CT AUS: What has been a highlight for you this year as President of the Baptist Union of Australia?
R.C: The highlight for me has been seeing our churches grow and to see the Gospel being shared in many situations. I had the opportunity to be in remote churches such as those located in the Northern Territory and in the outback of Queensland. In those churches, there is an incredible community, faithfulness to the Gospel ministries and strong churches.
For me, another highlight has been to see how our churches have grown over the year. But, importantly the church which is away from the metropolitan community is doing wonderful things in the remote areas where they are located.
CT AUS: Can you please share your experience as you travelled around Australia this year, in particular during your visit to remote areas?
R.C: Yes, it is just exciting to see the Indigenous community churches and people working together with the non-Indigenous and to see the Aboriginal people involved in the decision-making to address some of the disturbing issues that are occurring in their communities. But, to also hear about people being one in Christ in these communities, the baptism that is taking place, and some of the exciting things happening in those churches.
Sometimes, we only hear about the very sad stories that are happening in the Indigenous communities in the outback and we need to hear those stories but we also need to hear the story of God Almighty doing work in these communities and churches as well.
CT AUS: Through the year, one issue that has been gaining prominence, particular in NSW, is gambling. Do you believe the State government can wean off its revenue from the taxes generated by gambling?
R.C: I do believe so but it is dependent on the Federal Government making resources available to each State government, in particular to the NSW government, saying to the State government in NSW that if you are prepared to reduce your reliance on gaming revenue then from our budget surplus we committed to making that shortfall.
The Federal Government has to be pro-active in assisting the State government in their non-reliance from gaming taxes revenue. It is a misery in gambling across the community where it needs the cooperation of both the State and Federal Government to overcome it.
CT AUS: What event do you believe has shaped the Baptist Union in Australia for this year?
R.C: I think that a significant event that has shaped the Baptist Union is our joint concern to lift the amount of money going to overseas aid. As Baptists, we are committed to seeing overseas aid being increased to 0.7 percent of Gross National Income (GNI). Currently, it is 0.3 percent at the moment.
The Rudd government has said it will go to 0.5 percent of GNI. Other countries are already up to 0.7 in their foreign aid contribution.
I think the issue of foreign aid is significant for two reasons. The first is like saying to the Baptists, we are committed to evangelism, sharing the Gospel, voicing concern about moral issues, and right-to-life issues. However, we are also clearly saying we are concerned about justice and poverty in both Australia and overseas.
We wish to be biblical in all areas of life where we share our faith and stand up for moral and ethical issues. I think we have really come of age in making those sorts of statements and I think we see that in our common commitment to things such as the Micah Challenge. Let's get behind it and increase the foreign aid budget to 0.7 percent of GNI.
CT AUS: Do you believe Australian Baptists have found a perfect balance between evangelism and social justice?
R.C: I am sure nothing is perfect that is inside of glory, but we are committed. The Christian churches in this community need to say we are committed evangelism. We are committed to seeing people being saved for eternity and being forgiven for their sins.
We are also committed to protecting the right of the dignity of all people from the time of conception right through their life and that is the biblical emphasis. We are resurrection people and God is concerned about the whole of me and as a Baptist we are committed to making that statement. We are going to stand for human rights and justice. But, we are also totally committed to the spiritual nature of the human person addressed and seeing their liberation from sin to the person of Jesus.
CT AUS: Do you have any plans for Australian Baptists next year?
Yes, an exciting plan is we just appointed, for the first time, a national ministry director, the Reverend Dr. Brian Winslade, who has been the director of the New Zealand Baptist Union. He will also be a leader of our evangelistic mission, known as Cross-Over.
Dr. Winslade is dynamic and he brings a lot of church experience and so at the national level we are upping the bar on our evangelism mission throughout the country and I see this as a really exciting time for 2008 and 2009 as the Baptist Union is focused on mission, being mission focused and being an evangelist through a new direction and new leadership through Dr. Winslade.