of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina September/October 2018 Vol. 23 Issue 5
Serving the marginalized and vulnerable
Read about Grace and Main Fellowship on page 4
the test of our faith
by Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator
What would you say most distinguishes us as Baptists? Believers’ baptism by immersion? Freedom of the local church? Advocating for religious liberty?
All of these concepts and more are vital to our particular Baptist identity. I would add to that list an emphasis on missions. Growing up in my Baptist church, I don’t remember a lot of talk about baptism (we certainly practiced believers’ baptism, but didn’t talk about it much), local church autonomy or religious liberty. But we talked about missions all the time. At Christmas and Easter when we collected missions offerings. In RAs and other Christian education programs. At summer youth camp. In Baptist Student Union. Missions was a strong emphasis in my formation as a Baptist Christian.
And while the missions we learned about certainly included sharing the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ, it was delivered (by missionaries and our own efforts) primarily through acts of mercy and compassion to vulnerable and marginalized people: children, elderly, hungry, poor, and sick.
This focus, of course, is thoroughly biblical. The following verses are but a few samples of the hundreds of Scriptures that point us in the direction of serving the weakest and most needy among us:
• “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome… who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 10:17-19)
• “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice…to let the oppressed go free…? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them…?” (Isaiah 58:6-7)
• “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
(James 1:27)
In my travels to partner churches I see many examples of congregations engaged in hands-on missions ministries with
Oberammergau 2020
the vulnerable and marginalized: food pantries, clothes closets, wheel chair ramp building, benevolence ministries, constructing affordable housing, visiting the sick and elderly (including but not limited to church members), and much more. But congregations are limited in the amount of direct ministry they can provide to these populations.
Therefore, we join together as a fellowship to support efforts to serve God’s mission to the poor and marginalized. Here are a few examples:
• Marc and Kim Wyatt in our own state, plus CBF field personnel around the world, welcome refugees and asylum seekers to the communities in which they live, sharing the love of God in word and deed.
• 764 CBF endorsed chaplains and pastoral counselors (159 in NC) serve in hospitals, correctional facilities, all branches of the military, public safety circumstances (police, fire, and EMTs), business and industry settings, VA facilities, continuing care communities, and other settings.
• Fellowship Southwest, CBF’s newest regional organization, has organized prayer vigils and other expressions of welcome for families and children affected by the immigration crisis on the US-Mexico border.
• Anna and LaCount Anderson minister to needy persons in eastern NC as Cecelia Beck ministers to needy persons in western NC.
Mahatma Ghandi was not a Christian but many Christians saw in his life a faithful example of following the way of Jesus. Ghandi said, “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” Perhaps we could modify that statement to say the true measure of any church is how it treats the most vulnerable.
I think Jesus would approve. After all, in describing the final judgment, he said, “Just as you did it to the least of these, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Serving the vulnerable and marginalized. Perhaps we should add that to our list of characteristics that distinguish us as Baptist Christians.
by Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator
Since 1634, to commemorate their escape from the bubonic plague, residents of the small village of Oberammergau, Germany, have performed a Passion Play commemorating the life, death and resurrection of Jesus every ten years. The play will be performed again in 2020.
Larry and Kim Hovis will be hosting a trip to Europe, May 18-27, 2020, with the Oberammergau Passion Play as the centerpiece. Additional stops will include Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg, and Prague.
If you are interested in traveling with CBFNC friends on this wonderful adventure, contact Larry Hovis (lhovis@cbfnc.org) for more information.
2 • The Gathering September/October 2018
uncharted territory
When is the last time you took a road trip? I’m not talking about a predictable journey from one place to another, both of which are already familiar to you. I’m talking about an extended journey into unfamiliar territory. Most of the traveling I do is of the former variety, mindlessly moving from place to place. But sometimes, I end up somewhere far outside what I’ve seen and experienced and those journeys can change me.
Canoeing the Mountains is a book about the second kind of journey. It’s not the kind of journey you take in a car nor is it the kind of journey you make as a tourist. In this case, it’s a journey for congregations and the people who lead them.
The book is written by Tod Bolsinger. Bolsinger is a former pastor and current Vice-President at Fuller Seminary. He writes well. He tells good stories, offers practical insight, and doesn’t ever come across as preachy.
