WITH CHRIST AT THE CENTER
JANUARY 2024
CONNECTIONS IN NOVEMBER, PROVIDENCE MEMBERS GATHERED TO PLEDGE THEIR GENEROSITY PLANS FOR 2024 AND MAKE THEIR COMMITMENT FOR THE RESTORATION AND RENEWAL OF PROVIDENCE!
From the Senior Pastor There is no one way to organize a Baptist church to do ministry and make decisions together. That’s the blessing of a congregational form of governance, in which each local church is an autonomous – that is, self-governing – community of faith. From their 17th century beginnings, Baptist churches have been “congregational” in both form and spirit. An early Baptist statement of faith and practice written in 1611 put it this way: “As one
responding to an ever-changing environment. This freedom creates two foundational principles for good congregational governance: healthy churches adapt to new realities, and local solutions are usually the best solutions.
congregation hath Christ, so hath all. And therefore no church ought to challenge any prerogative over any other.”
structure and decision-making process are no longer best-suited for a church of our size. How so? To be fully functional, our current structure requires too many volunteers and, even then, it doesn’t always meet our needs. It’s also unclear where and how decisions get made. Committees, for example, have specific authority to make specific kinds of decisions, and yet the decisions they’re called upon to make are often beyond the purview of any one committee to address. Moreover, our deacons have not had decision-making authority since the 2011 by-law revision. Under our
In other words, every Baptist church has the freedom to selfdetermine how it will worship and do ministry, who it will call and ordain to leadership positions, and where it will spend its resources. Under the Lordship of Jesus and trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit (two crucial qualifiers!), each local congregation does as it sees best. This means congregationallygoverned churches are free to be nimble, flexible, and creative in
Our Deacons and Coordinating Council have spent several months discussing where, and how, Providence needs to adapt to new realities. A consensus has emerged that both our current committee
current by-laws, our Coordinating Council can discuss, but not make decisions about, matters of significance to the church. Bottom line: we need to revise our governing structure to be less cumbersome and more clear in order for us to meet the missions and ministry goals that we’ve set. The good news is that we have the freedom to do just that. Indeed, because we are Baptists, “How do we get there?” is a question for the congregation to discuss. We will have two Sharing and Listening events this month: One on January 21, the other during the Faith Formation time on January 28; plus written options (both online and on paper), for those who can’t attend either event. I hope that each of you will add your voice to this important conversation. It’s how we do our best work together, which is the genius of Spiritled, congregationally-governed churches like ours. May the peace of Christ be with you!
Ministry @ Providence ADULT DISCIPLESHIP
MUSIC
CHURCHWIDE
Blake Kendrick, bkendrick@providencebc.org
Timothy Hill, thill@providencebc.org
Midweek Rotation: Book Club On Wednesday January 10, we will be discussing Creating a Life with God by Daniel Wolpert at 6 p.m. in the upstairs parlor. The book can be found on Upper Room or on Amazon.
A Note From Tim With the joys of Christmas still ringing in my heart and mind, I simply must say “Thank You.” It is truly a blessing to make music together, and I hope you’ll consider joining our musical journey in 2024.
Quarterly Church Conference Our Q1 Church Conference will be held January 21 at 11:30 a.m. following worship in the Sanctuary.
ACTIVITY CENTER Joshua Jones, jjones@providencebc.org Youth Basketball Games Come and out and support our Providence Youth Basketball teams! Games are held every Saturday in the Activity Center Gymnasium. CHILDREN Elizabeth Maye Hudson, emaye@providencebc.org Getting Ready Class We will meet during Faith Formation each Sunday in January to wonder and wander together about what it means to follow Jesus and if we’re ready for baptism. Email Elizabeth to sign-up! PASSPORTKids PASSPORTkids is a 4-day, 3-night children’s camp with faith-building programming and hands-on missions education for students who have completed 3rd-5th grade. Your child will discover God’s love and practice being followers of Jesus through an active schedule of Bible studies, missions education, recreation, and worship. Register on Realm through January 30. Scholarships are available. Contact Elizabeth for more information. CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Ursula Taylor, utaylor@providencebc.org CDC Closings The Child Development Center will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2024, in observance of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Choir and Orchestra Invitation Choirs (Children, Students, Adults) and Instrumentalists: Do you sing or play? Let Tim know and we’d be happy to include your gifts together in worship! STUDENTS Dane Jackson, djackson@providencebc.org Media & Meaningful Relationships: A Mental Health Workshop On January 21 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Myers Park UMC & Myers Park Presbyterian, Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund will meet with both parents and youth to dive into the mental health of adolescents as it relates to online settings and relationships. Register for this free Workshop on our Students page! Winter Ski Retreat Join us January 26-28 for a weekend at Winterplace Resort! We’ll be staying in a mountain house close to skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. Register on Realm by January 12. SENIOR ADULTS Wilna Eury, wilna.eury@att.net PrimeTimer’s Luncheon Mark your calendar for our Thursday, January 18 luncheon. Our guest speaker will be Charlotte attorney Robert Whitlow, best-selling author of Christian legal thrillers. Register on Realm.
