Arkansas Baptist Life—ABSC Newsletter—October 2023

WALNUT STREET BAPTIST HOSTS ANNUAL MEETING

Our Convention president invites you to our Annual Meeting on October 24–25, 2023

BY LARRY D. WHITE ARKANSAS BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION PRESIDENT

The Arkansas Baptist State Convention will meet in Jonesboro for our 170th session, October 24–25. This is my second and last one as your president. It has been an honor to serve Arkansas Baptists these past two years. Together, we have accomplished much. I believe a foundation has been laid for more productive and efficient Kingdom work for years to come. This is largely

due to the faithfulness of so many volunteers who serve on our Executive Board, as committee members, and with our institutions and agencies. Arkansas Baptists are doing great things for God.

The Annual Meeting is a time of celebrating what God has done and sharing the vision for the future. You are going to hear about increased giving to missions, growing ministries of agencies, and institutions and initiatives to help assist your church for Kingdom work.

If you are reading this newsletter, I imagine you have attended at least one of the previous sessions of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. I hope you are planning to return this year. May I suggest you bring others with you? I have found that most of the members of our

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October is Pastor + Ministry Staff Appreciation Month, so make plans now to encourage yours.

Arkansas Baptist Life is the official newsletter of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention

ANNUAL MEETING—CONTINUED FROM COVER

churches really do want to know about the work of our Convention. When asked, most will listen with interest about what it is we do. “Why not bring at least one of the members of your church who has never attended an Annual Meeting to serve as a messenger? I have found that those who become more educated about our Convention also become even better members of the local church.

Why not invite another pastor or staff member who might not have attended before? When I served as an associational missionary, I enjoyed doing this every year. Many of those brothers are still attending our annual meetings.

While you are at the meeting, get to know someone you have not met before. Invite someone to a meal during the session breaks. Stop and visit with someone in the exhibit area. We don’t get to spend this kind of time together often enough, so don’t miss this opportunity. I believe you will be encouraged by those you interact with, and they will be even more encouraged by your hospitality and attention.

Grey Falanga, our Pastors’ Conference president, has planned a great conference that you will want to attend. There is nothing like singing enthusiastically and praying fervently in a room full of fellow believers. We will hear great messages. I am glad to have Jim Cymbala speaking at both the Pastors’ Conference and our Annual Meeting.

Clear your calendar for October 23–25. Begin now to invite those who will be coming with you. Pray for these days, for our leadership and for a positive impact upon the churches and city of Jonesboro. I look forward to seeing you there!

Larry is the Pastor of Woodland Heights Baptist, Conway.

ANNUAL MEETING Highlights

FEATURED SPEAKERS

More Highlights

7 Master’Singers in concert

7 Cooperative Program ministry stories from ABSC team leaders

7 Praise reports from entities

7 Sexual Abuse Resource & Response Team (SARRT) report

Opportunities for Fellowship

7 Hispanic worship service Sunday evening at Iglesia Bautista Salvos por Gracia

7 Meet church planters from NAMB and IMB to learn how your church can partner with them

7 Seminary alumni, chaplains, kids ministry leaders, and student/collegiate leaders will meet for lunches on Tuesday

7 Camp Siloam 100th anniversary dessert fellowship

JIM CYMBALA Pastor, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Brooklyn, New York

LARRY D. WHITE ABSC President

ROB DAVIS Pastor, First Baptist Church Harrison, Arkansas

REX HORNE ABSC Interim Executive Director

Pastors’ Conference

OCTOBER 23, 11:30 A.M.

Ministers’ Wives Conference

OCTOBER 23, 11:30 A.M.

BY GREY FALANGA PASTORS’ CONFERENCE PRESIDENT

Read more books, study, and prepare longer to preach better, visit more members in the hospital, lead staff better…and oh, by the way, never miss a ball game or event for your own children and family.

Pastors and staff really do have a ton of expectations placed on them. God is the only one with realistic expectations. No Twitter thread, friend, or church member can bring you back to the right perspective of yourself and ministry. That’s precisely why we want to invite you to this year’s Pastors’ Conference.

Our greatest hope is that you would come and be refreshed, re-signed, and renewed by God, for God. We are excited to have Robert Smith Jr. and Jim Cymbala to fan the flame that God ignited in your soul when you were first called to ministry.

Pastor, we understand you are pulled in a million directions, but please make the time and invest in yourself during this Pastors’ Conference. Prepare your heart and soul to hear a fresh word from the Lord. Be poured into in these short days and return to your field refreshed, re-signed, and renewed by our amazing Savior!

Grey is the Pastor of Walnut Street Baptist Church, Jonesboro.

BY AUBRI DURAN MINISTER’S WIVES ENCOURAGEMENT TEAM

We’ve all had times when we’ve looked around and wondered - does anyone here get me? No one else at church has the same challenges and triumphs we face as ministers’ wives.

