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The Gathering
Evangelism Evolution: How My Understanding Has Changed Over Three Decades by Larry Hovis
Hopeful Imagination
It is My Prayer ... Village of Hope by Bea Clark Under the Tin Roof by Beth Heffner
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Lessons Learned Well by Wanda Kidd
Ministering to the “Forgotten” by Rick Jordan
CBFNC Foundational Statements to be Discussed in Regional Meetings by Larry Hovis
National General Assembly Highlights
Lessons Learned Well
CBF Collegiate Congregational intern Natalie Hinton at Day Camp with First, Hillsborough.
The Gathering
of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina
phone: 336.759.3456 • phone: 888.822.1944 • fax: 336.759.3459 • cbfnc@cbfnc.org • www.cbfnc.org
Larry Hovis Executive Coordinator LHovis@cbfnc.org
Rick Jordan ....... Church Resources Coordinator ....... RJordan@cbfnc.org
Linda Jones Missions Coordinator LJones@cbfnc.org
Jim Hylton ........ Business Administration Coordinator . JHylton@cbfnc.org
Jack Causey Ministerial Resources Coordinator JCausey@cbfnc.org
Laura Barclay Social Ministries Coordinator LBarclay@cbfnc.org
Coordinating Council
Steve Little, Marion, Moderator
Donna Bissette, Winston-Salem, Moderator-elect
Greg Rogers, Greenville, Past Moderator
Greg Watson, Hickory, Recorder
Gary Knight, Winston-Salem, Treasurer
Ray Ammons, Gastonia
Tommy Bratton, Asheville
Susan Ellington, Zebulon
David Hailey, Raleigh
Martha McDowell, Laurinburg
Lisa Rust, Lumberton
Bert Young, Bladenboro
Janice Young, Whiteville
Endowment Management Board
Jack Buchanan, Shelby
Joe Harris, Mocksville
John Hewett, Charlotte
Judy LeCroy, Lexington
Candy Tennant, Chapel Hill
Wanda Kidd College Ministry Consultant WKidd@cbfnc.org
Eddie Hammett ... Church and Clergy Coach ......... EHammett@cbfnc.org
Javier Benitez Hispanic Ministry Leader Coach JavierB1@embarqmail.com
Nancy Parks ....... Programs Manager .................. NParks@cbfnc.org
Sarah Mitchell Communications Manager SMitchell@cbfnc.org
Gail McAlister Financial Manager GMcalister@cbfnc.org
Casey Carroll Administrative Assistant CCarroll@cbfnc.org
Faith Development Ministry Council
John Vestal, Raleigh, Chair
Allen Winters, Hillsborough, Chair-Elect
Todd Blake, Fayetteville
Gay Gulick, Winston-Salem
Beth Heffner, Rutherfordton
Garin Hill, Shelby
Kathy Naish, Hickory
Katie Fam Roscoe, Southern Pines
Tony Spencer, Forest City
Sophia Steibel, Boiling Springs
Leadership Development Ministry Council
Mark Ashworth, Kernersville, Chair
Scott Hovey, Durham, Chair-Elect
Joseph Alexander, Winston-Salem
Ed Beddingfield, Fayetteville
Larry Glover-Wetherington, Richlands
Rendell Hipps, Hickory
Tommy James, Sylva
Shane Nixon, Burlington
LeAnne Spruill Ryan, Durham
Mari Wiles, Murfreesboro
Missions Ministry Council
Kenny Davis, Wise, Chair
Kent Cranford, Gastonia, Chair-Elect
George Fuller, Raleigh
Brandon Hudson, Winston-Salem
Christopher Ingram, Smithfield
Andrea Dellinger Jones, Raleigh
Pablo Juarez, Sanford
Len Keever, Dunn
Alicia Porterfield, Wilmington
Linda Winslow, Jamestown
CBF National Council Members from NC
Paul Baxley, Henderson
Lee Canipe, Murfreesboro
Don Gordon, Durham
Betsy Newton Herman, Raleigh
Beth McConnell, Charlotte
Robin Roberts, Raleigh
Blenda Sloniker, Hickory
NC Missions Initiative
& justice mercy
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
Friday
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University
Saturday speaker: Rev. Nancy Hastings Sehested Co-Pastor of Circle of Mercy in Asheville, NC, and Chaplan for the NC Department of Corrections Watch
This weekend is for individuals, families, small groups, Sunday School classes, youth groups, and others. We will share the riches of Christ’s love, presence, and compassion with communities living in poverty.