Bolsinger starts off by covering some familiar, if also foundational, territory. He has chapters on leadership methodologies, missional community, and congregational culture (based on the work of Pat Lencioni which is worth reading all by itself). In Bolsinger’s case, however, I found the refresher helpful because he was obviously using it to prepare the readers for new material. The new ideas in his book pre-suppose some foundational concepts that you can’t skip past if you want to be able to lead your congregation into uncharted territory.
by Matt Cook, Pastor, First, Wilmington
of people’s tendency to invest less time and energy into their church, even as they still perceive themselves as fully invested). Some books are long on the “what,” offering practical strategy after practical strategy. Other books are long on the “why,” offering extended analysis of all the macro factors that impact our congregations. Bolsinger, however, does a good job of building a bridge from his 25,000-foot-level insights all the way down to the nitty gritty of actual challenges.
Another important benefit of Bolsinger’s analysis of his own real-world challenges is that it goes a long way toward creating hope in all of us who find ourselves with the same challenges that come with doing church “off the map.” Bolsinger is obviously smart and capable, yet he and his church couldn’t find easy answers to the problems they were encountering. In congregational ministry in the 21st century, sometimes you need to have someone to remind you that you’re not crazy. Congregational life is far more complex and challenging than it was a generation ago.
At First, Wilmington, we are not terribly far removed from a season of great institutional success and yet we’ve found ourselves facing the same questions and problems that Bolsinger describes. Knowing that there are smart, faithful leaders and congregations other than ours facing these challenges, and also hearing that the way forward isn’t greater effort but a willingness to experiment, innovate, and be unafraid to fail is very life-giving. One of my favorite lines from the book is this, “The answer is not try harder but to start a new adventure.” That is both helpful and hopeful.
The book, however, is an attempt to describe how churches should operate “off the map.” Bolsinger uses the story of Lewis and Clark as an extended metaphor. Their journey to map a route from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean was an example of what Bolsinger calls adaptive leadership. Using their story, Bolsinger describes some habits of heart and mind that congregations and their leaders need to operate off the map.
Bolsinger then takes those habits and applies them to some of the real-world congregational challenges. This is where I think the book is at its most helpful. Bolsinger tells the story of his own congregation’s struggle to identify and respond to the challenge of dis-engagement (the growing phenomenon
This book is useful for both ministers and lay leaders. It’s not short, so if you’re a minister recommending it to a lay leader in your church then they better enjoy reading or you should give them a heads up first. On the other hand, there’s nothing in the book that is so technical or academic that an average adult reader can’t finish it. I recommend it to you highly!
Tod Bolsinger will be the keynote speaker for the 2019 CBFNC Annual Gathering as well as the Leadership Institute, scheduled for March 28-29, 2019, at First, Greensboro.
I don’t like to be late, but nearly eight years of running on “Grace and Main time” may have had some effect on my punctuality. So, when I pulled my car into the street parking, I was not only in a hurry but also anxious about it. As was often the case during this season in the life of the neighborhood, I was met by several kids at my car door. No longer worried about tardiness, but newly worried about the flow of traffic through the neighborhood and whether or not the kids were watching it, I grabbed my bag and made my way to the stairs while answering their myriad questions. “What are we going to have for dinner?” “Did you bring your frisbee?” “When will the next big meal be?”
Those questions gave way to the most pressing and important question, “Where is your daughter?” Satisfied by my answer that she was coming with her mom in a minute, the kids went back to playing while I helped set up for a community meal on the front lawn of the apartment complex we affectionately call “Big Blue.” When my daughter arrived, the kids left their game and eagerly took turns holding her tiny hand, walking slowly from one end of the lawn to the other. They showered her with praise for her faltering steps, rejoicing not in her speed at walking but in her willingness to try and get up after falling. In fact, they were so fascinated with her progress that they had to be reminded over and over again to eat. These children with whom I’ve shared numerous meals have found a variety of ways to love me, but none have been as dear to me as walking carefully with my daughter from one end of the lawn to the other.
force Robert into a conversation, I waited until I’d finished my meal to pat him on the back as I made my way to the compost and trash. “We love you, brother,” I insisted, “and we’re glad you’re here.” A few weeks later, Robert was ready to try again at sobriety. It didn’t stick that time, either. But, just last month, Robert celebrated two years clean and sober. We rejoiced not for his speed at recovery, but for his willingness to keep trying.
