Allan Spurgeon TINSLEY

TINSLEY, ALLAN SPURGEON (b. Stanmore NSW, 22 June 1916; d. Adelaide, SA, 29 Dec 1988). Baptist pastor and evangelical leader.

Allan Tinsley was the younger son of the distinguished Baptist preacher Rev C J Tinsley. He was profoundly influenced by his father's piety, and is said to have described his early years as basking in the 'reflected righteousness of a godly father'. Tinsley was educated at the Stanmore Public School, Enmore Technical High School where he excelled in various sporting pursuits, developing the large and strong physique for which he was always noted and Macquarie Secretarial College.

Following his conversion through the ministry of Alec Brown (q.v.) at a CSSM camp, Tinsley was baptised by his father at the age of 16. In 1939 he accompanied his father to Atlanta for a meeting of the Baptist World Alliance. This experience was the catalyst for his decision to follow his father into Baptist pastoral ministry. Tinsley commenced training at the NSW Baptist Theological College in 1940 and served as student pastor at New Lampton, Blacktown and Northbridge churches, being ordained in 1943. Also in 1943 he met Joy Lindstrom whom he m. in 1945. Tinsley served as pastor of the Campsie Baptist Church from 1946 until he accepted a call to the Unley Park Baptist Church (SA) in 1953. It was during his 14 years at Unley Park that Tinsley expanded his reputation as a gifted expository preacher and devoted pastor. His great love for people was reflected in his uncanny memory for names.

Tinsley's ministry was not limited to the pastorate. His involvement in Baptist missionary endeavours at both state and national levels spanned more than 40 years. His enthusiasm and leadership are indicated by his election in 1964 as chairman of the SA Baptist Union (SABU) Overseas Missions Department and in 1977 as chairman of the Australian Baptist Missionary Society. He held both of these offices until ill health forced his retirement in 1980. The impact of Allan Tinsley was also felt in the broader denominational context. He served as president of the SABU in 1962 and director of Church Extension for the period 1968 to 1970, during which time eleven new churches were established.

His influence went far beyond Baptist denominational boundaries. The indebtedness which he felt toward the ministry of Scripture Union is indicated in his commitment to the SA Council and Association for over three decades. As teacher or leader, Allan Tinsley played a significant role in a remarkable range of evangelical organisations such as Christian Endeavour, Youth for Christ, Evangelical Alliance, Billy Graham Crusades and Girl's Brigade. He also had a concern for the community in general and was a longstanding member of Rotary, including the Campsie, Unley and Adelaide clubs.

In 1982, after deteriorating health had forced him to withdraw from most of his formal ministry, Tinsley took up ministry as chaplain at the Illoura Baptist nursing home where he served until his death. Allan Tinsley was a man of extraordinary energy and commitment who as a pastor, teacher and leader had a far reaching influence not only among Baptists but also many other evangelical Christians in SA and beyond.

WILLIAM F STRONACH