Cost is $25 per person ($65 max for families). Register at www.cbfnc.org as an individual (as part of a group or alone) or as a family.
Evangelism Evolution: How My Understanding Has Changed Over Three Decades
by Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator
Though the word, in its present form, doesn’t appear in the Bible, evangelism is an important subject for Christians — and Baptists in particular. Its root from the Greek, euangelion, is in the Scriptures, and simply means “good news.” In fact, it appears in Jesus’ inaugural sermon, recorded in Luke 4:18-19, taken from Isaiah:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news (euangelion) to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
If evangelism, bringing good news, is central to Jesus’ self-understanding of his mission, then surely it must be central to the mission of his followers, right? Most Baptists would agree. But what is evangelism? Looking back over my own adult Christian pilgrimage, I can see an evolution of my understanding of evangelism, particularly at five key points along the way.
Scene 1 - Respectful Skepticism
wHat’s in a word? ev an ge li sm
It is 1980. I am a freshman in college. I live on a hall-style dorm with no air conditioning. Long before the advent of iPods or even walkmans, every student in my dorm has his own “personal listening device.” It’s called a stereo, has huge speakers, and blasts music that can be heard by everyone in a three-mile radius. The anthem for my hallmates seems to be, “I’m gonna rock ’n roll all night, and party every day.” Beer flows freely (drinking age is eighteen) and partying is the most popular pastime, especially in the early days of the semester before tests, papers and projects pile up.
A group of guys makes regular rounds in the dorm. Behind their backs, they are ridiculed as the “God Squad.” They visit each room, even those containing the most inebriated students, confronting them of their need to repent of their sin and turn to Christ. They find few receptive ears. I admire their commitment to the Lord and their passion for their cause, but I question their methods.
Scene 2 – Finding My Own Voice
It is 1985. I’m now a first-year seminary student, part of a leadership team taking a group of college students from North Carolina on a spring break mission trip to Panama City Beach, Florida. We’re working with a home missionary, a single woman named Vada. There is still an entity called the “Home Mission Board,” with a large department called “Christian Social Ministries.” Vada has dedicated herself to ministry with the poor of the community. She loves Jesus and the people but is pretty tough and intimidates the students (including me). Star Wars is a popu-
lar movie, and the students quietly refer to her as “Darth Vada.”
One day, we’re helping distribute clothing to the neighborhood. Vada calls me over. “You’re in seminary, right? This is Jane. Share the Gospel with her.”
I’m confused. “You mean right here? Right now?”
“Where else and when else?” Vada responds rather matter-offactly and walks away, leaving Jane in my care.
So, Jane and I sit down on the edge of a porch. We engage in a little small talk. Finally I make a feeble attempt to walk Jane down the Roman Road and share the plan of salvation. She voices a prayer to accept Jesus. Whether she’s done this before or this is the first time, I don’t know. I also don’t know whether this makes any difference in Jane’s life. What I do know is that it changes me.
Scene 3 – From Evangelism to Church Growth
I’m now a pastor. Through sermons, newsletter articles, and other platforms, I regularly encourage congregants to be witnesses. Usually, this translates as “invite your neighbors, friends and co-workers to our church.” A few of them actually do it. Of the new folks who come, a minority of them have never made a public commitment to Christ. I share with them the meaning of salvation, baptism and church membership, and lead them to become part of the body of Christ. I become quite comfortable in this role, as the primary evangelist of our congregation. It makes me feel important. It’s how we add new members to the church. But I’m not sure it’s good that we’ve equated (or reduced) evangelism to church growth.
Scene 4 – Vision for CBFNC
It’s 2004. I’ve just begun a new ministry as CBFNC Coordinator. I’m traveling around the state conducting regional meetings, meeting people, sharing my vision for CBFNC and soliciting ideas from those who come. One of the dreams, I say, is to emphasize evangelism in our fellowship. In subsequent years, we form an Evangelism Task Force consisting of congregational leaders and CBF field personnel who are passionate about evangelism. They spend time defining evangelism and identifying resources that will help congregations pursue evangelism with greater intentionality and effectiveness. We also focus the 2009 CBFNC General Assembly on evangelism and enlist Fred Craddock, one of the greatest Gospel proclaimers of our time, as our keynote speaker.