love found in faltering steps
by Joshua Hearne
Robert was at the meal that night, too. It was courageous for him since he had relapsed just a few days before the meal. He had hoped nobody would notice that he was using again but he was too near and dear for us not to notice. You can’t help but notice somebody’s faltering steps when you’re holding their hand. As my daughter walked back and forth across the lawn, Robert found a corner of the porch to eat his burger by himself. I knew he didn’t want to talk about his relapse—he’d said as much just moments earlier—so I enjoyed my hot dog and potato chips a few feet away in silence. Not knowing what else to say and not wanting to
It’s not just Robert and my daughter who need hands to hold. Living in community has meant a lot of things to me over the last several years, but perhaps the most surprising has been how uncomfortable it can be to be known so deeply and personally by so many. There are parts of me that I’d like to hide away from those who love me so dearly, but community makes it hard to hide. My tendency to take things too personally and grumble to myself about others, my reflexive desire to try to make people like me, my desire to control others to ease my own anxiety, my habit of trying to “figure people out” instead of just sitting with them, my own selfish pride—all of these broken parts feel like jagged edges primed to hurt those I love the most. I’m pretty sure I could hide these things away if it weren’t for the fact that we’ve given ourselves to each other in the bonds of community, in shared life, work, and prayers. I’m going to stumble, I’m going to hurt others both intentionally and unintentionally, I’m going to want to quit some days, and I’m going to fail.
But, God has surrounded me with people who will hold my hand as I learn to walk across the lawn. They are so dedicated in their love for me that they’ll need to be reminded to eat. These good people—like Robert—rejoice over my faltering steps. When I sit in the grass and refuse to get back up because I’m tired of trying and failing, it’s people like Robert who will sit with me in silence until
I’m ready to try again. It probably won’t stick this time, either. But sometimes miracles happen, as Robert testifies in word and action. There are so many ways for us to love God, but I think I know God’s favorite: holding the hands of God’s children and walking carefully with them. Love is so much more resplendent in our faltering steps.
www.graceandmain.org for more information about their ministry.
Jessica (CBF field personnel) and Joshua Hearne (Executive Director of Third Chance Ministries) serve at Grace and Main Fellowship, an intentional ecumenical Christian community in Danville, VA. Visit
Changes Coming to CBFNC
Budget and Mission Resource Plan
by Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator
The CBFNC Mission Resource Plan (MRP) was developed in 2004 as a replacement for the Baptist State Convention’s Plan C, which was being eliminated. It included all of the items in Plan C (CBF Global, historic NC institutions and ministries, and national CBF partners) plus CBF of North Carolina. Churches had the freedom to use the MRP or not (if not, they designated specific amounts to CBFNC, CBF National, and other partners if desired).
Through the years, about one-half of partner churches have chosen to utilize the MRP. The other half have continued to give with three primary designations: CBFNC Budget; CBF Global Budget; CBF Global Missions Offering.
CBFNC MINISTRY DISCERNMENT PROCESS
In early 2015, the Coordinating Council began leading CBFNC through a “Ministry Discernment Process” in an effort to develop priorities as we look to the future. This process involved gathering information from a variety of sources including church leaders and experts on the future of churches and denominations. It built upon the work of the 20th Anniversary Vision Team, whose report was adopted by the General Assembly in 2014.
As a result of this discernment work, the Coordinating Council adopted four priorities for future ministry:
• Equip Ministers and Churches
• Embrace Neighbors Through Missions
• Engage Students and Young Adults
• Enhance the Annual Gathering
WHY CHANGE THE MRP NOW?
In addition to the four priorities, the Coordinating Council also determined to merge the MRP and the CBFNC Ministry Budget. The MRP served our fellowship (churches, partners, CBFNC-led ministries) well throughout much of this history, but circumstances and needs (of churches, CBFNC, partners, and new CBFNC ministry opportunities) have changed drastically since its inception. We are moving from a fixed percentage for some partners to a unified budget based on the unique needs of each partner. Here are the reasons for making this change, aligned with benefits for churches, partners and CBFNC as a whole:
BENEFITS TO CHURCHES
a. The current system is confusing to churches. Partners are funded in different, sometimes multiple ways. Some partners may receive funding through their MRP allocation, the CBFNC operating budget, and the CBF Global operating budget. Many churches don’t understand how their money is currently divided between CBFNC, CBF Global and partners.
b. With a unified approach, churches may still designate funds to partners
BENEFITS TO PARTNERS
a. Partners are different, both from each other, and from what they were in 2004. Some partners have a greater need than others for funding through CBFNC channels.
b. Some partners have developed elaborate fundraising structures. They have departments devoted to fundraising. They are no longer dependent on all or a majority of their funding coming from a single denominational source.
BENEFITS TO CBFNC
a. CBFNC only receives funding from churches and individuals (and occasional small grants), and has a limited ability to raise funds beyond our traditional funding sources. This approach will give CBFNC more flexibility in funding the priorities that have been identified by constituents.
b. The current MRP is difficult to adjust. The unified approach will allow us to be more nimble and flexible in meeting changing needs.
BENEFITS TO ALL
This approach will enable CBFNC and partners to more fully engage in their shared desire for “missional collaboration” (working together on common missional goals), which we have been attempting since 2009. By developing funding plans together, rather than simply reporting on expenditures, CBFNC and its partners can more effectively reflect emerging priorities.