It can be a hard and lonely place to be, so I encourage anyone in ministry to do life with others. Find people outside of your church that have a similar role as you and encourage one another.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “How in the world am I going to find a friend in a similar role and instantly become besties?” While I believe in divine appointments at the grocery store or coffee shop, making a meaningful connection can be hard. In case that doesn’t happen for you, I hope and pray you will join us for the Ministers’ Wives Conference!

We love planning this event for you! From the food and décor to the speaker and worship music, all of it is designed with you in mind. At the heart of the conference is an opportunity to connect with a new friend who will understand, pray with, and encourage you.

We are praying for divine appointments and for you to leave with the encouragement you need to keep going in your calling. Don’t do ministry alone! Stay strong in your sacred calling and stay connected! Come and be refreshed in life and ministry. Childcare will be available. We can’t wait to see you!

Aubri is a pastor’s wife (Matt Duran, Indian Springs, Bryant) and mom to Trent and Emily Ann.

OCTOBER IS PASTOR + STAFF APPRECIATION MONTH

Pastors get ‘a lot of mileage’ out of notes, words of encouragement during appreciation month

At Park Hill Baptist Church in North Little Rock a group of ladies meet every other week and pray specifically for the church, including its pastor and ministry staff.

“These women have a godliness about them that is obvious. Their intentional prayers for me, my family and my role as a pastor have served to encourage me many times. I’m so thankful for people in the church that pray for me and speak affirmation into my life. Every pastor needs encouragement and encouragers,” Senior Pastor Ken Shaddox said.

Marty Davis, one of the ladies involved in the Park Hill Baptist Church prayer group, said along with prayer another way to show support could be through a personal note.

“It doesn’t have to be long. Just a few words...It means a lot. And not just for the pastor but the other staff members as well,” Davis said.

Bill Miller, who formerly spent more than 40 years as a pastor, most recently at First Baptist Church in Farmington, Missouri, and now attends First Baptist Church in Fayetteville, said over the years he has written several notes, emails and text messages as well as received them.

“I think there is something about getting a note from someone of appreciation or acknowledging

something you’ve done. I know I really like that,” Miller said.

In ministry, Miller said as a pastor there is the good, the bad and the ugly. He said for most of them there is not nearly as much ugly as there is good, but the ugly tends to leave the impression.

“You can get a lot of mileage out of a note or word of encouragement that says, ‘Thank you, you’re doing a good job,’” Miller said.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, it says, “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord … regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.”

That is exactly what these encouragers have been doing.

A specific time congregations can show support and give thanks for pastors who give, care and serve their congregations and communities is October, Pastor + Staff Appreciation Month. The second Sunday is Pastor + Staff Appreciation Day.

How to show appreciation to your pastor + staff

Your pastor and ministry staff need encouragement more than ever! They need to know that you are lifting them and their families in prayer every day. Pray for their health, for wisdom, courage, daily needs, spiritual blessings, and anything you would pray for your own family.

Many churches focus on expressing appreciation throughout the month of October with gifts or special meals. This is a great time to say “thanks” to staff and their families in creative and meaningful ways. Consider planning events or activities to show appreciation to your pastor and other ministry staff. Go to absc.org/psam for a calendar of suggestions. Here are a few ideas.

Preschoolers and children are never too young to learn how to love their pastor. They can create handmade cards or crafts and collect snacks to make a snack basket.

Students might initiate a workday to clean windows, wash cars, or do yard work at a time that is convenient for the pastor/staff and their families. Students can show their creativity by making a sign, poster, or video honoring the pastor and ministry staff.

Adults might choose to do one or more of the following either individually or as a Sunday School class or small group.

7 Arrange childcare and provide restaurant and theater gift cards for a date night.

7 Provide baked treats or a meal to deliver to the family or to the church staff on a specific day.

7 Host a pastor/staff appreciation meal on a Sunday after worship.

7 Take the family out for a meal or to a sporting event.

7 Help with auto or home repairs/maintenance or hire someone if no one in the church is able to perform these tasks.

7 Hire someone to assist with housework to provide a respite for the staff member’s family.

7 Acknowledge achievements of pastor/staff and family.

7 Send cards/notes of encouragement.

7 Find out about a large item that the pastor/staff member has been saving for and collect money as a group to buy it.

7 Provide gift cards to favorite restaurants, local specialty stores or Amazon.*

7 Give movie, theater, or sporting event tickets.

7 Give a gift certificate for a weekend getaway to a hotel, bed & breakfast, or state park cabin.*

*A gift card, personal check, etc. given directly by an individual to a minister or employee is generally considered non-taxable to the recipient. However, a gift collection taken and distributed by the ministry (church) may be taxable to the minister or employee.

Continue to show appreciation as a church throughout the year. Here are some ways a church of any size can affirm their pastor’s ministry.

