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

Issue 2009.23, November 2, 2009

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ABC-MI Annual Business Meeting Highlights

Report of the President: The Rev. Heidi DeMott Shanes provided delegates an update on the Future Search Initiatives, highlighting the report included in the delegate packet. She also reported on the decision of the ABC-MI Executive Committee to form a Camping Task Force that will work with the Camp Lake Louise and Camp Lael Board representatives to move both camps toward greater independence by September 2011. This action relieves the Administrative Ministry Team of this responsibility and places the Camping Task Force directly under the Executive Committee. In her report on the camps, Region President Shanes outlined the steps taken to develop a business plan for each camp. Click here for Future Search Report.

Report of the Executive Minister: Dr. Michael A. Williams began by recognizing the new pastors that have come into the Region since the 2008 Annual Meeting. He also introduced the Rev. Ronald Cary of the Region staff, who conferred on behalf of the Commission on Ordination and Standing the “Lay Pastor Certification” status upon Dan Miller, associate minister at First Baptist Church of Saginaw.
Dr. Williams also highlighted the ongoing efforts of the ABC-MI to address the “Growing Healthy Churches” initiative. While he acknowledged that “these are challenging times for all of us, these are also great opportunities for our churches to make a difference in the Kingdom of God.” Voicing his concern related to the matter of discipleship—actually the dearth in disciple-making taking place in churches, he said, “The Christian Church, on the whole, must get serious about discipleship. If we, in this day, are going to be in continuity with Christians across the ages and truly impact culture, then healthy congregations will be laser-focused on the spiritual formation of its members—we are in desperate need of radical discipleship. As I engage postmoderns, I see a tremendous hunger for what is real. And, sadly, all too often churches are failing to address what is real—failing in meaningful discipleship.”

He referred to David Wells' book, The Courage to Be Protestant: Truth-lovers, Marketers, and Emergents in the Postmodern World, which asserts that “Sales pitches, marketed faith, the gospel as commodity, people as customers, God as just a prop to my my inner life, the glitz and sizzle, Disneyland on the loose in churches—all of it is skin deep and downright wrong. (p.57) It is not making serious disciples. It cannot make serious disciples. It brims with success, but it is empty and shallow. It is time to reach back into the Word of God, as we have not done in a generation, and find again a serious faith for our undoubtedly serious times.”

Williams noted, “If we are to be about congregational health, we must become communities of faith that love the truth God has revealed and, in so doing, become serious and joyous about the God of that truth and intent upon serving him in his world. Wells says it best, 'The truth is that there is nothing in our postmodern world that is a serious threat, or an insurmountable obstacle, to the will of God…He will grow the church.' The question is, do we believe it? Are we truly open and aware of the various expressions of the church in this day?"

The Executive Minister concluded by stating, “My friends, each and every congregation must struggle with what it means to be about spiritual formation and discipleship. We cannot continue with the pabulum that we have proffered as discipleship."

The business session continued as Dr. Williams then presented to the Rev. Heidi DeMott Shanes the Annual Report Booklet for adoption. The delegates approved the adoption of the report. Click here for Annual Report Booklet.

Report of the Nominating Committee: The Rev. Dr. Kevin Turman, Immediate Past President and Chair of the Nominating Committee, presented the nominating committee’s recommended slate of officers and candidates to serve the various Region ministry teams and committees. He also expressed appreciation to the Rev. Heidi DeMott Shanes for her last minute efforts to complete the slate of candidates. The delegates unanimously approved the nominating committee report. New officers include: Ms. Erica Van Brakle, president (pictured at right); Ms. Mary Ivey, vice-president; the Rev. David Leisman, secretary; the Rev. Heidi DeMott Shanes, Immediate Past President. Click here to see complete nominating committee report.

Report of the Treasurer:Region Treasurer Edwin Ritzler presented the 2009 financial report including projected revenues of $625,304 compared to budgeted revenues of $716,044. The projected expenses are $654,373 compared to budgeted expenses of $718,991. This leaves a projected shortfall of $29,069 for 2009.
Mr. Ritzler then presented the proposed 2010 budget including revenues of $670,494 and expenses of $670, 125. In order to achieve these budget cuts, professional and support staff salaries will be frozen at 2009 levels. In addition, one support staff position will be eliminated for 2010. There will also be reductions in the number of hours for professional staff consulting. Each ministry team worked to reduce their budgets to achieve a balanced budget proposal for 2010. The delegates approved the proposed budget as presented.
Other Actions: Delegates approved the recommended changes to the ABC-MI Bylaws (click here for link to Bylaws).
Delegates also recognized Mr. Jeff Rector, the Michigan State University American Baptist Student Foundation (MSU ABSF) chaplain for the past two years. It was also noted, with sadness, the decision of the MSU ABSF Board of Directors to cease the student ministry with the conclusion of the 2008-2009 academic year. Dr. Williams expressed his appreciation to Mr. Rector for his ministry to the students and his recent efforts to assist in the “winding up of operations” of the campus ministry.

Dr. Williams presented a plaque to the Rev. Heidi DeMott Shanes, recognizing her for her year of service as Region president.

