2011 YBA Assembly Review
Review
“BOLD I approach the eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own” – with the final words of the Charles Wesley hymn “And Can It Be” still ringing in their ears, Christians from all over Yorkshire confidently left the Yorkshire Baptist Association’s 2011 Assembly. The lyrics were appropriate for the YBA’s five-year Confidence Strategy - and more than 200 Baptists, who gathered at South Parade Baptist Church in Leeds, were invited to “Break through with confidence”.
The assembly, entitled ‘Breakthrough’, focused on Confident Leadership, Confident Discipleship, Confident Spirituality and Confident Evangelism in line with the YBA’s ‘To enable and equip Christians in churches across Yorkshire to be confident in the good news of Jesus Christ.’
The morning session included the induction of the new YBA president, the Revd Glenn Cannon, of Scapegoat Hill, Huddersfield, and a reflection by retiring president the Revd Tony Taylor, of Idle, Bradford. Regional minister for ministry the Revd Ernie Whalley, who retires early next year, and the Revd Jane Day, regional minister for mission, spoke about the strategy, plans for a Mission Academy and the need to build strong relationships among the churches.
Tony Taylor handing over Glenn signing the President's
to Glenn Cannon Bible besides Ernie Whalley
The association’s annual general meeting was steered by the Revd Graham Ensor, of Guiseley Baptist Church, who gave a special welcome to members of the Karen Community in Sheffield, who are working towards joining the association. The Revd Ann Chesworth, of Guiseley, spoke about the Growing Women Leaders’ Course, which was open to women of all ages and denominations and its aim of helping women fulfill their God-given potential.
Jane reported on the Huddersfield Conversation – 15 Baptist churches with a membership of 650, who are taking a fresh look at how they can share their resources and work together in a new way.
Revd Jane Day sharing about
the Huddersfield conversation
Retiring treasurer Harold Jevons, who has stepped down after 14 years, presented his last financial report and said he had very much enjoyed his time working with the association and the churches. Tribute was also paid to Michael Bradley, who has stepped down as honorary solicitor after about 25 years. The new treasurer Pete Briggs and admin assistant Julie ‘Joolz’ Walker were welcomed.
Ernie officially welcomed James Chapman as a new minister to Cemetery Road Baptist Church, Sheffield, and introduced ministers with new settlements – the Revd Glenn Cannon, at Scapegoat Hill, the Revd Sally Nelson at Wetherby, the Revd Andy Sellers at Clayton, Pastor Denise Lancaster at Mexborough, and the Revd David Newton at Gildersome. Nikki Jenkins, minister in training at Queensbury, was also welcomed.
New ministers being welcomed
One of the highlights of the day was an address on Confident Leadership by the president of the Baptist Union, the Revd Dr Pat Took. She praised the “dynamic partnership” of Ernie and Jane in leading the YBA. A danger in leadership was that power could corrupt and she cited Nebuchadnezzar as an example of all that could go wrong with power – “the person who has so much power that they forget God”. She also stressed that a Christian could only give an ultimate allegiance to nobody but God. Some opted for leadership for the accompanying status – prestige, power, money and opportunities. But leadership was a gift from God and when exercised in a “Jesus way” was a beautiful thing.
Leaders could help, encourage and inspire people – and they were urged in Romans 12 to lead with enthusiasm. In times of perceived danger, leaders tended to come forward with a sense of the future and could bring a word from God. She spoke of the challenges facing Christians and their portrayal in the media, where they were “lampooned and mocked” and “at best, bigoted, at worst, batty”. Some were not allowed to wear crosses at work or display them in their vehicles or even speak about God or pray for people. A century of complete freedom seemed to be coming to an end.
However, sometimes the Church sowed its own whirlwind – for example, having a terror of science, obsessing about other people’s sexual behaviour, failing to speak peace to the nations, and making fraudulent claims that “once you become a Christian you will be happy every day of your life.” “We are now up against it,” she said.
In response to this, God was calling forward leaders who had confidence. She urged people to ensure their call was from God and not because they were the last man standing. Leaders should have the support of their community, have been commissioned by prayer and the laying on of hands, and have had prayer that they would receive the Holy Spirit to do that work. Leaders needed to be confident in God’s call, his grace, in each other, in God’s word and in God’s cause.
Revd Pat Took inspiring and
challenging the Assembly
In the afternoon, a seminar on Confident Discipleship was led by the Revd Richard Jevons, of Cottingham Road Baptist Church, Hull, who invited his parents Harold and Rosemary to assist. He said the Church was commanded by Jesus to “make disciples” (Matthew 28:19) and asked what this meant in a society where the story of Jesus was unknown. Questions he tackled included: How do we grow as disciples? And how do we help others in that quest?
Retired minister the Revd Louise Armitage, of Brighouse, led a seminar on Confident Spirituality. She said God could speak to us through everyday things if we took the time to listen - and God always provided. “We should never underestimate what God can do,” she said. People were asked to spend five minutes in prayerful contemplation on an item they had with them and see what God had to say to them spiritually. Louise spoke about the role of spiritual directors, the need for finding a place for quiet reflection and how to relax before the Lord. People relived the story of the first Pentecost as if they were there and were invited to give themselves a “spiritual health check”.
Later, the Revd Glenn Cannon spoke about how Confident Leadership, Confident Discipleship, and Confident Spirituality related to Confident Evangelism. “It’s about God breaking through as we deepen our relationship with Him through the other three strands and evangelism becomes a natural outpouring,” he said. When Peter was preaching to the crowds and 3,000 came to faith, he didn’t have a worship band, hymn and prayer sandwich or liturgies – he just preached the word of God, and God broke through.
Children sharing their artwork
Children’s activities co-ordinator Heather McLeen, of South Parade Baptist, introduced the youngsters and they showed off their artwork based on Daniel and choices. A Communion service followed with prayers of intercession. Worship throughout the day was led by David Barker, of Todmorden, and his band. Thanks were expressed to the assembly planning team, including office manager Debbie Gamble, IT co-ordinator the Revd Fred Rich, assembly co-ordinator the Revd Neil Draisey, Market Place organiser Jamie Guest, and the young helpers from New North Road and Oakes in Huddersfield and South Parade.