LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
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Current retreat draws young leaders to Asheville for rest, inspiration
CBF, seminaries partner for church planting education A WEEK-LONG church planting “boot camp” in May will be the first component of a New Church Starts and Restarts concentration at several Cooperative Baptist Fellowship partner theological schools. The May 23-27 event at GardnerWebb University’s M. Christopher White School of Divinity in Boiling Springs, N.C., is for current or prospective church planters and spouses. Previously, the Fellowship used parachurch organizations to train church planters, but CBF Global Missions decided an area that important should be done in-house. “It is critical that we build this into our DNA. It strengthens our seminaries, and it strengthens us,” said Phil Hester, the Fellowship’s associate coordinator for church starts. Participants will learn from various presenters that represent successful CBF church starting efforts, Hester said. About 25 couples can attend the camp, said Don Berry, associate professor of missions and world religion at Gardner-Webb. For this first boot camp only, CBF Church Starts is providing a scholarship for all participants. The scholarship will cover books, training, and room and board, leaving transportation costs to the participants. Registration and the scholarship will be granted on a first-come-first-serve basis. The concentration will include five partner schools: Campbell University Divinity School, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary and Gardner-Webb. A series of courses and praxis will constitute the concentration, which will be embedded in each seminary’s master of divinity degree. With a grant from the Lilly Endowment, BTSR plans to offer church planting courses online, Hester said. The event and its partner concentration will also educate about church restarts. Eighty percent of churches are plateaued or declining, Hester said. A restart could bring renewed life for a faith community. Gardner-Webb is the pilot project for the concentration. The school offers a missions concentration that includes material on church planting, Berry said. The school is discussing the option of a new concentration or including a greater church planting emphasis in the missions concentration.
By Carla Wynn, CBF Communications
C O O P E R AT I V E B A P T I S T F E L L O W S H I P
Carla Wynn photo
what happens to our tent of meeting?” Anderson asked. “Spending time with the Feb. 23-26 to Asheville, N.C., to engage in communal, vocational Holy is the way to be intimate with God ... If we make ourselves be still and silent, then and personal rest. we will hear new whispers from the Holy.” In conjunction with the Current retreat, Current — a group composed of the The final day of the retreat was reserved children’s ministers and Christian educators CBF Young Leaders Network, Seminarians for vocational rest. After more morning gathered for the CBF Children’s Ministry Network, Youth Ministry Network, Colworkshops and afternoon free time, the Network fifth annual retreat. Participants legiate Ministry Network and Children’s retreat concluded with dinner and worMinistry Network — focused on the theme engaged in joint times of fellowship and ship. Anderson spoke from Mark 1:27-39 of “Pause” with the intent of rejuvenating worship with Current retreat attendees, to drive home the point that ministers need ministers and young Fellowship Baptists to in addition to an rest if they are to face the challenges of ministry. expanded schedule serve others. Current’s new steering committee was Retreat leaders Marty and Robin Anderwith their own track “We are never also announced on the final day of the son of University Baptist Church in Baltiof workshops led by going to accomretreat. The new committee is made up of the following: more, Md., provided devotional thoughts Delia Halverson. plish every min• Carol McEntyre, Augusta, Ga., co-chair each morning and thought-provoking “As ministers, our istry task that is • Kelly Burkhart, Houston, Texas, co-chair worship each evening. In between, particiweek revolves around laid before us,” An• Rhonda Abbott, Louisville, Ky. pants learned from peers and top ministry Sabbath, but it isn’t derson said. “No • John Uldrick, Orlando, Fla. professionals in a variety of workshops and Sabbath for most of matter how sincere • Anne Jernberg, Boston, Mass. enjoyed activities in and around Asheville. us,” Anderson told or diligent we are, • Steve Guinn, Kansas City, Kan. In keeping with a daily theme, the first the group in a mornthere will always • Bryn Bagby, Richmond, Va. • Ryan Clark, Atlanta, Ga. night’s worship was based on the text in Mark ing devotion on the be more that can • Scott Ford, Conyers, Ga. 6 when the disciples be done.” • Chris Homiak, Waco, Texas returned from being Some found sent out in teams of the increased free two to minister in the second day of time to be just what they needed from the surrounding areas. the retreat. “My experience. When they returned, hope is today we “It gave me the freedom and permission Jesus emphasized the will all find time to reflect and be restored for ministry,” need for rest and felto have Sabbath said LeAnn Gunter, associate pastor at lowship together as a moments.” Peachtree Baptist Church in Atlanta. “It community, according Marty Angave me the opportunity to have fellowship to Robin Anderson. derson led the with other ministers and leaders in other During 15 minutes of solitude following a message by “Jesus knows music for the creative ministries.” f! Robin Anderson, a retreat participant makes a creative the disciples are service, which response through journaling. LEARN – For more information about exhausted and centered on Current, go to www.thefellowship.info/ need rest,” Anderson said. “He knows you the text Exodus 33:7-14 when Moses visits current/current.icm. need to take a break if you are going to with God in the tent of meeting. keep on serving.” “When life becomes overwhelming, By Lance Wallace, CBF Communications
Lance Wallace photo
LEARN – Registration forms are available from CBF’s state and regional organizations. A second boot camp will be offered January 2006 at BTSR.
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he sixth annual Current retreat drew more than 100 participants
Tommy Justus, left foreground, pastor of Mars Hill Baptist Church in Mars Hill, N.C., leads discussions about formative spiritual experiences.
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Current Retreat
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Church Planting Education