7 Provide scholarships for the pastor/staff members’ children to go to camp/student activities.

7 Recognize ministry anniversaries, family birthdays and anniversaries.

7 Support and encourage through regular communication. Be positive on social media. Share only good things about your church and church staff.

7 Respect the pastor/staff member’s family time.

7 Evaluate salary and vacation package and be as generous as possible.

7 Budget for an annual renewal retreat, conferences, and continuing education.

7 Schedule a sabbatical after every five to seven years.

Find more suggestions on how to show appreciation for your pastor and staff at absc.org/psam

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering & Week of Prayer

DECEMBER 3–10

Every day thousands of people enter eternity without the hope of Jesus. Please join us as we observe the Week of Prayer for International Missions, where Southern Baptists pray for IMB missionaries, their ministries, and the unreached people and places they serve.

 imb.org/lottiemoon

Pray First

JANUARY 2024

Let’s begin the year praying together! Join us during the month of January as we reach forward to what is ahead and pray Philippians 3:13–14 with weekly devotionals and prayer points.

 absc.org/prayfirst

Mission Connection Dinner

JANUARY 21

Meet church planters and missionaries to find out how your church can partner with them. If you serve in the Central Arkansas area or plan to drive in Sunday afternoon in preparation for ECON, consider coming to the dinner!

 absc.org/events/2024mission-connection-meet-andgreet-dinner-january/

Prayer Workshop

JANUARY 22

This annual workshop is held on Monday morning before ECON.

Todd Kaunitz, Lead Pastor at New Beginnings Baptist Church, Longview, Texas, will speak to ministry staff and lay leaders on the vital ministry of prayer beginning at 9:30 a.m.

 absc.org/prayer

INFORM INSPIRE INVOLVE IN YOUR INBOX

ECON 2024

JANUARY 22–23

Make plans to attend the 2024 Statewide Conference on Evangelism + Church Health where you will hear speakers Fred Luter, Shane Pruitt, Mark Clifton, and others who will encourage and challenge.

 absc.org/econ

Jail and Prison Ministry Training

JANUARY 27

If you are inspired by Matthew 25:36 to learn more about praying for and ministering to those in jail/ prison, this day of helpful training is for you. Classes are provided free of charge due to the generous giving of Arkansas Baptists through the Cooperative Program and the Dixie Jackson Arkansas Missions Offering.

 absc.org/jailtraining

Block Party Workshops

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY

Block Party ministry is a great way to reach your local community. It is a simple and fun tool to share the love of Christ. This workshop is for churches and associations that already have a block party ministry or are going to host a block party using resources from a church or association.

 absc.org/blockparty

Lead>Defend and Foundations 2024

MARCH 2

Save the date for the leadership and apologetics conference hosted by the College + Young Leaders Team. Two events in one for middle school, high school, and college students and their leaders. This conference is designed to equip the next generation of leaders to develop and defend their faith.

 absc.org/leaddefend

PRAY FOR CHURCH PLANTERS

BY JONATHAN AND MANDY JOHNSON ARKANSAS BAPTIST CHURCH PLANTERS

Compass View is part of an exciting church planting story. Our sending church, Compass South, was sent out by Compass Batesville and launched less than two years before jumping into church planting itself. We are honored to have Compass South, led by Pastor Chad Graves, as our sending church.

We officially launched on Easter 2023. God is using our young church to bring hope to the unchurched, uninvited, and unaccepted.

We currently meet at the Stone County fairgrounds. This partnership with the county has helped us build a solid bridge to engage our community. One way that we regularly engage our community is through what we call Serve Sundays. On these strategic days,

we gather for prayer and then scatter into our community to serve with our hands in practical everyday kind of ways. What could God do with a new church in Mountain View whose focus is to befriend the lost, make disciples, send the next generation, and plant churches?

Please pray for us as we strive to disciple the next generation and build strong leadership.

Jonathan and Mandy Johnson are planting Compass View Church in Mountain View.

We spend each month praying for planters around the state. You can find a daily calendar each month at absc.org/prayforplanters.

Stay connected to us on social media, watch and listen to our videos and podcasts, sign up for our monthly eNews, and find all things Arkansas Baptist on our website. Get started at:

ABSC.ORG/ UPDATES

CALENDAR

October 28 ServSafe Training

November 8 Worship Leaders’ Roundtable

November 16 KidMin Network

If you would like to receive a monthly electronic newsletter with links to these events and more, go to absc.org/subscribe or call 501-376-4791 ext. 5153.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SPECIFIC EVENTS, CALL 501.376.4791 OR 800.838.2272 OR VISIT ABSC.ORG/CALENDAR FOR COMPLETE EVENT INFO.

The ministries of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention are funded by the generous giving of Arkansas Baptists to missions through the Cooperative Program and the Dixie Jackson Arkansas Missions Offering.