Scene 5 – A New Perspective
I’m sitting in the large ballroom of the Westin Hotel in Charlotte at the 2010 national CBF general assembly. Alan Roxborough, one of the “gurus” of the missional church conversation, is speaking at the leadership institute. He challenges us to “move back into our neighborhoods.” That is, as Christians and church leaders, we should focus on our neighbors – those who live where
Hopeful
Hopeful
Hopeful
Traditional Churches Finding God’s w ay in a Changing world
Traditional Churches Finding God’s w ay in a Changing world
• Learn how churches move from “why we can’t” to “how we can.”
• Learn how churches move from “why we can’t” to “how we can.”
• Discover the power of relationships and how to create missional partnerships to impact a city.
• Learn how churches move from “why we can’t” to “how we can.”
• Discover the power of relationships and how to create missional partnerships to impact a city.
• Dialogue with pastoral staff and lay leadership that are effectively transitioning a congregation from maintenance to mission.
• Discover the power of relationships and how to create missional partnerships to impact a city.
• Experience encouragement, hope and help for leaders and congregations.
• Dialogue with pastoral staff and lay leadership that are effectively transitioning a congregation from maintenance to mission.
• Dialogue with pastoral staff and lay leadership that are effectively transitioning a congregation from maintenance to mission.
• Experience encouragement, hope and help for leaders and congregations.
P RESEN t ERS i NC lud E
October 22-23, 2010
• Experience encouragement, hope and help for leaders and congregations.
Mike Queen, Jim Everette, Jayne davis, Kurt watchel, ruben swint, ronnie russell, George Bullard, Bill wilson, Eddie Hammett, don Vigus, Bo Prosser, Larry Hovis, and lay leaders from FBC wilmington
Host Teaching Church: First Baptist Church, Wilmington, NC A 200 year old church making an impact today and tomorrow. Visit www.FBCWilmington.org.
October 22-23,
t h O u G ht S ABO ut hOPEF ul iMAG i NA ti ON
this conference will be a wonderful opportunity for peer learning, networking and dreaming. the leadership team has designed an event that will be both for inspirational and equipping. if i were a minister in the local church today, i would definitely participate.
- daniel Vestal, Exec. Coordinator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, atlanta
Registration and workshop details will be available soon at www.cbfnc.org.
October 22-23, 2010
2010
Host Teaching Church:
Host teaching Church: First Baptist Church, wilmington, nC
Co-sponsored by First Baptist Church, The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina, Center for Congregational Health and the Columbia Partnership.
First Baptist Church, Wilmington, NC
Host Teaching Church: First Baptist Church, Wilmington, NC
A 200 year old church making an impact today and tomorrow. Visit www.FBCWilmington.org.
A 200 year old church making an impact today and tomorrow. Visit www.FBCWilmington.org.
Registration and workshop details will be available soon at www.cbfnc.org.
A 200-year-old church making an impact today and tomorrow. For more information and registration details, visit www.hopefulimagination.info
Co-sponsored by First Baptist Church, The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina, Center for Congregational Health and the Columbia Partnership.
Registration and workshop details will be available soon at www.cbfnc.org.
Co-sponsored by First Baptist Church, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of north Carolina, Center for Congregational Health and the Columbia Partnership.
“Mike Queen and the leadership team at the First Baptist Church of wilmington, nC, have created tHE single most dynamic, clearly identified moderate Baptist church of which i am aware. i have followed Mike’s ministry in wilmington for almost a quarter of a century. Every moderate Baptist church i know would do well to find the answer to the question, “How has wilmington done this over the last twenty-five years?”
Co-sponsored by First Baptist Church, The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina, Center for Congregational Health and the Columbia Partnership.
- Buddy shurden
by Beth Heffner,
A rooster crows in the distance, a warm breeze drifts through the open-air classroom, geckos are singing their clicking arias, and an intermittent summer rain storm drums a cadence on the tin roof from above. The May 2010 session of the Baptist Bible School of Belize has begun, and I am teaching music and worship to twelve eager students from all walks of life.
These students have come to learn more about church ministry and leadership, not because they want to further their career or earn a bigger salary, but because they are hungry to learn more to help their struggling churches as they minister. Many come at great sacrifice, leaving paying jobs and families that need them. Several students ride for hours on hot buses to get to the school.
by Bea Clark, First, Asheville
On June 5, 2010, my husband Bill and I, along with our daughter-in-law Kathy and our granddaughter Rebecca Clark, boarded a plane to Kiev, Ukraine. This was Bill’s and my 7th consecutive year to do mission work at the Village of Hope in Bucha, Ukraine. This year, we decided the experience would be great for Rebecca, who is a 2010 high school graduate and will enter college this fall. On June 6, we joined the other members of our team from FBC Newland, led by Dr. Bill Jones.
