Looking Back

On Sunday 17th November 2002 we had our official opening of our church building. Some people were asked to share their thoughts with us both at the morning service at the school hall before we moved to the church and the opening service at the church in the afternoon. Here are those thoughts....

Memories By Judy Munro

We remember the first service in this hall as the daughter church of Mana Baptist. At the service were Neil and Betty Baldwin, Peter and Marion Fairfax, Geoff and Judy Bruhn and their daughter Sarah and Ron, myself and our 3 daughters. Sarah and our three girls made up the Sunday school. We remember for a while having no musicians in the whole congregation and having to use recorded music. As the church grew we had a batchelor's pew. I'm happy to say they have all since married!

There were kite festivals around the Lake, community dinners and garage sales started at the Fairfax's and then moved to this hall. Also the Christmas parties with a pinyata for the children. I asked the girls what memories they have. The first thing they all said were the pancake breakfasts in the holidays in Peter and Marion Fairfax's kitchen. They also remember the wonderful internationl breakfasts we had at the Fairfax's at Easter after the dawn service on the new church section. Family camps at Forest Lakes and playing petanque before it was common.

A Glance Back by Christine Angus

My sharing this morning is more of 'a glance back', not so much out of a sense of nostalgia , but in acknowledgment that out of a history comes the future. I was thinking about this church - Whitby Lakeside Baptist and the people that are now part of this church. I was then struck by the fact that many of you here today have come from other churches, either local or otherwise. You all have had a journey that has brought you to this place at this time.

I would like share a little of the journey some of us have made to be here today. I acknowledge these people, Rainer and Lollo, Heather and Peter Evans, Ann O'Shaugnessy and us the Angus family. We were a part of the church known as the Whitby Christian Fellowship. The church was started by Heather's father and mother - Henry and Linda Baird in the early 80's. When we began going there in 1985 they met in the Whitby scout hall and then later moved to the Brady Room.

In about 1984/ 85 Henry felt God was saying to build a church. He had a strong impression of a beacon on a hill to overlook Whitby. In 1986 just as GST was about to come in, the church purchased a double section in James Cook Drive. Plans were drawn up for a church, but due to lack of money etc things were left. During the 1990's Henry and Linda moved to Levin to start a church and Digby and Lolla Gudsell took over the leadership.

It is interesting to note here, that it is very difficult to take over another person's vision and so at this stage the vision of the 'Whitby beacon' became diminished. In 1998 people began to move on for various reasons and on one Sunday morning in January 1999 the decision was made to finish the church as it was. It looked like the vision had come to nothing!! It was also at this time that decisions were being made by the Whitby Lakeside Baptist church regarding whether to build or call for a pastor. As we now know both proceeded and so a few months before we arrived Peter, Jocelyn and boys came to Whitby and so heralded the beginning of another vision and change.

And now after four years we are a truly blended family. The land that had been bought was sold and the money put into our new building. But the greatest blessing for me is to acknowledge the spiritual gifts that God has blessed us with and the doors he has opened for us, so that we may serve him with all our heart and soul. For - the original vision of a beacon has not changed - the only thing that has changed is the geographical site. For it was not to be - the beacon on the hill overlooking Whitby- but it is to be the beacon that shines in the middle of Whitby.

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WLBC - new building opening by Peter Crow (abridged)

Today is a significant day in the life of this church and surrounding community. We stand on the cusp of something really exciting. From small beginnings, we have come far. The initial group that stepped out from Mana Baptist numbered just four couples. No pastor, no facility. It's interesting when you reflect on what characterised those pioneering believers. They had big hearts, and were sold out in their commitment to follow God's call.

Robyn and I first saw this 10 years ago, when we arrived in Whitby with two pre-schoolers. The day we moved in, Peter Fairfax, a leader at WLBC arrived on our doorstep with a loaf of homemade bread and a warm welcome. Although we initially chose to attend Mana Baptist (we knew the pastor), we were drawn to WLBC. Even from early on it had something special. Subsequently, we committed ourselves to Whitby.

