DON’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY
The following notes were compiled by Don for various people who required information on his background.
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I was about 10 years of age when my non-church going father took me to WMBC.
Daisy Dingfelder met us and took me into her Sunday School class…
What a great Sunday School it was! About 300 of us! Jim Cook as Superintendent. Herman Laugher as one of my earliest teachers. Before long it was Christian Endeavour (C.E.) and Church in the morning, run home for lunch and back again for Sunday School. Then run home for tea and back for the evening service.
There were S.S. picnics in Alf Fisher’s van all the way to Sandringham … and packed Sunday School Anniversary platforms where we sang and sat enthralled to the visiting speakers. Tho’ I still recall the Rev. Malcolm McCullough’s talks; one with a Geiger counter … and another with a display case of ants he had borrowed from the Melbourne Museum !
There were Boy’s Club ‘paper chases’ over Coonan’s Hill and Saturday night social evenings, run by Joe Laidman, where we played ‘Musical Chairs’ and ‘The Grand old Duke of York’. It was on one of those occasions our ‘band’ made its debut… Buster (Don Calder) on clarinet; Tex (Max Smith) on Saxophone; Shep ( Ron Shepherd) on guitar and Ziggy ( me) on trumpet.
And ‘Buster & Ziggy’ concocted various comedy routines that were enacted in scores of different churches.
There was the wonderful interim ministry of the Reverend John Toroni and his violin …unforgettable ! He caused a stir by quoting some Masonic passwords in his children’s talk … and poking fun at them ! And Reverend Skinner with his booming voice. It was he who sacked a certain deacon for taking some of the young people to a Charismatic meeting in Essendon ! Wow !
I remember the play, ‘Paul the Apostle’ … fully costumed… where Jim Cook took the part of the Apostle and memorized his speeches (that always impressed me !) … and where I had a part as Paul’s nephew, warning him of the assassination plot ! ( Acts 23:16)
The evening of October 12th 1947 stands out. The Rev. John Curtis announced special meetings at the Brunswick Town Hall after church. Ron Phillips drove myself and three friends there. And that memorable night we responded to the claims of Christ. The Christian pilgrimage had begun.
A year later ( October 17th 1948) I was baptized. And that same night, so was my father.
In 1950 I wrote to the deacons asking if I could hire (!) the church one Friday night ( July 28:1950) … to preach! The ‘fire was in my bones !’ The deacons, bless ‘em , let me loose … without charge. Choir master, Eric Dingfelder trained the Y.P. to sing.
A year later Rev. Mac. invited me to ‘preach ’ at a Sunday evening service …
( July 20:1952) … And I’ve been preaching the good news of the Gospel ever since.
My sincerest of thanks to WMBC for helping me grow in my Christian faith.
Donald Prout
Q.1. COULD
YOU PLEASE GIVE US A BRIEF
AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ?
1.
Well…due to circumstances beyond my control…I was born at quite an
early age. (That’s an old gag !)
It was Feb. 22, 1931, in
Brunswick Vic. . My parents were not churchgoers. But they eventually sent me
to the Sunday School at West Moreland Baptist Church when I was about ten. I also began attending Christian
Endeavour. It was a great church…about
300 in the Sunday School .
My education was nothing to
write home about. Brunswick Technical school for four years ( to do the 3 year
course !) simply revealed I was not cut
out to be a tradesman. My right hand didn’t know what my left hand was doing.
Ask the Sheet Metal teacher for confirmation !
I really should have attended a High School but….
There were a host of hopeless
jobs when I left school (having failed
Leaving Certificate ) …delivery boy,
production line worker, store- room worker; packer; “musical instrument
repairer , taxi driver, night watchman, friendly Electrolux man (!),
“educational” book door-to-door
salesman (!) and finally, when my
father was about to tear out what hair was left, I became an Insurance
salesman. Not exactly the Million
Dollar Salesman …but a survivor for ten years.