This year, our construction team painted the inside of Laurel’s House, assisted the skilled Ukrainian craftsmen in laying ceramic tile in the kitchen, and assisted in installing the ceiling in the cafeteria.
Of course, my project was working with the children. Each year is exciting for me, and this year was no exception. What a blessing to work with the children, playing with them, doing crafts (which they really enjoy), showing our love for them, teaching them of God’s love, teaching the little ones some new English words, and teaching ESL to the teenagers. This year, we had sixteen new children who had arrived to live at the Village since we were there last summer. Kathy and Rebecca assisted me with the younger children, ages 6 - 11. Rebecca has worked with children in her church throughout her high school years. She loves children, and this mission trip was certainly a positive experience.
The Baptist Bible School of Belize was founded in 2006 to help pastors and other church leaders receive training to minister in their churches. Students come to the Baptist Training Center in Camalote, Belize, for one week of classes, three times each year. When students have met all of their requirements, they receive a certificate to signify completion of the program during a graduation program held each October. The school uses course material from the accredited Baptist Seminary in Cape Town, South Africa, and is financially supported by CBFNC churches and other friends. Students only pay for their rooms at the training center and the cost of transportation to the school. Dr. Robert Lamb is the Director of the School, and is responsible for securing outstanding teachers from the U.S. who come at their own expense.
Much has changed at the Village since my first visit in 2004. That year, our team shoveled debris, took down walls, cleaned bricks, demolished old bathrooms, and floored the upstairs of the Lighthouse. In following years, our U.S. teams have worked along with Ukrainian craftsmen to complete the Lighthouse (in which two foster families were living this summer), build a new guardhouse, drill a new well, build a new boiler room, repair playground equipment, work on landscaping, build new fence and walkways, build a new cottage (where a foster family has been living for two years), and renovate one side of a huge dormitory where we now live while working at the Village. This summer, work is almost completed on the new cafeteria, and Laurel’s House, our second cottage, should be completed by late autumn.
A new set of foster parents with their two biological children have just arrived at the Village. They are living in the Lighthouse until Laurel’s House is completed. Pavel Gladchenko, the husband, is a minister with an MA in Theology who became an orphan at the age of six and lived on the streets for a number of years. As a result of his unhappy childhood, he decided to help homeless children and has helped to open more than 25 Christian orphanages in Ukraine. continued on page 9
under the tin Roof: Belize
First, rutherfordton
Village of Hope ESL class
Students and instructors from the Baptist Bible School of Belize
Hunger Fund
According to the USDA, 13.7% of North Carolina households are food insecure.
This means families have to choose between: food or medicine ... groceries or gas ... ... dinner or heating their homes
The time to address hunger is now I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room.
2 million families
the U.S. are food insecure
Matthew 25: 35
Make a difference with CBFNC
“Will
There is no end to they have to make choices no one should have to make.
36. 2 million in the U.S. are This means they have to make choices
The Hunger Fund of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina is seeking to address the needs of those confronted with agonizing nutritional choices.
This fund will allow CBFNC to contribute to the work of congregations in their own hunger-relief efforts. CBFNC can also partner with ongoing community programs.
Make a difference by offering Christ’s hand of support to those with only diminished nutritional options.
To find out more about this fund — how to donate, how to apply for funding, and how to become involved — go to www.CBFNC.org.
Recipients of the Hunger Fund include: Brunswick Islands Baptist, Supply Hominy Baptist, Candler Open Arms Fellowship, Creedmoor The Memorial Baptist, Greenville
it be food or medication this month?”
“What
can my children do without so I can afford the gas to get to work?”
888-822-1944 www.cbfnc.org
Worship order and style is greatly influenced by culture. How do you teach music and worship to church ministers in Belize when you’ve received degrees in planning worship for traditional, larger churches in the U.S. with all the resources you have at your fingertips? How do you teach the importance of music in worship when none of the students can read music and many of their churches have no musicians or instruments?
We began the week of classes by learning the theology of worship. Students are given the opportunity to write their own philosophy of worship. As the week went on, we studied worship in the Old Testament, the New Testament, and then how the church worshipped and developed to current times. We talked about how culture and subcultures affect worship. They learned about traditional items of worship, worship flow, and were exposed to the Christian Year.
How do you teach the importance of music in worship when none of the students can read music ...
