The years 1950-1970 marked the beginning of a transition from the conservatism of the 1950's, through the affluent and turbulent sixties, to the new world of the seventies. This transition was evident in the theology and lifestyle of the churches.

      Within the Australian Churches of Christ, which reflected this transition, there were a number of significant developments during this period. The two major organizational developments were the establishment of mission work in New Guinea and the formation of a theological college at Kenmore in Queensland. A number of doctrinal issues were also debated during this era. These were concerned with the nature of Biblical authority and the status of theology. While there were those who were keen to reiterate the stance of Churches of Christ, a growing number were committed to advertising those basic doctrines Churches of Christ held in common with other mainstream Protestant groups. Considerable conflict developed between unity advocates and conservatives who considered that the former were selling the Movement out. Several initiatives were taken to bring the Federal and State Theological Colleges into closer association. The full-time ministry of the Churches was also subject to certain s trains, particularly during the sixties. Political and social issues continued to agitate the churches. It was also during this period that the Australian Churches of Christ began to dialogue with a small group of "non-organ" Churches of Christ whose growth in Australia had been fostered by American "non-instrumental" churches.

      Documentation of these developments will be largely restricted to periodical and other occasional literature. More substantial publications will be referred to where these are relevant to the issues under review.

      Numerous organizational developments occurred during this period, the most significant of which were the opening of a mission work in New Guinea and the establishment by the Queensland Conference of Kenmore Christian College.

1. New Guinea
2. Kenmore Christian College

1. NEW GUINEA

Foreign Mission Board Inc. (report) in Churches of Christ in Australia, 27th Federal

      It will be recalled that at last Federal Conference the Foreign Mission Board were empowered to consider prospects of commencing work in a new area in S.E. Asia. The choice of country was left to the Board, and if reasonably satisfied with the prospects an 'on the spot' survey was to be undertaken. To finance such a survey an appeal to the brotherhood was authorised to an amount of 2,000 pounds. New Guinea was eventually chosen as the country in which to commence operations, and the brotherhood readily over-subscribed the amount of 2,000 pounds asked for.

Survey Results

      The survey was undertaken by a party consisting of Bren. A. Anderson, C.L. Fitzgerald and R. Hilford. After investigating a number of areas, the survey party recommended entry as early as possible into the Bogia area, Territory of New Guinea. This recommendation was accepted by the Board, who thereupon acted on the Federal Conference resolution (Sydney, 1956) and sought the endorsement of the Federal Executive, the State F.M. Committees and State Conferences on early action. All these bodies in turn endorsed the Board's recommendation of early action, and plans were put into operation immediately.

Pioneer Workers

      After careful thought, supported by earnest prayer, Bren. F.W. Beale (with experience of a term in the New Hebrides and war service in New Guinea) and H. J. Finger (with 15 years New Hebrides experience) to undertake the advance steps in the new field. We commend these brethren for their willingness to undertake this task, for it not only involves the arduous task of pioneering unknown areas, but also the severance of their family ties for an unknown period. We are grateful to their wives, who agreed to remain in Australia with family responsibilities carried alone.

      The two pioneer workers left for New Guinea on May 19th, 1958, and were received cordially by the Administrative officers at Port Moresby and elsewhere. From these men they gained much valuable information. They also were warmly received by Lutheran and other missionary leaders, and have been able to make favourable arrangements for despatch of goods between Madang and Bogia.

      At the time of preparing this report, the men were in the selected area, over a wide part of which they made surveys by air preparatory to undertaking foot investigations. They had already received invitations from native people of several areas to commence work in their villages. Some of these areas have been visited, and others will shortly be contacted. Should any of these areas prove suitable, we are assured of a good welcome amongst them.

      Before Conference meets it is likely that suitable locations will have been discovered, and plans may be under way to establish the work. The latest information on the New Guinea work will be presented to Conference by means of a supplementary report.

Australian Churches of Christ Foreign Mission Board Incorp. (Report.) Churches of Christ in

      The New Field Opens. The report to last Federal Conference intimated that Bren. F. Beale and H. Finger were in the Bogia sub-district, and contacts were being made. Shortly after this the dramatic announcement was made by these workers that many invitations had been received from groups of villages, and finally location was made in the Tung area, a few hours walk from the Ramu River. This area has a group of 12 villages, with others not too far away.

      Land was offered by the people for our use at Tung, timber was readily made available for building purposes and labour offered to help in the erection. Speedily land was cleared, timber felled and logs sawn and the timber carried. The building programme was given a big lift by the splendid help of Mr. Jim Dow, of Bambra Rd, church, Victoria, who offered his services as a skilled carpenter.