It was during these years I
was converted, began speaking at various meetings, and then joining the Baptist Lay Preacher’s Society.
In 1953 I attended the
Melbourne Bible Institute… (Hallelujah !) …and applied to the Baptist College
the following year. To no avail. Five years were spent trying to get my
Leaving Certificate (and Adult Matriculation) at night school still
to no avail !! But in 1959 the Baptists popped me into a Home Mission
church at Black Hill, Ballarat and I hitch-hiked to and fro Melbourne once a
week where I did night school in one last valiant attempt to get that educational qualification demanded of me to enter the Baptist
College. Let me say it again…to no avail. So back into the work-force…testing
telephones for the P.M.G.
At the age of 31 I was
married…and three children were born.
In 1975…after 8 years with
A.M.P. I was invited to be part-time Pastor of Collingwood Church of Christ.
They had a minister lined up to
commence in six months time. But that fell through and I stayed on another 6
months …and another …and another. And then they asked me to go full time so I
resigned from the Insurance business. I was at the Collingwood Church for
another 8 years during which time we withdrew from the Churches of Christ and
became an independent fellowship. The reason, of course, was the yoking
together in the Victorian Council of Churches with those who preached “another
gospel”.
In 1985 I took on the pastorate of two Christian Catholic Churches (a Protestant denomination with an unusual name !) one in Surrey Hills (Vic. ) and one in Mount Evelyn. It usually meant three services each Sunday.
And 1989 saw me
pastoring Rosanna Christian
Church…for the next six years.
Health reasons caused my
resignation…though it is still good to get invited back to preach now and then.
In 1997 I had a heart
attack….and the doctors at the Austin Hospital ( Vic.) said a by-pass was
unadvisable ! Cheerful !! But I’m still
here to type this ….one finger.
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Q.2. HOW
DID YOU COME TO SAVING FAITH IN CHRIST ?
2. I was converted at an old fashioned gospel rally in the Brunswick Town Hall…back seat…upstairs. The preacher was the Rev. Lionel Fletcher. It was October 12, 1947. Fortunately my friends “Buster” and “Shep” , also from West Moreland Baptist , were converted at the same time and we were able to encourage one another in the days that followed. “Shep” went Home to Glory a few years ago . Buster is still walking with the Lord.
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Q.3
IF YOU HAD TO SELECT SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TURNING POINTS AND
EVENTS IN YOUR LIFE…WHAT WOULD YOU NOMINATE ?
3 . The ministry and fellowship of the Belgrave Heights Convention deserves a mention. … I’d better mention it because that was where I met my wife to be.
Becoming a Walk Thru’ The Bible seminar instructor was one of the most exciting decades I have known. From 1982 – 1992 I saw literally hundreds and hundreds of folk get a new love for God’s Word. It was a privilege to be a part of this ministry.
I would also list as “significant” the opportunity to lecture at various Bible Colleges…M.B.I. (1974) ; B.C.V. (75 – 76) Kingsley College (Wesleyan ) (1970?)
Calvary Bible Coll. (A.O.G.)(83 –86), Goulburn Valley Bible Coll. (A.O.G.) (93–97) Romsey A.O.G (98) . I find great enjoyment in such a teaching ministry.
Likewise the ten years spent leading Bible studies each Monday evening for the Melbourne City Bible Class.
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Q.4. WHO
WERE THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE ?
4. I’ve been influenced by godly Sunday School teachers and Christian Endeavour leaders even before I was converted.
At the Myer Emporium where I was employed during my teenage years I met an Irishman…Eric Reid. And he deserves a special mention for his example and sound Biblical teaching at the Myer Christian Fellowship Bible study meetings.
A Baptist youth-camp leader, Pastor Laurie Winckel, made a tremendous impression upon me which led me to enter the Melbourne Bible Institute. He had studied there…at that stage I’d never even heard of it. But two months later I was one of their greenest students.