I led in short times of worship during the class, modeling simple worship experiences. Two of the students had already developed a songbook to be used during school worship times. I took those songs, found scripture to support each one, and then we discussed where each song would best fit in a worship service. We brainstormed different ways they could use those songs in their own worship services.
There is no greater joy for a teacher than when students’ eyes light up with excitement and understanding through their teaching. By the end of the week, they had begun to catch the joy I get when given the opportunity to plan worship … a time when God’s children eagerly meet together to join in praise and adoration of the One who has initiated and commanded our worship.
The students have become my friends and they have, in turn, taught me much. They have shown me determination, joy, consideration, sacrifice, respect, and appreciation. What a wonderful gift.
Beth Heffner is Minister of Music and Families at First, Rutherfordton. under the tin Roof
If interested in teaching, contact Bob Lamb at (704) 434-9392 or Lamb12@carolina.rr.com
This was the first summer for the Collegiate Congregational Internship program funded by a Lilly Grant and national CBF. The expectations for the project were that 100 churches would mentor 100 students for a 10-week immersion into the life of a congregation and ministry. It seemed like a simple enough concept, but what came out of the summer was more than anyone could have imagined.
This summer, more than 30 churches in North Carolina provided a place for young people to serve — from Ahoskie to Cullowhee and many places in between. The stories shared through the summer were indeed humbling. There were so many thanks for the opportunity that it was embarrassing to think about the young people who have passed through our churches who wanted this experience before now.
The interns took multiple groups to camps, led in worship, preached, attended large Baptist meetings, and sat through staff meetings. Several went on mission trips as leaders, and some helped in community ministries that were long, hot and grueling. Time and time again I heard how wonderful the experience had been and how much they loved this work. Many began to think in terms of ministry as a calling and for a few it was clarifying that ministry was not their gift, but without exception they had a new appreciation for the ministry of the church and its calling in this world. One young woman who helped with feeding sites for children and taught bible studies for young Hispanic moms led one of those moms to Jesus.
The value of relationships was brought home to them over and over again. They saw it in the people in the congregations who offered them hospitality and the relationships they made with the youth and senior adults that they worked with. It showed them that community is not only about their similarities, but also sometimes it is about their differences and the desire to serve Christ with their variety of gifts.
The staff that mentored these young people were wonderful and helped them understand the difference between “doing good” and doing in the name of Christ. The Good News of evangelism is new and fresh in the lives of 35 young people in NC as they return to class this fall.
by Wanda Kidd, CBFNC College Ministry Consultant
Picnic at Sandy Plains BC in Shelby where Chelsy Woods served an internship this summer.
“nothing makes my day brighter than to see a changed life. i don’t change every kid, but out of five kids, i may reach three. i can’t play the ‘what if ’ game. i find the joy in reaching the three.”
– scot davis
Ministering to the “Forgotten”
by Rick Jordan, CBFNC Church Resources Coordinator
“You’re welcome to come visit us,” Scot Davis, the youth minister at First Baptist Church of Black Mountain, told me. “But I’ve got to warn you, we’re not the typical youth group. You may find kids smoking outside, dropping some cuss words and doing other stuff you won’t see at other churches.” Which is exactly why I wanted to go. Several months ago, Robert Randolph, the chaplain at the Swannanoa Prison and I were having lunch together when he told me of this youth minister’s burden for at-risk teenagers. There’s the girl whose alcoholic mother verbally abuses her daily. There’s the guy that used to be a drug dealer. There’s the girl whose mother wants her to join her in the oldest profession.
Scot, who has been at the church for ten years, says, “I don’t like to call them ‘at-risk’ or ‘troubled.’ i call them ‘forgotten.’ The Church as a whole has forgotten about these teens, but I can’t. Any church can have a clean, sanitized, youth ministry. But we’re willing to get our hands dirty.” Scot has the calling to lead his youth group to reach out to these neglected kids. Half of the group consists of “churched” kids and half is new to church. “One reason we have so many is I’m willing to take 15-20 of them home afterwards.” The Wednesday night before my visit, there were 48 youth. There were half that many adults in prayer meeting.
“The average age of our church is probably 75. Some of them really like what’s happening here, and they try to get to know the kids. If these kids from broken homes find an adult who cares for them, they’ll open up. But some other adults can’t understand that the church can’t be the way it always was. We have teens coming with piercings and tattoos – it pushes some way out of their comfort zones to see these kids on our campus.”
