E-Link Online -- News of the American Baptist Churches of Michigan

Podcast of This Issue

Listen to this issue of E-Link Online by clicking on the podcast graphic. Or download it to your computer or MP3 player. Click on the podcast symbol above to listen to the entire contents of this issue. To save the podcast to your computer, iPod, or other device, right-click (for Macintosh control-click) on the podcast symbol; from the dropdown menu select "Save" or "Download". If you encounter problems playing the podcast, please contact the Editor at editor@abc-mi.org.

March Events

Saturday. March 14, 2009, from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m -- Youth Ministry Training at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 424 E. Kennelworth Ave, Flint, MI. See article in this issue of E-Link Online for more information.

Saturday, March 28, 2009, from 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. -- Metropolitan Detroit Association of American Baptist Churches' (MDAABC) Annual Youth Rally (www.metrodetroitassoc-abc.org)., location TBA. This Youth Rally invites American Baptist Youth Ministries from the entire Detroit Metropolitan Area to come together for Food, Fun, and Fellowship. For now please just save the date. For more information and to indicate your desire to attend and/or volunteer to help coordinate this event, please contact Rev. Nikita McCalister at nikitagiselle@yahoo.com or call the MDAABC office at (248) 443-6888.

Voices

O Lord,
The house of my soul is narrow;
enlarge it that you may enter in.
It is ruinous, O repair it!
It displeases Your sight.
I confess it, I know.
But who shall cleanse it,
to whom shall I cry but to you?
Cleanse me from my secret faults, O Lord,
and spare Your servant from strange sins.

--- Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-430)

Clergy Must Report Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect

The Michigan Child Protection Law requires that certain persons report any case of suspected child abuse or child neglect to the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS). The definition of mandated reporter includes clergy.

A newly-published brochure spells out the legal standard for reporting:

The Michigan Child Protection Law requires you to file a report when you have reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect. This is an extremely low legal standard. This pamphlet describes some signs of abuse and neglect. However, you must keep in mind that you are not required to determine whether abuse or neglect has actually occurred. DHS is responsible for investigating reports of suspected abuse and neglect and for determining how each case progresses. You must make a report whenever you suspect that abuse or neglect may have occurred.

All clergy should download and print the brochure (http://abc-mi.org/elink/clergymandate.pdf) and become aware of these legal requirements. Free copies of these brochures are available from Joe Kozakiewicz, JD, LMSW. Director, MSU Chance at Childhood Program, 541 E Grand River, East Lansing, MI 48823, kozakiew@msu.edu, 517.432.8406.

Sowing Seeds of Ministry (Take 2)

Our ministries at the American Baptist Churches of Michigan are like garden plots, carefully laid out and planted in order to reap a bountiful harvest. As plants needs light, water, and soil to grow, so our ministries need a variety of things to thrive: dedicated people, prayer, and funding. Because we all want to see a yield of changed lives, we need to be careful stewards of our resources.

One of the ways ABC-MI is doing just that is through our annual Region offering: Sowing Seeds of Ministry. Through this special offering, our churches have the chance to contribute directly to our Region to support the worthy ministries that ABC-MI provides. Money given to this offering helps support efforts to grow healthy churches, cultivate health in our pastors, and sow seeds of the Gospel in Michigan.

The Region suggests promoting the Sowing Seeds of Ministry offering in May, but your church can collect the offering any time. Advertising and support materials will begin to arrive at your church in early April. New this year, short video clips will be available to show before or during your services, in Sunday school classes, or during fellowship times. Please take advantage of these professionally produced videos to engage your congregation and help them understand how your offering supports your Region ministries.

ABC-MI is proud to stand in partnership with your church, providing the ministries you need when you need them. We hope you will take advantage of the chance you have to directly impact those ministries through your generous giving. You have the chance to sow seeds of ministry in our state where many people are hurting and in need of support.

Remember: as in bringing forth fruit from the earth, bringing in the harvest of the Kingdom takes time, dedication, prayer, and patience. It also takes financial support. Thank you in advance for yours.

Holy Spirit Renewal Group Assists Bangkok "Night Light" Ministry

At last summer's Green Lake meeting of the Holy Spirit Renewal Movement ABC International Ministries missionaries Annie and Jeff Dieselberg told of their work with the Night Light Ministry in Bangkok, Thailand.

Hearing of Night Light's outreach to young women entrapped in the sex-trafficking industry by providing alternative employment making jewelry, HSRM and members of Redeeemer Fellowship Church in Monroe responded in a remarkable way. More than $1.3 million was raised to acquire two buildings for Night Light.