Eric Daley,
Editor of New Life, was willing to let me do some Book Reviews in 1975 and
continued to encourage whatever writing skill I might have. His gracious and wise counsel was
invaluable.
Graham Haylock had known me at Christian camps and was secretary of Collingwood Church
of Christ when they wanted someone to fill in.
He suggested my name to the dubious Church officers, won the
day…and I found myself in the ministry
without that elusive Leaving
Certificate ! Thanks, Graham! That sure
was a “turning point” in my life.
And if one is talking about folk who have influenced me…there are those of whom I’ve only read. The weekly SWORD OF THE LORD newspaper, edited by John R. Rice, was a staple diet during the formative years of my early Christian life. Imagine my horror when I arrived home from work shortly after our wedding to find that Barbie had lined the cupboard shelves with “these old newspapers “! And books by John R. Rice were a tremendous blessing.( I still have about 30 of them !) His emphasis upon the trustworthiness of Scripture…and the need for soul- winning…and his fight against apostasy…all helped to strengthen my faith. Books published by the Moody Press…especially Full Assurance by Dr. H. Ironside led me to a new plane in my walk with the Lord .
And the biography of Adoniram Judson ( Wow !) and John Wesley ( after whom I named my first son ) were certainly influential as far as my Christian commitment was concerned.
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Q. 5.
ON WHICH SUBJECT WOULD YOU LIKE TO WRITE A BOOK OR TO SEE ONE WRITTEN ?
5. I’ve just written ‘POET’S CORNER ?’ Only $10 posted ! And if I tackle another book one day I’d like to do an almanac of famous dates in Christian history. Actually, most of it is already on my computer. But the cost of printing it is beyond my old age pension ! I don’t know that there is anything I’d like to see written on that hasn’t already been written on !
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Q.6.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A PASTOR ?
6. Altogether, .counting the Home Mission days… I was Pastor for about 21 years…in four pastorates. I am not pastor of any church these days. My wife and I are members of Northcote Baptist. But I’m still regularly preaching nearly every Sunday…and taking mid-week meetings…and lecturing once a week at Romsey Bible College. I’m supposed to be slowing down since that heart attack !!
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Q.7.
WHO PREACHED THE BEST SERMON YOU HAVE HEARD. IS IT ON TAPE OR IN PRINT ?
7. Years ago Sidlow Baxter preached an unforgettable sermon on “The Blood…from Genesis
to Revelation” at Belgrave Heights
Convention. It is in his book , THE MASTER THEME OF THE
BIBLE.
And I have heard an audio
cassette of Vance Havner preaching
on the subject - “ON THIS ROCK I STAND
!” And that’s in a book entitled “Vance Havner…Just a Preacher”. A great
sermon !
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Q. 8. YOU HAVE A GREAT LIBRARY OF BOOKS. WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK ? HAVE YOU FOUND ANY UNDER SURPRISING CIRCUMSTANCES ?
8. Again one book springs to mind immediately. Sidlow Baxter’s EXPLORE THE BOOK. It was a real theological education . I learned so much although I didn’t swallow everything he said. Especially on prophecy. But I recommend it to students when I’m in a classroom situation. And also HALLEY’S BIBLE HANDBOOK is a valuable compendium of information. I’m always scrounging around second-hand bookshops. Herbert Lockyer’s MAN WHO CHANGED THE WORLD (2 Vols,) was a delight to find in the Barbican Bookshop in York; U,K. My wife & our friends had gone off to visit the Cathedral and a Viking village and see the other sights whilst I rummaged for about three hours among musty volumes. Wonderful !
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Q.9. YOU ARE EXILED ON A DESERT ISLAND. YOU ARE
ALLOWED TO TAKE YOUR BIBLE AND PILGRIM’S PROGRESS AND AN ESSENTIAL LIBRARY.