Communication and visibility are key to keeping the church supportive of this ministry. “We let the church know about lives that are being changed. At our last retreat, eight kids got saved. Two walked the aisle to join the church. That reduces criticism and builds credibility. When they see a formerly rough kid who used to misbehave and be destructive stand up in a worship service to give a strong testimony and read the Scripture, it helps build trust. Some will always be skeptical, but I am constantly pointing out the good things that are happening. I tell the adults, ‘if you’ll promise to pray for us while we’re at camp, I’ll send you an email every night.’ The pastor [David Rayburn] and I meet weekly and I keep him informed of everything.”
This ministry has also caused some transformations in Scot’s life. “I had to learn to be more relaxed in my expectations. If we want them to hear about God’s love for them, we’ve got to be patient with them until they get the message. And I’ve had to learn to delegate and then be okay with the job the youth do. It may not be done as well, but they are learning.” One example of that is the Wednesday night contemporary worship service, RIOT (Radical Impact On Teens), led by the youth themselves.
After a few songs, a high-schooler nicknamed Cheetah acts as emcee, welcoming everyone, then points out the phone number projected on the large screen. “If you need a hug or a prayer this week, here’s Scot’s number. Memorize it. Give him a call. But he’d prefer you not text him during worship.” She calls up David, the Youth of the Week, and peppers him with questions like, “your perfect pizza” and “your most overused phrase.” Then several youth take the mics to lead in singing, followed by Scot’s message from Mark 10 on being a servant to others. After the service, I pulled Blake aside to talk with him. At 20, he is more of a sponsor now, but he came to the church as a 17-year-old drug addict. “I learned to be an addict by watching my mom pop pills. I’d come to church drunk or high.” He got caught for breaking and entering and larceny and was sent to prison. He knew of Scot’s unconditional love for him, so he went back to the church when he got out. “I didn’t turn my life around. God turned it around. This church allows for some levity and acceptance for the person. It almost disgusts me to see other churches being all cleaned up and doing nothing for the forgotten.” Blake plans to get his fourth tattoo soon. It will read, “Jesus Loves Losers.” He concludes by pointing to the entrance of the youth room, “I have no doubt that anyone could come through that door and know they are accepted and loved here.”
CBFNC Foundational Statements to be discussed in Regional Meetings
Larry Hovis,
CBFNC Executive Coordinator
When CBFNC leaders first engaged in strategic planning in the early days of CBFNC life, foundational statements related to identity, mission, values, principles, virtues and method were adopted. Though not duplicated verbatim, many of these statements were based on similar statements developed by CBF National. Since that time, many of the national statements have been revised.
September 7 – Forest Hills, raleigh
September 9 – Golden Corral, durham (as part of the monthly regional fellowship gathering)
September 13 – FBC ahoskie
When CBFNC leaders engaged in strategic planning in 2007, it was determined that our foundational statements should be studied, revised and updated if needed. The Coordinating Council appointed a task force to address this need consisting of: Don Gordon (Durham), Curtis Freeman (Durham), Larry Harper (Raleigh), Ken Massey (Greensboro), and Gail Coulter (chair, Hendersonville). Larry Hovis and Rick Jordan assisted the task force.
Bea and the Village of Hope children
September 16 – FBC Greensboro
October 14 – Pritchard Memorial, Charlotte
October 19 - FBC Bladenboro
The task force has been at work since 2008 and developed proposed revisions that were presented to the Coordinating Council in January 2010 for information and feedback. The task force led a ministry workshop at the 2010 General Assembly in WinstonSalem to explain the process, share the proposed revisions, and solicit feedback from participants. They then determined to hold regional meetings around the state in the fall to share the proposed statements, receive feedback, and generate discussions around the statements and the ideas they represent.
November 1 – FBC asheville
(following the monthly regional fellowship gathering)
The schedule for these midday meetings is found in the box to the left. All interested persons are welcome to attend. Because some of these meetings involve meals, reservations are required. Registration information and full details can be found at www.CBFNC.org.
it is My prayer
continued from page 5
It is my hope that next summer churches throughout North Carolina will encourage their youth to join teams to go to the Village of Hope. There are a total of 24 children living at the Village and more to come as soon as Laurel’s House is completed. The Reverend Gladchenko works with orphanages and will welcome young people to join him in projects at an orphange. There is a great opportunity for young people to help in summer camps at the Village. Last year, more than 300 children attended the camps. The Bucha Baptist Church conducts Bible School at the Village, and our children are participants. More than 60 children attended this summer.
There is still much work to be done. Michael Gluschenko is working with the architects and anticipating the start of construction on the medical center next summer.
