WITH CHRIST AT THE CENTER
APRIL 2025 VOLUME RR NO. 4
CONNECTIONS LAST MONTH, OUR STUDENT CHOIR TRAVELED TO HILTON HEAD, SC TO PARTICIPATE IN THE "GATHER & PRAISE" MUSIC FESTIVAL! THEY USED THEIR TALENTS AND ABILITIES TO SHARE GOD'S LIGHT AND LOVE THROUGH MUSIC. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR STUDENTS! SPECIAL "THANK YOU" FROM TIM Dear Providence Baptist Church, I was honored and overwhelmed at the outpouring of love and support
shown to me and my family in our final days at Providence. We are grateful for the gifts of appreciation, and we will forever be thankful
for the lasting friendships and memories we have shared together! May the peace of Christ be with you, Tim, Kristie, Ella Rose, and Emerson
From the Senior Pastor Our very first Church Council Forum will be on Thursday, April 24 at 7pm in the Missions Center. If you’re wondering what in the world I’m talking about, that’s completely understandable. This event is something brand new— and something that, I believe, will contribute to good governance at Providence. That’s certainly the goal. So, what is a “Church Council Forum”? Think of it as kind of a pregame show for the next Quarterly Church Conference, which is scheduled for April 27. Throughout last year’s conversations about revising our church’s governing structure, the timing and structure of our quarterly church conferences generated a good amount of complaints— specifically, that holding these events immediately following Worship, when people are eager for lunch, limits opportunities for more thorough, detailed discussion. A frequent lament: “How can we vote if we’re not informed?”
Earlier this year, the newly-elected Church Council surveyed Providence people about the day and time that they would be most likely to attend a church conference. The most popular response? Sundays, immediately following Worship.
one will be on April 24. It will be a chance for Providence people to ask questions of the council, hear updates and reports, and have detailed conversations. Again: Think of it as a kind of pre-game show for the next Quarterly Conference.
With that in mind, the Church Council wondered: If we keep the conferences on Sundays after Worship, then how do we create space for more discussion beforehand so people can come to church meetings feeling informed and prepared? The guiding principles of good church governance that emerged from our listening sessions last year—ie., representation, clarity, responsiveness, and accountability— also factored into the council’s thought process, the idea being that more opportunities for the council to interact with the congregation will further these principles.
I think that this is a great idea— and I’m glad the Church Council is making it happen. Good governance that moves us forward together in Jesus’ name and for Kingdom purposes requires us all to be active and giving our best. I will be at the forum on April 24, and I hope you will be, too.
Thus was born the Church Council Forum. Going forward, the plan is to have a Forum prior to each Quarterly Conference. The first
May the peace of Christ be with you!
Lee Canipe Senior Pastor SERMON TEXTS THIS MONTH April 6 Philippians 3:4b-14 April 13 Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 April 20 Luke 24:1-12 April 27 Revelation 1:4-8