WHICH BOOKS WOULD YOU TAKE ? AND WHICH
THREE MUSIC CASSETTES ?
9. I don’t know that I’d take
Pilgrim’s Progress. Probably another Bible in four different translations …and
Matthew Henry’s Commentary …and Spurgeon’s Treasury of David.
And Strong’s Concordance.
Maybe an omnibus of Agatha Christie’s
novels ? ( Tho’ I think I’ve
read them all .)
Music ? A bit of Southern
Gospel….. and a dash of Dixieland jazz !
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Q.10. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ENCOURAGING…OR
DISCOURAGING….ASPECTS OF THE CURRENT CHURCH/ THEOLOGICAL SCENE ?
10. I don’t see much to encourage one in Melbourne’s religious situation. The Theological Colleges for the most part are Liberal in theology and too academic. Some readers may think that’s an over reaction on my part for not being bright enough to get in. I don’t think so. There needs to be a greater emphasis on soulwinning and Bible teaching. Too many get side-tracked on such things as counselling… and psychology…and whether there are two or three Isaiahs. And as go the colleges, so go the churches. I might add that my contact with Assembly of God Bible colleges …although I am not of that persuasion… is an eye opener ! They are zealous for the Lord… whether or not they have their Leaving Certificate ( and in many , many cases they do not ! ) . They study the Bible. They accept it as true. And they are keen to evangelise.
There are things in their manner of worship ( or entertainment ?) with which I part company … and some aspects of their theology … but they love the Lord and desire to serve Him. Bear in mind I’m speaking of the A.O.G. denomination … not some of the more wacky charismatic groups that leave me cold. But it is sad to see even some of the A.O.G. churches getting caught up with the wild extremes of Rodney Howard-Browne and Benny Hinn. .
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Q.11. DO
YOU HAVE A HOBBY ?
11. My wife would say that it is collecting books. After all, there are about 20,000 scattered around the house. But I don’t buy books for the sake of buying books. They are my tools of trade. No ... I don’t have time for a hobby.
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12. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE HYMNWRITER? WHICH ARE YOUR FAVORITE HYMNS ?
12. I enjoy the kind of Gospel songs that Bill
Gaither writes…THE FAMILY OF GOD; …
THE KING IS COMING; … HE TOUCHED ME….
Especially with a Southern Gospel quartet belting them out. And I love the grand old hymns of
Christendom. A special favorite would be
God holds the key of all unknown
and I am glad;
If
other hands should hold the key,
or if He trusted it to me
I might be sad….
It was written by Joseph
Parker of the City Temple., London.
Most of the modern ‘Scripture in Song’ leaves me cold. I rather enjoy the old ELIM Choruses. They at least had a tune to them…..
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Q.13. WE LIVE IN A DARK HOUR. YET THE FUTURE
REMAINS AS BRIGHT AS THE PROMISES OF GOD. TO WHICH PROMISES DO YOU APEAL WHEN
YOU NEED ENCOURAGING ?
13. I don’t know that I
need much encouraging! I like A.S.
Way’s translation of Philippians 4:
11-12…
“I have mastered the secret of
living – how to be the same amidst repletion and starvation; amidst abundance
and privation. I am equal to every lot, through the help of Him who gives me
inward strength.” Now I hope that
doesn’t sound too super spiritual. But that’s what Paul said and I believe we
ought to be able to say it too. I get
phone calls from some folk who have been Christians for years. “Oh, I’m feeling
so low,” they moan …week after week.
It’s true. Some Christians are “out and out for Jesus” on
Sunday and “up and down without Him”
for the rest of the week.
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Q.14. YOU WERE TELLING ME THAT YOU READ A BOOK
WHICH CHANGED YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE SCRIPTURES TEACH CONCERNING THE
SECOND COMING. WHAT WAS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SECOND COMING….HOW DID IT
CHANGE AND WHAT WAS THE BOOK ??
