February 2018

Re: Edith Gates: A Baptist pioneer
Something to celebrate but also something that should make us ask questions of ourselves.
So, here's another story. In the Second World War, the minister of a Baptist church served as a Chaplain to the forces. His wife took on his role very effectively by all accounts and was well regarded by the membership. It was even said that she was the better minister. When he returned, he took over again and she became the "minister's wife" (a phrase that sounds like a simple description but which is deeply ideological).
The same forces are at work today that cause us still to find it difficult to affirm and recognise the ministry of women.
Simon Oxley (via Facebook) 

Interesting read as we continue to reflect on how we encourage and support women as well as men in ministry.
Lynn Green (via Facebook) 

Thanks for sharing what a remarkable story. Lifted my spirit
Bettina Wallace (via Facebook) 

Thanks for sharing, shame so little is known about her
Jillian Beresford (via Facebook) 

I found this very interesting
Marlene Wheatley (via Facebook) 

3 cheers for Edith, and for Baptist Union handbooks;)
Ian Hamlin (via Facebook) 

Beautiful story inspiring
Yinka Oyekan (via Facebook) 

An amazing lady
Joyce Lowery (via Facebook) 



Re: ‘No other preacher could compare with him’ Tributes to Billy Graham 
Thankful as he set me on the road to knowing and living with Jesus - way back in 1954
Anne Glover (via Facebook)

'Thou good and faithful servant, enter into the rest of The Lord.
Michael Brain (via Facebook)

Jesus is the greatest preacher ever and Billy Graham would, I am sure, agree that no human is perfect. But for many in the last three generations he was a hero, in the true sense of the word: an example, an inspiration and a challenge. Praise God for him and may God raise up prophets for the coming generations.
Burwell Baptist Church (via Facebook)

Been to many of his rallies, was so wonderful and always the spirit of the Lord was always present.
Dot Loretan (via Facebook)

Many within our church will have been influenced by Rev'd Dr Billy Graham, either by responding to the call of God at his outreach events or serving in missions led by him.
Hockliffe Baptist Church (via Facebook)

I saw him, with a group from my Church, at Roker Park, Sunderland in 1984, as part of Mission England. A great man of God
Judith Ramsay (via Facebook)

An amazing man! Hope his family keep up the good work and the example he set them! Hx
Hilary Pymm (via Facebook)


An amazing man: because of his ministry I am a Christian.
Tricia (via Twitter)

If Karl Barth was correct with his doctrine of election, then the whole ministry of Billy Graham, trying to persuade people to choose Christ, was a complete waste of time.
Bonhoeffer described Barth's doctrine of election as the most important piece of theology of the 20th century.
Eddie Sanders


Re: After the action, a time for reflection? 
I want to disagree that there is such a re - awakening of social conscience; for many Baptist churches it has always been there - I am sure the Baptist Historical Society could produce the evidence, especially on the local level. However the motivation behind all these church projects local and national has been to make Christ known - now the tension is when they become an institution in themselves and lose the first motivation i.e.. the cure of souls.
Simon

This completely ignores the fact that although the gospel has implications for this life the biblical focus is indeed on being ready for the return of Christ and the judgement day with very little focus on social justice or social action. Sad to see the church in this country becoming a kind of socialist organisation with a fuzzy, all-inclusive Jesus at the centre. You would be better off preaching the biblical gospel of repentance and justification by faith not this man-centred, world-pleasing false gospel.
Ricayboy

I think that both the article and the comments highlight the inherent tension of our faith: we both live in the world and look forward to future salvation. Jesus' own ministry surely typified this, as he both spoke of eternal life and healed physical ailments. I do get worried when churches see participation in social projects as more important than evangelism - possibly because they're frightened of evangelism or because it's easier to quantify the "results" of social action. And I get even more worried when social ministries are not merely regarded as "Christly" in themselves but are actually a cover or - dare I say? - "bait" for hard-hitting evangelism.
Baptist Trainfan