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Partner Conversations – Conversations with partners about changing the MRP began as early as 2015. Over the summer of 2018, partners submitted funding proposals requesting specific funding amounts, sometimes for specific ministries. These proposals will inform the development of the 2019-2020 CBFNC Ministries Budget.
Local Church Communication – Attempts to communicate these changes with local churches have been going on throughout 2018 in a variety of ways. Special presentations were made at the 2018 Annual Gathering.
Final Approval – The final budget will be presented for approval at the 2019 Annual Gathering.
Initial Implementation – Implementation will begin with CBFNC’s new fiscal year, starting April 1, 2019. CBFNC staff will work with individual churches to “map” their current giving plan to the new approach. This will ensure that CBFNC honors all church giving plans and designations.
For more questions, contact CBFNC Executive Coordinator, Larry Hovis (LHovis@cbfnc.org).
Whatever happened to ... senior adult ministry?
This is first in a series which will discuss how churches are taking a fresh look at old programs to meet today’s needs.
It is dangerous to paint a generation with a broad brush, but AARP does note trends it sees in the senior generations, such as gray is in, the phrase anti-aging beauty product is out; and immediate gratification is in, bucket lists are out.
How does the church change with the times? I interviewed four persons who work with older adults: Leah Brown, Minister with Senior Adults at First, Asheville; George Fuller, founder of Life Compass Living; Andrew Garnett, Minister for Serving Christ at Forest Hills, Raleigh; and Carol Layton, Director of Communications and Administration for the North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry.
How has senior adult ministry changed in recent years?
Carol: The old paradigm put seniors on a shelf and said, “Thanks for your service, now enjoy yourself at a monthly luncheon.” Today’s seniors want to be involved. The church is now challenged with providing intergenerational ministry opportunities to 4-5 generations.
Andrew: My congregation has definitely seen a shift toward senior adults not wanting to be considered senior adults. While the average age of my congregation has increased, the number of people on our homebound member list has decreased. People are increasingly reluctant to think of themselves as homebound and do not want to be placed on the homebound list like they once did. Another big change is the increasing reliance on lay people to minister to senior adults. While a minister has some general oversight, almost all of the logistics and planning is done by lay people.
Leah: Ten years ago, we had a strong group of people in their 80s-90s who were very actively engaged in programming. Today’s younger seniors, those just retired and into their 70s and even into their 80s, don’t want to identity as senior adults and don’t expect the church to fulfill social needs. They find that on their own. Many still volunteer and do mission opportunities and we still have a very active senior adult group, but numbers have dropped from 180 to 75. Those who remember how the programming used to be wonder why the new seniors don’t participate.
George: Baby boomers are strapped with emotional and financial burdens they have not been prepared for. When I was a pastor, I did not understand this. How many pastors understand Medicaid versus Medicare, the four stages and who pays for them, and the yearly changes to Affordable Care? These all have a huge impact on our people. The church has always rallied around persons in a time of grief but we do not have strategies to help as they live longer and spend all their savings. How can the church be a community for these persons?
How is your ministry addressing these changes?
Andrew: We now keep in touch with homebound senior adults primarily through lay members. We call our homebound members the “In Crowd.” They are assigned at least one lay member who will visit or call them and one lay member who will send cards. These two people contact the In Crowd member regularly, and record all their interactions in our database. That multiplies our connections with homebound members and, by checking the database, our ministers can instantly know how much contact from the church each homebound member is receiving.
Carol: NCBAM offers volunteer and mission opportunities for well-aging seniors to minister to frail-aging seniors. We do that by connecting our Call Center clients with church volunteers in their communities. The NCBAM Call Center receives hundreds of calls each month from seniors in need from all over the state. Typical needs include friendly visits, transportation assistance, and wheelchair ramp construction.
by Rick Jordan, CBFNC Church Resources Coordinator
Leah: The younger, pre-senior adults have many financial questions, so we have conversations about healthcare power of attorney, a living will, and how to managing finances for 30 more years of life. We are working to make stronger bonds between seniors and younger generations. We help seniors become mentors. Sunday School classes visit nursing home residents for Bible study together. We want them to know that they are not forgotten, so they do not feel isolated, alone, and depressed. We work to overcome whatever keeps them separated from us, such as transportation. We have learned to base our ministry on what that person wants, not on what we as the church want for them. We cannot assume we know what is best, so we have a conversation that starts, “Would it be helpful if we…?” We stay informed about what other agencies offer in our community. For example, every county has a Council on Aging with great resources.