13. Yes…THE MOMENTOUS EVENT by W.J. Grier was quite a revolutionary little book. Until I read that the Futurist, or Dispensational, view of prophecy was all I knew. I thought that all Christians believed in a Secret rapture and a 7-year Tribulation and a future AntiChrist and all that. As soon as I was converted I bought myself a Scofield Bible and before I knew where I was, Bible Prophecy was my No.1 love. For the first couple of years of my Christian life I knew more about the Man of Sin than I did about the Son of Man ! And I thought the return of the Jews to Palestine after the First World War was a major sign of the Second Coming. But I came to see … and it was Grier’s book that opened my eyes … that there were other views held by Bible-believing Christians. One of the distressing things I see in A.O.G. Bible Colleges, incidentally, is that the students are only exposed to one particular teaching on Bible Prophecy.
But I’m not ashamed to say
that my views changed from pre-millennial to a-millennial…at least, that seems the most satisfactory of the various views to me. I certainly don’t part
company with other Christians over such issues. A proper interpretation of
Bible Prophecy is not a condition for getting one through the Golden Gate !
Though there are some Christians who seem to think so.
I might add that I have a
soft spot for the Historicist interpretation…seeing as you asked… that is, that the Book of Revelation finds
its fulfilment down through the history of the Christendom. But I’m not dogmatic about it. As a matter
of fact I know less about Revelation
now than I did when I’d only been a Christian for six months!!.
Thank you for allowing me to
take the opportunity to share these things with your readers.
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LETTER TO DON HARDGRAVE who wrote expressing
interest in becoming ‘Walk Thru’ the Bible Instructor … 5/2/2004
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Thanks again for
the kind words concerning my writing efforts .
I haven't got a
web page but I do have lots of Christian biographies on my computer that I
could send you ...if you like.
'Walk thru' the Bible' is a world-wide
organization. I was with them from 1981 to 1991 , did over 100
seminars and loved it. HOWEVER ...these days ... it has
developed into a big business and is almost non-existent in Australia.
It costs quite a bit to attend the seminar and
it has to be a qualified instructor. And the church has to put up a
'bond' ( it used to be about $75 which they didn't get back
unless a certain number attended.) Which became rather
embarrassing if I was the instructor and they hadn't reached their
target. Besides which the initial impetus of Walk Thru' had worn off ...
numbers were always down ... and instead of getting a dozen a year I was
lucky to get 2 or 3.
Because I enjoyed doing it so very much ... and
could see the tremendous value of it ... I 'invented' my own "Skip
Thru' Church History' using the same format of o/head transparencies , key
words and actions. From 15/6/1985 (at Albury Baptist) to
18/11/2002 ( at Sutherland Christian School NSW ) I have done it 72
times. Since my heart attack (! ) ... I forget when it was (88 ?) I
don't like doing 6-hour seminars all at one time. But that last one
was from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00p.m. with breaks. I survived.
Because I enjoyed conducting
seminars so much ... I invented " Skip Thru' the Cults' ( the first
one at Northcote Baptist October 1989.) ... an all day survey of about ten
major cults ... o/head transparencies and key words ... no actions.
Until August 1995 ( Werribee Independent
Baptist ) I did it 39 times. These days I just do one cult at a time ... just
last Wednesday I did SDA's at Caulfield Continuing Methodist Church for
one and a half hours. I've already done Mormons & J.W.'s there
recently. They have invited me back on Feb. 25 ... subject not yet chosen
. Scientology maybe ...
Because I enjoyed conducting Seminars
so much ( I 've heard that before ... and because I wasn't getting much from
Walk Thru' and because I didn't want to set up in opposition to Walk Thru' )
... I invented my own " Skip Thru' the Scriptures' but
never advertized it. I would cover the whole Bible in one day
... o/head ... key words ... actions.
From 15/6/1990 ( Balwyn Wesleyan ) until
March 2003 ( Mill Valley Leaders' Camp ) I've done it 55 times.