The Rev. Heidi DeMott Shanes recognized Mr. Edwin Ritzler, chair of the Executive Minister Search Committee that brought Dr. Williams to Michigan ten years ago. Mr. Ritzler shared with the delegates the process the search committee went through resulting in Dr. Williams’ call to be our executive minister and recognized search committee members who were in attendance. He then presented to Dr. Williams a plaque recognizing his ten years of service along with a gift certificate. Dr. Williams expressed appreciation for the recognition and gift. He also acknowledged his appreciation for the ABC-MI staff.

The annual meeting was brought to conclusion by the Rev. Heidi Demott Shanes.
Click here for Annual Equipping and Meeting Event Photos.

Conversation Café at Annual Equipping Event

Whenever believers gather there is an expectation that God has something to say.

The 2009 Annual Equipping Event featured a unique process known as the Conversation Café. The Conversation Café is an innovative yet simple method for hosting conversations about questions that matter. Since its inception barely ten years ago, it has been widely used by the business community, corporate executives and national leaders as a way to discover new strategies, unearth new ideas and uncover creative solutions to perplexing issues. It has recently been emerging within the faith community as an effective tool for discipleship and evangelism. Says the Rev. John Hopkins, Bishop of the United Methodist Church, “Hope for the church is dependent upon the quality of our conversations. Conversations build relationships and relationships build hope. Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” The key to our future is as simple as welcoming Jesus in our midst; it is as complicated as tending to our conversations.”

The Rev. Dr. Trinette McCray, President of the American Baptist Historical Society, past president of ABC-USA and Executive Director of the Office for Vocation Development at Cardinal Stritch University introduced the Conversation Café process to those gathered at this year’s annual equipping event. The Conversation Café is built on seven principles:

Clarify the context
Create hospitable space
Explore questions that matter
Encourage each person’s participation
Cross-pollinate and connect diverse perspectives
Listen together for patterns, insights, and deeper questions
Harvest and share collective discoveries

The process involves a ‘table host’ who welcomes people to the table, creates a hospitable space and facilitates conversation, and the people who start at their home table, and then move a couple of times to other tables to engage the question before returning to their home table to harvest the insights and share discoveries.

Friday’s session with clergy and professional church leaders engaged the questions, “As pastoral leaders, what kind of leadership is needed for these times,” and “As pastoral leaders, what resources will we claim that sustain us while leading in these times?” Saturday’s session engaged the question, “What are our resources for navigating through tough times?" The input and insights generated from the conversations are currently being compiled to be made available to all who are interested. For more information about Conversation Café, contact the Region office and request one of the booklets that Dr. McCray distributed at the event.

The Conversation Café culminated in a worship service in which Dr. McCray preached from Nehemiah and encouraged all of us not to be discouraged in these difficult times but to be about the work of rebuilding lives for the sake of reaching one more person for Christ.

Friendship House 80th Anniversary Celebration

The most recent highlight in Friendship House’s long 80 year history took place October 16 as part of the Annual Equipping Meeting of the ABC-MI. After a lovely buffet dinner, the program began in the sanctuary of Covenant Baptist Church, West Bloomfield. Host Pastor Jon Good served as Master of Ceremonies, and invited all to read aloud a call to worship about honoring the needy and powerless.

The Courville Concert Choir, under the direction of Willard Hines, processed down the aisles and sang a range of music from classical to hymns. Their animated style as they sang a song about Jonah and the Whale was most engaging.

A new Friendship House video made its debut and covered the history, current programming, and dreams for the future. Narrated by ABC-MI pastor, the Rev. Jabulani McCalister, of the Greater Christ Church in Detroit, the Friendship House video will also be available to readers on request after November 15. Call 313-871-7443 to request a copy of the video..

The weekend’s guest presenter, the Rev. Dr. Trinette McCray, gave inspirational words and a dedicatory prayer for Friendship House. Dr. McCray has personal experience directing a similar nonprofit in Wisconsin; she well understands the challenges faced by Friendship House. Cake and cider were served by Friendship House Board of Directors members following the program.

World Mission Offering

The World Mission Offering (WMO) is used to support 2,500 short and long term missionaries annually, bringing U.S. and Puerto Rico churches together with partners in over 70 countries in cutting-edge ministries that tell the good news of Jesus Christ and demonstrate it in meeting human needs. This offering is normally promoted and received in October, but you may also donate to the WMO anytime during the year.

Metro Association Fall Dinner on November 14

The 7th annual Fall Dinner for the American Baptist Churches of the Metro Association will be held Saturday, November 14. Click here to see the flyer for more information. Dinner, entertainment and good fellowship. Please come and join us.

Volunteers in Global Mission Opportunities

International Ministries Volunteer Teams program has these current needs:

Urgent long term need in Nepal!