George: Here are some crazy dreams I have: What if the church prepared younger adults for their senior adult years? What if churches transformed their missionary homes to become licensed care homes, say, for three widows – none of whom can keep up their own place? What if churches created “mutuality groups” of 15-20 persons who were committed to help one another financially, to offer respite for caregivers, to become surrogate grandparents, to receive hospice training? What if the church taught us how to be elders – wise leaders who live to support and to bless others rather than to build bigger barns? What if we used technology to connect our homebound with a virtual caregiver who could check in with them every day? What if we used technology to connect the homebound with one another?
While the largest portion of CBFNC financial support comes from local church budgets (86%), individual gifts are extremely important to our financial and missional well-being. Some individual contributors are not members of partner congregations, but most are. These folks choose to make an “over and above” gift to CBFNC beyond their church contribution. Here are a few examples of why folks make individual contributions to CBFNC. If you don’t already do so, we invite you to join their ranks!
why I give to CBFNC
compiled by Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator
I value CBFNC ministries as a “second layer” beyond the work of the local church. I appreciate that CBFNC resources assist churches in addition to mine and provide outreach opportunities near and far. I give with confidence that dollars are maximized in support of worthy causes and used faithfully by CBF personnel and partners. I know that God is multiplying these gifts and resources far beyond what I can do on my own.
Jason Cogdill, College Park, Winston-Salem
I give through my church as we support CBFNC. I also give individually because of the amazing contributions to NC Baptist church life such as informational gatherings and publications reflecting work around the state, theological education and student work, reference and referral, ministry and multiple other resources for church life. Mostly I give because I sense the presence of Christ in our connected fellowship and work.
Gail Coulter, Providence, Hendersonville
I give to CBFNC because I know the impact our gifts have on North Carolina and the world. Whether it’s providing resources to local congregations, enabling theologically responsible collegiate ministry, or supporting missionaries locally and globally, every dollar I give impacts our community in Christ’s name.
Seth Asbill, Duke Memorial UMC, Durham
I’m a Baptist. A few years back I took a serious look around at other denominations but that just confirmed what I already knew. I’m a Baptist, and a moderate Baptist at that. Is CBFNC perfect? No, but I’m reminded of a quote from one of my favorite philosophers, Michael J. Fox: “I’m careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God’s business.” CBFNC is reaching for excellence in the ways we encourage, empower and equip local churches to share God’s perfect love. I always supported CBFNC through the giving plan at my church and usually made a contribution at the end of the year. Then I looked at other organizations I routinely support. My giving priorities needed some adjustment! The automatic monthly contribution I set up through my bank is not going to make or break CBFNC, but it’s the right thing to do. I’m a Baptist!
Kathy Driver, Trinity, Raleigh
Undergirding the work of CBFNC is one of the ways I can help fulfill the Great Commission. I appreciate the faithfulness of the leaders of CBFNC and our staff, volunteers, and churches as they provide discipleship training and mission service opportunities for all who are called.
Kathryn Hamrick, Boiling Springs, Boiling Springs
individual contributors
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017
Thank you to the many generous individuals who give directly to the mission and ministry of CBFNC. While the bulk of our financial support comes from church budgets, individual gifts have become increasingly important to our organization. Your financial partnership is necessary for our ministry and that of our many ministry partners around our state. We are grateful for everyone who contributes to the mission of CBFNC. Please continue to give through your church, but also consider joining those listed below by making a contribution directly to CBFNC.