Because I enjoyed conducting seminars so much ( or have I
already said that ? ) and because people kept on asking me " Do you
have any more 'Skip Thru's ? " , I invented Skip
Thru' the Tabernacle' !!
From March 11 , 1992 (
Northcote Baptist ) until July 2001 ( Home group ) . My records don't
seem up to date here . I'm sure I've done it a couple of dozen
times. For a while I borrowed a wonderful model of the Tabernacle
but for a large group the o/head projector is the wisest method.
Because ... you believe me yet ? The minister at
Lara Baptist (near Geelong ) had me for four 'Skip Thru's' and then rang
and asked me if I could do a 'Skip Thru' the Book of Revelation'. I
told him that I could but my view might be different to his. He said he didn't
have a view ! So I invented 'Skip Thru' Bible Prophecy' where I tried to
be fair and examine the various views. But it was a bit hard not to raise my
eybrows when I mentioned the ones with which I disagreed. I did it two or
three times .. 5/8/93 over two nights (Lara Baptist) to 21/5/2000
(Glen Park Gospel Mission.)
Because I enjoyed conducting seminars so much ... I
invented 'Skip Thru' Bible Archaeology' .
Beside the o/head transparencies Dr.
Clifford Wilson had given me some replicas of various artifacts
.
So from 2/7/1994 ( Chinese Uniting Church ,
Melb. ) until 24/6/2001 ( Tuggerong CMA , Canberra ) I've done
it at least 22 times.
Because I enjoyed conducting seminars so much I'm a bit
sad that I'm getting on in years ... at the moment 6 pills a day ,
Dr. Daisy and the Lord keep me going ( tho' not necessarily in that
order.)
It's been a great life but I'm
slowing down.
I'd be pleased to teach you my ' Skip Thru'
the Scriptures' . I think that would be a good one . Or Church HIstory
... if you know your church history reasonably well. There are a lot of
transparencies that would need to be copied. You could use it
freely ... but don't rip people off with fees. I used to say ' a donation at
the door to cover printing and petrol '. Which is a bit different to
'Walk Thru's' policy ! Maybe I could fly up to Brisbane and
go over it with you a few times.? ... I have other friends there I'd like to
see. And in Bundaberg. Just a thought.
I'll be home tomorrow morning preparing for the
two services at Timboon Independent Baptist on Sunday.
Whew ! That about covers it...
God bless
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The following notes
were written by Don in 2004, in preparation for an interview by Leigh Wallace
at Moreland Baptist Reunion.
Leigh ....
Bryan Thompson has asked me to give you a few background snippets of
my post-West Moreland Baptist days.
+
It was at West Moreland I felt the inner compulsion to preach ...
even writing to the deacons and asking them if I could hire (!) the church one
Friday night. ( July 28. 1950) They let me use the church
free.
+
Another ...to me ... interesting event was going home to tell my
non-church going father that I was going to get baptized. I was 17 at the
time. He said , "I
think I'll go and speak to the minister."
He did.
Much to my amazement
... and relief ... he came home saying "I'm getting baptized
too."
We were baptized the
same night. ( October 17.1948)
I had been converted a
year previous at a mission being held in the Brunswick Town Hall.
+
The concert party team we had in those days visited dozens of churches
... Don Calder ( 'Buster' ) had 'em in the aisles ... mind you , we well
and truly shot him at South Yarra Baptist and he ended up in hospital with
tetanus ... but that's another story......
That concert party probably
helped me overcome any fear of speaking before crowds ... methinks it was
an unusual training ground for a future ministry.
............................................
Whilst at West
Moreland I felt the need for further Bible knowledge incase God had some future
service for me.