Around six years ago, the leaders of WLBC developed a plan for the church for the next 5 years or so. Some of you will remember it:

· 250-400 people
· a pastoral team
· a permanent facility
· a range of community ministries, and
· a place with a profile and impact - no longer "invisible"

We live in an interesting community. Whitby people are generally materially well-off, but many are spiritually and emotionally poor. Our purpose, our opportunity, is to help these people achieve wholeness. We want to be recognised in the community as a church that cares, that can be trusted, and where needs are met.

Yes, we've come a long way, but there's more to do. Many local people - our neighbours, acquaintances, workmates - have never really heard of WLBC and what it's about. Our challenge is to change this. The complex will help. It's a great tool, but let's not forget - it's not about the complex.

Let me finish with Paul's exhortation to the Philippians. Reading from ch4 v 8: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

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Whitby Baptist Opening by David Smith

Well, look at this place will you. It's beautiful. And those offices out there - we'd die for those at Karori Baptist. And the foyer - Oh, the foyer…On behalf of the Wellington Baptist Association - Some 26 Churches and fellowships…Some 4000 regular attendees - Congratulations Whitby Baptist - you've done well!

5-6 years ago (well certainly pre-Peter) one of our elders at Karori - Simon Maude - used to preach from time to time at Whitby. And I'd ask him how it went, "It was a small group of people", he'd say, "25-35 adults, a dozen kids. And not much going on…" But look at you today… A wonderful testimony to God's goodness. And a wonderful testimony to vision - Peter, and your leadership team - you ought to be congratulated.

As an Association it's been a privilege to have walked alongside you over these past few years. To have underwritten Peter's stipend back in '98 - not that you ever really drew down on it. Similarly, to have helped with a grant towards Rob Stacey's initial stipend. And more recently a $50,000 grant towards this fantastic facility. Yes, we've been thrilled to be in partnership with you - And why? Because we believe in what you're doing. We believe you're a strategic church - And we're excited about the potential for growth as you: "Share God's love in your community. As you lead people to Jesus - and enable them to become his disciples."

I'm also thrilled - on a personal level - to be here this afternoon. Over the past year Peter and I have met every 4-6 weeks for supervision. We've journeyed together - shared our triumphs, our challenges, and our resources…And we've become friends. I walked over this site as the building took shape, and I had the privilege of catching the excitement, the fire in Peter's eyes as he would articulate to me some of his possibility thinking, his passion, and his vision for a "Regional Church".
It was awesome. And good fun. Whitby Baptist you've done well, and you ought to be congratulated.

And we're here to celebrate. But you know - and yes, there's always a "but" - Sunday 17th November 2002 - it's just one day. And tomorrow morning the journey goes on. Today is the culmination of a dream - or should I say part of a dream. You see the Whitby Baptist Church vision wasn't to build a facility - but a Church. The Whitby Baptist vision as I read it - "Is to lead people to Jesus and enable them to become disciples". And this vision - as Peter Crow alluded to - certainly hasn't come to pass with the opening of a building - heck no. It's an ongoing journey. This building is not, and never was the vision. It's merely a tool, a place - albeit a very nice tool, a very nice place. A place where you can worship together. Do nurture together. Fellowship together. A place where you can be equipped for ministry. A place that can house community ministries. And mission events. But that's all it is…A building, a place, a tool.

And tomorrow, after the celebrations have passed. You lot, you've got to get up and keep moving. Keep being God's people in the market place. Keep being the Church at Whitby. What's more, you've got to keep paying for this place. Even when the newness wears off. And no doubt in the near future for the extra staff who are going to be required to facilitate the ongoing growth. Yeah, life goes on Whitby Baptist - so enjoy the moment. And will you enjoy the journey. And as for those offices, and that foyer…WBC, you ought to be congratulated. Kia Ora.

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