Name City/State
Rennie & Sandy Adcock Pfafftown
Frances Armour ..................... Clemmons
Seth & Jennifer Asbill Durham
Glenn & Cathy Baldwin Boonville
Jan & Larry Ballard .................... Raleigh
Marc Barber Apex
Wayne & Anita Bare Garner
Jackie & Lonnie Baxley ...... Thomasville
Austin Beard Andrews, SC
Ed Beddingfield Buies Creek
Gwen & John Bell ............ Elizabeth City
Warren Bishop Goldsboro
Albert Blackmon Cary
Ken Boaz ............................... Yadkinville
Benny Bowes Winston-Salem
Renee & Jim Bridges Cary
Tommy & Gail Bridges ...............Sanford
Carol Brown Greenville
Mary Brown Raleigh
Martha & H.T. Bryson ............. Charlotte
Grace Bullard Asheboro
Linden & Alice Burch Lake Junaluska
Anne & John Burdette .............. Advance
James Byrd Mount Gilead
Mary Nell Byrd Mount Airy
Hilary & Lee Canipe ................ Charlotte
Patrick Cardwell Edenton
Tony & Susan Cartledge Apex
Sylvia Cash ................................. Raleigh
Nichole Cella Raleigh
Ka’thy Gore Chappell Winston-Salem
Don & Deborah Cherry Elizabeth City
Chipley High School Class of 1961 Chipley, FL
Joyce & Mitch Christmas..... Wilmington
Owonna & Max Clayton Matthews
Jason Cogdill Pfafftown
Mike & Gail Cogdill Buies Creek
Austin & Betty Connors Raleigh
Andrew Corley Shelby
Gail Coulter Hendersonville
David Cox Raleigh
Jim Cross Oxford
Mary Cunningham Candler
Barbara Dallas Eden
Kathy Driver Raleigh
Carol & Bill Duke Palm Coast, FL
Patricia Dunn Greenville
Carol Dunning Mount Airy
Charles & Julia Edwards Winston-Salem
Mark Elliott ................... Englewood, CO
Judy & Tom Eustice Clemmons
Johnnie Evans ....................... Morrisville
Robert & Patsy Everhart Clemmons
Rufus Fisher .................................. Arden
Jaime Fitzgerald Tryon
Mary Foskett & Scott Hudgins Winston-Salem
Marie & Steven Fox .................... Benson
Joyce Fulcher Madison
Robert & Marsha Garrett ............. Oxford
Roger & Deidra Gilbert Mount Airy
Lou Ann & Trey Gilliam ... Murfreesboro
Elizabeth Gordon Clemmons
Don Gordon Clemmons
Nelson & Valerie Granade ......Statesville
Irvin Grigg Kernersville
Kathy Grosvenor Raleigh
Kathryn & Cline Hamrick Shelby
Tommy & Pat Hardin ..... Winston-Salem
Christine & Allen Harker Winterville
Susan Harrington Fairmont
David & Vanessa Hawes ....... Lumberton
Christopher & Amanda Hensley Ellenboro
Dennis & Betsy Herman ............. Raleigh
Marie Hill Roanoke Rapids
Brenda Hipp Thomasville
Hilda Holder Liberty
Christy Holland ...........................Clayton
Adam & Amanda Horton Winston-Salem
Donald & Marion Horton...... Knightdale
Don & Jo Ann Horton Zebulon
Larry & Kim Hovis Winston-Salem
Barbara Huggins ......................... Raleigh
Emily & Josh McGee Winston-Salem
John Huneycutt Advance
Rebecca & Mark Maynard ..... Thurmond
Jim & Jan Hylton Winston-Salem
Holly Ivel & Matthew Smith Raleigh
Nancy & Franklin Ivey Statesville
A. Robert & Elaine Jeffcoat ....... Durham
Brenda & Mike Johnson Hope Mills
Frances & Jont Johnson ......... Albemarle
Frances Jones Raleigh
Linda & Joseph Jones Clemmons
Van & June Jones Raleigh
Sheila Jordan & Jerry Washington
............................................Sunset Beach
Andy & Amy Jung Albemarle
Michael Keffer ......................... Nashville
Ku Khang Waynesville
Bill & Jane Kibler ....................... Raleigh
Wanda & Dan Kidd Mars Hill
Lou Kline .................................... Raleigh
Edith & Harold Knight Greensboro
Ray & Carolyn Kohring Raleigh
Joseph & Meade Lamb Elizabeth City
Rhea & Bob Lamb Shelby
Aileen & Jay Lawrimore Asheville
Bill & Crystal Leathers Winston-Salem
Amy Lin ...................................... Raleigh
Jatana Love Summerfield
Kathy Lovedahl .............................. Sylva
John Martin Winston-Salem
Jeff & Rebecca Mathis ................... Sylva
Rick & Carolyn Matthews
........................................ Winston-Salem
Gail & Larry McAlister Winston-Salem
Fred & Sara McCall Hays
Judy & William McCall Mooresville
Katie Medlin Durham
Hal & Roberta Melton Raleigh
Jean & Gene Millsaps Mooresville
David Moore ........................Greensboro
Tim Moore & Magay Shepherd