Volunteers went from Monroe to Bangkok to help with renovation. Additional funds are being sought for further renovation and equipping of these buildings.

Dr. John Piippo, pastor of Redeemer Fellowship Church in Monroe, serves on the Holy Spirit Renewal Movement Executive Committee, and has told the amazing story in a letter to HSRM members. >>> Read Piippo's letter..

New Budget Policy for Scheduling Missionary Speakers

In the past ABC International Ministries covered all costs associated with getting our missionaries to our churches to give a first-hand account of what American Baptist Churches are supporting financially and through prayer around the world. Over the last 15 to 20 years giving to missions has been affected dramatically, as our churches struggle with a major cultural shift, and now a significant economic downturn. IM finds that it must ask inviting regions and churches to share these costs.

The deputation budget will now cover the costs of airfare to and from the inviting region for the confirmed speaker. Missionaries are being requested to ask the inviting group to cover their onsite expenses (this includes lodging, meals and all onsite transportation costs such as airport pick-up or car rental, and mileage). In other words, the costs for travel within a region or short distance state to state travels will need to be handled by the hosting church or region. Before committing to speaking arrangements, the missionaries have been informed to clarify this with the inviting group.

Regions and churches are strongly encouraged to consider contributing towards the full travel cost of a speaker's expense, whenever possible.

Please see the current list of the missionaries who will be on US/Puerto Rico assignment for 2009-2010. It's a list in progress so please anticipate changes. Please contact Debbie Hart with your questions at 800.632.2953 ext. 221 or dhart@abc-mi.org and I will do my best to assist however I can.

Register Now for Youth Worker Connect

Danette Matty

Registration has begun for the Youth Worker Connect: Inspiration and Training for Youth Ministry, March 14 at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Flint, 9:00 – 3:30. Danette Matty will offer the plenary address and also lead a workshop. Danette is a member of Group’s national training team and author of many articles concerning Youth (and leading Youth).

This event will offer a chance to connect with others who care about youth and provide information and training for pastors, church school teachers and any volunteer or professional who works with Youth or comes into contact with Youth. There will even be tips on how to start a Youth Ministry as well as how to run a Youth ministry with very limited (or no) funds.

A brochure with registration form has been sent to every ABC-MI church. You may also download the brochure [here]. Registration discounts will be available for congregations that send more than one person to the event, so bring your whole team of youth workers, church school teachers and potential volunteers! For more information please contact Sue Ellen Glover (sueellen@fbca2.org) or Family Ministry Team Chair, Rev. Cheryl Swaker-Corneal (cfswaker@sbcglobal.net).

Short Notices

The American Baptist Foundation announces "Eight Benefits of a Gift Annuity through ABF." >>> See what they are.

Save the date of September 26, 2009, for the Annual Golf Outing for Friendship House at Fox Creek Golf Club in Livonia.

The Friendship House Newsletter is now provided in both PDF and DOC formats. The DOC format is a much smaller file and will take much less time to acquire on slow dialup connections. Read it in PDF at http://abc-mi.org/elink/fh.pdf or in DOC format at http:abc-mi.org/fh.doc.

The next issue of E-Link Online will be published on March 23, 2009. Please send news items and notices to the Editor (editor@abc-mi.org) by March 19.

Scholarships Available from Central Area

The Central Area Leadership Team has sent scholarship applications for our Michigan camps and for Green Lake to all CA churches. These applications are due May 1. Two Green Lake scholarships ($300 each) will be granted and $1500 will be awarded for children, youth, adults and families to attend Lake Louise or Lael. First time campers will be given priority, but all applications will be considered. Contact Sue Ellen Glover at gloverse@hotmail.com for more information or for an application.

The Central Area is also offering scholarships for CA participants of the Youth Worker Connect event on March 14 at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Flint. Applications were available at the CA Annual Meeting and are also available by contacting Sue Ellen Glover at gloverse@hotmail.com. Almost $400 has been made available and will be awarded as soon as applications are received. The brochure and registration form is available online: http://abc-mi.org/elink/youthconnect.pdf.

Editor's Trips

Disclaimer: listing of these references does not imply endorsement of positions or policies advocated in them by either the American Baptist Churches of Michigan or the editor of E-Link Online. They are provided here for further thought, discussion, inquiry, and an occasional laugh. Caveat lector. Suggestions for "Trips" and readers' comments are welcome. Send to editor@abc-mi.org.

The Editor

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