Windows On The Soul

Did you know that the most significant reason for a Baptist minister to leave the ministry is due to conflicts with the congregation, whereas for Anglican ministers, it is conflict with denominational leaders?  If the drop-out rate found among Christian ministers was found in the teaching or medical professions, I'm sure there would be calls for a Royal Commission. What can be done for these people who have followed God's calling but now find themselves unable to continue?  Rowland Croucher has determined to do something about it through "John Mark Ministries". JMM helps through counselling the 'victims' and those still struggling. Through conferences and seminars, church leaders are made aware of the size and nature of the problem, and counselled in pastoring the pastors. Rowland's books support this ministry as well as being valuable spiritual aids in themselves. Les Scarborough has joined the JMM team in Sydney. Pray for Rowland in his continuous rounds...

A dozen years ago, my wife and I were asked to counsel a young couple who had a young child with a minor congenital deformity. They had spent tens of thousands of dollars travelling to every major paediatric hospital in the world. The consistent answer was “Why come to us when you have the world’s best back in Melbourne”. But the saddest part of the situation was the father’s family’s almost complete rejection of the child - they simply couldn’t accept that any descendant of theirs could possibly be anything less than perfect. This is not an uncommon attitude in our ‘post-Christian’ society, and even some western Christians have great difficulty coming to terms with illness. It is soon forgotten that the wonderful life-style we can have, educational opportunities, justice, health care, ‘human rights’, the status of women, etc. are nearly all due to the work and influence of Christians. And yet society wants to keep the gifts and ignore the giver. The ‘world’ is not a natu...

(On the occasion of a Church Anniversary) As we reflect on the ministry of this church over the past years, let's give thanks and celebrate God's eternal presence and out-working through His Church.  Rejoice in past victories, and look forward in glorious expectation. May this Church forever find that the House of God is a place of:- Seeking God's Counsel   - Judges 20:18 "The Israelites went up and inquired of God" Hearing God's Voice  - Isa 6:8 "I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Who shall I send? Who will go for us?'" Receiving Visions  - Luke 1:22 "They realised he had seen a vision in the temple" Filled with Glory  - 2 Chron 7:1 "The glory of the Lord filled the temple" Praise and Thanksgiving - Psa 150 "Praise God in His sanctuary. Let everything that has breath, praise The Lord" Learning God's Ways  - Mic 4:2 "Come let us go to God's house, and He will teach us...