.................................................. Charlotte
Doug & Candace Murray
....................................... Black Mountain
Jane & Jerry Myers Albemarle
Marshall & Kay Neathery Rolesville
Rebecca New Hillsborough
Alvin Newsome Winston-Salem
Ed & Phyllis Parkerson Greensboro
Suzii Paynter Decatur, GA
Ray Pegram ............................... Spindale
Thomas & Robin Penninger.... Lexington
Stella & John Perrin ............. Taylorsville
Jason Perry Whittier
Carson & Betty Pittman Oak Island
Clara Privott Rocky Mount
Bo & Gail Prosser ................ Youngsville
Mike & Bobbie Queen Wilmington
Donnie & Ann Ramsey Weaverville
Kim & Robby Ray Charlotte
Paul & Anne Raybon ..................Candler
Mary Beth Rehm & Edwin Brown Raleigh
Carolyn Ripley Greensboro
Tyler & Laura Roach Morganton
Charity Roberson .............Richmond, VA
A. Paul Rogers Tabor City
Greg & Leslie Rogers Greenville
Lisa & Kenneth Rust Lumberton
Katrina Salter-Wood & Patrick Wood
.................................... Hawkinsville, GA
Betty Scales Winston-Salem
Hilda Scarborough Winston-Salem
Tiffany Seaford Mocksville
Sara Sears ..............................Greensboro
Kelly Settlemyre ................... Forest City
Joann Sewell Mount Airy
Shirley Shelburne Lillington
Alan & Jenny Sherouse Greensboro
Michael & Barbara Shook .......... Clinton
James Simmons Coats
Martha Simmons Charlotte
John & Priscilla Singletary Pittsboro
Dina & Roger Sit .................. Chapel Hill
Michael Sizemore ............ Fuquay Varina
Henry Skinner Wilson
Amanda Smith Lowgap
Charlotte & Roy Smith Winston-Salem
Christine Smith .......................... Zebulon
Clyde & Laura Smith Raleigh
Sandy & Stephen Smith Wilmington
Doris Stocks High Point
Mary Lois & Chuck Strickland ... Dobson
Robert Stump .......................... Lexington
Jim Summerville ................... Chapel Hill
Lynne Swaine ........................... Mayodan
Margie & Ruben Swint Snellville, GA
Donnie Tacy Winston-Salem
Jennifer & Bob Talley Wake Forest
Neil Thaggard .......................Greensboro
Beth & Tommy Thompson..... Greenville
Jerry Thompson Cairo, GA
Carrie Tuning Roanoke Rapids
Dustin Tuttle Raleigh
Manuel Vega-Vasquez ....... Holly Springs
John Vestal .......................... Wake Forest
Laura Anne Vick Raleigh
Don Wagner Burlington
Ann Wall Raleigh
Carey & Fern Washburn .............Kinston
Mary Scott & DL Webster ......... Durham
Elaine White Cullowhee
Margaret & Ron White Black Mountain
Alan & Blanche Williams Durham
Candy & Dick Wilson .................. Shelby
Creely Wilson..................... Franklin, TN
David & Ann Wilson Maryville, TN
Bill & Kathy Wilson Clemmons
Nancy Wingenbach Saint Helena Island, SC
Linda Winslow ...................... Jamestown
Joyce Wyatt Wake Forest
Kimberly & Marc Wyatt Raleigh
Ray & Melba Wyche Whiteville
Richard & Betty Wynne Raleigh
NC Baptist Foundation Endowment Fund
Blanche Wall & William A. Brown
Mary W. Brown
Hannah & Frank D. Hills
H. Manly Hocutt
Lynn Camp Odom
Elizabeth Simmons
CBFNC Honorary and Memorial Gifts
Collegiate Ministry: Facebook fundraisers in honor of the birthdays of Lawrence Powers and Kevin Moore
Check out our blog! cbfnc.wordpress.com
To contribute, e-mail acook@cbfnc.org.
Ministers on the Move
Our encouragement and support go to the following ministers who have recently moved:
John Callaway to First, High Point as Minister of Students and Media
Katie Callaway to First, High Point as Minister of Spiritual Formation
Scott Hovey to St. John’s, Raleigh as Pastor
Aileen Lawrimore to Ecclesia, Asheville as Pastor
Steve Le Roux to Rose Hill Baptist as Pastor
Stella Perrin to Emerald Isle Baptist as Associate Pastor for Families
Dan Redding to First, Taylorsville as Pastor
Mark Reese to First, Elkin as Pastor
Mark White to Forest Hills, Raleigh as Pastor
When you make a move or know of someone who has changed places of ministry, let us know by e-mailing us at cbfnc@cbfnc.org
For assistance to search committees and ministers seeking vocational discernment, visit the Career and Calling page on our website at www.cbfnc.org or call (336) 759-3456 or (888) 822-1944.