Chaurajahari Hospital is a mission hospital run by a Nepali NGO (Human Development and Community Services) committed to holistic mission. The hospital is in desperate need of a permanent senior doctor (GP, Obs/Gyn, pediatrics, surgery). If you know of anyone suitably qualified and experienced who can commit to working in Chaurajahari for at least a year, we want to hear from you. HDCS can provide a visa for doctors working in their hospitals. This will be a challenging yet rewarding assignment. Chaurajahari is in a remote location on the border of three districts – Rukum, Jajarkot and Salyan in Mid-West Nepal. The hospital provides essential health services to this poor community and seeks to be ‘living witnesses of God’s love’.

Plan now for summer camps in Lebanon, 2010

Teams of six or individuals who want to join a team are needed for camps that run from April through September; ages vary from children to teens, with two camps for extremely needy children. This is a GREAT program of outreach and ministry to and with children! Please call or email for more details and costs.

Connect with missionaries through Discovery Teams!

Tomoko Armagost, Debbie and Jim Kelsey, Mike and Becky Mann, Chuck and Ramona Shawver, and Judy Sutterlin are all connected with Discovery Teams in 2010/early 2011. Whether you are personally connected to a missionary, or would like to know more about them or the country they serve in, Discovery Teams are a great opportunity for you! Add to that the excitement of joining in organic gardening and “living simply so others may simply live” values in Japan; immigration and human trafficking issues in Italy; bringing running water, and the Living water of Jesus Christ to rural villages in Thailand; construction, VBS and encouraging first generations Christians in Mexico; or teaching English to Middle School teachers in China, and you’ve got yourself a mission experience that will change your life…and the lives of others. To find out more, go to www.internationalministries.org/volunteer_teams or call us. Deadlines to sign up for the Japan and Italy trip are March and and April, respectively…so don’t delay!

Xtreme Team

We’re wondering if there are any young adults out there interested in the mysteries of Egypt?? While we can’t tell Xtremers what they might be doing as they step out in faith to a land of antiquities and modern conveniences; Muslims and Christians; transportation ranging from boats on the Nile, camels, buses, trains…oops! If you’re between the ages of 19 - 29, or know someone who is, then give us a call, or go to www.xtremeteamonline.org to check out past experiences and apply for 2010.

As always, if you want to talk to us, get more information about these or any other opportunities, or just want to hear the phone ring..you can call us at 1-800-222-3872 ext 2366, or email us at bimvolunteers@abc-usa.org.

Short Notices

The next Ministry Leadership Certification class will be November 20 and 21. The November 20 class will meet at First Baptist Church of Charlotte at 6:30pm; the November 21 session is at the Region office, starting at 9am. The Rev. Brian Johnson will be teaching a class on Leadership Development.
The Volunteer Stewardship Group of ABCUSA Mission Resource Development has issued the second quarterly bulletin insert. To view-download-save-print it, click here.
First Baptist Church of Dearborn invites carollers to join in ANCHOR's Carolling Outreach Evening to the Muslim community on Saturday, December 12, 2009, at Dearborn Covenant Church, 18575 W. Outer Drive, Dearborn, MI 48128. Arrive no later than: 5:45 PM. For more information click to see the invitation letter.
B‚Jazz Vespers at First Baptist Church, Birmingham, Sunday, November 15, 6 to 8pm. "Some Sweet Jazz and an Interlude of Worship" features METRO JAZZ VOICESi rendering jazz standards, popular favorites and obscure gems in sophisticated four-part harmony, backed by one of the best rhythm sections in Metro Detroit. Brief worship led by Dr. J. Wesley Babian.
On November 12, 2009, the Governor's Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will sponsor its third Statewide Faith Based and Community Resource Conference in Lansing, Michigan at the Lansing Center, from 8:30 am-4:30 pm. For more information go to http://bit.ly/4usYVS.
Global Gifts and Crafts Shop will open for the fifteenth year at First Baptist Church, Birmingham, November 4 - Dec. 20, 2009. The shop is non-profit, staffed by volunteers, and all "profits" go mostly to Third World craftspersons and artisans who make the gifts and crafts. The Shop offers a large and varied inventory of quality merchandise at reasonable prices and is open daily from Wednesday through Saturday, 10am - 3pm, in the First Baptist Church of Birmingham.
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 Monday, November 16, 2009. Please send news items and notices to the Editor (editor@abc-mi.org) by November 12.

Editor's Trips

Every edition of E-Link Online features links to articles the Editor has tripped over while wasting time surfing the Web. Posting of these links does not necessarily mean that either he or the American Baptist Churches of Michigan agrees with, endorses, or otherwise promotes the views expressed in them. Their value, if any, consists of whatever further thought, discussion, inquiry, discernment, fury, or occasional laugh they may provoke. Readers are welcome to send their own suggestions to the Editor.

Why are Some Christians So Gullible? -- http://bit.ly/41EraQ

Health Care and the Common Good -- http://bit.ly/12xIWR

Health, Care, and the Gospel -- http://bit.ly/2n0zpQ

Tragic Consequences of Pastors' Silent Suffering -- http://bit.ly/1GIHkr

Mt. Zion Baptist in Kalamazoo Battles Grafitti, Wins Convert -- http://bit.ly/RJjNi

Churches Generous Despite Recession -- http://bit.ly/2aKv82

A Church That Pays People to Come to Worship -- http://bit.ly/cdEyB