God has called us to the Village, and He is truly blessing this work. It is my prayer that our NC churches will renew their commitment and enthusiasm to see this Village completed so that many more children will be able to come to live in a loving Christian home and grow up to be happy, productive citizens.
For more information on going or giving, contact Bill Mason at (704) 233-4645 or wmason@carolina.rr.com
Evolution ... continued from page 3
we live and those who surround our church properties. Rather than driving past our neighbors and those who live near our churches – so that we can worship, fellowship and minister with others who have made journeys past their neighbors – we should invest our lives in our neighborhoods and discover opportunities to share the Gospel, in word and deed, in ways that are natural, authentic, and life-giving. What Roxborough says makes sense, but it scares me. I’d much rather be a critic of faulty evangelistic approaches, or practice evangelism with strangers from hundreds (or even thousands) of miles away, or serve as the “professional” evangelist in my role as pastor, or attend meetings where we discuss evangelism. But to develop authentic relationships in the suburban neighborhood where I live would require a radical change in my lifestyle. What about you? Where do you stand in relationship to evangelism? What role does evangelism play in your congregation? What would happen to you, to your church, to our CBFNC community, if we took Roxborough’s challenge seriously? What would it mean for us to really follow Jesus command to “love our neighbors?”
National General Assembly Highlights
Fellowship Baptists from around the country gathered in Charlotte for the twentieth annual CBF General Assembly. Participants were encouraged to “Build Your Own Assembly” by choosing from among programs, ministries and activities that took place over the course of a week, from June 21-27.
Here are some of the highlights:
For the third year, college students gathered for a weeklong collegiate-missional experience, the Charlotte Sessions, during the week of the Assembly. The event included a day of learning and missions at Hyaets, an intentional Christian community in Charlotte. Started five years ago by several graduates of CBF partner Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, members of Hyaets seek to make a difference by living in and becoming part of a low-income, high-risk community.
More than 1,200 people were challenged to be passionate about joining in God’s mission as 16 new field personnel were commissioned for full-time missions service at Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church. “You come with your lives, saying you take this seriously,” said CBF Global Missions coordinator Rob Nash, speaking to the new field personnel. “You are doing what Scripture calls us all to do — following in the footsteps of Jesus. As you go, you have our prayers, our promise of support and our promise to stand with you. Commission means ‘to send together,’ and that is what we are doing tonight. We send with you all we can give as we all seek to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.”
transformation.
On Thursday afternoon, the Discover and Engage Your Passion workshops focused on eight ministry areas: church planting and faith sharing; disaster response; economic development;
In the evening worship session on Thursday, Bill Leonard, professor of church history and outgoing dean at Wake Forest University School of Divinity, Winston-Salem, NC, used his trademark humor and obscure church history references to bring home the identity of free and faithful Baptists. By comparing the scandalous activities of Baptists in 1646, who were called “Dippers” by Anglicans critics, Leonard helped the Fellowship see the importance of its witness to culture. “Tonight [the early Baptists] force us to ask: Can we give a witness? What compels our individual or collective consciences here and now? Christian witness lies at the heart of who we are, how we act and what we do when the times get out of hand,” Leonard said. “A church without a witness is a church without an identity whatever name it may use.”
The North Carolina meeting featured the celebration of a “covenant of missional collaboration” between CBFNC and CBF National. A panel discussion, moderated by past moderator, Greg Rogers, featured both North Carolina and national CBF leaders. The full text of the covenant can be found on the CBFNC website at www.cbfnc.org/About/LatestNews.aspx.
Photos by Tony Cartledge, Carla Wynn Davis and CBF staff.
Ministers on the Move
Compiled by Jack Causey, Ministerial Resources Coordinator
Our encouragement and support go to the following ministers who have recently moved:
Steven Norris is now serving as Pastor of Ecclesia Baptist Church in Fairview.
B.J. Hutto is now serving as Pastor of Crabtree Valley Baptist Church in Raleigh.
Jenny Lee has been called to First Baptist Church of Asheville as their Minister to Students.
Joshua Breazeale is now serving as Minister of Education for Oakmont Baptist Church of Greenville.
Anna Anderson is Minister of Music and Missions for Rosemary Baptist Church of Roanoke Rapids.
Gary McAbee is now serving as Pastor of First Baptist Church of Richlands
Jim Bates will be serving as Director of Music for First Baptist Church of Lexington.
Randy McKinney is now serving as Pastor of Longview Baptist Church of Raleigh.