CBFNC Financial Report
June 2018 Contributions
Undesignated: $82,965
Designated: $153,670
July 2018 Contributions
Undesignated: $124,394
Designated: $170,839
April 2018 - March 2019
Monthly Undesignated Goal: $104,922
Donate to CBFNC today! www.cbfnc.org/give
June 2018 - July 2018
First, Elkin
Nobles Chapel, Sims
First, Rockingham
First, Greensboro
First, Bladenboro
First, Kannapolis
Mars Hill, Mars Hill
Mosaic, Clayton
Oakmont, Greenville
Providence, Charlotte
CBF Global General Assembly, Dallas
CBF Student.Church Orientation
catch and release
by Wanda Kidd, CBFNC Collegiate Engagement Coordinator
A young friend of mine has been telling me about her new passion for fly fishing. She lamented that it is complicated to get the wrist action technique accurate. It takes years of practice to appreciate all of the idiosyncrasies of the seasoned fly fisherperson. It also takes a willingness to be uncomfortable in the process. I said why do you do it, thinking that at least she would have a good fish fry for her efforts, but no, she said they “catch and release.” They just fish for fun.
I thought about that phrase, catch and release , and how it relates to our mission to and with college students and young adults. It doesn’t look like fun for everyone. The students are not often interested in things that we think are really important. They want to do things we do not understand, i.e. video games and texting with people while we are sitting beside them. I am not crazy about their music, but then they are usually listening to it on their headphones and do not even respond when spoken to.
It feels like all I do with students is catch and release. They come and occasionally swim in our ponds for a little while and sometimes they allow themselves to be hooked for a moment, wiggling and uncomfortable most of the time. They do not contribute to the coffers and they seldom express a desire to want to be part of what we are doing in the church. So why do we bother?
I do not know about you, but I do it because we both need the challenge—both the student and me. We need to hear what the other has to say and to realize how we came to those understandings. Our isolation from each other causes misconceptions and assumptions that we state as truths without talking to each other.
There are strongly held beliefs by young people that I do not understand, but I stay in relationship with them so I can ask sincere questions and seek answers. If I want them to see another perspective, I must stay in the conversation and so must other adults.
One of the things that is missing in young adult’s lives is the opportunity to hear other people’s thoughts in relationship. They listen to a multitude of podcasts. They listen to their peers and they listen to their nuclear family (often by osmosis), but how often do they have the opportunity to hear lifeenriched perspectives from someone who just wants to talk to them?
The challenge in relating to young adults is not only to be comfortable with the concept of catch and release but to allow young adults to be released from what they believe they know and caught in a pool of life where they can hear new thoughts. That is where the church can open their doors and welcome the young adult who is looking for someone to hear them and respond to them with wisdom and hope— someone who is not genetically connected to them.
Statistics show that 50-to 70-year-old women are some of the loneliest people in our culture. Their friends were dictated by the parents of their children’s friends and those they worked with. The definer of this generation is loneliness, so it seems to me that there is a great opportunity for the church to reach out to both groups and build a bridge.
The older group has skills they can share and the younger group needs instruction. There is a great deal of opportunity for life conversations during that type of shared time and space.
When families release their children—and that is an important part of parenting—the church has an opportunity to catch them, care for them, encourage them, and listen to them.
Why do I still do this? Because I have been downstream and those who have been released are thriving and caring and teaching others. Whether we are catching and releasing or catching those who have been released for a season, God is present in all of our stories and is calling us to share, pray, and love the lonely among us.
888-822-1944 www.cbfnc.org
Return Service Requested
Elevating Preaching
September 17, 2018
Wake Forest School of Divinity, Winston-Salem
Where is Church Going From Here?
September 22, 2018
Oakmont, Greenville
RE (Reimagining Evangelism)
September 30, 2018
Raleigh, NC - Trinity Baptist Church
Growing Young Regional Workshop
October 20, 2018
First, Lumberton
Children’s Mission Days
October 27, 2018
Conetoe Family Life Training Center, Tarboro
Mars Hill Baptist Church, Mars Hill
501 Foundations of Christian Coaching
Day 1: November 2, 2018
Day 2: November 3, 2018
Upcoming Events
RE (Reimagining Evangelism)
November 4, 2018
Asheville, NC - Hominy Baptist Church
Growing Young Regional Workshop
November 10, 2018
First, Black Mountain
Children’s Mission Days
November 17, 2018
Conetoe Family Life Training Center, Tarboro Providence Baptist Church, Charlotte
Youth Ski Retreat
January 25-27, 2019
Winterplace, WV
NC Growing Young Cohort
Summit 1:
January 31-February 1, 2019
Trinity, Raleigh
Summit 2:
September 5-6, 2019
Trinity, Raleigh
Mid-Winter Young Adult Retreat
Feburary 15-17, 2019
Camp Thunderbird, Lake Wylie, SC
Children’s Choir Festival
February 23, 2019
Myers Park UMC, Charlotte
Youth Choir Festival
March 8-10, 2019
Providence Baptist Church, Charlotte
