ Forum - Baptist Historical Society of Queensland Forum David Parker Editor Theologian and Archivist Baptist Archives, Queensland

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The Baptist Historical Society of Queensland

President: Mr Eric Kopittke, 98 Yallambee Rd., Jindalee, 4074 Queensland Australia

Phone (+61 7) 3376 4339

Secretary: Dr Ken Smith 110 White St, Graceville Q 4075 Phone (+61 7) 3379 6117

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Qld Baptist Forum No. 43 August 1999

· Tragedy and Hope Part 1: Charles Stewart by David Parker

· Baptist Heritage at the BWA Congress Melbourne AD 2000

· Baptist Ministers in Qld 1907-55 compiled by David Parker

· Seven Delightful Decades – a book review by Ellen Chataway

· News and Notes

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Excerpts from this issue

Heritage Interests at 18th Baptist World Congress

Melbourne Jan 5-9 AD 2000

Plans for Heritage involvement at the 18th Baptist World Congress were finalised at the meetings of the BWA Heritage Commission held in Dresden Germany in July 1999 attended by David and Joyce Parker. The Congress provides an opportunity to showcase Australian Baptist heritage and to be enriched by the faith of Baptists from many other countries around the world.

The main feature of the Heritage Commission will be a booth in the Exhibition Area, each afternoon January 6-9. An urgent request is being made to state historical societies and other interested bodies to supply material, ideas, and personal and financial support.

The second major thrust will involve Focus Groups on two afternoons, Thurs and Fri, Jan 6 & 7, with interesting presentations by international and local speakers on the theme, Baptist Heritage in the New Millennium. The first day will be devoted to the more general and global aspects of this theme, while the second will be on the Australian scene: Dinkum Baptist Heritage: Shapers of Australian Baptist Identity

There will be a Internet Web page associated with the Heritage section operative in the next few weeks with opportunities for contributions on the themes. There will also be interactive computer displays in the exhibition area and demonstrations in the Focus Group sessions.

Congress participants are invited to visit the exhibition booth and also to attend the Focus Group. sessions. Historical society members are especially invited to home in on the exhibition booth to meet other likeminded people from around the world and to share experiences.

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SEVEN DELIGHTFUL DECADES

An Autobiography by Rev. Norm Weston

Rev. Norm Weston, well known Queensland minister, has recently published an attractive autobiography which marks his seventieth birthday (Christmas Day, 1998). In it he recounts the highlights of his life, family and ministry highlighting some interesting aspects of church and denominational life in the process. Coming to know Christ as boy at a Currumbin camp and being baptised only a few years later, he spent his youth at Greenslopes church. Leaving work in the building industry, he entered the ministry from Sherwood Church in 1953 and has carried out a distinctive ministry at local church and Baptist Union levels, rising to the position of President where he was the first to serve a double term. BHSQ Member and former Secretary, Ellen Chataway provides this review of the book.

Omitting much of the first two decades of the autobiography, we take up his story at the time of his courtship and marriage to Mavis Jones. Entering the Baptist ministry at age 25, Weston realised that the years of working in the building industry were quite unique training. He goes on to say "those extra years serving in the local Church, particularly in areas of leadership, gave me a good insight into how the Church operates, and how people relate there."

Pastoring Tugun, Palm Beach and Coolangatta-Tweed Heads, where they were obliged to live in a condemned cottage, brought to the fore Weston’s capacity as builder. People gave liberally, and a new manse was soon erected. But the Pastor still used his bike to travel between preaching points.

These and other frustrations led to Weston submitting his resignation to the Baptist Union and deciding to go back to his trade. Several events followed, leading to re-consideration of this step. Acts 26: 16 sent him to apologise to the Baptist hierarchy and he sought re-acceptance into the Church.

Weston’s lack of academic skills was a cause of concern to the Principal of the College and others, but he finished the 5 year course creditably. Ordained at the City Tabernacle, in 1960, during his ministry at Geebung, he next went to Cairns. Serving in this large pastorate, which extended to Atherton Tableland and Innisfail, taxed his physical strength to the limit. Ministering next at the Maryborough Church for five years followed the four at Cairns. Working with the young people was a particular delight, in the commitment they showed. Every age group was involved in some form of choral activity, and orchestras abounded.

Family time was never neglected, whether in reading to his children or kicking a ball in the back yard or park Holidays were special times, in "togetherness". Ministry at the Silkstone Church, famous for its Welsh miners and their families, came next. Their magnificent singing was ever an inspiration to their Pastor. A two-month stint serving the aboriginal Church at Hooker Creek further enlarged his vision.

As Director of the Department of Youth and Christian Education, Weston describes these five years as "stimulating and interesting". Then he moved to the Salisbury Church, for more than ten years; during this time the Church freed him for a three months overseas study tour to the United States, which was a highlight of this period of ministry. During 1989-91, as President of the Union, he endeavoured to give back something of what had been given to him over the long years of ministry. In retirement, there have been opportunities for interim ministries, at the City Tabernacle and Palm Beach. Christian Tours, of which he has led five to the Holy Land, have further extended his ministry.

This autobiography is easy to read, inspirational and warm, and a great enrichment for its readers.

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