[Sorry Stephen about 2nd copy - pushed wrong button!]
On Wed, 02 Jun 2004 10:12:41 +1000, Stephen Webb wrote:
>I heard them mention Uniting Church involvement during the Compass
>program, but can't recollect them interviewing any Uniting Church folk.
That's right on both counts. Interestingly, two enthusiastic
Presbyterians [ both ministers?] were interviewed.
Apparently 282 out of 300 Hunter churches across all denominations
were involved.
The counsellors didn't pressure those who came forward to make
commitments, although it was a worry that one young counsellor
promised the counselled 'happiness forever [or = ]'
I thought the comments of the AOG pastor interviewed interesting in
their balance and understatement: [ = 'Coming forward is just one
small step...']
Churches working together like this are a powerful testimony to Christ
when 'faiths' all over the world and Australia are seen to be tearing
each other and themselves apart.
[In my locality such prayer-driven cooperation between churches over
5+ years is definitely bearing fruit].
I thought that the opening night resembled a rave more than a high
pressure evangelistic event, similar to NCYC 2003 - also in the
Hunter. What's the problem with telling young people that there's a
God who loves them? I recall arguably the most delinquent girl in the
state high school where I was teaching in the late 70s, on hearing a
Christian imparting that message on assembly, mutter, 'Huh, who would
love *me*?' Shouldn't we be creating opportunities to tell them
they're loved?
Anyway, there are my comments. And just by way of background: I went
to a Billy Graham Crusade in 1959, as a child. My parents wouldn't let
me go forward, and I have since developed a distrust of the American
style of evangelism, but this may just be prejudice. I abhor
'prosperity gospel', but balance that with the perspectives of the
Balinese delegates to NCYC 2003 [whom I was helping]. It is a fact
that people generally do prosper as Christians, and the Balinese
Protestant Church from its outstart was been keen to develop financial
independence, and not rely on Western churches.
I taught in Newcastle for three years in the early 70s. Some of my
oldest and dearest [ex Sydney] friends live in Newcastle now, are very
active in the UC, and were probably involved in Hunter Harvest.
Sue
>
>SW
>
>Niall McKay wrote:
>
>>
>> Hey everyone -
>> I missed Compass on Sunday - but had a member
>> from my congregation ask whether the uniting church
>> was involved in the hunter harvest... they said they
>> scanned the list of churches but couldn't
>> find any uniting churches there...
>>
>> 1) Is this correct or were Uniting Churches supportive of the Hunter
>> Harvest? (I know uniting church individuals who
>> have been involved but not sure about congregations...)
>>
>> 2) If Uniting Churches did not support HH was there a reason for it
>> (ie it was high pressure, prosperity gospel or ...?
>> I know events like HH are probably not my cup of tea.)
>>
>> Thanks
>> Niall
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>>
>>>Thanks for bringing this up and prompting me, Wesley...
>>>
>>>I was interested to know other's thoughts on Compass from Sunday past ("Harvest
>>>'03 in Newcastle" ep). No time to throw my thoughts in right now, but I was
>>>(in one blow) impressed and disgusted at the whole thing, at times all at
>>>once.
>>>
>>>Blessings,
>>>
>>>themolk.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>-- Original Message --
>>>>From: "Susan & Wesley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>>>To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>>>Subject: Re: What is christiansonline.com.au
>>>>Date: Tue, 1 Jun 2004 11:18:03 +1000
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>It's not so much the Christ on the Hill shining out
>>>>>his light, it's the attractive woman staring adoringly towards heaven.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>Sounds like some other large organisations with flashy websites (and big
>>>>buildings) in the north of the Baulkham Hills Shire... (one of which got
>>>>a
>>>>guernsey in another appalling episode of Compass on the weekend). They
>>>>
>>>>
>>>were
>>>
>>>
>>>>singing about having their eyes opened so they could see, while having them
>>>>so tightly clenched that not even 'the jaws of life' could prize them
>>>>apart!!
>>>>
>>>>Wesley
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>>
Sue Bolton
Sydney, Australia
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