      Mr. Harold Finger returned to Australia to rejoin his family in March, 1959, with the satisfaction of knowing that the work was established and already making progress. Mr. Dow came home in June, 1959, after his useful period of pioneering service as a builder.

      Work at Tung. The development of the work has been one of progressive stabilisation, with the promise of good consolidation and results in the near future. Two permanent residences have been built, and a school erected on the land held by us. A church, right in the midst of the village by special request of the people, is in regular use.

2. KENMORE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

A.C., 1965, pp. 3-4.

      During the past year or so many have enquired of us concerning the WHY and HOW of Kenmore Christian College. It seems appropriate at this time, when we are in our first year of training activities, that the story should be officially recorded for the inspiration and challenge of our Australian brotherhood now and in future years.

A Great Vision

      This concerns the WHY of Kenmore. It was the compelling vision of God. There were not many who shared it, and it was with no little persuasion that Queensland State Conference set up a College Establishment Committee at Annual Conference, 1962. The Committee met for the first time on April 17, 1962.

      The vision was to grow. The first suggestion was that we should utilise the boys' Hostel at Annerley for the accommodation of students, and the Annerley church buildings for lecturing purposes. It wasn't long, however, before this door was closed, for the Boys' Hostel became Hillcrest Home for the Aged. Looking back now we believe God closed this door as he also closed other doors at which we knocked for some time.

      There was the thought of renting or buying premises at West End or St. Lucia. One or two places in each of these areas created interest, whilst a building at Toowong was also inspected, but nothing eventuated.

      Then came the idea of building a College if we could purchase suitable land. A property of three-quarters of an acre on the river, and adjacent to the University, took our eye. But there were problems because of City Council ownership. The possibility of a University College was also investigated, but it was our unanimous decision that we did not want to buy into the problems faced by such Colleges, even if the opportunity offered itself. Many hours of discussion and months of fruitless but unrelenting search were involved.

      All this occupied a period of eighteen months until November, 1963. We had a mandate to proceed to look for property upon which to build, providing we reported to the churches before purchasing.

      Now we set out to test the true feeling of the Queensland brotherhood. An appeal for an initial sum of 15,000 pounds was launched at a rally in Ann Street chapel on August 24, 1963. Dr. A.G. Elliott, Vice-Principal of Woolwich, was the guest speaker. It wasn't a big rally, and some were crestfallen. But a fire was lit that night which could not be put out. A month later, on September 24, a College Subscription Dinner, with 120 present, was held. Principal A.W. Stephenson, of Woolwich, was guest speaker. The flames were fanned. The brotherhood responded magnificently. Within three months the target of 15,000 pounds had been reached. This we believed was the first sure sign from God that he was in it.

      Then came another great sign. It was early December, 1963. There was brought to our notice a block of nearly five acres of land at Kenmore, a quarter of an hour by car from the University, and seven miles from the G.P.O. The situation was excellent. The price, 6,000 pounds. We felt that God had at last brought us to the place of his choosing. The churches gave their reply in favour and the deal was closed.

A Great Miracle

      This, together with all other things that have happened, concerns the HOW of Kenmore. It was God who did it. Let him alone be praised!

      Few people in Queensland had heard of Dr. James H. Jauncey until November, 1963. But the unseen hand of God was at work fashioning the future. A chain of events beginning with a visit by the Jauncey family to Dr. Jauncey's seriously ill father in Perth, and ending with Dr. Jauncey's acceptance of the Principalship at Kenmore, could not have been planned by any man.

      Dr. Jauncey was, at that time, minister of the First Christian Church, El Paso, Texas. He had previously been occupied as a scientist working on the electronic brains of missiles at White Sands Missile Base. He had left this to minister to the El Paso Church following the death of Dick Williams, brother of Principal E.L. Williams, of Glen Iris.

      Information that Dr. Jauncey was travelling east on his way home reached Haydn Sargent and a letter was sent inviting Dr. Jauncey to speak at a service at Annerley.

      Dr. Jauncey preached at Annerley. He came to an after-church fellowship at Albion, and we said "good-bye" and added, "perhaps some day we'll meet again." That day, unknown to us, was only two days away.

      A sightseeing tour of Brisbane, which included as an after-thought a run out to Kenmore to see where these crazy Queenslanders intended to build a College, led to a seemingly stupid question, "Would Dr. Jauncey consider the possibility of becoming Principal of the College?" "Yes." The answer was breathtaking. Events then moved rapidly. A meeting of the College Committee was hastily arranged for that evening at the home of Prof. A.R. Wilson. Possibilities were discussed, but we had nothing to offer

except our belief that God was leading us to do this. We agreed to keep in touch and pray for the revealing of God's will.