Thomas Bounds is now serving as Pastor of Pfafftown Baptist Church of Pfafftown.
Glen Adkins has been called as Minister of Music for Emerywood Baptist Church in High Point.
When you make a move or know of someone who has changed places of ministry, let us know at jcausey@cbfnc. org. For vocational placement or search committee requests, visit our vocations page on our website at www.cbfnc.org or call 336-759-3456 or 888-822-1944.
leadership development Coordinator
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina seeks a coordinator for leadership development. Reporting to the Executive Coordinator, the Leadership Development Coordinator will provide strategic direction and support to all ministry areas with a particular focus on ministries designed to nurture current and future ministerial leaders.
The successful candidate for this position will exhibit the following characteristics:
• Passion for the Gospel and demonstrated commitment to the Fellowship Movement
• Exceptional supervision skills and experience
• Demonstrated excellence in strategic planning and implementation
• Demonstrated competence in developing and managing budgets
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Master of Divinity or equivalent theological training
• Minimum of ten years vocational ministry experience
• North Carolina experience or knowledge preferred
The position requires relocation to the Winston-Salem area, significant travel, and frequent preaching and speaking. Interested persons should send a Letter of Interest, resume and references to LDCsearch@cbfnc.org by October 1, 2010. For more information about CBFNC, visit www.cbfnc.org.
CBFNC’s Youth January 21-23, 2011, or January 28-30, 2011 winterplace ski resort in Beckley, wV
Cost is $162 per person. Visit www.CBFNC.org for more information.
New Contributing CBFNC Partner Churches (As of July 21, 2010)
Eatons Baptist Church, Mocksville Ecclesia, Fairview
Coordinator Visits April - June 2010
Ardmore, Winston-Salem
Calvary, Mt. Airy
Iglesia Bautista La Roca, Raleigh
Ecclesia, Fairview
Evergreen, Evergreen
First, Clayton
First, Elkin
First, Graham
First, Henderson
First, Hickory
First, Monroe
First, Mt. Airy
First, Spruce Pine
First, Valdese
First, Winston-Salem
Immanuel, Greenville
Jackson, Jackson
Knollwood, Winston-Salem
Lafayette, Fayetteville
Mars Hill College, Mars Hill
McGill, Concord
Peace Haven, Winston-Salem
Pfafftown, Pfafftown
Sandy Plains, Shelby
University, Chapel Hill
Via Faith Community, Winston-Salem
Woodhaven, Apex
888-822-1944 www.cbfnc.org
Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry
8025 North Point Blvd., Suite 205 Winston-Salem, NC 27106
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Upcoming Events ~ September/October Edition
Youth White Water Rafting Retreat
September 4-6 - asheville, nC
CBFNC Foundational Statement discussion September 7 – raleigh, nC
Big tent Christianity September 8-9 - raleigh, nC
CBFNC Foundational Statement discussion September 9 – durham, nC
CBFNC Foundational Statement discussion September 13 – ahoskie, nC
CBFNC Foundational Statement discussion September 16 – Greensboro, nC
Youth Fall Retreat
September 24-26 - Myrtle Beach, sC
Regional Collegiate Retreat
September 24-26 - Black Mountain, nC
Fellowship on the Move
October 3 - sharing together! serving together! - Henderson, nC October 25 - Burnsville, nC (in partnership with western network)
NC Missions initiative October 8-10 - tryon, Polk County
CBFNC Foundational Statement discussion October 14 – Charlotte, nC
CBFNC Foundational Statement discussion October 19 - Bladenboro, nC
”hopeful imagination” Church leadership Conference October 22-23 - wilmington, nC
CBFNC Foundational Statement discussion November 1 – asheville, nC
Children’s Mission day November 6 - asheville November 13 - Huntersville
Christian Coaching Certificate training Part i: November 8-9 - Raleigh, NC Part ii: February 7-9, 2011
CBFNC Youth Ski Retreats
January 21-23, 2011, and January 28-30, 2011 winterplace ski resort in Beckley, wV
Children’s Choir Festival February 5, 2011 - High Point, nC
Youth Choir Festival March 18-19, 2011 - Greensboro, nC
the Spirituality of Jesus April 8-10, 2011 Caraway Conference Center Visit www.CBFNC.org
The Gathering is published six times a year. All questions may be directed to Sarah Mitchell, 888-822-1944 or smitchell@cbfnc.org. For story submissions, contact Sarah Mitchell for requirements and newsletter deadlines.