CBFNC Retreat CBF of North Carolina’s Spiritual Formation Advisory Team is offering a special retreat opportunity aimed at laity. The Art of Savoring: Spiritual Practices for an Abundant Life retreat will be held January 26-27 at Camp Agape in Fuquay-Varina. Register at secure.qgiv.com/for/ cbfeve/event/theartofsavoringspiritual practicesforanabundantlife by 12 p.m. on January 18! Mission Collection The January Mission Collection, sponsored by Women on Mission, is school supplies for Families Forward. Donations will be used to replenish supplies locally as the new year begins. Items can be placed in the hallway leading to the Fellowship Hall. Women on Mission Women on Mission will meet January 9 in the Mission Center at 10:30 a.m. with our two group activities: the Prayer Group and the Mission Action Group. Our general meeting is at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch. Our speaker will be a representative from The Bulb as we continue to learn more about our mission partners. All are welcome! Prayer Vigil You are invited to come sit and pray quietly from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. in the Chapel on January 27. Suggested Prayer guides are available. Providence Closings The Providence Campus, CDC, and Activity Center will be closed January 1 for New Year’s Day and January 15 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
FO L LOW U S @providencebccharlotte @ providence_baptist_clt
Our schedule offers Music, Missions, and Faith Formation for all ages. See the opportunities to join us during the month of December below:
ADULT ROTATIONS, 6 – 7 P.M.
CHILDREN’S ROTATIONS, 5:45 – 7 P.M.
January 10 – Book Club: Creating a Life with God by Danial Wolpert
Preschool-1st Grade – Missions
January 17 – Do Justice: Adult DC Mission Report January 24 – Vespers January 31 – Missions Cafe MUSIC Rehearsal Times: Young Musicians, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.; Cherub Choir and Trinity Singers, 5:45 – 6:30 p.m.; Student Music 6:30 – 7:30pm; Sanctuary Choir, 7:30 – 9 p.m. STUDENT FUSION, 5:45 – 6:30 P.M. Our midweek gathering will meet at 5:45 p.m. in the Youth Room.
January Calendar
2nd-5th Grade – Worship Rotation; Children will prepare to lead Providence on Children’s Sunday, February 4th. Make plans for your child to attend these Wednesdays as Children’s Sunday practice is during this time! MIDWEEK MENU January 10 Breakfast for Dinner January 17 Rotisserie Chicken & Veggies January 24 Blackened Beef Tips & Rice January 31 Pulled Pork BBQ Dinner Fellowship Meals will cost: $25 per Family, $8 per Individual, $5 per Child 10 and under, Free for Children 5 and under.
C H U RC H OF F IC E H OU RS Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
WEEKLY CALENDAR
MONDAY, JANUARY 1
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18
Mondays 4:30 p.m.
Providence Campus Closed
12 p.m.
5 p.m.
Youth Basketball Practice Adult Pickleball (ages 18+)
Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:30 p.m. Youth Open Gym (ages 12-17) 5 p.m.
Youth Basketball Practice
Wednesdays 5 p.m. Midweek at Providence Thursdays 11 a.m. 12 p.m. Sundays 9:15 a.m. 10:30 a.m.
Adult Bible Study, Missions Center Senior Pickleball (ages 55+) Faith Formation classes (all ages)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7 9:15 a.m.
Getting Ready Class Begins
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9 10:30 a.m.
Women on Mission, Missions Center
PrimeTimer’s Luncheon, Fellowship Hall
SUNDAY, JANUARY 21 11:30 a.m.
Q1 Church Conference, Sanctuary
4 p.m.
Sharing and Listening
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24
5 p.m.
Midweek Resumes
6 p.m.
6 p.m.
MOMs Group, Room 2231
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 11 a.m.
Adult Bible Study Resumes, Missions Center
MOMs Group, Room 2231
JANUARY 26-28 Student Ministry Winter Ski Retreat SATURDAY, JANUARY 27 8 a.m.
Prayer Vigil, Chapel
MONDAY, JANUARY 15
SUNDAY, JANUARY 28
Providence Campus Closed
9:15 a.m.
Sharing and Listening
Worship
492 1 RAN D OLPH R OA D, C H A R LOT T E , N C 28211 | 704 . 366 . 2784 | PROVIDENCEBC .O RG
The Record We Wrote
Save The Date
FINANC IAL SNAPSH OT: JA N 1 – N OV 3 0, 202 3 OPERATING INCO M E Financial Contributions
YTD Actual $
PBCDC Tuition
1,688,096
YTD Plan $
1,662,560
Other
Operations, Maintenance, and Grounds PBCDC Staff Ministerial and Operational Staff Total Ministry Costs $ Net $
$
1,882,114
183,027
Total Operating Income $ MI NISTRY CO STS Missions and Ministries $
1,946,279
YTD Variance (258,183) (219,553)
224,837
(41,810)
3,533,684
$
4,053,229
$
(519,545)
440,817
$
634,263
$
193,446
833,164
843,661
10,497
1,384,965
1,482,601
97,636
1,202,347
1,284,991
82,644
3,861,294
4,245,516
384,223
(327,610)
$ $
(192,287)
$ $
(135,323)
F E B RUARY 3 Room in the Inn Begins F E B RUARY 4 Children’s Sunday F E B RUARY 7 Sacred Grounds F E B RUARY 13 Shrove Tuesday F E B RUARY 14 Ash Wednesday F E B RUARY 24 Prayer Vigil
«
PRAYER R EQU E STS
ON L IN E GIVIN G
If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time or needs guidance, please submit a prayer request at www.providencebc.org/ connect/prayer-request/ or contact Martha Haigler. Our community and Ministry Team will pray for you.
Do you give online to Providence? On Sundays, pick up an online giving card as you enter the Narthex and place it in the offering plate during worship!
Martha Haigler, mhaigler@providencebc.org
Periodicals Postage PAID Charlotte, NC USPS 979-940 49 2 1 RAN D O L PH R OA D CH ARLOT T E , N C 2 8 2 1 1