I went to the
Melbourne BIble Institute in 1953. ( I was 22) After one year I applied
to the Baptist College ... but lack of educational standards resulted in
my being knocked back. So it was back to the work force and trying to get my
Leaving Certificate at night school. This went on for five years
(!) ...I kept on failing my exams but I kept on re-applying to the
Baptists every year. I even forget which Baptist
board it was but I do recall the chairman , Mr Dick, saying ,"Well, Don,
you've done the whole round of chairmen."
Eventually ... late 1959 ... they
sent me to a Baptist Home MIssion church at Black Hill , Ballarat. Each
week I hitch-hiked to and fro Melbourne to do night school to try and get those
needful educational qualifications. Again , at the end of the year, I
failed. The Home Mission 'sacked' me but the church had no one to
take over and they were happy for me to stay on for another year. So
was I . I lived in a caravan behind the church and got a job taxi
driving.
Eventually a new pastor was appointed and
I returned to working with the PMG in Melbourne.
I continued
preaching regularly with the Baptist Lay-Preacher's society. And I did some
evening classes on Biblical studies at Ridley ( Anglican) College.
Then , after 8 years as an AMP insurance
salesman, (1968-1975) I received an invitation to preach for 6 months at
Collingwood Church of Christ. It would only be 6 months before the
minister they had called was able to take over.
So I
continued with AMP, preached both services on Sundays and conducted the
mid-week meeting ( what happy times they were !! ) ... and the
expected new minister changed his mind about coming. So would I stay another 6
months ? Then another 6 months. Then... so it went.
After two years
I resigned from AMP and became pastor of Collingwood Church of Christ.
This delightful
pastorate lasted for ten years. ( 1975-1985)
During this time
the church withdrew from the Churches of Christ over their ecumenical
involvement and became an independent fellowship called Collingwood
Christian Chapel. ( 1980 ?)
Eventually ,
feeling that it was time for a change ... I resigned ... and went on the dole
for about 6 months.
Next ...to make a long
story short ... I was invited to be minister of the two Christian
Catholic Churches (in Surrey Hills and Mount Evelyn.) I had preached there many
times with the Baptist Lay-Preachers Society.
It was a
Protestant denomination ... with an unfortunate name. It was evangelical
and almost Baptist in doctrine ( except they immersed the candidate three times
instead on once.)
I usually
preached 3 times each Sunday , covering both churches. ( 1985 -
1989) And loved it. But the name of the church didn't encourage outsiders
to attend. It was like 'flogging a dead horse.'
I left after 3
years ... and went on the dole.
Then Rosanna Christian Church , an
independent evangelical fellowship , asked if I would be their pastor for 6
months. ( 1989) I ended up being there for over 6 years.
Then came health
problems ... a heart attack !!! ...so I guess you could call that a health
problem.
I resigned in
1995.
In the midst of all
these pastorates I became a Seminar Instructor for Walk Thru' the Bible
Ministries ... conducting over 100 day-long seminars in 5
states and New Zealand. ( 1981-1991)
I had the
privilege of lecturing for two terms at the Wesleyan College ( 1970)
and at two Pentecostal ( tho' I'm not of that persuasion ) Bible
colleges ... 7 years in Glenroy ( 1983-1988 ?) and 4 years at Seymour.(
1993-1996 ?)
For 30 years I wrote
for New Life , Australia's Christian weekly newspaper ... interviewing many
notable Christians , writing up special events ... and doing over a
thousand book reviews.
Today Barbie and I are members at
Northcote Baptist. I get to preach two or three times a month and take the
mid-week Bible study regularly. Also a regular weekly Bible study with some
Chinese students from Latrobe Uni. on Tuesday nights. I've
just written a book on the history of Northcote Baptist, at the deacon's
request, in readiness for the church's forthcoming centenary.
I was commissioned to write the history
of the Evangelization Society of Australia for their centenary ( 1994)
... and have 4 other books in print.
And yes !! ... I still strum my
little ol' ukelele ! ( Want me to sing a song instead of being
interviewed ? )
Remember me to your Mum & Dad !
Don