      On February 12, 1964, a joint meeting between the State Conference Executive and the College Establishment Committee unanimously agreed to invite Dr. Jauncey to become Principal of Kenmore. The written invitation was followed by a telephone call from the Albion manse to the El Paso parsonage. His voice came over as clearly as though we were speaking just across the city.

      The miracle had happened! He would come. The letter confirmation said, "Prayerful consideration over many weeks has led us to believe that this is indeed the guidance of God, and therefore we are happy to accept." On September 3, 1964, the Jauncey family stepped from the plane at Eagle Farm. There were Dr. and Mrs. Jauncey, and their daughters, Colleen and Maureen.

A Great Future

      So we got on with the job. We had already "broken ground" on the beautiful crisp autumn morning of April 18 that year. Then came a tree planting day in July, and the letting of the contract for the first stage of the building was finalised in August.

      It was my privilege to induct Dr. Jauncey as Principal at an Australian-wide representative gathering at Ann Street, just prior to Federal Conference. It was an overflow crowd. His message filled our hearts with joy.

      Another great crowd of some four hundred attended the unveiling of the Foundation Plaque at Kenmore by R. Acland, President of State Conference, on September 19. It was good to have both our other Colleges, Glen Iris and Woolwich, officially represented, and also our World Brotherhood in the person of Dr. L. V. Kirkpatrick, Acting General Secretary of the World Convention.

      On March 2, 1965, we held our first College Convocation at Ann Street. The number attending again exceeded the capacity of the building. Seventeen students, representing the U.S.A. and a majority of Australian States, were presented as candidates for the first year at Kenmore.

      On May 2, during our Annual State Conference, L. Larsen, our oldest Queensland minister, officially opened Kenmore Christian College, and Mrs. C.R. Burden, wife of the College Board Chairman, officiated in declaring the Principal's residence open. The attendance was eight hundred. The thank-offering, 850 pounds.

      And now we press on. The existing accommodation for eleven students is full. Extensions are even now under way which will provide for another sixteen students and an extra lecture room in 1966.

Kenmore: Magazine of the Student Association, 1965, p. 3.

      I guess it is stretching things a bit to call our campus a mountain. It is more a lovely hillside with a magnificent view. But I like to call it a mountain. For to me it is the mountain of God. His presence hovers over it just like the wisps of mist do on some crisp mornings. I want it to be known like that, a place where young men and women meet God like Moses did on Mt. Sinai. If that can happen they will go on lighting fire for Him all their lives and people will recognise the voice of God in them as surely as the Israelites did in Moses.

      It has been our policy from the first to make our theology crystal clear. We follow Christ and accept everything He says as final. This is why we believe that the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God. The very words of the Bible are to us so sacred that we require every ministerial student to study them in the original languages for the full four years. The Bible is the heart of everything we do.

      Kenmore stands for academic excellence. We feel that our calling as ministers of the Word cannot be satisfied by anything less. For this reason the standards we are demanding are among the highest in the world. With the increase in educational standards among the general public we can see clearly that the effective minister of the future must stand head and shoulders above the average. Our goal is the B.A. and B.D. for every minister.

      But we are no academic ivory tower. Everything we do is related to the down-to-earth practical task of being a minister. For this reason the whole area of study which we call "The Ministry" is a worship discipline; no lectures but learning by doing. In the first six months of its career, the College started a new church. This is only the beginning. There will be many more. We are the spearhead for outreach in Queensland.

      We also feel that we have a propaganda function, to promote the faith once delivered to the saints. Already through the mass media we have raised the flag for the Restoration Movement. We believe that in a special way God has committed the testimony of New Testament Christianity to the trust of the Churches of Christ and that without that we can see no reason for the existence of the Brotherhood. Kenmore has no sympathy with that goal of the ecumenical movement which seeks a merger of all denominations. We heartily support co-operation with all believers regardless of label but we believe that this is better achieved through efforts like Christian Endeavour, C.B.M.C., Keswick, Billy Graham Crusades and the like.

      So far God has mightily blessed this approach. While we are faithful to Him and His word He will continue to hover over the mountain.

C.E., (G) Oct. 1965, p. 9.

      As a result of my month abroad I have been able to do a good deal to put Kenmore Christian College on the map as far as our world brotherhood is concerned. At the World Convention of the Churches of Christ in Puerto Rico I gave a message on The Awareness of God, calling our people back to Christ's acceptance of the Bible as the infallible Word of God. The audience gave me a tremendous ovation, not for my speech, but for my insistence on this basic truth of the Restoration Movement.

      The big appeal of Kenmore is our outspoken stand on the infallibility of the Word of God plus our demand for the highest standards of scholarship, and the fact that God has been marvelously blessing this emphasis. We are not alone in this, of course, but many people abroad feel that God has raised us up for just such a time as this.

[NOF 565-569]